It is only in 'le petit monde' that men having nothing marry girls having nothing, and I don't believe they are a bit the happier for it.

On the contrary, the 'quarrels de menage' leading to frightful crimes appear by the 'Gazette des Tribunaux' to be chiefly found among those who do not sell themselves at the altar." The old Count said this with a grim 'persiflage.' He was a Voltairian.
Voltairianism, deserted by the modern Liberals of France, has its chief cultivation nowadays among the wits of the old 'regime.' They pick up its light weapons on the battle-field on which their fathers perished, and re-feather against the 'canaille' the shafts which had been pointed against the 'noblesse.' "Adieu, Count," said Alain, rising; "I do not thank you less for your advice because I have not the wit to profit by it." "'Au revoir,' my cousin; you will think better of it when you have been a month or two at Paris.

By the way, my wife receives every Wednesday; consider our house yours." "Count, can I enter into the world which Madame la Comtesse receives, in the way that becomes my birth, on the income I take from my fortune ?" The Count hesitated.

"No," said he at last, frankly; "not because you will be less welcome or less respected, but because I see that you have all the pride and sensitiveness of a 'seigneur de province.' Society would therefore give you pain, not pleasure.

More than this, I know, by the remembrance of my own youth and the sad experience of my own sons, that you would be irresistibly led into debt, and debt in your circumstances would be the loss of Rochebriant.