I hate beds,” she said slowly. “They stand there night after night waiting for you to die in them. It’s like lying in a tomb.

Suspicion, like bread, rises rapidly in a warm environment.

I am not forsaken! I’m no longer alone in the darkness! Before my eyes I see a thousand little devils lighting black candles along the path which leads toward the edge... the blindingly beautiful edge.

The ruling of men was a dirty business –.

Killing is like riding, you see. One never really loses the knack.

My mother had a dog once. She used to make it jump through a burning hoop to prove its devotion to her, until she found my father did it better. He jumped through that hoop for over six years. When he finally got tired of performing for her amusement he killed her. And that’s what makes men such interesting pets, Markham – you never know when they’re going to turn and bite.

Ah, well... hell is full of burning boats, did you know that, Nadir? I daresay that’s what makes it so bloody hot.

I tell you this, madam, no man at court will be able to fart soon without asking Cecil first.

When lovers play for kingdoms desire is not enough.

In point of fact I was a perfectly devoted and dutiful little Catholic – until the day I learned that animals have no souls.