Beneath the grey hair there looked out at me the cleverest eyes I have ever seen in a human head.

I bowed, made suddenly aware that I stood in the presence of an individuality, near an oasis--as it were--in the dreary desert of human commonplace.

And strange to say, at the same moment my conscience laid itself down to sleep.

Madame la Vicomtesse de Clericy was a woman capable of guarding those near and dear to her.
"Monsieur Howard," explained her husband, looking at me, with his white fingers nervously intertwined, "is desirous of filling the post left vacant by the departure of our friend Charles Miste.

We have had a little talk on affairs.