“I confess, as much as I enjoyed you in breeches, you hold up that gown rather well.""You truly have stopped tying to be charming.""You're the most ravishing creature in the world, sweet Rue, even when hidden behind feathers and beads. How was that?”

“Have you ever wanted something so much that you would do anything to have it - even knowing that it was bad for you?""Of course," Adam replied. "All truly enjoyable things in life are invariably bad for you - and they are even better when done to excess.”

“And I couldn't stop loving you if I tried.There's so much good in you, Smiley. You're strong, you're giving, you're sweet. Your smile lights me up inside like a dozen suns, and your kiss turns me to putty. You're with every risk . Any risk.”

“At least you didn't need to change your breeches."He glanced up again instantly, pinning her eyes with his, his own suddenly gone lambent. "Now why didn't I think of that? Would it inspire you to ravish me?”

“Life is truly a ride. We're all strapped in and no one can stop it. When the doctor slaps your behind, he's ripping your ticket and away you go. As you make each passage from youth to adulthood to maturity, sometimes you put your arms up and scream, sometimes you just hang on to that bar in front of you. But the ride is the thing. I think the most you can hope for at the end of life is that your hair's messed, you're out of breath, and you didn't throw up.”

“I believe you, Sadie.""Oh really. I'm holding the bloody feather of truth, and you believe me. Well, thanks.”