"And you were correct too in your diagnosis when you saw her first," continued the Duc, pitilessly. "To me she is most amiable always; but to the generality of people, it must be admitted that she is not so amiable."
"The amiability of most women," replied Della Rocca, "is nothing more than that insatiate passion for admiration which makes them show their persons almost nude at Trouville, and copy the ways and manners of femmes entretenues in the endeavour to rival such with us. If they wish to be decent, they do not dare to be; they must be popular and chic before all."
"You are severe, but perhaps you are right. Miladi is certainly above all such vulgarities. Indeed, she is only a little too much above everything———"
"It is better than to be below everything—even below our respect—as most of our great ladies are."
"Certainly. Still, she is a little—a little selfish."
"How should she be otherwise? She is quite alone—she has no one to care for———"
