Oftentimes in the midst of a conversation, at the theatre, at church, at the court, anywhere and everywhere, the thought of it would suddenly rush into his mind, sweeping everything before it, overwhelming him afresh with wonder and amazement.

And indeed it could not be easy for a man who did not believe that such an anomaly as a truly virtuous woman ever existed--much less a virtuous actress--to understand Isabelle's firm resistance to the suit of such a rich and handsome young nobleman as himself.

He sometimes wondered whether it could be that after all she was only playing a part, and holding back for a while so as to obtain more from him in the end--tactics that he knew were not unusual--but the indignant, peremptory way in which she had rejected the casket of jewels proved conclusively that no such base motives actuated Isabelle.

All his letters she had returned unopened.
All his advances she had persistently repulsed; and he was at his wit's end to know what to do next.

Finally he concluded to send for old Mme.
Leonarde to come and talk the matter over with him; he had kept up secret relations with her, as it is always well to have a spy in the enemy's camp.