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Jump to new as of April 22, 2000
Posted on Sunday, 13 February 2000
Well, after something of a school-induced absence, I'm back! I'm still not quite ready to try a real epilogue or exploring a minor character, so I'm having a little more fun with P&P and S&S and traditional fairy tales. : ) As with Darcy Hood, I'm mixing a bunch of versions of the tales. This one includes Disney, various versions I've read, Ever After, Into The Woods, Broadway, and my somewhat faulty memory. Quite a few fairy tales are going to get thrown in, so this will (hopefully!) get interesting.
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Derbyshire, there lived a girl named Elizabeth. But no one called her Elizabeth anymore. Ever since her father's remarriage, she had been a servant in what was once her home. She slept by the fire to get what warmth she could, earning her the name "Cinderella."
Elizabeth's father was entirely too weak to do anything about the way Elizabeth was treated by her stepmother and Lydia, so she continued to work constantly. Elizabeth had grown used to the treatment, and took what comfort she could. The oldest of the stepsisters, Jane, was good and kind, and the best friend Elizabeth had. Kitty and Mary weren't too terrible; out of the influence of their mother and sister, they would probably become very nice girls. Lydia and her mother, however, were another story entirely. They were really awful, nasty people. "Why Father married her, I'll never understand." Elizabeth often thought.
Every morning, Elizabeth began her day by cooking breakfast. She fed the animals, cleaned the kitchen, and then brought breakfast for her mother and Lydia when they rose much later. However, this morning was a little different.
"Cinderella!!!!" A horrible screech issued from the room at the end of the hall. Elizabeth Bennet roused slightly at her place by the fire. It was entirely too early for anyone to be awakening.
"Cinderelllaaaaaaaa!" Lydia followed her mother's screech.
Elizabeth leapt from the floor, fully awakened by the horrendous sound of Lydia's voice. How could they be up this early? Usually they never rose before noon! The horrible screeching continued as Elizabeth hurried up the stairs. She ran quickly to her mother's room.
"Where's my breakfast, Cinderella?"
"Coming, stepmother. I'm sorry...I did not expect that..." Elizabeth began.
"There is no excuse! You will do extra chores today!"
Now, how Elizabeth was supposed to do extra chores when she already did all of the chores is anyone's guess. However, that is how things generally tended to go in the Bennet household. Though she might dream of a better life, Elizabeth no longer questioned her fate.
What she did question, however, was why her mother was up so early. It almost certainly had to do with a man, though. As far as Elizabeth could tell, the only thought in the woman's head was that of finding husbands for her daughters.
And, indeed, Elizabeth was right. What no one had seen fit to inform her of was that the king was holding a ball. And the reason for the ball? Finding a husband for Prince Bingley, the heir to the throne. Mrs. Bennet was certain that one of her daughters would catch his eye and become a queen. One must get up early in the morning to catch a prince. The day (and the rest of the week leading up to the ball) would be spent on trips to the modiste, the milliner, and the jeweler. Mrs. Bennet would have the girls practicing all kinds of social graces in order to attract Prince Bingley's attention.
Better still, rumor had it that one of the prince's most powerful friends, Lord Darcy, would be attending the ball. Two daughters married in one go! What a coup! Lady Lucas would be marvellously jealous!
Kitty and Lydia were just as excited about the ball as Mrs. Bennet. The two of them loved a ball more than anything else in the world, and a ball at the castle would be even better! Jane supposed the ball would be entertaining. It would certainly be nice to have a husband, but she was certain the prince would never look at her. Perhaps one of the lords of the land, though. Mary, on the other hand, dreaded the ball with all her heart. She hated being in the company of strangers, and balls were such a ridiculous waste of time!
Elizabeth finally found out about the ball that evening from her friend Charlotte Lucas. "I honestly don't understand how you couldn't know, Elizabeth! Absolutely every unmarried girl in the land is invited. And you are eligible, no matter what your horrid stepmother says!"
Elizabeth sighed. "I would love to go. But Stepmother would never allow me. The one thing she hates more than anything is competition for her daughters. And besides, I have nothing to wear to a ball, anyway."
Charlotte looked rather uncomfortable. Elizabeth was, after all, right. Mrs. Bennet would never allow Elizabeth to attend the ball, and she didn't have anything to wear. Poor girl. "Well," Charlotte said, "I have to get home now. Mother shall be looking for me for dinner. I'm so sorry, Elizabeth."
"It's all right, Charlotte. Good night." Elizabeth sighed as she walked back to her house. A ball at the palace. How lovely it sounded! She could remember, just a little, when her mother held balls at Longbourn, with the smell of fine food and the sound of music. Elizabeth recalled the days when she had parents who loved her and took care of her. The days when she was never called Cinderella.
Chapter 2: Enter the Frog Prince
Mr. Bennet opened the letter and read it with a look of surprise. "Well." He said.
Mrs. Bennet instantaneously pounced. "Well? Well? What does it say?"
Mr. Bennet paused thoughtfully, knowing full well that he was irking his wife tremendously. "Well," he said, "it seems that my cousin, who is to inherit this estate upon my death, wishes to mend the breach between our two families. This letter says he is dreadfully sorry for the rift that existed between my father and his, and he wishes to make amends."
Mrs. Bennet began to flutter about indignantly. "Hmph. As well he should wish to make amends, though I cannot see how he could possibly mend the fact that I and my daughters shall be evicted from our own home upon your death. The nasty little nitwit."
"Really, madam, he cannot help the fact that he is the heir to this estate. At any rate, you had best begin preparing the house for visitors."
Mrs. Bennet leapt approximately 2 feet into the air. "Wha-aat?! Visitors?!" she shrieked. "Who on earth is visiting? Oh my. Oh dear. Oh, my poor nerves! Who? When?!"
Mr. Bennet sighed deeply and shook his head. "Calm yourself, madam. It is merely the aforesaid Mr. Collins. Nasty little nitwit, I believe you called him."
"Nevermind what I called him!" Mrs. Bennet said, beginning to flutter more anxiously. "He could do for a husband for one of the girls! After all, they cannot all marry the prince! When is dear Mr. Collins arriving?!"
Mr. Bennet looked at the date on the letter. "He states he will visit in two weeks as of the date of this letter. That would be...the day after tomorrow." He calmly stated.
