Lives in previous centuries for women are largely a matter of class. It would have been fun to have been a rich, privileged woman in the 18th century, but no fun at all to be her maid.

Mary Queen of Scots was my first love, and that is always something special.

My mother, who was quite sharp when I was young, became utterly mild.

Her imperturbable self-confidence (Duchesse de Maine) caused Madame de Stael to write that the Duchesse believed in herself the same way she believed in God, without explanation or discussion.

Normally I make myself swim, do exercises. For zest I like going to the cinema.

I'm very interested in good and evil and the moral natures of people.

That is my major concern: writers who are in prison for writing.