I am willing to admit that some people might live there for years, or even a lifetime, so protected that they never sense the sweet stench of corruption that is all around them -- the keen, thin scent of decay that pervades everything and accuses with a terrible accusation the superficial youthfulness, the abounding undergraduate noise, that fills those ancient buildings.

Summary

This quote highlights the possibility of individuals living in an environment so sheltered and privileged that they remain oblivious to the pervasive presence of corruption. It suggests that these people may be so insulated from the harsh realities of life that they fail to perceive the underlying decay and misconduct that taints their surroundings. The mention of "ancient buildings" and "undergraduate noise" implies that even in seemingly prestigious and intellectual settings, corruption can persist unnoticed by those immersed in a facade of youthful exuberance.

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