--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was a heady, overwhelming veil of…" description: "\"“It was a heady, overwhelming veil of scent. At first it developed almost hypnotically into a floral, fruit bouquet; languid and sensual with a musky, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fc/kathleen-tessaro-8887_ulterior-motive_it-was-a-heady-overwhelming-veil-of-scen_1120587.jpg" --- # It was a heady, overwhelming veil of scent. At first it… ![“It was a heady, overwhelming veil of scent. At first it developed almost hypnotically into a floral, fruit bouquet; languid and sensual with a musky, almost dusty depth. But then a sharpness emerged, beautiful, icy, unexpected. There was something almost overwhelming about the lush complexity of…” quote by Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fc/kathleen-tessaro-8887_ulterior-motive_it-was-a-heady-overwhelming-veil-of-scen_1120587.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fc/kathleen-tessaro-8887_ulterior-motive_it-was-a-heady-overwhelming-veil-of-scen_1120587.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fc/kathleen-tessaro-8887_ulterior-motive_it-was-a-heady-overwhelming-veil-of-scen_1120587.jpg) > ““It was a heady, overwhelming veil of scent. At first it developed almost hypnotically into a floral, fruit bouquet; languid and sensual with a musky, almost dusty depth. But then a sharpness emerged, beautiful, icy, unexpected. There was something almost overwhelming about the lush complexity of the formulation, the sheer unbridled eroticism which came across in wave after wave of contrasting notes. ‘This is floral, earthy, and there’s the clean overlay of aldehydic waxiness and soft flowers,’ Madame explained. ‘And then, underneath, a whiff of more feral, impolite essences. Under the clean, innocent exterior there’s a carnal presence. It’s not without ulterior motive.’ Grace stared hopelessly. Here was a language she definitely didn’t understand. ‘I’m sorry?’ Madame Zed looked across at her. ‘This, Mrs Munroe, is the scent of intoxication and desire. The perfume of seduction.”” [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The perfume is described as a complex blend of alluring and dangerous scents, symbolizing the intoxicating nature of desire and seduction. **In simple terms:** A perfume mixes sweet and sharp smells to represent desire. Key Takeaway Recognize hidden motives behind alluring appearances. Themes desire seduction complexity danger duality Mood intrigued cautious reflective Type literary descriptive analytical When to use this quote - romantic encounter - marketing a fragrance - personal reflection on attraction - interpreting art - navigating manipulation Key Concepts sensory perception psychology of attraction dual nature of allure Questions to Reflect On - How do you discern genuine intent behind seductive signals? - When does allure become harmful? A Different Perspective The description may romanticize manipulation, overlooking ethical concerns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eroticism Came](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eroticism-came-3030735/) [Languid Sensual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/languid-sensual-3030733/) [Perfume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfume/) [Perfume Seduction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfume-seduction-3030732/) [Smell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smell/) [Ulterior motive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ulterior-motive/) [Unbridled Eroticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unbridled-eroticism-3030734/) [Without u](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/without-u/) ## Related quotes > [“Perfume should tell a story –”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/perfume-should-tell-a-story/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [It is when we act freely, for the sake of the action itself rather than for ulterior motives, that we learn to become more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/it-is-when-we-act-freely-for-the-sake-of-the-action-itself-rather/) [Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mihaly-csikszentmihalyi/) > [If you are successful, you will win some false friends & some true enemies: Succeed anyway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/if-you-are-successful-you-will-win-some-false-friends-some-true/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [Relying on the power of kindness is a sensitive undertaking. 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Golland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-m-golland/) > [“Your love for me is transparent, no hidden agenda, no ulterior motive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/your-love-for-me-is-transparent-no-hidden-agenda-no-ulterior-motive/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [We live in an age where in politics, people can't disagree with each other without good faith being questioned, there is always an ulterior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-jones/we-live-in-an-age-where-in-politics-people-can-t-disagree-with-each/) [Owen Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-jones/) > [I would argue that search has made the world a better place. It has done so for reasons that arbitrarily could completely change