First Marriage
Posted by Cassia on May 21, 1998 at 19:43:13:
In response to Lady Penelope, written by Linden on May 19, 1998 at 20:27:58
But she's a clever, calculating woman - a re-run of Lucy Steele rather than Maria Bertram. I don't think she'd ruin herself without a good chance of winning the big one. A gamble, certainly, but one that she might well think worth it. After all, what has she got to lose? A position as a servile flatterer?
] And wouldn't she enjoy crowing over Elizabeth!
but think of Mr Eliot's first marriage: he married a woman he did not love because she loved him and he loved her money. Mrs Clay is like Lucy Steele but I cannot think she'd win in the end given Mr William Eliot's disposition--he is more cunning than she. Once she is out of the way, his way is clear to his inheritance and he may chose to marry whomever he pleases to beget little heirs of his own.
Mrs Clay may lose the regard of her parents who now have the custody of the children from her first marriage. If Mr Sheppard would decide not to return them many would feel he was well within his rights, no matter how his daughter might feel about it. Also, if the thing doesn't work, she has also lost the alliance with the Eliots and the oppurtunity of the indtroduction to another wealthy childless widower who mihgt have been willing to deal with her in a more straight forward manner than Mr Eliot.
Cassia
Posting followups to old messages is disabled; instead go to the main index and post a new message which mentions this one.
