and 32 Mexico. Santa Anna is a supreme villain; I have a fancy to see such a specimen.” 32 “You are then between the devil and the deep sea; and I should say that the one-legged Spaniard was preferable to the deep sea of matrimony.” “She is so fair! She has a virgin timidity that enchants me.” “It will become matronly indecision, or mental weakness of will. In the future it will drive you frantic.” “Her sweet sensibility—” “Will crystallize into passionate irritation or callous opposition. These childlike, tender, clinging maidens are often capable of sudden and dangerous action. Better go to Cuba, or even to Mexico, Ulfar.” “I suppose she has wealth. You will admit that excellence?” “She is co-heir with her brothers. She may have two thousand pounds a year. You cannot afford to marry a girl so poor.” “I have not yet come to regard a large 33 sum of money as a kind of virtue, or the want of it as a crime.” 33 “Your wife ought to represent you. How can this country-girl help you in the society to which you belong?” “Society! What is society? In its elemental verity it means toil, weariness, loss of rest and health, useless expense, envy, disappointment, heart-burnings,—all for the sake of exchanging entertainments with A and B, C and D. It means chaff instead of wheat.” “If you want to be happy, Ulfar, put this girl out of your mind. I am sure her brothers will oppose your suit. They will not let their sister leave Allerdale. No Anneys has ever done so.” “You have strengthened my fancy, Elizabeth. There is a deal of happiness in the idea of prevailing, of getting the mastery, of putting hindrances out of the way.” “Well, I have given you good advice.” “There are many ‘counsels of perfection’ nobody dreams of following. To 34 advise a man in love not to love, is one of them.” 34
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