Behind a smile Quote by Judith McNaught
““Do you mind?” Elizabeth glanced at the cigar, smiled, and started to shake her head, then she stopped, assailed by a memory of him standing in a garden nearly two years ago. He’d been about to light one of those cheroots when he saw her standing there, watching him. She remembered it so clearly, she could still see the golden flame illuminating his chiseled features as he cupped his hands around it, lighting the cigar. Her smile wobbled a little with the piercing memory, and she lifted her eyes from the unlit cigar to Ian’s face, wondering if he remembered it, too. His eyes met hers in polite inquiry, flicked to the unlit cigar, and moved back to her face. He did not remember; she could see that he didn’t. “No, I don’t mind at all,” she said, hiding her disappointment behind a smile.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Unspecified romance novel, 2015
A character hides disappointment behind politeness, revealing unspoken longing and memory.
In simple terms: Politeness masks hidden disappointment.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge feelings instead of masking them.
Themes
love
memory
disappointment
Mood
nostalgic
tense
Type
literary
dramatic
When to use this quote
- dating
- reunion
- conflict resolution
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
unspoken emotions
social etiquette
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the unlit cigar symbolize?
- How does memory affect present interactions?
A Different Perspective
The scene may feel melodramatic without subtlety.
