"Mutual esteem--conjugal felicity--and all that. I suppose you include dinners, sir, and a manly competition with one's fellow citizens, in real New York form?" "I mean all that can properly belong to the expenses of a gentleman and lady." "Yes, sir--exceedingly liberal--liberal as the rosy dawn. Why, sir, meeting your proposition in the spirit in which it is offered, I should say Julia and I could get along very comfortably on $100,000. Yes, we could make that do, provided the money were well invested--no fancy stocks." "Well, sir, I am glad we understand each other so clearly. If my daughter really wish to marry you, I will give $50,000 of this sum, as soon as you can show me that you have as much more to invest along with it." "Sir--Mr. Monson!" "I mean that each party shall lay down dollar for dollar!" "I understand what you mean, sir. Mr. Monson, that would be degrading lawful wedlock to the level of a bet--a game of cards--a mercenary, contemptible bargain. No, sir--nothing shall ever induce me to degrade this honorable estate to such pitiful conditions!" "Dollar for dollar, Mr. Thurston!" "Holy wedlock! It is violating the best principles of our nature." "Give and take!" "Leveling the sacred condition of matrimony to that of a mere bargain for a horse or a dog!" "Half and half!" "My nature revolts at such profanation, sir--I will take $75,000 with Miss Julia, and say no more about it." "Equality is the foundation of wedded happiness, Mr. Thurston." "Say $50,000, Mr. Monson, and have no more words about it. Take away from the transaction the character of a bargain, and even $40,000 will do." "Not a cent that is not covered by a cent of your own." "Then, sir, I wash my hands of the whole affair. If the young lady should die, my conscience will be clear. It shall never be said Thomas Thurston was so lost to himself as to bargain for a wife." "We must, then, part, and the negotiation must fall through." Tom rose with dignity, and got as far as the door. With his hand on the latch, he added-- "Rather than blight the prospects of so pure and lovely a creature I will make every sacrifice short of honor--let it be $30,000, Mr. Monson?" "As you please, sir--so that it be covered by $30,000 of your own." "My nature revolts at the proposition, and so--good morning, sir." Tom left the house, and Mr. Monson laughed heartily; so heartily, indeed, as to prove how much he relished the success of his scheme.