"What in the devil does that question mean? what connection has it with my offers?"
"Much, I assure you. At all events, be good enough to answer; what is the probable cost of a girl's education, and her support—everything?"
"As if I knew! As if I ever paid any attention to such things!"
"No, I suppose you never have paid any attention to them; but, no matter! make a guess at it."
"Well! about three or four thousand francs, I suppose."
"No, monsieur, you're a long way off. I reckon that it would cost fully twenty thousand francs."
"Twenty thousand francs! Nonsense! that isn't possible! Twenty thousand francs for a child?"
"Yes, monsieur, when that child is a daughter; when one wishes to give her a good education, and to cultivate her talents until she is a woman grown. Really, monsieur, I should have said that you were more generous! Forty thousand francs a year is too little for your pleasures, and you think that twenty thousand is too much for bringing up and educating a woman, and assuring her of a bare existence! Ah! that's just like you men!"
"No, no, you are right: twenty thousand francs is none too much. But, for God's sake, let us drop this subject and return to you—to you, who will not always be so cruel to me, I trust. What do you want? you haven't told me yet."
"Well, monsieur le vicomte, if I should yield to your solicitations, as I might have a little girl, I want the means of bringing her up, of giving her an education; and as I have no faith in a seducer's promises, I want it—before I give myself to him.—Do you understand me now?"