I speak to Sophy, and have no difficulty in getting her to confide her secret to me, a secret which was known to me already.  It is not so easy to get permission to tell Emile; but at last she gives me leave and I tell him what is the matter.  He cannot get over his surprise at this explanation.  He cannot understand this delicacy; he cannot see how a few pounds more or less can affect his character or his deserts.  When I get him to see their effect on people’s prejudices he begins to laugh; he is so wild with delight that he wants to be off at once to tear up his title deeds and renounce his money, so as to have the honour of being as poor as Sophy, and to return worthy to be her husband.

“Why,” said I, trying to check him, and laughing in my turn at his impetuosity, “will this young head never grow any older?  Having dabbled all your life in philosophy, will you never learn to reason?  Do not you see that your wild scheme would only make things worse, and Sophy more obstinate?  It is a small superiority to be rather richer than she, but to give up all for her would be a very great superiority; if her pride cannot bear to be under the small obligation, how will she make up her mind to the greater?  If she cannot bear to think that her husband might taunt her with the fact that he has enriched her, would she permit him to blame her for having brought him to poverty?  Wretched boy, beware lest she suspects you of such a plan!  On the contrary, be careful and economical for her sake, lest she should accuse you of trying to gain her by cunning, by sacrificing of your own free will what you are really wasting through carelessness.

“Do you really think that she is afraid of wealth, and that she is opposed to great possessions in themselves?  No, dear Emile; there are more serious and substantial grounds for her opinion, in the effect produced by wealth on its possessor.  She knows that those who are possessed of fortune’s gifts are apt to place them first.  The rich always put wealth before merit.  When services are reckoned against silver, the latter always outweighs the former, and those who have spent their life in their master’s service are considered his debtors for the very bread they eat.  What must you do, Emile, to calm her fears?  Let her get to know you better; that is not done in a day.  Show her the treasures of your heart, to counterbalance the wealth which is unfortunately yours.  Time and constancy will overcome her resistance; let your great and noble feelings make her forget your wealth.  Love her, serve her, serve her worthy parents.  Convince her that these attentions are not the result of a foolish fleeting passion, but of settled principles engraved upon your heart.  Show them the honour deserved by worth when exposed to the buffets of Fortune; that is the only way to reconcile it with that worth which basks in her smiles.”

The transports of joy experienced by the young man at these words may easily be imagined; they restore confidence and hope, his good heart rejoices to do something to please Sophy, which he would have done if there had been no such person, or if he had not been in love with her.  However little his character has been understood, anybody can see how he would behave under such circumstances.