In the half-light, Dr. Singman came fact-to-face with 'an apparition,' a tiny woman, nearly eighty-five years old, with thin white hair and frightened eyes the color of blue steel.
-- Author (An Apparition paragraph 4)

Importance: This is Dr. Singman's first impression of Huguette Clark when he met her in her apartment in 1991.

The greatest mansion in the city wasn't quite ready, even after ten years of construction.
-- Author (Chapter 1 paragraph 4)

Importance: This refers to the 121 room mansion W.A. Clark was building for his family on Fifth Avenue.

Although he may have been something of a loner, his feelings toward family members were deep and affectionate, generously inducting his brothers into his enterprises as soon as they were of age.
-- Author (Chapter 3 paragraph 6)

Importance: This quote shows how important family was to Clark. It substantiates the idea of one's family as a major theme in the book.

As guests toured the Clark collection on Saturday afternoons, the main attraction was not any particular...
-- Author (Chapter 19 paragraph 4)