The Black Moth quotes
The lines readers remember from The Black Moth, by Georgette Heyer.
42 quotes · About the book
Standout lines
That no one had set eyes on either of the men was no reason for doubting an honest landlord’s word.
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It was Mr. Chadber’s boast, uttered only to his admiring Tory neighbours, that he had, at the risk of his own life, given shelter to two fugitives of the disastrous ’Forty-five, who had come so far out of their way as quiet Fallowfield.
That no one had set eyes on either of the men was no reason for doubting an honest landlord’s word.
But no one would have thought of doubting any statement that Mr. Chadber might make.
Do you know, I had not thought of so unpleasant a contingency? I swear I was not born to be hanged!
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“Mr. Warburton, I protest you are of a morbid turn of mind!
Do you know, I had not thought of so unpleasant a contingency? I swear I was not born to be hanged!
”
I find his conduct rather tiresome. But it is just possible that he thinks the same of me.
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“M’m. Mr. Bumble Bee and friend. It would almost appear so. I think I do not fully appreciate Mr. Bumble Bee.
I find his conduct rather tiresome. But it is just possible that he thinks the same of me.
I will further my acquaintance with him.”
Well, I can conceive that life with him might prove uninspiring. Safe, my dear, but not exciting.
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“In fact, you want distraction, and not with the amiable Richard?
Well, I can conceive that life with him might prove uninspiring. Safe, my dear, but not exciting.
”
The moon peeped coyly out from behind a cloud and shed her light upon the little group as if to see what all the fuss was about.
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My lord presented his pistol.
The moon peeped coyly out from behind a cloud and shed her light upon the little group as if to see what all the fuss was about.
The big man’s face was in the shadow, but Jack’s pistol was not. Into its muzzle the gentleman gazed, one hand deep in the pocket of his heavy cloak, the other holding a small pistol.
For six years no one had ordered him to obey; it had been he who had done all the ordering. Somehow it was very pleasant to be told what to do, especially by Miles.
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“Ye obstinate young devil, ye’ll do as I say, and no nonsense, or ye don’t leave this house!”
For six years no one had ordered him to obey; it had been he who had done all the ordering. Somehow it was very pleasant to be told what to do, especially by Miles.
He turned down a lane and wondered what Jim was thinking. That he was waiting at the Green Man, he was certain, for those had been his orders.
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Jump to a chapter
- I: At the Chequers Inn, Fallowfield
- II: My Lord at the White Hart
- III: Introducing the Hon. Richard Carstares
- IV: Introducing the Lady Lavinia Carstares
- V: His Grace of Andover
- VII: Introducing Sundry New Characters
- VIII: The Biter Bit
- X: Lady O’Hara Retires
- XI: My Lord Turns Rescuer and Comes Nigh Ending His Life
- XII: My Lord Dictates a Letter and Receives a Visitor
- XIII: My Lord Makes His Bow
- XIV: Mistress Diana Is Unmaidenly
- XV: O’Hara’s Mind Is Made Up
- XVI: Mr. Bettison Proposes
- XVII: Lady O’Hara Wins Her Point
- XXIV: Richard Plays the Man
- XXV: His Grace of Andover Captures the Queen
- XXVIII: In Which What Threatened to Be Tragedy Turns to Comedy
I: At the Chequers Inn, Fallowfield
That no one had set eyes on either of the men was no reason for doubting an honest landlord’s word.
Show the passage
It was Mr. Chadber’s boast, uttered only to his admiring Tory neighbours, that he had, at the risk of his own life, given shelter to two fugitives of the disastrous ’Forty-five, who had come so far out of their way as quiet Fallowfield.
That no one had set eyes on either of the men was no reason for doubting an honest landlord’s word.
But no one would have thought of doubting any statement that Mr. Chadber might make.
Is that really so? Well, well! Apoplexy, I make no doubt?
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“
Is that really so? Well, well! Apoplexy, I make no doubt?
”
Do you know, I had not thought of so unpleasant a contingency? I swear I was not born to be hanged!
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“Mr. Warburton, I protest you are of a morbid turn of mind!
Do you know, I had not thought of so unpleasant a contingency? I swear I was not born to be hanged!
”
Faith, Mr. Warburton, I’ve only just begun!
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“
Faith, Mr. Warburton, I’ve only just begun!
”
Good gad, no! Notorious, forsooth! Confess, Warburton, you thought me some heroic figure?
