Georgette Heyer Quotes

As soon as one promises not to do something, it becomes the one thing above all others that one most wishes to do.

It was growing late, and though one might stand on the brink of a deep chasm of disaster, one was still obliged to dress for dinner.

No one could have called Mr. Standen quick-witted, but the possession of three sisters had considerably sharpened his instinct of self-preservation.

When fate is got it in for you, there is no limit to what you may have to put up with.

There is nothing so mortifying as to fall in love with someone who does not share one's sentiments.

Talking to you is like -- like talking to an eel!" "No, is it? I've never tried to talk to an eel. Isn't it as waste of time?" "Not such a waste of time as talking to you!

You may have married her, but she is mine. Do you think I shall let you take her? She may be ten times your wife, but, by God, you shall never have her.

You don't feel you could marry me instead? Got no brains, of course, and I ain't a handsome fellow, like Jack, but I love you. Don't think I could ever love anyone else.

She decided that her wisest course would be to put him out of her mind. After reaching this conclusion she lay thinking about him until at last she fell asleep.

Oh, Randall, don't be such a vile beast!" "I don't think much of that",he said critically. "Amiable snake was much better.

Do you forget that I am your sister?” “No; I’ve never been granted the opportunity to forget it.

Is it not insupportable to be held down to a canter when you long to gallop for miles?

You're only a man! You've not our gifts! I can tell you! Why, a woman can think of a hundred different things at once, all them contradictory!

People who start a sentence with personally (and they're always women) ought to be thrown to the lions. It's a repulsive habit.

How very awkward places we do choose in which to propose to one another!' remarked Mr. Beaumaris

I can't imagine what possessed you to propose to me." "Well that will give you something to puzzle over any time you can't sleep.

Judging from the letters I've received from obviously feeble-minded persons who wish I would write another These Old Shades, it ought to sell like hot cakes.

I remember only what interests me.

speed is the curse of the age.

I don't know how it is...but you seem to think me something wonderful, and indeed, I am not.

My dear girl, you don't consent to an abduction! You consent to an elopement, and I knew you wouldn't do that.

And now I wish I hadn’t been civil, because he says he shall not despair! He is as stupid as Endymion!” “No, no!” said Alverstoke soothingly. “Nobody could be as stupid as Endymion!

You have a genius for bringing trouble upon yourself

My dear girl, don't talk nonsense to me! You're lazy, that's all that's wrong with you. Why don't you take up social work?

She succumbed to the eternal feminine passion for bargains.

You will like her," he persisted. "Egad, she's after your own heart, maman! She shot me in the arm." "Voyons, do you think that is what I like?

[...]if you talk any more flummery to me, Frederica, I shall give you one of my—er—icy set-downs!”(Alverstoke)

Miss Grantham gave a shriek. 'You have trifled with me!' she said, into the folds of her handkerchief. 'You promised me marriage, and now you mean to cast me off for Another!

Eccentricity may be diverting, Mama, but it is out of place in a wife: certainly in my wife!

Do you know, I think that of all your idiosyncrasies that choke you give, when you are determined not to laugh, is the one that most enchants me.

Don't you dare call me arrogant!If ever I had any at all-which I deny!- how much could I possibly have left after having been ridden over rough-shod by you and Thomas, do you imagine?

And that reminds me, Mama! I have just intercepted another of that puppy’s floral offerings to my sister. This billet was attached to it.” (Charles)

You will allow that one's curiosity must be aroused when one learns that a lady is prepared to elope to escape from advances one had not the least intention of making!

Has no one ever told you that it is the height of impropriety to kiss any gentleman, unless you have the intention of accompanying him immediately to the altar?

The more enchanted the idyll, greater must be the pain of its ending.

Well, you have the right to make a sacrifice of yourself, but I'll be damned if I'll let you sacrifice me!

I comfort myself with the reflection that your wife will possibly be able to curb your desire--I admit, a natural one for the most part--to exterminate your fellows.

I wish you did return my regard," he said. "More than I have ever wished anything in my life! Perhaps you may yet learn to do so: I should warn you that I don't easily despair!

[...]my memory is reasonably good—unlike yours, dear sir!” “Mine is erratic,” he said imperturbably. “I remember only what interests me.

I am relieved. May I now have the truth?

And don’t you say that it is very kind and obliging of him, sir, like Jessamy, because if you don’t like a person, you don’t wish to be obliged to him!

Will you marry me, vile and abominable girl that you are? Yes, but, mind, it only to save my neck from being wrung!

The charm of your society, My Sparrow, lies in not knowing what will you say next - though one rapidly learns to fear the worst!

My dearest goose, why didn't you trust me, when I assured you that you might?' he countered. 'I have cherished throughout the believe that you would confide in me, and you see I was quite right.

As for the fan, she agreed that it was a most amusing trifle: just what she would wish to buy for herself, if it had not been so excessively ugly!

There is a worse tyranny than that of ill-treatment. It is the tyranny of tears, vapours, appeals to feelings of affection and of gratitude!

What I mean is, like you to have everything you want. Wished it was me, that's all

I daresay Freddy might not be a great hand at slaying dragons- but one has not the smallest need of a man who can kill dragons!

You are an atrocious person! Since the day I met you I have become steadily more depraved.

Of course she is a fool, but so are all girls.