Was this an error, and might she not be able to find others who also had the golden key?
It is difficult to decide; and Professor Haddock, when the facts were divulged (which happened without much delay as we shall see), treated the matter from an experimental point of view, in a scientific review, and concluded that the chances Madame C-- would have of finding the exact equivalent of M.V-- were in the proportion of 305 to 975008.

This is as much as to say that she would never find it.

Doubtless her instinct told her the same, for she attached herself distractedly to him.
I have related these facts with all the circumstances which seemed to me worthy of attracting the attention of meditative and philosophic minds.
The Sofa of the Favourite is worthy of the majesty of history; on it were decided the destinies of a great people; nay, on it was accomplished an act whose renown was to extend over the neighbouring nations both friendly and hostile, and even over all humanity.

Too often events of this nature escape the superficial minds and shallow spirits who inconsiderately assume the task of writing history.

Thus the secret springs of events remain hidden from us.