But more romantic than lucid, the mistress benefactress often attempts to buy a mirage of tenderness, admiration, and respect; she even persuades herself that she gives for the pleasure of giving, without being asked: here too a young man is the perfect choice because a woman can pride herself on maternal generosity toward him; and then there is a little of this 'mystery' the man also asks of the woman he 'helps' so that this crude deal is thus camouflaged as enigma.