in a different way. She was not, as yet, as
self-controlled, or as understanding of current theories and beliefs as
her mother, but she was artistic, emotional, excitable, in an
intellectual way, and capable of high flights of fancy and of intense
and fine appreciations. Her really sensuous beauty was nothing to her.
She did not value it highly. She knew she was beautiful, and that men
and boys were apt to go wild about her, but she did not care. They must
not be so silly, she thought. She did not attempt to attract them in any
way. On the contrary, she avoided every occasion of possible
provocation. Her mother had told her plainly how susceptible men were,
how little their promises meant, how careful she must be of her looks
and actions. In consequence, she went her way as gaily and yet as
inoffensively as she could, trying to avoid the sadness of entrancing
anyone hopelessly and wondering what her career was to be. Then Eugene
appeared.

With his arrival, Suzanne had almost unconsciously entered upon a new
phase of her existence. She had seen all sorts of men in society, but
those who were exclusively social were exceedingly wearisome to her. She
had heard her mother say that it was an important thing to marry money
and some man of high social standing, but who this man was to be and
what he was to be like she did not know. She did not look upon the
typical society men she had encountered as answering suitably to the
term high. She had seen some celebrated wealthy men of influential
families, but they did not appear to her really human enough to be
considered. Most of them were cold, self-opinionated, ultra-artificial
to her easy, poetic spirit. In the realms of real distinction were many
men whom the papers constantly talked about, financiers, politicians,
authors, editors, scientists, some of whom were in society, she
understood, but most of whom were not. She had met a few of them as a
girl might. Most of those she met, or saw, were old and cold and paid no
attention to her whatever. Eugene had appeared trailing an atmosphere of
distinction and acknowledged ability and he was young. He was good
looking, too--laughing and gay. It seemed almost impossible at first to
her that one so young and smiling should be so able, as her mother said.
Afterwards, when she came to know him, she began to feel that he was
more than able; that he could do anything he pleased. She had visited
him once in his office, accompanied by he