’Then a girl is to marry without stopping even to think whether she likes the man or not?’

’She should teach herself to like the man, if the marriage be suitable.  I would not have you take a vicious man because he was rich, or one known to be cruel and imperious.  Your cousin Roger, you know—­’

‘Mamma,’ said Hetta, getting up from her seat, ’you may as well believe me.  No earthly inducement shall ever make me marry my cousin Roger.  It is to me horrible that you should propose it to me when you know that I love that other man with my whole heart.’

’How can you speak so of one who has treated you with the utmost contumely?’

’I know nothing of any contumely.  What reasons...