A reception of finished politeness would probably have confused me: I could not have returned or repaid it by answering grace and elegance on my part; but harsh caprice laid me under no obligation; on the contrary, a decent quiescence, under the freak of manner, gave me the advantage.
Un'accoglienza cortese mi avrebbe confusa. Non avrei potuto rispondervi con grazia; ma quella strana brutalità non imponevami nessun obbligo.