--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She had not wanted to come, and now that…" description: "\"“She had not wanted to come, and now that she was there, she was still praying for deliverance. “Aunt Berta!” she said forcefully as the front door of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56f/judith-mcnaught-687_first-meet_she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that_1016958.jpg" --- # She had not wanted to come, and now that she was there… ![“She had not wanted to come, and now that she was there, she was still praying for deliverance. “Aunt Berta!” she said forcefully as the front door of the great, rambling house was swung open. The butler stepped aside, and footmen hurried forward. “Aunt Berta!” she said urgently, and in desperation…” quote by Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56f/judith-mcnaught-687_first-meet_she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that_1016958.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56f/judith-mcnaught-687_first-meet_she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that_1016958.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56f/judith-mcnaught-687_first-meet_she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that_1016958.jpg) > ““She had not wanted to come, and now that she was there, she was still praying for deliverance. “Aunt Berta!” she said forcefully as the front door of the great, rambling house was swung open. The butler stepped aside, and footmen hurried forward. “Aunt Berta!” she said urgently, and in desperation Elizabeth reached for the maid’s tightly clenched eyelid. She pried it open and looked straight into a frightened brown orb. “Please do not do this to me, Berta. I’m counting on you to act like an aunt, not a timid mouse. They’re almost upon us.” Berta nodded, swallowed, and straightened in her seat, then she smoothed her black bombazine skirts. “How do I look?” Elizabeth whispered urgently. “Dreadful,” said Berta, eyeing the severe, high-necked black linen gown Elizabeth had carefully chosen to wear at this, her first meeting with the prospective husband whom Alexandra had described as a lecherous old roué. To add to her nunlike appearance, Elizabeth’s hair was scraped back off her face, pinned into a bun a la Lucida, and covered with a short veil. Around her neck she wore the only piece of “jewelry” she intended to wear for as long as she was here-a large, ugly iron crucifix she’d borrowed from the family chapel. “Completely dreadful, milady,” Berta added with more strength to her voice. Ever since Robert’s disappearance, Berta had elected to address Elizabeth as her mistress instead of in the more familiar ways she’d used before. “Excellent,” Elizabeth said with an encouraging smile. “So do you.” The footman opened the door and let down the steps, and Elizabeth went first, following by her “aunt.” She let Berta step forward, then she turned and looked up at Aaron, who was atop the coach. Her uncle had permitted her to take six servants from Havenhurst, and Elizabeth had chosen them with care. “Don’t forget,” she warned Aaron needlessly. “Gossip freely about me with any servant who’ll listen to you. You know what to say.” “Aye,” he said with a devilish grin. “We’ll tell them all what a skinny ogress you are-prim ‘n proper enough to scare the devil himself into leading a holy life.” Elizabeth nodded and reluctantly turned toward the house. Fate had dealt her this hand, and she had no choice but to play it out as best she could. With head held high and knees shaking violently she walked forward until she drew even with Berta. The butler stood in the doorway, studying Elizabeth with bold interest, giving her the incredible impression that he was actually trying to locate her breasts beneath the shapeless black gown she wore.”” [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Elizabeth confronts a dire situation, demanding help from Aunt Berta, while navigating social expectations and personal fear in a tense, aristocratic setting. **In simple terms:** She asks for help in a scary, formal setting. Key Takeaway Seek support and confront fear directly. Themes fear social pressure family duty Mood tense dramatic Type narrative dramatic When to use this quote - high‑society events - family crises - personal confrontations Key Concepts aristocratic customs gender roles psychological tension Questions to Reflect On - What would you do if you felt trapped by expectations? - How can you assert agency in oppressive environments? A Different Perspective Reliance on others may not guarantee safety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Holy life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-life/) ## Related quotes > [If you been living in sin, going to the clubs, etc... and live an earthly life and not a holy life, the GOD who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-been-living-in-sin-going-to-the-clubs-etc-and-live-an-earthly/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The word “holiday” comes from “holy day” and holy means “exalted and worthy of complete devotion.” By that definition, all days are holy. Life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/the-word-holiday-comes-from-holy-day-and-holy-means-exalted-and-2/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [The Bible is the statute-book of God's Kingdom, wherein is comprised the whole body of the heavenly law, the perfect rules of a holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezekiel-hopkins/the-bible-is-the-statute-book-of-god-s-kingdom-wherein-is-comprised/) [Ezekiel Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezekiel-hopkins/) > [A holy life is in itself a wonderful power, and will make up for many deficiencies; it is in fact the best sermon a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/a-holy-life-is-in-itself-a-wonderful-power-and-will-make-up-for-many/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [The word ‘holiday’ comes from ‘holy day’ and holy means ‘exalted and worthy of complete devotion.’ By that definition, all days are holy. Life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/the-word-holiday-comes-from-holy-day-and-holy-means-exalted-and/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [“A lowly knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than the deep searching of a man’s learnings. Not that learning is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/a-lowly-knowledge-of-thyself-is-a-surer-way-to-god-than-the-deep/) [Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [ “\[Twofold sanctification reached by twofold faith\] \[By faith . . . Heb. 11:1\] Faith is the evidence of things not seen, though now actually… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-murray/twofold-sanctification-reached-by-twofold-faith-by-faith-heb-11-1/) [Andrew Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-murray/) > [Much though he recites the sacred texts, but acts not accordingly, that heedless man is like a cowherd who only counts the cows of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/much-though-he-recites-the-sacred-texts-but-acts-not-accordingly-that/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [Ancient worship . . . does truth. All one has to do is to study the ancient liturgies to see that liturgies clearly do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-webber/ancient-worship-does-truth-all-one-has-to-do-is-to-study-the-ancient/) [Robert E. Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-webber/) > [True zeal is connected with a holy life. It is remarkable how often the greatest zealots for God, the Church, and sound doctrine (as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-hodge/true-zeal-is-connected-with-a-holy-life-it-is-remarkable-how-often/) [Charles Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-hodge/) > [For everything that lives is holy, life delights in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-blake/for-everything-that-lives-is-holy-life-delights-in-life/) [William Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-blake/) > [We may not all live holy lives, but we live in a world alive with holy moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kent-nerburn/we-may-not-all-live-holy-lives-but-we-live-in-a-world-alive-with-holy/) [Kent Nerburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kent-nerburn/) > [At times one hesitates to reprove or admonish evil-doers, either because one seeks a more favorable moment or fears his rebuke might make them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustine/at-times-one-hesitates-to-reprove-or-admonish-evil-doers-either/) [Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine/) > [We know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life. We know that he gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-ann-seton/we-know-certainly-that-our-god-calls-us-to-a-holy-life-we-know-that/) [Elizabeth Ann Seton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-ann-seton/) > [A father's holy life is a rich legacy for his sons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/a-father-s-holy-life-is-a-rich-legacy-for-his-sons/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) ## More by Judith McNaught > [“What, may I ask, does your one truck contain if not gowns?” Inspiration struck, and Elizabeth smiled radiantly. “Something of great value. Priceless value,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/what-may-i-ask-does-your-one-truck-contain-if-not-gowns-inspiration/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“When she was turning the bacon, he came up behind her, his hands settling on her waist as he peered over her shoulder. “That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/when-she-was-turning-the-bacon-he-came-up-behind-her-his-hands/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“At five minutes to five,Jim walked into Mary's office, wearing his gray sweater and balancing four pieces of birthday cake on two plates. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/at-five-minutes-to-five-jim-walked-into-mary-s-office-wearing-his/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“To have him look at her as if she was a piece of office equipment whose presence offended him but whom he was obliged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/to-have-him-look-at-her-as-if-she-was-a-piece-of-office-equipment/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“Am I to assume the Valerie I was introduced to earlier was the Valerie of our greenhouse notes?” He realized his mistake the instant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/am-i-to-assume-the-valerie-i-was-introduced-to-earlier-was-the/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“How ‘bout some coffee?” Jake said as he hurried over to the coffee pot on the stove and filled a mug with the remainder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/how-bout-some-coffee-jake-said-as-he-hurried-over-to-the-coffee-pot/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“He bowed politely to Hortense, who tipped her head toward the elderly gray-haired lady beside her, who seemed to be dozing, her head