human
Well, it is fine! I cried, putting the best face possible on the matter.
gpt
Of course I knew it all along. But when are they to be married?
human
Never, said Mrs. Radigan, sipping tea.
gpt
You see, it's just for a while. It was announced, by mistake, in the papers this morning, but we have denied it. It will make a great deal of talk, you know, and the formal announcement will be made next week.
human
I see, said I.
gpt
But you say they are not to be married?
human
Of course, said Mrs. Radigan.
gpt
You see, Pearl came to me and asked my consent, and I said they could be engaged for a while; he is such a well-known cotillon-leader.
human
But doesn't she love him?
gpt
Possibly, but that makes no difference. She doesn't know what love is, the dear thing, and is flattered because he is so dreadfully devoted to her. I encouraged it, because I don't think it does any harm for a girl to be engaged to one or two men before she really settles down. It improves her greatly. It gives her poise, manner, independence. Pearl is such a simple thing. Why, she thought at first that he wanted her money, but he assured her that it would never have made any difference at all if papa had never left her all those millions. He wanted her for herself alone. It's sweet of him, isn't it? Well, I told her that as long as they were so devoted to each other they might be engaged for a while--until May, anyway. We are going to London then for the season and will bring back a duke.
human
For the donkey-dinner?
gpt
Yes, said Mrs. Radigan.
human
Won't you have another cup of tea?