--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: William seemed to find nothing lacking in…" description: "\"“William seemed to find nothing lacking in those evenings. For him it was enough simply to sit across the room and look at her. It was flattering, she ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/698/elizabeth-george-speare-15774_handsome_william-seemed-to-find-nothing-lacking-i_1003732.jpg" --- # William seemed to find nothing lacking in those evenings… ![“William seemed to find nothing lacking in those evenings. For him it was enough simply to sit across the room and look at her. It was flattering, she had to admit. The most eligible bachelor in Wethersfield and handsome, actually, in his substantial way. Sometimes, as she sat knitting, aware that…” quote by Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/698/elizabeth-george-speare-15774_handsome_william-seemed-to-find-nothing-lacking-i_1003732.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/698/elizabeth-george-speare-15774_handsome_william-seemed-to-find-nothing-lacking-i_1003732.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/698/elizabeth-george-speare-15774_handsome_william-seemed-to-find-nothing-lacking-i_1003732.jpg) > ““William seemed to find nothing lacking in those evenings. For him it was enough simply to sit across the room and look at her. It was flattering, she had to admit. The most eligible bachelor in Wethersfield and handsome, actually, in his substantial way. Sometimes, as she sat knitting, aware that William’s eyes were on her face, she felt her breath tightening in a way that was strange and not unpleasant. Then, just as suddenly, rebellion would rise in her. He was so sure! Without even asking, he was reckoning on her as deliberately as he calculated his growing pile of lumber.”” [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. William's quiet admiration intensifies the narrator's feelings, blending attraction with a sense of calculated control, reflecting both desire and power dynamics. **In simple terms:** Quiet admiration sparks complex feelings and power dynamics. Key Takeaway Recognize subtle power in relationships. Themes romance power psychology social dynamics Mood thoughtful introspective Type literary psychological When to use this quote - courtship - personal reflection - social interaction - relationship analysis Key Concepts attention control emotional tension Questions to Reflect On - How does subtle attention affect autonomy? - When does admiration become manipulation? A Different Perspective May overlook consent issues in calculated attention. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“William's eyes glowed like two amber coals. She met his gaze and flinched. No emotion reflected in the amber, only intelligence, cruel in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/william-s-eyes-glowed-like-two-amber-coals-she-met-his-gaze-and/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [Karl Ove Knausgaard is one of my literary heroes. This distresses many of my female, queer, and trans friends: Torrey, you have every woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torrey-peters/karl-ove-knausgaard-is-one-of-my-literary-heroes-this-distresses-many/) [Torrey Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torrey-peters/) > [Oh, shut up. He is not saying that he's too good-looking to be friends with girls. But then again, yesterday at the beach, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/oh-shut-up-he-is-not-saying-that-he-s-too-good-looking-to-be-friends/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [You see, she was gonna be an actress and I was gonna learn to fly. She took off to find the footlights, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapin/you-see-she-was-gonna-be-an-actress-and-i-was-gonna-learn-to-fly-she/) [Harry Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-chapin/) > [Now I have children of my own. They ask their mother what will I be. Will I be handsome, will I be rich?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-livingston/now-i-have-children-of-my-own-they-ask-their-mother-what-will-i-be/) Jay Livingston > [Sir, money, money, the most charming of all things; money, which will say more in one moment than the most elegant lover can in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/sir-money-money-the-most-charming-of-all-things-money-which-will-say/) [Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/) > [The general public have a warped view of the speed at which an investigation proceeds. They like to imagine tense conversations going on behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-aaronovitch/the-general-public-have-a-warped-view-of-the-speed-at-which-an/) [Ben Aaronovitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-aaronovitch/) > [“In choosing a mate, don't pick the tallest and most handsome or the most beautiful. Don't choose one just because that person raises your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-quist-milligan/in-choosing-a-mate-don-t-pick-the-tallest-and-most-handsome-or-the/) Helen Quist Milligan > [You've heard tales of beauty and the beast. How a fair maid falls in love with a monster and sees the beauty of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-maitland/you-ve-heard-tales-of-beauty-and-the-beast-how-a-fair-maid-falls-in/) [Karen Maitland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-maitland/) > [I used to have the biggest crush on Jimmy Kimmel. I liked him when he was chubbier, though. I've never really been attracted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikaela-hoover/i-used-to-have-the-biggest-crush-on-jimmy-kimmel-i-liked-him-when-he/) [Mikaela Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikaela-hoover/) > [As more Americans meet Mitt Romney, I think they'll see beyond the handsome exterior and see not just a good salesman, but a thoughtful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-jean-lopez/as-more-americans-meet-mitt-romney-i-think-they-ll-see-beyond-the/) Kathryn Jean Lopez > [“opened the door. He was leaning with his arm up on the frame, and his other hand on his hip. The way he was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-l-stone/opened-the-door-he-was-leaning-with-his-arm-up-on-the-frame-and-his/) [C.L. