"You are a fortunate fellow. I wish I had your luck."
"My dear Thauret, can a man of your intelligence believe in such a stupid thing as luck? It no more exists than its antithesis, ill luck. Every man succeeds or not, according to his own skill in guiding his life. Now you envy me my marriage to Emily, when certainly her sister Dora is just as charming, and richer, too."
"Miss Dora is charming, true; but that does not make me a successful suitor. But what do you mean by saying that she is richer?"
"Why, you see, her sister is devoted to her, and has promised her a gift of ten thousand dollars the day she marries, upon one condition."
"And that condition is?"
"That the husband shall be satisfactory to her."
There was a silence for several minutes, finally broken by Mr. Thauret:
"Well, in the light of your approaching marriage, which will make you the only man in the family, I presume your influence would count. If I should wish to marry Miss Dora, I suppose you would favor my suit?"
"That is not a new idea to me, I assure you. All I need say is that when you gain Dora's consent, you shall have mine."