I saw in their eyes that they found me beautiful. They talked to me, and when they found that I had to keep eking out my still scanty English with Italian, they were more than ever delighted with me. Some few of them spoke my native language more or less badly--generally more so, I must say. In short, I was a great success. I was introduced to a Royal Personage, who said some excessively commonplace things to me, and was himself excessively amused at my initiating several remarks; but he said he liked it, so my reputation for charming originality grew apace. I felt that I was a person of distinction. My husband came up to me once during the evening, and whispered into my ear, “You will do. Keep it up like this, and I’ll give you whatever present you like to ask for.” I could not quite tell what it all meant, but it made my head feel gay and excited. It took me away from my miseries. It was pleasanter to think of than----’ She shrugged her shoulders. ‘Our home life was not altogether enchanting. During the evening I was dancing in a quadrille with a very handsome young Englishman, and just opposite to us was a countrywoman of his. She also was very handsome. I saw that she looked at me a great deal, but of course did not speak to me. I never made her acquaintance, though I often saw her afterwards. I don’t know how one gets to know these things, but one always does. I discovered that the season before she had been one of the greatest beauties of the year. She had had a good many offers, and amongst them one from my husband, whom she had refused very unceremoniously. Now she was hearing, or rather guessing, that on all sides people were saying that Marchmont had married someone more beautiful than she was. And though she did not in the least regret, I am sure, having refused him, yet she did not like to hear--and to see--that his wife did really surpass her in beauty. Yes,’ pursued Fulvia, ‘it was that evening, in the light of the hundreds of wax candles, and amidst all the beautiful flowers, beautiful women, and fashionable or distinguished men at ---- House, that I first realized it was worth while to wake up, to be strong, to preserve my beauty and make the most of myself. I understood it. It came to me like a revelation. That was the life I was born for, and I was soon at home in it. It suits me, and I do not wish to exchange it for any other.’ ‘You have never had any children?’ asked Minna quietly. Fulvia started, surprised for a moment from her self-possession, and exclaimed, hastily and fervently: ‘No--no! Thank God, I never had a child. And now--I never shall.’ ‘If the life suits you so admirably, it almost seems----’ ‘Che! I am woman of fashion. What do women of fashion want with children? Lovers, on the other hand----’ ‘Lovers! I hope you’ll never condescend to that.’