It was not that she was reserved; on the contrary, she was as frank as flowing water.

But he was sure she had qualities which she herself did not suspect.
He had abstained for several reasons from saying some of these things to Bellegarde.

One reason was that before proceeding to any act he was always circumspect, conjectural, contemplative; he had little eagerness, as became a man who felt that whenever he really began to move he walked with long steps.

And then, it simply pleased him not to speak--it occupied him, it excited him.

But one day Bellegarde had been dining with him, at a restaurant, and they had sat long over their dinner.