"He was an observer, even a philosopher, and to be bright was so natural to him, and (as popular voice said) came so easily, that he never aimed at mere effect, and had none of the little tricks and pretensions of second-rate reputations." Chapter 1, pg. 5

"He nevertheless, at the end of six months, accepted his sister's permanent presence as an accomplished fact, and as Catherine grew older, perceived that there were in effect good reasons why she should have a companion of her own imperfect sex." Chapter 2, pg. 11

"People who expressed themselves roughly called her stolid. But she was irresponsive because she was shy, uncomfortably, painfully shy. This was not always understood, and she sometimes produced an impression of insensibility. In reality, she was the softest creature in the world." Chapter 3, pg. 17

"But that this brilliant stranger—this sudden apparition , who had barely heard the sound of...