The world is such a marvel-it gave you trials, but if you were still and concentrated, if you tried to do the right thing, it always provided you with salvation.

— Anna Godbersen

They were all dressed in their finest as though life really were some magical stage play in which every moment ought to be illuminated with its own bright spotlight.

— Anna Godbersen

They will stop calling brides beautiful after today—you have simply set the standard too high,' he said.

— Anna Godbersen

Things only looked wrong when there was someone to see you.

— Anna Godbersen

Though her emotions had not deviated from a jittery frailty she knew that in her own room she could at least attempt sleep and that if she dreamed she might then finally be with Henry.

— Anna Godbersen

Travel always excited her--the strong and unfamiliar smells, the movement, the anxiety of arrival and departure times, she's shouting of conductors, the idea of her tired old self changed by ever new surroundings.

— Anna Godbersen

We have glimpsed in it the future of high society: wealth without class.

— Anna Godbersen

Well, if you weren't flirting with him"-his voice had now grown a little plaintive-"who was he, and what did you want with him anyway?"" If you are so determined to bore me, I may just have to go home." Astrid sighed carelessly, "What a shame, when I am wearing such a pretty dress.

— Anna Godbersen

We see our sins reflected everywhere: in the pallor of our intimates’ faces, in the scratching of tree branches against windows, in the strange movements of everyday objects. These may be messages from God or tricks of the eye, but in neither case are we permitted to ignore them.

— Anna Godbersen

What a privilege it is to live now, at just this moment, and to be able to go anywhere....

— Anna Godbersen