--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It had been a long time since she had…" description: "\"“It had been a long time since she had been served such exquisite food. The lukewarm offerings at the London soirees and parties couldn't begin to comp..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bee/lisa-kleypas-111_annabelle-peyton_it-had-been-a-long-time-since-she-had-be_1799974.png" --- # It had been a long time since she had been served such… ![“It had been a long time since she had been served such exquisite food. The lukewarm offerings at the London soirees and parties couldn't begin to compare to this feast. In the past few months the Peyton household been able to afford much more than bread, bacon, and soup, with the occasional…” quote by Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bee/lisa-kleypas-111_annabelle-peyton_it-had-been-a-long-time-since-she-had-be_1799974.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bee/lisa-kleypas-111_annabelle-peyton_it-had-been-a-long-time-since-she-had-be_1799974.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bee/lisa-kleypas-111_annabelle-peyton_it-had-been-a-long-time-since-she-had-be_1799974.png) > ““It had been a long time since she had been served such exquisite food. The lukewarm offerings at the London soirees and parties couldn't begin to compare to this feast. In the past few months the Peyton household been able to afford much more than bread, bacon, and soup, with the occasional helping of fried sole or stewed mutton. For once she was glad not to have been seated next to a sparkling conversationalist, as it allowed her long periods of silence during which she could eat as much as she liked. And with the servants constantly offering new and dazzling dishes for the guests to sample, no one seemed to notice the unladylike gusto of her appetite. Hungrily she consumed a bowl of soup made with champagne and Camembert, followed by delicate veal strips coated in herb-dressed sauce, and tender vegetable marrow in cream... fish baked in clever little paper cases, which let out a burst of fragrant steam when opened... tiny buttered potatoes served on beds of watercress... and, most delightful of all, fruit relish served in hollowed-out orange rinds.”” [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Indulgence in lavish food can mask deeper loneliness and desire for quiet. **In simple terms:** She enjoys excess while craving silence. Key Takeaway Recognize when excess hides unmet needs. Themes loneliness indulgence silence Mood melancholic contemplative Type literary descriptive When to use this quote - high‑society gatherings - private meals - personal reflection Key Concepts social expectations emotional fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - What does silence provide her? - How does excess affect her wellbeing? A Different Perspective Overindulgence may lead to health or social issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dinner party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dinner-party/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Besides, I'm not going to let you go anywhere alone- you'll have every male in the vicinity pouncing on you." 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One could easily imagine it as some magical place set in some far-off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/there-was-something-wonderful-about-the-atmosphere-at-stony-cross/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“I found it, miss," Meggie exclaimed breathlessly, extending the coin in her hand. 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"Believe me," I muttered, "I'm the first one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/you-ve-always-been-a-know-it-all-well-you-re-about-to-find-out-how/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [One glance and I knew exactly who and what he was. The classic alpha male, the kind who had spurred evolution forward about five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/one-glance-and-i-knew-exactly-who-and-what-he-was-the-classic-alpha/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [I always counsel aspiring novelists that passion is the most important quality for a writer to possess - technique can be taught, but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/i-always-counsel-aspiring-novelists-that-passion-is-the-most/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [Sometimes you meet a really nice guy, but no matter how you try, you can’t seem to make yourself want him. But that’s not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/sometimes-you-meet-a-really-nice-guy-but-no-matter-how-you-try-you/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“Risking a glance at the dignified young man beside her- what was his name?- Mr. Arthurson, Arterton?- Pandora decided to try her hand at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/risking-a-glance-at-the-dignified-young-man-beside-her-what-was-his/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [“You'll be my wife," he said inexorably. "You want to own me!" she accused, trying to crawl away from him. "Yes." 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