The mirror that the Ash Ock had held before each of us, which had reflected only our virtues, splintered under the roar of those engines; our worship of their godlike prowess yielded to mere admiration, appreciative yet tempered by the knowledge that those of the royal Caste remained mortal, despite their incredible magic.

It isn't exactly adoration, but it's very much stronger than mere admiration.

Well, not entirely-Ido appreciate every supple, sinuous inch of her-but that appreciation has been tempered by her, well,temper, out of unmitigated lust into mere gentlemanly admiration.

She had long ago recognised that there was far more to a stable male-female relationship than mere physical admiration.

What seems missing today, however, is the eagerness of Hans, that high-fidelity pioneer, to go beyond mere admiration of magical gadgetry and explore the mystery of music itself.

The staff's relationship to the president has simmered down, from devotion to mere admiration.

And for those whose interest in water goes beyond mere admiration, there is Robert J. Behnke's TROUT AND SALMON OF NORTH AMERICA (Free Press, $40).

You accurately note the state-run newspaper's "awe" of China, but this has gone beyond mere admiration.

It was not that mere physical admiration of beauty that is born of the senses, and that dies when the senses tire.

O'Keefe bent, kissed her hands, something more than mere admiration flaming from him.