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three times； as if he were about to demand a count out of the House；
then he heard his daughter's light step； and she came in humming an
air from Il Barbiere。
〃Good…morning； papa。 What do you want with me so early？〃 Having sung
these words； as though they were the refrain of the melody； she kissed
the Count； not with the familiar tenderness which makes a daughter's
love so sweet a thing； but with the light carelessness of a mistress
confident of pleasing； whatever she may do。
〃My dear child；〃 said Monsieur de Fontaine； gravely； 〃I sent for you
to talk to you very seriously about your future prospects。 You are at
this moment under the necessity of making such a choice of a husband
as may secure your durable happiness〃
〃My good father；〃 replied Emilie； assuming her most coaxing tone of
voice to interrupt him； 〃it strikes me that the armistice on which we
agreed as to my suitors is not yet expired。〃
〃Emilie； we must to…day forbear from jesting on so important a matter。
For some time past the efforts of those who most truly love you； my
dear child； have been concentrated on the endeavor to settle you
suitably； and you would be guilty of ingratitude in meeting with
levity those proofs of kindness which I am not alone in lavishing on
you。〃
As she heard these words； after flashing a mischievously inquisitive
look at the furniture of her father's study； the young girl brought
forward the armchair which looked as if it had been least used by
petitioners； set it at the side of the fireplace so as to sit facing
her father； and settled herself in so solemn an attitude that it was
impossible not to read in it a mocking intention； crossing her arms
over the dainty trimmings of a pelerine a la neige； and ruthlessly
crushing its endless frills of white tulle。 After a laughing side
glance at her old father's troubled face； she broke silence。
〃I never heard you say； my dear father； that the Government issued its
instructions in its dressing…gown。 However；〃 and she smiled； 〃that
does not matter； the mob are probably not particular。 Now； what are
your proposals for legislation； and your official introductions？〃
〃I shall not always be able to make them； headstrong girl！Listen；
Emilie。 It is my intention no longer to compromise my reputation；
which is part of my children's fortune； by recruiting the regiment of
dancers which； spring after spring； you put to rout。 You have already
been the cause of many dangerous misunderstandings with certain
families。 I hope to make you perceive more truly the difficulties of
your position and of ours。 You are two…and…twenty； my dear child； and
you ought to have been married nearly three years since。 Your brothers
and your two sisters are richly and happily provided for。 But； my
dear； the expenses occasioned by these marriages； and the style of
housekeeping you require of your mother； have made such inroads on our
income that I can hardly promise you a hundred thousand francs as a
marriage portion。 From this day forth I shall think only of providing
for your mother； who must not be sacrificed to her children。 Emilie；
if I were to be taken from my family Madame de Fontaine could not be
left at anybody's mercy； and ought to enjoy the affluence which I have
given her too late as the reward of her devotion in my misfortunes。
You see； my child； that the amount of your fortune bears no relation
to your notions of grandeur。 Even that would be such a sacrifice as I
have not hitherto made for either of my children； but they have
generously agreed not to expect in the future any compensation for the
advantage thus given to a too favored child。〃
〃In their position！〃 said Emilie； with an ironical toss of her head。
〃My dear； do not so depreciate those who love you。 Only the poor are
generous as a rule； the rich have always excellent reasons for not
handing over twenty thousand francs to a relation。 Come； my child； do
not pout； let us talk rationally。Among the young marrying men have
you noticed Monsieur de Manerville？〃
〃Oh； he minces his wordshe says Zules instead of Jules； he is always
looking at his feet； because he thinks them small； and he gazes at
himself in the glass！ Besides； he is fair。 I don't like fair men。〃
〃Well； then； Monsieur de Beaudenord？〃
〃He is not noble！ he is ill made and stout。 He is dark； it is true。
If the two gentlemen could agree to combine their fortunes； and the
first would give his name and his figure to the second； who should
keep his dark hair； thenperhaps〃
〃What can you say against Monsieur de Rastignac？〃
〃Madame de Nucingen has made a banker of him；〃 she said with meaning。
〃And our cousin； the Vicomte de Portenduere？〃
〃A mere boy； who dances badly； besides； he has no fortune。 And； after
all； papa； none of these people have titles。 I want； at least； to be a
countess like my mother。〃
〃Have you seen no one； then； this winter〃
〃No； papa。〃
〃What then do you want？〃
〃The son of a peer of France。
〃My dear girl； you are mad！〃 said Monsieur de Fontaine； rising。
But he suddenly lifted his eyes to heaven； and seemed to find a fresh
fount of resignation in some religious thought； then； with a look of
fatherly pity at his daughter； who herself was moved； he took her
hand； pressed it； and said with deep feeling： 〃God is my witness； poor
mistaken child； I have conscientiously discharged my duty to you as a
fatherconscientiously； do I say？ Most lovingly； my Emilie。 Yes； God
knows！ This winter I have brought before you more than one good man；
whose character； whose habits； and whose temper were known to me； and
all seemed worthy of you。 My child； my task is done。 From this day
forth you are the arbiter of your fate； and I consider myself both
happy and unhappy at finding myself relieved of the heaviest of
paternal functions。 I know not whether you will for any long time；
now； hear a voice which； to you； has never been stern； but remember
that conjugal happiness does not rest so much on brilliant qualities
and ample fortune as on reciprocal esteem。 This happiness is； in its
nature； modest； and devoid of show。 So now； my dear； my consent is
given beforehand； whoever the son…in…law may be whom you introduce to
me； but if you should be unhappy； remember you will have no right to
accuse your father。 I shall not refuse to take proper steps and help
you； only your choice must be serious and final。 I will never twice
compromise the respect due to my white hairs。〃
The affection thus expressed by her father； the solemn tones of his
urgent address； deeply touched Mademoiselle de Fontaine； but she
concealed her emotion； seated herself on her father's kneesfor he
had dropped all tremulous into his chair againcaressed him fondly；
and coaxed him so engagingly that the old man's brow cleared。 As soon
as Emilie thought that her father had got over his painful agitation；
she said in a gentle voice： 〃I have to thank you for your graceful
attention； my dear father。 You have had your room set in order to
receive your beloved daughter。 You did not perhaps know that you would
find her so foolish and so headstrong。 But； papa； is it so difficult
to get married to a peer of France？ You declared that they were
manufactured by dozens。 At least； you will not refuse to advise me。〃
〃No； my poor child； no；and more than once I may have occasion to
cry； 'Beware！' Remember that the making of peers is so recent a force
in our government machinery that they have no great fortunes。 Those
who are rich look to becoming richer。 The wealthiest member of our
peerage has not half the income of the least rich lord in the English
Upper Chamber。 Thus all the French peers are on the lookout for great
heiresses for their sons； wherever they may meet with them。 The
necessity in which they find themselves of marrying for money will
certainly exist for at least two centuries。
〃Pending such a fortunate accident