After I convinced them that I was a harmless novelist, I actually got them to give me a tour of the harem - which is usually off limits for tourists.

But I despised men who accepted their fate. I shaped mine twenty times and had it broken twenty times in my hands.

A man of over thirty might be held to be at the height of his powers, but not necessarily of his wisdom.

Lack of genius never held anyone back. Only time wasted on resentment and daydreaming can do that.

It seems to me,’ said Philippa prosaically, ‘that on the whole we run more risks with Mr Crawford’s protection than without it.

If I can’t be personal, I don’t want to argue,” said his hostess categorically. “I may be missing your points, but you’re much too busy dodging mine.

Where are the links of the chain ... joining us to the past?