"Your offer?"

"He wants you to marry, and I told him I would give you a chance to earn
your dot."

"He told me all about it, and you see the account I make of it! Why
should you take such an interest in my marriage?"

"My interest was in your father. I hold to my offer; do what you can,
and I will buy what you paint."

She stood for some time, meditating, with her eyes on the ground.
At last, looking up, "What sort of a husband can you get for twelve
thousand francs?" she asked.

"Your father tells me he knows some very good young men."

"Grocers and butchers and little maitres de cafes! I will not marry at
all if I can't marry well."

"I would advise you not to be too fastidious," said Newman. "That's all
the advice I can give you."

"I am very much vexed at what I have said!" cried the young girl. "It
has done me no good. But I couldn't help it."

"What good did you expect it to do you?"

"I couldn't help it, simply."