If she had troubles she must keep them to herself, and if life was difficult it would not make it easier to confess herself beaten. - Henry James

It was the truth, vivid and monstrous, that all the while he had waited the wait was itself his portion.

The Baroness found it amusing to go to tea; she dressed as if for dinner. The tea-table offered an anomalous and picturesque repast; and on leaving it they all sat and talked in the large piazza, or wandered about the garden in the starlight.

"I should think that to hear such lovely music as that would really make him feel better."
The lady gave a discriminating smile.
“I am afraid there are moments in life when even Beethoven has nothing to say to us. We must admit, however, that they are our worst moments.