David D. Levine

"She was deeply concerned about Richardson’s abilities in this area. The man was plainly more interested in maintaining his own authority than he was in the actual running of the ship."

"How quickly expectations can change one’s behavior, she thought."

"I do not pretend to understand how gears and levers can bring forth consciousness, sir, but it certainly appears that somehow they have."

"“I am a weak man, Cousin,” he replied. “It was my weakness that led to my poverty, and brought me to Mars, and prompted me to steal that egg.” He gave a rueful grin. “It would be inconsistent for me to display any strength of character now.”"

"“You are a most vexing young woman, you know.” But his face bore a slight, whimsical smile. “I know,” she replied, feeling her own mouth curve into a matching expression. He blew out a breath. “As your brother, I could forbid you to go. But you and I both know that, even if I did so, you would do whatever you wish regardless. I suppose I have no choice but to accede to your request.”"

"Poor behavior reflects will upon one’s family and upon one’s station in life. Without family and station, one lacks influence. And without influence, little of consequence can be accomplished."

"Though you sometimes strike me as incapable of improvement, I feel honor-bound to make the attempt."

"“And there you see the risk of automata,” Fox replied. “They are all well and good as amusements, I grant you. But when they are built to perform the work of men, surely this must result in the atrophy of the mental processes they replace.”"

"“Gambling is a wretched vice,” Lady Corey replied with a sniff. “A snare for men of weak character.”"

"“Flog me if you wish,” she said, though her trembling hands belied her brave words. “It will not change the fact that you were wrong, and I was right!”"

"Wordlessly she gestured downward, to the hidden lower limbs which seemed to hold some unearthly power over men’s minds."

"How absurd, she thought, that the sight of a man’s naked breast should be more objectionable than to see him possibly blown to bits."

"They think the privateer’s life one of nothing but adventure, violence, evasion, and escape. But, between letters of marque, bills of lading, rosters, inventories, and plunder contracts, it involves, in fact, more paperwork than any thing else."

"“My dear Mrs. Singh,” Lady Corey sighed, interrupting. “The first thing you must learn about prevarication is to reduce detail to an absolute minimum.”"

"“The loan of a jacket is little hardship,” Fox replied mildly. “I retain my shirt, waistcoat, trousers, and much else besides. Truly the vast difference in the quantity of fabric allocated to fashionable men and women is inexplicable."

"Although I believe he is personally profiting from the proceedings, I hope that an appeal to his honor as a gentleman may bear fruit."

"The man could be frightfully keen...except when he was utterly obtuse."

"His eyes, as she had noted before, betrayed a keen intelligence but no emotion whatsoever—they might have been the eyes of some ancient tortoise, one who had seen a thousand empires rise and fall and cared nothing for any of them."

"He took one step away, then turned back. “A kiss for luck?” Arabella’s hesitation before complying was, upon reflection, rather indecently brief."

"Princes and Admirals, she thought, did not seem to be subject to the same rules as the rest of society."

"“It is a difficult question.” “All of the most interesting questions are difficult.”"

"Do not underestimate the importance of personal resentment in even the largest decisions."

"That they cannot see beyond that limited horizon is the fault of society."

"If only things were not as they are, she reflected, they would certainly be different."