Mrs. Bennet shrieked hysterically. "So much to do! Oh my poor nerves!" She ran from the room to the kitchen, where Elizabeth stood washing plates. "Cinderella!" she shouted. "Enough of the plates! We have more important things to do now! Mr. Collins is visiting, and he may do for a match for Mary or Kitty! The house must be spotless, the silver polished....oh dear! I must take the girls to Meryton! They must have new clothes! Oh, my! Now get to work, Cinderella! We're going to town, you must order the house. Begin in the parlor." Suddenly, a rather cold idea entered Mrs. Bennet's brain. Well, anything for her daughters. "And Cinderella..." she said. "If you have everything ready for Mr. Collins' arrival, and if you can find something suitable to wear...I shall allow you to attend the ball."
Elizabeth's eyes lit up. The ball! She had not been a guest at a ball in all her life. "Oh, thank you Stepmother!" she said. Elizabeth was willing to polish all the silver in the land if it would get her to the ball.
And indeed, it almost seemed that she did. Elizabeth worked like the very devil over the next day and two nights. She waxed the floors until they shone, despite Lydia's lazy remarks of "You missed a spot" from her chair. Lydia was also kind enough to point out spots on the silver, stains on the napkins, and dust on the draperies. Lydia was, after all, the kindest of stepsisters. Elizabeth hardly slept, but the house was at last spotless. She was worn to the bone, but she would see the palace.
The day of Mr. Collins' arrival came, and Mrs. Bennet stood guard by the window all day. At last, a carriage came rolling up the drive. It came to the door of Longbourne Manor, and Mrs. Bennet summoned all her daughters to the hall. Elizabeth watched from the kitchen window, and as the carriage door opened, she was not able to contain the look of utter shock on her face. A small green toad had jumped from the carriage!
Mrs. Bennet also wore a look of shock. That is, until she began to scream hysterically. "A frog! Oh my! A frog! Oh, how frogs do aggravate my poor nerves! AAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"
"Madam!" the frog called out in a voice louder than one would expect could come from so small an animal. "I do beg you to calm yourself. I realize that my..."
"It talks!" she shrieked. "Oh my dear! Ooohhh..." Mrs. Bennet slowly collapsed into a heap on the porch, just barely caught by Jane.
"Oh, dear." The frog said. "I suppose I should have mentioned my rather unfortunate state in the letter. I am most sorry, madam." He said, addressing Jane.
Jane's shock had not quite dematerialized. "Ah...well...it is quite all right, sir. You are...Mr. Collins, I presume?"
"At your service, my dear lady, by leave of my great patron, Lady Catherine de Bourgh!" the frog said, bowing. (Or at least inclining his head. It was as close to a bow as a creature which stood on all four legs and had no waist could come.)
"Well...ah...do come in, sir." Jane said, supporting her mother as she headed toward the door. Mary and Kitty still stood staring at the carriage door, as though expecting this to be some marvelous joke. Lydia was not yet up, as she was going to marry Prince Charles and did not need to meet this Mr. Collins.
By that evening, all had settled down. Mrs. Bennet was resolved to deal with this minor setback. She would be polite. After all, the mere fact of his amphibian state did not preclude him as a possible husband for Kitty or Mary. At dinner that night, Mr. Collins explained his predicament.
"You see," he said, "I was working for my most condescending and marvelous patron, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, at her magnificent estate, Rosings Park. You know, there are one thousand pieces of silver at Rosings? Imagine the coin it took to amass such a collection!" The little frog began to hop excitedly at his seat at the table. Lydia yawned pointedly. "Yes. Well." Mr. Collins said. "I was working for that great lady, and there was a nasty little witch on the land, Miss Georgiana, who would not pay the rent on her gingerbread cottage. She insisted the land was hers, a gift from her brother. Imagine that! Some witch claiming to be the sister of Mr. Darcy, a relative of my most condescending patroness! I cannot believe the nerve she displayed!" The little green creature was hopping madly in his seat again. "I demanded the rent, and I called her the hideous witch she was! I told her that I could not believe her utter gall at claiming such relations! And then the most awful look came across her face. 'Insult me, will you? I'll show the world what a horrid little toady you are!' she said. She raised her hand, and she began to chant the strangest things. And then, the next thing I knew, I found myself in this amphibious body. Rather distressing, it was. But my great patroness was most kind! She has allowed me to keep my position!"
Elizabeth listened from the kitchen to the frog's little speech. (Well, perhaps "little" was not the correct term.) Having seen Mr. Collins' terribly obnoxious behavior, she did not blame this Georgiana for turning him into such a creature. In fact, Elizabeth rather thought it fit him quite well. A toad's body for a toad's heart.
"Cinderella!" Mrs. Bennet called from the dining room. Elizabeth sighed and went to pick up the cakes for dessert. "Dessert!" Mrs. Bennet called again. "Quickly now! We cannot keep our dear guest waiting!" Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Waiting on a toad. Oh, well. At least she would attend the ball. In fact, she had already been assembling a few bits of things for a dress. She had never been so excited in all her life!
Meanwhile, at the palace
"Honestly, Bingley, I really don't see why you have to invite every chit in the country to this blighty ball of yours." Darcy said, his voice more than tinged with exasperation. "Most of them are not even remotely suitable, you know."
Bingley sighed deeply. "Darcy, we have been over this at least a thousand times. I do not wish to marry for privilege or wealth. I have plenty of both on my own, thank you kindly. I want love, not this notion of 'a union of houses' that you and my sisters keep spouting. Caroline is absolutely driving me batty with it; she hardly needs your assistance."
Darcy cringed at being compared to Caroline. "Very well. Hold your ball. Meet your ridiculously unsuitable women who would embarrass your family and destroy your reputation. 'tis no harm to me if you do. I merely ask that you keep the memory of your dear mother in mind as you make your choice."
Prince Charles smiled at Darcy with just a trace of sadness. "My friend, that is precisely what I am doing."
Chapter 3 ~ A Walk in the Woods
Lizzy was quite fond of her daily walks in the woods. They were the only respite she ever got from the nerve-wracking routine of Longbourn Manor. No Stepmother, no Lydia...it was practically heaven. She could take a seat on a convenient tree stump and pass at least a small part of the day very pleasantly. Today, however, it seemed that her peace would be disturbed.
"What are you doing here?" came a voice from behind her. It was the prince's friend, Lord Darcy! What right did he have to question her right to walk in the woods?
"I was" she said, emphasizing the past tense, "enjoying the quiet of the woods. I might ask you the same question."
What an impertinent woman!" Darcy thought. Who did this peasant girl think she was? "I, madam, am riding through the king's woods, and was enjoying myself. What right do you have to be here?"
