"Pardon me, I did not make my question explicit enough. Would you like to make a fabulously rich marriage, M. le duc?"
"Has M. de Ravil any particular person in view?"
"Possibly."
"But you are a bachelor and a society man. Why do you not marry the lady yourself?"
"I have no fortune, monsieur; my name is comparatively insignificant; my appearance by no means prepossessing. In short, there isn't the slightest chance of my making such a marriage, so I thought of you, M. le duc."
"I am greatly obliged to you for your generosity, monsieur, but before we go any further, permit me to ask you a rather delicate question. I would not like to wound your feelings, you know, but—"
"I'm not at all sensitive."
"I thought as much. Ah, well, what remuneration do you expect for your generous interest?"
"I ask one and a half per cent. of the dowry," answered the cynic, boldly.
And perceiving the disgust and contempt which his words had excited, the baron said, coolly: