Quotes from Tasha Alexander

There are only two people who can tell you the truth about yourself—an enemy who has lost his temper and a friend who loves you dearly.

Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold. Oft of one wide expanse had I been told That deep-brow'd Homer ruled as his demesne; Yet did I never breathe its pure serene Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:

Then felt I like some watcher of the skies When a new planet swims into his ken; Or like stout Cortez, when with eagle eyes He star'd at the Pacific–and all his men Look'd at each other with a wild surmise– Silent, upon a peak in Darien.

caught hold of myself and nearly laughed at how ridiculous it all seemed. Colin was right—it was time I returned to my studies. Idle hands indeed proved the devil's tools.

You don't approve of Braddon?" I asked, readying myself to give him a stern lecture on the merits of her work. Not everything, after all, must be an exercise in the intellectual. One does require entertainment on occasion.

My hope does not wish for even one man more. Victory is not seen to be given on the basis of numbers. God is all-powerful. My cause is put into His hands. Here he pressed us down with disease. Being merciful, He will not let us be killed by these enemies. Let pious prayers be offered to Him.

Holinshed again. The one that inspired Shakespeare's famous speech.

Evil deeds do not prosper; the slow man catches up with the swift.

Could you tell me again what was written on the apple?" "Tê kallistê. Kallista in Greek means 'most beautiful.'" And thus I learned that Philip had considered me beautiful.

Heir and a spare and change.

That was quite enough for me. "Mrs. Harris," I said. "Ivy is perfectly aware of the connotations of the word passionate. She's not some simpering fool in need of social guidance.

But why does she limit her search to France? Are there no decent mothers to be found elsewhere?" "There might be, but the food wouldn't be nearly so good,

knew without question what I had seen. Adelaide and Penelope's mother could now, at last, rest in peace. I also knew without question that this information would be best kept from my husband. There is no point in trying to convert those who don't believe.

She wanders the country in search of a better mother, one who would look after her properly

is common knowledge that many of the Christmas traditions we observe today come from the Victorians. Dickens solidified and immortalized the image of a perfect family Christmas—much of which the English had adopted from the Germans via Prince Albert

Christmas and ghosts have a long association, and one that may have its roots in Britain rather than the Continent. Families and friends would gather around the fire on Christmas Eve after tiring of charades and other games and start the serious business of the evening: telling creepy stories as gaslights cast long shadows in a dark room.

Nothing is sweeter than love, and all delicious things are second to

against the backdrop of his famous ghost story. Christmas and ghosts have a long association, and one that may have its roots in Britain rather than the Continent. Families and friends would gather around the fire on Christmas Eve after tiring of charades and other games and start the serious business of the evening: telling creepy stories as gaslights cast long shadows in a dark room.

It is while tracking that the hunter exhibits his true skill.

This was, I realized, similar to Winifred's position. But we came at it from opposite directions—I from that of being more interested in reveling in the good in people and not wasting time with those who had none to offer, while she preferred slander and mockery. I'd never once heard her compliment anyone. When had a kind word ever escaped her hard lips? Misery was her trade and I wanted no part of it.

Collins, Elizabeth Gaskell, Edith Wharton, and Amelia B. Edwards (yes, the Egyptologist who gave her first name to Amelia Peabody) all contributed to the craze. Henry James' magnificent The Turn of the Screw is one of the best:

Not at all," I said. "I think she'd be elegant beyond measure, and deceive you completely in the ballroom." "And would make a most excellent villain. Perhaps I should write about her." Monsieur Leblanc tilted his head and looked into the distance, as if deep in thought. "Only

think of the adventures on which she might embark.

Remember your Austen: 'Let us hope for better things. Let us flatter ourselves that I may be the survivor.