to compare the floral bouquet of a Yemeni mocca with ‘the rose-petal vapours of a maiden’s breath’. ‘There is no such aroma, Robert. You only wish it to be so,’

How easy it was to confuse attention with affection!

J. Walter Thompson.’ Pinker grimaces. ‘Quite why Americans have to put both dates and initials in the wrong order I shall never know.

‘I am no longer seeking your agreement. I am overruling you. This is my decision, and as your husband I expect you to abide by

he was more relaxed when he was in motion, as if the furious headlong impetus of the train somehow soothed his own restless need for activity.

I would never have to take employment again. I could travel: I had always wanted to do the Grand Tour, like so many poets and artists before me. I could afford a place in town, and somewhere quiet in the country. I would be able to write, freed from domestic worries.

Give a heathen charity and he remains a heathen, and the charity is soon gone; but only give him a contract of employment and you have pointed him on the road towards eternal life -’

the Arabs - they’re the fascinating ones: you never know where you are with them. Their judgement is always being clouded by something: religion, or vanity, or pride.’

Molly Allen, fearless as ever.