Mr. Clifford drew himself up to the full
height of his spare figure, and caught in the tight skin of his
mummy-like face rather tighter than before, as he delivered himself
of this profound opinion. "A man should consult his own dignity,"
he said stiffly, and with great precision; "if he's born to assume
a position in the county, he should assume that position as a sacred
duty. He should remember that his wife and children--"
"But he hasn't got any wife, papa," Elma ventured to interpose,
with a bright little smile; so THAT can't count either way."
"He hasn't a wife AT PRESENT, to be sure; that's perfectly true,
my dear; no wife AT PRESENT; but he will probably now, in his
existing circumstances, soon obtain one. A Man of Property should
always marry. Mr. Waring will naturally desire to ally himself to
some family of Good Position in the county; and the lady's relations
would, of course, insist--"
"Well, it doesn't matter to us, papa," Elma answered maliciously;
"for, as far as we're concerned, you know; you've often said that
nothing on earth would ever induce you to give your consent."
The Gentleman of Good Position in the county gazed at his daughter
aghast with horror.
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