But this is a thing that I know--to live with fear is not to live at all. A man will die every moment he is afraid.

She didn't look at me and I didn't look at her. Some questions are so direct the only way to ask them is sideways.

If one has a purpose, life is bearable enough, do you not think so?

What virtue is there in a man who demonstrates goodness because he has been bred to it? It is his habit from youth. But a man who has known unkindness and want, for him to be kind and charitable to those who have been the cause of his misfortunes, that is a virtuous man.

One is not born English without knowing how to converse easily about the weather.

If you were a man, your ladyship, I would cordially horsewhip you for that remark.

I matched my heated tone with one of pure ice. "I believe I did attempt to relate to you the facts of my calls and you interrupted me with a rather magnificent display of temper much as you are doing now. If you do not have all the facts of the case perhaps you have no one but yourself to blame." Brisbane opened his mouth and shut it with a snap. His mouth remained closed but I could hear him muttering under his breath. "What are you saying?" "I am counting. To one hundred. In Cantonese.