Beneath every history, another history. - Hilary Mantel

It’s not easy to speak of nonexistence, even if you’ve already commissioned your tomb.

All our lives and fortunes depend now on that lady, and as well as being mutable she is mortal, and the whole history of the king’s marriage tells us a child in the womb is not an heir in the cradle.

She is selling herself by the inch. The gentlemen all say you are advising her. She wants a present in cash for every advance above her knee."
"Not like you, Mary. One push backward and, good girl, here's your fourpence."
"Well. You know. If kings are doing the pushing." She laughs. "Anne has very long legs. By the time he comes to her secret part he will be bankrupt. The French wars will be cheap, in comparison.