Don't suppose that I would have you marry for money alone; but if the lady should be well portioned, sir, so much the better--so much the better." At last he seemed to set his heart upon my having one of Aunt Maria's daughters.

People who live years and years on their own country estates without going much from home are apt sometimes to fancy that there is nothing like their own family circle.

My father had a great objection, too, to what he called "modern young ladies." I think he thought that, as there was no girl left in the world like my poor mother, I should be safer and happier with one of my cousins.

They were unexceptionably brought up, and would all have considerable fortunes.
But though I was very fond of my cousins, I had no wish to choose a wife from them.

They had been more like sisters to me than cousins from our childhood.