Thomas Hardy

“ A thriving family, who had always sadly needed her, was already definitely pictured in her fancy, which, in its exuberance, led her on to picturing its individual members, their possible peculiarities, virtues, and vices, and obliterated for a time the recollection that she would be separated from her brother. ”

“ Point-blank grief tends rather to seal up happiness for a time than to produce that attrition which results from griefs of anticipation that move onward with the days: these may be said to furrow away the capacity for pleasure. ”

“ But I think he's a very worthy fellow; there's no nonsense in him, and though he is not a public school man he has read widely, and has a sharp appreciation of what's good in books and art. In fact, his knowledge isn't nearly so exclusive as most professional men's.'
'That's a great deal to say of an architect, for of all professional men they are, as a rule, the most professional.'
'Yes; perhaps they are. This man is rather of a melancholy turn of mind, I think.'
'Has the managing clerk any family?' she mildly asked, after a while, pouring out some more tea. ”