Would you not like to have the _entre_ to the Empress's coterie and shine among the acknowledged beauties?
I give you my word that your peer is not among them, and the leader would be enchanted with you.

Come, suppose a little fatal accident to Monsieur--may he not suck poison off his paint brush or cut an artery with his sculptor's chisel?
And, after a sojourn at Bravitz, you might return to Paris a viscountess--a countess, perhaps, and rule in a pretty court of your own!" For a woman who had said adieu! she had lingered still listening much too long.

They continued the conversation, turned into this ominous channel, in the same low key.
Cesarine returned home with the sentiment of loneliness which had oppressed her almost utterly removed.

She did not love Gratian, but one need not be a prisoner to understand how admirable the jailer with the outer door-key may appear.

She saw in him a precious friend and ally--a worshiper who would obey a hint like a fanatic.