I must arrange my thoughts a little first.

After all, Lucia, you don't know how little I have to offer you." "What does that matter ?" she asked simply.

"Mamma will not care--nor I." "You will not, of course.

You would be content to live like a bird, on next to nothing; but then you know nothing of the world." "No, indeed.

I am nothing better than a baby." "You are a million times better than any other woman, and will make the best and dearest of wives--if you had only a luckier fellow for a husband." "Are you unlucky, really?
Are you very poor ?" "Poor enough for a hermit.