William Wilkie Collins

“ I will see my father to-night! He shall make good use of his interest at the Admiralty—you may rely on that. Oh, my dear doctor, what a prospect it is! My husband! Clara! What a discovery you have made—what a treasure you are! How can I thank you?"
"Compose yourself, my dear madam. Don't make too sure of success. We may consider Miss Burnham's objections as disposed of beforehand. But suppose the Lords of the Admiralty say No?"
"In that case, I shall be in London, doctor; and I shall go to them myself. Lords are only men—and men are not in the habit of saying No to me!" ”

“ It is only two days since I called here last—and I see a marked change in her for the worse. Physically and morally, a change for the worse. Don't needlessly alarm yourself! The case is not, I trust, entirely beyond the reach of remedy. The great hope for us is the hope that Mr. Aldersley may still be living. In that event, I should feel no misgivings about the future. Her marriage would make a healthy and a happy woman of her. ”

“ Under somewhat similar circumstances, privileged people have been received as passengers, or rather as guests, in her majesty's ships—and what has been conceded on former occasions may, by bare possibility, be conceded now. ”