It is not every man's fate to marry the woman who loves him best.

How earnestly did she then wish that her former opinions had been more reasonable, more moderate!

The fact is, that you were sick of civility, of deference, of officious attention. You were disgusted with the women who were always speaking, and looking, and thinking for your approbation alone.

The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance.

As for admiration, it was always very welcome when it came, but she did not depend on it.

My ideas flow so rapidly that I have not time to express them──by which means my letters sometimes convey no ideas at all to my correspondents.

That Lady Russell of steady age and character, and extrememly well provided for,should have no thought of a second marriage needs no apology to the public, which is rather apt to be unreasonalbly discontented when a woman 'does' marry again,than when she does not, but Sir William's continuing in singleness requires explanation.