[ Naturally there had been rumors around Meryton as to why the gentleman was unattached, but no one ever really gave them serious weight. A man could be near forty and still unmarried if he chose, and people would not speak ill of it the way they would if the subject was a woman. Still, hearing the words from his lips hits Mary in a completely unexpected way. Her expression remains neutral but on the inside it feels as though she's been drenched in cold water. Why such an admission as that should cause such a reaction should be a mystery to her. She should find it strangely odd and remain detached from it all. But no. In this moment she knows exactly what she's feeling. It's disappointment. And immediately she scolds herself for it. Disappointment implies she had held any sort of hope for herself and that is some fanciful wish she won't indulge in at all.
In trying to force her mind away from the thought, another strays in. This is a good thing. Were he married, they couldn't remain friends. Were she married, they couldn't remain friends. His preference ensures that nothing need change between them and realizing this relaxes her. No, it is not a bad thing at all. ]
While matrimony is the seemingly singular goal of all women, men are at the distinct advantage to not be required to do so if they have no wish to.
[ It's said in that way Mary has where she inserts herself into the conversation without preamble and goes on until her point is made. ]
And I can see little advantage to Mr. Cartwright marrying if he is content as he is, while I see a great disadvantage were he to wed. That being that he and I would no longer be able to socialize as friends. As we do now.
[ The statement makes Kitty titter with laughter. "Why, Mary, I had no idea you'd want to keep a man from marrying!" Mary purses her lips a moment. ]
I am keeping him from nothing. He made his standpoint clear. I merely observed that I was in approval of it.
[ "For your own selfish reasons," Kitty adds, though there is no heat to it, merely amusement. Mary doesn't see how what she's pointed out was wrong. ]
I was merely supporting his convictions.
[ Throughout the exchange, Mr. Hickinbottom has been trying to figure out a way to impress upon Miss Bennet the delights of matrimony, thinking Mr. Cartwright's position would be anathema to her. Instead he finds her in approval of the statement. He's trying to course correct like a fisherman coming across brambles hanging over the water. He needs to steer away before he's stuck. ]
no subject
In trying to force her mind away from the thought, another strays in. This is a good thing. Were he married, they couldn't remain friends. Were she married, they couldn't remain friends. His preference ensures that nothing need change between them and realizing this relaxes her. No, it is not a bad thing at all. ]
While matrimony is the seemingly singular goal of all women, men are at the distinct advantage to not be required to do so if they have no wish to.
[ It's said in that way Mary has where she inserts herself into the conversation without preamble and goes on until her point is made. ]
And I can see little advantage to Mr. Cartwright marrying if he is content as he is, while I see a great disadvantage were he to wed. That being that he and I would no longer be able to socialize as friends. As we do now.
[ The statement makes Kitty titter with laughter. "Why, Mary, I had no idea you'd want to keep a man from marrying!" Mary purses her lips a moment. ]
I am keeping him from nothing. He made his standpoint clear. I merely observed that I was in approval of it.
[ "For your own selfish reasons," Kitty adds, though there is no heat to it, merely amusement. Mary doesn't see how what she's pointed out was wrong. ]
I was merely supporting his convictions.
[ Throughout the exchange, Mr. Hickinbottom has been trying to figure out a way to impress upon Miss Bennet the delights of matrimony, thinking Mr. Cartwright's position would be anathema to her. Instead he finds her in approval of the statement. He's trying to course correct like a fisherman coming across brambles hanging over the water. He needs to steer away before he's stuck. ]