Confessions of a Well-Meaning Woman
leave him enough money to tempt the hangers-on, at least he did not play ducks and drakes with what he had. It is more a question of character than of income. And Arthur had his share of good looks, as you can see from Will. No! Whatever Spenworth did, he could always buy indulgence. Establish for yourself the reputation of “a good fellow”— whatever that may mean—; and you will walk on roses all your life. . .
One must assume that he thought the marriage would be a success, but I am sure no one else did. I knew Spenworth, you see. It is ancient history now, but it was only when I destroyed his last hope by marrying Arthur that he turned in desperation to Kathleen Manorby . . . after remaining disconsolate for nearly ten years. For her and her like my Will coined the description “chocolate-box beauty.” She is still attractive after twenty years. . . I tried to warn her, so far as one could without having one’s motives misconstrued; but she was glamoured by the money and the title. She had several offers, I believe, from men rather more in her own milieu, but it was a case of not being able to afford the luxury of marrying a poor man. Otherwise her first love, young Laughton, who broke his heart over her and transferred to the Indian Army.
54
