"
"Ay, but we were neither of us fools, Martha; at least you were not, or
you would never have suffered yourself to be persuaded into matrimony,
as you did at last. There was, it is true, an affected frown upon your
brow; but then, again, there was a very sly smile under it. As for me,
I would have escaped the match if I could; but no matter, it was all for
the best, although neither of us anticipated as much. Alice, my child,
think of what we have said to you; reflect upon it. Our object is to
make you happy; our experience of life is much greater than yours. Don't
reply to us now; we will give you a reasonable time to think of it.
Consider that you will add to your mother's happiness and mine by
consenting to such an unobjectionable match. This young man will, of
course, inherit his uncle's property; he will elevate you in life; he is
handsome, accomplished, and evidently knows the world, and you can look
up to him as a husband of whom you will have a just right to feel proud.
Allow the young man to visit you; study him as closely as you may; but
above all things do not cherish an unfounded antipathy against him or
any one.
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