The Europeans Quotes

“If this was love, love had been overrated.”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“When I am wicked I am in high spirits.”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“There were several ways of understanding her: there was what she said, and there was what she meant, and there was something between the two, that was neither.”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“The Baroness found it amusing to go to tea; she dressed as if for dinner. The tea-table offered an anomalous and picturesque repast; and on leaving it they all sat and talked in the large piazza, or wandered about the garden in the starlight.”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“Nothing exceeds the license occasionally taken by the imagination of very rigid people.”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“Well, I am rather afraid of that visit," said Clifford. "It seems to me it will be rather like going to school again."

The Baroness looked at him a moment.

"My dear child," she said, "there is no agreeable man who has not, at some moment, been to school to a clever woman--probably a little older than himself. And you must be thankful when you get your instructions gratis. With me you would get it gratis.”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“The young man looked at her a moment. 'You are very much changed,' he said.
'I am glad to hear it,' Gertrude declared.
'I am not. I have known you a long time, and I have loved you as you were.'
'I am much obliged to you,' said Gertrude. 'I must be going home.'
He, on his side, gave a little laugh. 'You certainly do avoid me - you see!'
'Avoid me, then.' said the girl.
He looked at her again; and then, very gently, 'No, I will not avoid you,' he replied; 'but I will leave you, for the present, to yourself. I think you will remember - after a while - some of the things you have forgotten. I think you will come back to me; I have great faith in that.'
This time his voice was very touching; there was a strong reproachful force in what he said, and Gertrude could answer nothing. He turned away and stood there, leaning his elbows on the gate and looking at the beautiful sunset. Gertrude left him and took her way home again; but when she reached the middle of the next field she suddenly burst into tears. Her tears seemed to her to have been a long time gathering, and for some moments it was a kind of glee to shed them. But they presently passed away. There was something a little hard in Gertrude; and she never wept again.”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“You see, I believe greatly in the influence of women. Living with women helps to make a man a gentleman." (Chapter 7)”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“We may sometimes point out a road we are unable to follow.”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“A woman's husband, you know, is supposed to be her second self;" (Chapter 12)”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“Europe seems to me much larger than America." (Chapter 12)”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“I have never entertained an idea. Ideas often entertain me;" (Chapter 7)”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“You Americans have such odd ways!" the Baroness declared. "You never ask anything outright; there seem to be so many things you can't talk about."
.................
"We don't like to tread upon people's toes" (Chapter 6)”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“That's a compliment," said Gertrude. "I put all the compliments I receive into a little money-jug that has a slit in the side. I shake them up and down, and they rattle. There are not many yet - only two or three." (Chapter 6)”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“I have never studied; I have had no training. I do a little of everything, and nothing well. I am only an amateur. (Chapter 5)”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“Felix extracted entertainment from all things, and all his faculties - his imagination, his intelligence, his affections, his senses - had a hand in the game. (Chapter 4)”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“but she carries her head like a pretty woman." (Chapter 1)”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“A narrow grave-yard in the heart of a bustling, indifferent city, seen from the windows of a gloomy-looking inn, is at no time an object of enlivening suggestion; and the spectacle is not at its best when the mouldy tombstones and funereal umbrage have received the ineffectual refreshment of a dull, moist snow-fall.”
― Henry James, The Europeans

“la bonne”
― Henry James, The Europeans