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The Charm Of Your Society, My Sparrow, Lies In Not Knowing What Will You Say Next - Though One Rapidly Learns To Fear The Worst!
-Georgette Heyer
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The Charm Of Your

Georgette Heyer
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The Charm Of Your Society, My Sparrow, Lies In Not Knowing What Will You Say Next - Though One Rapidly Learns To Fear The Worst!

Understanding the Quote: "the charm of your society, my sparrow, lies in not knowing what..."

This quote by Georgette Heyer reflects deeply on the theme of lying. It connects to the universal human journey of purpose, motivation, and reflection. Often categorized under Lying, Knowing, Sparrows, the quote offers insight, emotional clarity, and intellectual inspiration to readers worldwide.

Whether you’re a student exploring new ideas, a leader trying to motivate your team, or someone seeking direction in life — this quote provides value. It resonates because it’s more than words — it’s a bridge between experience and wisdom. It shows how Georgette Heyer interprets life's core challenges and triumphs.

Lessons From the Quote

This quote teaches resilience and focus. It reminds readers that no matter where they stand in life, reflection and self-awareness lead to growth. Each word has meaning, and when studied, it becomes clear how impactful thoughtful language can be.

About Georgette Heyer

Georgette Heyer is celebrated for insightful thoughts on lying and knowing. Their legacy lives on through writings that guide, comfort, and inspire. Discover more on their profile page.

Actionable Takeaways

  • Reflect on how this quote applies to your current life path.
  • Share the message with someone who needs inspiration.
  • Write your thoughts on this quote in a journal or blog post.
  • Use it as a daily affirmation or reminder.

Closing Thoughts

Quotes like this endure because they capture universal truths. They comfort us in solitude and empower us in groups. Carry this quote forward — live by its wisdom, share its message, and keep its essence alive.

