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Georgette Heyer - "The Toll-Gate" Quiz

So, you fancy yourself a fan of Georgette Heyer? Put your knowledge to the test and see if you are worthy of the name.

A multiple-choice quiz by bazolian. Estimated time: 7 mins.

Author
bazolian

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
336,021

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
20

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
13 / 20

Plays
245

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 20

1. While it is true that "The Toll Gate" does not focus on romance, there is quite a bit of it in this book. How long did Captain John Staple and Nell Stornaway meet before they realized they'd fallen in love? Hint

3 days

A sennight

1 month

A fortnight

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Question 2 of 20

2. What is the name of the estate of Sir Peter Stornaway? Hint

Kellands

Witley Court

Holkham Hall

Edenhope

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Question 3 of 20

3. Rose - Nell's former nurse and now her lady's maid - has an unusual admirer and he is quite besotted with her. However, his unconventional profession is keeping her from considering his suit in earnest. What is Jeremy Chirk's profession? Hint

A milliner

A gong farmer

A highwayman

A beadman

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Question 4 of 20

4. Captain Staple's mother desires to see her son married. What is the name of the lady, chosen by John's sister Fanny, who also obtained the approbation of Mrs. Staple? Hint

Lady Cordelia Sykes

Miss Elizabeth Kelfield

Miss Millicent Crosby

Lady Prudence Osborne

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Question 5 of 20

5. When John met Ben Brean alone at the toll gate, how long had it been since Ben had used soap and water to clean himself? Hint

5 days

3 days

1 week

1 day

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Question 6 of 20

6. It is safe to say that a thunderbolt struck both John and Nell when they first laid eyes upon one another. What were the circumstances of their first meeting? Hint

She was on her way to church in a gig with her groom and they summoned for the gate to be opened.

At Sheffield, where John had gone to purchase clothes befitting his new station as gate keeper.

He rescued her from a band of ruffians who was holding her up.

She was on her way to farmer Huggate to deliver medicine to his sick wife.

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Question 7 of 20

7. The Blue Boar seems to be a favorite hangout for Georgette Heyer characters. In what other Georgette Heyer novel have we encountered this Inn? Hint

Sylvester, or the Wicked Uncle

Arabella

Sprig Muslin

The Nonesuch

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Question 8 of 20

8. Who is the proprietor of The Toll-Gate's Blue Boar? Hint

Roger Gunn

Mr. Skeffling

Joseph Lydd

Mr. Sopworthy

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Question 9 of 20

9. Henry Stornaway is endeavoring to make his friend Nat Coate's suit to his cousin end successfully. However, Nell is proven to be rather too shrewish about the business for Henry's liking. What terminology did Henry use to characterize Nell? Hint

A green girl

A hoyden

An Ape Leader

A Long Meg

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Question 10 of 20

10. Heyer never shies away from peppering her novels with Shakespearean references. She does so again in "The Toll-Gate" as Nell describes her "military giant" to her grandfather. To Which Shakespearean character does Nell compare her John? Hint

Angelo from "Measure for Measure"

Laertes from "Hamlet"

Hotspur from "Henry IV"

Frederick from "As You Like It"

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Question 11 of 20

11. Sir Peter sent for John to size him up and see what kind of man has had the presumption to fall in love with his much beloved granddaughter. Naturally, he's put John through the wringer. When asked why he's never fallen in love before, what was John's answer? Hint

I'm more of a Melton man than husband material and I don't think ladies would take kindly to that.

I've never been in love and never thought of marriage.

I've never before met a woman whom I knew to be the one above all others I wanted to call my wife.

I've always been more partial to a good adventure than to being leg-shackled.

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Question 12 of 20

12. Upon receiving the Squire's permission to pay his address to Nell, John promptly asked her formally for her hand in marriage. How did she answer? Hint

I desire that more than anything else, but will your mother and sister not object?

What should I say? You must know that I have no experience in these matters, and I should not wish to answer with the least impropriety.

Nothing would give me more pleasure however my grandfather needs me.

I am very gratify by the honor you do me sir; however, I'm obliged to decline.

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Question 13 of 20

13. Matters became a tad complicated with the appearance on the scene of one Gabriel Stogumber. Who is Mr. Stogumber? Hint

Attorney to Sir Peter Stornaway

Sir Peter Stornaway's doctor

Captain John Staple's commanding officer; Commander of 1st Regiment of Dragoons following Napoleon's escape from Elba

A bow-street runner

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Question 14 of 20

14. What is the Wansbeck Ford? Hint

The hunting box of Mr. Babbacombe in Leicestershire where John was to meet his friend.

