Sometimes the characters develop almost without your knowing it. You find them doing things you hadn't planned on, and then I have to go back to page 42 and fix things. I'm not recommending it as a way to write. It's very sloppy, but it works for me.

If you take a man by surprise, and behave with sufficient arrogance, he will generally do what you ask. -Emerson

Ramses had always been fond of Helen, in his peculiar fashion, but if he had looked at me as he was looking at her, I would have sent for a constable.

I will tell you a little secret about archaeologists, dear Reader. They all pretend t be very high-minded. They claim that their sole aim in excavation is to uncover the mysteries of the past and add to the store of human knowledge. They lie. What they really want is a spectacular discovery, so they can get their names in the newspapers and inspire envy and hatred in the hearts of their rivals.

There are too many people in the world as it is, but the supply of ancient manuscripts is severely limited.

When emotion supersedes reason ... gullibility must follow.

No woman really wants a man to carry her off; she only wants him to want to do it.