there are lots of ways of answering a letter - and writing doesn't happen to be mine.

They seemed to come suddenly upon happiness as if they had surprised a butterfly in the winter woods

Life is made up of compromises.

I can't love you unless I give you up.

..but it seemed to him that the tie between husband and wife, if breakable in prosperity, should be indissoluble in misfortune.

Then stay with me a little longer,' Madame Olenska said in a low tone, just touching his knee with her plumed fan. It was the lightest touch, but it thrilled him like a caress.

The real alchemy consists in being able to turn gold back again into something else; and that's the secret that most of your friends have lost.