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Jack O'Flaherty
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betraying the slightest suggestion of a smile.

That means simply that the captain was smiling very slightly, probably without intending to. It shows that he thinks Rostov is naive to believe that these are his quarters.

Merriam-Webster "betray"
4a : to reveal unintentionally
betray one's true feelings

A suggestion here is an indication or appearance.
The word slightest means that it is a very small indication, so it's a very small smile.

The OP has a quotation from "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles.

betraying the slightest suggestion of a smile.

That means simply that the captain was smiling very slightly, probably without intending to. It shows that he thinks Rostov is naive to believe that these are his quarters.

Merriam-Webster "betray"
4a : to reveal unintentionally
betray one's true feelings

The OP has a quotation from "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles.

betraying the slightest suggestion of a smile.

That means simply that the captain was smiling very slightly, probably without intending to. It shows that he thinks Rostov is naive to believe that these are his quarters.

Merriam-Webster "betray"
4a : to reveal unintentionally
betray one's true feelings

A suggestion here is an indication or appearance.
The word slightest means that it is a very small indication, so it's a very small smile.

The OP has a quotation from "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles.

Source Link
Jack O'Flaherty
  • 43.2k
  • 4
  • 43
  • 63

betraying the slightest suggestion of a smile.

That means simply that the captain was smiling very slightly, probably without intending to. It shows that he thinks Rostov is naive to believe that these are his quarters.

Merriam-Webster "betray"
4a : to reveal unintentionally
betray one's true feelings

The OP has a quotation from "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles.