The Other Bennet Sister

by Janice Hadlow

It is a sad fact of life that if a young woman is unlucky enough to come into the world without expectations, she had better do all she can to ensure she is born beautiful. To be poor and handsome is misfortune enough; but to be penniless and plain is a hard fate indeed.

will not stand in the way of any member of this family who seeks to diminish the amount of stupidity in this house.

“Perhaps. But in truth, I don’t think you see yourself at all clearly, miss. Your sisters get in the way. A daffodil seems quite ordinary when planted between lilies. But looked at without them, it has its own kind of beauty.”

It’s hard to persuade anyone, especially a man, that your regard is worth having if you have none for yourself.”

“You are most welcome, Miss Bennet. I will not say to our home, as that might seem a painful allusion to a house that was so recently your own place of residence, and might have remained so, had circumstances been different. But man proposes, God disposes, as it is most justly said. I hope that gives you some comfort.”

Aaaand there’s classic Mr Collins

Even in her limited experience of life, she had observed that some people were miserable in the midst of prosperity, whilst others remained cheerful in even the harshest of conditions.

“You seem to know a great deal about rejection. Is this a lesson you have learnt from extensive study? Or do you perhaps owe it to experience of a more personal nature?”

Brava, Mary

I wished only to warn you that those who speak with the greatest freedom about their emotions are not always those who feel most deeply.

If they made Mr. Hayward uneasy, why had he not spoken to her and asked if Ryder’s interest was returned? She would have been happy to assure him it was not. But he had not done so. Instead he had turned his face away from her, leaving her confused and unhappy, ignorant of the cause of his retreat. And yet, she was to be the one who sought to make amends? Who was meekly to apologise for an offence she had not committed? Well, she should not do it. If anyone was required to justify their conduct, it should be him.

Nooooo Mary what are you doing!! Just talk to the man!

I would rather tell the truth and risk humiliation than pass up the chance of happiness because I was not brave enough to say honestly what I felt.”

It might seem an unromantic circumstance; but in truth, there is no state that better demonstrates real firmness of affection than the ability to remain quietly comfortable together without conversation.

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