"I thank you," she said, trying hard to curb the scorn that was surging
fiercely within her, "but I shall be obliged to decline a union with Mr.
Hamblin--I could never become his wife."
"Why not, pray?" sharply demanded her companion.
"Because I believe that marriage should never be contracted without
mutual love, and I do not love Mr. Hamblin," Mona returned, with cold
positiveness.
"Really?" Mrs. Montague sneered, with a frowning brow, "one would suppose
that a person in your position--a poor seamstress--would be only too glad
to marry a handsome young man with Louis' prospects--for he will
eventually inherit my fortune if he out-lives me."
"Then, perhaps, it will be a surprise to you to learn that there is one
poor seamstress in the world who does not regard marriage with a rich
young man as the most desirable end to be achieved in life," Mona
responded, with quiet sarcasm.
Mrs. Montague grew crimson with anger.
"Then you would not marry my nephew if he should offer himself to you?"
she indignantly inquired.
"No, madame; I could not. With all due appreciation of the honor intended
me, I should be obliged to decline it."
The girl spoke with the utmost respect and courtesy, yet there was a
slight inflection upon certain words which irritated Mrs.
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