I stretched out my hand towards the little bookshelf where I kept cookery and devotional books, the most comfortable bedside reading.

I realised that one might love him secretly with no hope of encouragement, which can be very enjoyable for the young or inexperienced.

There are some things too dreadful to be revealed, and it is even more dreadful how, in spite of our better instincts,we long to know about them.

Novel writing is a kind of private pleasure, even if nothing comes of it in worldly terms.

How absurd and delicious it is to be in love with somebody younger than yourself. Everybody should try it.

She set about preparing her supper. It would have to be one of those classically simple meals, the sort that French peasants are said to eat and that enlightened English people sometimes enjoy rather self-consciously - a crusty French loaf, cheese, and lettuce and tomatoes from the garden. Of course there should have been wine and a lovingly prepared dressing of oil and vinegar, but Dulcie drank orange squash and ate mayonnaise that came from a bottle.

Life is cruel and we do terrible things to each other.