Consider his past life by that test of his character.' He who had many times defied the world in hot rebellion, had become, through his desire to cherish a respectable passion, if not exactly slavish to it, subservient, as we see royal personages, that are happy to be on bowing terms with the multitude bowing lower.

Lower, of course, the multitude must bow, to inspire an august serenity; but the nod they have in exchange for it is not an independent one.

Ceasing to be a social rebel, he conceived himself as a recognized dignitary, and he passed under the bondage of that position.
Clotilde had been in this room; she had furnished proof that she could be trusted now.

She had committed herself, perished as a maiden of society, and her parents, even the senseless mother, must see it and decide by it.

The General would bring her to reason: General von Rudiger was a man of the world.