"Grand Sohy"

[fiefoe]

I actually don't re-read Georgette Heyer much. How can a book that starts with a monkey and ends with a box of ducklings go wrong?

• ‘A man who would contract the mumps,’ declared Cecilia, ‘would do anything!’
• No sooner had this magnificent fact dawned on the school-room party than they brushed past their scandalized preceptress, tore open the garden-gate, and tumbled out into the road, shouting: ‘A monkey! She has brought a monkey!’
• She had had every intention of being particularly gracious to Sophy, but when she rose to shake hands with her she had found herself looking up into Sophy’s face, which made it very difficult to be gracious.
• ‘Let me tell you, my dear cousin, that I should be better pleased if you would refrain from meddling in the affairs of my family!’ ‘Now, that,’ said Sophy, ‘I am very glad to know, because if ever I should desire to please you I shall know just how to set about it. I daresay I shan’t, but one likes to be prepared for any event, however unlikely.’
• ‘I did! I have done an excellent day’s work, in the most unprincipled way!
• Gertrude, who had arrived at the age when she cast herself into quite as much confusion as her elders, had already blushed hotly,
• ‘I consider Miss Wraxton’s countenance particularly well-bred!’ ‘Yes, indeed, but you have quite misunderstood the matter! I meant a particularly well-bred horse!’ ‘You meant, as I am perfectly aware, to belittle Miss Wraxton!’ ‘No, no! I am very fond of horses!’ Sophy said earnestly. Before he could stop himself he found that he was replying to this. ‘Selina, who repeated this remark to me, is not fond of horses, however, and she –’ He broke off, seeing how absurd it was to argue on such a head.
• Never before had he opened his door to a self-possessed young lady who took him to task for not sweeping the floors.
• Sophy, for God’s sake do not cry!’ ‘Oh, do not stop me!’ begged Sophy. ‘Sir Horace says it is my only accomplishment!’
• You, my poor Charlbury, labour under all the disadvantages of rank and fortune! How heartless Cecilia must be to cast off her poet to wed you!
• ‘I thought,’ he said sarcastically, ‘that she was to be made to pity me?’ ‘Exactly so! And that is the circumstance which decided me to shoot you!’ said Sophy triumphantly.
• ‘I do not know what I should do!’ suddenly announced Lord Bromford, in lamentable accents. ‘I came with the purpose of calling this fellow to book, but I have caught a cold!’