पृष्ठ 666 / 3800

If a man lacking in self-confidence remains dumb on a first

introduction and betrays a consciousness of the impropriety of

such silence and an anxiety to find something to say, the effect

is bad. But Anatole was dumb, swung his foot, and smilingly

examined the princess' hair. It was evident that he could be

silent in this way for a very long time. "If anyone finds this

silence inconvenient, let him talk, but I don't want to," he

seemed to say. Besides this, in his behavior to women Anatole had

a manner which particularly inspires in them curiosity, awe, and

even love-a supercilious consciousness of his own superiority. It

was as if he said to them: "I know you, I know you, but why

should I bother about you? You'd be only too glad, of course."

Perhaps he did not really think this when he met women-even

probably he did not, for in general he thought very little-but

his looks and manner gave that impression.