She had detected what before she had surmised.
This sudden familiarity on his part arose from notions her uncle had instilled,--the visitor had been incited to become the suitor.

Her penetration into character, which from childhood had been her passionate study, told her that on that light, polished, fearless nature scorn would have slight effect; to meet the familiarity would be the best means to secure a friend, to disarm a wooer.

She changed then her manner; she summoned up her extraordinary craft; she accepted the intimacy held out to her, not to unguard herself, but to lay open her opponent.

It became necessary to her to know this man, to have such power as the knowledge might give her.

Insensibly and gradually she led her companion away from his design of approaching her own secrets or character, into frank talk about himself.