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| Link | Quote | Stars | Tags | Author |
| c1b00c9 | Caius was one of those who gloried in his ignorance, called his lack of letters purity, scorned any subtlety of thought or expression. A man for his time, indeed. | coarseness crudeness education ignorance stupidity | Iain Pears | |
| d115b59 | H]e initially conceived of Olivier as a man of the greatest promise destroyed by a fatal flaw, the unreasoning passion for a woman dissolving into violence, desperately weakening everything he tried to do. For how could learning and poetry be defended when it produced such dreadful results and was advanced by such imperfect creatures? At least Julien did not see the desperate fate of the ruined lover as a nineteenth-century novelist or a po.. | love passion perception poetry romanticism | Iain Pears | |
| 6263174 | God forbid that I should ever suffer the shame of publishing a book for money, or of having one of my family so demean themselves. How can one tell who might read it? No worthy book has ever been written for gain, I think; | writing | Iain Pears | |
| 806ae42 | Do you wish to speak in Provencal, French, or Latin? They are all I can manage, I'm afraid." "Any will do," the rabbi replied in Provencal. "Splendid. Latin it is," said Pope Clement." | communication conceit languages mockery papal-authority pope | Iain Pears | |
| 36e0ef4 | Olivier took a deep breath, then turned and bowed in farewell. Gersonides nodded in return, then thought of something. "The manuscript you brought me, by that bishop. It argues that understanding is more important than movement. That action is virtuous only if it reflects pure comprehension, and that virtue comes from the comprehension, not the action." Olivier frowned. "So?" "Dear boy, I must tell you a secret." "What?" "I do believe it is.. | comprehension philosophy right understanding virtue wrong | Iain Pears | |
| e841738 | He interrupted her with a boyish grin. "I promise I'll never wear your clothes, and I won't steal your allowances or your boyfriends either." Lauren couldn't help starting to smile as he finished, "And if you swear never to call me Nicky again, I won't bite you." She stepped aside and let him in, then took his jacket and hung it in the closet. When she turned, Nick was leaning against the closed front door, his arms crossed over his chest. .. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 289ef9b | Come inside with me," he urged, increasing the pressure on her elbow, "and I'll begin making it up to you." Elizabeth let herself be drawn forward a few steps and hesitated. "This is a mistake. Everyone will see us and think we've started it all over again-" "No, they won't," he promised. "There's a rumor spreading like fire in there that I to get you in my clutches two years ago, but without a title to tempt you I didn't have a chance. S.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| eaa9cd1 | Lady Thornton!" the prosecutor rapped out, and he began firing questions at her so rapidly that she could scarcely keep track of them. "Tell us the truth, Lady Thornton. Did that man"-his finger pointed accusingly to where Ian was sitting, out of Elizabeth's vision-"fid you and bribe you to come back here and tell us this absurd tale? Or did he find you and threaten your life if you didn't come here today? Isn't it true that you have no ide.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 35a7f4a | Leaning back in his chair, Ian listened to Larimore's irate summation of the wild and fruitless chase he'd been sent on for two days by Lady Thornton and her butler: "And after all that," Larimore flung out in high dudgeon, "I returned to the house on Promenade Street to demand the butler allow me past the stoop, only to have the man-" "Slam the door in your face?" Ian suggested dispassionately. "No, my lord, he me in," Larimore bit out. .. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 2b0b3af | It's our long absence from the city that makes us so popular," Jordan joked, tossing chips into the center of the table. Ian scarcely heard him. His mind was on Elizabeth, who had been at the mercy of her loathsome uncle for two years. The man had bartered his own flesh and blood-and Ian was the purchaser. It wasn't true, of course, but he had an uneasy feeling Elizabeth would see it that way as soon as she discovered what had been done wit.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 1ac9345 | Lord Thornton," the Lord Chancellor was saying to Ian as Ian slowly rose, "it is the finding of this commission that you are innocent of all charges against you. You are free to leave." He paused as if debating something, then said, in what struck Elizabeth as a discordant note of humor, "I would like to suggest informally that if it is your intention to abide under the same roof as your wife tonight, you seriously reconsider that notion. I.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 243378d | What, may I ask, does your one truck contain if not gowns?" Inspiration struck, and Elizabeth smiled radiantly. "Something of great value. Priceless value," she confided. All faces at the table watched her with alert fascination-particularly the greedy Sir Francis. "Well, don't keep us in suspense, love. What's in it?" "The mortal remains of Saint Jacob." Lady Eloise and Lady Mortand screamed in unison, Sir William choked on his wine, and S.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 98dad53 | With a regal inclination of her head, she said, "You know,I was positive you wouldn't want me to work for you either, and I tried to tell Mr. Weatherby that." She started toward the rosewood doors. "But he felt that when you realized I'm bilingual, you'd change your mind." "Bilingual?" Nick scoffed contemptuously. She turned toward him with her hand on the doorknob. "Oh,but I am. I can tell you exactly what I think of you in perfect Italian.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 666003a | With a raw ache in his voice he said, "If you would take one step forward, darling, you could cry in my arms. And while you do, I'll tell you how sorry I am for everything I've done-" Unable to wait, Ian caught her, pulling her tightly against him. "And when I'm finished," he whispered hoarsely as she wrapped her arms around him and wept brokenly, "you can help me find a way to forgive myself." Tortured by her tears, he clasped her tighter .. | Judith McNaught | ||
