But what Charles Edward could not do, what no human being or accidental circumstances could bring about, was due to the special nature of Alfieri and of the Countess; namely, that this strange platonic passion, instead of dying out after a very brief time, merely intensified, became long-lived, inextinguishable, nay continued, in its absolute austerity and purity, long after every obstacle and restraint had been removed, except the obstacles and restraints which, from the very ideality of its own nature, increased for itself.
"The Countess of Albany"
Violet Paget (AKA Vernon Lee)
His dark, clever face missed the ideality of his mother's; his speculative eyes saw a good deal more.
"The Furnace"
Rose Macaulay
The weak eyes and chest, the grave and gentle demeanour, the whole ideality of character correspond.
"George Eliot"
Mathilde Blind