Quotes from Mary Elizabeth Braddon's books, and about them
Lady Audley's Secret on Don Juan: “…French pamphlet on the cavalry sword-exercise; an odd volume of Tom Jones with one half of its stiff leather cover hanging to it by a thread; Byron's Don Juan, printed in a murderous type, which must have been invented for the special advantage of oculists and opticians; and a fat book in a faded…”
Lady Audley's Secret on Tom Jones: “There was an old Greek Testament and the Eton Latin Grammar; a French pamphlet on the cavalry sword-exercise; an odd volume of Tom Jones with one half of its stiff leather cover hanging to it by a thread; Byron's Don Juan, printed in a murderous type, which must have been invented for the special…”
Lady Audley's Secret on Cousin Bette: “alike upon the metaphysical diablerie of the Peau de Chagrin, and the hideous social horrors of "Cousine Bette."”
Aurora Floyd on Romeo and Juliet: “dropped into the dusty boxes of the theatre to witness the performance of 'Romeo and Juliet;' the heiress of the Capulets being represented by Miss Eliza Percival”
Aurora Floyd on Hamlet: “There was no 'Hamlet' with the celebrated water-scene, and the Danish prince taking a "header" to save poor weak-witted Ophelia.”
Aurora Floyd on Othello: “If Othello had but lingered a little before smothering his wife, Mistress Emilia might have come in and sworn and protested”
Aurora Floyd on Macbeth: “"My foolish Talbot," she said, "do you remember what Macbeth said to _his_ doctor? There are diseases that cannot be ministered to.”
Aurora Floyd on George Barnwell: “when 'George Barnwell' and 'Jane Shore' were amongst the favourite works of art of a play-going public”
Aurora Floyd on Jane Shore: “when 'George Barnwell' and 'Jane Shore' were amongst the favourite works of art of a play-going public”
An Old-Fashioned Girl on Lady Audley's Secret: “Your nose is as red as that cranberry sauce," answered Fan, coming out of the big chair where she had been curled up for an hour or two, deep in "Lady Audley's Secret."”