| f20403a | Besides, if you wouldn't duel with Lord Everly when called you a you certainly wouldn't harm poor Lord Howard merely for touching my arm." "Wouldn't I?" he asked softly. "Those are two very different issues." Not for the first time, Elizabeth found herself at a loss to understand him. Suddenly his presence was vaguely threatening again; whenever he stopped playing the amusing gallant he became a dark, mysterious stranger. Raking her hai.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 3d32f2d | She was still standing there several moments later when Ian walked in to invite her to ride with him. "Still trying to find your answer, sweetheart?" he asked with a sympathetic grin, mistaking the cause of her wary stare. "No, I found mine," she said, her voice unintentionally accusing as she thrust both pieces of paper toward him. "What I would like to know," she continued, unable to tear her gaze from him, "is how it happens to be the sa.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| e967a44 | Elizabeth was not entirely right. The climb was steep enough, but the trunk, which originally felt quite light, seemed to gain a pound of weight with every step they took. A few yards from the house both ladies paused to rest again, then Elizabeth resolutely grabbed the handle on her end. "You go to the door, Lucy," she said breathlessly, worried for the older woman's health if she had to lug the trunk any further. "I'll just drag this alon.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 90c02d1 | They had been married for three days. Lauren stirred, moving closer to him for warmth. Careful not to disturb her, he drew the satin quilt up around her shoulders. Reverently he touched her cheek, tracing its elegant curve. Lauren had brought joy to his life and laughter to his home.She thought he was beautiful. When she looked at him, he beautiful. Somewhere in another part of the big house a clock began chiming the hour of midnight. Lau.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 538c381 | I can't help thinking," she confided when he finished answering her questions about women in India who covered their faces and hair in public, "that it is grossly unfair that I was born a female and so must never know such adventures, or see but a few of those places. Even if I were to journey there, I'd only be allowed to go where everything was as civilized as-as London!" "There does seem to be a case of extreme disparity between the priv.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 620e0d8 | I trust you had a pleasant walk, Ian," he said when her door closed upstairs. Ian stiffened slightly in the act of pouring some leftover coffee into a mug and glanced over his shoulder. One look at his uncle's expression told him that the older man was well aware that desire, not a need for fresh air, had caused Ian to take Elizabeth for a walk. "What do you think?" he asked irritably. "I think you've upset her repeatedly and deliberately, .. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 592fbf8 | For a man who's just inherited a small empire, Ian, you have a remarkably sour expression on your face. Would you care to join me for a drink and a few hands of cards, my lord?" An ironic smile twisted Ian's lips as he turned to acknowledge one of the few aristocrats he respected and regarded as a friend. "Certainly," he mocked. " " Jordan Townsende laughed. "It gets a little tedious, does it not?" | Judith McNaught | ||
| 1a79702 | When at last he finally hooked one, despite Elizabeth's best efforts to prevent it, she scrambled to her feet and backed up a step. "You-you're hurting it!" she cried as he pulled the hook from its mouth. "Hurting what? The fish?" he asked in disbelief. "Yes!" "Nonsense," said he, looking at her as if she was daft, then he tossed the fish on the bank. "It can't breathe, I tell you!" she wailed, her eyes fixed on the flapping fish. "It doesn.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 5921b48 | Normally, Bentner would have beamed approvingly at the pretty portrait the girls made, but this morning, as he put out butter and jam, he had grim news to impart and a confession to make. As he swept the cover off the scones he gave his news and made his confession. "We had a guest last night," he told Elizabeth. "I slammed the door on him." "Who was it?" "A Mr. Ian Thornton." Elizabeth stifled a horrified chuckle at the image that called t.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 8cfb92c | Well, now, if we'd known we were going to have such...ah...gra...that is, illustrious company, we'd have-" "Swept off the chairs?" Lucinda suggested acidly. "Shoveled off the floor?" "Lucinda!" Elizabeth whispered desperately. "They didn't know we were coming." "No respectable person would dwell in such a place even for a night," she snapped, and Elizabeth watched in mingled distress and admiration as the redoubtable woman turned around and.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| c67a356 | I would like to see you cheat," Elizabeth said impulsively, smiling at him. His hands stilled, his eyes intent on her face. "I beg your pardon?" "What I meant," she hastily explained as he continued to idly shuffle the cards, watching her, "is that night in the card room at Charise's there was mention of someone being able to deal a card from the bottom of the deck, and I've always wondered if you could, if could..." She trailed off, bela.