Derisively

As ſometimes, with us, a queſtion is put deriſively, in the form of an aſſertion, when the propoſer conceives, as ſeems to have happened here, ſome abſurdity in the thing, I thought it beſt, after the example of ſo many Lat[in] interpreters, to adopt the equivocal, or rather the oblique, form of the original expreſſion. The ambiguity is not real, but apparent.

In the personal bearing of Gustavus Adolphus [of Sweden], more distinctly than in his high aims, it now became evident that he deemed himself free from the obligations of deference to others, and regarded his own aspirations as his sole standard of action; he expressed himself to the Marquis as disapproving of the French King's course because he did not set himself up as the reformer of his Church, and he spoke derisively of the Pope.

["]And suddenly he notices the workman at a distance standing there and smiling deceitfully, that is, not deceitfully though, I'm wrong there, what is it …?" / "Derisively," Versilov prompted him discreetly. / "Derisively, yes, a little derisively, that kind, good Russian smile, you know; the great personage was in a bad humour, you understand: 'What are you waiting here for, big beard?' said he. 'Who are you?'"