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Quotes from Georgette Heyer

It's awful, isn't it?' 'Yes. The worst fight I ever was in.' 'Well, I'm glad I was in it, anyway. To tell you the truth, I haven't liked it as much as I thought I should. It's seeing one's friends go, one after the other, and being so hellish frightened oneself.
~ Georgette Heyer
He then, with great presence of mind, put a stop to any further recriminations by kissing her; and his indignant betrothed, apparently feeling that he was too deeply sunk in depravity to be reclaimable, abandoned (for the time being, at all events) any further attempt to bring him to a sense of his iniquity.
~ Georgette Heyer
Who are you? Or should I first present myself to you? I'm Damerel, you know.' 'Yes, so I supposed, at the outset of our delightful acquaintance. Later, of course, I was sure of it.' 'Oh, oh – ! My reputation, Iago, my reputation!' he exclaimed, laughing again.
~ Georgette Heyer
I should like to strangle the abominable creature!' 'Unfortunately, the laws of this lands preclude your pursuing that admirable course.
~ Georgette Heyer
And let me tell you, Mr Ravenscar, that Lucius Kennet is downstairs, and if you have any notion of starting a vulgar brawl in my house, I will have you thrown out of it! There is Silas, and both the waiters, and my aunt's butler, and my brother too, so do not think I cannot do it!' 'This is very flattering,' he said, 'but I fear my fighting qualities have been exaggerated. It would not take all these people to throw me out of the house.
~ Georgette Heyer
Good God, the fellow's a dead bore!' 'He is, of course, but there's no saying he wouldn't be a good husband, for he is very kind, and honourable and -- and respectable, which I believe are excellent qualities in a husband.' 'No doubt! But not in *your* husband!
~ Georgette Heyer
He soon discovered that what Arabella lacked in inches she more than made up for in spirit. She tore his character to shreds and warned him of his ultimate fate
~ Georgette Heyer
I too have been badly deceived in myself, he said, shaking his head. Would you believe it?—I had no notion that I was such a monster of inhumanity as I have proved myself to be
~ Georgette Heyer
The sight which met her eyes held her frozen on the threshold, and the thought flashed across her mind that she knew now how it felt to die
~ Georgette Heyer
It is a long time now since I have been able to look at you without thinking how very beautiful you are,' said Sir Tristram simply. 'Oh!' said Miss Thane, blushing, 'you forget yourself! Do pray, recollect that you do not look for romance in marriage! Remember your previous disillusionment! This will never do!
~ Georgette Heyer
I just told them that dear Uncle Silas has gone away on a long journey, she said. They're such mites, you know, and I've never let them hear about Death, or have ugly toys or stories about ogres and things. I mean, I do frightfully believe in keeping their little minds free from everything but happy, beautiful things, don't you?
~ Georgette Heyer
Lady Winwood being denied, the morning caller inquired with some anxiety for Miss Winwood, or, in fact, for any of the young ladies.
~ Georgette Heyer
Mr Comyn gathered up his hand and began to sort the cards. I must thank you, I suppose, but anything in the nature of irregularity, or clandestine conduct, is distasteful to me - especially in this delicate affair. Then you shouldn't ally yourself with my family, replied his lordship.
~ Georgette Heyer
She had herself been sadly disappointed, for she had thought him a man of sense, certainly not one to be succumbing to childish ailments at inopportune moments.
~ Georgette Heyer
After eyeing her for a moment or two, he said: 'If you let this chance of achieving a respectable alliance slip, you are a bigger fool than I take you for, Hester!' Her eyes came round to his face, a smile quivered for an instant on her lips. 'No, how could that be, Papa?
~ Georgette Heyer
I would give much to see you fleeing in terror from a matchmaking mother,' remarked Anthea wistfully. 'Or, indeed, from anyone. But as you are utterly brazen–' 'Nay!' '… and much in need of a set-down–' 'I'm not in need of that, lass, for I'm getting one,' he interpolated ruefully.
~ Georgette Heyer
So off had gone John to the wars again. But he had not remained for long in the position of a humble volunteer. Colonel Clifton, commanding the 1st Regiment of Dragoons, no sooner heard that Crazy Jack was back then he enrolled him as an extra aide-de-camp.
~ Georgette Heyer
Dash it, coz! Been searching for you all over! Even took a look-in at the church. If I hadn't thought to ask pretty well everyone I met if they'd seen a mountain moving about on legs I might be hunting for you still!
~ Georgette Heyer
You know, Fanny, the melancholy truth is that one's first love very rarely bears the least resemblance to one's last, and most enduring love. He is the man one marries, and with whom one lives happily ever after!
~ Georgette Heyer
Reflect that you could have written the book so much better yourself, if only you had the time and the inclination for the task; and that the literate won't be listening, if you're speaking on air, or doing more than glance at your review, if it appears in print; and go right ahead! There will be no reprisals. If the author is young and struggling, he won't dare to expose your pretensions; and if he is well established he won't think it worth while to do so.
~ Georgette Heyer
Dear Edward has given Fanny a chocolate-coloured coach with pale blue cushions. The wheat is picked out in blue. He held the sheet at arm's length. It seems strange, but no doubt Fanny is right. I have not been in England for such a time...Ah, I beg her pardon. You will be relieved to hear, my dear Hugh, that the wheat still grows as it ever did. The wheels are picked out in blue.
~ Georgette Heyer
A man who would contract the mumps,' declared Cecilia, 'would do anything!' Lady Ombersley saw nothing unreasonable in this pronouncement, nor was she surprised that his lordship's unromantic behaviour had given Cecilia a distaste for him.
~ Georgette Heyer
Oh –! At least own that you would provoke a saint!' 'I never tried to. You are no saint!
~ Georgette Heyer
She thought that Fontley had suffered as much from a negligent mistress as from an improvident master.
~ Georgette Heyer