austre

Updated: June 6, 2025

However, despite the motion, she did not lose her sedateness; she retained almost an austre demeanor; her eyes shone very brightly in her beautiful, impassive face; her nostrils only were inflated, as though to drink in the air. Not a fold of her skirts was out of place, but a plait of her hair slipped down. "Quicker! quicker!" she called. An energetic push gave her increased impetus.

Émile Zola - A Love Episode