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-l-stone/) > [“He was a handsome man, not in the way of mercurial Cesare or the false angel, Morozzi, but with a calm steadiness that sat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-poole/he-was-a-handsome-man-not-in-the-way-of-mercurial-cesare-or-the-false/) [Sara Poole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-poole/) > [Books look handsome and it's a real singular experience getting to go to a bookstore. I don't want to not do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-goldsmith/books-look-handsome-and-it-s-a-real-singular-experience-getting-to-go/) [Taylor Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-goldsmith/) > [Vienna is a handsome, lively city, and pleases me exceedingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-chopin/vienna-is-a-handsome-lively-city-and-pleases-me-exceedingly/) [Frederic Chopin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-chopin/) ## More by Elizabeth George Speare > [There is no escape if love is not there](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/there-is-no-escape-if-love-is-not-there/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [“That lame man you saw-- is he grateful now? Is it worth it to get on his feet and spend the rest of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/that-lame-man-you-saw-is-he-grateful-now-is-it-worth-it-to-get-on-his/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [“Daniel, he said. I would have you follow me. Master!…I will fight for you to the end!. My loyal friend, he said, I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/daniel-he-said-i-would-have-you-follow-me-master-i-will-fight-for-you/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [“When I take you on board the Witch, it's going to be for keeps.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/when-i-take-you-on-board-the-witch-it-s-going-to-be-for-keeps/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [“Haven't you ever wondered,' he attempted, 'what good it is for them to be healed, those people that Jesus cures? They're happy at first.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/haven-t-you-ever-wondered-he-attempted-what-good-it-is-for-them-to-be/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [“The one small room the house contained was scoured as a seashell. There was a table, a chest, a bedstead with a faded quilt,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/the-one-small-room-the-house-contained-was-scoured-as-a-seashell/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [The impression of strength came from an extraordinary vitality that seemed to pulse in the very air around him](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/the-impression-of-strength-came-from-an-extraordinary-vitality-that/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [“The girl looked about her. “’ Tis a pretty room,” she said without thinking, and then wondered how that could be, when it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/the-girl-looked-about-her-tis-a-pretty-room-she-said-without-thinking/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [“Have you noticed her name?" Kit leaned sideways to see the letters painted jauntily on the transom. "The WITCH! How did you dare? Does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/have-you-noticed-her-name-kit-leaned-sideways-to-see-the-letters/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [Who would guess," he teased, "that I'd ever see you on a rooftop with straw in your hair?" Kit giggled. "Are you saying I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/who-would-guess-he-teased-that-i-d-ever-see-you-on-a-rooftop-with/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [“AS THE heavy door shut behind him the cloud gradually lifted from the room. Rachel moved nervously to the table and began to wrap…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/as-the-heavy-door-shut-behind-him-the-cloud-gradually-lifted-from-the/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [From that first moment, in a way she could never explain, the Meadows claimed her and made her their own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/from-that-first-moment-in-a-way-she-could-never-explain-the-meadows/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [“Miriam felt astonished at herself. It was a new thing for her to step out so independently. Somehow, in the past month a tough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/miriam-felt-astonished-at-herself-it-was-a-new-thing-for-her-to-step/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [What a pity every child couldn't learn to read under a willow tree...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/what-a-pity-every-child-couldn-t-learn-to-read-under-a-willow-tree/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) > [“Yes, I do think William is serious. But you don’t need to be worried, dear. No one is going to hurry you, least of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/yes-i-do-think-william-is-serious-but-you-don-t-need-to-be-worried/) [Elizabeth George Speare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) [Explore all 41 Elizabeth George Speare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/) ## More Handsome quotes > [Vienna is a handsome, lively city, and pleases me exceedingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-chopin/vienna-is-a-handsome-lively-city-and-pleases-me-exceedingly/) [Frederic Chopin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-chopin/) > [Books look handsome and it's a real singular experience getting to go to a bookstore. I don't want to not do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-goldsmith/books-look-handsome-and-it-s-a-real-singular-experience-getting-to-go/) [Taylor Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-goldsmith/) > [“He was a handsome man, not in the way of mercurial Cesare or the false angel, Morozzi, but with a calm steadiness that sat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-poole/he-was-a-handsome-man-not-in-the-way-of-mercurial-cesare-or-the-false/) [Sara Poole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-poole/) > [“opened the door. He was leaning with his arm up on the frame, and his other hand on his hip. The way he was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-l-stone/opened-the-door-he-was-leaning-with-his-arm-up-on-the-frame-and-his/) [C.L. Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-l-stone/) > [As more Americans meet Mitt Romney, I think they'll see beyond the handsome exterior and see not just a good salesman, but a thoughtful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-jean-lopez/as-more-americans-meet-mitt-romney-i-think-they-ll-see-beyond-the/) Kathryn Jean Lopez > [I used to have the biggest crush on Jimmy Kimmel. I liked him when he was chubbier, though. I've never really been attracted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikaela-hoover/i-used-to-have-the-biggest-crush-on-jimmy-kimmel-i-liked-him-when-he/) [Mikaela Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikaela-hoover/) > [You've heard tales of beauty and the beast. How a fair maid falls in love with a monster and sees the beauty of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-maitland/you-ve-heard-tales-of-beauty-and-the-beast-how-a-fair-maid-falls-in/) [Karen Maitland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-maitland/) > [“In choosing a mate, don't pick the tallest and most handsome or the most beautiful. Don't choose one just because that person raises your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-quist-milligan/in-choosing-a-mate-don-t-pick-the-tallest-and-most-handsome-or-the/) Helen Quist Milligan > [The general public have a warped view of the speed at which an investigation proceeds. They like to imagine tense conversations going on behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-aaronovitch/the-general-public-have-a-warped-view-of-the-speed-at-which-an/) [Ben Aaronovitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-aaronovitch/) > [Sir, money, money, the most charming of all things; money, which will say more in one moment than the most elegant lover can in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/sir-money-money-the-most-charming-of-all-things-money-which-will-say/) [Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/) > [Now I have children of my own. They ask their mother what will I be. Will I be handsome, will I be rich?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-livingston/now-i-have-children-of-my-own-they-ask-their-mother-what-will-i-be/) Jay Livingston > [You see, she was gonna be an actress and I was gonna learn to fly. She took off to find the footlights, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapin/you-see-she-was-gonna-be-an-actress-and-i-was-gonna-learn-to-fly-she/) [Harry Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-chapin/) > [Oh, shut up. He is not saying that he's too good-looking to be friends with girls. But then again, yesterday at the beach, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/oh-shut-up-he-is-not-saying-that-he-s-too-good-looking-to-be-friends/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [Karl Ove Knausgaard is one of my literary heroes. This distresses many of my female, queer, and trans friends: Torrey, you have every woman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/torrey-peters/karl-ove-knausgaard-is-one-of-my-literary-heroes-this-distresses-many/) [Torrey Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/torrey-peters/) > [I heard you're campaigning on my behalf." He walked over to me. "That wouldn't be because you'd miss me too much if I were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-hocking/i-heard-you-re-campaigning-on-my-behalf-he-walked-over-to-me-that/) [Amanda Hocking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-hocking/) Browse all 889 Handsome quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“William seemed to find nothing lacking in those evenings. For him it was enough simply to sit across the room and look at her. It was flattering, she had to admit. The most eligible bachelor in Wethersfield and handsome, actually, in his substantial way. Sometimes, as she sat knitting, aware that William’s eyes were on her face, she felt her breath tightening in a way that was strange and not unpleasant. Then, just as suddenly, rebellion would rise in her. He was so sure! Without even asking, he was reckoning on her as deliberately as he calculated his growing pile of lumber.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Elizabeth George Speare" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/william-seemed-to-find-nothing-lacking-in-those-evenings-for-him-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Handsome" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/william-seemed-to-find-nothing-lacking-in-those-evenings-for-him-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/698/elizabeth-george-speare-15774_handsome_william-seemed-to-find-nothing-lacking-i_1003732.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/698/elizabeth-george-speare-15774_handsome_william-seemed-to-find-nothing-lacking-i_1003732.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/698/elizabeth-george-speare-15774_handsome_william-seemed-to-find-nothing-lacking-i_1003732.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“William seemed to find nothing lacking in those evenings. For him it was enough simply to sit across the…” — Elizabeth George Speare", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Elizabeth George Speare", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george-speare/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“William seemed to find nothing lacking...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/william-seemed-to-find-nothing-lacking-in-those-evenings-for-him-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george-speare/william-seemed-to-find-nothing-lacking-in-those-evenings-for-him-it/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```