#babette: my sparkling diamond

[spindleprick]

She had shone her vividest at dinner, with the revolving brilliancy that collective approval always struck from her; and the glow of it still hung on her as she paused there in the dimness, her shining cloak dropped from her white shoulders.

Edith Wharton, The Custom of the Country

[spindleprick]

[She] was pale, like moonlight struck her face and didn't let go.

Beth Lewis, The Wolf Road

[spindleprick]

[She] seemed not at all concerned by the amount of love she had to give. Her reach was enormous. She had the ability to make large groups of people feel loved by her. Her affection was like sunlight, and it could fill an entire room.

When We Lost Our Heads, Heather O’Neill

[spindleprick]

She’s so hungry — greedy almost, but not quite — for all the wonderful things in the world.

Elsa Maxwell on Marilyn Monroe

[spindleprick]

True, she was only five foot five, but she knew how to dance in two-inch heels—and she knew how to kick them off when she sat in your lap.

Amor Towles, Rules of Civility

[spindleprick]

She sighs as if she could empty her whole heart.

The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock, Imogen Hermes Gowar

[spindleprick]

She seemed aware of her beauty in the manner of someone with something she is determined you should enjoy.

Alexander Chee, The Queen of the Night

[spindleprick]

Men often complain of the wickedness of women. Of how we delight in what power we have over their hearts. But they reign over everything else, so of course, they grudge us this, should we ever come to rule over this thing the size of their fist.

Alexander Chee, The Queen of the Night

[spindleprick]

As family legend had it, [her] first steps were ballet moves across the floor. Whereas most children take a few awkward and stumbling steps, she did a petit pas de chat. She walked around with her tiny ballet slippers, looking very much like a duck, with the ribbons trailing behind her like marks in the water. She performed for people.

When We Lost Our Heads, Heather O’Neill

[spindleprick]

She was wonderful — you could eat her with a spoon.

Amy Greene on Marilyn Monroe

[spindleprick]

She begins to weep. Her tears are fat as pearls.

The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock, Imogen Hermes Gowar

[spindleprick]

The mansion was surrounded by a thick bed of beautifully kept pink roses. They were like ballerinas taking a break and sitting down in their tutus.

When We Lost Our Heads, Heather O’Neill

[spindleprick]

... dispensing dazzling smiles right and left, not missing a single man. She had a way of smiling that made each one of them feel that secretly she was in line with him alone.

The Penelopiad

[spindleprick]

… To kiss someone she did not love was an abhorrence to her, except when she felt like it.

Hermoine Eyre, Viper Wine