From the point of view I speak of that would be fatal; I should kill the goose that supplies me with the material of my inimitable omelettes.

I use that animal as the symbol of my insane illusions.

What I mean is that I shall have the thrill of seeing what a young lady does who won't marry Lord Warburton." "That's what your mother counts upon too," said Isabel.
"Ah, there will be plenty of spectators! We shall hang on the rest of your career.

I shall not see all of it, but I shall probably see the most interesting years.

Of course if you were to marry our friend you'd still have a career--a very decent, in fact a very brilliant one.