Every mental question interested him, especially if it had anything to do with art or literature.

His whole face lit up as he spoke and one saw nothing but his soulful eyes, heard nothing but his musical tenor voice; he was indeed what the French call a _charmeur_.
In ten minutes I confessed to myself that I liked him, and his talk was intensely quickening.

He had something unexpected to say on almost every subject.

His mind was agile and powerful and he took a delight in using it.

He was well-read too, in several languages, especially in French, and his excellent memory stood him in good stead.