FRO. Decidedly. You have all the appearance of it. Hold yourself up a little. Ah! what a sign of long life is that line there straight between your two eyes! HAR. You know all about that, do you? FRO. I should think I do. Show me your hand. [3] [Footnote: Frosine professes a knowledge of palmistry.] Dear me, what a line of life there is there! HAR. Where? FRO. Don't you see how far this line goes? HAR. Well, and what does it mean? FRO. What does it mean? There ... I said a hundred years; but no, it is one hundred and twenty I ought to have said. HAR. Is it possible? FRO. I tell you they will have to kill you, and you will bury your children and your children's children. HAR. So much the better! And what news of our affair? FRO. Is there any need to ask? Did ever anyone see me begin anything and not succeed in it? I have, especially for matchmaking, the most wonderful talent. There are no two persons in the world I could not couple together; and I believe that, if I took it into my head, I could make the Grand Turk marry the Republic of Venice.[4] But we had, to be sure, no such difficult thing to achieve in this matter. As I know the ladies very well, I told them every particular about you; and I acquainted the mother with your intentions towards Marianne since you saw her pass in the street and enjoy the fresh air out of her window. HAR. What did she answer...? FRO. She received your proposal with great joy; and when I told her that you wished very much that her daughter should come to-night to assist at the marriage contract which is to be signed for your own daughter, she assented at once, and entrusted her to me for the purpose. HAR. You see, Frosine, I am obliged to give some supper to Mr. Anselme, and I should like her to have a share in the feast. FRO. You are quite right. She is to come after dinner to pay a visit to your daughter; then she means to go from here to the fair, and return to your house just in time for supper. HAR. That will do very well; they shall go together in my carriage, which I will lend them. FRO. That will suit her perfectly. HAR. But I say, Frosine, have you spoken to the mother about the dowry she can give her daughter? Did you make her understand that under such circumstances she ought to do her utmost and to make a great sacrifice? For, after all, one does not marry a girl without her bringing something with her. FRO. How something! She is a girl who will bring you a clear twelve thousand francs a year? HAR. Twelve thousand francs a year?