A BUSINESS MARRIAGE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9368, 10 February 1909, Page 2

A BUSINESS MARRIAGE.

The matrimonial agency business in high circles; which was described at length by London Truth a couple of years ago, still flourishes. Truth of a recent date tells the story of a recent transaction of this kind, which, it says, exhibits all the characteristic features of the business. A certain nobleman, whom we will call Lord A., had dealings with’ a well-known money-lender, who thought it would be a good thing if his Lordship married. Possibly the money-lender’s motives were not wholly disinterested. Lord A's case was stated to a professional matrimonial agent, who happened to know of an American widow willing to sell herself for the sake of a fairly ancient title. The agent arranged with one of his society sub-agents, whom we will call Mrs 8., for the introduction of Lord A. to the American lady, and a match was arranged with the utmost expedition. But no sooner was the engagement effected, than Mrs B, brought forward a second candidate, it must be assumed that she was promised a commission for providing a husband for this second lady, larger than she would have been entitled to on the marriage of Lord A and the widow. Mrs B. iuf irmed Lord A. that she could provide him"with an eligible lady with a clear £2OOO a year more than his first choice had. and an introduction took place. With about as much sentiment as would be attached to the discarding of an old motor car and the purchase of a better one, Lord A. threw over the American, and married the second candidate But the chances of their living happily ever afterwards do not geem very bright. Neither Mrs B. nor the noble lord seems to have investigated the lady’s finances with much care, for it turned out that the sum mentioned as her income was merely the measure of her capital. She had a few thousands a year, it is true, for only for a year. It is said that when this was found out, there was some unpleasantness. When the plighted hero or heroine of a novel makes such a discovery, he, or she, as the case may be, swears that it will make no difference to his or her affections, but there is little romance iu brokers' marriages, particularly when one of the parties has been the victim of a swindle.