Years ago, before this estate was generously and unwillingly turned over to the crown, the lord here was a genuine dimwit. He had a minister stashed behind his throne to whisper clever things to say.

I wonder if everyone who faces death hurts like this. It's as though for the first time I realize how much just being alive makes my body ache. But I don't want that ache to stop.

I think the only way to get through this life is laughing hard and constantly, mostly at myself.

Her nightmare clung to her like the smell of smoke to cloth.

What should I say? That I like him so much it hurts?

A heart is a heart in a child or a man.

... If we don't tell strange stories, when something strange happens we won't believe it.