Georgette Heyer Quotes & Sayings

Surprise is the essence of attack! — Georgette Heyer

The end of the idyll was implicit in the beginning: I at least knew that, though you might not. And also that the more enchanted the idyll the greater must be the pain of its ending. That won't endure. Hearts don't really break, you know. — 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. She — Georgette Heyer

Besides, it was a well-known maxim that maniacs must be humoured. — Georgette Heyer

The supreme torture was to come. He discovered that it required the united energies of the three men to coax him into his coat. When at last it was on he assured them it would split across the shoulders if her so much as moved a finger.
"Forget it, little fool!"
"Forget it?" cried Philip." How can I forget it when it prevents my moving? — Georgette Heyer

She was up again at that.
"In love? You? Nonsense! Nonsense! Nonsense! You do not know what the word means. You are like a
like a fish, with no more love in you than a fish, and no more heart than a fish, and
"
"Spare me the rest, I beg. I am very clammy, I make no doubt, but you will at least accord me more brain than a fish? — Georgette Heyer

You have a genius for bringing trouble upon yourself — Georgette Heyer

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

My lord, when I first encountered you the suspicion crossed my mind that your intellect was disordered. I am now certain that this is so! — Georgette Heyer

He took her face between his hands, turning it up, and looking down at her for a moment before he kissed her. "I do love you, Jenny," he said gently. "Very much indeed
you are part of my life. Julia was never that-only a boy's impractical dream. — Georgette Heyer

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. — Georgette Heyer

A jaw like a mastiff's, a frame like a giant's, eyes like two daggers, a smile like a tiger's snarl,"Bernard murmured.

"Aye, he is all that!!" Master Herbert said."A murrain be on him! And when I came to him,what did I do? I did bow in all politeness, yet stiffly withal to show him I'd not brook his surliness."

"I did hear ye did bow so low that your head came below your knees,"Bernard said. — Georgette Heyer

I contrive,"' said Prudence softly. 'Do you know, sir, you puzzle me.' 'It has ever been my motto,' the old gentleman pointed out triumphantly. — Georgette Heyer

Eugenia never wears modish gowns. She says there are more important things to think of than one's dresses.'
'What a stupid thing to say!' remarked Sophy. 'Naturally there are, but not, I hold, when one is dressing for dinner. — Georgette Heyer

Oh, 'tis not my qualities they object to! 'Tis my lack of vice. — Georgette Heyer

You have had Ravenscar murdered, and hidden his body in my cellar!" uttered her ladyship, sinking into a chair. "We shall all be ruined! I knew it!"
"My dear ma'am it is no such thing!" Deborah said amused. "He is not dead I assure you! — Georgette Heyer

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

But it is only in epic tragedies that gloom is unrelieved. In real life tragedy and comedy are so intermingled that when one is most wretched ridiculous things happen to make one laugh in spite of oneself. — Georgette Heyer

I may be a little fool,' retorted Miss Challoner, plucking up spirit, 'but at least I meant it for the best. While as for you, my lord, you meant nothing but wicked mischief right from the start. — Georgette Heyer

But time was slipping away; in another minute it would be too late; and urgency acted not as a spur but as a creeping paralysis which clogged the mind, and weighted the tongue, and imposed on desperation a blanket of numb stupidity. — Georgette Heyer

It has always seemed to me that if one falls in love with any gentleman one becomes instantly blind to his faults.But I am not blind to your faults, and I do not think that everything you do or say is right! Only - Is it being - not very comfortable - and cross - and not quite happy, when you aren't there?" "That, my darling," said his lordship,taking her ruthlessly into his arms,"is exactly what it s!" "Oh - !" Frederica gasped, as she emerged from an embrace which threatened to suffocate her. "Now I know! I am in love! — Georgette Heyer

Let me tell you, my girl, that I'm swallowing no more of your insults! And if I hear another word from you in disparagement of the Corinthian set it will be very much the worse for you! — Georgette Heyer

I find it a marvellous circumstance, cousin, that no one has yet strangled you! — Georgette Heyer

