(Ah, poor humanity!) My best side was my musical side.

In the days of my vicissitudes (before my marriage) I had at one time had a share in a millinery establishment in Lyons.

At another time, I had been bedchamber-woman to a great lady in Paris.

But in my present situation, these sides of myself were, for various reasons, not so presentable as the pianoforte side.

I was not a great player--far from it.