“There are certain phrases potent to make my blood boil -- improper influence! What old woman's cackle is that?""Are you a young lady?""I am a thousand times better: I am an honest woman, and as such I will be treated.”

“Upon my word, sir, your hope is a rather extraordinary one after my declaration. I do assure you that I am not one of those young ladies (if such young ladies there are) who are so daring as to risk their happiness on the chance of being asked a second time. I am perfectly serious in my refusal. You could not make ME happy, and I am convinced that I am the last woman in the world who could make you so. Nay, were your friend Lady Catherine to know me, I am persuaded she would find me in every respect ill qualified for the situation.”

“I realize what a strange in-between place I am in. The Young Woman inside has turned to go, but the Old Woman has not shown up.”

“I’m not—Lady MacbethLucrezia BorgiaCatherine the Great. I am—a woman doing what she has to do. I am—the woman you made me.Elena is at war.”

“I am an anomaly - a woman alone, too young to be widowed and too old to be looking for a mate. I occupy that no man's land - no woman's land - between youth and old age.”

“Piazza Piece—I am a gentleman in a dustcoat tryingTo make you hear. Your ears are soft and smallAnd listen to an old man not at all,They want the young men's whispering and sighing.But see the roses on your trellis dyingAnd hear the spectral singing of the moon;For I must have my lovely lady soon,I am a gentleman in a dustcoat trying.—I am a lady young in beauty waitingUntil my truelove comes, and then we kiss.But what gray man among the vines is thisWhose words are dry and faint as in a dream?Back from my trellis, Sir, before I scream!I am a lady young in beauty waiting.”