Most of these theatrical marriages you have read about were mere business contracts.

John is in love." "But is he loved ?" "Miss Challoner has a very comfortable fortune of her own.

She would, in my opinion, be the last person in the world to marry for money or social position, the latter of which she already has." But she saw through his diplomacy.
"Perhaps she may desire a home ?" "That is probable; but it is quite evident to me that she wants John with it." "There are persons in town who will do their best to make her unhappy." "You will always find those persons; but I am confident Miss Challoner will prove a match for any of them.

There is no other woman in the world who knows better than she the value of well-applied flattery." "She is certainly a charming woman; it is impossible not to admit that frankly.

But you, who are familiar with the stage, know how unstable people of that sort are.