"The book of sins is an edition _ne varietur_.

New sins cannot be invented, but old ones may be kept from falling into oblivion.

Well, what is this sin of his ?" Durtal explained the theory.
"But it is simply a refined expression of succubacy.

The consort is not one's work become animate, but a succubus which by night takes that form." "Admit, at any rate, that this cerebral hermaphrodism, self-fecundation, is a distinguished vice at least--being the privilege of the artist--a vice reserved for the elect, inaccessible to the mob." "If you like exclusive obscenity--" laughed Chantelouve.

"But I must get back to the lives of the saints; the atmosphere is fresher and more benign.