( at the sight of miss bennet's smile, atticus relaxes into the plush silk cushions of the sofa. if her mood had remained as before, he would have been forced to undertake more serious measures. what exactly is a question neither he nor anyone else will have to contemplate? perhaps he could've told a story from his travels. although he keeps his stories to paper and under a pseudonym, atticus is a talented raconteur even when speaking. perhaps miss bennet's continued unhappiness would have been justification enough to condemn mrs. wickham with sharper words. but that did not come to pass so there is little value in surmising about it. within the next few days, the wickhams will depart for newcastle and meryton will be free of their foulness once more. after that, if atticus still feels compelled, he will speak to mr. bennet about his daughter's behaviour, though he doubts it will do much good. if the scandal did not change his conduct then nothing will.

but, again, none of this has come to pass so there is little value in surmising about it. miss bennet and the atmosphere of the room is cheerful again.

atticus laughs. ) No, I am content to deprive the world of my genius. All here ( he gestures around the room with a flick of his wrist. ) should consider themselves fortunate to have heard it, for none shall again. No, no. I will leave the pianoforte and singing to the two of you.

( "but you have not heard either of us sing. how can you be so certain that we are able? or, indeed, would even want to?" miss darcy asks, her hands fidgeting in her lap as she tries to keep up with his teasing. )

With speaking voices so clear and lovely, your singing must also be so. I beg you not to disappoint me by suggesting otherwise, Miss Darcy. ( he turns to miss bennet, a mock frown pulling at his features. ) Come, Miss Bennet. We are friends, are we not? Don't be cruel to either of us and deny these claims.