On the morning the Squire
copied the letter,--not without additions of his own, as to which he
had very many words with his discreet cousin,--and in a formal manner
handed it to Lord Chiltern towards the afternoon of that day, having
devoted his whole morning to the finding of a proper opportunity for
doing so. Lord Chiltern had read the letter, and had, as we see,
delivered it to Adelaide Palliser. "That's another proposal from Mr.
Spooner," Lady Chiltern said, as soon as they were alone.
"Exactly that."
"I knew he'd go on with it. Men are such fools."
"I don't see that he's a fool at all;" said Lord Chiltern, almost in
anger. "Why shouldn't he ask a girl to be his wife? He's a rich man,
and she hasn't got a farthing."
"You might say the same of a butcher, Oswald."
"Mr. Spooner is a gentleman."
"You do not mean to say that he's fit to marry such a girl as
Adelaide Palliser?"
"I don't know what makes fitness. He's got a red nose, and if she
don't like a red nose,--that's unfitness. Gerard Maule's nose isn't
red, and I dare say therefore he's fitter.
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