Oh, let me lay aside all the diffidence which generally keeps my lips closed," he said, "and let me frankly lay bare the thoughts I have in my mind.
Yes; with all my diffidence I anticipated a scene of triumph, a dramatic scene, which would terminate perhaps in a crown of laurel, or a public ovation.
Indeed there was a singular union of pride and diffidence in my character, that kept me aloof from my young companions, and closed up the avenues to the social joys of childhood.
As soon as the diffidence that veiled his first introduction wore away, he called forth his peculiar powers of pleasing, and Edith was not insensible to their fascination.
A little while before, I should have shrunk with nervous diffidencefrom the approach of guests like these.
At such times the diffidence inherent in her character seemed wholly to master her, and there was no rousing her to a better grace.
He was reaching the constructive part of his work, and it began to take shape as an exposition of the methods by which the essential Matilda might have been freed of the diffidence and self-distrust which hemmed her in.
After some diffidence Panoukian began, and they came round to "Lossie Loses," the last weeks of which had at length been announced.
This same diffidence often takes other forms that are even more trying than gloom.
I have spoken of the diffidence that sometimes produces the impression of sullenness.
The doctors and the surgeon, bending with callous diffidence about the inert and prostrate form, then proceeded rapidly with their examination.
I had been on the rack of expectation for the last three hours previous to his arrival, and the warmth of my welcome must have removed any little diffidence with which so shame-faced a gentleman might possibly have been troubled.
I should have the more diffidence because it might be retorted that literary men were too unpractical for politics when they did not deal with moral issues.
About Wednesday, with a diffidence that made Hal secretly amused and secretly curious, Dudley asked her if she would mind if he was away for the whole day on Sunday.
Diffidence conciliates the proud, and softens the severe.
The cause of Addison's taciturnity was a naturaldiffidence in the company of strangers.
The returning paroxysms of diffidence and despair.
I] have brought scandal To Israel, diffidence of God, and doubt In feeble hearts.
Diffidence is a distrust of our powers, combined with a fear lest our failure should be censured, since a dread of failure unconnected with a dread of censure is not usually called diffidence.
Creditable as was this diffidence to the character of the aspirant, the kind disposition of Tartini rendered it unnecessary.
Jane's temper was not desponding, and she was gradually led to hope, though the diffidence of affection sometimes overcame the hope, that Bingley would return to Netherfield and answer every wish of her heart.
His diffidence had prevented his depending on his own judgment in so anxious a case, but his reliance on mine, made every thing easy.
Miss Darcy, though with a diffidence which marked her little in the habit of giving invitations, readily obeyed.
A tumult surged in his breast and every pulse in his body leaped at thought of speech with her, and yet again a diffidence fell upon him that set him trembling.
But little doubt now remained with the watchful parents of the mutual attachment of Edgar and Camilla, to which the only apparent obstacle seemed, a diffidence on the part of Edgar with respect to her internal sympathy.
The fear, however, was palpably not of diffidence with respect to Camilla, but of indecision with regard to himself.
Melmond, long conscious of her worth, and disgusted with all that had rivalled it in his mind, with the fervour of sincerity, yet diffidence of shame and regret, now fearfully sought the favour he before had reluctantly received.
France has shown herself mighty in many ways during the war, but--with the utmost diffidence I suggest it--not in her care for the men who are waging it.
Her eyes filled with tears, she flushed like a girl, she looked radiantly beautiful and then, with the most gracious diffidence in the world, "You will permit me?
With all these signs of unusual attention to appearances, his manner was modest even to humility, and he took a chair with the diffidence of one who seemed to doubt the propriety of being seated in such a presence.
Ireland, although her Parliament has discovered symptoms of timidity or diffidence in postponing the great question to September, has not yet finished her roll upon the stage.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully and looked up to find the woman opposite him leaning forward with a faint air of diffidence and a question in embryo.
Honour forbade the smallest hint at the strange position in which he found himself; diffidence held him back from writing the words his heart was crying to her.
He could not understand how true courtesy permitted a hostess to neglect any of her guests, least of all those who from diffidence or any cause seemed most in need of attention.
The telltale color was again in his face, and his wretched diffidence returned.
This feeling was greatly increased when instead of making mydiffidence and awkwardness a theme of ridicule, you evinced a delicate sympathy, and with graceful tact suggested a better courtesy to others.
When he came to be formally presented, his diffidenceand lack of ease were quite marked.
He is your superior in every respect, save merely in the ease which comes from living in public instead of seclusion, and in all his diffidence there has been nothing so rude and ill-bred as Julian's treatment of Mrs. Dlimm.
Edwin, therefore, was driven by his own diffidence into a nervous light loquacity.
He felt, with pleasure, that he was still older than the Sunday; and it pleased him also to be able thus to utilise ideas which he had formed from observation but which by diffidence and lack of opportunity he had never expressed.
