The Birth of Venus

The Birth of Venus
Because I don't want you to think I'm a played-out sick old man. Lots of life in the old dog yet. My wife's been dead a long time. Always objecting to everything, she was. Didn't like the names I gave the children - good Saxon names - no interest in that family tree. I never paid any attention to what she said, though – and she was a poor-spirited creature - always gave in. now you're a spirited filly – a very nice filly indeed. I'll give you some advice. Don't throw yourself away on a young man. Young men are fools! You want to take care of your future. You wait…." His fingers pressed into Lucy's arm.
The Birth of Venus
man. Young men are fools! You want to take care of your future. You wait…." His fingers pressed into Lucy's arm. He leaned to her ear. "I don't say more than that. Wait. Those silly fools think I'm going to die soon. I'm not. Shouldn't be surprised if I outlived the lot of them. And then we'll see! Oh, yes, then we'll see. Harold's got no children. Cedric and Alfred aren't married. Emma – Emma will never marry now. She's a bit sweet to Quimper - but Quimper will never think of marrying Emma. There's Alexander, of course. Yes, there's Alexander…. But, you know, I'm fond of Alexander…. Yes, that's awkward. I'm fond of Alexander."
He paused for a moment, frowning, then said:
"Well, girl, what about it? What about it, eh?"
The Birth of Venus