Then, Mademoiselle Charlotte, all these are in your hands; why do you not grasp them ?" "How ?" she queried, surprised and somewhat startled.
"If you have, as I believe you have, as much strength of soul as intelligence and beauty, you can escape at once and forever the miserable servitude fate has imposed upon you.

Richly endowed as you are, you might become to-morrow a great artiste, independent, feted, rich, adored--the mistress of Paris and of the world!" "And yours also ?--No!" said this strange girl.
"Pardon, Mademoiselle Charlotte.

I did not suspect you of any improper idea, when you offered to share my uncertain fortunes.

Render me, I pray you, the same justice at this moment.

My moral principles are very lax, it is true, but I am as proud as yourself.