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“
Good gad, no! Notorious, forsooth! Confess, Warburton, you thought me some heroic figure?
‘Gentleman Harry,’ perhaps?”
The world, Mr. Warburton, has not treated me so kindly that I should feel any qualms of conscience.
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“
The world, Mr. Warburton, has not treated me so kindly that I should feel any qualms of conscience.
But, an it gives you any satisfaction to know it, I will tell you that my robberies are few and far between. You spoke a little while ago of my probable—ah—fate—on Tyburn Tree. I think you need not fear to hear of that.”
II: My Lord at the White Hart
I find his conduct rather tiresome. But it is just possible that he thinks the same of me.
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“M’m. Mr. Bumble Bee and friend. It would almost appear so. I think I do not fully appreciate Mr. Bumble Bee.
I find his conduct rather tiresome. But it is just possible that he thinks the same of me.
I will further my acquaintance with him.”
He may possess a beautiful mind. But I do not think so.
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“You do not admire our friend? Pray, do not judge him by his exterior.
He may possess a beautiful mind. But I do not think so.
N-no, I really do not think so.” He chuckled a little. “Do you know, Jim, I believe I am going to enjoy myself tonight!”
III: Introducing the Hon. Richard Carstares
The old house seemed half asleep, basking in the sunlight.
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Over the walls of the house they climbed, mingling with purple clematis, jasmine, and sickly honeysuckle. The air was heavy with their united perfumes, while, wafted from a bed below, came the smoky scent of lavender.
The old house seemed half asleep, basking in the sunlight.
Save for a peacock preening its feathers on the terrace steps, there was no sign of life. …
IV: Introducing the Lady Lavinia Carstares
Don’t be prudent, Dicky! Be wild! Be reckless! Be anything rather than grave and old!
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“Love me, Richard! Take me to London and never mind an I do squander your money. Say you do not care! Say that nothing matters so long as I am happy! Why do you not say it? Does anything matter?
Don’t be prudent, Dicky! Be wild! Be reckless! Be anything rather than grave and old!
” Her arms crept up to his coaxingly. “Take me to London!”
V: His Grace of Andover
Well, I can conceive that life with him might prove uninspiring. Safe, my dear, but not exciting.
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“In fact, you want distraction, and not with the amiable Richard?
Well, I can conceive that life with him might prove uninspiring. Safe, my dear, but not exciting.
”
My dear Lavinia, like all Belmanoirs, you care first for yourself and secondly for the man who masters you. That, alas! Richard has not yet succeeded in doing.
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“
My dear Lavinia, like all Belmanoirs, you care first for yourself and secondly for the man who masters you. That, alas! Richard has not yet succeeded in doing.
”
You think solely of yourself, your own pleasure, your own character, your own feelings. If you could cast yourself into the background a little, you would be less excitable and considerably less discontented.
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“But not too hard for the case.
You think solely of yourself, your own pleasure, your own character, your own feelings. If you could cast yourself into the background a little, you would be less excitable and considerably less discontented.
”
VII: Introducing Sundry New Characters
Miss Betty shook her head darkly and prophesied that her precious Di would one day love some man as no man in her opinion deserved to be loved!
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Madam Thompson, whose first meeting with Diana this was, remarked on the sad mouth to Miss Elizabeth, or Betty as she was more often called, as they sat over the fire on the first night, Diana herself having retired to her room.
Miss Betty shook her head darkly and prophesied that her precious Di would one day love some man as no man in her opinion deserved to be loved!
“And she’ll have love badly,” she said, clicking her knitting-needles energetically. “I know these temperamental children!”
“We Belmanoirs are all half-mad,” replied Tracy sweetly, “but I think that in my case it is merely concentrated evil.”
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“I believe there must be a kink in your brain!” cried Fortescue. “I cannot else account for your extraordinary conduct!”
“We Belmanoirs are all half-mad,” replied Tracy sweetly, “but I think that in my case it is merely concentrated evil.”
“I will not believe it! You have shown that you can behave differently! You do not try to strip me of all I possess—why all those unfortunate youths you play with?”
“I very much object to being manhandled in the street,” he complained. “I suppose you still mean well. You should strive to conquer the tendency.”
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“Tracy, give up this mad life you lead! Give up the women and the drink, and the excessive gaming; for one day, believe me, you will overstep yourself and be ruined!”
