--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before you leave,” his aunt said, “answer…" description: "\"“Before you leave,” his aunt said, “answer one question for me. If Lady Celia weren’t the daughter of marquess-if she were some young woman you’d met a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b75/sabrina-jeffries-1064_children_before-you-leave-his-aunt-said-answer-on_1448723.jpg" --- # Before you leave,” his aunt said, “answer one question for… ![“Before you leave,” his aunt said, “answer one question for me. If Lady Celia weren’t the daughter of marquess-if she were some young woman you’d met at an assembly, the daughter of a baker or a tailor-would you hesitate to marry her?” “No,” he said, not even having to consider his answer. “If I…” quote by Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b75/sabrina-jeffries-1064_children_before-you-leave-his-aunt-said-answer-on_1448723.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b75/sabrina-jeffries-1064_children_before-you-leave-his-aunt-said-answer-on_1448723.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b75/sabrina-jeffries-1064_children_before-you-leave-his-aunt-said-answer-on_1448723.jpg) > ““Before you leave,” his aunt said, “answer one question for me. If Lady Celia weren’t the daughter of marquess-if she were some young woman you’d met at an assembly, the daughter of a baker or a tailor-would you hesitate to marry her?” “No,” he said, not even having to consider his answer. “If I could have her, I’d want for nothing else.” She seized his hand and squeezed it. “Then do whatever you must to secure her. Because if you don’t make the attempt, you’ll regret it the rest of your life.”” [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A man is urged to act decisively in love, fearing future regret if he does not pursue his desire. **In simple terms:** Act now in love to avoid later remorse. Key Takeaway Seize the moment in relationships. Themes love regret decisiveness Mood hopeful determined Type romantic advice When to use this quote - marriage proposals - confessing feelings - making life choices Key Concepts commitment fear of loss courage Questions to Reflect On - Will you act on love before doubts arise? - What regrets might you avoid by deciding now? A Different Perspective If circumstances change, acting impulsively may cause harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aunt Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aunt-said-495749/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Daughter Marquess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daughter-marquess-5203998/) [Hesitate Marry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hesitate-marry-5203996/) [Lady Celia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lady-celia-1110045/) [Leave Aunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leave-aunt-5203997/) [Rest of your life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rest-of-your-life/) [Young woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-woman/) ## Related quotes > [“Mr. Pinter!" He turned to find Lady Celia approaching. "Yes, my lady?" To his surprise, she glanced nervously at the open door to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/mr-pinter-he-turned-to-find-lady-celia-approaching-yes-my-lady-to-his/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“With a scowl, he turned from the window, but it was too late. The sight of Lady Celia crossing the courtyard dressed in some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/with-a-scowl-he-turned-from-the-window-but-it-was-too-late-the-sight/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“You see, Lady Celia?" he said in his harsh rasp. "A man can do anything he wants if he has a woman alone." Her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/you-see-lady-celia-he-said-in-his-harsh-rasp-a-man-can-do-anything-he/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Behind her, the two Sharpe sisters came out to cross the courtyard. He dragged in a heavy breath as the younger one caught his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/behind-her-the-two-sharpe-sisters-came-out-to-cross-the-courtyard-he/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Perhaps we could practice together at Marsbury House sometime,” he said. “I would enjoy that.” She ignored the niggle that said encouraging the duke’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/perhaps-we-could-practice-together-at-marsbury-house-sometime-he-said/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“I'm investigating Lady Celia's potential suitors." "Oh," she said in a small voice. He glanced at her, surprised to find her looking stricken. "What's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/i-m-investigating-lady-celia-s-potential-suitors-oh-she-said-in-a/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Once we've got you properly done up," her aunt said, "and he hears of your newfound wealth, he's sure to look your way again."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/once-we-ve-got-you-properly-done-up-her-aunt-said-and-he-hears-of/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“The people too seemed diminished. Her favourite aunt was still her favourite, of course, but whereas she had always been impressed by the wisdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-mccall-smith/the-people-too-seemed-diminished-her-favourite-aunt-was-still-her/) [Alexander McCall Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-mccall-smith/) > [“Love more, her aunt had said. Not less.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-hoffman/love-more-her-aunt-had-said-not-less/) [Alice Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-hoffman/) > [“But not more than what’s in the Bible, Aunt,” said Dinah. “Yes, and the Bible too, for that matter,” Mrs. Poyser rejoined, rather sharply;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/but-not-more-than-what-s-in-the-bible-aunt-said-dinah-yes-and-the/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [“Miss Edmonton: I don't even know where to start. It's too horrifying to even speak of. Jenny: Nonsense. Let's start with the basics. