In order to formulate in a decisive manner the accomplishment of my desire, I relied upon the following propositions, which are to me articles of faith.
"No woman is unattainable, except when she loves another.

Thus, a woman who does not love, and who has resisted nine admirers, will yield to the tenth.

The only question for me was to be the tenth.

Here began the problem to be solved.
"Madame de Bergenheim had been married only three years; her husband, who was good-looking and young, passed for a model husband; if these latter considerations were of little importance, the first was of great weight.

According to all probability, it was too soon for any serious attack.