I am not going to betray the confidence of what was a private visit, but general impressions are not, I think, forbidden.

I still seem to see the Princesse Murat opposite me, in black, her fingers playing with her pearls as she talked; the French officer with folded arms beside her; next to him the young widowed lady, whose name I did not catch, then Mrs.Wilson, with the intelligent face of her secretary, Miss Benham, in the background, and between myself and Princesse Murat, the easy, attractive presence of the man whom this old Europe, with one accord, is now discussing, criticising, blaming or applauding.

The President talked with perfect simplicity and great apparent frankness.
There is a curious mingling in his face, it seemed to me, of something formidable, at times almost threatening, with charm and sweetness.

You are in the presence of something held in leash; that something is clearly a will of remarkable quality and power.

You are also in the presence of something else, not less strongly controlled, a consciousness of success, which is in itself a promise of further success.