He had preserved the best part of her and made it his own: the principle of her scent.

With one glance he had got himself trapped in the brown fundament of her eyes, he was in danger of sinking, as if into a soft, brown swamp, and he had to close his own eyes for a second to get out of it.

He who ruled scent ruled the hearts of men.

And because people are stupid and use their noses only for blowing, but believe absolutely anything they see with their eyes, they will say it is because this is a girl with beauty and grace and charm.

He had withdrawn solely for his own personal pleasure, only to be near to himself. No longer distracted by anything external, he basked in his own existence and found it splendid.

...he came to the conclusion that you cannot depend on people, and that you can live in peace only if you keep them at arm's length.

Not a visible enthusiasm but a hidden one, an excitement burning with a cold flame.