A girl should know her own mind before she tells a man she loves him--just as a man should before he speaks." "San Miniato certainly knows his own mind," retorted Beatrice viciously.
"No one can accuse him of not being ready and anxious to marry me--and my fortune." "How you talk, my angel! Of course if you had no fortune, or much less than you have, he could not think of marrying you.

That is clear.

I never pretended the contrary.

But that does not contradict the fact that he loves you to distraction, if that is what you want." "To distraction!" repeated Beatrice with scorn.
"Why not, dearest child?
Do you think a man cannot love because he is poor ?" "That is not the question, mamma!" cried Beatrice impatiently.

"You know it is not.