The Enchanted Cottage Quotes

“One recommendation I venture to make, Mr. Bashforth. If ever you again approach an ugly woman in this way, bear in mind that even ugly women, conscious as they may be of their defects, have their dreams.”
― Arthur Wing Pinero, The Enchanted Cottage

“You love each other. You love each other; and a man and woman in love have a gift of sight that’s not granted to other folk. [Rubbing her hands together.] Ho, ho! I’ve watched you; I’ve watched you from the beginning; and on the day of your wedding I saw your love blaze up like dry kindling-wood when you set a match to it. Keep your love burning; keep it burning, and I promise you you’ll never be anything to one another but fair and bonny. [Throwing up her arms wildly and beating her brow.] Ah! Ah! Scarecrow—scarecrow that I am, if my man could rise out of his grave and walk in at this minute, I should be pretty to him; I should be pretty to him. [Walking, with a swaying gait, to the passage, her voice dying to a moan.] Pretty to him! Pretty to him! Pretty to him!”
― Arthur Wing Pinero, The Enchanted Cottage

“One recommendation I venture to make, Mr. Bashforth. If ever you again approach an ugly woman in this way, bear in mind that even ugly women, conscious as they may be of their defects, have their dreams. [Resting her hands in her lap and drawing a deep breath.] Their dreams! Oliver. [Looking up.] Dreams? Laura. [Softly.] Day dreams as well as night dreams— golden dreams—merciful dreams— Oliver. Merciful—? Laura. Dreams of forgetfulness, of oblivion-r-dreams in which they are as lovely and desirable as the loveliest and the most desirable of their sex.”
― Arthur Wing Pinero, The Enchanted Cottage