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Topic
Lying
Knowing
Sparrows
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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!
Praying
Poor
Alas
[he Was Aware] Of The Value Of The Word Of Praise Dropped At Exactly The Right Moment; And He Would Have Thought Himself Extremely Stupid To Withhold What Cost Him So Little And Was Productive Of Such Desirable Results.
Stupid
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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?
Arrogant
Imagine
Deny
His Grace Was At Her Side, And Lifted Her Down From The Chair. "my Enfant," He Said , "duchesses Do Not Dance On Chairs, Nor Do They Call Their Brothers 'imbécile'." Léonie's Twinkled Irrepressibly. "i Do," She Said Firmly.
Brother
Grace
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The Marquis Believed Himself To Be Hardened Against Flattery. He Thought That He Had Experienced Every Variety, But He Discovered That He Was Mistaken: The Blatantly Worshipful Look In The Eyes Of A Twelve-year-old, Anxiously Raised To His, Was New To Him, And It Pierced His Defences.
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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.
Ironic
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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!
Country
Aunt
Accomplishment
She Succumbed To The Eternal Feminine Passion For Bargains.
Passion
Feminine
Eternal
His Attention Caught, Her Companion Raised His Eyes From The Book Which Lay Open Beside Him On The Table And Directed Them Upon Her In A Look Of Aloof Enquiry. 'what's That? Did You Say Something To Me, Venetia?' 'yes, Love,' Responded His Sister Cheerfully, 'but It Wasn't Of The Least Consequence, And In Any Event I Answered For You. You Would Be Astonished, I Daresay, If You Knew What Interesting Conversations I Enjoy With Myself.
Book
Eye
Interesting Conversation
If It Comes To That," Retorted Frederica, With Spirt, " I Am Continually Shocked By The Things You Don't Scruple To Say To Me,cousin! You Are Quite Abominable!" He Sighed. "alas, I Know It! The Reflection Gives Me Sleepless Nights.
Cousin
Reflection
Night
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!
Wish
Despair
May
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!
Wish
Kind
Persons
As Soon As One Promises Not To Do Something, It Becomes The One Thing Above All Others That One Most Wishes To Do.
Temptation
Promise
Wish
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!
Fate
Men
Long
I Am Relieved. May I Now Have The Truth?
May
Relieved
Miss Grantham's Sense Of Humour Got The Better Of Her At This Point, And, Tottering Towards A Chair, She Sank Into It, Exclaiming In Tragic Accents:'oh Heavens! I Am Betrayed!' His Lordship Blenched; Both He And Miss Laxton Regarded Her With Guilty Dismay. Miss Grantham Buried Her Face In Her Handkerchief, And Uttered One Shattering Word: 'wretch!
Missing
Heaven
Betrayed
How Very Awkward Places We Do Choose In Which To Propose To One Another!' Remarked Mr. Beaumaris
Awkward
Propose
Of Course She Is A Fool, But So Are All Girls.
Girl
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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!
Purses
Deceiving
Sincerely
Perhaps,” Murmured His Lordship, “i Yielded To A Compassionate Impulse.” “a What?” Gasped His Best Friend. “oh, Did You Think I Never Did So?” Said His Lordship, The Satirical Glint In His Eyes Extremely Pronounced. “you Wrong Me! I Do, Sometimes—not Frequently, Of Course, But Every Now And Then!
Eye
Thinking
Sometimes
Did You Imagine That You Would Make Me Believe Ill Of Sophy With Your Foolish And Spiteful Letter!' He Demanded. 'you Have Tried To Set Me Against Her From The Outset, But You Over-reached Yourself Today, My Girl! How Dared You Write In Such Terms To Me! How Could You Have Been So Crassly Stupid As To Suppose That Sophy Could Ever Need Your Countenance To Set Her Right In The Eyes Of The World, Or That I Would Believe One Word Of Slander Against Her?
Girl
Stupid
Believe
This, Said Damerel Wrathfully, Is The Second Time You Have Walked In Just As I Am About To Propose To Your Sister!
Said
Propose
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!
Mean
Missing
Said
God Knows I'm No Saint, But I Don't Think I'm More Of A Sinner Than Any Other Man.
Men
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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.
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I Don't Know What You May Have Seen Fit To Tell Her, Venetia, But So Far As I Understand It You Could Think Of Nothing Better To Do Than To Beguile Her With Some Farrago About Wishing Damerel To Strew Rose-leaves For You To Walk On!" Damerel, Who Had Resumed His Seat, Had Been Staring Moodily Into The Fire, But At These Words He Looked Up Quickly. "rose-leaves?" His Eyes Went To Venetia's Face, Wickedly Quizzing Her. "but My Dear Girl, At This Season?" "be Quiet, You Wretch!" She Said, Blushing.
Girl
Eye
Thinking
[...]if You Talk Any More Flummery To Me, Frederica, I Shall Give You One Of My—er—icy Set-downs!”(alverstoke)
Giving
Icy
Ifs
I Don't Know How It Is...but You Seem To Think Me Something Wonderful, And Indeed, I Am Not.
Thinking
Admiration
Wonderful
Only Trust Me! You Have Fallen Into A Fit Of Despondency And There Is Not The Least Need! In Fact, Nothing Could Be More Fatal, In Any Predicament! It Encourages One To Suppose That There Is Nothing To Be Done, When A Little Resolution Is All That Is Wanted To Bring Matters To A Happy Conclusion.
