Except in this ignorant and material century, men have always worn precious stuffs and beautiful colours as well as women.

And earth was heaven a little the worse for wear. And heaven was earth, done up again to look like new.

Women can resist a man's love, a man's fame, a man's personal appearance, and a man's money, but they cannot resist a man's tongue when he knows how to talk to them.

I haven't much time to be fond of anything. But when I have a moment's fondness to bestow, most times the roses get it.

The evening advanced. The shadows lengthened. The waters of the lake grew pitchy black. The gliding of the ghostly swans became rare and more rare.

Pedants, who have the least knowledge to be proud of, are impelled most by vanity.

I have always held the old-fashioned opinion that the primary object of work of fiction should be to tell a story.