Sublime

Here was a man who could understand the higher inward life, and with whom there could be some spiritual communion; nay, who could illuminate principle with the widest knowledge: a man whose learning almost amounted to a proof of whatever he believed! Dorothea’s inferences may seem large; but really life could never have gone on at any period but fo

She was thoroughly charming to him, but of course he theorized a little about his attachment. He was made of excellent human dough, and had the rare merit of knowing that his talents, even if let loose, would not set the smallest stream in the country on fire: hence he liked the prospect of a wife to whom he could say, ‘What shall we do?’ about thi

Poor Lydgate! or shall I say, Poor Rosamond! Each lived in a world of which the other knew nothing. It had not occurred to Lydgate that he had been a subject of eager meditation to Rosamond, who had neither any reason for throwing her marriage into distant perspective, nor any pathological studies to divert her mind from that ruminating habit, that

What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other?

‘Let Mrs Casaubon choose for herself, Elinor.’ ‘That is the nonsense you wise men talk! How can she choose if she has no variety to choose from? A woman’s choice usually means taking the only man she can get.

there is a gentleman who may fall in love with you, seeing you almost every day.’ A certain change in Mary’s face was chiefly determined by the resolve not to show any change. ‘Does that always make people fall in love?’ she answered, carelessly; ‘it seems to me quite as often a reason for detesting each other.’ ‘Not when they are interesting and a

‘My dear Elinor, do let the poor woman alone. Such contrivances are of no use,’ said the easy Rector. ‘No use? How are matches made, except by bringing men and women together?