Date: 1794

"While her fancy thus wandered, she saw, at a distance, a building peeping between the moon-light trees, and, as the barge approached, heard voices speaking, and soon distinguished the lofty portico of a villa, overshadowed by groves of pine and sycamore, which she recollected to be the same, tha...

— Radcliffe [née Ward], Ann (1764-1823)

Date: 1794

"In these descriptions she not only imposed upon them, but upon herself, for she never thought a present pleasure equal to one, that was passed; and thus the delicious climate, the fragrant orangeries and all the luxuries, which surrounded her, slept unnoticed, while her fancy wandered over the d...

— Radcliffe [née Ward], Ann (1764-1823)

Date: 1794

"The gloom of these shades, their solitary silence, except when the breeze swept over their summits, the tremendous precipices of the mountains, that came partially to the eye, each assisted to raise the solemnity of Emily's feelings into awe; she saw only images of gloomy grandeur, or of dreadfu...

— Radcliffe [née Ward], Ann (1764-1823)

Date: 1794

"One of those instantaneous and unaccountable convictions, which sometimes conquer even strong minds, impressed her with its horror."

— Radcliffe [née Ward], Ann (1764-1823)

Date: 1794

"Emily, whose mind was deeply impressed by the chief circumstance of Annette's relation, was unwilling to be left alone, in the present state of her spirits; but, to avoid offending Madame Montoni, and betraying her own weakness, she struggled to overcome the illusions of fear, and dismissed Anne...

— Radcliffe [née Ward], Ann (1764-1823)

Date: 1794

"But, though misfortune had somewhat conquered the asperities of Madame Montoni's temper, and, by increasing her cares for herself, had taught her to feel in some degree for others, the capricious love of rule, which nature had planted and habit had nourished in her heart, was not subdued."

— Radcliffe [née Ward], Ann (1764-1823)

Date: 1794

"Montoni evidently laboured under some vexation, such as would probably have agitated a weaker mind, or a more susceptible heart, but which appeared, from the sternness of his countenance, only to bend up his faculties to energy and fortitude."

— Radcliffe [née Ward], Ann (1764-1823)

Date: 1794

"Thus circumstanced, she tried to banish reflection, but her busy fancy would still hover over the subjects of her interest, and she heard the clock of the castle strike two, before she closed her eyes."

— Radcliffe [née Ward], Ann (1764-1823)

Date: 1794

"Yet a thought glances across my mind, that brings madness with it."

— Radcliffe [née Ward], Ann (1764-1823)

Date: 1794

"At length, considering, that reflection could neither release her from her melancholy situation, or enable her to bear it with greater fortitude, she tried to divert her anxiety, and took down from her little library a volume of her favourite Ariosto; but his wild imagery and rich invention coul...

— Radcliffe [née Ward], Ann (1764-1823)