Elspeth March: Mrs. van Hopper

Quotes 

• Maxim de Winter : What do you think of Monte Carlo? Or don't you think of it at all?

  Mrs. de Winter : It is very elegant, I suppose. A bit artificial.

  Mrs. van Hopper : She's spoiled, Mr. de Winter. That's her problem. Most girls would give their eyes for the chance to see Monte.

  Maxim de Winter : Wouldn't that rather defeat the purpose?

• Mrs. van Hopper : Has your valet unpacked for you?

  Maxim de Winter : I don't possess one. Perhaps you'd like to do it for me.

  Mrs. van Hopper : Well I... I hardly think...

  [turning to The Girl] 

  Mrs. van Hopper : You could make yourself useful to Mr. de Winter, if he wants anything done. She's a capable child. In many ways.

  Maxim de Winter : It's a charming suggestion. But I stick to the family motto: He travels the fastest who travels alone. Perhaps you've never heard of it.

• Mrs. van Hopper : Men do such extraordinary things. I remember a well-known writer who, whenever he saw me coming, used to dart down the service staircase. I suppose he had a penchant for me and wasn't sure of himself. I was younger then, of course.

• Mrs. van Hopper : I suppose your ancestors must often have entertained royalty at Manderley, Mr. de Winter.

  Maxim de Winter : Not since Ethelred, the one who was called the Unready. In fact it was while he was staying with my family, that he was given the name. He was invariably late for dinner.