that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathon-keats/i-would-argue-that-search-has-made-the-world-a-better-place-it-has/) [Jonathon Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathon-keats/) > [“We are not the end of the gospel; God is. God centers on himself, even in our salvation. Remember his words in Ezekiel: he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/we-are-not-the-end-of-the-gospel-god-is-god-centers-on-himself-even/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [“Of course, the New York Times will never run a news article on studies that find that guns save lives. Even when they write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-lott-jr/of-course-the-new-york-times-will-never-run-a-news-article-on-studies/) [John R. Lott Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-lott-jr/) > [“Here. Right here, right now bring your mind to this place and time. Invite it, even if it resists, to sit and witness what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-faulds/here-right-here-right-now-bring-your-mind-to-this-place-and-time/) [Richard Faulds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-faulds/) ## More by Kathleen Tessaro > [“Mass was like grand opera, a magic show with the most expensive props in town. And faith, a sleight of hand trick, in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/mass-was-like-grand-opera-a-magic-show-with-the-most-expensive-props/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“To me, chance isn't random. The universe is bound by unseen threads. We have only to untangle them a little to see a pattern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/to-me-chance-isn-t-random-the-universe-is-bound-by-unseen-threads-we/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“I want to go to a café and sit with you. I want you to order something I've never eaten before and tease me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/i-want-to-go-to-a-caf-and-sit-with-you-i-want-you-to-order-something/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [My husband claims I have an unhealthy obsession with secondhand bookshops. That I spend too much time daydreaming altogether. But either you intrinsically understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/my-husband-claims-i-have-an-unhealthy-obsession-with-secondhand/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“I'm going to tell you something that no magazine or novel or television show will ever let on. Love wears you down. We think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/i-m-going-to-tell-you-something-that-no-magazine-or-novel-or/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“There is nothing more difficult than simplicity,’ Madame”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/there-is-nothing-more-difficult-than-simplicity-madame/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“I’d like to live in great comfort. And peace.’ And then she added, quite to her surprise, ‘With no one to tell me what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/i-d-like-to-live-in-great-comfort-and-peace-and-then-she-added-quite/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“I believe it’s a privilege, madam. One that’s earned through a certain amount of courage and adversity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/i-believe-it-s-a-privilege-madam-one-that-s-earned-through-a-certain/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“Paulette shook her head and sighed. In her world Grace had failed to meet the responsibility of her own beauty. This was not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/paulette-shook-her-head-and-sighed-in-her-world-grace-had-failed-to/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“He was uncannily skilled at dissecting hidden meaning behind every interaction.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/he-was-uncannily-skilled-at-dissecting-hidden-meaning-behind-every/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“Likewise, while the men and women were no more naturally attractive than their English counterparts, they dressed with an assurance and attention to detail…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/likewise-while-the-men-and-women-were-no-more-naturally-attractive/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“Around her the tables were filling with people, tourists planning their next stop over a coffee, businessmen meeting for luncheon, well-heeled women taking a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/around-her-the-tables-were-filling-with-people-tourists-planning/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“Are we at war with fate?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/are-we-at-war-with-fate/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“Smells are custodians of memories.