"My sister seldom speaks like a noblewoman--her manner is plain and forthright; she's clever, but does not delight in her cleverness, as some men of our acquaintance do," he says, meaning Claudius. "She tells a story well. She knows all there is to know of herbs and flowers. Thou wouldst like her--what curiosity there is in me, and in Combeferre, is in her as well."