As the Dauphine stepped out of her carriage on to the ceremonial carpet that had been laid down, it was the Duc de Choiseul who was given the privilege of the first salute. Presented with the Duc by Prince Starhemberg, Marie Antoinette exclaimed: 'I shall never forget that you are responsible for my happiness!

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

I love hearing details of writers' craft, as cannibals eat the brains of clever men to get cleverer.

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.

Ninety-seven is my lucky number.

Of course there's no such thing as a totally objective person, except Almighty God, if she exists.

I am re-reading Henry James as a change from history. I began with Daisy Miller, and I've just finished Washington Square. What a brilliant, painful book.