And now you wish to do this! You with your youth, with your style, with your husband!" She protested, she pleaded, she reasoned, but in the end Gabriella won her point by the stubborn force of her will.

Madame would take her for a few weeks, a few months, a few years, as long as she cared to stay and gave satisfaction.

Madame would have her taught what she could learn, would discover by degrees the natural gifts and the amount of training already possessed by young Mrs.Fowler.Young Mrs.Fowler, on the other hand, must "stand around" when required in the showrooms (it was just here that Gabriella won her victory); she must assist at the ordering of gowns, at the selections, and while Madame's patrons were fitted, young Mrs.Fowler must be prepared to assume graceful attitudes in the background and to offer her suggestions with a persuasive air.
Suggestions, even futile ones, offered in a charming voice from a distinguished figure in black satin had borne wonderful results in Madame's experience.
"I began that way myself, Mrs.Fowler.You may not believe it, but I was once slenderer than you are--my waist measured only nineteen inches and my bust thirty-six--just the figure a man most admires.

The result was, you see, that I have had four husbands, though it is true that I supported three of them, and it is always easy to marry if one provides the support.

Men are like that.