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.
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