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-milan/miss-edmonton-i-don-t-even-know-where-to-start-it-s-too-horrifying-to/) [Courtney Milan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-milan/) > [“One of my cousins is named Lucifer. I once asked my aunt why and she said, "Because I wanted him to be beautiful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/one-of-my-cousins-is-named-lucifer-i-once-asked-my-aunt-why-and-she/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [My great-aunt. . . . said nobody under 18 had any business reading Dickens. . . . She was right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/my-great-aunt-said-nobody-under-18-had-any-business-reading-dickens/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [“She stepped in his path, getting right near those too-sharp canines. “No one here can know who I am. Do you understand?” His green…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/she-stepped-in-his-path-getting-right-near-those-too-sharp-canines-no/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I never lie!" her aunt said. 'I merely make the truth what it hopes to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siddharth-dhanvant-shanghvi/i-never-lie-her-aunt-said-i-merely-make-the-truth-what-it-hopes-to-be/) [Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddharth-dhanvant-shanghvi/) ## More by Sabrina Jeffries > [“Wait, were you eavesdropping on my conversation with the duke? That's very rude." "Is it? Half of the plays in the world contain eavesdropping.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/wait-were-you-eavesdropping-on-my-conversation-with-the-duke-that-s/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“I merely don't like drafts, or servants falling and breaking their ankles, making them incapable of serving me." "I understand completely." Her gaze held…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/i-merely-don-t-like-drafts-or-servants-falling-and-breaking-their/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“So, Byrne, did you and Christabel get lost on the way down? Perhaps we should send you a floor plan for next time. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/so-byrne-did-you-and-christabel-get-lost-on-the-way-down-perhaps-we/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“I wish you'd tell the truth, but since I know that isn't preferable--" "The truth is always preferable, my dear. It's just not always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/i-wish-you-d-tell-the-truth-but-since-i-know-that-isn-t-preferable/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [The man is always the last to know when Cupid has struck him -Anonymous, Memoirs of a Mistress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/the-man-is-always-the-last-to-know-when-cupid-has-struck-him/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Listen carefully, and don’t panic.” With his eyes still on that wretched spot behind her, he slid his right hand slowly to the hilt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/listen-carefully-and-don-t-panic-with-his-eyes-still-on-that-wretched/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“It’s wonderful,” he choked out. “Absolutely wonderful.” He smoothed his hand over her belly. “I can’t imagine anything better than having a child with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/it-s-wonderful-he-choked-out-absolutely-wonderful-he-smoothed-his/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [The best time to write is when your life is in the toilet. Writing offers an escape from your problems, so if you force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/the-best-time-to-write-is-when-your-life-is-in-the-toilet-writing/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“That’s all she cared about—protecting her brother, who was probably some fop with a lame sword hand and a fear of pistols!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/that-s-all-she-cared-about-protecting-her-brother-who-was-probably/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“You won’t try to kiss me again?” “Given your method for handling that problem? No. I don’t particularly like pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/you-won-t-try-to-kiss-me-again-given-your-method-for-handling-that/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Suddenly he spotted Gran deep in conversation with Kitty’s closest friend, and relief coursed through him. Gran would squelch the tale at once. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/suddenly-he-spotted-gran-deep-in-conversation-with-kitty-s-closest/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Then he happened to glance at the viscount, and his blood stilled. The viscount’s eyes followed Celia’s every move, and his finger kept stroking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/then-he-happened-to-glance-at-the-viscount-and-his-blood-stilled-the/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Mr. Pinter!" He turned to find Lady Celia approaching. "Yes, my lady?" To his surprise, she glanced nervously at the open door to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/mr-pinter-he-turned-to-find-lady-celia-approaching-yes-my-lady-to-his/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [“Good lack-a-daisy, Clara!" her aunt reproached her. "The man might dress improperly, but he's behaving like a perfect gentleman otherwise. And being wonderfully kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/good-lack-a-daisy-clara-her-aunt-reproached-her-the-man-might-dress/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) > [Watch it, minx," he warned with a lift of his brow. "If you intend to taunt me for every foolish statement I've made in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/watch-it-minx-he-warned-with-a-lift-of-his-brow-if-you-intend-to/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) [Explore all 299 Sabrina Jeffries quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) ## More Children quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It doesnt seem to me strange that children should like the macabre, the sensational, and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hecht/it-doesnt-seem-to-me-strange-that-children-should-like-the-macabre/) [Anthony Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hecht/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. 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If Lady Celia weren’t the daughter of marquess-if she were some young woman you’d met at an assembly, the daughter of a baker or a tailor-would you hesitate to marry her?” “No,” he said, not even having to consider his answer. “If I could have her, I’d want for nothing else.” She seized his hand and squeezed it. “Then do whatever you must to secure her. 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