"He is--though we scarcely know him. He has been in France since he was eight years of age, getting his education under the Jesuits, and, in London, studying law in the Temple: he returned home only last year. Having polished himself, he will now spend the rest of his life looking after his property." "A pleasant occupation--when one has sufficient to look after." "And at which only about half of us are even moderately successful. If I can retain my own, and my wife's, I shall be more than thankful. As for Marbury"--he ended with a gesture. "Which means?" said Parkington. Plater laughed. "That is what I do not know. He has two children--you have seen them, what is your estimate?" "I have not seen enough to form an estimate, but I should say young Mr. Marbury shows excellent promise." "Only promise! Exactly, Sir Edward; but he should show more than promise. He is a charming young man, but can he hold together the Marbury fortune. I admit that I and all the others are undecided. As for Miss Marbury----" "It will depend upon the man she marries," said Parkington. "And the fortune will be much less than George's. The bulk always goes to the heir, if he be of direct blood, the same as in England, though there is no entail." "Who are Miss Marbury's suitors," asked Parkington, carelessly. "No one of the men, here, seems to be, and, yet, of course, she has them in plenty." "She _could_ have them in plenty, but she will not. Every young fellow in Annapolis would have been only too happy--but, nay. They can be as friendly as they please; the instant they would be more, she is up and away." "The right man has not come," said Parkington. "Possibly, not!--But where can you find a better man than Paca, or Constable, or Jennings, or any one of the young bloods you meet at the Coffee-house?" "I do not know--no one knows--possibly, even she does not know. But she will know, when the right one comes--that is, the right one for the time. He may be the wrong one in six months--more's the pity.--Yet even she cannot foresee that." "You are a bit cynical!" laughed Plater. "May be they are the ways of England, but they are not our ways." "Not your ways, _yet_," Parkington amended. "And, I trust, _never_ will be. When a woman chooses a husband, with us, whether for love or policy--though, thank God! there is not much of the latter--she makes the best of it. And it is marvelous what you can do, if you settle yourself to it." "I grant you that," said Parkington; "but the trouble with us seems to be, that, as the country grows broader in civilization, it loses in morals.--You are headed the same way; it is only a question of a little time until you are up with us." "Do you mean it will come in my day?--that I shall see it?"