“Sometimes I spend all day in my dressing gown. But if I do dress, I make myself ravishing because then, I feel ravishing.”

“My only excuse is that I have no reputation myself, and I am thereby well aware of its ephemeral value. Reputation is worthless.Sebastian Bonnington's love letter to Esme Rawlings”

“I don't want to have to earn love by giving up my ability to make decisions that determine how I live.”

“I would prefer not to throw myself on a funeral pyre. Please come back to me.”

“The only thing I regret about age are the wrinkles. But I have high hopesfor this new almond cream! Do you know, that Italian apothecary promises the cream will make one'sskin as soft as a baby's cheek? Once your child arrives, we'll have a viable comparison. Not having seena baby in years, how would I know what its skin looks like?""I'm glad my condition will prove to be of use," Esme said rather tartly.”

“Yes, it's quite amazing how I continue to shock my mother even after all these years together”

“Yes Leopold," Eleanor said in a low, mocking voice. "Do start to shine, please. I think I saw the rising, but I definitely missed the shining.”