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/smells-are-custodians-of-memories/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) > [“In every book she’d ever read, the heroine was subject to self-doubt and unjust criticism. And in every case, it only served to harden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-tessaro/in-every-book-she-d-ever-read-the-heroine-was-subject-to-self-doubt/) [Kathleen Tessaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) [Explore all 76 Kathleen Tessaro quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-tessaro/) ## More Perfume quotes > [Is man no more than this? Consider him well. Thou ow'st the worm no silk, the beast no hide, the sheep no wool, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/is-man-no-more-than-this-consider-him-well-thou-ow-st-the-worm-no/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I always gravitate to perfume with rose. My mom's maiden name is Rose, and the scent of my childhood was always rose. Le Sirenuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alana-haim/i-always-gravitate-to-perfume-with-rose-my-mom-s-maiden-name-is-rose/) [Alana Haim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alana-haim/) > [I don't wear perfume, and I rarely wear jewelry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-wear-perfume-and-i-rarely-wear-jewelry/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't you hate it when you get on a elevator and someone smells like they took a bath in perfume or cologne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jreyes/don-t-you-hate-it-when-you-get-on-a-elevator-and-someone-smells-like/) [JREYES](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jreyes/) > [I say, 'You the bestest.' Lean in for a big kiss. Put his favorite perfume on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lana-del-rey/i-say-you-the-bestest-lean-in-for-a-big-kiss-put-his-favorite-perfume/) [Lana Del Rey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lana-del-rey/) > [“The scent of book leather and lemons enveloped him, and his head went light. Books and clean woman. Had God ever divined a more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-callihan/the-scent-of-book-leather-and-lemons-enveloped-him-and-his-head-went/) [Kristen Callihan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-callihan/) > [When I eat cilantro, it's like someone sprayed perfume down my throat. It closes up my throat, even if there's only a little piece.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-rose/when-i-eat-cilantro-it-s-like-someone-sprayed-perfume-down-my-throat/) [Amber Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-rose/) > [Zippers are primal and modern at the very same time. On the one hand, your zipper is primitive and reptilian, on the other, mechanical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/zippers-are-primal-and-modern-at-the-very-same-time-on-the-one-hand/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [If you're buying tomatoes pick them up and smell them-they should have a lovely perfume. They need to be kept at fifty degrees or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-child/if-you-re-buying-tomatoes-pick-them-up-and-smell-them-they-should/) [Julia Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-child/) > [Granny Ditto always referred to perfume as 'smell good' and for me it's an essential. I have a sweetheart who's extremely allergic to most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-ditto/granny-ditto-always-referred-to-perfume-as-smell-good-and-for-me-it-s/) [Beth Ditto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-ditto/) > [As an impoverished student I used to spend days out in Selfridges, nibbling on samples of free cheese and dousing myself with scent in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-tapper/as-an-impoverished-student-i-used-to-spend-days-out-in-selfridges/) [Zoe Tapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-tapper/) > [My writing routine is everyday I put a record on, the same one since 20 years. Then I burn a stick of incense, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-jodorowsky/my-writing-routine-is-everyday-i-put-a-record-on-the-same-one-since/) [Alejandro Jodorowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-jodorowsky/) > [Growing up I never had a perfume. I was like oh, one day when I'm grownup and have money I'm going to wear perfume.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-robbie/growing-up-i-never-had-a-perfume-i-was-like-oh-one-day-when-i-m/) [Margot Robbie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-robbie/) > [Learning to decipher words had only added to the pleasures of holding spines and turning pages, measuring the journey to the end with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-crowley/learning-to-decipher-words-had-only-added-to-the-pleasures-of-holding/) [John Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-crowley/) > [I love Serge Lutens orange blossom perfume; my mom got it for me. It's my favorite. It just smells clean.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gia-coppola/i-love-serge-lutens-orange-blossom-perfume-my-mom-got-it-for-me-it-s/) [Gia Coppola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gia-coppola/) [Browse all 678 Perfume quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfume/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It was a heady, overwhelming veil of scent. At first it developed almost hypnotically into a floral, fruit bouquet; languid and sensual with a musky, almost dusty depth. But then a sharpness emerged, beautiful, icy, unexpected. There was something almost overwhelming about the lush complexity of the formulation, the sheer unbridled eroticism which came across in wave after wave of contrasting notes. ‘This is floral, earthy, and there’s the clean overlay of aldehydic waxiness and soft flowers,’ Madame explained. ‘And then, underneath, a whiff of more feral, impolite essences. 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