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necessity in which they find themselves of marrying for money will
certainly exist for at least two centuries。
〃Pending such a fortunate accident as you long forand this
fastidiousness may cost you the best years of your lifeyour
attractions might work a miracle; for men often marry for love in
these days。 When experience lurks behind so sweet a face as yours it
may achieve wonders。 In the first place; have you not the gift of
recognizing virtue in the greater or smaller dimensions of a man's
body? This is no small matter! To so wise a young person as you are; I
need not enlarge on all the difficulties of the enterprise。 I am sure
that you would never attribute good sense to a stranger because he had
a handsome face; or all the virtues because he had a fine figure。 And
I am quite of your mind in thinking that the sons of peers ought to
have an air peculiar to themselves; and perfectly distinctive manners。
Though nowadays no external sign stamps a man of rank; those young men
will have; perhaps; to you the indefinable something that will reveal
it。 Then; again; you have your heart well in hand; like a good
horseman who is sure his steed cannot bolt。 Luck be with you; my
dear!〃
〃You are making game of me; papa。 Well; I assure you that I would
rather die in Mademoiselle de Conde's convent than not be the wife of
a peer of France。〃
She slipped out of her father's arms; and proud of being her own
mistress; went off singing the air of Cara non dubitare; in the
〃Matrimonio Segreto。〃
As it happened; the family were that day keeping the anniversary of a
family fete。 At dessert Madame Planat; the Receiver…General's wife;
spoke with some enthusiasm of a young American owning an immense
fortune; who had fallen passionately in love with her sister; and made
through her the most splendid proposals。
〃A banker; I rather think;〃 observed Emilie carelessly。 〃I do not like
money dealers。〃
〃But; Emilie;〃 replied the Baron de Villaine; the husband of the
Count's second daughter; 〃you do not like lawyers either; so that if
you refuse men of wealth who have not titles; I do not quite see in
what class you are to choose a husband。〃
〃Especially; Emilie; with your standard of slimness;〃 added the
Lieutenant…General。
〃I know what I want;〃 replied the young lady。
〃My sister wants a fine name; a fine young man; fine prospects; and a
hundred thousand francs a year;〃 said the Baronne de Fontaine。
〃Monsieur de Marsay; for instance。〃
〃I know; my dear;〃 retorted Emilie; 〃that I do not mean to make such a
foolish marriage as some I have seen。 Moreover; to put an end to these
matrimonial discussions; I hereby declare that I shall look on anyone
who talks to me of marriage as a foe to my peace of mind。〃
An uncle of Emilie's; a vice…admiral; whose fortune had just been
increased by twenty thousand francs a year in consequence of the Act
of Indemnity; and a man of seventy; feeling himself privileged to say
hard things to his grand…niece; on whom he doted; in order to mollify
the bitter tone of the discussion now exclaimed:
〃Do not tease my poor little Emilie; don't you see she is waiting till
the Duc de Bordeaux comes of age!〃
The old man's pleasantry was received with general laughter。
〃Take care I don't marry you; old fool!〃 replied the young girl; whose
last words were happily drowned in the noise。
〃My dear children;〃 said Madame de Fontaine; to soften this saucy
retort; 〃Emilie; like you; will take no advice but her mother's。〃
〃Bless me! I shall take no advice but my own in a matter which
concerns no one but myself;〃 said Mademoiselle de Fontaine very
distinctly。
At this all eyes were turned to the head of the family。 Every one
seemed anxious as to what he would do to assert his dignity。 The
venerable gentleman enjoyed much consideration; not only in the world;
happier than many fathers; he was also appreciated by his family; all
its members having a just esteem for the solid qualities by which he
had been able to make their fortunes。 Hence he was treated with the
deep respect which is shown by English families; and some aristocratic
houses on the continent; to the living representatives of an ancient
pedigree。 Deep silence had fallen; and the guests looked alternately
from the spoilt girl's proud and sulky pout to the severe faces of
Monsieur and Madame de Fontaine。
〃I have made my daughter Emilie mistress of her own fate;〃 was the
reply spoken by the Count in a deep voice。
Relations and guests gazed at Mademoiselle de Fontaine with mingled
curiosity and pity。 The words seemed to declare that fatherly
affection was weary of the contest with a character that the whole
family knew to be incorrigible。 The sons…in…law muttered; and the
brothers glanced at their wives with mocking smiles。 From that moment
every one ceased to take any interest in the haughty girl's prospects
of marriage。 Her old uncle was the only person who; as an old sailor;
ventured to stand on her tack; and take her broadsides; without ever
troubling himself to return her fire。
When the fine weather was settled; and after the budget was voted; the
whole familya perfect example of the parliamentary families on the
northern side of the Channel who have a footing in every government
department; and ten votes in the House of Commonsflew away like a
brood of young birds to the charming neighborhoods of Aulnay; Antony;
and Chatenay。 The wealthy Receiver…General had lately purchased in
this part of the world a country…house for his wife; who remained in
Paris only during the session。 Though the fair Emilie despised the
commonalty; her feeling was not carried so far as to scorn the
advantages of a fortune acquired in a profession; so she accompanied
her sister to the sumptuous villa; less out of affection for the
members of her family who were visiting there; than because fashion
has ordained that every woman who has any self…respect must leave
Paris in the summer。 The green seclusion of Sceaux answered to
perfection the requirements of good style and of the duties of an
official position。
As it is extremely doubtful that the fame of the 〃Bal de Sceaux〃
should ever have extended beyond the borders of the Department of the
Seine; it will be necessary to give some account of this weekly
festivity; which at that time was important enough to threaten to
become an institution。 The environs of the little town of Sceaux enjoy
a reputation due to the scenery; which is considered enchanting。
Perhaps it is quite ordinary; and owes its fame only to the stupidity
of the Paris townsfolk; who; emerging from the stony abyss in which
they are buried; would find something to admire in the flats of La
Beauce。 However; as the poetic shades of Aulnay; the hillsides of
Antony; and the valley of the Bieve are peopled with artists who have
traveled far; by foreigners who are very hard to please; and by a
great many pretty women not devoid of taste; it is to be supposed that
the Parisians are right。 But Sceaux possesses another attraction not
less powerful to the Parisian。 In the midst of a garden whence there
are delightful views; stands a large rotunda open on all sides; with a
light; spreading roof supported on elegant pillars。 This rural
baldachino shelters a dancing…floor。 The most stuck…up landowners of
the neighborhood rarely fail to make an excursion thither once or
twice during the season; arriving at this rustic palace of Terpsichore
either in dashing parties on horseback; or in the light and elegant
carriages which powder the philosophical pedestrian with dust。 The
hope of meeting some women of fashion; and of being seen by themand
the hope; less often disappointed; of seeing young peasant girls; as
wily as judgescrowds the ballroom at Sceaux with numerous swarms of
lawyers' clerks; of the disciples of Aesculapius; and other youths
whose complexions are kept pale and mois