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

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

[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.

The society of my relatives can only be enjoyed with frequent intervals.

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?

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 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!