He hobnobs with men of letters, and in consequence exposes himself to every sort of slander, while she, if she takes a lover, chooses him out of a pious society in which not one of us would ever be received.

And then, abbes are discreet.

But how explain her infatuation with me?
By the simple fact that she is surfeited of priests and a layman serves as a change of diet.
"Just the same, she is quite singular, and the more I see her the less I understand her.

There are in her three distinct beings.
"First the woman seated or standing up, whom I knew in her drawing-room, reserved, almost haughty, who becomes a good companion in private, affectionate and even tender.
"Then the woman in bed, completely changed in voice and bearing, a harlot spitting mud, losing all shame.
"Third and last, the pitiless vixen, the thorough Satanist, whom I perceived yesterday.
"What is the binding-alloy that amalgamates all these beings of hers?
I can't say.

Hypocrisy, no doubt.No.I don't think so, for she is often of a disconcerting frankness--in moments, it is true, of forgetfulness and unguardedness.