Marriage is to-day the sole pursuit of the nobility." "The nobility! That of our country might be tolerated, but foreign noblemen are mere adventurers." "It is well known that the Panines come from Posen--the papers have mentioned them more than twenty times." "Why is he not in his own country ?" "He is exiled." "He has done something wrong, then!" "He has, like all his family, fought for independence." "Then he is a revolutionist!" "A patriot." "You are very kind to tell me all that." "I may hate Prince Panine," said Pierre, simply, "but that is no reason why I should not be just to him." "So be it; he is an exceptional being, a great citizen, a hero, if you like.

But that does not prove that he will make my daughter happy.

And if you take my advice, we shall send him about his business in a very short time." Madame Desvarennes was excited and paced hurriedly up and down the room.
The idea of resuming the offensive after she had been forced to act on the defensive for months past pleased her.

She thought Pierre argued too much.

A woman of action, she did not understand why Pierre had not yet come to a resolution.