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Quote by Paulo Coelho

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The Witch of Portobello

In 'The Witch of Portobello,' the protagonist, Athena, is a woman whose life is shrouded in mystery and enigma. The narrative unfolds as readers delve into her past, revealing her complex journey of self-discovery amidst the backdrop of a diverse and vibrant European society. The story is rich with cultural nuances and philosophical musings, offering a unique perspective on the human experience. more

Author

Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho, born on August 24, 1947, is a renowned Brazilian author and lyricist. His works are characterized by profound philosophical thoughts and rich imagination, with his most famous novel being 'The Alchemist'. more

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“Besides, I know you loved my Lucy . . ." Here he turned away and covered his face with his hands. I could hear the tears in his voice. Mr. Morris, with instinctive delicacy, just laid a hand for a moment on his shoulder, and then walked quietly out of the room. I suppose there is something in a woman's nature that makes a man free to break down before her and express his feelings on the tender or emotional side without feeling it derogatory to his manhood. For when Lord Godalming found himself alone with me he sat down on the sofa and gave way utterly and openly. I sat down beside him and took his hand. I hope he didn't think it forward of me, and that if her ever thinks of it afterwards he never will have such a thought. There I wrong him. I know he never will. He is too true a gentleman.I said to him, for I could see that his heart was breaking, "I loved dear Lucy, and I know what she was to you, and what you were to her. She and I were like sisters, and now she is gone, will you not let me be like a sister to you in your trouble? I know what sorrows you have had, though I cannot measure the depth of them. If sympathy and pity can help in your affliction, won't you let me be of some little service, for Lucy's sake?" In an instant the poor dear fellow was overwhelmed with grief. It seemed to me that all that he had of late been suffering in silence found a vent at once. He grew quite hysterical,and raising his open hands, beat his palms together in a perfect agony of grief. He stood up and then sat down again, and the tears rained down his cheeks. I felt an infinite pity for him, and opened my arms unthinkingly. With a sob he laid his head on my shoulder and cried like a wearied child, whilst he shook with emotion. We women have something of the mother in us that makes us rise above smaller matters when the mother spirit is invoked. I felt this big sorrowing man's head resting on me, as though it were that of a baby that some day may lie on my bosom, and I stroked his hair as though he were my own child. I never thought at the time how strange it all was. After a little bit his sobs ceased, and he raised himself with an apology, though he made no disguise of his emotion. He told me that for days and nights past, weary days and sleepless nights, he had been unable to speak with any one, as a man must speak in his time of sorrow. There was no woman whose sympathy could be given to him, or with whom, owing to the terrible circumstance with which his sorrow was surrounded, he could speak freely. "I know now how I suffered," he said, as he dried his eyes, "but I do not know even yet, and none other can ever know, how much your sweet sympathy has been to me today. I shall know better in time, and believe me that, though I am not ungrateful now, my gratitude will grow with my understanding. You will let me be like a brother, will you not, for all our lives, for dear Lucy's sake?" "For dear Lucy's sake," I said as we clasped hands."Ay, and for your own sake," he added, "for if a man's esteem and gratitude are ever worth the winning, you have won mine today. If ever the future should bring to you a time when you need a man's help,believe me, you will not call in vain. God grant that no such time may ever come to you to break the sunshine of your life, but if it should ever come, promise me that you will let me know." He was so earnest, and his sorrow was so fresh, that I felt it would comfort him, so I said, "I promise.”

DraculaMina Harker
Book:Dracula
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“As I came along the corridor I say Mr. Morris looking out of a window. He turned as he heard my footsteps. "How is Art?" he said. Then noticing my red eyes, he went on,"Ah, I see you have been comforting him. Poor old fellow! He needs it. No one but a woman can help a man when he is in trouble of the heart, and he had no one to comfort him." He bore his own trouble so bravely that my heart bled for him. I saw the manuscript in his hand, and I knew that when he read it he would realize how much I knew, so I said to him,"I wish I could comfort all who suffer from the heart. Will you let me be your friend, and will you come to me for comfort if you need it? You will know later why I speak." He saw that I was in earnest,and stooping, took my hand, and raising it to his lips, kissed it. It seemed but poor comfort to so brave and unselfish a soul, and impulsively I bent over and kissed him. The tears rose in his eyes, and there was a momentary choking in his throat. He said quite calmly,"Little girl, you will never forget that true hearted kindness, so long as ever you live!" Then he went into the study to his friend. "Little girl!" The very words he had used to Lucy, and, oh, but he proved himself a friend.”

