Page:Marie Corelli - the writer and the woman (IA mariecorelliwrit00coat).pdf/220

 Now surely this is an over-statement which will not strengthen Marie Corelli's case. We grant that a certain number of men marry for money, and that the women they so marry are only too glad to be married on those or any terms; but the social conditions of this era have not become so cankered as to lead the "great majority of men" to seek a livelihood at the altar steps! Would it not be altogether more reasonable to substitute "a certain minority" for "a great majority"? In fairness to the novelist, we must add that her remarks on this subject apply principally to the aristocracy. The worthy lover or husband of the middle classes may therefore breathe again.

Nevertheless, we will venture to present the other aspect of this matter of marrying for money. It is well-known that many a wealthy woman languishes in virgin solitude on account of those very shekels of gold and shekels of silver which she possesseth, while her penniless girl-friends are donning their marital veils and going through the sweet old business of marrying and being given in marriage. This applies to the upper as well as to the lower ranks of society.

Many a man—aye, many a guardsman—would now be a happy Benedict had a certain girl of "once upon a time" been possessed of no riches save the