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Post by Anne on Sept 2, 2008 16:05:19 GMT -5
"Well, folks do say Avonlea is a nice town...and Green Gables the prettiest spot on the north shore," *said Marilla with no small amount of pride. Anne beamed.*
"There's nothing like it. For all these grand museums and palaces in Europe, they simply can't compete with the spice of the dark fir woods, or the fragrant green fields in the spring, or the quiet of a snowy, starlit night..." *she drifted off into her reverie for a moment.*
"The folk may be...simpler, but they're honest and friendly enough," *said Marilla.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 2, 2008 16:14:36 GMT -5
Darcy smiled (a subtle expression, mostly borne in the eyes), both at the pictures Anne's words threw up and the dreamy look on her face.
"I cannot imagine asking for anything more," he said.
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Post by Anne on Sept 2, 2008 16:37:37 GMT -5
"There's no place like it in the world," *said Anne quietly.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 2, 2008 16:51:37 GMT -5
"You miss it," Darcy stated simply, knowing it meant that she'd go back as soon as she was able. "Whenever I return to Pemberley, I wish never to leave again."
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Post by Anne on Sept 2, 2008 16:58:45 GMT -5
"Yes," *said Anne, smiling at Marilla, the expression a trifle wistful.* "Just thinking about going home gives me such a thrill."
"Oh, hush, girl, enough thrilling," *tutted Marilla with good humour for Anne's strange little ways.* "Home is comfortable enough, and I'll be glad to go back once I've recovered enough for the journey...Anne speaks of the farm as if it were heaven itself."
"And so it is, Marilla," *laughed Anne.*
"I never pictured Heaven as a place where fences need to be mended and cows milked," *smiled Marilla.* "Though I admit to appreciating the privacy offered in having my own kitchen to work in."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 2, 2008 17:20:39 GMT -5
"It sounds lovely," Georgiana piped up. The girl loved a space of her own, to draw and play her piano in private, for herself rather than for show.
"I think heaven is that which we imagine it is," Darcy observed. "Avonlea seems quite as valid a contender as any."
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Post by Anne on Sept 3, 2008 12:11:03 GMT -5
"Heaven must exceed all of our earthly imaginings, I dare say, but the place closest to it ought to be Avonlea," *said Anne.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 3, 2008 12:23:44 GMT -5
"Then I should love to see it one day," Darcy said without thinking. He would not, he knew that, whatever he had hoped for with Miss Shirley... He could look at her, now, with only regret for that which he'd done wrong. She was, as she had been for some time, the most perfect woman of his acquaintance; if she was content to tell him and his sister tales of Avonlea, he would be content, as well. He had to be.
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Post by Anne on Sept 3, 2008 14:07:52 GMT -5
"Well, of course, you will be welcome any time you may happen to find yourself in the area," *said Marilla warmly.* "Though most Europeans don't find it worth their while to come to Canada for anything other than business interests."
*Anne hurriedly sipped her tea, managing to bite her tongue.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 3, 2008 14:16:42 GMT -5
"I appreciate your kind offer, mum," Darcy said. "From the way I have heard it described, it is quite as worthy on its own merits as any of our country, though I am particularly fond of Derbyshire."
Georgiana smiled gently. "My brother would never leave, if he had his way."
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Post by Anne on Sept 3, 2008 14:23:21 GMT -5
"Is Derbyshire very beautiful, then?" *asked Anne.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 3, 2008 14:47:04 GMT -5
Georgiana spoke. "It is the most beautiful place in the world," she said. "Though I confess... I have not seen much of it. I cannot imagine what it must be like, traveling so far from your home. London seems quite an adventure to me already."
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Post by Anne on Sept 3, 2008 14:55:35 GMT -5
*Anne laughed.*
"Paris was an adventure...London has been an epoch in my life."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 3, 2008 15:58:51 GMT -5
Darcy smiled in spite of himself. "Hopefully a not entirely unpleasureable one."
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Post by Anne on Sept 3, 2008 16:25:14 GMT -5
"Nothing is ever entirely unpleasant, Mr. Darcy, as long as there is some scope for the imagination."
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