“There’s more than a little difference there,” Deoch said with a hint of reproach. “A man has a great many opportunities to make his way in the world. You’ve found yourself a place at the University, and if you hadn’t you would still have options.” He looked at me with a knowing eye. “What options are available to a young, pretty girl with no family? No dowry? No home?” He began to hold up fingers. “There’s begging and whoring. Or being some lord’s mistress, which is a different slice off the same loaf.
