The Mountain Girl by Emma Payne Erskine Chapter 25 Page 26

will have to look into before you take your seat in the House.”

“Oh, mother, mother! I can’t — ”

“My dear boy, your brother died for his country, and can you not give a little of your life for it? I can rely on you to be practically inclined, now that you are placed at the head of such a family? I’m glad now you never cared for Muriel Hunt. She could never have filled the position as her ladyship, your uncle’s wife, did. She was Lady Thomasia Harcourt Glendyne of Wales. Beside her, Muriel would appear silly. It is most fortunate you have no such entanglement now.”

“Mother, mother! I am astounded! I never dreamed my dear, beautiful mother could descend to such worldliness. You are changed, mother. There is something fundamentally wrong in all this.”