If you fail to do this, you have two classes under your eyes: you have sane and madman: and it will seem to you that the ranks of the latter are constantly being swollen in an extraordinary manner.

The customary impression, as we get older, is that our friends are the maddest people in the world.

You see, we have grown accustomed to them; and now, if they bewilder us, our judgement, in self-defence, is compelled to set them down lunatic." Cornelia bowed her stately head with gentle approving laughter.
"They must go, or they despatch us thither," she said, while her fair face dimpled into serenity.

The remark was of a lower nature than an intellectual discussion ordinarily drew from her: but could Mr.Barrett have read in her heart, he might have seen that his words were beginning to rob that organ of its native sobriety.

So that when he spoke a cogent phrase, she was silenced, and became aware of a strange exultation in her blood that obscured grave thought.