First Part Chapter 24

"Sir, some of your friends will have it that you are marrying your
dear Armande to the nephew of an ambassador who has been very anxious
for this connection, and has long begged for it. Also, that the
marriage-contract arranges for his nephew to succeed on his death to
his enormous fortune and his title, and bestows on the young couple in
the meantime an income of a hundred thousand livres, on the bride a
dowry of eight hundred thousand francs. Your daughter weeps, but bows
to the unquestioned authority of her honored parent. Some people are
unkind enough to say that, behind her tears, she conceals a worldly
and ambitious soul.

"Now, we are going to the gentleman's box at the Opera to-night, and
M. le Baron de Macumer will visit us there."

"Macumer needs a touch of the spur then," said my father, smiling at
me, as though I were a female ambassador.

"You mistake Clarissa Harlowe for Figaro!" I cried, with a glance of
scorn and mockery. "When you see me with my right hand ungloved, you
will give the lie to this impertinent gossip, and will mark your
displeasure at it."

"I may make my mind easy about your future. You have no more got a
girl's headpiece than Jeanne d'Arc had a woman's heart. You will be
happy, you will love nobody, and will allow yourself to be loved."