Jane Austen quote about speech from Northanger Abbey - I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.
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I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.
 Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey (1817). copy citation

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Author Jane Austen
Source Northanger Abbey
Topic speech intelligibility
Date 1817
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/121/121-h/121-h.htm

Context

“«With you, it is not, How is such a one likely to be influenced, What is the inducement most likely to act upon such a person's feelings, age, situation, and probable habits of life considered—but, How should I be influenced, What would be my inducement in acting so and so?»
«I do not understand you.»
«Then we are on very unequal terms, for I understand you perfectly well.»
«Me? Yes; I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.»
«Bravo! An excellent satire on modern language.»
«But pray tell me what you mean.»
«Shall I indeed? Do you really desire it? But you are not aware of the consequences; it will involve you in a very cruel embarrassment, and certainly bring on a disagreement between us.»” source

Meaning and analysis

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