From The Old Firm, by Joan Butler:

***

"Very nicely put!" said Guinevere. "I must make a note of that for my new book."

Elizabeth had pinched these lofty sentiments, almost word for word, from one of Guinevere's novels, but she hesitated to confess the theft.

***

"A loving heart never errs," Guinevere replied gently. "Even when it's dancing like a daffodil in the breeze," she added as a footnote.

Elizabeth, whose heart, far from dancing like a daffodil in the breeze, had sunk heavily until its descent was arrested by her suspender-belt, greeted this beautiful sentiment with a sniff.

***

She saw Sir Archibald as through a mist--which was perhaps the best way to see him.

***

Peake, the butler, warned by some sixth or seventh sense of the master's arrival, had appeared in the doorway.

***

"Did you follow me here?"

"Certainly not! I don't know where you get your ideas, but you should try some other place."

***

[Wodehouse Emulation dept.]

"You wouldn't believe how glad I am you're not an otter."

"Or a water-vole," Miss Laughton suggested.

"Or, as you say, a water-vole."

***

An extraordinary spectacle met his gaze, and one which made him raise his eyebrows to the limit of their travel.

***

She went red and white by turns, and modestly dropped her gaze to the floor, or possibly even lower.

***