He was never dull for a minute, and seemed to make her clever.

At least, she brightened under his influence until all her best side was exhibited.

She felt that she was more clever with him than with others.

At least, he seemed to find so much in her to applaud.
There was not the slightest touch of patronage.

Drouet was full of it.
There had been something so personal, so subtle, in each meeting between them, both when Drouet was present and when he was absent, that Carrie could not speak of it without feeling a sense of difficulty.