Louis Couperus

“ A shuddering anxiety, mingled with a mist of vaguest memories, swam in front of her blinking eyes. She would enjoin silence upon it. It was not wise to penetrate too deeply into the things of the past. Years passed, things passed: it was best to let them pass quietly, to let sin pass by.... ”

“ We're keeping up a nice fire here now, in the cold weather; for, though the mistress never comes downstairs, as you know, there's usually somebody of the family waiting...."
Old Anna gave Ina a chair. The servant had turned the morning-room into a comfortable waiting-room. This secured that there was never too much fuss around the old lady, which would not have done at all. The closed stove burnt well. The chairs were arranged in a circle. And the old servant, from politeness, to keep Ina company, stood by her for a moment, talking, till Ina said:
"Sit down, Anna." ”

“ Lily's little ones.
"The first really fine day, Mrs. van Wely will bring the babies to see their great-great-grandmamma.
"Yes, the mistress will love that," said the old servant; but she jumped up at the same time and exclaimed, "Well, I never! There's Miss Stefanie too! Well, they're certainly not neglecting the old lady!"
She showed Aunt Stefanie de Laders in to Ina and withdrew to the kitchen.
"Mr. Takma, the doctor and Aunt Floor are upstairs," said Ina. "We will wait a little, Aunt. ... Tell me, Aunt, do you know why Uncle Daan has really come to Holland?"
"Business?" ”