There is always a piano in an hotel drawing-room, on which, of course, some one of the forlorn ladies is generally employed. I do not suppose that these pianos are, in fact, as a rule, louder and harsher, more violent and less musical, than other instruments of the kind. They seem to be so, but that, I take it, arises from the exceptional mental depression of those who have to listen to them.

Of course, Lady Arabella could not suckle the young heir herself. Ladies Arabella never can. They are gifted with the powers of being mothers, but not nursing mothers. Nature gives them bosoms for show, but not for use. So Lady Arabella had a wet-nurse.

The greatest mistake any man ever made is to suppose that the good things of the world are not worth the winning.

When a man wants to write a book full of unassailable facts, he always goes to the British Museum.

That I can read and be happy while I am reading, is a great blessing.

When I sit down to write a novel I do not at all know, and I do not very much care, how it is to end.

There is no human bliss equal to twelve hours of work with only six hours in which to do it.