I plead guilty to having been foolish enough to openly acknowledge these sentiments, and to having made bitter enemies everywhere as the necessary consequence.

If this plain defense of myself fails to satisfy you, grant me an audience, and I will answer your questions, whatever they may be.
"To the third calumny, I reply, that if you had been a Prince instead of a merchant, I would still have done everything in my power to keep your son away from my daughter--for this simple reason, that the idea of parting with her to any man fills me with grief and dismay.

I only yielded to the marriage engagement, when the conviction was forced upon me that my poor child's happiness depended on her union with your son.

It is this consideration alone which induces me to write to you, and to humiliate myself by pleading for a hearing.

As for the question of money, if through some unexpected misfortune you became a bankrupt to-morrow, I would entreat you to consent to the marriage exactly as I entreat you now.