The site of Sir John Lade's defeat at the hand of Sir Peter Stornaway in a curricle race.

The place where a government coach carrying newly minted gold coins was held up.

A place near Sheffield where Nell took John to be buy new clothes befitting his new position as gate keeper.

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Question 15 of 20

15. Mr. Chirk, when on duty as his profession requires, usually puts up at the Ram's Head, a place where all his "colleagues" repair after their exploits. What is the password he gave to John should the latter venture out to find him there? Hint

The Whit be burnt

I'm properly shot in the neck

The goose is cooked

Dub the jigger

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Question 16 of 20

16. When Sir Peter cleverly contrives to get Nell and Captain Staple married before his own expiration, Nell baulks. Evidently in love with John, why did she have misgivings about the swift ceremony? Hint

She cannot be sure that he did not say he's willing to marry her to oblige her dying grandfather.

She had not had time to prepare for a proper wedding with the perfect bride-clothes like any lady of her consequence.

She hardly knows John and he might turn out to be the devil of a husband.

She's afraid that after the ceremony, John will insist to take her to live with him at the toll house.

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Question 17 of 20

17. Who was NOT present at the wedding ceremony? Hint

Henry Stornaway

All of these

Joseph Lydd

Wilfred Babbacombe

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Question 18 of 20

18. Now that they are married, John is afraid to reveal their status to Nat Coate for fear that this information would hamstring his plan, but he wishes to make arrangements for Nell should Coate try to force his suit upon her. What does Captain Staple propose to his "horrified" friend, Mr. Babbacombe? Hint

To take Nell to Easterby, Leiscestershire the country seat of his cousin of the Sixth Earl of Saltash.

To take Nell to Mildenhurst, Hertfortshire to the Staple's family home.

To take Nell to Buxton, Derbyshire - in the best Inn there until he's finished what must be done at the Stornaway's.

To take Nell to Edenhope near Melton Mowbray, Mr. Babbacombe's hunting lodge.

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Question 19 of 20

19. In the end, Jeremy Chirk got his wish to leave his present calling and settle to "pound dealing" and married life. How was his dream realized? Hint

He finally held up the right sort of travelling carriage, "well-breached' enough to keep him and Rose in comfort.

Unbeknownst to John, he went back and took some of the gold coins from their hiding place in the cave.

He was involved in the Wansbeck ford robbery.

John allowed him to claim to have discovered where the Wansbeck ford loot was hidden, which therfore entitled him to the handsome reward.

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Question 20 of 20

20. Unfortunately for Sir Peter's revered name, Henry Stornaway is a bad egg and was deeply involved in the robbery. What part did he play in it? Hint

He persuaded his friend at the Treasury to disclose the very date when the consignment would set out from London.

He was involved in the knife attack on the bow street runner.

He is the one to have killed Ned Brean.

He helped in the shooting of the 2 guards who were travelling with the treasure.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: 3 days

When Nell rode over across the field to see John on their 5th meeting in 3 days, John instantly realized that Nell must feel exactly the way that he did and so they shared their first kiss.

2. What is the name of the estate of Sir Peter Stornaway?

Answer: Kellands

Sir Peter has been living with his granddaughter Helen (Nell) at Kellands since the death of his favorite grandson and heir, Nell's brother Jermyn, who died in 1815 at the battle of Albuera.

Answer: A highwayman

Mr. Chirk would give a lot to quit his current profession, buy a snug little farm and turn to "pound dealing" but the luck seems to have eluded him until John comes along.

4. Captain Staple's mother desires to see her son married. What is the name of the lady, chosen by John's sister Fanny, who also obtained the approbation of Mrs. Staple?

Answer: Miss Elizabeth Kelfield

Unfortunately we'll never know if Ms. Elizabeth Kelfield would also have given John "his leveller"; the scheming undertaken on his behalf has gone to waste as he went off to Leicestershire.

5. When John met Ben Brean alone at the toll gate, how long had it been since Ben had used soap and water to clean himself?

Answer: 1 week

His eyes may have been red-rimmed and watering from contact with the soap, and his skin may have felt as though it had been scoured, but Ben still held the Captain as fascinating and awe-inspiring, though maybe a bit "queer in the attic" for wanting to wash so thoroughly and so often.

