They will reproach me with occupying the bed still warm from Albert's body.
They will jest bitterly at my haste in taking possession.

They will certainly compare me to Albert, and the comparison will be to my disadvantage, since I should appear to triumph at a time when a great disaster has fallen upon our house." The count listened without showing any signs of disapprobation, struck perhaps by the justice of these reasons.

Noel imagined that his harshness was much more feigned than real; and this idea encouraged him.
"I beseech you then, sir," he continued, "to permit me for the present in no way to change my mode of living, By not showing myself, I leave all malicious remarks to waste themselves in air,--I let public opinion the better familiarise itself with the idea of a coming change.

There is a great deal in not taking the world by surprise.

Being expected, I shall not have the air of an intruder on presenting myself.