I was struck all of a heap. - Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Sheer necessity,—the proper parent of an art so nearly allied to invention.

SNEER. But, what the deuce, is the confidante to be mad too?

PUFF. To be sure she is. The confidante is always to do whatever her mistress does- weep when she weeps, smile when she smiles, go mad when she goes mad.-Now, Madam Confidante! But keep your madness in the background, if you please.

An unforgiving eye, and a damned disinheriting countenance!