1 He had abundantly earned the privilege of intimate discussion of her sister's disappointment, by the friendly zeal with which he had endeavoured to soften it, and they always conversed with confidence.
2 The matter itself I could not deny, and vain was every endeavour to soften it.
3 "If there is bad blood between you and them," said I, to soften it off a little.
4 Vronsky saw all the thanklessness of the business, and that there could be no question of a duel in it, that everything must be done to soften the government clerk, and hush the matter up.
5 He heard her, unconsciously bending his whole figure down to her as though hoping in this way to soften the hardness of her position for her.
6 But he talked to them, simply trying to reconcile and soften their differences.
7 Besides, he was a living reminder of the worst mistake in her career, and the fact that he had been its cause did not soften her feelings toward him.
8 Rosedale in the paternal role was hardly a figure to soften Lily; yet she could not but notice a quality of homely goodness in his advances to the child.
9 But that did in nowise mend the matter, or at all soften the hard heart of the learned gentleman with the copy of Blackstone.
10 He prayed that if any man there had been remiss toward the stranger come to a far country, God would forgive him and soften his heart.
11 He was without arms, and his paint tended rather to soften than increase the natural sternness of his austere countenance.
The Last of the Mohicans By James Fenimore CooperContext Highlight In CHAPTER 28 12 Nothing less than the first was required to soften the second.
Les Misérables 1 By Victor HugoContext Highlight In BOOK 2: CHAPTER XIII—LITTLE GERVAIS 13 What is needed is a little anvil two inches square, and a lamp burning spirits of wine to soften the wax.
Les Misérables 5 By Victor HugoContext Highlight In BOOK 9: CHAPTER III—A PEN IS HEAVY TO THE MAN WHO LIFTED THE FAUC... 14 It appeared to her that the sounds spread to a distance beneath the vaulted roofs, and carried with them a magic charm to soften the hearts of her jailers.
The Three Musketeers By Alexandre DumasContext Highlight In 53 CAPTIVITY: THE SECOND DAY 15 She began to soften; she felt sorry.