Ah, if I chose, if I let myself go, if I flung everything to the winds, the world and I would be famous friends! I know its merits, and I think, without vanity, it would see mine.

You would see some fine things! I should like to be a princess, and I think I should be a very good one; I would play my part well.

I am fond of luxury, I am fond of a great society, I am fond of being looked at.

I am corrupt, corruptible, corruption! Ah, what a pity that could n't be, too! Mercy of Heaven!" There was a passionate tremor in her voice; she covered her face with her hands and sat motionless.
Rowland saw that an intense agitation, hitherto successfully repressed, underlay her calmness, and he could easily believe that her battle had been fierce.

She rose quickly and turned away, walked a few paces, and stopped.