' Then the
Countess made some attempts to argue the matter. There were
proprieties! High rank might be a blessing or might be the
reverse--as people thought of it;--but all men acknowledged that
much was due to it. 'Noblesse oblige.' It was often the case in
life that women were called upon by circumstances to sacrifice
their inclinations! What right had a gentleman to talk of
marriage who had no means? These things she said and very many
more, but it was to no purpose. The young lady asserted that as
the gentleman was a gentleman there need be no question as to
rank, and that in regard to money there need be no difficulty if
one of them had sufficient. 'But you have none but what your
father gives you,' said Lady Cantrip. 'Papa can give it us without
any trouble,' said Lady Mary. This child had a clear idea of what
she thought to be her own rights. Being the child of rich parents
she had the right to money. Being a woman she had a right to a
husband. Having been born free she had a right to choose one for
herself. Having had a man's love given to her she had a right to
keep it.
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