Gerda

“All my life I've wanted to see London. [...] I wanted to see London the way old people want to see home before they die.”
― Helene Hanff, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street

“You bet on whether or not I kissed your wife?" Ali was aghast. "What is wrong with the two of you?" When his brother and sister only cackled harder, he drew up. "I hate you. "I hate you both.”
― S.A. Chakraborty, The Empire of Gold

“You think You're frightening me with Your hell, don't You? You think Your hell is worse than mine.”
― Dorothy Parker, The Portable Dorothy Parker

“One word more. You look as if you thought it tainted you to be
loved by me. You cannot avoid it. Nay, I, if I would, cannot
cleanse you from it. But I would not, if I could. I have never
loved any woman before: my life has been too busy, my thoughts
too much absorbed with other things. Now I love, and will love.
But do not be afraid of too much expression on my part.”
― Elizabeth Gaskell, North and South