" Senora--I do not like my cousin enough!"
Dona Beatrice was not at all disturbed. "No, my love, I had not supposed you did. I find him very lamentable myself, and I bore him. But what has that to do with marriage? Do not make that singular error of confusing liking with marriage. It has nothing to do with it."
"I choose to think it has, aunt. I could not marry where I did not love."
Her aunt yawned behind her fan; she looked amused, tolerant. "Be advised by me, my dear, and be rid of such notions. Marry for convenience and love at discretion. I assure you, these things smoothe themselves when one is married. As a maid you are bound to be prim. It is all very different when you are comfortably established."
Dominica stared, and could not forbear a giggle. "Do you advise me to wed my cousin, senora, for the sake of taking a lover afterwards?" she asked, half-shocked, half-entertained.
"Certainly, child, if you wish. Only pray use discretion. Scandal is very odious. "
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