oice has got more right to be respected than
heredity or law. Moreover, Mme. de Lastaola," she continued in an
insinuating voice, "that most rare and fascinating young woman is, as a
friend like you cannot deny, outside legality altogether. Even in that
she is an exceptional creature. For she is exceptional--you agree?"

I had gone dumb, I could only stare at her.

"Oh, I see, you agree. No friend of hers could deny."

"Madame," I burst out, "I don't know where a question of friendship comes
in here with a person whom you yourself call so exceptional. I really
don't know how she looks upon me. Our intercourse is of course very
close and confidential. Is that also talked about in Paris?"

"Not at all, not in the least," said Mrs. Blunt, easy, equable, but with
her calm, sparkling eyes holding me in angry subjection. "Nothing of the
sort is being talked about. The references to Mme. de Lastaola are in a
very different tone, I can assure you, thanks to her discretion in
remaining here. And, I must say, thanks to the discreet efforts of her
friends. I am also a friend of Mme. de Lastaola, you must know. Oh, no,
I have never spoken to her in my life and have seen her only twice, I
believe. I wrote to her though, that I admit. She or rather the image
of her has come into my life, into that part of it where art and letters
reign undisputed like a sort of religion of beauty to which I have been
faithful through all the vicissitudes of my existence. Yes, I did write
to her and I have been preoccupied with her for a long time. It arose
from a picture, from two pictures and also from a phrase pronounced by a
man, who in the science of life and in the perception of aesthetic truth
had no equal in the world of culture. He said that there was something
in her of the women of all time. I suppose he meant the inheritance of
all the gifts that make up an irresistible fascination--a great
personality. Such women are not born often. Most of them lack
opportunities. They never develop. They end obscurely. Here and there
one survives to make her mark even in history. . . . And even that is not
a very enviable fate. They are at another pole from the so-called
dangerous women who are merely coquettes. A coquette has got to work for
her success. The others have nothing to do but simply exist. You
perceive the view I take of the difference?"

I perceived the view. I said to myself that nothing in the world could