Lessons in elegance: literary ladies

Bette Davis in the film
adaptation of Mr. Skeffington (1944).

I've always loved studying ladies who exhibit classic elegance, grace, and poise.

One of the things I love most about classic novels is that you can stumble upon so many lovely descriptions of the elegant lady I wish to be - the one often with a serene, otherworldly demeanor. 

Here are some quotes I've come across recently:

"In a few minutes Mrs. Forrester came in. She was a tall woman in a flowing negligee, who wafted graciousness all around her, putting the world at ease." — Mildred Pierce, James M. Cain

"The chauffeur, unable to hurry her because of having to be respectful, felt his situation acutely, with policeman shouting at him in front, held-up cars bellowing at him behind, while his lady, incapable of being flustered and used to doing what she chose and how she chose and when she chose, with her customary grace and dignity, took her time." — Mr. Skeffington, Elizabeth von Arnim

"This was a woman's room, graceful, fragile, the room of someone who had chosen every particle of furniture with great care, so that each chair, each vase, each small, infinitesimal thing, should be in harmony with one another, and with her own personality." — Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier

"Not only did everybody with whom Helen Morrison worked and played with get along famously with her, but under her gentle management they got on beautifully with one another too." — Stella Dallas, Olive Higgins Prouty

I love the mental pictures each of these quotes stirs up for me. I'm reminded to take my time going through my day, to interact with the world in a gracious and calm manner, and to always bring beauty to my environment, wherever I may be.

Don't you just love it when a book speaks to you? 

— TYG