"The fact is," replied the veteran, after a moment's silence,—"the fact is, I really can't explain why such a state of things would appear perfectly natural and right to me if it was the man who possessed the fortune, and the lady had nothing."
Then the old officer added, with a good-natured smile:
"You think me a great simpleton, I expect, M. Gerald."
"Quite the contrary. Your thought owes its origin to the most profound delicacy of feeling, commander," answered Gerald. "It is the most natural thing in the world that a penniless, but charming young girl, accomplished and endowed with noble attributes of mind and heart, should marry an immensely rich man,—if their love be mutual,—but for a man who has nothing, to marry a woman who has everything—"
"Ah, uncle, and you, too, Gerald," exclaimed Olivier, interrupting his friend, "you are both entirely wrong about this matter."
"And why, if you please?"
"You admit, and so do I, that a penniless young girl is quite justified in marrying an immensely rich man, but this is only on condition that she loves the man sincerely."
"Of course!" said Gerald. "If she is actuated by mercenary motives, it becomes nothing more nor less than a business transaction."
"And disgraceful accordingly," added the old sailor.
"Very well, then," continued Olivier, "why should a poor man,—because, Gerald, you are poor in comparison with Mlle. de Beaumesnil,—why, then, I ask, should you be censured for marrying that young lady if you love her sincerely in spite of her millions,—in short, if you love her as sincerely as if she were without name and without fortune?"