"Certainly as much right as you do, sir!" Lizzy said indignantly. She might be treated as a servant in her own home, but she was not to be trifled with! "I suggest you move on and continue with "enjoying the woods", so I may be permitted to do the same." Elizabeth was certain that this gentleman had his nose as far in the air as one could go.
Darcy, on the other hand, was certain that this was the most irritating woman he had ever met. He supposed he had offended her by implying that she should not be in the woods. Silly women. Still, it seemed he had been bested. He could not for the life of him come up with a suitable reply to the woman's remark. "Well." He said, attempting to salvage his dignity, "Good day, then." Darcy rode off. What an odd encounter! Darcy had never been challenged in an opinion in his entire life. And the girl certainly did have nice eyes...
Elizabeth laughed quietly to herself as he rode away. "There but for the grace of God go I, I suppose." she chuckled. "Perhaps my father's remarriage was not such a curse after all. I could have ended up as spoiled and arrogant as that fellow!"
Chapter 4 ~ Getting There is Just the Beginning!
Elizabeth sighed. "Aunt Phillips of the East borrowed them, remember? You loaned them to her weeks ago."
"Hmph! That witch never does return things!" Mrs. Bennet huffed. "She'll probably wear them to the ball tonight, too! Hmph!"
"Cindereeeeeelllllaaaaa!!!" Lydia shrieked from down the hall. "You must do my hair immediately!"
Elizabeth sighed again. How was she ever going to get herself ready for the ball at this rate? "Coming, Lydia!" she called as she left her stepmother's bedchamber.
"Find some suitable shoes for me as well, Cinderella!" Mrs. Bennet called after her.
Elizabeth rushed down the hall to Lydia's room while she thought about possible slippers for her mother. "About time you got here!" Lydia said as she entered. "Now, I want the front pulled up, but leave some ringlets around my face, and curl the back as well. Quickly, now! I can't be late to meet the prince!"
Elizabeth immediately set to getting her stepsister's hair done. At least Kitty and Mary and Jane were capable of taking care of themselves. "There, now." Elizabeth said. "Is that satisfactory?"
Lydia sniffed. "Well, I suppose it will have to do."
"Wonderful!" Elizabeth said. She took off down the hall. At last, she'd be able to do something with herself.
"Cinderellllllaaa!"
Merciful Heavens! She had forgotten Stepmother's shoes! Elizabeth ran to fetch them from the closet. Perhaps the silver? Elizabeth grabbed them and ran back to her mother.
"Will these do?"
"Hmph. Well, they're not as good as the ruby, but I suppose they shall have to do." Elizabeth was certain that she heard more muttering about "nerves" as she scurried to a tiny closet of a room to dress. She had worked every night for the past two days on the dress, whenever she wasn't working on the house. It was pieced together from her sisters' old things. The dress was Jane's; the lace came from Lydia's coming out gown; the shoes were Kitty's. Elizabeth had never been so excited in her life. At last, a real ball! She heard her sisters going downstairs just as she got the last of her hair up. A quick look in the mirror told her she looked more beautiful than she ever had in her whole life. "Wait for me!" she called out. "I'm coming!" Elizabeth ran to her door, but found it locked from the outside!
"But Lizzy said she was coming!" Jane said downstairs. "Are you sure she's not feeling well?"
"Quite sure." Lydia said with as innocent a look as she could muster. "She told me she didn't want to go."
Elizabeth banged on her door and shouted from above. "Let me out! Please, somebody!" But there was no answer. She was just too far from them to hear.
"What was that noise?" Mary said. "I'm sure it came from Lizzy's room."
"Cinderella's probably just having a bad dream." Lydia said.
"That happens when people get sick." Mrs. Bennet added. "And no, Jane, you don't need to stay with her. She'll be just fine." With that, Mrs. Bennet led her daughters out the door. Lydia followed smartly, head high. Jane, Kitty, and Mary each took a couple of looks back. Something strange was going on here. But none of them were willing to go against their mother.
"Let me out!" Elizabeth cried as she heard the carriage pull away. But it was too late. They were long gone. Elizabeth slowly sank to the floor. They had never intended to let her go to the ball. It had all been a cruel trick. Elizabeth leaned against the door and began to cry. "All I wanted was to go to one ball. Just one!" Elizabeth cried.
Suddenly, a light began to shine from a corner of the room. Elizabeth looked up. "Wha-?"
The light slowly took shape. Lizzy stared in amazement as it pulled together, forming a kind-looking older woman. "Don't look so surprised, dearest!" The woman said.
Elizabeth continued to stare. "W-wh-who are you?"
The woman smiled. "Why, your fairy godmother, of course. But you can call me Aunt Gardiner."
"I have a fairy godmother?" Elizabeth asked in shock.
"Of course! Everyone has a fairy godmother. Preferably more than one. They all give gifts at a child's christening. If you don't invite every fairy in the area to a christening, all kinds of things can happen." Aunt Gardiner said with an air of wisdom. "I suppose you were too young to remember when your sister Mary was born?"
Elizabeth nodded.
"Well, your mother didn't invite everyone. She decided Maleficent would cause too much trouble. I had planned to give Mary beauty, but I ended up having to rescue her from Maleficent's curse instead, poor girl." Aunt Gardiner said.
Elizabeth was still staring at her fairy godmother. This was really all just too much.
"Stop gawking, child!" Aunt Gardiner said, laughing. "I've gone on far too long as it is. We've got to get you to the ball!"
"But the carriage is gone! I'd never make it on time, even if you can open the door."
Aunt Gardiner laughed. "Oh, dear, I can do far more than open the door. First of all, we're going to have you in a first rate outfit. This is nice enough for some parties, but you're going to the palace!" Aunt Gardiner raised her wand and muttered a few magic phrases. Suddenly, Elizabeth was dressed in the most beautiful silver ball gown she had ever seen! Her hair was piled on her head in beautiful curls, and on her feet were dainty glass slippers. Lizzy gasped in amazement.
"Oh my! This is wonderful! But how am I...?"
"Come to the garden, dearest." Out in the garden was a huge pumpkin. "This should do." The kind fairy said. Once again, she waved her wand, and the pumpkin was a beautiful carriage. With a few more magic words, six mice became six pure white horses.
"This is amazing!" Elizabeth cried. "How can I ever thank you?"
Aunt Gardiner smiled. "Just go to the ball and have a good time, dearest. And be sure to be home before midnight. That's as long as my magic lasts." The fairy godmother ushered Lizzy quickly into the carriage. "Now hurry along!"
