Cathy smiled back 'Rules were meant to be broken.' 'Don't disagree,' Oversteegen replied immediately. 'Indeed they are. Providing, however, that the one breaking the rules is willing pay the price for it, and the price gets charged in full. Which you were, Lady Catharine. I saluted you for it then-at the family dinner table that night, in fact. My mother was infinitely more indisposed thereafter; tottered backed her bed cursing me for an ingrate. My father was none too pleased either. I salute you for it, again. Otherwise, breaking rules becomes the province of brats instead of heroes. Fastest way I can think to turn serious political affairs into a playpen. A civilized society needs a conscience, and conscience can't be developed without martyrs-real ones-against which a nation can measure its crimes and sins.

— David Weber