I've seen the girl but this once," said the Countess, "and the conviction has suddenly come to me.

I like her very much." "So do I," Madame Merle mentioned.
"You've a strange way of showing it." "Surely I've given her the advantage of making your acquaintance." "That indeed," piped the Countess, "is perhaps the best thing that could happen to her!" Madame Merle said nothing for some time.

The Countess's manner was odious, was really low; but it was an old story, and with her eyes upon the violet slope of Monte Morello she gave herself up to reflection.

"My dear lady," she finally resumed, "I advise you not to agitate yourself.
The matter you allude to concerns three persons much stronger of purpose than yourself." "Three persons?
You and Osmond of course.

But is Miss Archer also very strong of purpose ?" "Quite as much so as we." "Ah then," said the Countess radiantly, "if I convince her it's her interest to resist you she'll do so successfully!" "Resist us?
Why do you express yourself so coarsely?
She's not exposed to compulsion or deception." "I'm not sure of that.