Needs
Done
Littles
The Charm Of Your Society, My Sparrow, Lies In Not Knowing What Will You Say Next - Though One Rapidly Learns To Fear The Worst!
Lying
Knowing
Sparrows
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.
Thinking
Wife
May
Well, You Have The Right To Make A Sacrifice Of Yourself, But I'll Be Damned If I'll Let You Sacrifice Me!
Sacrifice
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Ifs
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!
Men
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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)
Offering
Mama
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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!
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Fans
Ugly
She Stretched Out Her Hand, Saying, “vernon! My Dear, What A Delightful Surprise!” “what’s Surprising About It?” He Enquired, Lifting His Black Brows. “didn’t You Ask Me To Come?” The Smile Remained Pinned To Lady Buxted’s Lips, But She Replied With More Than A Touch Of Acidity: “to Be Sure I Did, But So Many Days Ago That I Supposed You Had Gone Out Of Town!” “oh, No!” He Said, Returning Her Smile With One Of Great Sweetness.
Hands
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I Liked That Young Man, Did Not You? There Was Something Particularly Pleasing About His Manners, Which I Thought Very Easy And Frank. He Has An Air Of Honest Manliness, Too, Which, In These Days Of Fribbles And Counter-coxcombs, I Own I Find Refreshing!
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Nevertheless, She Did Not Weep, Because, For One Thing, It Would Have Made Her Eyes Red, And Another, It Would Be Of Very Little Use.
Eye
Would Be
Use
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.
Thinking
Giving
Laughing
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?
Girl
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Social Work
I Have Seen What Comes Of Being Patient," Amanda Said With A Boding Look. "and I Have No Opinion Of It." "what Does Come Of It?" Inquired Sir Gareth. "nothing!
Doe
Looks
Opinion
Do You Forget That I Am Your Sister?” “no; I’ve Never Been Granted The Opportunity To Forget It.
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Granted
Sir Richard Sighed. "rid Yourself Of The Notion That I Cherish Any Villainous Designs Upon Your Person," He Said. "i Imagine I Might Well Be Your Father. How Old Are You?" "i Am Turned Seventeen." "well, I Am Nearly Thirty," Said Sir Richard. Miss Creed Worked This Out. "you Couldn't Possibly Be My Father!" "i Am Far Too Drunk To Solve Arithmetical Problems. Let It Suffice That I Have Not The Slightest Intention Of Making Love To You.
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Design
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!
Stupid
Wish
Despair
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.
Reflection
Wife
Desire
Horatia Said Eagerly: "oh, You Will Take M-me Instead?" "no," Said Rule, With A Faint Smile. "i Won't Do That. But I Will Engage Not To Marry Your Sister. It's Not Necessary To Offer Me An Exchange, My Poor Child." "b-but It Is!" Said Horatia Vigorously. "one Of Us M-must Marry You!
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There Is Nothing So Mortifying As To Fall In Love With Someone Who Does Not Share One's Sentiments.
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Doe
I Do Not Want A Boy. I Only Want Monseigneur!
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Will You Marry Me, Vile And Abominable Girl That You Are? Yes, But, Mind, It Only To Save My Neck From Being Wrung!
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Mind
Necks
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.
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I Feel An Almost Overwhelming Interest In The Methods Of Daylight Abduction Employed By The Modern Youth.
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Does It Ever Occur To You, Mama, That My Grandfather Is A Lunatic?
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Doe
Mama
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!
Talking
Eels
Waste
People Who Start A Sentence With Personally (and They're Always Women) Ought To Be Thrown To The Lions. It's A Repulsive Habit.
People
Lions
Habit
You Are An Atrocious Person! Since The Day I Met You I Have Become Steadily More Depraved.
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Depraved
The More Enchanted The Idyll, Greater Must Be The Pain Of Its Ending.
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Enchanted
Greater
My House Seems Remarkably Full Of People," He Observed. "is It Possible We Were Expected.
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House
Expected
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!
Gratitude
Ill Treatment
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Randall Laid His Hand On Stella's, But Only To Remove It From His Sleeve. "my Precious, You Really Must Have Some Regard For My Clothes," He Said With Gentle Reproach. "much As I Love You, I Cannot Permit You To Maul This Particular Coat.
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Hands
Clothes
[...]my Memory Is Reasonably Good—unlike Yours, Dear Sir!” “mine Is Erratic,” He Said Imperturbably. “i Remember Only What Interests Me.
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Erratic
Remember
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.
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Missing
Is It Not Insupportable To Be Held Down To A Canter When You Long To Gallop For Miles?
