Dom Casmurro 3.38 · 3.38

He catches the flicker of doubt on her face and names it: 'Comprehendo o seu gesto' — I understand your expression. It is the manipulator's most disarming move, to voice the listener's objection before she can, and so appear both perceptive and fair-minded. By acknowledging her skepticism he seems to respect it, while actually clearing it out of his path. He will grant her innocence in the next breath precisely in order to work around it.

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