Then her father continued,
“You have not, my dearest, met many young men, which I have always thought has been a mistake, so now it is going to be difficult for you to sift the grain from the chaff.”
“And you – think,” Magnolia said in a voice that did not sound like her own, “that he was only – interested in – me because I am rich?”
“I am quite certain,” her father replied, “he was interested in you because you are beautiful, which made it impossible for him to notice any other girl at the ball. At the same time, he was thinking how very lucky it was that someone whom he fancied was so heavily gilded!”
Magnolia tried to stifle a little cry and jumped to her feet.
“You make – everything seem horrible and – unclean,” she stormed. “How can I ever – trust any – man if all he – thinks abo
