Page 403 - swanns-way

speaking). 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 con-
siderable warmth—‘but I am quite sincere when I say that
she is intelligent, while her husband is positively a book-
worm. 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 unanim-
ity, 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. ‘Come now, Swann,
tell us what you mean by intelligence.’
‘There,’ cried Odette, ‘that’s one of the big things I beg
him to tell me about, and he never will.’
‘Oh, but...’ protested Swann.
‘Oh, but nonsense!’ said Odette.
‘A water-butt?’ asked the Doctor.
‘To you,’ pursued Forcheville, ‘does intelligence mean
what they call clever talk; you know, the sort of people who
worm their way into society?’

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