If there is any good in life, in history, in my own past, I invoke it now. I invoke it with all the passion with which I have lived.

I've noticed Dracula was often as practical a fellow as he was a nasty one.

It was strange, I reflected.. that even in the weirdest circumstances, the most troubling episodes of one's life, the greatest divides from home and familiarity, there were these moments of undeniable joy.

What comes to your mind when you think of the word Transylvania, if you ponder it at all? What comes to my mind are mountains of savage beauty, ancient castles, werewolves, and witches - a land of magical obscurity. How, in short, am I to believe I will still be in Europe, on entering such a realm? I shall let you know if it's Europe or fairyland, when I get there. First, Snagov - I set out tomorrow.

...History it seemed could be something entirely different a splash of blood whose agony didn't fade overnight or over centuries.

I believe in walking out of a museum before the paintings you've seen begin to run together. How else can you carry anything away with you in your mind's eye?

I wondered why she craved this knowledge and found myself remembering that she was, after all, an anthropologist.