[ The topic turns to the war and though Mary has no great love of such news, she also wants to keep abreast of the latest happenings. One cannot be educated who buries her head in the sand. Naturally some of the conversation will be more than she can be expected to understand, but she listened nonetheless. Mr. Hickinbottom turns his gaze towards her, reads her carefully, and works on drawing her into the conversation slowly. For her part, Kitty has little interest in such news and though once she would feign interest only to hear of brave soldiers in red coats, now she sips at her tea and examines her dress for stray hairs or lint.
"They say it will all be over soon," Mr. Hickinbottom says. "Napoleon's mistakes have been grave indeed and he cannot hope to win now. Peace will return soon." His manner is almost placating, as if Mary showed something in her expression that seemed worried. For all his observations the man couldn't know that Mary's default face is always pulled down slightly into a frown. ]
Yes that seemed quite apparent after he decimated his forces by marching into Russia.
[ The gentleman blinks a little in surprise at the calmness with which she says this. ]
I wish you and my uncle success in any future endeavors, but I can speak no more on the business aspect of things.
[ Uncle Gardiner cheerfully agrees that this is no topic for tea and moves on to ask if Kitty will be purchasing her wedding clothes soon. The girl perks up at the conversation being directed towards her and confirms that the ladies will be going out on the morrow to do just that. Now it's Mary's turn to feel bored by the conversation, though she doesn't start examining herself as Kitty did. Instead she looks towards Mr. Cartwright, hoping to catch his eye if only for a moment. His green gaze has not directed itself towards her all afternoon and she finds she feels rather glum about it. He could have a very good reason, but she cannot work out what it might be. ]
no subject
"They say it will all be over soon," Mr. Hickinbottom says. "Napoleon's mistakes have been grave indeed and he cannot hope to win now. Peace will return soon." His manner is almost placating, as if Mary showed something in her expression that seemed worried. For all his observations the man couldn't know that Mary's default face is always pulled down slightly into a frown. ]
Yes that seemed quite apparent after he decimated his forces by marching into Russia.
[ The gentleman blinks a little in surprise at the calmness with which she says this. ]
I wish you and my uncle success in any future endeavors, but I can speak no more on the business aspect of things.
[ Uncle Gardiner cheerfully agrees that this is no topic for tea and moves on to ask if Kitty will be purchasing her wedding clothes soon. The girl perks up at the conversation being directed towards her and confirms that the ladies will be going out on the morrow to do just that. Now it's Mary's turn to feel bored by the conversation, though she doesn't start examining herself as Kitty did. Instead she looks towards Mr. Cartwright, hoping to catch his eye if only for a moment. His green gaze has not directed itself towards her all afternoon and she finds she feels rather glum about it. He could have a very good reason, but she cannot work out what it might be. ]