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Page 107
mother, if they are content with me why cannot we come to contract? What has Sybelle to say? I will disclose the state of my affairs to Lady Alinor and Lady Joanna and tell them what I can offer in settlement. I know that it will be paltry compared with Sybelle's own property, but"
"No settlement will be necessary," Geoffrey interrupted. "It would be ridiculous. Your lands must go entirely to your son. The contracts are always thus: Yours to you; the woman's to her. Usually any lands acquired during the marriage are kept as portions for a second or third son or added to the inheritance of the eldest if the younger ones are married richly enough. But you are missing the point. Sybelle's marriage is for Sybelle to decide."
"What?" Walter was back to angry amazement. "Sybelle is only a girl. God knows what silly popinjay, who will flatter her out of eagerness for her wealth, she might choose. I am willing to accept the decision of her mother and grandmother, but a silly girl"
"Sybelle is not a silly girl," Geoffrey interrupted again, this time sharply. "Why do you think she is unmarried at sixteen? For lack of offers? I have been besieged with offers for her since she was born, and for the last four years the problem has become acute. You are not the first Alinor and Joanna were willing to consider. It is Sybelle who has rejected out of hand every man who has been proposed to her."
"Then perhaps," Walter retorted, "she is a silly girl. Who knows what dream is in her mind. No man may be a match for it."
Geoffrey shrugged. "You will find that Sybelle is not overgiven to dreaming. And I have this encouragement to offer you, although my wife would be angry if she knew. Sybelle is not a flirt. She has never encouraged any man. If she gave you reason to think she might be willing, there is real hope she is considering you seriously. Now attend to what I say. It does not matter whether you approve the fact that she may make her own choice. That is the reality. If you want to marry Sybelle, you must make her want to marry you."
Walter heard the finality in that. Again he stared in silence at Geoffrey.
"There is a great deal to be gained by such an arrangement," Geoffrey urged gently. "You say you desire Sybelle. Say

 
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