Washington Square

My 21 highlights

• "I am not in any trouble whatever, and do not need any help," said Catherine, fibbing roundly, and proving thereby that not only our faults, but our most involuntary misfortunes, tend to corrupt our morals.

• she felt that to displease him would be a misdemeanour analogous to an act of profanity in a great temple;

• The scene had been a strange one, but it had not permanently affected her feeling towards her father, for it was natural, after all, that he should occasionally make a scene of some kind, and he had let her alone for six months.

• "I don't believe in lovely husbands," said Mrs. Almond; "I only believe in good ones.

• He desired experience, and in the course of twenty years he got a great deal.

• Besides, he was a philosopher; he smoked a good many cigars over his disappointment, and in the fulness of time he got used to it.

• When it had been duly impressed upon her that she was a young lady—it was a good while before she could believe it—she suddenly developed a lively taste for dress: a lively taste is quite the expression to use.

• A lifelong devotion is measured after the fact;

• The idea of being "clever" in a gondola by moonlight appeared to her to involve elements of which her grasp was not active.

• He had no particular theory on the subject; it had scarcely as yet become a necessity of self-defence to have a collection of theories.

• Hasn't she made a scene?" "She is not scenic."

• She was strong, however, and properly made,

• It seemed a proof that she was strong and solid and dense, and would live to a great age—longer than might be generally convenient;

• his wife's affiliation to the "best people" brought him a good many of those patients whose symptoms are, if not more interesting in themselves than those of the lower orders, at least more consistently displayed.

• She was easily frightened, and she always carried off her discomfiture by a concession; a concession which was often accompanied, as in the present case, by a little nervous laugh.

• He said to her, with his charming smile, "Tell me about yourself; give me a little sketch." Catherine had very little to tell, and she had no talent for sketching;

• She never, that I know of, stole raisins out of the pantry; but she devoted her pocket-money to the purchase of cream-cakes.

• "She is about as intelligent as the bundle of shawls," the Doctor said; her main superiority being that while the bundle of shawls sometimes got lost, or tumbled out of the carriage, Catherine was always at her post, and had a firm and ample seat. But

• "You speak very well," said the Doctor; "but that is not all that is necessary.

• She lost none of her relish for beauty and mystery, but she had little opportunity to exercise it.

• "I feel very old—and very wise," said Catherine, smiling faintly. "I am afraid that before long you will feel older and wiser yet. I don't like your engagement."