Elizabeth waved out the window all the way to the end of the drive. At last, she was going to the ball!
"This is really dreadfully dull, Bingley." Darcy said. "Not a single girl here worth looking at."
"What?" Bingley said. "I'm sorry, Darce, I wasn't paying attention. Look at that girl over there! Is she not the most beautiful creature you have ever seen?" He indicated Jane Bennet, standing near Charlotte Lucas.
"Jane Bennet?" Darcy said with a twinge of disgust. "She's certainly pretty enough, but her family? Her cousin is a frog, for Heaven's sake! And they actually brought it to a ball at the royal palace!" But Bingley was not listening. He was already walking toward Jane. Darcy sighed. Bingley never would learn.
"I understand exactly what you mean!" Princess Caroline said as she sauntered up to Darcy in a gown of orange taffeta. "These people are completely without culture or breeding!"
"Much like yourself." Darcy muttered.
"What was that, milord?" Caroline asked, not crediting her ears.
"Oh...I said...ah...They must be a trial to your self!" Darcy said. Whew. That was close. He might not like Caroline, but he would not insult her to her face. Still, the temptation...
"Oh, they are, milord! I cannot imagine why Charles enjoys the company of the lower classes! He would do much better to cultivate his acquaintance with your own dear sister!" Caroline said with a cunning smile. "I do hope she will come to court this season?"
"I am afraid not. She is not much in company these days. She has been...ill." Darcy was not about to let on to Caroline that his sister was living in a gingerbread cottage and practicing magic. Poor Georgiana did not need any gossip attached to her name. The pain of Wickham's betrayal was more than enough.
"Oh, how awful!" Caroline said.
But Darcy was no longer paying her the slightest mind. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen had just walked into the room. She was absolutely stunning. Her gown was a lovely gossamer silver, her beautiful raven black hair was piled in luxurious curls on her head, and she moved with the grace of a ballerina. Darcy stood stock still, as did half of the men in the room. But he didn't stand still for long. He found himself, almost against his own will, walking to her. As he got closer and closer, Darcy was certain there was something familiar about her. Something in the sparkle of those fine dark eyes...
"Madam, have we met?" Darcy said.
The sparkling eyes twinkled with mischief. "I do not believe so, sir." This is a most marvelous game!" Elizabeth thought. "Lord Darcy's opinions seem to change swiftly when one is gowned nicely."
"Would you be so kind as to honor me with a dance, milady?" Darcy asked.
Elizabeth smiled at him. "No. I'm sure you were enjoying yourself until I arrived at the king's ball." "There."Elizabeth thought. "Let us see how he likes having his own words tossed back to him! Perhaps it will jog his memory a bit."
Darcy stared in utter shock at the impertinent young woman. And it did indeed jog his memory. "That girl in the forest!" he thought. Darcy knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that he had messed up in a very big way. He had no idea the girl was of a proper class! No wonder she had become so angry at him that day in the woods...he had insulted her dreadfully.
Elizabeth smiled as she saw the dawning comprehension on Darcy's face. Let him take some of his own medicine!
Just then, another handsome young gentleman walked up to her. "Good evening, my lady. Would you do me the great honor of a dance?"
Elizabeth smiled warmly at the young man. "Certainly." She took his hand and walked out to the dancing floor.
"I see that Darcy is being rude yet again." He said as he walked around her.
"He is certainly the most proud man I have ever met. I take it you know him?" Elizabeth asked through a raised arm.
"Oh, indeed." The man said while Elizabeth circled him. "I was raised in his father's home at Pemberley Castle after my father's death. And you are right, Fitzwilliam Darcy is quite possibly the proudest man in all the land. He is quite as condescending as his Aunt de Bourg."
Elizabeth smiled. She had heard more about the "marvelous condescension" of Catherine deBourg from Collins the Toad than she had ever wished to hear. It was somehow fitting that she and that self-absorbed Lord Darcy were related. "I am glad there is at least one person besides myself who is not dazzled by the man's wealth." She said, sashaying to the left.
The young man laughed. "Indeed, m'lady, for he cheated me out of my own living!"
Elizabeth gasped with horror and outrage as the man sashayed down to meet her. "That's terrible!" The man bowed as the dance ended and Elizabeth curtseyed. She followed him to a set of chairs by the window.
"I am rather resigned to it now, m'lady." The man said. "Old Lord Darcy, the present Lord Darcy's father, had intended me to receive the living at Pemberley as soon as it was open, but the present lord refused it to me after old Lord Darcy's death."
Elizabeth's jaw dropped in shock. "He ignored his own father's wishes? That is terrible, sir!"
The man smiled a bit. "It is quite all right, m'lady." He seemed to be about to speak again, but he was interrupted by none other than Lydia!
"Good evening, sir!" she said with a coy smile, seating herself on the arm of his chair.
"Good evening, my lady." He said. "Would you care to dance?"
Lydia smiled brightly. "Indeed I would!" She grabbed his hand and practically dragged him to the dancing floor.
Elizabeth was shocked. Her own stepsister, standing not five feet from her, had not recognized her! Being dressed up must make more difference than she had thought.
Elizabeth glanced around the ballroom. There! Jane was dancing with the prince again! The two of them seemed absolutely entranced with each other. Elizabeth was deliriously happy for her sister. If anyone deserved a prince, it was Jane.
Kitty was dancing cheerfully with a young knight. No one enjoyed a ball quite like Kitty did. But where was Mary? Elizabeth looked all around the ballroom, but didn't see her anywhere. She crossed the room. Wait! That was Mary, walking up a stairway tucked away in a corner. (one that, oddly enough, she had not noticed before).
Elizabeth ran after her. "Mary!" she called out to her. But Mary did not seem to hear. She walked as if in a trance. "Mary!" Elizabeth called louder. Still, there was no answer.
The stairway curved up and up and up. It was dark, and cold. Elizabeth was beginning to be frightened. Something was terribly wrong here. "Mary!" she called again. Mary still stared forward as though she did not hear.
At last the stairway ended at a landing with a small door. The door opened for Mary, seemingly of its own volition, and Mary walked through. "Mary! I don't think you should go in there!" Elizabeth shouted. As Mary walked in, the door slammed shut behind her.
Elizabeth banged on the door. "Mary!" she shouted.
"It's no use, you know." A cruel voice said from behind her.
Elizabeth spun around in fright. It was Maleficent! "What have you done?" Elizabeth shouted at her angrily.
