Though you loved each other
as well as any man and woman that ever were brought into each
other's arms by the beneficence of God, you cannot make her
happy,--unless you can ensure her the respect of those around her.'
'All the world will respect her.'
'Her conduct;--yes. I think the world, your world, would learn to
do that. I do not think it could help itself. But that would not
suffice. I may respect the man who cleans my boots, but he would
be a wretched man if he were thrown on me for society. I would not
give him my society. Will your Duchesses and Countesses give her
theirs?'
'Certainly they will.'
'I do not ask for it as thinking it to be of more value than that
of others; but were she to become your wife she would be so
abnormally placed as to require it for her comfort. She would have
become a lady of high rank,--not because she loves rank, but
because she loves you.'
'Yes, yes, yes,' said Silverbridge, hardly himself knowing why
became impetuous.
'But having removed herself into that position, being as she would
be, a Countess, or a Duchess, or what not, how could she be happy
if he were excluded from the community of Countesses and
Duchesses?'
'They are not all like that,' said Silverbridge.
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