Madame Clarence was pretty enough to maintain some old liaisons, but not to form new ones, and she generally inspired a quiet esteem.

She had a very pretty daughter, who, since she had no dower, caused some alarm among the male guests; for the Penguins were as much afraid of portionless girls as they were of the devil himself.

Eveline Clarence, noticing their reserve and perceiving its cause, used to hand them their tea with an air of disdain.

Moreover, she seldom appeared at the parties and talked only to the ladies or the very young people.

Her discreet and retiring presence put no restraint upon the conversation, since those who took part in it thought either that as she was a young girl she would not understand it, or that, being twenty-five years old, she might listen to everything.
One Thursday therefore, in Madame Clarence's drawing-room, the conversation turned upon love.