by Henry James, Madame de Mauves — Chapter 6 (1874)
“ She inclined her head to one side while her fine eyes kept her visitor in view; she mused a moment and then smiled as with a certain compassionate patience. "It's not in my interest to contradict you.""It would be in your interest to learn, madam" he resolutely returned, "what honest men most admire in a woman--and to recognise it when you see it." ”
by Henry James, Madame de Mauves — Chapter 6 (1874)
“ Madame Clairin's dip into the family annals had apparently imparted an honest zeal to her indignation. "For a long time," she continued, "my belle- soeur has been taking the attitude of an injured woman, affecting a disgust with the world and shutting herself up to read free-thinking books. I've never permitted myself, you may believe, the least observation on her conduct, but I can't accept it as the last word either of taste or of tact. When a woman with her prettiness lets her husband stray away she deserves no small part of her fate. ”
by Henry James, Madame de Mauves — Chapter 6 (1874)
“ Take your revenge, console yourself: you're too charming a woman to have anything to complain of. Here's a handsome young man sighing himself into a consumption for you. Listen to your poor compatriot and you'll find that virtue's none the less becoming for being good-natured. You'll see that it's not after all such a doleful world and that there's even an advantage in having the most impudent of husbands."' Madame Clairin paused; Longmore had turned very pale. ”
