I remember rather profanely wondering whether the ultimate production could possibly keep at the pitch.

His reading of the fond epistle, at any rate, made me feel as if I were, for the advantage of posterity, in close correspondence with him--were the distinguished person to whom it had been affectionately addressed.

It was a high distinction simply to be told such things.

The idea he now communicated had all the freshness, the flushed fairness, of the conception untouched and untried: it was Venus rising from the sea and before the airs had blown upon her.

I had never been so throbbingly present at such an unveiling.