The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Quotes

“Dreams are not reality.
UNTIL THEY ARE.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“I have found that on occasions of high absurdity, one either discovers a great friend or someone to never speak with again.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Our conversation was very June and very Afternoon, meaning it meandered like a honey bee.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Aren’t you supposed to be in a crypt somewhere, for your sins?” Islington asked in a ducal tone. “They evicted me,” I snapped. “Who?” “The dead.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Never trust a man who can say so many things with a single syllable.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“His words hurt in the way that truth does when you wish it was a lie but you know you cannot claim it to be.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Ah”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“You must be fighting fit, Emma, whatever else. Most of life is the ability to be ready for what comes your way.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Do you have an obscure fact regarding cartography that would catch the attention of a man whose only other interest is the sweet pea?

I PRESUME THAT WAS A SERIOUS QUESTION?

It was.

THE HEREFORD MAPPA MUNDI IS ORIENTED TO THE EAST. PERHAPS A COMMENT ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS? IF HE IS AN ENTHUSIAST, ANY USE OF THE WORD MAPPA MUNDI SHOULD WORK IN YOUR FAVOUR.

Then he sent another:

FAR BE IT FROM ME TO PRY INTO YOUR PERSONAL BUSINESS, BUT ARE YOU CERTAIN THIS IS A MAN YOU WISH TO IMPRESS?

I laughed.

He is moneyed, with a good deal in the funds, three country estates, and would spend his life consumed by cartography and the sweet pea, thus proclaimed an eligible candidate. Alas, not for me, but my cousin, a reality I fully accept.

USE THE WORD THEORY IF YOU CAN. MEN WHO THINK THEY KNOW A GREAT DEAL FIND SATISFACTION FROM THE WORD.

THE VERY LITTLE I KNOW ABOUT YOUR LIFE EXHAUSTS ME.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Miss Lion, I take this opportunity to tell you that I know somewhat of your situation. Your cousin—” “Archibald?” “Yes. He does not often come to Sunday service, but for some reason, he believes the Anglican church has a confession.” “How very Catholic of him.” Hawkes’s smile was like the flicker of a candle. “Yes. And I honour it. I’ve even set up a booth in a back office for his use.” Admirably, I reined in my laugh.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“...My Friends do not go to war alone.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Mr. Pierce,” I said, “I have found that on occasions of high absurdity, one either discovers a great friend or someone to never speak with again. Having now experienced a disastrous evening in Lapis Lazuli House, I leave it to you to decide which you would prefer.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“I should confess: I have four mortal enemies. Cousin Archibald and his sister, Matilde, are one and two, for obvious reasons. But there are two more, and while it seems a bit ungenerous for a person to have four mortal enemies, what can I give as explanation other than I am morally flawed?”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“And moving on we did. But not before I smiled at hearing the word betwixt spoken aloud. Betwixt.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“You are the most singular woman I have ever met”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Trust only those not affected by love to judge with clarity.” “I believe a few more desserts would give us the clarity we need.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“The hound is simply worried that the rabbit might be in danger from a fox?”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“I could swear you still dream about him, still see him on the street.” “And if I do?” I retorted. “Allow him to go,” came her firm reply. Something in me said, she is very right. Something in me said, she is very wrong. What I said aloud was, “I hardly need the woman without a heart to counsel me on how to manage mine.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“USE THE WORD THEORY IF YOU CAN. MEN WHO THINK THEY KNOW A GREAT DEAL FIND SATISFACTION FROM THE WORD.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Most of life is the ability to be ready for what comes your way.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Our conversation was very June and very Afternoon”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Am I simply mistaking paralysis for healing?(August 16th)”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Islington is sufficient. I much prefer it, as Miss Lion should know. We are long acquainted, are we not?” He returned his eyes to me. “I believe we go back five years? To seventy-eight, if I don’t miss my guess. So you see, Miss Bairrage, Miss Lion and I share every confidence, whether we want to or not.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“If you squint, the weeds look like flowers.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“His smile went from grace to tension. “They see my form, Emma. They see my money and my position. But you, you look directly at me. I am not a statue for you to parade about. While we’ve danced, you’ve not once glanced at the others to see if they were noticing. The Miss Hunt, alas, could not say the same. I’m trying to decide if it would be terribly rude not to ask her to the opera, after all. You, I happily wish to invite.” Honesty can be especially frightening during a waltz. “Roland, I— You mustn’t—” “Don’t look so afraid, Emma. You and I were never meant to be. I wasn’t going to propose. I was thanking you. I was trying to tell you that I want to find a wife who will consider me as Emma Lion does.” He flushed. “As Emma Lion does now. At twelve you would have gladly skewered me.” My response was equal to the great compliment paid. “Had you been more attractive as a child, I might have wanted you only for your wealth and beauty as well.” Roland laughed, and the waltz ended.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Dancing with Roland was like wearing quality silk or eating a creamy confection. Smooth and indulgent. I made him swear he would waltz with me at every ball for the rest of our lives. “Happily. You see me. Not many do.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“Dancing occasionally when asked—I certainly did nothing to put myself forward—I floated quite happily in the shadows, coming out only to politely greet the men and women on my aunt’s list of People Whose Attention I Should Direct Towards Arabella.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“One hundred years in the future, people will read how we all stayed up like fools for half the night, dancing in overcrowded rooms, and think we were mad. And somehow, someone will find this journal and see that we knew it was abominably stupid to wake with pounding heads and sore feet. What a barbaric society we are.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“The music was very good. Not that it was noticed. Balls are amusing for this very reason. Everyone comments on the gowns, the crush, the ladies, the gentlemen. Nobody ever mentions the music. Well, I enjoy the music. I am fond of finding a corner concealed by a palm and listening to the musicians play a beautiful waltz. And when one’s hiding place has been discovered by a tall giraffe of extreme proportions, there is always a library with which to keep company. As was the case last night.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

“If you were any of the other girls I know, I would warn you to be on your guard.” “Oh?” I asked, stopping. “But as I am not?” Then came Roland’s smile. “St. George is not the only one who can slay a dragon, Emma Lion. I’ve seen you wield a sword.” It was, perhaps, the most wonderful compliment I’ve ever been paid. I intend to keep Roland.”
― Beth Brower, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2