“Ideas themselves were sensual things to him.”

“A pioneer should have imagination, should be able to enjoy the idea of things more than the things themselves.”

“Tiny spoons were incompatible with a state of sensual turmoil.”

“People were intrinsically selfish, and many hated the idea of a woman in charge of the Institute. They would not put themselves at risk for her. Only a few weeks ago he would have said the same thing about himself. Now, knowing Charlotte, he realized to his surprise, the idea of risking himself for her seemed an honor, as it would be to most Englishmen to risk themselves for the queen.”

“[Americans] were, for one thing, so smitten with the idea of progress that they invented things without having any idea whether those things would be of any use.”

“He smiled, so sensual and beautiful, it was another form of bliss just looking at him.”