"I hope she'll be a good wife to you, Frederic."

"I don't see why she shouldn't. Good-by, mother. Tell the girls I will see
them next Saturday." He didn't see why this woman he was about to marry
should not be a good wife to him! And yet he knew nothing about her, and
had not taken the slightest trouble to make inquiry. That she was pretty
he could see; that she was clever he could understand; that she lived in
Mount street was a fact; her parentage was known to him; that she was the
undoubted mistress of a large income was beyond dispute. But, for aught he
knew, she might be afflicted by every vice to which a woman can be
subject. In truth, she was afflicted by so many, that the addition of all
the others could hardly have made her worse than she was. She had never
sacrificed her beauty to a lover--she had never sacrificed anything to
anybody--nor did she drink. It would be difficult, perhaps, to say
anything else in her favour; and yet Lord Fawn was quite content to marry
her, not having seen any reason why she should not make a good wife! Nor
had Sir Florian seen any reason; but she had broken Sir Florian's heart.

When the girls heard the news they were half frightened and half
delighted. Lady Fawn and her daughters lived very much out of the world.
They also were poor rich people--if such a term may be used--and did not
go much into society. There was a butler kept at Fawn Court, and a boy in
buttons, and two gardeners, and a man to look after the cows, and a
carriage and horses, and a fat coachman. There was a cook and a scullery
maid, and two lady's maids--who had to make the dresses--and two
housemaids and a dairy-maid. There was a large old brick house to be kept
in order, and handsome grounds with old trees. There was, as we know, a
governess, and there were seven unmarried daughters. With such
incumbrances, and an income altogether not exceeding three thousand pounds