human
You told Sir Philip this evening, I think, of----
gpt
I hinted it to him, my dear--yes. Philip has known all along how much I desired it, and as Goodwood is one of his oldest and most favorite friends, I knew it would give him sincere pleasure both for my sake and Goodwood's, and yours too, for I think Philip likes you as much as he ever does any young girl--better, indeed; and I could not imagine--I could not dream for an instant--that there was any doubt of your acceptation, as, indeed, there _cannot_ be. You have been jesting to worry me, Flora!
human
You advise me to accept Lord Goodwood, then, Lady Marabout?
gpt
My love, if you need my advice, certainly!--such an alliance will never be proffered to you again; the brilliant position it will place you in I surely have no need to point out! returned Lady Marabout.
human
The little hypocrite! she mused, angrily,
gpt
I thought you did not approve of marriages of convenience?
human
No more I do, my dear--that is, under some circumstances; it is impossible to lay down a fixed rule for everything! Marriages of convenience--well, perhaps not; but as _I_ understand these words, they mean a mere business affair, arranged as they are in France, without the slightest regard to the inclinations of either; merely regarding whether the incidents of fortune, birth, and station are equal and suitable. Marriages _de convenance_ are when a parvenu barters his gold for good blood, or where an _ancienne princesse_ mends her fortune with a _nouveau riche_, profound indifference, meanwhile, on each side. I do not call this so; decidedly not! Goodwood must be very deeply attached to you to have forgotten his detestation of marriage, and laid such a title as his at your feet. Have you any idea of the weight of the Dukes of Doncaster in the country? Have you any notion of what their rent-roll is? Have you any conception of their enormous influence, their very high place, the magnificence of their seats? Helmsley almost equals Windsor! All these are yours if you will; and you affect to hesitate----
gpt
To let Lord Goodwood buy me!
human
Buy you? Your phraseology is as strange as my son's!
gpt
To accept him only for the coronet and the rent-roll, his position and his Helmsley, seems not a very grateful and flattering return for his preference?
human
I do not see that at all, said Lady Marabout, irritably. Is there anything more annoying than to have unwelcome truths thrust in our teeth?
gpt
It is not as though he were odious to you--a hideous man, a coarse man, a cruel man, whose very presence repelled you. Goodwood is a man quite attractive enough to merit some regard, independent of his position; you have an affectionate nature, you would soon grow attached to him----
human
And, in fact, she went on, warming with her subject, and speaking all the more determinedly because she was speaking a little against her conscience, and wholly for her inclinations,