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And Pansy has a great affection for her. She has told me how she loves her as if she were her own mother. You must, after all, have had some very intimate talk with the poor child, said Madame Merle. Have you declared your sentiments? Never! cried Rosier, lifting his neatly-gloved hand. Never till Ive assured myself of those of the parents. You always wait for that? Youve excellent principles; you observe the proprieties. I think youre laughing at me, the young man murmured, dropping back in his chair and feeling his small moustache. I didnt expect that of you, Madame Merle. She shook her head calmly, like a person who saw things as she saw them. You dont do me justice. I think your conduct in excellent taste and the best you could adopt. Yes, thats what I think. I wouldnt agitate heronly to agitate her; I love her too much for that, said Ned Rosier. Im glad, after all, that youve told me, Madame Merle went on. Leave it to me a little; I think I can help you. I said you were the person to come to! her visitor cried with prompt elation. You were very clever, Madame Merle returned more dryly. When I say I can help you I mean once assuming your cause to be good. Let us think a little if it is. Im awfully decent, you know, said Rosier earnestly. I wont say Ive no faults, but Ill say Ive no vices. All thats negative, and it always depends, also, on what people call vices. Whats the positive side? Whats the virtuous? What have you got besides your Spanish lace and your Dresden teacups? Ive a comfortable little fortuneabout forty thousand francs a year. With the talent I have for arranging, we can live beautifully on such an income. Beautifully, no. Sufficiently, yes. Even that depends on where you live. Well, in Paris. I would undertake it in Paris. Madame Merles mouth rose to the left. It wouldnt be famous; youd have to make use of the teacups, and theyd get broken. We dont want to be famous. If Miss Osmond should have everything pretty it would be enough. When ones as pretty as she one can affordwell, quite cheap faïence.3 She ought never to wear anything but muslinwithout the sprig, said Rosier reflectively. Wouldnt you even allow her the sprig? Shed be much obliged to you at any rate for that theory. Its the correct one, I assure you; and Im sure shed enter into it. She understands all that; thats why I love her. Shes a very good little girl, and most tidyalso extremely graceful. But her father, to the best of my belief, can give her nothing. Rosier scarce demurred. I dont in the least desire that he should. But I may remark, all the same, that he lives like a rich man. The moneys his wifes; she brought him a large fortune. |
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