"Oh, I'm not speaking of you two dears; you're not like any one else; you're an immense comfort," said Guy Firminger. "But they've reduced it to a science, and I assure you that if one were any one in particular, if one were not protected by one's obscurity, one's life would be a burden. Upon my honor, one wouldn't escape. I've seen it, I've watched them. Look at poor Beaupré—look at little Raddle over there. I object to him, but I bleed for him."
"Lord Beaupré won't marry again," said Mrs. Gosselin, with an air of conviction.
"So much the worse for him!"
"Come—that's a concession to our charms!" Mary laughed.
But the ruthless young man explained away his concession. "I mean that to be married's the only protection—or else to be engaged."
"To be permanently engaged—wouldn't that do?" Mary Gosselin asked.
"Beautifully—I would try it if I were a parti."
"And how's the little boy?" Mrs. Gosselin presently inquired.
