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 words--he 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, then--perhaps----"
"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.
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