"Merely what I promised. Your idiot mother chose to offend me; now she must pay the price. Mary will prick her finger on the spindle, and she will die."
"No!" Elizabeth shouted. "You cannot!"
Maleficent laughed. "Oh, but I can!" She smiled an evil smile and disappeared in a flash of green flame.
Elizabeth banged on the door again. This time, however, it opened easily. Elizabeth rushed into the room. There was Mary, lying on the floor. "Mary!" Elizabeth shouted, running to her side. Elizabeth shook her slightly. Mary was still breathing!
"She will only sleep, remember?" said another voice. It was her Fairy Godmother Gardiner! "That was my gift to Mary. She will sleep until she is awakened by the kiss of a handsome prince."
"But that could take forever!" Elizabeth said.
"Well, then, you'll have to go find a prince for her." The good fairy said. "But for now, you need to go home."
A clock appeared upon the wall. It was nearly midnight! "Oh dear!" Elizabeth cried. She went tearing down the stairs as quickly as possible. She ran past Wickham and Lydia on her way out. "Goodbye!" she shouted.
Just as she reached the door, someone called to her. "Wait!" Lord Darcy said. "What is your name?"
Elizabeth just ran faster. A little too fast, it seemed. As she scrambled down the palace stairs, she tripped and lost one of her glass slippers.
Darcy ran to her as she picked herself up. She only glanced back briefly as she ran away. "Wait!" Darcy called, picking up her slipper. "You dropped this!" But she was not listening. Darcy was left to simply stare at the delicate slipper of the girl who had enchanted him.
"I must know who the girl is, Bingley!" Darcy said. "I cannot go on like this!"
Bingley smiled. At last, his aloof friend had fallen in love. "And what if she is of one of your despised "lower classes", Darcy?" Bingley teased.
Darcy raised an eyebrow. "I seriously doubt that, Bingley. She was far too elegant, too refined to possibly be any less than nobility. I just need to find out who she is."
"You still have her slipper, do you not?" Bingley asked with an expression of deep contemplation.
"Indeed. What has that got to do with it?" Darcy asked, confused.
"Well...'tis a rather unusual shoe. Why do you not send out notices asking who is missing the shoe?"
"That's brilliant, Bingley!" Darcy shouted. "Excuse me, I've work to do!" With that, Darcy went sprinting down the hall. He had a way to find his true love.
However, Bingley's honest nature had not taken the dishonesty of others into account. Within a single day, the palace was mobbed with young women, all of whom were certain the shoe was theirs. Among these young women, of course, was Lydia Bennet, accompanied by her mother and Kitty and Jane.
"I am quite sure the shoe is mine, m'lord." Lydia said boisterously.
Darcy knew this was certainly not the woman. She was loud, rude, and obnoxious. She and her mother had fairly knocked over other women to reach the front of the room. He felt decidedly sorry for the other two sisters.
Bingley, sitting beside him, was completely entranced by Jane. They stared into one another's eyes. "Good afternoon, Miss Bennet." Bingley said. "Why have your other sisters not joined you today?"
Jane smiled demurely as Prince Charles walked to her. "Well, Mary is a bit indisposed. And Elizabeth..."
"Whatever are you talking about, Jane?" Mrs. Bennet interrupted. "You know you have no sister named Elizabeth." Mrs. Bennet gave the most patently false smile Darcy had ever seen on anyone other than Princess Caroline Bingley. She was clearly lying through her teeth. Bingley merely looked confused.
"But..." he began. Bingley became still more confused as Jane's eyes seemed to fix on something beside him.
"Your highness...may I speak with you in private for a moment?" Jane said. It was unlike her to be so bold, but this was necessary. She had seen the glass slipper in Darcy's hand, and she knew exactly who it belonged to.
"Certainly." Bingley said. He was becoming more and more puzzled by the minute. "What may I help you with, Miss Bennet?" he said when they had left the group. He felt a little guilty for abandoning Darcy to Mrs. Bennet.
"Your highness, I..."
"Please...Call me Charles."
Jane blushed. "Oh, I couldn't..."
Bingley smiled at her warmly. "I insist."
"Very well then." Jane said shyly. "Charles...my sister Elizabeth is the one your friend is looking for. I know that shoe is hers."
The prince smiled broadly. "Why, that's wonderful! Why is she not here, then?"
Jane related the story of Mary's curse. "Your sister is very brave." Bingley said. "The kingdom is a dangerous place for a girl alone."
Jane nodded. "Indeed. I could not dissuade her from going." Jane looked back to her mother and sisters. "I must go. Farewell...Charles."
Bingley stood for a moment, basking in the warmth of her smile. After watching Jane walk back down the hall with her family, he turned to Darcy. "Darcy, you saw her talking with me. Do you think it possible that she might...have some feeling for me?"
Darcy thought for a moment. This was a question which needed careful answering. "Well...she's certainly friendly. But then, she's friendly to everyone." Darcy paused again, thinking. "I'm sorry, Charles, but...I don't really see any sign that she cares for you particularly. I'm quite sorry to disappoint you." Darcy patted his friend's back. Charles would get over her in time, and it would be for the best. The girl was not at all the right sort.
The prince sighed. He had known it was too much to hope for. How could such a kind, beautiful creature be interested in him? "Well, she did have some information you'd be interested in. It seems that her sister Elizabeth is the girl you seek."
Darcy startled. "You must be joking! That's impossible."
"Not at all. From what she's said of her sister, the girl sounds just like the one you're looking for. Daring, brave, bright..."
Darcy stared blankly at Bingley. It was absolutely unthinkable. That beautiful enchanting creature could not possibly be related to the Bennets, of all people! But the description certainly rang true. As Bingley told him of Jane's story, Darcy knew it had to be truth. The young woman who had captivated him was the only one he knew who would set forth on such a mission.
But now he knew he could not marry her. No matter how beautiful or entertaining she was, he could not connect himself to such people. Her cousin was a frog! And her sisters! One obnoxious, one silly, and one cursed! Jane seemed pleasant enough, but still! It was an impossibility. And yet, Darcy found himself worrying about how Elizabeth would fare in the woods. There was so much danger there...dragons, ogres, trolls, black knights...she could be hurt, or even killed!
Meanwhile, Elizabeth was thinking much the same thought. She had decided she would do best to avoid main roads until she got out of the kingdom. That way, there was less chance of her being recognized and questioned. She stayed in the woods, perfectly happy to enjoy the peace and quiet there during the day. After all, there was very little peace and quiet to be found in the Bennet household, and walking was often the best way to escape it. This would simply be a slightly longer escape.
