At all events, none of us
have anything now. That is why I want to work."
"It is an honourable impulse, no doubt," the Baroness said, in a tone
of meditative disapproval.
Sabina leaned forward, her chin on her hand.
"You think I am too young," she said. "And I really know nothing,
except bad French and dancing. I cannot even sew, at least, not very
well, and I cannot cook." She laughed. "I once made some very good
toast," she added thoughtfully.
"You must marry," said the Baroness. "You must make a good marriage."
"No one will marry me, because I have no dowry," answered Sabina with
perfect simplicity.
"Some men marry girls who have none. You are very pretty, you know."
"So my mother used to tell me when she was in a good humour. But
Clementina always said I was hideous, that my eyes were like a little
pig's, quite inside my head, and that my hair was grey, like an old
woman's, and that I was as thin as a grasshopper."
"You are very pretty," the Baroness repeated with conviction; "and I
am sure you would make a good wife."
"I am afraid not!" Sabina laughed. "We are none of us good, you know.
Why should I be?"
The Baroness disapproved.
"That is a flippant speech," she said severely.
"I do not feel flippant at all. I am very serious. I wish to earn my
living.
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