Gondreville nor his daughter Madame Keller would have refused Cecile's
_dot_ of sixty thousand francs a year, especially with the prospect of
a hundred thousand more which she will some day have from you. You
would have lived in Paris with your daughter, and played your part of
mother-in-law in the upper regions of power."

Madame Beauvisage made a sign of satisfaction.

"But we are knocked down by the death of this charming young man, to
whom the prince royal had already given his friendship. Now this Simon
Giguet, who has thrust himself upon the scene, is a fool, and the
worst of all fools, for he thinks himself an eagle. You are, however,
too intimate with the Giguets and the Marion household not to put the
utmost politeness into your refusal--but you must refuse him."

"As usual, you and I are of the same opinion, father."

"You can say that I have otherwise disposed of Cecile's hand, and that
will cut short all preposterous pretensions like that of Antonin
Goulard. Little Vinet may offer himself, and he is preferable to the
others who are smelling after the _dot_; he has talent, and
shrewdness, and he belongs to the Chargeboeufs by his mother; but he
has too much character not to rule his wife, and he is young enough to
make himself loved. You would perish between two sentiments--for I
know you by heart, my child."

"I shall be much embarrassed this evening at the Marions' to know what
to say," remarked Severine.

"Well, then, my dear," said her father, "send Madame Marion to me;