“Is your mother alive?”
“Yes.”
“What is her name?” I satisfied her on this point.
“Did she ever marry again?”
“She might have done so, but she loved her husband too well, and preferred living single.”
“Humph! We have no such notions here. What was your father?”
“A gentleman, who lived upon his own estate.”
“Did he die rich?”
“He lost the greater part of his property from being surety for another.”
“That's a foolish business. My man burnt his fingers with that. And what brought you out to this poor country—you, who are no more fit for it than I am to be a fine lady?”