"A knight? That is certainly something."
"Do you see this badge with all the jewels in it? That means that I am a Noble of the Mystic Shrine."
"I can see that it is the insignia of a very distinguished order," said the Governor-General, as he touched it admiringly.
"What is more, I am King of the Hoo-Hoos."
"A king?"
"A sure-enough king. Now, don't you worry about my wealth or my title. I've got money to burn and I can travel in any company. The thing for us to do is to get together and find a good husband for the cripple, and fix up this whole marriage deal. But before we go into it I want to meet your daughter and find out exactly how I stand with her."
"That will be unnecessary, and also impossible. Whatever arrangements you make with me may be regarded as final. My daughter will obey my wishes."
"Not for mine! I am not trying to marry any girl that isn't just as keen for me as I am for her. Why, I've seen her only twice. Let me talk it over with her, and if she says yes, then you can look me up in Bradstreet and we'll all know where we stand."
"I am sorry, but it is absolutely contrary to our customs to permit a private interview between an unmarried woman and her suitor."
"Whereas in our country it is the most customary thing in the world! Now, why should we observe the customs of your country and disregard the customs of my country, which is about forty times as large and eighty times as important as your country? Don't be foolish! I may be the means of pulling you out of a tight hole. You go and send your daughter here to me. Give me ten minutes with her. I'll state my case to her, straight from the shoulder, and, if she doesn't give me a lot of encouragement, I'll grab the first train back to Paris. If she does give me any encouragement, then you'll see what can be accomplished by a real live matrimonial agency."