Margaret Westhaven

“...Great-Uncle Powell, an archaeologist, had spent most of his time digging about in foreign parts.”

“I believe that books must go through a fairly slow birthing process...”

“It's a simple domestic tale, about a girl who has problems getting married, and how she deals with her relations and friends. Miss Dalrymple has quite an eye for character; I'd swear some of her people must be drawn from life, and it's no wonder she wants to remain anonymous.”

“...it would seem that whoever did write this book knows you very well. You appear in it, sir. As...as the hero.”

“What do you say to furthering our cousinly relationship by a drive in the Park this afternoon?”

“It might not be so unpleasant, you know, to do me one or two favours in exchange for becoming a famous authoress.”

“...ever since she had read the girl's novel, a piece of artistry that struck her as wish-fulfilment at its most blatant...”

“The real world isn't like one of those lending library novels that you ladies read--and write--so avidly.”

“I recall how I suspected at the time that my young friend was indulging in her first bout of calf love.”

“Was tomorrow going to see the end of her long-guarded virginity?”

“Really, the insufferable conceit of the man. How dared he have the unutterable gall to know how her knees weakened at the sight of him, how she felt full of life and spirit when he was with her, how his very touch sent fire coursing through her veins in a way she hadn't known existed outside the pages of lending-library novels!”

“I swear, Papa, I'd give my virtue if it would get my novels published,' she exclaimed in vexation. 'I'm certain we've tried everything else.”