Beau. Decline! Impossible!--you are not serious!--Madam, suffer me
to appeal to you. I am a suitor for your daughter's hand--
the settlements shall be worthy of her beauty and my station.
May I wait on M. Deschappelles?

Mme. Deschap. M. Deschappelles never interferes in the domestic
arrangements,--you are very obliging. If you were still a marquis,
or if my daughter were intended to marry a commoner,--why, perhaps,
we might give you the preference.

Beau. A commoner!--we are all commoners in France now.

Mme. Deschap. In France, yes; but there is a nobility still left
in the other countries in Europe. We are quite aware of your
good qualities, and don't doubt that you will find some lady more
suitable to your pretensions. We shall be always happy to see you
as an acquaintance, M. Beauseant!--My dear child, the carriage
will be here presently.

Beau. Say no more, madam!--say no more!--[Aside.] Refused! and by a
merchant's daughter!--refused! It will be all over Lyons before sunset!--
I will go and bury myself in my chateau, study philosophy,
and turn woman-hater. Refused! they ought to be sent to a madhouse!--
Ladies, I have the honor to wish you a very good morning. [Exit.

Mme. Deschap. How forward these men are!--I think, child,
we kept up our dignity. Any girl, however inexperienced,
knows how to accept an offer, but it requires a vast deal
of address to refuse one with proper condescension and disdain.