A friend, in speaking to you of a young woman, says: “Good family, well
bred, pretty, and three hundred thousand in her own right.” You have
expressed a desire to meet this charming creature.
Usually, chance interviews are premeditated. And you speak with this
object, who has now become very timid.
YOU.—“A delightful evening!”
SHE.—“Oh! yes, sir.”
You are allowed to become the suitor of this young person.
THE MOTHER-IN-LAW (to the intended groom).—“You can’t imagine how
susceptible the dear girl is of attachment.”
Meanwhile there is a delicate pecuniary question to be discussed by the
two families.
YOUR FATHER (to the mother-in-law).—“My property is valued at five
hundred thousand francs, my dear madame!”
YOUR FUTURE MOTHER-IN-LAW.—“And our house, my dear sir, is on a corner
lot.”
A contract follows, drawn up by two hideous notaries, a small one, and
a big one.
Then the two families judge it necessary to convoy you to the civil
magistrate’s and to the church, before conducting the bride to her
chamber.
Then what? . . . . . Why, then come a crowd of petty unforeseen
troubles, like the following: