Long, long ago we had both of us given up thought of marriage.

I have never spoken to any one of the engagement; it was something too absurd, and also too sacred.' The smile died from Everard's face, and he sat in thought.
'Now, when are _you_ going to marry ?' cried Micklethwaite, with a revival of his cheerfulness.
'Probably never.' 'Then I think you will neglect a grave duty.Yes.It is the duty of every man, who has sufficient means, to maintain a wife.

The life of unmarried women is a wretched one; every man who is able ought to save one of them from that fate.' 'I should like my cousin Mary and her female friends to hear you talk in that way.

They would overwhelm you with scorn.' 'Not sincere scorn, is my belief.

Of course I have heard of that kind of woman.