Thought can hardly be said to exist in her; only Perception and
Device. With an understanding lynx-eyed for the surface of things,
but which pierces beyond the surface of nothing, every individual
thing (for she has never seized the heart of it) turns up a new
face to her every new day, and seems a thing changed, a different
thing.--_The Diamond Necklace._


Reader! thou for thy sins must have met with such fair Irrationals;
fascinating, with their lively eyes, with their quick snappish
fancies; distinguished in the higher circles, in Fashion, even in
Literature; they hum and buzz there, on graceful
film-wings:--searching, nevertheless, with the wonderfullest skill
for honey; _un_tamable as flies!--_The Diamond Necklace._


Nature is very kind to all children, and to all mothers that are
true to her.--_Frederick the Great._


She is of stately figure;--of beautiful still countenance.--A
completeness, a decision is in this fair female figure; by energy
she means the spirit that will prompt one to sacrifice himself for
his country.--_French Revolution._


A clever, high-mannered, massive-minded old lady; admirable as a
finished piece of social art, but hardly otherwise
much.--_Reminiscences._