“I very much object to being manhandled in the street,” he complained. “I suppose you still mean well. You should strive to conquer the tendency.”
“I wonder if you know how insolent is your tone, Belmanoir?” asked Fortescue steadily.
Naturally. I should not have attained such perfection in the art else.
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“
Naturally. I should not have attained such perfection in the art else.
But pray accept my thanks for your good advice. You will forgive me an I do not avail myself of it, I am sure. I prefer the crooked path.”
VIII: The Biter Bit
She’d be a deal fonder of you if you’d fetch her a drink,
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“
She’d be a deal fonder of you if you’d fetch her a drink,
” hinted Jack broadly.
The moon peeped coyly out from behind a cloud and shed her light upon the little group as if to see what all the fuss was about.
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My lord presented his pistol.
The moon peeped coyly out from behind a cloud and shed her light upon the little group as if to see what all the fuss was about.
The big man’s face was in the shadow, but Jack’s pistol was not. Into its muzzle the gentleman gazed, one hand deep in the pocket of his heavy cloak, the other holding a small pistol.
“Singularly white hands ye have, for one in your profession,” he drawled, and tightened his hold as Jack tried to draw them away.
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Miles took either wrist in his large hands and turned them palm upwards in the moonlight.
“Singularly white hands ye have, for one in your profession,” he drawled, and tightened his hold as Jack tried to draw them away.
“No, ye do not! Now be so good as to step within, me friend.”
Why not? I’m a Justice of the Peace, heaven save the mark!
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“
Why not? I’m a Justice of the Peace, heaven save the mark!
”
X: Lady O’Hara Retires
Let us talk of the weather, Miles, or my mare. Anything rather than this painful subject.
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“
Let us talk of the weather, Miles, or my mare. Anything rather than this painful subject.
”
XI: My Lord Turns Rescuer and Comes Nigh Ending His Life
For six years no one had ordered him to obey; it had been he who had done all the ordering. Somehow it was very pleasant to be told what to do, especially by Miles.
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“Ye obstinate young devil, ye’ll do as I say, and no nonsense, or ye don’t leave this house!”
For six years no one had ordered him to obey; it had been he who had done all the ordering. Somehow it was very pleasant to be told what to do, especially by Miles.
He turned down a lane and wondered what Jim was thinking. That he was waiting at the Green Man, he was certain, for those had been his orders.
He seemed made of steel and set on wires, so agile and untireable was he.
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Then Carstares changed his tactics, and began to put into practice all the arts and subtleties of fence that he had learnt abroad.
He seemed made of steel and set on wires, so agile and untireable was he.
Time after time he leapt nimbly aside, evading some wicked thrust, and all the while he was driving his Grace back and back. He was not panting, and now and again he laughed softly and happily.
XII: My Lord Dictates a Letter and Receives a Visitor
It was a long time since anyone had called Jack dear, or boy.
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“As cool as a cucumber, dear boy. What a mercy!”
It was a long time since anyone had called Jack dear, or boy.
He returned the smile feebly and closed his eyes.
XIII: My Lord Makes His Bow
“Almost I begin to pity this Mr. Everard,” quoth Jack.
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“I tried not to think of him at all. I hate him!”
“Almost I begin to pity this Mr. Everard,” quoth Jack.
“Then ’tis most ungallant of you, sir!” she reproved. “Do you know Mr. Everard?”
XIV: Mistress Diana Is Unmaidenly
“It is very dreadful to be a highwayman!” she sighed.
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“Oh!” she murmured. “Oh!”—and—
“It is very dreadful to be a highwayman!” she sighed.
“But surely you could cease to be one?” coaxingly.
“Only once?” came the soft voice, filled with awed admiration.
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“I—once—” heavens, how hard it was to say! “I once … cheated … at cards.” It was out. Now she would turn from him in disgust. He shut his eyes in anticipation of her scorn, his head turned away.
“Only once?” came the soft voice, filled with awed admiration.
She drooped her head mournfully.
“I’m afraid I always cheat,” she confessed.
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She drooped her head mournfully.
“I’m afraid I always cheat,” she confessed.
“I had no idea ’twas so wicked, although Auntie gets very cross and vows she will not play with me.”
XV: O’Hara’s Mind Is Made Up
“ ’Tis easy to be righteous after the evil is done, I’m thinking!”
