“A smell of sandalwood boxes, a kind of glaze on the air from all the chintzes numbed his earthy vitality, he became all ribs and uniform.”

“Spezia offered Leopold almost nothing: his precocity devoured itself there, rejecting the steep sunny coast and nibbling blue edge of the sea that had drowned Shelley. His spirit became crustacean under douches of culture and mild philosophic chat from his Uncle Dee, who was cultured rather than erudite.”

“When you love someone, all your saved-up wishes start coming out.”

“But Miss Pym gave an impression, somehow, of having been attacked from within.”

“He feels spikes everywhere and rushes to impale himself.”

“Rich women live at such a distance from life that very often they never see their money — the Queen, they say, for instance, never carries a purse.”

“You must show him your monkey: I am sure he will like that.”