drooping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/he-bowed-politely-to-hortense-who-tipped-her-head-toward-the-elderly/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“He finished his meeting a few minutes later and almost rudely ejected his business acquaintances from his library, then he went in search of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/he-finished-his-meeting-a-few-minutes-later-and-almost-rudely-ejected/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“When I’m under stress,” he emphasized, sliding the magnificent emerald onto her finger, “I buy everything in sight. It took my last ounce of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/when-i-m-under-stress-he-emphasized-sliding-the-magnificent-emerald/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [Some people feel love in their hearts, Julie. Some of us feel it all way into our souls. We're the ones who can't forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/some-people-feel-love-in-their-hearts-julie-some-of-us-feel-it-all/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“Lady Thornton, how very good of you to find the time to pay us a social call! Would it be too pushing of me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/lady-thornton-how-very-good-of-you-to-find-the-time-to-pay-us-a/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“The truth is that I want you. I have always wanted you, and you know that.” “I hate that word,” she burst out, trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/the-truth-is-that-i-want-you-i-have-always-wanted-you-and-you-know/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“In some ways it seemed wrong that he lived here now, in this solitary place. At least part of the time he ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/in-some-ways-it-seemed-wrong-that-he-lived-here-now-in-this-solitary/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [“We need to straighten out some personal matters between us. Why don't we do it over dinner tonight?" he suggested. Lauren courteously refused with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/we-need-to-straighten-out-some-personal-matters-between-us-why-don-t/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) > [she kissed him with all the aching longing that being this close to him evoked; she kissed him in all the ways he had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/she-kissed-him-with-all-the-aching-longing-that-being-this-close-to/) [Judith McNaught](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) [Explore all 405 Judith McNaught quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/) ## More First meet quotes > [When we first meet I felt love ill never forget, the way you looked at me made me feel unreal, when you touched me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashling-birrell/when-we-first-meet-i-felt-love-ill-never-forget-the-way-you-looked-at/) Ashling Birrell > [If I could only control time, I'd go back to the moment we first meet. Not to change anything but to experience it all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mhargs-abuda/if-i-could-only-control-time-i-d-go-back-to-the-moment-we-first-meet/) Mhargs Abuda > [When you first meet that one friend that's a Guy you can't help ,but fall for him ,so here;s to the ladies that has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-gentry/when-you-first-meet-that-one-friend-that-s-a-guy-you-can-t-help-but/) [Joyce Gentry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-gentry/) > [I was involved in some of the very first meetings that created the maps that showed what would happen if you had a Category…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-was-involved-in-some-of-the-very-first-meetings-that-created-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“An inevitable meeting with persons takes many forms. In the course of the first meeting, people oblige themselves to honor each other morally. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-chergui/an-inevitable-meeting-with-persons-takes-many-forms-in-the-course-of/) [Sarah Chergui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-chergui/) > [If I meet two guys at the same time and one of them is coming on really strong and talking a lot, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arielle-kebbel/if-i-meet-two-guys-at-the-same-time-and-one-of-them-is-coming-on/) [Arielle Kebbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arielle-kebbel/) > [George Bush looked into Putin's eyes and saw his soul in the first meeting he had in Slovenia. And then in the next meeting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-browder/george-bush-looked-into-putin-s-eyes-and-saw-his-soul-in-the-first/) [Bill Browder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-browder/) > [That's why I called it Dangerously In Love. It's basically all of the steps in a relationship from when you first meet a guy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-s-why-i-called-it-dangerously-in-love-it-s-basically-all-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I am never forget the day I first meet the great Lobachevsky. In one word he told me secret of success in mathematics: Plagiarize!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-lehrer/i-am-never-forget-the-day-i-first-meet-the-great-lobachevsky-in-one/) [Tom Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-lehrer/) > [I began filming 'God Loves Uganda' by first meeting some of the Ugandan and American missionaries who have helped create Uganda's evangelical movement. