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 knees--for he
had dropped all tremulous into his chair again--caressed 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.
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