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Post by Ramsey on Sept 15, 2006 11:58:10 GMT -5
Ramsey laughed and looked at her quizzically. "You? A spinster? Why, you musn't be more than twenty! But of course, ladies never like to talk of their age, so I'm sure you will avoid answering in some form or another. But then again, you are not like most ladies, so perhaps you will tell me - just to reinforce yourself as a different sort of girl."
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Post by liz on Sept 17, 2006 11:40:27 GMT -5
"You mean to goad and shame me into telling you my age by reminding me that I stand to appear as a coy and foolish girl if I do not--and yet I fear not what I may appear to be if I know myself to be otherwise. You wanted me to take the bait and tell you my age, that you might have the pleasure of despising my unladylike frankness, and therefore I have decided not to tell you my age at all!" *Elizabeth laughed merrily.* "Now, despise me if you dare!"
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Post by Ramsey on Sept 17, 2006 11:43:59 GMT -5
Ramsey threw back his head and laughed, although amazed that he was able to do so. He was notorious for holding grudges, but he supposed that in this case, his general good nature won over.
"I still hold true to what I said - you can't be a day over twenty. Quite the old man you make me feel!"
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Post by liz on Sept 17, 2006 11:50:43 GMT -5
"Old? Oh, no! I daresay you've a few good years left, at least! Rich bachelors are considered to be in their prime until they are threescore, and some even longer. The amount of wealth one has or stands to inherit proportionally extends one's life as an eligible match. I'm afraid you will not escape the machinations of the more mercenary young ladies of the ton until you are quite on death's door, and even then they may try to get you to the altar."
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Post by Ramsey on Sept 18, 2006 1:44:11 GMT -5
Ramsey winced. "Well, I can assure you I have only seen thirty decades of life so far - thank goodness. I am still enjoying this world too much to be parted from it." He slanted a sly glance up at Miss Bennet. "According to you, it is a good goal to be married. Tell me, what sort of amorous young lady of the ton should I bestow my good graces on? A penniless noblewoman who, with my wealth, I can rescue from the depths of poverty? A young heiress, with a hefty fortune but sharp tongue? I promise, though, I am in no need of a fortune."
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Post by liz on Sept 18, 2006 1:54:08 GMT -5
"If you have no need of monetary gain you may well choose wherever you like, if you indeed care so little for popular opinion--which is a good enough thing. If you listened to the advice of everyone you should never be married at all for their opinions would be in such conflict as to what a young lady's greatest virtue may be. Wealth, piety, beauty, general propriety, good taste, gentle breeding and wit--truly, until all the graces and correct spice of follies be united in one woman, you may well be out of luck. I never saw such a woman," *said Lizzie with a shrug.*
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Post by Ramsey on Sept 18, 2006 2:16:51 GMT -5
Ramsey's reply was quick and simple. "And what do you think is a lady's greatest virtue?"
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Post by liz on Sept 18, 2006 10:12:28 GMT -5
"I'd never given it much thought or wasted any time trying to form an opinion of that nature, since I never saw myself having to choose a bride for myself," *she said with a chuckle.* "But I supposed I'd have to say wit--I've seen enough of silly girls to know that without wit, life can be very miserable for everyone involved. Besides--wit can often compensate well enough for what other virtues may be lacking; although I suppose great wealth could do the same. But wealth is never something one learns or one is born with--it's not a part of someone."
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Post by Ramsey on Sept 19, 2006 4:48:53 GMT -5
"Fair enough," Ramsey replied. "Wit has often rescued a very dull conversation." He looked sly for a moment. "Indeed, you have never had to choose a bride - but what would you say in this most important virtue in a husband?"
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Post by liz on Sept 19, 2006 8:48:57 GMT -5
"Why, wit again, of course," *said Elizabeth lightly.* "The marriage in which one partner has more wit that the other is the most cruel relationship, for either party..." *she frowned, thinking of her parent's unequal match.*
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Post by Ramsey on Sept 19, 2006 11:58:41 GMT -5
"But think," Ramsey replied. "If two individuals have an equal share of wit, could they not bandy clever words back and forth until they cut each other on razor sharp tongues? Wit is good, I say, but better one has more than another, or they will ever try to best each other." He recalled the spats that broke out between he and his brother, but brushed it aside lightly. That was a long time ago...
"In my view, each partner in a marriage should have just enough of one virtue to compensate for the lack of it in the other, but not enough to drive the other to madness!"
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Post by liz on Sept 20, 2006 0:33:22 GMT -5
"Two halves of the whole? You may have a point. Where one fails, the other may succeed. It makes sense for a working partnership," *Elizabeth said with a sigh.*
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Post by Ramsey on Oct 6, 2006 13:59:08 GMT -5
((Sorry, I forgot this thread... got caught up with Darren...))
Ramsey nodded seriously, and noticed that they had almost arrived at the boundaries of the park. Their abandoned carriage was waiting for them, driver sitting atop patiently.
"I see we have arrived," he commented. He made as if to help Miss Bennet down, but decided against it. She might take offense.
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Post by liz on Oct 6, 2006 14:00:59 GMT -5
*Elizabeth paused only a moment before dismounting easily, saying nothing though her cheeks were pink.* "Thank you for bringing me back," *she said softly.*
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Post by Ramsey on Oct 6, 2006 14:04:41 GMT -5
Ramsey nodded politely. "It was no problem on my behalf." He walked her over to the carriage and extended his hand to help her inside. "Perhaps... you would permit me to call on you sometime."
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