The flirtation with Captain Brice had not ended in anything
serious--except the establishing of a character for coquetry for
Virginia--nor had several others which followed in quick succession.
The girl had much ado to conceal her chagrin; she had started out with
bright hopes of securing a brilliant match, and now, though not yet
twenty, began to be haunted with the terrible, boding fear of old
maidenhood.
She confided her trouble to Isadore one day, when a fit of extreme
depression had made her unusually communicative.
Isa could scarce forbear smiling, but checked the inclination.
"It is much too soon to despair, Virgy," she said; "but indeed, I do not
think the prospect of living single need make one wretched."
"Perhaps not you, who are an heiress; but it's another thing for poor,
penniless me."
Isadore acknowledged that that probably did make a difference.
"But," she added, "I hope neither of us will ever be so silly as to marry
for money. I think it must be dreadful to live in such close connection
with a man you do not love, even if he is rolling in wealth; but suppose
he loses his money directly? There you are, tied to him for life without
even riches to compensate you for your loss of liberty.
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