He had taken George, my beloved George, from me. And he had taken my other self: Anne.

He may well speak French and Latin and half a dozen languages, but since he has nothing to say – what good are they?

The world hasn't changed that much; men still rule.

True obedience can only happen when you secretly think you know better, and you choose to bow your head. Anything short of that is just agreement, and any ninny-in-waiting can agree.

Although some people think I am a romantic novelist I have always thought of myself as a rather gritty radical historian.

Once more, I am watching the most powerful men in the kingdom bring their power to bear on a woman who has done nothing worse than live to the beat of her own heart, see with her own eyes; but this is not their tempo nor their vision and they cannot tolerate any other.

I never thought it would end like this. I never thought he would leave me without saying goodbye.