"You＇ve plenty of time," she had said to Isabel in return for the mutilated confidences which our young woman made her and which didn＇t pretend to be perfect, though we have seen that at moments the girl had compunctions at having said so much. "I＇m glad you＇ve done nothing yet—that you have it still to do. It＇s a very good thing for a girl to have refused a few good offers—so long of course as they are not the best she＇s likely to have. Pardon me if my tone seems horribly corrupt; one must take the worldly view sometimes. Only don＇t keep on refusing for the sake of refusing. It＇s a pleasant exercise of power;but accepting＇s after all an exercise of power as well.There＇s always the danger of refusing once too often.It was not the one I fell into—I didn＇t refuse often enough. You＇re an exquisite creature, and I should like to see you married to a prime minister. But speaking strictly, you know, you＇re not what is technically called a parti. You＇re extremely good-looking and extremely clever; in yourself you＇re quite exceptional. You appear to have the vaguest ideas about your earthly possessions; but from what I can make out you＇re not embarrassed with an income. I wish you had a little money."