How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
She hated the sick, milk-turning feeling that came when she thought of her future gentleman. She pictured it as a sort of ball, one that lasted a lifetime, in which parliament chose her dance partner. And she didn't know if he would be a considerate dancer, one who led her through tight steps with ease, or if he would lurch through the steps. Or worse, if he was the sort of partner who would force her through the movements and scoff at her when she stumbled at his hand. (1.36)
Azalea is not a fan of this whole getting married thing at first. After all, as the firstborn princess, there's a good chance that parliament will have a hand in the selection process, for the good of the country and all that. Since Azalea connects everything to dancing, she thinks about a potential marriage partner in terms of a dance partner: will he be considerate, or a jerk?
Quote #2
"But it's not just for anyone," said Azalea. "It has to be for your husband, or royalty. Like a king." Flora giggled. "For you that will be the same thing!" (9.30)
Little sisters are oh so good at reminding us of things we'd rather not think about. In Azalea's case, it's how the beautiful but rare Soul's Curtsy is only appropriate for royalty or for her future husband… who will, once he marries her anyway, be royalty as well as her husband. It's the kind of curtsy you must give with your whole heart and soul, and right now, Azalea's not sure if she'll ever meet anyone that'll make her want to give the curtsy properly or at all. Nothing wrong with having standards.
Quote #3
Lady Aubrey wrote the "Height of Society" news, which, in Eathesbury, usually involved a discussion on why Lady Caversham and Minister Fairweller would be such a fine match. (9.80)
This gossip column is a good reminder that marriage is both a personal and a social thing—and this is especially the case for the people with high social status. The rest of the population likes to speculate on their love lives, and in the case of people in politics, it kinda makes sense, since they're the ones making the policies that affect everyone else.