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Post by Mr. Darcy on Oct 22, 2008 14:14:05 GMT -5
"If we have been generous, Miss Shirley, it was not to buy your friendship, though I am certainly grateful for it. You are under no obligation, social or otherwise. Seeing Miss Cuthbert in her home is thanks enough for that. But I know Georgiana values you, and has benefited from your influence... as have I."
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Post by Anne on Oct 26, 2008 5:43:45 GMT -5
"I am surprised at your benevolence, considering my earlier behaviour to you," *said Anne, reddening to refer to it, but being honest in her bewilderment.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Oct 27, 2008 11:15:39 GMT -5
"Perhaps," Darcy began slowly, "my pride and lack of imagination were never so dire as you thought; not so dire as to require so much prejudice against you that it could not be overcome. Many so-called refined ladies of my acquaintance are, at heart, more deceitful and self-serving than any below them who perhaps have more call for it. You, Miss Shirley, were ever honest, at least. Perhaps that was opportunity enough for me to overlook any insult, long since forgotten. I, too, have acted abominably in the past, and you seem able to forgive that."
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Post by Anne on Oct 31, 2008 16:59:44 GMT -5
"Well, you never yet broke a slate over my head," *she pointed out.* "You're well within your rights to return the assault, I suppose."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Oct 31, 2008 19:40:32 GMT -5
"I would rest easier, had I not,” he said. "But as you seem to be on good terms with Mr. Blythe at this point, perhaps your temper is not so dire as you make it out."
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Post by Carolina on Nov 2, 2008 9:12:09 GMT -5
((...man, my brain kind of fizzled because of the words Blythe, make and out all being in the same sentence.))
***AS ANNE, OKAY, I HATE THIS INTERNET/COMPUTER WILL SIGN IN AS ALIASES WHEN I DON'T KEEP HAVING TO RE-DO IT EVERY TIME I START A NEW SESSION***
*Anne grinned.*
"It took us years to be friends, though. I gather he was sorry right away, though. I held the grudge for years out of principle."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Nov 2, 2008 20:28:55 GMT -5
Darcy smiled back.
"Then I shall count myself lucky," he said. "But I fear I am keeping you from your party. Such was not my intent."
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Post by Anne on Nov 3, 2008 9:24:06 GMT -5
*Anne half-smiled herself.*
"Oh, I don't mind..."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Nov 3, 2008 13:00:19 GMT -5
"I'm glad to hear it," he said. "I fear I am failing in my intended task here. But I cannot regret any time spent in your company, Miss Shirley."
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Post by Anne on Nov 3, 2008 16:23:43 GMT -5
*Anne winced faintly.*
"...you cannot save Pemberley?" *she asked softly.* "I thought..."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Nov 3, 2008 17:11:10 GMT -5
Darcy blinked for a moment.
"Oh no, Miss Shirley, no. Not that--it is too early to tell, and I should not give up so easily. No, I merely meant ingratiating myself with the community."
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Post by Anne on Nov 5, 2008 8:19:30 GMT -5
"There's still plenty of time for introductions--here, I'm sorry for leading you away from the crowd. I'll find Jane and Ruby wait isn't she dead yet? and some of the others...watch out for Josie Pye..."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Nov 5, 2008 12:06:03 GMT -5
"Don't be sorry," he said. "I can think of no more pleasant a distraction." He was loathe to leave her sole company and begin the work towards becoming part of these peoples' lives, but he knew it had to be done. And he could not expect to monopolize her time, any more than he'd been able to monopolize her interest last year. "Josie Pye," he repeated. "Watch out for her how?"
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Post by Carolina on Nov 6, 2008 3:47:25 GMT -5
***ANNE***
"You'll see," *said Anne grimly as they re-joined the crowd and the Pye in question, spotting a handsome man in a well-made suit, soon joined them with a bright smile.*
"Why Anne Shirley! I haven't seen you socially in so long, I was beginning to wonder when we were going to have the funeral! I suppose Marilla keeps you toiling away on the little farm while school is out for the summer. Father allowed me to go to Montreal--I've got ever so many new hats and dresses...is that the organdy you wore to the Blythe's bonfire three summers ago? I suppose when you get something made up so simply, you almost can't tell when it falls behind the fashion..."
*She twirled to face Darcy.*
"Oh, but where are my manners? You are...?"
*Anne had coloured with fury but somehow managed to hold her tongue until now.*
"Josie...this is Mr. Darcy...from England. Mr. Darcy...Josie Pye."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Nov 6, 2008 11:02:26 GMT -5
Darcy was, it must be said, rather incensed on Miss Shirley's behalf. Miss Pye reminded him most unpleasantly of too many ladies of his acquaintance. And while he had no wish to say anything overtly mean (though he could have commented on the lagging of Montreal fashions behind London or Paris) he was not about to let things go without some comment.
"Miss Pye," he said, inclining his head. "You must forgive me for being somewhat ignorant of fashion. I am surprised to find Europe so behind the times; I could have mistaken Miss Shirley for any London girl on a summer picnic."
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