53/100 favourite characters: Camilla Macaulay, the Secret History
She, I thought, was very beautiful, in an unsettling, almost medieval way which would not be apparent to the casual observer.
“But how,” said Charles, who was close to tears, “how can you possibly justify cold-blooded murder?’
Henry lit a cigarette. “I prefer to think of it,” he had said, “as redistribution of matter.”
literature posters; the secret history by donna tartt
In many ways, she was as cool and competent as Henry; tough-minded and solitary in her habits, and in many ways as aloof. Out in the country, it was not uncommon to discover that she had slipped away, alone, out to the lake, maybe, or down to the cellar, where once I found her sitting in the big marooned sleigh, reading, her fur coat thrown over her knees.
A month or two before, I would have been appalled at the idea of any murder at all. But that Sunday afternoon, as I actually stood watching one, it seemed the easiest thing in the world.
the secret history; camilla macaulay
“all she lacks is a mother’s firm hand, but still, for my money, she’s what you call a bramble rose, as opposed to your hybrid tea.”
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