Meanings of modest diffidence in English

He made his proposal with a modest diffidence that could not fail to please.

He vibrates between the fashionable assurance of a London swindler, and the modest diffidence of an overgrown schoolboy.

Even in his confusion he knew enough to kneel, and somehow his honest, modest diffidence became the young fellow very well.

Her natural character was all tenderness and modest diffidence, but she had now been touched at a point where she was most sensitive.

But he retained his softness, his respect, his modest diffidence of his opinions, although somewhat corrected now by his acknowledged experience and acquaintance with man.