Absurdly improbable things are quite as liable to happen in real life as in weak literature.
Fog and hypocrisy - that is to say, shadow, convention, decency - these were the very things that lent to London its poetry and romance.
Most people would far rather be seen through than not be seen at all.
It's always something to get one's wish, even if the wish is a failure.
Thou canst not serve both cod and salmon.
She suspected him of infidelity, with and without reason, morning, noon and night.