You see, little Sarah Hewel, as she used to be, would have been making quite a great match in marrying Peter.

But Lady Tintern's adopted daughter and heiress--old Tintern left an immense fortune to his wife, didn't he ?--is another matter altogether.

And how could she settle down to this humdrum life after all the excitement and gaiety she's been accustomed to ?" "Women do such things every day.

Besides--" "Yes ?" "Is Peter still so much enamoured of a humdrum life ?" said John, dryly.
"I have had no opportunity of finding out; but I am sure he will want to settle down quietly when all this is over--" "You mean when he's no longer in love with Sarah ?" "He's barely one-and-twenty; it can't last," said Lady Mary.
"I don't know.

If she's so much cleverer than he, I'm inclined to think it may," said John.
"Oh, of course, if he married her--it would last," said Lady Mary.
"And then ?" said John, smiling.
"Perhaps _then_," said Lady Mary; and she laid her hand softly in the strong hand outstretched to receive it..