I can assure you
that everyone likes going to see her. I don't go so far as to say that
she's at all 'deep'--" he pronounced the word as if it meant something
ridiculous, for his speech kept the traces of certain mental habits which
the recent change in his life, a rejuvenation illustrated by his passion
for music, had inclined him temporarily to discard, so that at times he
would actually state his views with considerable warmth--"but I am quite
sincere when I say that she is intelligent, while her husband is
positively a bookworm. They are charming people."
His explanation was terribly effective; Mme. Verdurin now realised that
this one state of unbelief would prevent her 'little nucleus' from ever
attaining to complete unanimity, and was unable to restrain herself, in
her fury at the obstinacy of this wretch who could not see what anguish
his words were causing her, but cried aloud, from the depths of her
tortured heart, "You may think so if you wish, but at least you need not
say so to us."
"It all depends upon what you call intelligence." Forcheville felt that it
was his turn to be brilliant.
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