On his return to his native place, folks found him less heavy and somnolent than formerly.

They surrounded him and endeavoured to make him speak out concerning the political situation.

But he feigned ignorance and compelled them to talk.

A little perspicacity would have detected that beneath his apparent unconcern there was great anxiety with regard to the political opinions of the town.

However, he seemed to be sounding the ground more on behalf of a party than on his own account.
Although he had renounced all hope for himself, he remained at Plassans until the end of the month, assiduously attending the meetings in the yellow drawing-room.