{ psl: to london }

[moralized]

[ The last days of the year which were meant to be spent in merriment with family were unfortunately tainted at Longbourn by the failure of Wickham to return. At first Lydia seemed content to laugh it off, saying this was not the first time he'd done such a thing, but as the third day arrived with no word from him, Lydia began to show cracks in her carefree facade. The rest of the party was of course concerned and the Darcy family took their leave early as Mr. Darcy took it upon himself to track the scoundrel down. Georgina was saddened to have to leave the large family gathering early and both she and Kitty wept at the parting. To Mary, Miss Darcy gave real compliments towards her music and said how she regretted she could not have heard more in their time together. Thankfully she made no mention of Mr. Cartwright and the two shook hands and parted as budding acquaintances.

Days more passed and it seemed someone was hiding Wickham very well. Their loyalty to him was surprising because usually money would loosen the lips of his ilk, but no leads surfaced. Lydia declared that she had been used very ill and would not have him if he returned. Mr. Bennet wished to wash his hands of the whole matter but knew that under the eyes of his wife, his daughters, and even God that he simply would have to put up with his wayward child being in residence until after the baby was born.

Despite the tense atmosphere, there was one event that would be going forward despite the recent interruption. Kitty was to be married and to London she must go to purchase wedding clothes. Mrs. Gardiner invited Kitty and whoever else in the household was chaperoning her to stay at the Gardiner residence and plans were made. In the meantime the Bingleys took their leave as Jane felt she could do little more to calm Lydia during this time. As much as Lydia declared she was fine to ride in a carriage and simply must go to London, the town doctor disagreed and said she was to stay put for the rest of her confinement. Mrs. Bennet insisted that she had to stay with her dear child in her delicate condition and so it was put on Mary to chaperone Kitty to town where their aunt would be chaperone to both.

Mary naturally felt put upon at having to play a role in all this, but of course did not give voice to it as she might have once done. Kitty was trying to improve herself and even Lydia's unexpected return did not make her relapse into her old ways. She had become more cautious in her speech, less excitable about frivolous things, and when she was given the money for her clothes by their father, she met his eyes as he instructed her on its express purpose and nodded her head seriously. This new attitude made for a more pleasant carriage ride than Mary had been expecting and by the time they had reached London she somehow knew all there was to know about Kitty's intended and yet was not sick to death of the mention of him. Truly Kitty had grown if she had succeeded in not devolving into raptures.

The pair were greeted at the Gardiners' door by all of their cousins who had rushed out in excitement at the sight of the carriage they had been looking for through the window. Mrs. Gardiner soon joined them and all were ushered inside amid a great deal of chatter from the children. Naturally the Bennet sisters were given time to rest, but they would be attending the theater that evening and had to make ready to leave that evening. Mary disliked the speed which with things occurred in London, but she was also punctual and far from the last one downstairs to leave. Now she simply had to hope the performance was good and the crowds not too pressing. ]

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[enswathe]

( london is a city of noise and stench — the unceasing sounds of wheels and hooves clacking over pavement strewn with garbage, the roaming masses of mingled odours, and the cries of the street peddlers selling their wares of dolls, matches, books, knives, eels, and china. it is worst at night when the streetlights are illuminated in a way that can be described as festive by only the hare-brained. it is little wonder, then, that when atticus is compelled to visit, it is for a very brief period. but this time, it could not be avoided. his publisher is based in london, as does his book agent, and so too is atticus for at least a fortnight while revisions and contracts are processed. it is all a tedious affair. one that did not apply to his previous book submissions, but as this is fated to be his last book for now (perhaps forever), they are preparing for a calamity. atticus knows little of how life in america will fare and if he will find time to deliver his musings to a postal office or even write.

if this is to be his last book then he has planned to depart from the british literary world as provocatively as he can. unlike his previous works, which were presentations and observations about foreign countries, this book is exclusively about the british countryside and the sights and sensations one must experience. it is much longer than his previous books as well; another reason why he must remain in london for this long. it takes time for a manuscript to be read, edited, returned to the author, and then resubmitted, and, in all this, atticus must remain in london. it is little wonder that his book is a call to city dwellers to leave the cities and know air without pollution and hear nought but the singing of birds and the wind in the trees. if only briefly. to inspire just one person to leave their city and return to nature would be immensely gratifying. atticus wishes he could do so, but he is restricted to london for another six days.

he stays mostly indoors at his book agent's home on drury lane, partly out of concern that he may encounter someone from his past life, but mostly because he does not like crowds and the noise and smell they carry. like it was when he permanently lived and worked in london, atticus does not attend balls, parties, or gatherings. he does not leave his room to see plays or concerts. london is at once both a caress and a strangulation. to even suggest interest in one of its baubles is to be ensnared in drudgery and inane propriety, never to glimpse the stars again.

but, as adept as he is in his excuses to stay in, it is unavoidable when one's host is so adamant and so atticus finds himself amidst a moving crowd at the theatre royal for a performance of coelina; ou, l'enfant du mystère, although it was more widely known in great britain as a tale of mystery after its translation into the vernacular. it would not have been atticus's first or last choice to see — the play being a melodrama — but as only a couple of theatres within london were allowed to operate during the winter, one could not be particular in their choice of entertainment.

as many do, they arrive quite early to the theatre to socialise in the lobby before the play begins. well, it's mr. frahm, his book agent, who does this while atticus waits near a dim corner for their box to open. he does not wish to be noticed and, while the thought occurs to him that he could slip away and escape, he also does not wish to inflict distress on mr. frahm when the gentleman has only been attentive and gracious since the beginning of their association. generally, it is foolish to ruin a business deal over some silliness like seeing a play.

but, despite mr. frahm's attentive and gracious overtures to his friends and associates in the middle of the theatre's lobby, atticus is content to remain apart and behind in the back of the theatre's lobby. )