At night, however, the woods were rather less pleasant. She had walked and walked and now found herself deep in the woods, sleeping on the forest floor. Every sound made her more certain that one of those witches or dragons or black knights or bats or giants was coming for her. Suddenly, trekking off on her own no longer seemed like such a fine adventure. Passing the first night in the woods was one of the most frightening nights of Elizabeth's life.
The next day, however, the frightening nature of the night was forgotten. Lizzy walked happily, enjoying herself quite a lot. Around midday, as her stomach began to growl mightily, she arrived at a small cottage. A most unusual cottage, at that. It was made entirely of gingerbread and candy! As Elizabeth had been walking for two whole days, she was quite tired and very hungry.
However, despite the impropriety of her mother and Lydia, Elizabeth was a very polite girl. As she advanced, she heard the sound of beautiful piano playing. Lizzy smiled at the thought of a gingerbread piano as she went to the door of the cottage and knocked.
The playing stopped. "Come in!" a pleasant voice called out. Lizzy opened the door and took a step in, and found herself face to face with a small blond woman.
The young woman's eyes were very wide with surprise. "Oh my. You aren't Will."
Lizzy looked at her shocked accidental hostess. "No, I'm not. I'm sorry, I didn't know you were expecting someone. You see, I have been walking for the past day and a half and spent the night in the woods, and I was wondering if you could spare me a bite to eat."
The young woman smiled. "I would be happy to feed such a polite traveler as yourself. My name is Georgiana. And yours?"
"Elizabeth. I am most pleased to make your acquaintance." Lizzy said, returning the smile.
"Come, have a seat." Georgiana said. "I'm sure you do not realize just how rare it is that someone actually make a polite request for food. People seem to think that just because my house is made of gingerbread, it's a free snack for anyone who happens to walk by!" Georgiana went to her cupboard and got out fresh bread, and put on a pot of tea. "I can almost see why the witch who used to live here ended up getting so angry with everyone. Certainly there's no excuse for eating children, but I've been getting rather annoyed with the whole world thinking my home is its dinner myself."
"I imagine you would! I shouldn't like it if people attempted to eat my house without my consent, either." Elizabeth replied. "However, mine would not be nearly so tasty as yours." She said with a smile.
"Indeed." Georgiana said, bringing bread and tea to the table. "Here you are...this should fill you up nicely!"
"Thank you again for being so kind! I really do appreciate it. I fear that, in my rush to leave home, I forgot all about packing sufficient food."
Georgiana looked at Lizzy with interest. "Might I ask why you were in such a hurry to leave home?" Georgiana listened, fascinated, as Elizabeth recounted the tale from Mary's christening right up to Lizzy's departure from home.
"Oh, my!" Georgiana said. "Well, I certainly wish you luck on your way. And you should do well with Fairy Gardiner on your side. She's very well respected in the magical community."
Elizabeth looked a bit surprised. "You know my Fairy Godmother?"
"Only by reputation. Everyone who knows anything about magic knows of her. She's one of the best godmothers in the business!" Georgiana exclaimed.
Elizabeth merely looked at Georgiana. The world was a far stranger place than she had ever imagined. "Well. I did not know that. I take it you have some familiarity with magic?"
"Oh, yes. Well, I'm a witch in training. I was at Mrs. Weatherwax's Witch Academy, but I left because of...a difficult situation. My cousin Richard is a full-fledged warlock, and he's been continuing my education, though. Have you any magical schooling?"
"Well...no. I've been a servant in my house ever since my father remarried. Any education I have is because I sought it out myself." Elizabeth said, becoming a bit embarrassed. "So...ah...who is this person you are expecting to visit?"
"Oh, my brother, Will. He considers himself my protector, and insists on coming to check in on me." Georgiana said, smiling fondly at her brother's notions. "I enjoy his company, though, so I allow him to continue to think he is in control and keeping me safe."
"I have a sister who tries to protect me. Jane is always trying to keep me out of trouble with Stepmother." Elizabeth said.
The girls continued to talk pleasantly for half an hour or so. After discussing their families, Georgiana mentioned that she played piano. Elizabeth insisted on hearing her play and quite enjoyed listening. Soon, however, Lizzy was in for quite a shock.
"Hello, Georgi!" the visitor called as he entered the cottage. "You sound beautiful, as always! I do love to..." Darcy had intended to say that he loved to hear Georgiana play. However, his sentence dropped off when he spotted Elizabeth sitting beside Georgiana at the piano.
After hearing of how kind and friendly Georgiana's brother was, Lord Darcy was the last person Elizabeth had expected to see. Actually, her cousin Collins the frog was the actual last person she had expected to see. But Lord Darcy was very far down the list! The two of them sat for a moment and stared, jaws dropped and eyes wide.
For a few moments, Darcy and Elizabeth just stared at each other. Elizabeth was amazed that the "Will" who Georgiana spoke of so fondly was the insufferable man she had met at the ball. Meanwhile, Darcy was completely spellbound. For some reason, he could not think of any of the objections he had previously held in relation to marriage to this lovely girl. Looking at her, he was certain that he could deal with her horrible family.
Still, Darcy was the first to regain his composure. "Good afternoon, m'lady." He said. Elizabeth, however, had no interest in speaking with the terrible man who had ruined Mr. Wickham's fortune. "I am quite sorry, sir, but I must be going on now." Lizzy turned to Georgiana, her cold manner evaporating completely. "Thank you very much for your hospitality. It has been a most pleasant afternoon, but I do have a mission."
Georgiana returned Elizabeth's smile. "No, thank you. I rarely get visitors, you know. Please do come back again."
"I will. Once I find Mary's prince, I shall certainly come to see you. I do not think I shall be going back to being a servant to my stepmother. Good day." Elizabeth said.
"You needn't leave now, madam." Darcy said as Lizzy was turning to leave. "I would be most pleased to make your acquaintance officially, and perhaps remedy the situation as it stands. I really did not intend to insult you, you see. I had no idea you were of a proper class." he said. Georgiana merely stared as she watched her brother place his foot firmly in his mouth.
Elizabeth's glare somehow turned even more fierce. "Well I do not desire to make your acquaintance. So, if you will excuse me, Georgiana, I must be going." With that, Lizzy turned on her heel and marched out of the room, leaving Darcy, once again, to merely watch as she left.
