I'm sure you've hit the nail on the head, Faithr. Marrying for money was perfectly acceptable, even encouraged in this society; it was considered a "good connection," or "marrying up."

As far as being "mercenary" is concerned, discussing a man's income was perfectly acceptable, too, but any discussion of sex was completely taboo. The opposite is true in the 21st century, of course. It was a VERY different world.