It was one of the occasions when Lymond asleep wrecked the peace of mind of more people than Lymond awake.

Man is a being of varied, manifold and inconstant nature. And woman, by God, is a match for him.

I wish to God,” said Gideon with mild exasperation, “that you’d talk—just once—in prose like other people.

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

My son took many years to learn the simple truth. You cannot love any one person adequately until you have made friends with the rest of the human race also. Adult love demands qualities which cannot be learned living in a vacuum of resentment.

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

Only common mortals like the Somervilles have good old rotten hates, dear,' said her mother. 'Sir Graham manages to love everybody and wouldn't know what you're talking about. Have a bun.' 'He doesn't love the Turks,' said Philippa. 'He kills them.' 'That isn't hate,' said Kate Somerville. 'That's simply hoeing among one's principles to keep them healthy and neat. I'm sure he would tell you he bears them no personal grudge; and they think they're going to Paradise anyway, so it does everyone good.