She was thinking of the conversation she had had with Steinmetz in Petersburg.

She was wondering whether the friendship he had offered--the solid thing as he called it--was not better than the love of this man.
"I have information now," went on De Chauxville, "which would have made you my wife, had I had it sooner." "I think not," said the lady insolently.

She had dealt with such men before.

Hers was the beauty that appealed to De Chauxville and such as he.

It is not the beautiful women who see the best side of human nature.
"Even now," went on the Frenchman, "now that I know you--I still love you.