The motives which led Boleslas to choose the French novelist as the one from whom to obtain his information, demonstrated that the feline character of his physiognomy was not deceptive.

He understood Dorsenne much better than Dorsenne understood him.

He knew him to be nervous, on the one hand, and perspicacious on the other.

If there was an intrigue between Maitland and Madame Steno, Julien had surely observed it, and, approached in a certain manner, he would surely betray it.

Moreover--for that violent and crafty nature abounded in perplexities--Boleslas, who passionately admired the author's talent, experienced a sort of indefinable attraction in exhibiting himself before him in the role of a frantic lover.