"You say less than you mean," she answered. "I think that I guess what is behind your words. I think that you suspect me of wishing to make my dictionary from motives of future personal preference. That is, you believe that I am a girl with strong ambitions—that I want to rise, thrive, succeed.... Well, you're not wrong. I do want to rise, thrive, succeed. It's in me, as the saying goes. I can't help the impulse."
Mr. Thurston lifted both hands and slightly waved them. "The impulse is enough—with you," he said.
Claire started. "What do you mean?" she asked.
Mr. Thurston looked at the floor, for a moment, then raised his eyes. They dwelt on Claire's very forcefully.
"I mean," he said, "that you are too beautiful and charming not to gain your object."
Claire laughed, lightly and yet a little consciously. "That is very kind of you. If a young man had only said it! How delighted I would have been!"
"Then you think me so very old?" Thurston replied, watching her face with intentness.
"Oh, no," Claire at once said, growing serious again. "Not that, of course. But still ... well, it would be idle for me to declare that I think you young."
"Perhaps I am younger than you think," he said, with low, peculiar emphasis on each word. "Mind, I only say 'perhaps.' ... But do not let us talk of that. As I told you, I am sure you will gain your object. You will succeed. That is, you will find a higher level than these poor Bergemanns. There is a restless fire in your soul that will goad you on. And in the end you must win."
"Tell me by what means, please."