I beg you to wait for a year before you marry.' 'I'm afraid I can't gratify you, Aunt Julia.

I certainly can't ask Gerald to wait for a year.' 'My dear, why not!' Aunt Julia did not repress.
Althea went on calmly.

'It is true, of course, that we are not in love like two children, with no thought of responsibility or larger claims.
You see, one outgrows that rather naive American idea about marriage.
Mine is, if you like, a _mariage de convenance_, in the sense that Gerald is a poor man and cannot marry unless he marries money.

And I am proud to have the power to help him to build up a large and dignified life, and we don't intend to postpone our marriage when we know, trust, and love each other as we do.' 'A large life, my dear,' said Aunt Julia.

'Don't deceive yourself into thinking that.