But, Mama, who do you imagine is out there with more to offer? I'm not a romantic. I should hope not. But even I will concede that the heart does not exist solely for the purpose of pumping blood. That is charming, especially from you. But Mary seems to have blotted her copybook in some way. So she needs a suitable marriage that will mend her fences. Well, how do we know Carlisle is suitable? I mean, who is he? Who'd ever heard of him before the war? Sir Richard is powerful and rich, and well on the way to a peerage. Of course, he may not be all that one would wish, but Mary can soon soomth off the rough edges. Well, you should know. What do you mean by that? Marmaduke was a gentleman. Marmaduke was the grandson of a manufacturer. His mother was the daughter of a baronet. Maybe, but they were no great threat to Plantagenets. The point is, I made up for any social deficiencies. And he provided me with a position. It was a good exchange and it worked well. How can Matthew have chosen that little blonde piece? You speak so eloquently of the human heart, mama. You must be aware of its, vagaries.