Marriage and a Title.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XL, Issue 4, 25 January 1908, Page 33

Marriage and a Title.

It is only necessary to live in London to see the strangest things, and hear of the most extraordinary occurrences, entirely corroborating the proverb that Truth is stranger than Fiction. Quito recently a rich and charming widow, no longer very young,-had the following unpleasant adventure at a smart and wellknown West End hotel. She was sitting in the lounge when a middle-aged gentleman, of distinguished and aristocratic appearance, addressed her eouteously by name, and asked her if she would favour ■him with a few minutes’ conversation. On her consenting, he. said, “You are a widow. Pray forgive me if I seem impertinent, but would you like to marry again?” The lady in question, who was gifted with a very special sense of humour, said: “Is this an offer of marriage?” “Not for myself; but tell me, would you like a title?” Entering into the spirit of the fun, the lady replied, “Immensely. How ahi I to get one?” Instantly he thrust his hands into his pocket, and placed before her an array of photographs representing several foreign men in uniform, and all young. It was their youth that struck the lady as the most obnoxious feature of the strange, business. They were nearly all German or Austrian barons and counts, with the exception of two princes. To test her new acquaintance she put her finger on one of the photos and said: “I like this one. What is his priee?” A settlement of six thousand a year is what he wants for his personal requirements, but his is a very ancient title,” replied the gentleman. He then proceeded to say that he could arrange a speedy introduction', and he would not require his commission until after the marriage. From many remarks he made the lady gathered that he was in possession of every detail regarding her fortune and estates. Finally, when the incident had begun to thoroughly disgust her, she returned the photo, with the remark, “I am .sorry that you are forced to earn your living in so disreputable a way that such men as these exist at all.”