But the prospect was no doubt very distant. Lady Glencora might yet have as many sons as Hecuba. Or she might die, and some other more fortunate lady might become the mother of his cousin's heir. Or the Duke might marry and have a son. And, moreover, his cousin was only one year older than himself, and the great prize, if it came his way, might not come for forty years as yet. Nevertheless his hand might now be acceptable in quarters where it would certainly be rejected had Lady Glencora possessed that cradle up-stairs. We cannot but suppose that he must have made some calculations of this nature.

But the prospect was very distant. Lady Glencora might yet have many sons. Or she might die, and some other more fortunate lady might bear sons in her place. Or the Duke might yet marry and have a son. Moreover, Jeffrey's cousin was only one year older than himself, and the great prize might not come for forty years.
Nevertheless his hand might now be acceptable, where it would certainly be rejected if Lady Glencora had filled that cradle. He must have made some calculations of this nature.
