Miss Brooke had that kind of beauty which seems to be thrown into relief by poor dress.

But what we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope.

The first sense of mutual love excludes other feelings; it will have the soul all to itself.

But most of us are apt to settle within ourselves that the man who blocks our way is odious, and not to mind causing him a little of the disgust which his personality excites in ourselves.

And, of course men know best about everything, except what women know better.

What is better than to love and live with the loved? -- But that must sometimes bring us to live with the dead; and this too turns at last into a very tranquil and sweet tie, safe from change and injury.

Fine old Christmas, with the snowy hair and ruddy face, had done his duty that year in the noblest fashion, and had set off his rich gifts of warmth and color with all the heightening contrast of frost and snow.