"I tell you what,
Amey, the world waits for no one, each age has its manners, and
customs, its social peculiarities and special features since the
beginning of time men have had to be led by the age in which they
lived, and ours is no exception. Once upon a time marriage was a
contract conducted on the great principle of buying and selling.
Civilization with deft and tender fingers has smoothened away the
rough and repulsive aspect of such a custom, and our ministers now
ask, with a bland affectation of pastoral solicitude, 'Who _giveth_
this woman away?' Giveth her! forsooth; and in nine cases out of ten
how dearly is she bought! Why, we women are selling our bodies and our
souls too, for that matter, every day that comes and goes. But we
cannot help it," she added after a short pause, "and fortunately
circumstances are trained to suit our dilemma. I shall go across the
Atlantic for inspection, and if all goes well I shall return bespoken
for life. I shall certainly not marry for love, and as compensation
must be found somewhere, I will marry for position. I have the wealth
myself."
Her words chilled me. Their tone was cold and hard. I looked at her
and said half sadly,
"Alice, why do you talk like this? You have drifted into this peevish
sort of pessimism without forethought. How can you deliberately sit in
a shadow when the sun is shining all around you. With beauty and
riches and intelligence you have the keys to a world of happiness.
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