"I just wanted to make your influential critic open his eyes a little! When one treats a journalist to such a dinner as this, he has got to be amiable, hasn't he ?" In her desire to conquer, it had occurred to the young woman to array herself in the most amazing fashion.

Her gown of yellow satin, covered with old Alencon lace, was cut low at the neck; and she had put on all her diamonds, a necklace, a diadem, shoulder-knots, bracelets and rings.
With her candid, girlish face, she looked like some Virgin in a missal, a Queen-Virgin, laden with the offerings of all Christendom.
"Well, well, you look so pretty," said Gerard, who sometimes jested with her, "that I think it will do all the same." "Ah!" she replied with equanimity.

"You consider me a _bourgeoise_, I see.

Your opinion is that a simple little dinner and a modest gown would have shown better taste.

But ah! my dear fellow, you don't know the way to get round men!" Duvillard signified his approval, for he was delighted to be able to show her in all her glory, adorned like an idol.