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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 9, 2008 17:11:39 GMT -5
"Oh, but you mustn't say that, Miss Shirley! Absolutely everyone should travel."
Georgiana was blithely unaware of the class differences she was ignoring, and the inability of the majority of the world to see the rest of it at their leisure. Darcy, who might have been at one time, was not.
"Not everyone has the time or inclination to travel," he reminded his sister. "And some choose other paths. I'm certain Miss Shirley will not misuse hers."
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Post by Anne on Sept 9, 2008 17:17:46 GMT -5
"I'll do my best with what I've got," *said Anne with half a smile.* "I belong in Avonlea, I suppose."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 9, 2008 17:29:45 GMT -5
Darcy was convinced Anne belonged wherever she wanted to be, but if that was Avonlea it was as good as any.
He'd been a fool to be persuaded to think otherwise.
"And it will be the better for you," he said.
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Post by Anne on Sept 9, 2008 17:34:50 GMT -5
*Anne smiled at him but suddenly realized the extent to which he had been complimenting her in that manner, and for the entire evening. What on earth could he hope to gain by it? Unless--unless he still loved her. She wondered, now, if she wanted him to. The idea was neither as surprising nor as repulsing as it had once been. She glanced away, unable to counter his gaze.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 9, 2008 17:42:16 GMT -5
"I think we are tiring our guests with our endless questions," Darcy informed his sister, suddenly aware of just how obvious he must seem and how unseemly it was. He had not brought her here to ogle her, or to prove anything. It had been selfish, however.
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Post by Anne on Sept 10, 2008 1:51:11 GMT -5
"It's alright--I'm certain we're just as curious about the strange lives you must lead. You're just as much a novelty to us as we are to you."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 10, 2008 11:02:52 GMT -5
Darcy was not certain how he felt about being a novelty, but it did follow, logically.
"Very well. What questions do you have of us, Miss Shirley? Miss Cuthbert?"
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Post by Anne on Sept 10, 2008 13:22:58 GMT -5
"Well now, I don't know," *said Marilla.*
"What is it like being this rich? Truly?"
*Marilla thought the question undignified, but bit her tongue, merely glancing reprovingly at Anne.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 10, 2008 13:29:13 GMT -5
Darcy stared at her a moment, though honestly he ought to have expected anything at all to come out of her mouth. Nothing much had stopped her before.
He was not used to having his money talked about, except behind his back. But he tried to think of an honest answer.
"Ah... I suppose... I shouldn't call us 'rich.' Not in comparison to some," he said. "But then, in comparison to others... I do not know any other sort of existence, Miss Shirley. I wonder if it's the sort of thing one can imagine away well enough to make a comparison."
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Post by Anne on Sept 10, 2008 13:52:39 GMT -5
"I suppose that makes sense...generally being poor gives one great imagination. When constantly surrounded by such luxury as you have here...well, I guess the imagination is not so easily forced into activity."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 10, 2008 13:54:27 GMT -5
That had not been precisely what he'd meant, but Georgiana spoke before he could.
"Oh, but you're wrong, Miss Shirley," she assured her. "I don't think money has anything to do with imagination. Just... with what you imagine, I suppose." She spoke a little slowly, as if working it out. "Perhaps it's easier... to imagine having money if you don't, than it is to imagine not having it, if you do."
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Post by Anne on Sept 10, 2008 13:58:26 GMT -5
"Well, it oughtn't to be so difficult, then--you've only to ask a tenant...or one of those who benefit from your charity, if there were a will to speak to them rather than simply giving money or goods blindly to ease one's conscience...or to speak to someone like me...or us...and even then, there are some life's misfortunes have sunk even lower."
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 10, 2008 14:14:19 GMT -5
Georgiana flushed deeply, her eyes flying to Darcy, not knowing how to answer such frank talk. It was impolite, but she liked Miss Shirley, and the reconciliation of those two things was rather difficult. Then again... Wickham had been unfailingly mannered.
Darcy, for his part, was flashing back uncomfortably to the things he'd said in the course of his ill-fated proposal.
"I believe we are speaking to you, Miss Shirley," he said softly.
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Post by Anne on Sept 10, 2008 14:22:15 GMT -5
"And do you not feel it degrades you in any respect?" *she replied, her tone matching his with surprising gentleness, and a hint of sad resignation.*
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Post by Mr. Darcy on Sept 10, 2008 16:21:59 GMT -5
"Of course not," Darcy said, an edge of insulted dignity in his voice. Did she think him so crass as to bring her here to parade before his sister, to show off his house to, for himself and Georgiana to laugh at behind their hands? "True inferiority is bred of the mind and the spirit, not the circumstances of birth."
Though it was true, he thought to himself, that the likes of Marilla and Anne--if no one so spectacular as she--might well be tenants of his Pemberley, though not guests in his parlor.
"If I have, by my behavior, inferred otherwise--" and he knew he had "--I am truly sorry."
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