[ It's strange to be having a tea where silence is allowed to fall upon the party. At home, her mother cannot stand for there to be a moment's pause where she isn't making her opinions known or trying to draw the conversation back to herself and her feelings. The pause gives time to formulate polite questions or conversation, which Mary appreciates as she's never possessed the sharp wit that would allow for a quick comment.
In the brief moment they all have their thoughts to themselves after Mr. Cartwright answers, Mary considers their new acquaintance. He seems amiable enough, but there is something in his air that troubles her. Having spent so little time around men in such a setting, she's unsure if it's simply her inexperience with them or if it's something to do with his character. The questions he ask seem standard, but also as though he's collecting information. For what purpose, she cannot say, but his next question troubles her. Why does he address such a question to Kitty, especially when logically he must already know the answer? Immediately her hackles rise and she feels the sting of insult. He knows very well Mary is not married so such a question must have been posed to mock her.
Kitty herself looks slightly confused by the question and after a brief stumble of the mind, she replies, "No, not all."
Mary has never been prone to outbursts of great feeling. Even when overcome she tries to bear it in silence. So as she now turns her attentions towards Mr. Hickinbottom, her voice is decidedly cool and her expression neutral. ]
As I was recently introduced to you as Miss Bennet, you are well aware of my status. Our other three sisters are married.
[ Mr. Hickinbottom gives her the sort of gentle smile that is meant to placate and his eyes soften considerably. "Perhaps providence has declared that the best shall be saved for last." It's such a bold statement that Kitty's hand stops halfway towards a scone and Mrs. Gardiner looks at her husband in surprise. He seems less affected - or at least knows the man well enough to not be surprised by his words - and his returning glance seems to soothe his wife. Mary on the other hand, straightens her back and stares back at Mr. Hickinbottom, still sure she's being mocked even as a tiny flutter appears in her stomach. Words such as those are used for great beauties who have been shut away, lest they be swept off their feet as soon as they are out. They are not used for plain girls who have been passed over and not even considered an option.
Mrs. Gardiner quickly steers the conversation towards music and theater, speaking of the performance they watched the night before. It takes awhile for Mr. Hickinbottom to draw his challenging gaze away from Mary's but once he does he begins to speak on the theater, while eyes occasionally drift back to Mary to gauge her facial expressions as he speaks. A few times he stops partway through his opinion to shift it to match her face, each time smoothly finding a way to negate what he previously said. "Yes, his works are rather illuminating... to some, I am sure. I can see how they might think so, but those with superior minds can see little in it."
This mental chess is somewhat lost on Mary, who wonders at his way of starting sentences only to change direction halfway through. She sips at her tea and looks around the table to see what everyone else thinks of this verbose gentleman. Kitty seems just as confused as Mary, unable to work him out. In a way, that makes him appear fascinating, as though he is a mystery to uncover. Mary's eyes slide to Mr. Cartwright. Much like this man, in fact, who chooses to keep so much hidden and unknown. Could anyone ever truly come to know or understand him? ]
no subject
In the brief moment they all have their thoughts to themselves after Mr. Cartwright answers, Mary considers their new acquaintance. He seems amiable enough, but there is something in his air that troubles her. Having spent so little time around men in such a setting, she's unsure if it's simply her inexperience with them or if it's something to do with his character. The questions he ask seem standard, but also as though he's collecting information. For what purpose, she cannot say, but his next question troubles her. Why does he address such a question to Kitty, especially when logically he must already know the answer? Immediately her hackles rise and she feels the sting of insult. He knows very well Mary is not married so such a question must have been posed to mock her.
Kitty herself looks slightly confused by the question and after a brief stumble of the mind, she replies, "No, not all."
Mary has never been prone to outbursts of great feeling. Even when overcome she tries to bear it in silence. So as she now turns her attentions towards Mr. Hickinbottom, her voice is decidedly cool and her expression neutral. ]
As I was recently introduced to you as Miss Bennet, you are well aware of my status. Our other three sisters are married.
[ Mr. Hickinbottom gives her the sort of gentle smile that is meant to placate and his eyes soften considerably. "Perhaps providence has declared that the best shall be saved for last." It's such a bold statement that Kitty's hand stops halfway towards a scone and Mrs. Gardiner looks at her husband in surprise. He seems less affected - or at least knows the man well enough to not be surprised by his words - and his returning glance seems to soothe his wife. Mary on the other hand, straightens her back and stares back at Mr. Hickinbottom, still sure she's being mocked even as a tiny flutter appears in her stomach. Words such as those are used for great beauties who have been shut away, lest they be swept off their feet as soon as they are out. They are not used for plain girls who have been passed over and not even considered an option.
Mrs. Gardiner quickly steers the conversation towards music and theater, speaking of the performance they watched the night before. It takes awhile for Mr. Hickinbottom to draw his challenging gaze away from Mary's but once he does he begins to speak on the theater, while eyes occasionally drift back to Mary to gauge her facial expressions as he speaks. A few times he stops partway through his opinion to shift it to match her face, each time smoothly finding a way to negate what he previously said. "Yes, his works are rather illuminating... to some, I am sure. I can see how they might think so, but those with superior minds can see little in it."
This mental chess is somewhat lost on Mary, who wonders at his way of starting sentences only to change direction halfway through. She sips at her tea and looks around the table to see what everyone else thinks of this verbose gentleman. Kitty seems just as confused as Mary, unable to work him out. In a way, that makes him appear fascinating, as though he is a mystery to uncover. Mary's eyes slide to Mr. Cartwright. Much like this man, in fact, who chooses to keep so much hidden and unknown. Could anyone ever truly come to know or understand him? ]