He was languid, almost half-hearted.

Moreover, a new idea had taken root in his mind.
"You can try her," he said.
"I can try her, but she will not give it me," Louis repeated with a new obstinacy.

As the Syndic grew mild he grew sullen.

The change was in the other, not in himself.

Subtly he knew that the Syndic was no longer in the mood to strike.
Blondel ruminated.