Oh dear, he was becoming philosophical now. What a bore. "Does it matter?" she said sharply. "Most of us are tied to a specific future by the expectations of society - become a banker like your father; live in that area of town, because that's where your own sort of people live; marry that man or woman because it's an advantageous match." And what a bore.

A sweet smile came over her face. "As for my future, I want to marry a wealthy man and be a respectable wife and mother." To hell with that. But she would not tell anyone about her dream of studying and making her own way in the world. Especially not now that the chances of doing so were slimming. She did not need the humiliation on top of the disappointment.