Troubles

by J.G. Farrell

But Murphy had already turned away and no doubt considered himself to be out of earshot.

there had always been some corner of the Empire where His Majesty’s subjects were causing trouble)

the abnormally solemn face of the impudent;

the bath of peeling gilt and black marble in which, no doubt, many a bride of the last century had washed away her illusions of love.