Glamour might still have clung to a rakehell who abducted noble damsels, but no glamour remained about a man who had been pushed into a pond in full ball-dress. — Georgette Heyer

There was nothing in store at Undershaw for his lordship but a set-down, but it was disappointing to be granted no opportunity to deliver this. — Georgette Heyer

I cannot bear to go back alone - to the world I have lived in with you. — Georgette Heyer

Alas, it is too true. I visited him this morning and found him en deshabille, clasping his brown. He seized on me and demanded a rhyme to some word which I have forgot. So I left him."
"Can no one convince Philippe that he is not a poet?" asked De Bergeret plaintively.
De Vangrisse shook his head. — Georgette Heyer

Dash it, they've got no heads!'
'No, but you see, Freddy, they are so very old! They have been damaged.' explained Miss Charing.
'Damaged! I should rather think so! They haven't got any arms either! Well, if this don't beat the Dutch! And just look at this, Kit!'
' Birth of Athene from the brain of Zeus,' said Kitty, consulting the catalogue.
'Birth of Athene from what? — Georgette Heyer

Do you like pets better than toys and books? I always did, so I thought very likely you would too. — Georgette Heyer

It seemed to Kitty a pity that her new friend's mind was set so irrevocably upon marriage, but her suggestion that Olivia might seek an eligible situation as a governess met with no favour at all. Olivia stared at her with dismay in her big eyes, and unequivocally stated her preference for death. — Georgette Heyer

No, no I wouldn't annoy him for the world!" Aubrey said. "I do think he was quite pleased to see his little Aubrey, don't you? I have always regarded myself as the feminine influence in the family and quite definitely beneficent. — Georgette Heyer

Believe me, it is quite unnecessary! I neither know nor care what it cost to redeem Lufra - and if you badger me on this very boring matter I shall not invite you to go with me when I try out my new team!"

There was a moment's tense silence; then Jessamy raised his eyes, no longer glowing, but uncomfortably austere. "Very well, sir," he said quietly. "Will you tell me, if you please, what I owe you?"

"No, young Stiff-rump! I will not! — Georgette Heyer

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

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

But where is my son? Where is the beautiful Miss Merriot? — Georgette Heyer

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! — Georgette Heyer

Taken thus by surprise, it was several moments before she was able to decide whether to make herself known to him, or to await a formal introduction. The strict propriety in which she had been reared urged her to adopt the latter course; then she remembered that she was not a young girl any longer, but a guardian-aunt ... To flinch before what would certainly be an extremely disagreeable interview would be the act, she told herself, of a pudding-heart. Bracing herself resolutely, she got up from the writing-table, and turned, saying, in a cool, pleasant tone: 'Mr Calverleigh?'
He had picked up a newspaper from the table in the centre of the room, and was glancing through it, but he lowered it, and looked enquiringly across at her. His eyes, which were deep-set and of a light grey made the more striking by the swarthiness of his complexion, held an expression of faint surprise; he said: 'Yes? — Georgette Heyer

In a nobler age one could have answered such impertinence by jostling his lordship as he stood holding open the door, so that he would have been obliged to demand a meeting. Or did one, even in that age, refrain from jostling people in doorways when a lady was present? Before — Georgette Heyer

Next you will say that you don't intend to have more than one house in the country!' 'Nay, I shan't say that! I want one in Leicestershire.' 'Oh, in that case there's no more to be said, for I've set my heart on one in the moon!' 'You don't mean that, love! Nay then, you can't have thought!' he expostulated. 'It's much too far from town! — Georgette Heyer

Lady Denville replied with dignity that she had never felt the smallest preference for either of her twin sons.

