Alice Duer Miller

“ Ah, Jerry, I sometimes wonder if you are capable of really loving.”
“Isn’t every one capable of loving the right person?”
“But shall you ever find her?”
“I thought you knew that the search was over.”
She turned from him in disgust. He was not being candid, and she could make nothing of him.
Miss Lee even attempted a word or two to Marie Louise herself, but without success. It would have taken a good deal to shake her confident happiness. If she had admired and loved Jerry before her engagement, she now loved him a great deal more, and with better cause. ”

“ VIII. Not a little discouraged at his experience in announcing his engagement by word of mouth, Jerry wrote the news to the rest of his friends, among whom were Peale and Miss Lee. Both answered with very cordial letters; Prixley’s praised Marie Louise; Miss Lee dwelt more upon Jerry’s own qualities. And Jerry liked Prixley’s the best.
The world at large, as so often happens, was less surprised at the news than were the contracting parties themselves. The general opinion was that, while the engagement was fitting enough, Jerry might have done better. ”

“ Every one was utterly mercenary, she thought.
She was received in the large salon, all gilt and modern tapestry, by Marie Louise, beaming with happiness and a desire to be approved.
In her own room, the girl had revolved the propriety of addressing Mrs. Orvice as “mother.” For, after all, what could be tenderer than her relation to Jerry’s parent? ”