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Rh gold, was a very rational person. I have always considered it an allegory, showing the necessity of marrying for money."

"I prefer lighter chains," said the Duc de Mercœur; "it is strange that we should affect, as we do, to undervalue that love which is at once the ideal of the heart, and the daily sweetener of common life."

"It were still more strange," replied De Joinville, looking for an instant towards the Duchesse, "were I to question your experience; but I was speaking of ordinary cases. Now, I hold that, in most matrimonial instances, it is as well to provide for repentance; and wealth has its advantages and its alleviations in affairs of the heart, as in all other affairs. It was by means of a golden bough that Æneas passed the evil spirits of Tartarus, and gained Elysium in safety."

"I believe," said Madame de Mercœur, "they will find in their own strong attachment the best resource against whatever evils may await their choice."

"That is," added De Joinville, "if they do not exhaust that resource en avant. But I consider that all individuals have but a certain portion of love in their composition, and it is a pity to exhaust it at once. Who are the persons with