"Because my most cherished, and only desire is, to see you marry Mademoiselle Ramon," declared the old man, resolutely. "Marry--Mademoiselle Ramon!" cried Louis, aghast, shrinking back in his chair as if the red-nosed spinster had suddenly appeared before him. "I--marry?--" "Yes, my child," rejoined old Richard, in his most affectionate tone, "marry Mademoiselle Ramon, and our future is assured. We shall live at Dreux; Ramon's house is sufficiently large for us all. He gives his daughter no dowry; but we shall live in his home, and his influence will obtain a position for you. At the death of your father-in-law, you will inherit a snug fortune--Louis, my beloved son," concluded the old man, beseechingly, grasping the young man's hands in his, "consent to this marriage and you will make me the happiest man in the world; for I can then die without anxiety for your future." "Ah! my father, you don't realize what you ask!" rejoined Louis reproachfully. "You may say that you feel no love for Mademoiselle Ramon, but mutual esteem is sufficient in marriage; and you must admit that she is deserving of that esteem. As to her father, I can understand that you may have been shocked at what you term _his avarice_; but this will seem less odious to you when you reflect that you shall one day enjoy the benefits of this economy. At heart, Ramon is an excellent man. His only ambition is to leave a small fortune to his daughter and her husband; and to attain this aim, he practices the strictest economy. Do you call that a crime? Come, my child, give me one word of hope!" "Father," said the young man, in a constrained voice, "it grieves me to disappoint you in your projects, but what you ask is impossible." "Louis, can you really answer thus, when I appeal to your affection for me?" "To begin with, this marriage will bring you no personal advantage; you think of me only." "What! do you call it no advantage to live in his house without spending a sou? I tell you it is all arranged; he is to board us gratuitously, instead of giving his daughter a dowry." "Father, as long as there remains a drop of blood in my veins, you shall receive charity from no one! I have already begged you many times to give up your occupation, pledging myself to provide for both--" "But, if you were taken ill, my child, I should be forced to seek admittance into the alms-house!" "I shall not be ill, and you will want for nothing; but if I had the misfortune to be that detestable creature's husband, I should die of grief." "Yon cannot be serious, my son." "Perfectly serious, father. In your blind affection for me you sought to contract an advantageous union, and I am deeply grateful for your kind solicitude--but let us dismiss the subject; as I have already said, this marriage is impossible." "Louis!" "I shall always feel an invincible aversion toward Mademoiselle Ramon, and besides, I love a young girl, and she alone shall be my wife."