Note the interplay between Decoud and Antonia in this paragraph of general disillusionment. Antonia's lips are "firmly closed" -- the spokeswoman of idealism is significantly silent amid the doubts. Behind the screen of her fan (her dream-ideal), she has "averted her head" from Don Jose to gaze at Decoud, signalling a transfer of her loyalties. Decoud, however, has lapsed into "a scornful and complete detachment," i.e., full skepticism, explicitly ignoring her look.