Edward lives as if there is no tomorrow, Richard as if he wants no tomorrow, and George as though someone should give it to him for free.

And – I think you know, don’t you? – that I love you, Anne.’ I feel as if I have been living in a loveless world for too long. The last tender face I saw was my father’s when he sailed for England. ‘You do? Truly?’ ‘I do.’ He rises to his feet and pulls me up to stand beside him. My chin comes to his shoulder, we are both dainty, long-limbed, coltish: well-matched. I turn my face into his jacket. ‘Will you marry me?’ he whispers. ‘Yes,’ I say.

Anyone can attract a man. The trick is to keep him.

When it's done, it's done. And no one will know until it's done.

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

If it has to be done at all, it must be done with grace.

When a man wants a mystery, it is generally better to leave him mystified. Nobody loves a clever woman.