He represented that his income was small, and his prospects of advancement extremely slender.
"Marry," said the Earl.
"Thank you.

I would rather not.

I want to get rid of my incumbrances, not to increase them." "Marry," repeated the Earl.
"But whom ?" asked his son, staggered by this oracular response.
"Miss Drummond." "She's fifty, at least." "And has a hundred thousand pounds." "She would not have me." "You are growing modest." "Not in that respect.

She has refused half-a-dozen offers every season for the last twenty years." "Miss Pelham ?" "What would be the use of that ?" "Family interest." "Too many sons in the way." "Lady Adeliza Weymouth ?" Percy made a slight grimace.
"She is a year older than I am, and has a red nose; otherwise----" "You had better think of it, at any rate," said the Earl, "and try if she will have you.

Depend upon it, a sensible marriage is the best thing for you." On which advice the son had dutifully acted.