In which two sentences does the author use an ironic tone toward the subject? she had no dowry, no expectations, no way of being known, understood, loved, married by any rich and distinguished man; so she let herself be married to a little clerk of the ministry of public instruction. natural ingenuity, instinct for what is elegant, a supple mind are their sole hierarchy, and often make of women of the people the equals of the very greatest ladies. the girl was one of those pretty and charming young creatures who sometimes are born, as if by a slip of fate, into a family of clerks. she dressed plainly because she could not dress well, but she was unhappy as if she had really fallen from a higher station.