"You seem to forget that she's my daughter."
"That shows my generosity. But, seriously, I don't see what there is against Wratislav. He has no debts—at least, nothing worth speaking about."
"But think of his reputation! If half the things they say about him are true—"
"Probably three-quarters of them are. But what of it? You don't want an archangel for a son-in-law."
"I don't want Wratislav. My poor Elsa would be miserable with him."
"A little misery wouldn't matter very much with her; it would go so well with the way she does her hair, and if she couldn't get on with Wratislav she could always go and do good among the poor."
The Baroness picked up a framed photograph from the table.
"He certainly is very handsome," she said doubtfully; adding even more doubtfully, "I dare say dear Elsa might reform him."
The Gräfin had the presence of mind to laugh in the right key.