He was charged with treating with insulting levity the most serious questions, and was then blamed for his affectation of gravity.
People knew him scarcely well enough to love him, while they were jealous of him and feared him.
He wore a bored look in all fashionable reunions, which was considered very bad taste.

Forced by his relations, by his father, to go into society a great deal, he was bored, and committed the unpardonable sin of letting it be seen.

Perhaps he had been disgusted by the constant court made to him, by the rather coarse attentions which were never spared the noble heir of one of the richest families in France.

Having all the necessary qualities for shining, he despised them.

Dreadful sin! He did not abuse his advantages; and no one ever heard of his getting into a scrape.
He had had once, it was said, a very decided liking for Madame Prosny, perhaps the naughtiest, certainly the most mischievous woman in Paris; but that was all.