But before I go on, tell me what you mean by your 'Well, sir ?' It is a small phrase very frequent with you; and which many a time has drawn me on and on through interminable talk: I don't very well know why." "I mean,--What next?
How did you proceed?
What came of such an event ?" "Precisely! and what do you wish to know now ?" "Whether you found any one you liked: whether you asked her to marry you; and what she said." "I can tell you whether I found any one I liked, and whether I asked her to marry me: but what she said is yet to be recorded in the book of Fate.
For ten long years I roved about, living first in one capital, then another: sometimes in St.Petersburg; oftener in Paris; occasionally in Rome, Naples, and Florence.

Provided with plenty of money and the passport of an old name, I could choose my own society: no circles were closed against me.

I sought my ideal of a woman amongst English ladies, French countesses, Italian signoras, and German grafinnen.

I could not find her.

Sometimes, for a fleeting moment, I thought I caught a glance, heard a tone, beheld a form, which announced the realisation of my dream: but I was presently undeserved.