A woman of seven and twenty, said Marianne, after pausing a moment, can never hope to feel or inspire affection again.

I have never yet found that the advice of a Sister could prevent a young Man's being in love if he chose it.

Now they were as strangers; nay worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted.

Money can only give happiness where there is nothing else to give it.

In a letter from Bath to her sister, Cassandra, one senses her frustration at her sheltered existence, Tuesday, 12 May 1801. Another stupid party . . . with six people to look on, and talk nonsense to each other.

There could have never been two hearts so open, no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison, no countenances so beloved. Now they were as strangers; nay, worse than strangers, for they could never become acquainted. It was a perpetual estrangement.

It may be possible to do without dancing entirely. Instances have been known of young people passing many, many months successively without being at any ball of any description, and no material injury accrue either to body or mind.