Long
Miles
I Will Not Listen To Your Verse On An Empty Stomach!" Declared The Vicomte. "you Have No Soul," Said Philippe Sadly. "but I Have A Stomach, And It Cries Aloud For Sustenance." "i Weep For You," Said Philip. "why Do I Waste My Poetic Gems Upon You?
Soul
Waste
Poetic
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.
Sleep
Giving
Imagine
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.
Writing
Cake
Judging
Oh, 'tis Not My Qualities They Object To! 'tis My Lack Of Vice.
Quality
Vices
Objects
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!
Falling In Love
Thinking
Gentleman
Speed Is The Curse Of The Age.
Age
Speed
Curse
No One Could Have Called Mr. Standen Quick-witted, But The Possession Of Three Sisters Had Considerably Sharpened His Instinct Of Self-preservation.
Self
Three
Instinct
Remind Me One Day To Teach You How To Achieve A Sneer, Hugh. Yours Is Too Pronounced, And Thus But A Grimace. It Should Be But A Faint Curl Of The Lips.
One Day
Curls
Lips
Oh, Randall, Don't Be Such A Vile Beast!" "i Don't Think Much Of That",he Said Critically. "amiable Snake Was Much Better.
Thinking
Snakes
Beast
Eccentricity May Be Diverting, Mama, But It Is Out Of Place In A Wife: Certainly In My Wife!
Wife
May
Mama
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?
Kissing
Gentleman
Height
I Remember Only What Interests Me.
Remember
Interest
What I Mean Is, Like You To Have Everything You Want. Wished It Was Me, That's All
Mean
Want
Like You
You Must Not Imagine That Papa Or I Have The Least Notion Of Compelling You To Marry Anyone Whom You Hold In Aversion, For I Am Sure That Such A Thing Would Be Quite Shocking! And Charles Would Not Do So Either, Would You, Dear Charles?”(elizabeth Ombersley) “no, Certainly Not. But Neither Would I Consent To Her Marriage With Any Such Frippery Fellow As Augustus Fawnhope!” “augustus,” Announced Cecilia, Putting Up Her Chin, “will Be Remembered Long After You Have Sunk Into Oblivion!” “by His Creditors? I Don’t Doubt It.
Long
Doubt
Papa
What Is Your Name?" "again Sir, That Is No Concern Of Yours." "a Mystery," He Said. "i Shall Have To Call You Clorinda." ..... "judith! What The Devil? Exclaimed Peregrine. "has There Been An Accident?" "judith," Repeated The Gentleman Of The Curricle Pensively. "i Prefer Clorinda.
Names
Gentleman
Devil
I Think Myself I Ought To Be Shot For Writing Such Nonsense.... But It's Unquestionably Good Escapist Literature And I Think I Should Rather Like It If I Were Sitting In An Air-raid Shelter Or Recovering From Flu.
Writing
Thinking
Air
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.
Love You
Thinking
Brain
O God, I Love You To The Edge Of Madness, Venetia, But I'm Not Mad Yet--not So Mad That I Don't Know How Disastrous It Might Be To You--to Us Both! You Don't Realize What An Advantage I Should Be Taking Of Your Innocence!
Love You
Mad
Might
You Know What I Think? Fate! That's What It Is Fate! There's A Thing That Comes After A Fellow:got A Name,but I Forgot What It Is. Creeps Up Behind Him, And Puts Him In The Basket When He Ain't Expecting It.
Fate
Thinking
Names
She Bowed Her Head, Clasping Her Hands Tightly Before Her Upon The Arm Of His Chair, For Her Heart Yearned Towards Him, Yet Could Not Reach Him, And It Made Her Throat Ache With Unhappiness To Meet That Look Of His That Rested On Her Face Without Seeing It.
Heart
Hands
Looks
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.
Thinking
Mind
Would Be
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?
Heart
Thinking
Arms
Oh, Yes, She's Unusual!' He Said Bitterly. 'she Blurts Our Whatever May Come Into Her Head;she Tumbles From One Outrageous Escapade Into Another;she's Happier Gromming Horses And Hobnobbing With Stable-hands Than Going To Parties; She's Impertinent; You Daren't Catch Her Eye For Fear She Should Start To Giggle; She Hasn't Any Accomplishments; I Never Saw Anyone With Less Diginity; She's Abominable, And Damnably Hot At Hand, Frank To A Fault, And-a Darling!
Horse
Party
Eye
The Society Of My Relatives Can Only Be Enjoyed With Frequent Intervals.
Enjoyed
Intervals
Léonie, You Will Do Well To Consider. You Are Not The First Woman In My Life." She Smiled Through Her Tears. "monseigneur, I Would So Much Rather Be The Last Woman Than The First,” She Said.
Tears
Lasts
Firsts
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!
Curiosity
Intention
Prepared
My Dear Girl, You Don't Consent To An Abduction! You Consent To An Elopement, And I Knew You Wouldn't Do That.
Girl
Abduction
Dear
When Fate Is Got It In For You, There Is No Limit To What You May Have To Put Up With.
Fate
May
Limits
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!
Women
Thinking
Different
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!
Girl
Swallowing
Insult
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.
Believe
Might
Trust Me
Depend Upon It, You Are Just The Sort Of Girl A Man Would Be Glad To Have For His Sister! You Don't Even Know How To Swoon, And I Daresay If You Tried You Would Make Wretched Work Of It, For All You Have Is Common Sense, And Of What Use Is That, Pray?
Girl
Men
Common Sense
You Have A Genius For Bringing Trouble Upon Yourself
Genius
Trouble
Those Fine Eyes Of Hers Had A Disconcertingly Direct Gaze, And Very Often Twinkled In A Manner Disturbing To Male Egotism. She Had Common-sense Too, And What Man Wanted The Plainly Matter-of-fact, When He Could Enjoy Instead Sophia's Delicious Folly?
Eye
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Common Sense
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