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parents talk like this, as though only money and influence counted?
    When her father had left them she said,
    "Mama, I can hardly believe what I heard. Some people must marry for love. Surely you and Papa did?"
    "Oh yes, dear, but if I hadn't possessed a large fortune,
    we might never have met in the first place. He was a brilliant young lawyer, but not well off, and needed an heiress, there's no denying that."
    "Mama! How terrible! How could you be sure that he loved you?"
    Lady Clarendon's eyes twinkled.
    "Because, my love, there were two other girls whose wealth was far greater than mine, and who would have been glad to have him. And he passed them over because he fell in love with me."
    Rosina sighed to think that that was what counted as a love match.
    "But I must confess to another reason for wishing to promote John's chance with Miss Holden," her mother continued. "Your father has a sentimental idea that you and John – well, never mind. I'm sure you're too sensible."
    Rosina drew a deep breath, and looked away, conscious that she was blushing slightly.
    "Far too sensible, Mama," she said. "I hope you can persuade Papa to abandon any such idea."
    "You may rely on me for that. With your beauty and your accomplishments, you may look as high as you please."
    "Meaning that I should marry for worldly advantage, Mama?"
    "Certainly not." Her mother sounded shocked. "I hope you will marry for love."
    But then her manner relaxed and the twinkle was in her eyes again as she said,
    "Of course, we never know where love is going to strike, do we? Let us hope that in your case it strikes where there is wealth and position. And let us also do all we can to guide its aim."
    "And how are we going to do that, Mama?"
    "With lots and lots of new clothes," Lady Clarendon said happily.
    For a while they lived in a blissful dream of visits to dressmakers and milliners. Now that Rosina was no longer a schoolgirl almost all of her clothes had to be replaced by attire suitable to an elegant young lady.
    Her mother bought dress after dress. Huge, bell shaped crinolines had disappeared, replaced by skirts that were flatter in front, draped over bustles at the rear.
    There were petticoats, chemises, bloomers, all made of silk and trimmed with satin ribbon and lace. There were dainty little hats to set atop her fair hair. There were shoes and fans.
    The whole of her new attire was stylish and modern, and it transformed her into an elegant society lady virtually overnight.
    She understood exactly what her mother was about. Lady Clarendon wanted a great match for her daughter, and was not prepared to see her wasted on Sir John, a mere knight. The fact that Sir Elroy was also a mere knight only added to her determination. Her spouse's unaccountable preference for Sir John as a son-in-law was merely one shoal to be navigated.
    One morning, when Rosina had been home for about a week, she came downstairs dressed for riding in a new habit of blue velvet that emphasised her tiny waist and womanly shape. White lace ruffles gleamed and frothed at her throat, and on her head a matching blue hat worn over one eye was the cheekiest thing imaginable.
    Sir John was working in the library when she entered, and his eyebrows rose in admiration.
    "Perfect," he said. "You will break hearts wherever
    you go."
    "That is an extremely vulgar comment," she told him lightly. "My only aim is to enjoy my ride. I do not seek to break hearts, nor would I be interested."
    "Nonsense, all women want to break hearts," he responded in the same cheerful tone. "What is a man's heart for, if not for first attaching, and then grinding to dust beneath a dainty heel?"
    She gave him a steady gaze.
    "You forget, Sir John, that I've seen too much of the reality of a broken heart to find it a subject for levity. I would never want to do to any man what was done to my friend. Not that any man's heart could be broken to that extent."
    He became serious at once.
    "I'm sorry. It wasn't my