«Nikita talked to them all, excused himself to the fowls and assured them hew would not disturb them again, rebuked the sheep for being frightened...

«And when saying this Vasili Andreevich was honestly convinced that he was Nikita’s benefactor (…)»

The Darling

«Suddenly questions arise about the nature of love.»

«Then comes the fateful word ‹But›, telling us that the story-changing event we’ve been waiting for is upon us (…)»

«Above all, and worst of all, she no longer had any opinions whatsoever (…). And how terrible it is not to have any opinions!»

«‹Yes, she is remarkably beautiful! It must be her reward for good deeds in the past to have been born with such looks! I wonder...

«Transfixed with shame, she thought of his wife and wept copiously, being quite unable to do anything else. His Highness himself was more upset than...

«Her extended arm was too plump and pretty to belong to any daughter of a Hitachi Governor. She had true distinction.»

«All grace and elegance, he promised her his heart not just for this life but for all their lives to come (…)»