"Why not? Why should I not be married as well as my neighbors?" said
she, sharply.

Nobody arguing that point, both being indeed too bewildered to argue
at all, she continued, majestically,

"I assure you, sisters, there could not be a more unexceptionable
offer. It is true, Mr. Ascott's origin was rather humble; but I can
overlook that. In his present wealth, and with his position and
character, he will make the best of husbands."

Not a word was answered; what could be answered? Selina was free to
marry if she liked, and whom she liked. Perhaps, from her nature, it
was idle to expect her to marry in any other way than this; one of
the thousand and one unions where the man desires a handsome,
lady-like wife for the head of his establishment, and the woman
wishes an elegant establishment to be mistress of; so they strike a
bargain--possibly as good as most other bargains.

Still, with one faint lingering of hope, Hilary asked if she had
quite decided.

"Quite. He wrote to me last night, and I gave him his answer this
morning."

Selina certainly had not troubled any body with her "love affairs."
It was entirely a matter of business.

The sisters saw at once that she had made up her mind. Henceforward