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| c670f60 | May I inquire what the point?" he snapped impatiently. "Indeed you may," Lucinda said, thinking madly for some way to prod him into remembering his long-ago desire for Elizabeth and to prick his conscience. "The point is that I am well apprised of all that transpired between Elizabeth and yourself when you were last together. I, however," she decreed grandly, "am inclined to place the blame for your behavior not on a lack of character, bu.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 5c6fb80 | Elizabeth," he said with reassuring calm, "I gave you my word you'd be safe if you came today." Elizabeth briefly closed her eyes and nodded, "I know. I also know I shouldn't be here. I really ought to leave. I should, shouldn't I?" Opening her eyes again, she looked beseechingly into his-the seduced asking the seducer for advice. "Under the circumstances, I don't think I'm the one you ought to ask." "I'll stay," she said after a moment and.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| f0fb949 | Lady Cameron," he said, playing his role with elan as he nodded toward Ian. "You recall our friend Lord Thornton, Marquess of Kensington, I hope?" The radiant smile Elizabeth bestowed on Ian was not at all what the dowager had insisted ought to be "polite but impartial." It wasn't quite like any smile she'd ever given him. "Of course I remember you, my lord," Elizabeth said to Ian, graciously offering him her hand. "I believe this waltz is .. | Judith McNaught | ||
| fe4e2d9 | In some ways it seemed wrong that he lived here now, in this solitary place. At least part of the time he ought to be walking into ballrooms and strolling into gardens in his superbly tailored black evening clothes, making feminine heartbeats triple. With a wan inner smile at her attempted impartiality, Elizabeth told herself men like Ian Thornton probably performed a great service to society-he gave them something to stare at and admire an.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 0599bf4 | What I cannot understand is how your uncle could consider these two men suitable when they aren't. Not one whit!" " know that," Elizabeth said wryly, bending down to pull a blade of grass from between the flagstones beneath the bench, "but evidently my 'suitors' do not, and that's the problem." As she said the words a thought began to form in her mind; her fingers touched the blade, and she went perfectly still. Beside her on the bench Ale.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 3d5d1f8 | I thought you were angry with me for interfering," she said to his shoulder. There was a smile in his voice as he answered, "Not angry. Stunned." "Well, I couldn't let them call you a cheat when I knew perfectly well you weren't." "I imagine I've been called worse," he said mildly. "Particularly by your hotheaded young friend Everly." Elizabeth wondered what could be worse than being called a cheat, but good manners forbade her asking. Lift.. | Judith McNaught | ||
| 4a95d7a | The more a man learns, Dickens said, "the better, gentler, kinder man he must become. When he knows how much great minds have suffered for the truth in every age and time... he will become more tolerant of other men's belief in all matters, and will incline more leniently to their sentiments when they chance to differ from his own." -- | Les Standiford | ||
| 20a0424 | Te acuerdas, Nana... cuando juntas, en la orilla del rio, mirabamos como los destellos de luz bailaban en la superficie del agua? Vuelve a entonar aquella melodia que tarareabas siempre en aquel tiempo. | Ai Yazawa | ||
| baef97b | Eras libre como un gato callejero e ibas por la vida pisando fuerte... pero tenias en el alma, una herida incurable. Yo, que era mas despreocupada, veia aquella herida como un atractivo. Sin tener ni idea de cuanto dolor te producia. | Ai Yazawa | ||
| af1869f | My heart aches for my people. I don't understand why God gives more power to some and less to others. | Tess Uriza Holthe | ||
| 029e9bd | They studied the way the world changed at morning and dusk and imagined how the sun might fall on the skin of a goddess. | Chris Bohjalian | ||
| f6680b4 | In her experience, dead children, unlike dead adults, always looked as if they were sleeping - though she understood that there was an element of wishful thinking whenever she had come across corpses that young. | Chris Bohjalian | ||
| bcde783 | At night, when no one's there, the dancers and the musicians on the walls come to life and there's a glamorous ball. Sometimes their lights are so bright I can see the glow from my bedroom. | Chris Bohjalian | ||
| 52c86ac | Remember that person you wanted to be? There's still time. | Chris Bohjalian | ||
| 0a3b65d | It was Aldous Huxley who observed, "Every man's memory is his private literature." | Chris Bohjalian | ||
| aa90b55 | She feared that she'd missed something, because there were so many parallels with her own story, and she could not help but see in her head the small memories her mind would offer as tantalizing, but--in the end unsatisfying, glimpses of what may have occurred. | Chris Bohjalian | ||
| 36ad412 | She closed her eyes and tried desperately to swim through the mist that enveloped her memories. She was near here and then she wasn't. She was whole and then she was wounded. Forever scarred. And in between? Unknowable, it seemed. Absolutely unknowable. | Chris Bohjalian | ||
| b3ad3aa | Even a magnificent city such as Florence becomes more intriguing if there is a demon at work in the alleys. | Chris Bohjalian | ||
| 2891d06 | Bill supposed that for every child there was a defining age, a fixed reference point in relation to which his parents would always view him; whereas the child's own truest self would always be the present one. | Ann Packer |