"I can find plenty of pleasure and excitement in Maryland." "And so can I--but not of the sort she would have. It is all in what you have been used to. Maryland is agreeable enough for a few months, but she will want something else for steady diet. She has beauty and fascination, and they bring a higher price in England than in America." "Is the lady, then, for sale?" inquired Parkington. "We all are for sale, the only question is the price you pay." "Edith!" exclaimed Miss Marbury--"where, in Heaven's name, did you get such notions?" "Here in Maryland--every girl prefers a man with money or prominence--you do, I do, we all do. Unless he has one or the other, he is not even considered as a _possible_ husband--isn't it so!" "No--at least, I think, I am not for sale. Does love play no part in the compact?" "As you wish--you can love him or not. Given a rich or prominent suitor, and one possessing neither, which would you love, think you?" "All things being equal otherwise?" "Not necessarily--the poor one may be much the better looking--and of a more amiable disposition." "I cannot answer," said Miss Marbury; "I would have to see them to choose--wealth and prominence are in one's favor, but so also is a handsome person and an amiable disposition--and then, after all, I fancy, I should let love decide." "But if you love neither?" "Then, I reckon, I should marry neither," Miss Marbury answered. "Well, you for it!" said Miss Tyler, with a shrug, "but, for my part, love has nothing to do with it. And if it has, it is quite as easy to love the rich man as poor man, and much more sensible in the end." "In effect, you would sell yourself for money?" "And you would sell yourself for love; it is all the same--only, your consideration rarely lasts: the man makes no effort to keep it. It is different with money, vastly different." "I fear we are making a poor impression on Sir Edward," said Miss Marbury. "He will think you mercenary, and me a sentimentalist." "He flung the bone--he is responsible!" Miss Tyler laughed. "I did," said he--"and I was vastly entertained. Shall I fling another?" "Not this evening, my good sir," said Miss Tyler. "Perhaps you will decide the vexed question for us--mercenary or sentimentalist?" "Never, oh, never! Pray excuse me! Ladies, I beg of you----" "It would serve you right if we did not," Miss Marbury broke in. "Have a piece of chicken?" "Yes, yes! Two pieces, if you wish--I'll eat anything rather than decide between you!" he averred. "Then, no more bones, m'sieur." "No, no more bones," warned Miss Tyler. "Oh! may we tell that you are thinking of settling in Maryland?" "Lord! no!" Then, when they both laughed, he added: "I do not want to raise the ladies' hopes too high--I might not remain, you know." (Which is as good as saying I am not married--without saying it, he reflected.) Herford had been trying to overhear their talk, and, now, a sudden lull, around the table, afforded him the opportunity.