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Post by Anne on Aug 25, 2008 18:29:54 GMT -5
*Anne got home, her eyes and nose still a little red from the storm of weeping she'd allowed herself in a secluded corner of the Bois. A maid handed her the telegram, and she took it, her brow furrowing as she read.*
MARILLA ILL STOP PLEASE COME HOME STOP DIANA
*Anne's eyes went wide and she immediately went to talk to the Pontmercys about arranging for her departure.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Aug 26, 2008 9:18:13 GMT -5
Days had passed, and Darcy had not seen Anne Shirley.
This was quite easily explained by the amount of time he spent shut up in Bingley's house, avoiding most social engagements through a reticence even more strong than usual to politely interacting with strangers and acquaintances. Even his pleasure in riding Horatio was curbed, due to his fear he would meet Anne on some pathway and disappointment when he did not.
When he was summoned to the Pontmercy's on some errand of his aunt's, he sought every excuse not to carry it out, but found none. None that would hold water. And so he went, dressed in a vest of fine green silk and his favourite jacket, just in case... That is, because he felt like it.
He was admitted quickly, and announced in the parlour where his anxiety over meeting Anne evaporated in the face of her obvious distress.
"Miss Shirley!" he exclaimed. "Whatever is the matter?"
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Post by Anne on Aug 26, 2008 9:30:00 GMT -5
*Anne started, upon seeing him, paling visibly despite her already marked pallor.*
"I beg your pardon, but I must leave you. I must find Mr. Pontmercy this moment, on business that cannot be delayed; I have not an instant to lose."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Aug 26, 2008 10:18:07 GMT -5
Overcome with concern for her state, which was quite agitated, Darcy was all business.
"Good God! What is the matter? Of course I will not detain you, but let me go, or let the servant go and fetch M. Pontmercy. You cannot go yourself."
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Post by Anne on Aug 26, 2008 10:32:08 GMT -5
"No, I must..." *she cried softly, moving towards the door but stopping as he blocked her way.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Aug 26, 2008 10:46:42 GMT -5
Darcy took her arm and led her gently to a chair.
"Come. I insist. This will be for the best. Hello there!" he called to a passing servant. "Have M. Pontmercy fetched here at once."
The maid ducked and disappeared, her face frightened.
"You are not well. May I not call a doctor?"
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Post by Anne on Aug 26, 2008 11:04:51 GMT -5
"No, I thank you," *she replied, endeavouring to recover herself.* "There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well. I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Green Gables.''
*She burst into tears as she alluded to it, and for a few minutes could not speak another word.*
((Whooo plagiarism whooo.))
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Aug 26, 2008 11:44:51 GMT -5
((Hey, steal from the best. Or Andrew Davies, in this case.))
"I am sorry. Forgive me," Darcy said, with an agitated move that indicated both his present departure and his unwillingness to leave her in such a state.
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Post by Anne on Aug 26, 2008 12:32:44 GMT -5
((Word for word Austen in my last, with some altered punctuation and place names, of course. Heh.))
"Marilla is ill. I must speak to the Pontmercys...about my returning to Canada."
*She twisted her handkerchief between her fingers.*
"I hope I shall leave within the hour."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Aug 26, 2008 14:38:30 GMT -5
((Ah. I was cribbing from 1995, because last time I tried to cheat off Austen half the dialogue was unwritten. The proposal scene.))
Darcy frowned, wishing to know what agitated her so but unable to ask. Knowing such inquiries would be unwelcome. His inability to help chafed, his inaction against character. He would have to find a way, but it would not be through her. No, she could not accept his help.
"I'm afraid you have long been desiring my absence," he said, almost distractedly, already trying to ascertain what might be done for various eventualities that awaited Miss Shirley in Canada.
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Post by Anne on Aug 26, 2008 15:50:15 GMT -5
*She was pacing in weaving circles, her hands pressed to her forehead.*
"I need to...I need to pack...I need to go on the train...tonight! I can get a ship from Cherbourg..."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Aug 26, 2008 16:23:41 GMT -5
So she was going home. Family, then. Perhaps this Marilla she loved so much, or her friend Diana. Darcy frowned.
"I have stayed too long. I shall leave you now," he said, with an abrupt bow.
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Post by Anne on Aug 26, 2008 16:54:29 GMT -5
"Yes..." *she said faintly, looking at him briefly as if seeing him for the first time.*
"...Goodbye."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Aug 26, 2008 17:00:59 GMT -5
Darcy paused.
"Goodbye," he said, after a moment, and left abruptly.
He got the whole story from the Pontmercys later, of course. As much as Anne would tell them, at any rate.
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Post by Anne on Aug 26, 2008 17:12:37 GMT -5
*A slower letter from Diana had arrived the morning Anne was due to leave. Its contents were brief and to the point. Marilla's eyesight was failing rapidly. A doctor from Halifax had come and had been unable to do anything, and it looked like Green Gables would have to be sold.
Anne departed for Cherbourg, and then got a ship to Halifax before getting another train, then another ship to Charlottetown, then another train to Bright River, where Diana was waiting for her to take her home.*
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