'Of course not! How should you, when you can't tell us apart?' said Mr Fancot — Georgette Heyer

I have never met the man who had vision large enough to appreciate my genius," he said simply. "Perhaps it was not to be expected. — Georgette Heyer

Venetia had no guile, and no affectations; she knew the world only by the books she had read; experience had never taught her to doubt the sincerity of anyone who did her a kindness. — Georgette Heyer

My house seems remarkably full of people," he observed. "Is it possible we were expected. — Georgette Heyer

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! — Georgette Heyer

He bowed, still holding her hand, and then, without a word, released it, and marched out, very dignified. It was another fine tragic effect, but Cleone, when the door closed behind him, broke into an hysterical laugh. She was rather amazed, and a little apprehensive. — Georgette Heyer

My lord said, amongst other things, that he did not propose to burden the doctor with the details of his genealogy. He consigned the doctor and all his works, severally and comprehensively described, to hell, and finished up his epic speech by a pungent and Rabelaisian criticism of the whole race of leeches. — Georgette Heyer

Gone Groupy, has she?' said Hugh. 'How rotten for Tom!' 'Well, it is rather, because Connie's started forgiving him for all sorts of things he never knew he'd done. We're hoping that she'll get over it quickly, because she's president of the Women's Conservative Association, besides running the Mothers, and the Village Club, and now that she's a God-guided citizen she simply hasn't a moment to attend to Good Works. I don't know why it is, but when people get Changed they never seem to be as nice as they were before. — Georgette Heyer

It was seldom that Mr Standen, a peace-loving young gentleman, was conscious of a wish to come to blows with his fellow-men, but a wistful desire to land his cousin a facer did for an instant flicker in his mind. — Georgette Heyer

He never allowed himself to think about unpleasant things, which answered very well, and could be supported in times of really inescapable stress by his genius for persuading himself that any disagreeable necessity forced upon him by his own folly, or his son's overriding will, was the outcome of his own choice and wise decision. — Georgette Heyer

Eggs I must instantly have!" she announced. "And Lope de Vega I will not have, though in general a fine poet, but not in the kitchen! — Georgette Heyer

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? — Georgette Heyer

You've no more for me than I have for you."
Considerably disconcerted by this direct attack, she stammered: "How can you say so? When I am sure I have always been most sincerely attached to you!"
"You deceive yourself, sister: not to me, but to my purse! — Georgette Heyer

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? — Georgette Heyer

Spread the glad tidings that it will not disappoint Miss Heyer's many admirers. Judging from the letters I've received from obviously feeble-minded persons who do so wish I would write another These Old Shades, it ought to sell like hot cakes. I think myself I ought to be shot for writing such nonsense, but it's questionably good escapist literature and I think I should rather like it if I were sitting in an air-raid shelter, or recovering from flu. Its period detail is good; my husband says it's witty
and without going to these lengths, I will say that it is very good fun. — 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

Well of course it did and it would have made any man feel just as I did! I told Mama - perfectly politely! that it was enough to make me jump on the Bristol coach, and ship aboard the first packet bound for America, or anywhere else that Bristol boats sail to,because I would rather live in the Antipodes than have Cordelia hanging around my neck... — Georgette Heyer

Meg, as good-natured as her mother and brother, would have been amiable to anyone for whom her kindness had been solicited. Had she found herself confronted by a dazzling blonde she would not have spurned Kitty; but it could not be denied that the discovery that Miss Charing was a brunette immediately confirmed her in her conviction that she would like her prodigiously. — Georgette Heyer

Ten or twelve couples? No, no, Dassett would not be talking of red carpets and awnings for such a paltry affair as that!' said his lordship. These ominous words struck a chill into his wife's soul. — Georgette Heyer

If you imagine that I have the smallest desire to receive your hand as a reward for having performed a difficult task to your satisfaction you're beside the bridge, my child! I've no fancy for a reluctant wife. I want your love, not your gratitude. — Georgette Heyer

Mr. Rivenhall said to Sophy, "If this is your doing - !"
"I promise you it is not. If I thought that he had the smallest notion of your hostility, I should say that he had rolled you up, Charles, foot and guns!"
He was obliged to laugh. "I doubt if he would have the smallest notion of anything less violent than a blow from a cudgel. How you can tolerate the fellow!"
"I told you that I was not at all nice in my ideas. Come, don't let us talk of him! I have sworn an oath to heaven not to quarrel with you today."
"You amaze me! Why?"
"Don't be such an ape!" she begged. "I want to drive your grays, of course! — Georgette Heyer

You have no knowledge of me. You are to be pitied.'
'Envied, more like,' said his undutiful son. — Georgette Heyer

