"It is because you are a woman, and young, and beautiful, that no man may take wealth from your hands."
"Oh, it is that!"
"It is that partly,"
"If I were a man you might take it, though I were young and beautiful as the morning?"
"No;—presents of money are always bad. They stain and load the spirit, and break the heart."
"And specially when given by a woman's hand?"
"It seems so to me. But I cannot argue of it. Do not let us talk of it any more."
"Nor can I argue. I cannot argue, but I can be generous,—very generous. I can deny myself for my friend,—can even lower myself in my own esteem for my friend. I can do more than a man can do for a friend. You will not take money from my hand?"
"No, Madame Goesler;—I cannot do that."
"Take the hand then first. When it and all that it holds are your own, you can help yourself as you list." So saying, she stood before him with her right hand stretched out towards him.