Felix had gone to live in a lotus land of his imagination. Where what is desired is dreamed of as already happened, where obstacles dissolve under the weight of desire, and where reality has vanished entirely.

“Diplomacy and virtue do not make easy companions.”

“Every cataclysm is welcomed by somebody; there is always someone to rejoice at …”

“[Pope] Clement waved his hands in irritation as if to dismiss the very idea. "T…”

“Olivier took a deep breath, then turned and bowed in farewell. Gersonides nodde…”