douceness

Things were beginning to assume an ugly complexion; Lapoulle was doubling his big fists in a way that looked like business, and Pache, with the pangs of hunger gnawing at his vitals, laid aside his natural douceness and insisted on an explanation.

The Downfall ��mile Zola 1871

Being in this sober frame of mind, allow me to wind up this chapter -- the last catastrophe of my eventful life that I mean at present to make public -- with a few serious reflections; as it fears me, that, in much of what I have set down, ill-natured people may see a good deal scarcely consistent with my character for douceness and circumspection; but if many wonderfuls have befallen to my share, it would be well to remember that a man's lot is not of his own making.

The Life of Mansie Wauch Tailor in Dalkeith, written by himself David Macbeth Moir 1824

Being in this sober frame of mind, allow me to wind up this chapter -- the last catastrophe of my eventful life that I mean at present to make public -- with a few serious reflections; as it fears me, that, in much of what I have set down, ill-natured people may see a good deal scarcely consistent with my character for douceness and circumspection; but if many wonderfuls have befallen to my share, it would be well to remember that a man's lot is not of his own making.

The Life of Mansie Wauch tailor in Dalkeith David Macbeth Moir 1824