This time, Darcy was still more shocked. No one was rude to Lord Fitzwilliam Darcy! They were all either afraid of him, or desired something from him. Rude? To him? Never! This was a new and rather fascinating experience.
Meanwhile, Georgiana was wondering what on earth had possessed her brother to behave so badly. "Will! Have you lost all concept of propriety?"
"What? I was apologizing!" he exclaimed.
"Will! You more or less said she was improper, and that she is worthless if she is not of the "proper" class! You also implied that she should immediately accept your apology just because you have now decided she is worthy of your attention. Honestly, Will...will you ever learn?"
Darcy had the grace to look at least a little bit ashamed. "I suppose I did not use the best possible means of apology. However, that does not change the fact that she is far below our class."
Georgiana sighed. Her brother obviously had feelings for the girl. Perhaps she would manage to beat some of the arrogance out of him.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth marched on through the woods. She felt thoroughly satisfied, having been able to deliver Lord Darcy quite a setdown. In fact, she was smiling broadly, inordinately pleased with herself. Let him take that to go along with his insufferable pride!
Lizzy trekked onward in this triumphant frame of mind until evening. It was nearing time to find someplace to sleep. Unfortunately, there did not seem to be anyplace that looked particularly welcoming. Then, in the distance, she heard the sound of singing...
"Hi ho, Hi ho, it's home from work we go! We work all day to earn our pay, Hi ho, hi ho, hi ho, hi ho!"
Hm... Elizabeth thought. Perhaps these people will have a place for me to sleep. Lizzy followed the sound of the singing, and soon came to a large, comfy cottage. What she saw there amazed her thoroughly. There were seven tiny men with pickaxes, marching in single file into the house! As they finished filing in, Elizabeth cautiously stepped up to the house and knocked on the door.
A beautiful young woman answered the door. "Oh, a weary traveler!" the pretty girl said before Elizabeth could even speak. "Come in, come in! You look exhausted!" Elizabeth was a tad overwhelmed. But she was, indeed, exhausted, so she took the chair the young woman offered. "Yes, I am quite tired." Lizzy said. "I'm Elizabeth Bennet. I was wondering if I might presume to sleep in your cottage tonight?"
"Certainly!" seven voices called out.
Elizabeth jumped. She had forgotten about the short little men.
The young woman laughed. "Oh, don't worry. These are the seven dwarves: Doc..."
"Pleased to meet you, Miss Bennet!"
"...Sleepy..."
"yaaaawwwwnnnnA pleasure, Miss Bennet"
"...Grumpy..."
"Hmph. Just don't mess up our house."
"Bashful..."
"H-h-hi, M-m-m-miss B-Bennet!"
"...Happy..."
"Hi, Miss Bennet! Welcome to our house!"
"...Sneezy..."
"Pleased to meet...ah...ah...CHOOO!...you, Miss Bennet.
"...and Dopey."
*wave*
"And I'm Marianne Dashwood."
Elizabeth was smiling happily. The dwarves were all very nice, as was the young woman. She was soon sitting down to dinner with them most comfortably. Marianne wanted to hear all about her travels, and the story of Mary and Maleficient was absolutely thrilling for her.
"Why, that's marvelous! I do hope you manage to find a prince for Mary!" Marianne said. "You know, I had a problem with an evil queen, myself."
Lizzy was interested. "Really?"
"Oh, yes. My stepmother, you see, is horribly cruel."
"Ah, I know how that is. Mine turned me into a servant!" Lizzy said.
"Oh, how terrible! Mine tried to have me killed! You see, she sent me out with Woodsman Willoughby, and wanted him to kill me! She even told him to bring back my heart as proof!"
Elizabeth gasped. "That's terrible!"
"Yes, it would have been. Indeed, if Woodsman Willoughby were not so kind, and brave, and chivalrous, and..."
All seven dwarves began to cough violently. Apparently they had heard this story before.
Marianne looked a bit startled, then blushed. "I suppose I do go on a bit about Willoughby. But, he is so wonderful..."
More coughing.
"Yes. Well. To get on with the story, then...Willoughby let me go, and he killed a pig, and took it's heart to my stepmother! And then the dwarves were so kind as to take me in, and I've lived happily here ever since. I just wish Willoughby would come back for me. He said he'd return, but he's been gone for ever so long!"
"I'm sorry." Elizabeth said. The girl was obviously infatuated with this Willoughby fellow. But why hadn't he come back, if he returned her affection? Better not to ask.
"Well, I'm thinking of going to town to look for him. Actually..." the working of Marianne's mind was evident in her face. "Why don't we go together, Elizabeth?! You're certain to find a prince for Mary there, and I can see Willoughby!"
"Are you sure?" Elizabeth said. She had a definite bad feeling about this. Why? She had no idea. But this trip was definitely asking for trouble!
"Oh, don't worry!" Marianne said. "We'll have a grand time!"
Elizabeth agreed, somewhat reluctantly. It still seemed like a bad idea, but she could think of no logical reason for refusing. And the town was a good place to start looking for Mary's prince.
"We can even go by my sister's tower!" Marianne said excitedly.
Lizzy looked puzzled. "Tower?"
"Yes...you see, our evil stepmother doesn't like Elinor, either. She's had Elinor locked in a tower for years. The only way into the tower is to climb up Elinor's hair."
"Climb her hair?!" Elizabeth asked, incredulous.
"Oh, yes. It's amazingly long...reaches all the way down to the ground from the high tower window. And it's strong as rope. Truly amazing. Although I really don't see why Elinor hasn't tried to escape from the tower. She always says it's just not worth it, but I think that's silly. Why, I can't imagine being cooped up in that tower all day long! How stifling!" Marianne shuddered with horror.
"Indeed." Elizabeth said. She couldn't imagine life without her daily walks. However, she could also see why Elinor wouldn't attempt escape. After all, until a few days ago, she had allowed her stepmother to keep her prisoner, in a sense. "Well, we'd best go to bed, Marianne. We have a very long journey ahead of us."
"Quite so!" Marianne said. "Although I do not know how I'll ever manage to sleep with so much excitement!"
Elizabeth smiled. "Well, we shall have to try."
Marianne and Elizabeth set off early the next morning, after saying goodbye to the dwarves. "How marvelous!" Marianne said. "I cannot think of any greater pleasure than this!"
Elizabeth chuckled. "It becomes less pleasurable when you have been doing it for several days."
Marianne laughed, too. "Yes, I suppose it would. Still, it's quite fun, for now."
"Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Now, where is your sister's tower?"
