' As he said this
the tone of his voice was altered, and there was a melancholy
solemnity not only in his words but in his countenance. 'I take it
that young people when they love rarely think of more than the
present moment. If they did so the bloom would be gone from their
romance. But others have to do this for them. If Isabel had come
to me saying that she loved a poor man, there would not have been
much to disquiet me. A poor man may earn bread for himself and his
wife, and if he failed I could have found them bread. Nor had she
loved somewhat below her degree, should I have opposed her. So
long as her husband had been an educated man, there might have
been no future punishment to fear.'
'I don't think she could have done that,' said Silverbridge.
'At any rate she has not done so. But how am I to look upon this
that she has done?'
'I'll do my best for her, Mr Boncassen.'
'I believe you would. But even your love can't make her an
English-woman. You can make her a Duchess.'
'Not that, sir.'
'But you can't give her a parentage fit for a Duchess;--not fit at
least in the opinion of those with whom you will pass your life,
with whom,--or perhaps without whom,--she will be destined to pass
her life, if she becomes your wife! Unfortunately it does not
suffice that you should think it fit.
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