res of speech. Do not let your
words become confused by too abrupt or hesitating a delivery, and
do not let your speech be so slow and broken as to become tedious.

74th When Another Speaks be attentive your Self and disturb not the
Audience if any hesitate in his Words help him not nor Prompt him
without desired, Interrupt him not, nor Answer him till his Speech be
ended

Chapter vii. 13. Quand quelque autre parle, prenez garde de donner
suiet a ses Auditeurs de s'en detourner; & pour vous, ecoutez-le
fauorablement & auec attention, sans destourner les yeux d'vn autre
coste, ou vous arrester a quelqu'autre pensee. Si quelqu'vn a de la
peine a tirer ses mots comme par force, ne vous amusez pas a luy en
suggerer, pour faire paroistre quelque desir d'aider celuy qui
parle, si'l ne vient a vous en prier, ou que le tout se passe das
le particulier, & qu'encore cette persone soit de vos plus intimes
& familiers amis; & apres tout ne l'interrompez point, & ne luy
repliquez en aucune maniere, iusques a ce que luy-mesme ait acheue.

[Sidenote: Hawkins: 'If any drawl forth his words, help him not']

[Sidenote: The later French book has: 'It is not Civil when a Person of
Quality hesitates or stops in his discourse for you to strike in, though
with pretence of helping his memory.']

When another person is speaking, beware of drawing off the
attention of his hearers; and as for yourself, listen to him
favourably and attentively, without turning your eyes aside or
directing your thoughts elsewhere. If any one finds difficulty in
expressing himself, do not amuse yourself by suggesting words to
him, so as to show a desire to assist the speaker unless he so
requests or you are quite in private, and the person is also one of
your most intimate and familiar friends. Above all, do not
interrupt him, and in nowise reply to him until he has finished.

75th. In the midst of Discourse ask [not what it is about], but if you
Perceive any Stop because of [your arrival, rather request the speaker]
to Proceed: If a Person of Quality comes in while your Conversing its
handsome to Repeat what was said before

Chapter vii. 14. Quand vous arriuez sur la moitie de quelque
discours, ne vous enquerez pas du suiet de l'entretien; car cela
est trop hardy & ressent l'homme d'authorite. Suppliez plutost
honnestement & cour