He was then sixteen.

In spite of his squalid rags, she was struck by his figure.

She was a woman of intelligence, and had no prejudices.

"When he is well washed and cared for," she thought, "when he is divested of his native impurities, when he has seen the world and had communication with honest people, he certainly will be a noble fellow." She made him talk, and found him intelligent; she liked intelligent men.

She made him sing, assured herself that he had a voice; she adored music.