"The little money Paolo Farina gave Lina each week was used to create for him a welcome illusion; that is to say, perhaps the only thing in the world that does not deceive." (Section 1, Pages 1-6, page 6)

"Like the inhabitants of besieged medieval cities who, surprised by death, went back to bed, trying to fall asleep again by telling themselves that the threatening flames were only a nightmare, Lina had used the drugs that put oblivion between us and terror; these benefactors too often called upon had grown weary of helping her." (Section 2, Pages 7-16, page 8)

"Unlike the official calamities discussed every night at the dinner table, the departure of his touching English girl affected him alone; it was his very own little romantic sorrow." (Section 3, Pages 17-34, page 21).

"Had he been clairvoyant, Giulio Lovisi would have agreed that praying was futile. And yet the thin tapers burning...