DraculaMina Harker
Book:Dracula
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“«Vieni, sorella. Vieni a noi. Su, vieni, vieni!» Impaurito io mi volgo a mia povera Madam Mina, e il mio cuore per felicità è balzato come fiamma; perché, oh, il terrore in suoi dolci occhi, la repulsione, l'orrore! E la convinzione, per me, che era ancora speranza. Dio sia ringraziato, non era ancora, non ancora, di quelle. Ho preso un pezzo dell'ostia avanzando verso di loro e il fuoco. Esse arretrano davanti a me, ridendo il loro basso, orrido riso. Io attizzo il fuoco e più non temo loro, perché sapevo che dietro nostre protezioni siamo sani e salvi. Esse non potevano accostare me mentre così armato, né Madam Mina mentre che rimaneva dentro il cerchio, che essa non poteva lasciare non più che quelle potevano entrare. I cavalli avevano cessato di gemere, e ancora giacevano a terra; la neve cadeva soffice su di essi, ed essi diventavano più bianchi e più bianchi. Sapevo che per le povere bestie era finito il terrore. E così siamo rimasti finché il rosso dell'alba è filtrato tra il biancore di neve. Ero desolato e intimorito, e pieno di tristi presentimenti; ma quando il bel sole ha cominciato a salire sull'orizzonte, la vita è in me tornata. Al primo venire dell'alba, le orride figure dissolvono nel turbine di nebbia e neve, spire di trasparente tenebra che va via verso il castello e sono perdute”

DraculaItalianoVan HelsingMina HarkerVampiri
Book:Dracula
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“Mr. Darwin demonstrated that we- male and female alike- were descended from wild animals. Women, held high in men's esteem and given the task of living up to a higher moral standard, seemed as capable as men of bestial behavior. Jonathan claimed that the women seduced him. It made sense, I suppose. It wasn't as if men evolved from beasts and women evolved from angels. But if women too gave free rein to our base wants, as I did in my dreams, what would happen to our society?”

Men And WomenMina HarkerMoral StandardsHuman Evolution And Tolerance
Book:Dracula in Love
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“He produced a wide silver tray with wrought handles that was piled with sliced bread, grapes, apricots, oranges, apples, cheeses, and a goblet of red wine, and put it on the bed. "Wine?" I asked. I wanted a cup of tea. "Your blood needs its elements. Drink at least some of it." He sat on the bed next to me. "You must eat now. You will need your strength." At that moment, the pungent aroma of the cheeses, the sharp citrus of sliced oranges, and the yeasty smell of the bread overrode both my fear and my curiosity. I wanted to dive into the food like a hungry dockworker. With great discipline, I picked up a silver knife and spread soft butter across a slice of the warm bread and then daintily cut a piece of dark cheddar cheese. The food tasted exquisite, and I tried to chew slowly, as he was taking in my every move. We sat in silence for a while as I ate my fill and let the wine relax me.”

FruitHungerSustenanceFood And WineMina HarkerMina And Dracula
Book:Dracula in Love
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“My dress is of plain forest green wool, but the other girls are wearing beautiful tunics the color of gems- ruby dresses with sapphire mantles and dappled with jewels that dance before me like little insects on fire. My hair is dark as a crow, but theirs is red and gold and even longer than mine. A ray of sun slashes through the turbulent Irish sky, and I see that my friends' perfect skin shimmers in the sun, making them almost translucent.”

Childhood MemoryLittle GirlMina Harker
Book:Dracula in Love
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