They belonged to that vast group of human automata who go through life without neglecting to perform a single one of the gestures executed by the surrounding puppets.

He had to deal all at once with the packed regrets and stifled memories of an inarticulate lifetime.

The worst of doing one's duty was that it apparently unfitted one for doing anything else.

Overhead hung a summer sky furrowed with the rush of rockets; and from the east a late moon, pushing up beyond the lofty bend of the coast, sent across the bay a shaft of brightness which paled to ashes in the red glitter of the illuminated boats.

Charity, till then, had been conscious only of a vague self-disgust and a frightening physical distress; now, of a sudden, there came to her the grave surprise of motherhood.

Her failure was a useful preliminary to success.

Happiness is a work of art. Handle with care.