It is only hope which is real, and reality is a bitterness and a deceit.

Diffidence is a sort of false modesty.

Who has not remarked the readiness with which the closest of friends and honestest of men suspect and accuse each other of cheating when they fall out on money matters? Everybody does it. Everybody is right, I suppose, and the world is a rogue.

It is impossible, in our condition of Society, not to be sometimes a Snob.

Fairy roses, fairy rings, turn out sometimes troublesome things.

Presently, we were aware of an odour gradually coming towards us, something musky, fiery, savoury, mysterious, - a hot drowsy smell, that lulls the senses, and yet enflames them, - the truffles were coming.

If success is rare and slow, everybody knows how quick and easy ruin is.