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-began-filming-god-loves-uganda-by-first-meeting-some-of-the-ugandan/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“From the instant of our first meeting I judged him so, though it could be said that I was prejudiced. When one is standing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-berg/from-the-instant-of-our-first-meeting-i-judged-him-so-though-it-could/) [Carol Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-berg/) > [His words were still clear in her mind from that first meeting. "Whoever eats this will love you." She looked into the mirror, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/his-words-were-still-clear-in-her-mind-from-that-first-meeting/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [“We needed to drive down the road a couple of miles to meet the rest of the cowboys and gather the cattle from there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ree-drummond/we-needed-to-drive-down-the-road-a-couple-of-miles-to-meet-the-rest/) [Ree Drummond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ree-drummond/) > [From the very first meeting, I knew that Endemol Shine was a great fit for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayesha-curry/from-the-very-first-meeting-i-knew-that-endemol-shine-was-a-great-fit/) [Ayesha Curry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayesha-curry/) > [When I first meet you we were suppose to be friends Who would of thought that I would love you in the end? We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yaszii/when-i-first-meet-you-we-were-suppose-to-be-friends-who-would-of/) Yaszii Browse all 222 First meet quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“She had not wanted to come, and now that she was there, she was still praying for deliverance. “Aunt Berta!” she said forcefully as the front door of the great, rambling house was swung open. The butler stepped aside, and footmen hurried forward. “Aunt Berta!” she said urgently, and in desperation Elizabeth reached for the maid’s tightly clenched eyelid. She pried it open and looked straight into a frightened brown orb. “Please do not do this to me, Berta. I’m counting on you to act like an aunt, not a timid mouse. They’re almost upon us.” Berta nodded, swallowed, and straightened in her seat, then she smoothed her black bombazine skirts. “How do I look?” Elizabeth whispered urgently. “Dreadful,” said Berta, eyeing the severe, high-necked black linen gown Elizabeth had carefully chosen to wear at this, her first meeting with the prospective husband whom Alexandra had described as a lecherous old roué. To add to her nunlike appearance, Elizabeth’s hair was scraped back off her face, pinned into a bun a la Lucida, and covered with a short veil. Around her neck she wore the only piece of “jewelry” she intended to wear for as long as she was here-a large, ugly iron crucifix she’d borrowed from the family chapel. “Completely dreadful, milady,” Berta added with more strength to her voice. Ever since Robert’s disappearance, Berta had elected to address Elizabeth as her mistress instead of in the more familiar ways she’d used before. “Excellent,” Elizabeth said with an encouraging smile. “So do you.” The footman opened the door and let down the steps, and Elizabeth went first, following by her “aunt.” She let Berta step forward, then she turned and looked up at Aaron, who was atop the coach. Her uncle had permitted her to take six servants from Havenhurst, and Elizabeth had chosen them with care. “Don’t forget,” she warned Aaron needlessly. “Gossip freely about me with any servant who’ll listen to you. You know what to say.” “Aye,” he said with a devilish grin. “We’ll tell them all what a skinny ogress you are-prim ‘n proper enough to scare the devil himself into leading a holy life.” Elizabeth nodded and reluctantly turned toward the house. Fate had dealt her this hand, and she had no choice but to play it out as best she could. With head held high and knees shaking violently she walked forward until she drew even with Berta. The butler stood in the doorway, studying Elizabeth with bold interest, giving her the incredible impression that he was actually trying to locate her breasts beneath the shapeless black gown she wore.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Judith McNaught" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that-she-was-there-she-was-still/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "First meet" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that-she-was-there-she-was-still/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56f/judith-mcnaught-687_first-meet_she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that_1016958.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56f/judith-mcnaught-687_first-meet_she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that_1016958.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56f/judith-mcnaught-687_first-meet_she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that_1016958.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“She had not wanted to come, and now that she was there, she was still praying for deliverance. “Aunt Berta!”…” — Judith McNaught", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Judith McNaught", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-mcnaught/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“She had not wanted to come,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that-she-was-there-she-was-still/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-mcnaught/she-had-not-wanted-to-come-and-now-that-she-was-there-she-was-still/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```