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“Well, there is none else to use it. But I cannot imagine Dick turned sober!”
“ ’Tis easy to be righteous after the evil is done, I’m thinking!”
My lord ignored this remark. A curious smile played about his mouth.
XVI: Mr. Bettison Proposes
“Oh, are all men such big stupids?” she cried.
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“I think ’tis remarkable silly,” she answered. Then her dignity fell from her.
“Oh, are all men such big stupids?” she cried.
“Most of ’em,” nodded her aunt.
XVII: Lady O’Hara Wins Her Point
“Madam,” he replied solemnly, “you would find my corpse in the garden at the end of the first week.”
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“Would you much object to the life, John?”
“Madam,” he replied solemnly, “you would find my corpse in the garden at the end of the first week.”
“Of course I should not like that,” she pondered. “But I do not see what else we can do for you. Oh, and that reminds me! I drove over to Littledean yesterday—Miles, my love, will you be so kind as to fetch me my hat?
XXIV: Richard Plays the Man
“I do not want you good!” Richard assured her. “I want you to be your own dear self!”
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“No, no! I—will—try to be good!”
“I do not want you good!” Richard assured her. “I want you to be your own dear self!”
… Lady Lavinia disengaged herself with a contented little sigh, and stood up.
“How charming it is to be happy again, to be sure!” she remarked naively. “To think that only half an hour ago I was wishing to be dead!”
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“I do not want you good!” Richard assured her. “I want you to be your own dear self!” … Lady Lavinia disengaged herself with a contented little sigh, and stood up.
“How charming it is to be happy again, to be sure!” she remarked naively. “To think that only half an hour ago I was wishing to be dead!”
She went over to the glass and straightened her hair.
XXV: His Grace of Andover Captures the Queen
“ ’Tis an art, my dear, most difficult to acquire.”
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“Home,” he reiterated. “Our home.”
“ ’Tis an art, my dear, most difficult to acquire.”
“Sir—Mr. Everard—whoever you are—if you have any spark of manliness in you, of chivalry, if you care for me at all, you will this instant set me down!”
“I am several people, child.”
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His shoulders shook in the soundless laugh peculiar to him.
“I am several people, child.”
“So I apprehend,” she retorted smoothly. “Sir Hugh Grandison amongst them?”
“I do not like your name, sir,” she answered.
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She considered it with her head tilted to one side.
“I do not like your name, sir,” she answered.
“ ‘There was no thought of pleasing you when I was christened,’ ” he quoted lazily.
“Hardly, sir,” she said. “You might be my father.”
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“ ‘There was no thought of pleasing you when I was christened,’ ” he quoted lazily.
“Hardly, sir,” she said. “You might be my father.”
It was a master stroke, and for an instant his brows drew together. Then he laughed.
Thus outwitting his Grace. For it is impossible to be passionate with a girl who feigns sleep when she should be struggling to escape from you.
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She shifted farther into the corner, leaned her head back against the cushions and closed her eyes.
Thus outwitting his Grace. For it is impossible to be passionate with a girl who feigns sleep when she should be struggling to escape from you.
So Tracy, who, whatever else he might lack, possessed a keen sense of humour, settled himself in his corner and followed her example. So they jogged on. …
XXVIII: In Which What Threatened to Be Tragedy Turns to Comedy
“Never thought about you at all, my dear fellow. I’m not your squire.”
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“Where then did you think I was?”
“Never thought about you at all, my dear fellow. I’m not your squire.”
“Lord, what a catechism! He is here because he brought me with him on his way to Wyncham. Have you any objection?”
“He may be a cheat, but he’s a damned fine fellow. By Gad! he nearly pinked you as I entered!”
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Andrew swung round on his heel, remarking over his shoulder:
“He may be a cheat, but he’s a damned fine fellow. By Gad! he nearly pinked you as I entered!”
He chuckled at the memory of that glorious moment.
“He nearly pinked me a dozen times,” replied Tracy, binding his arm round more tightly. “He fights like ten devils. But he was fatigued.”
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“He may be a cheat, but he’s a damned fine fellow. By Gad! he nearly pinked you as I entered!” He chuckled at the memory of that glorious moment.
“He nearly pinked me a dozen times,” replied Tracy, binding his arm round more tightly. “He fights like ten devils. But he was fatigued.”
He followed Andrew across the room and stood looking down at his unconscious foe.
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