Then she became sentimental and added in a melancholy tone: "I know of something worth more than money.

Oh, if only someone were to give me what I long for!" He slowly lifted his head, and there was a gleam of hope in his eyes.
"Oh, you can't give it me," she continued; "it doesn't depend on you, and that's the reason I'm talking to you about it.

Yes, we're having a chat, so I may as well mention to you that I should like to play the part of the respectable woman in that show of theirs." "What respectable woman ?" he muttered in astonishment.
"Why, their Duchess Helene! If they think I'm going to play Geraldine, a part with nothing in it, a scene and nothing besides--if they think that! Besides, that isn't the reason.

The fact is I've had enough of courtesans.

Why, there's no end to 'em! They'll be fancying I've got 'em on the brain; to be sure they will! Besides, when all's said and done, it's annoying, for I can quite see they seem to think me uneducated.
Well, my boy, they're jolly well in the dark about it, I can tell you! When I want to be a perfect lady, why then I am a swell, and no mistake! Just look at this." And she withdrew as far as the window and then came swelling back with the mincing gait and circumspect air of a portly hen that fears to dirty her claws.