- Hesther Shaw: You say you love her; well, so do I him; and if anyone comes between, so much the worse. I've no quarrel with those that don't interfere; but if you love her, keep her from getting in my way.
- Peter Rokeby: Pretty speech but dead in character. For once you've spoken the truth, my dear, I do believe you'd stop at nothing.
- Hesther Shaw: Then remember it!
- Peter Rokeby: There's one factor you've overlooked... me! You see, I'm not a gentleman. I swear but that if she comes to harm through you, I'd break that lovely little neck of yours with less regret than I'd stamp on a snake.
- [He slaps her and departs]
- Clarissa Marr: [Introducing herself to Hester] I'm Clarissa.
- [Offering her Hesther piece of candy]
- Clarissa Marr: would you have a sugar violet?
- Hesther Shaw: No, thank you. I don't care for sugary things.
- Lord Rohan: [after Hester bites him. Aroused with excitement] I never thought I'd find a woman with a spirit as willful as mine. You take what you want and the devil with the consequences. So do I!
- Hesther Shaw: [to Peter] All of us women are very much the same, you know.
- [Gesturing toward a statue]
- Hesther Shaw: None of us should be put on pedestals.
- Clarissa Marr: [Referring to her unfinished portraiture] You paint me as a happy mother. I'm not very happy. I'm scarcely a mother... and yet I smile because I'm supposed to be happy.
- Lawrence: No, Lady Rohan; you smile because you're fortunate.
- Clarissa Marr: Aren't they the same thing?
- Lawrence: A dairy maid can be happy; but she's not obliged to smile when she's wretched. The fortunate must pay their debt. A great lady must never been seen without a smile.
- Jane Seymour: [Following Hesther's cold declination of Clarissa's offer of a sugar violet, Clarissa shivers] Are you cold, Clarissa?
- Clarissa Marr: No; somebody walked over my grave.