Hell is full of musical amateurs: music is the brandy of the damned. May not one lost soul be permitted to abstain?

So, after three days of incessant brandy-drinking, he had burned out the youth from his blood, he had achieved this kindled state of oneness with all the world, which is the end of youth's most passionate desire.

It was like a Russian party, Arkady thought. People got drunk, recklessly confessed their love, spilled their festering dislike, had hysterics, marched out, were dragged back in and revived with brandy. It wasn't a French salon.

Charity liked brandy. She liked the way it burned her throat while soothing the ache in her heart.