"Just a few more miles, now." Marianne said. "Elinor will be so glad to have company, I'm sure!" Marianne's face changed from cheerful to woebegone in a split second. "I just hate to think of her locked up in that tower! Oh, 'tis a fate worse than death, to be locked away from all other people, barred from nature! I simply cannot imagine it."
"I'm sure it is difficult for her." Elizabeth said. After a full morning of walking with Marianne, she had learned to tune out a bit of her conversation. The girl was interesting, but she became rather overly dramatic sometimes. But really, as long as she could be kept away from the subject of the [poetic and dramatic adjective] Woodsman Willoughby, she was a quite entertaining traveling companion.
By early afternoon, they reached the tower. Elizabeth looked up in amazement. It was at least thirty feet high, made entirely of a shimmering white stone, and covered with thorny rose bushes. At the bottom, the bushes gathered to make a thorny hedge. While Elizabeth was still gawking, Marianne walked up to the tower. She cleared her throat and called out "Elinor, Elinor, let down your hair!"
A pretty young woman, a bit older than Marianne appeared at the one narrow window in the tower. "Marianne! Hold on a moment!"
Elizabeth's eyes grew still wider with shock. Marianne had told her of Elinor's hair, but nothing could have really prepared her for the sight of the thirty foot braid. It was amazing...thirty feet of long blond hair. And still more amazing was the sight of Marianne grabbing it and bracing her feet against the tower; she climbed the braid like a rope and hopped in the window. A moment later, Marianne popped her head out the window. "Aren't you coming up, Lizzy?"
Elizabeth looked decidedly skeptical. "Are you sure? I mean, doesn't it hurt?"
Marianne looked surprised. "Why, I don't know. Elinor, does it hurt?"
"A bit." Came the reply. "But it's really all right. Do come up, Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth still looked worried. "Ah...no, I'll believe I'll stay down here. I'm...ah...afraid of heights."
"Oh." Elinor said. "I'm sorry. Well, thank you for taking care of my sister on the journey. I do appreciate it."
Elizabeth smiled. "You're quite welcome." She said. Lizzy instantly liked Elinor. The girl was obviously sensible and intelligent, and quite concerned for her sister.
Lizzy made herself comfortable at the foot of the tower. It felt good to have a rest after walking all day. She sat in the grass, enjoying the warm sunshine and the smell of the spring flowers. Elizabeth used the time to think, trying to decide how to find Mary's prince. How would she know him when she found him?
Suddenly, a voice broke in, interrupting her thoughts. "Ah...Hello. Ah...who are you, may I ask?" the young man said. "I'm Sir Edward Ferrars."
"Oh!" Elizabeth said, quickly standing. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet, sir. Are you here to see Miss Dashwood?"
Edward was obviously very shy. "Ah...yes...yes I am. You see, there's been an awful misunderstanding, and it's quite necessary that I correct it."
"Well, she's visiting with Miss Marianne now, but I'm certain they'll be done in a bit. Would you mind telling me about your misunderstanding while we wait?"
"Not at all. You see, when I was younger, and quite foolish, I engaged myself to a Miss Lucy Steele. Once I was old enough to recognize my folly, it was too late. I could not betray her by breaking the engagement. I thought I would be as happy with her as I would with anyone. But then I met Elinor, and we fell in love. I knew I could not marry her, but I had every hope at the time that only my heart was entangled in the situation. I thought she felt nothing but friendship."
Elizabeth felt terrible for the young couple. How awful to be separated from your love! It was just like Jane and Prince Charles.
Edward continued. "But now things have taken a turn for the better. Lucy broke off the engagement to marry my brother! Now I am free to marry Elinor, if she wishes it. But I fear I will go mad with this waiting before I even get the chance." He said, chuckling a little.
Elizabeth smiled. "I believe I can handle this." she said. "Marianne!" she called. "Marianne, we must go now!"
"All right!" came the call. "I'm on my way down!" The long braid came tumbling down. Marianne shimmied down it quickly, and looked quite startled when she saw Edward. She gave him a positively freezing look. "So, how is Mrs. Ferrars?" she said.
Edward looked a little confused. "My mother fares well, I suppose. I have not seen her for over a week."
"I meant Mrs. Edward Ferrars." She said with a bitingly cold tone.
The confusion lifted from Edward's face. "Actually, Miss Marianne...ah...you must mean...ah...Mrs. Robert Ferrars."
Now it was Marianne's turn to look confused. "What?"
"Yes. Ah...I see that you have been ...ah...erroneously informed."
Just then, a shriek came from high in the tower, followed by sobbing. All three of the people on the ground looked up. "Elinor!" Edward called. "Can I please come up?"
The sobbing continued as the braid fell to the ground. As they saw Elinor's face, they saw that she was smiling! Elizabeth leaned over to Marianne. "I think we had best be going, don't you?"
Marianne smiled. "Yes, I think so."
The two girls set off down the path, happily heading toward the village of Delaford. They passed the time pleasantly, talking amiably. Their lives had been somewhat similar, both having grown up with evil stepmothers, so they had plenty to talk about.
It was another full day of walking, another night in the woods, and another morning before the girls reached the village. Along the way, they had met a nice girl named Emma, who was going to visit someone. She wore a very nice red hood, and she said that many people just referred to her as Little Red Riding Hood. It seemed odd, since she wasn't all that little and wasn't riding anything, just walking. But odd things seemed to happen in the forest.
At last, they reached Town. Elizabeth and Marianne had never seen so many people in all their lives! The two of them had to resist the temptation to just gawk at everything. Elizabeth, being far more practical than Marianne, regained her senses first. "We must find some sort of lodgings." She said.
"Perhaps an Inn?" Marianne suggested.
"Are you mad? Two young women staying at an Inn? It would be Most Improper!" Elizabeth replied with shock.
"Well..." Marianne said. "I do know one person we could stay with. But she's utterly impossible to deal with!"
"Is she in possession of a respectable house from which we could find your Willoughby and a prince for Mary?" Elizabeth asked. Marianne nodded reluctantly. "Well, we shall just have to manage to deal with her somehow! Now, who is this woman?"
Marianne sighed. "I still do not like this idea." Elizabeth glared a little bit. Marianne sighed again. "Her name is Mrs. Jennings. She is staying in her Town house at the moment, and will be all too glad to receive us and offer us a place to stay. But the woman can never be quiet!"
"As long as she'll let us stay somewhere other than on the ground in the woods, I'll be more than willing to listen to anything she wants to say."