"What a cruel lesson I received at first, then how much valuable information, and lastly what delightful compensation!
"Two persons with true, honest hearts manifested a genuine interest in me.
"A genuine, unselfish interest this time, for these persons, at least, have not even a suspicion that I am the richest heiress in France.
"On the contrary, they believe me to be poor, almost on the verge of absolute want, in fact; and then, what is more, they have been perfectly honest with me. I know it, I am certain of it!
"Judge of my happiness! I have met some one at last whom I feel I can trust, I, who have come to distrust everybody and everything, thanks to the fulsome flattery of those around me.
"At last I know what I am really worth—how I really appear in the eyes of others.
"I am far from pretty; there is nothing in the world about me worthy of the slightest notice. I am one of those persons who must pass through life unnoticed unless some compassionate heart should be touched by my naturally gentle and rather melancholy ways.
"The feeling I must really inspire, if I inspire any feeling at all, is that sort of affectionate commiseration that truly noble souls feel when they are brought into close contact with an inoffensive creature who is suffering from some hidden sorrow.
"If this commiseration ever attracts one of these noble natures to me, what it will find and love in me is sweetness of disposition combined with an intense longing for mutual sincerity.
"This, then, is precisely what I am,—nothing less, nothing more!