“You’ve plenty of time,’ she had said to Isabel in return for
the mutilated confidences which our young woman made her
and which didn’t pretend to be perfect, though we have seen
that at moments the girl had compunctions at having said so
much. ‘I’m glad you’ve done nothing yet — that you have it
still to do. It’s a very good thing for a girl to have refused a few
good offers — so long of course as they are not the best she’s
likely to have. Pardon me if my tone seems horribly corrupt;
one must take the worldly view sometimes. Only don’t keep
on refusing for the sake of refusing. It’s a pleasant exercise of
power; but accepting’s after all an exercise of power as well.
There’s always the danger of refusing once too often. It
was not the one I fell into — I didn’t refuse often enough.
You’re an exquisite creature and I should like to see you
married to a prime minister. But speaking strictly, you
know, you’re not what is technically called a parti. You’re
extremely good-looking and extremely clever; in yourself
you’re quite exceptional. You appear to have the vaguest
ideas about your earthly possessions; but from what I can
make out you’re not embarrassed with an income. I wish you
had a little money.’