6. It is safe to say that a thunderbolt struck both John and Nell when they first laid eyes upon one another. What were the circumstances of their first meeting?

Answer: She was on her way to church in a gig with her groom and they summoned for the gate to be opened.

Dear Captain Staple finally received his "leveller" from his first patron as the Crowford gate keeper: a nobly-proportioned, simply dressed Amazon with chestnut hair, humorous grey eyes and a mouth "too generous for beauty".

7. The Blue Boar seems to be a favorite hangout for Georgette Heyer characters. In what other Georgette Heyer novel have we encountered this Inn?

Answer: Sylvester, or the Wicked Uncle

Upon their curricle being overturned, leaving Tom Orde with a broken leg, Phoebe and Tom's trip to London ended at the Blue Boar where his Grace, the duke of Salford met Phoebe for the first time since she ran away from Austerby.

8. Who is the proprietor of The Toll-Gate's Blue Boar?

Answer: Mr. Sopworthy

Ben Brean qualifies him as a "leery cove" but Captain Staple gathers that means Mr. Sopworthy is an honest man. He also keeps hens and employs Ben from time to time to tidy up his hen-house among other things.

Answer: A Long Meg

Henry thought that Nell should be very pleased with the very flattering distinction Nat Coate accorded her and doesn't believe that she's likely to do better.

Answer: Hotspur from "Henry IV"

'Fie upon this quiet life! I want work!' As said by Lord Henry "Hotspur" Percy in "Henry IV", a passage that usually delights Sir Peter Stornaway.

Answer: I've never before met a woman whom I knew to be the one above all others I wanted to call my wife.

If that is not the most romantic thing ever said, I don't know what is!

12. Upon receiving the Squire's permission to pay his address to Nell, John promptly asked her formally for her hand in marriage. How did she answer?

Answer: What should I say? You must know that I have no experience in these matters, and I should not wish to answer with the least impropriety.

She did say yes but after teasing John a little.

13. Matters became a tad complicated with the appearance on the scene of one Gabriel Stogumber. Who is Mr. Stogumber?

Answer: A bow-street runner

Mr. Stogumber's "occurrence book" gave away his profession and John found it highly amusing that a runner should be rescued by Jerry Chirk, a highwayman.

14. What is the Wansbeck Ford?

Answer: The place where a government coach carrying newly minted gold coins was held up.

Nathaniel Coate and his groom/strongman Roger held up this government coach and its consignment of sovereigns on its way to Manchester. He hid it on the property of the Stornaways which set off the whole mystery aspect of this book.

Answer: The Whit be burnt

Jeremy Chirk relented and gave John the password though he felt that a gentleman like him has not business going to "flash kens" (unsavory establishments) or to hobnob with "bridle-culls" (highwaymen)

Answer: She cannot be sure that he did not say he's willing to marry her to oblige her dying grandfather.

The Captain's answer to this scruple "left her breathless to speak, and with a strong suspicion that at least three of her ribs had been broken". *Swoon*!

17. Who was NOT present at the wedding ceremony?

Answer: All of these

"Miss Helen Stornaway & Captain John Staple were made man and wife in that candle-lit bedroom, watched by a dying man, and attended by a nurse and valet. The Vicar had to look up to their faces, and thought he had never married a more splendid couple..."

Answer: To take Nell to Buxton, Derbyshire - in the best Inn there until he's finished what must be done at the Stornaway's.

With much vehement protestations that he is not in "the petticoat line", Mr. Babbacombe agrees to do his friend's bidding with a fervent hope that it shall not be necessary, despite being given assurances that Nell would naturally be accompanied by her maid Rose, her groom Lydd and her majordomo Winkfield.

19. In the end, Jeremy Chirk got his wish to leave his present calling and settle to "pound dealing" and married life. How was his dream realized?

Answer: John allowed him to claim to have discovered where the Wansbeck ford loot was hidden, which therfore entitled him to the handsome reward.

This could not have happened soon enough for, during the last hold up of his career as a highwayman, Jeremy Chirk "got winged" and thought it was time to retire his "barking irons".

20. Unfortunately for Sir Peter's revered name, Henry Stornaway is a bad egg and was deeply involved in the robbery. What part did he play in it?

Answer: He persuaded his friend at the Treasury to disclose the very date when the consignment would set out from London.

John did as he promised to the dying squire: to manage the whole affair creditably and without any noise; however, the duplicitous, loathsome Henry didn't make it, but he shan't be missed.

Source: Author bazolian

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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