I never seemed in his way; he did not take fits of chilling hauteur: when he met me unexpectedly, the encounter seemed welcome; he had always a word and sometimes a smile for me: when summoned by formal invitation to his presence, I was honoured by a cordiality of reception that made me feel I really possessed the power to amuse him, and that these evening conferences were sought as much for his pleasure as for my benefit.
Il avait renoncé à ses accès de froid dédain. Quand il me rencontrait, il me souriait et avait toujours un mot agréable à me dire; quand il m'invitait à paraître devant lui, il me recevait cordialement, ce qui me prouvait que j'avais vraiment le pouvoir de l'amuser, et qu'il recherchait ces conversations du soir autant pour son plaisir que pour le mien.