They were going to fall upon him, taking advantage of his reading.

But pride made him remain motionless, that they might not suspect his uneasiness.
Then he laughed in an insolent way as though he were reading in the German illustration something that was provoking his jibes.

As though this were not enough, he raised his eyes with aggressive curiosity in order to study the portraits adorning the wall.
Then he realized the great transformation which had just taken place in the bar.

Almost all the customers had filed silently out during his reading.

There remained only four blear-eyed drunkards who were guzzling with satisfaction, occupied with the contents of their glasses.