Of course, you have your position, and your wealth, and all that kind of thing. But position and wealth are not everything. Mind you, I don't believe these rumours at all. At least, I can't believe them when I see you. It cannot be concealed.
People talk sometimes of secret vices.
There are no such things. If a wretched man has a vice, it shows itself in the lines of his mouth, the droop of his eyelids, the moulding of his hands even. He offered an extravagant price. I refused him. There was something in the shape of his fingers that I hated.