y be named between you and me."

"Dollar let it be, then. Now, sir, you have my consent on a single
condition."

"Name it, sir. Name five or six, at once, my dear Mr. Monson, and you
shall see how I will comply."

"One will answer. How much fortune do you think will be necessary to
make such a couple happy, at starting in the world? Name such a sum as
will comport with your own ideas."

"How much, sir? Mr. Monson, you are a model of generosity! You mean, to
keep a liberal and gentlemanly establishment, as would become your
son-in-law?"

"I do--such a fortune as will make you both easy and comfortable."

"Horses and carriages, of course? Every thing on a genteel and liberal
scale?"

"On such a scale as will insure the happiness of man and wife."

"Mutual esteem--conjugal felicity--and all that. I suppose you include
dinners, sir, and a manly competition with one's fellow citizens, in
real New York form?"

"I mean all that can properly belong to the expenses of a gentleman and
lady."

"Yes, sir--exceedingly liberal--liberal as the rosy dawn. Why, sir,
meeting your proposition in the spirit in which it is offered, I should
say Julia and I could get along very comfortably on $100,000. Yes, we
could make that do, provided the money were well invested--no fancy
stocks."

"Well, sir, I am glad we understand each other so clearly. If my
daughter really wish to marry you, I will give $50,000 of this sum, as
soon as you can show me that you have as much more to invest along with
it."

"Sir--Mr. Monson!"

"I mean that each party shall lay down dollar for dollar!"

"I understand what you mean, sir. Mr. Monson, that would be degrading
lawful wedlock to the level of a bet--a game of cards--a mercenary,
contemptible bargain. No, sir--nothing shall ever induce me to degrade
this honorable estate to such pitiful conditions!"

"Dollar for dollar, Mr. Thurston!"

"Holy wedlock! It is violating the best principles of our nature."

"Give and take!"

"Leveling the sacred condition of matrimony to that of a mere bargain
for a horse or a dog!"

"Half and half!"

"My nature revolts at such profanation, sir--I will take $75,000 with
Miss Julia, and say no more about it."

"Equality is the foundation of wedded happiness, Mr. Thurston."

"Say $50,000, Mr. Monson, and have no more words about it. Take away
from the transaction the character of a bargain, and even $40,000 will
do."

"Not a cent that is not covered by