I should be happier far in a little cottage than I am here surrounded by all these luxuries--it is true, Mr.Ellis, my tastes are simple." "Certainly, you would grace a cottage or a palace alike," he said, almost under his breath; "but we must all accept the position in which we are placed, and do our best in that." "Well," resumed Gwladys, "I have had three proposals of marriage, and on each occasion my aunt pressed me to accept the offer.

I refused to do so, unless I were allowed time and opportunity to make the most exhaustive inquiries as to my disinterested lover's antecedents.

My heart not being touched, I was able to do so dispassionately, and in each case I discovered something dishonourable in their characters.
One I found was on the brink of pecuniary ruin, I therefore considered I had a right to think he loved my fortune and not myself.

The next, though a man of honour and probity, I found had such an ungovernable temper that his own sisters failed to live with him.

The third was a widower.