Upon my word, I discover myself talking wisdom to you.

Girls are precious fragilities.

Marriage is the mould for them; they get shape, substance, solidity: that is to say, sense, passion, a will of their own: and grace and tenderness, delicacy; all out of the rude, raw, quaking creatures we call girls.
Paris! my dear Nevil.

Paris! It's the book of women.' The grandeur of the decayed sea-city, where folly had danced Parisianly of old, spread brooding along the waters in morning light; beautiful; but with that inner light of history seen through the beauty Venice was like a lowered banner.

The great white dome and the campanili watching above her were still brave emblems.