“My wicked heart will ramble on in spite of myself. (Arabella)”
“Biting my truant pen, beating myself for spite:"Fool!" said my muse to me, "look in thy heart, and write.”
“For others, in spite of myself, from myself.”
“Of course, Lady Arabella could not suckle the young heir herself. Ladies Arabella never can. They are gifted with the powers of being mothers, but not nursing mothers. Nature gives them bosoms for show, but not for use. So Lady Arabella had a wet-nurse.”
“I'm really a very happy, contented little person in spite of my broken heart.”
“By my rambling digressions, I perceive myself to be grown old. I used to write more methodically, but one does not dress for private company as for a public ball. Perhaps 'tis only negligence.”