Home > Work > Checkmate (The Lymond Chronicles, #6)
161 " I tell you that whatever infatuation you have fallen into, you cannot keep that man at your side. He belongs where he belongs and he will arrive there, no matter how deep you bury him. Best free him at once and save the heart ache. "
― Dorothy Dunnett , Checkmate (The Lymond Chronicles, #6)
162 " I think it would be truer to say,’ Philippa said, ‘that both of us at the time had our reasons for hurting you. "
163 " For him, it was now of no importance, as his place in the world was of no consequence. He was home, after long and harsh buffeting. And it was she, who knew his quality as Grey had done, who had to live with the knowledge that there was no channel by which it could continue; that for the purposes of the present world the flourish, so brief, was now over with. "
164 " Tact,’ Lymond said, ‘is the name you should have upon your tombstone. "
165 " our childhood is over now, Marshal. Mankind can survive very well without an intimate study of your susceptibilities but not, unfortunately, without your other functions and talents. Do you think I bring any child into the world to live for himself alone? "
166 " Is that your whole measure? To shirk what is difficult? To escape to safety, like a strawberry-preacher, when your friends are in danger? My gentleman: if you run from me now, I will brand you and your sister in France, in Scotland, in Midculter and out of it for what you were: rotten stock. "
167 " Then I tell you,’ Sybilla said, ‘that you have no leave to die. Nor have you leave to desert the race you belong to. I want your word that from this moment, you live. "
168 " There was a space, during which, of the five men and women standing or kneeling about Francis Crawford, only one watched him. Then Lymond said clearly, ‘On my honour, I promise it. "
169 " It was a miracle, and it partook of the first property of miracles. It should never have been performed. "
170 " So, although it was more than she ever dared hope for, it was not the same; and never would be. "
171 " I find your family, my dear Marthe, much more disturbing than mine. "
172 " A long sea voyage with Jerott spewing drunk on every deck is not my idea of an adequate quid pro quo. "
173 " A versatile commodity, death; except for those suffering it. "
174 " Raveand Rhamnusia, Goddes of Dispyte,’ said Lymond acidly. ‘I am trying to get you home, vide the shiten shepherd and the clene shepe, with your woolly chops spotless. The only drawback to date is that the bloody sheep is going to have to carry the shepherd, so far as I can see. "
175 " All I gathered from that is that Francis Crawford is a raging harlot. "
176 " It partook,’ said Kate, ‘of the nature of a full-scale cursing against one Crawford of Lymond, but whether for sins of omission or commission is not entirely clear. "
177 " It was hard to say therefore why he did not go below, and rally his brother, and encourage him to let the past fade, and look forward to what lay before him. Unless, in his heart of hearts he recognized as Lymond did that what lay around him were shut gates; and what lay before him was nothing. "
178 " Music, the knife without a hilt. "
179 " His horse stumbled in the tussocky ground and made him realize, then, how thoughtlessly fast he was riding...how thoughtlessly fast he was thinking. "
180 " ...Catherine d'Albon said, "What prayers do you suggest?""In English?" Lymond said. "I don't know. What about one from Geneva?" She wondered for a moment whether he would break into song, as he had on the wild journey home, with her mother's chamber valet. But he merely put his hand on the doorlatch and spoke the words gently, and without the cynicism he had spoken of: From the sword (Lord) save my souleBy thy myght and power;And keepe my soule, thy darling deare,From dogs that would devour.And from the Lion's mouth that wouldMe all in sunder shiverAnd from the horns of UnicornesLord safely me deliver. "