Miss Trent regarded her thoughtfully. "Well, it's an odd circumstance, but I've frequently observed that whenever you boast of your beauty you seem to lose some of it. I expect it must be the change in your expression."
Startled, Tiffany flew to gaze anxiously into the ornate looking-glass which hung above the fireplace. "Do I?" she asked naively. "Really do I, Ancilla?"
"Yes, decidedly," replied Miss Trent, perjuring her soul without the least hesitation. — Georgette Heyer

The landlord was trying to explain that there were a great many English people in his house, all fighting duels or having hysterics. — Georgette Heyer

If people are only kind to me I'm sure I am the last person to quarrel with anyone.' His — Georgette Heyer

That Fish of yours is queer in her attic.'
'Freddy, she is not!'
Must be. Dash it, wouldn't write to you about Henry VIII if she wasn't! Stands to reason. — Georgette Heyer

God knows I'm no saint, but I don't think I'm more of a sinner than any other man. — Georgette Heyer

Cheaper still, I might miss my tip. — Georgette Heyer

No, no, Kit, don't cry!' begged Freddy, putting his arm round her. 'Can't bear you not to be happy! I won't say another word. Never thought there was any hope for me. Just wanted to tell you. — Georgette Heyer

Don't worry. Chivalry has practically no appeal for me whatsoever.
Neville Fletcher — Georgette Heyer

Your fate is writ clear;you will be murdered. I cannot conceive how it comes about that you were not murdered long since!
How odd!Charles himself once said that to me, or something like it!
There is nothing odd in it; any sensible man must say it! — Georgette Heyer

Dashed if I didn't receive a letter from him this morning! Yes, and what's more, I had to pay sixpence for it, which I'd as lief not have done. It ain't that I grudge sixpence, but what I mean is, why the deuce should I have to give sixpence for a thing I'd as soon not have? — Georgette Heyer

Your strength lies in being precisely the kind of man who can procure one a chair when it has come on to rain. — Georgette Heyer

Since he was himself of a forthright disposition he was inclined to like Sophy's frank, open manners, and obstinately refused to agree that she put herself forward unbecomingly. He did not think that she put herself forward at all, which made it difficult to see just how it was that she contrived to introduce quite a new atmosphere into the house. — Georgette Heyer

You'll dine with us, Comte? And you, Anthony?"
"I trespass on your hospitality!" Armand protested.
"Devil a bit, man!" said Rupert. "It's Avon's hospitality you trespass on, and our patience. — Georgette Heyer

Oh, Auntie, please take Jenny to the Dering ball next week!" she said impulsively. "You will come, won't you, sweet?"
Jennifer blushed and stammered.
"To be sure," nodded her ladyship. "Of course she will come! James, sit down! You should know by now the sight of anyone on their feet fatigues me, silly boy! Dear me, child, how like you are to your brother! Are you looking at my wig? Monstrous, isn't it? — Georgette Heyer

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? — Georgette Heyer

Mr Merriot cocked an eyebrow at Kate, and said: - "Well, my dear, and did you kiss her good-night?"
Miss Merriot kicked off her shoes, and replied in kind. "What, are you parted from the large gentleman already?"
Mr Merriot looked into the fire, and a slow smile came, and the suspicion of a blush.
"Lord, child!" said Miss Merriot. "Are you for the mammoth? It's a most respectable gentleman, my dear."
Mr Merriot raised his eyes. "I believe I would not choose to cross him," he remarked inconsequently. "But I would trust him."
Miss Merriot began to laugh. "Be a man, my Peter, I implore you."
"Alack!" sighed Mr Merriot, "I feel all a woman. — Georgette Heyer

I'll tell you something else too; by the time we're through we shall have had all we can stand of this North woman. I wouldn't mind betting she thinks we have nothing better to do than run around in circles while she gets on with this three-act problem play of hers. — Georgette Heyer

Bustle about Noddy, or we shant be in time to snabble any of the lobster patties. — Georgette Heyer

I was under the impression that I warned you that in London country ways will not do, Frederica!"
"You did!" she retorted. "And although I can't say that I paid much heed to your advice it so happens that I am accompanied today by my aunt!"
"Who adds invisibility to her other accomplishments! — Georgette Heyer

