Marriage, volume 1
Susan Edmonstoune Ferrier
MP3 CD
(IDB Productions, Sept. 3, 2018)
Marriage, volume 1 Chapter I Love! —A word by superstition thought a god; by use turned to an humour ; by self-wiil made a flattering madness. —Alexander and Campaspe. "COME hither, child," said the old Earl of Courtland to his daughter, as, in obedience to his summons, she entered his study ; " come hither, I say ; I wish to have some serious conversation with you : so dismiss your dogs, shut the door, and sit down here." Lady Juliana rang for the footman to take Venus; bade Pluto be quiet, like a darling, under the sofa ; and, taking Cupid in her arms, assured his lordship he need fear no disturbance from the sweet creatures, and that she would be all attention to his commands—kissing her cherished pug as she spoke. " You are now, I think, seventeen, Juliana," said his lordship, in a solemn important tone. « And a half, papa." " It is therefore time you should be thinking of establishing yourself in the world. Have you ever turned your thoughts that way?" " N—no, papa, not exactly in the way of establishing myself," replied the lady, hesitatingly. " That is well ; you have left that for me to do, like a good, wise little girl, as you are. Is it not so, my pretty Jule ?" " Perhaps, papa ; but I —I don't know " She stopped in evident embarrassment. " It is right you should know, however," said the Earl, knitting his brow, " that I can give you no fortune." " Oh, I don't in the least care about fortune, papa," eagerly interrupted his daughter, who knew about as much of arithmetic as of alchymy. " Don't interrupt me, and don't talk nonsense, child," said Lord Courtland, peevishly. " As I can give you no fortune, you have, perhaps, no greater right than many other pretty portionless girls to expect a very brilliant establishment." This