But do not make any mistake as to his bearing; it is not to be compared with that of your young dandies.  It is self-possessed, not conceited; his manners are easy, not haughty; an insolent look is the mark of a slave, there is nothing affected in independence.  I never saw a man of lofty soul who showed it in his bearing; this affectation is more suited to vile and frivolous souls, who have no other means of asserting themselves.  I read somewhere that a foreigner appeared one day in the presence of the famous Marcel, who asked him what country he came from.  “I am an Englishman,” replied the stranger.  “You are an Englishman!” replied the dancer, “You come from that island where the citizens have a share in the government, and form part of the sovereign power? [Footnote:  As if there were citizens who were not part of the city and had not, as such, a share in sovereign power!  But the French, who have thought fit to usurp the honourable name of citizen which was formerly the right of the members of the Gallic cities, have degraded the idea till it has no longer any sort of meaning.  A man who recently wrote a number of silly criticisms on the “Nouvelle Heloise” added to his signature the title “Citizen of Paimboeuf,” and he thought it a capital joke.] No, sir, that modest bearing, that timid glance, that hesitating manner, proclaim only a slave adorned with the title of an elector.”

I cannot say whether this saying shows much knowledge of the true relation between a man’s character and his appearance.  I have not the honour of being a dancing master, and I should have thought just the opposite.  I should have said, “This Englishman is no courtier; I never heard that courtiers have a timid bearing and a hesitating manner.  A man whose appearance is timid in the presence of a dancer might not be timid in the House of Commons.”  Surely this M. Marcel must take his fellow-countrymen for so many Romans.

He who loves desires to be loved, Emile loves his fellows and desires to please them.  Even more does he wish to please the women; his age, his character, the object he has in view, all increase this desire.  I say his character, for this has a great effect; men of good character are those who really adore women.  They have not the mocking jargon of gallantry like the rest, but their eagerness is more genuinely tender, because it comes from the heart.  In the presence of a young woman, I could pick out a young man of character and self-control from among a hundred thousand libertines.  Consider what Emile must be, with all the eagerness of early youth and so many reasons for resistance!  For in the presence of women I think he will sometimes be shy and timid; but this shyness will certainly not be displeasing, and the least foolish of them will only too often find a way to enjoy it and augment it.  Moreover, his eagerness will take a different shape according to those he has to do with.  He will be more modest and respectful to married women, more eager and tender towards young girls.  He never loses sight of his purpose, and it is always those who most recall it to him who receive the greater share of his attentions.