She forced herself to smile, and to say magniloquently: — Georgette Heyer

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

Do you recall Fred Merriville?"
She stared at him. "Fred Merriville? Pray, what has he to say to anything?"
"The poor fellow has nothing to say: he's dead, alas! — Georgette Heyer

Alas I have quarreled so dreadfully with Charles that I am obliged to seek refuge at Lacy Manor!" She said mournfully.
"And have doubtless left a note behind you to inform him of this!"
"Of course!"
"I foresee a happy meeting!" he commented bitterly.
"That," she acknowledged, "was the difficulty! But I think I can overcome it. I promise you, Charlbury, you shall come out of it with a whole skin - sell, no, perhaps not quite that, but very nearly! — Georgette Heyer

One or two of the villagers have seen it, too, though not as clearly as he did. Old Buttermere said it was a white *thing*, that glided over the ground, and vanished into the shrubbery.'
'And a very good place for it to vanish, too,' said Hugo, wholly unimpressed. 'Give me a sheet, and a night without too much moonlight, and I'll engage to do the same! — Georgette Heyer

That *does* relieve my mind!'
'It might well - except that I fancy you don't care a straw how we may appear.'
'On the contrary! Think how much my credit would suffer!'
She laughed, but shook her head. 'You don't care for that either. Or - or for anything, perhaps.'
He was momentarily taken aback by this, but he replied without perceptible hesitation: 'Not profoundly.'
She frowned, turning it over in her mind. 'Well, I can understand that that must be very comfortable, for if you don't care for anybody or anything you can't be cast into dejection, or become sick with apprehension, or even get into high fidgets. On the other hand, I shouldn't think you could ever be *aux anges* either. It wouldn't do for me: it would be too flat! — Georgette Heyer

I never drive when I can ride," said his lordship indifferently.
"I make no doubt at all that had I been Mary Challoner you would have been glad enough to have
borne me company!"
The Marquis was snuffing one of the candles, but he looked up at that, and there was a glint in his eye.
"That, my dear, is quite another matter," he said. — Georgette Heyer

Mrs Hendred did not like the people around her to be unhappy. Even the sight of a housemaid crying with the pain of the toothache made her feel low, for misery had no place in her comfortable existence; and when it obtruded itself on her notice it dimmed the warm sunshine in which she basked, and quite ruined her belief in a world where everyone was contented, and affluent, and cheerful. — Georgette Heyer

After all, life was not made up of moments of exaltation, but of quite ordinary, everyday things — Georgette Heyer

Me, I am not a lady,' announced her grace. 'I have been very well educated, and I will drink port. — Georgette Heyer

You can't go about smelling of April and May, the pair of you, and then expect to gull people into thinking you don't mean to get riveted! — Georgette Heyer

Simplicity was abhorrent to his lordship; he revelled in a net-work of intrigue; he loved to accomplish the impossible. — Georgette Heyer

He has probably gnawed his nails down to the quick, or murdered poor Mr. Orde. — Georgette Heyer

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. — Georgette Heyer

Nothing is so destructive of female charms as contact with fresh air. — Georgette Heyer

In this case," said Randall unpleasantly, "it affords me purer gratification to dwell upon the thought of my dear Aunt Gertrude duped and betrayed."
"Your aunt doesn't suffer throught it!"
"What a pity!" said Randall. — Georgette Heyer

This, said Damerel wrathfully, is the second time you have walked in just as I am about to propose to your sister! — Georgette Heyer

Who is he, the ill-disposed gentleman in pink?" inquire the Comte, when they were out of earshot.
"A creature of no importance," shrugged Philip.
"So I see. Yet he contrives to arouse your anger.?"
"Yes," admitted Philip. "I do not like the color of his coat. — Georgette Heyer

You will be a widow before the morning. — Georgette Heyer

There was something very taking in her face which owed nothing to the excellence of her features: an expression of sweetness, a sparkle of irrepressible fun, an unusually open look, quite devoid of self-consciousness. — Georgette Heyer