In spite of all these advantages, an attentive examination showed me that his passion was hopeless.

Madame de Bergenheim received his attentions very kindly--too kindly.

She usually listened to him with a smile in which one could read gratitude for the devotion he lavished upon her.

She willingly accepted him as her favorite partner in the galop, which he danced to perfection.

His success stopped there.
"At the end of several days, the ground having been carefully explored and the admirers, dangerous and otherwise, having been passed in review, one after another, I felt convinced that Clemence loved nobody.
"'She shall love me,' said I, on the day I reached this conclusion.