“I meant twenty-five thousand over and above. He has that to live on. And, poor fellow, he is dropping every year deeper and deeper into debt. So much is expected of a marquis.” “But not honesty, apparently,” said I. “You mustn’t judge these people by our commercial standards,” she gently rebuked. “I forgot,” said I penitently. “And the poor fellow does love Margot so!” “Um,” said I. “Have you ever happened to hear of a Miss Townley--Jupey Townley?” A flash of annoyance flitted over Edna’s lovely, delicate countenance. “I see you have,” said I. “You were, indeed, thorough. Permit me to compliment you, my dear.” “I am glad Hugh hasn’t been a saint.” “Isn’t,” said I. “That’s all in the past,” declared she. “I saw them in a box at a London music hall night before last,” said I. “They were-- They had been drinking.” But Edna was not daunted. “You are a man of the world, Godfrey. Don’t pretend to be narrow.” “When a man loves a woman----” “Love is very different from that sort of thing, and you know it.” “Has Margot heard----” “Godfrey!” cried Edna, in horror. “Do you think I would permit _my_ daughter--_our_ daughter--to know such things! Why, her mind is as pure----” I could not restrain a gesture of disgust. “You women!” I cried, rising. “Pure! Pure--God in Heaven, pure!” Her look of dazed astonishment, obviously sincere, helped me to get back my composure. I sat down again. “I beg your pardon,” I said. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.” “Even if you men have no purity yourselves, you ought to believe in it in women,” said she, with an injured air. “Yes, indeed,” I agreed heartily. “I congratulate you on being able to make such generous allowances for masculine frailty.” “You are sarcastic,” said she coldly. “No matter. It certainly does not damage the title--perhaps adds to its luster.” “It’s hereditary in their family to be wild up to marriage, and then to settle down and serve the state in some distinguished position.” “Oh--in that case--” said I ironically. “Margot and her husband and her children will have your money some day,” pursued she. “Why not give it to her now, when it will get her happiness?” That impressed me. “I have not said I would not consent to this marriage,” I reminded her. “As a matter of fact, I’m in favor of it. I can see no future for Margot in America----” “No, indeed,” cried Edna eagerly. “She simply couldn’t marry over there. She’d be wretched.” “But I feel it is my duty-- Rather late in the day for me to talk about duty toward my daughter, after neglecting it all these years. Still, I ought to see to it that she has the best possible chance for a smooth married life. It’s only common prudence to take all precautions--isn’t it?” “All _sensible_ precautions,” said she. “You know how many of these foreign ‘alliances,’ as they’re called, have turned out badly.” “They get a good many divorces in the states,” she suggested smilingly. “One to every twelve marriages, I read the other day.”