Mrs. Gowan is resigned to her son's choice in a wife. She loves her son too much to oppose it, realizing he would not care whether she objected or not. Other reasons make it easier to accept. Henry is going to marry into a wealthy family that will pay his debts and free her pension from having to provide for him.
To her friends, though, she expresses her disapproval. She makes her feelings clear to the Meagles.
Mrs. Merdle is a friend of Mrs. Gowan, even though Mrs. Gowan's society doesn't approve of Mrs. Merdle's husband. They do, however, approve of his money. Mrs. Gowan wants to hear Mrs. Merdles' thoughts about her son's marriage, as a member of Society.
Mrs. Merdle replies a young man must gain his fortunes by marriage. She asks what Henry is getting out of the marriage. Mrs. Gowan
