A/N: Thanks to JA, I had been a good debator and running for a position at TORCH..)
Disclaimer: I do not own the whole story, its JA's.. Just writing a fanfic about it..)
"It is very acknowledgeable that the parents' views about such men in the country are very informative and very firm. However, some views may be good; some may be too much judgmental. You wouldn't know the man's manners until you met him in person."
Jane read a verse to entertain Elizabeth, who, at that time was very bored of listening to her mother's perception about men in their country. Irritated enough, she answered her mother in a very nice way.
"I am so sorry, Madam. But If I get married, it will be my own choice. I will be the one to choose the man whom I will give myself with and love for the rest of my life, Mama. So please stop telling me about all those rich merchants in the country."
Her mother looked at her, who was at that time, watching her hands as she was cooking and answered her child.
"You are very stubborn, Lizzy. How could you be so bored of listening to your own mother's good opinions? These things could be of help to you in the future, you know. You are twenty-one, a very fine age of getting married. Do you not think of that, my child?"
Lizzy look at her with a teasing smile and quickly replied. "Not yet, Madam, for I am still in the habit of enjoying my single and happy life." She winked at Jane and Jane laughed at her sisters' expression. Her mother looked at the both of them and told them. "Well then, my girls, that's the only thing I could do for you." She said and went to the kitchen to finish her cooking. After awhile, Kitty and Lydia arrived from the town, Lydia's mouth opened as she entered the house.
"You know, Mama. We have seen some handsome Militia Officers in the town! Colonel Forster introduced us to George Wickham! Mama, he's so handsome, though at the age of twenty and six!"
Lydia was blushing and jumping with joy in their room, her 2-year-older sister scolded her. "Well, can you please stop, Lydia in jumping across the room?!" Lydia stopped for awhile and sits down beside Elizabeth, she went on. "Mama, Colonel Forster invited us for a ball in Meryton, all the Militia Officers are going to be there! And oh, Mama! Do you heard about the rich young man who bought the Netherfield Estate? The gossip mongers have found out that he owns a large house in England, two large estates more in Puerto Rico and he earns four to five thousand pounds a year!"
Mrs. Bennet's jaw dropped as she heard what Kitty had said. "He earns Four to Five thousand pounds a year?" She was surprised when Mr. Bennet went out of his library, as he heard what Kitty told her mother and sisters.
"Papa, have you met him?" Elizabeth coolly asks. "Have you met the owner of the Netherfield Estate?" Her father looked at her and quickly answered. "No, I haven't."
"Then we should go and meet him, Mr. Bennet." His wife cried impatiently and went on. "He should be introduced to our girls immediately! Before the Lucasses and the --"She was stopped when her husband replied.
"He shall be certainly welcomed in the Meryton Ball, its better to meet him there, along with his friends." Then he turned to Kitty. "Catherine, when will be the Meryton Ball?" Kitty answered quickly. "The ball will be tomorrow at 7 in the evening, sir."
At hearing the time of the ball, Mrs. Bennet quickly ordered to her daughters. "We shall be prepared for the ball. Jane & Kitty you go with me into Mrs. Crooke's gown shop for you're gowns. While Lydia and you, Elizabeth, go to Mrs. Cooper's shop to buy ribbons and some nice tiaras. Mary, can you stay here? You shall study more languages so you can talk to other guests there in the ball, are we clear?"
They all nodded, Elizabeth went to her father and kissed him on the cheek to say good bye.
"Goodbye, Papa. We'll be back before dinner." And his father nodded, Elizabeth ran outside to catch up with her mothers and sisters. They walk for about two to three miles. They parted as they reached the town, Mrs. Bennet, Jane and Kitty went to the gown shop, while Lydia and Elizabeth were walking towards the ribbons shop when Lydia suddenly exclaimed.
"Elizabeth, look at the Militia Officers!! There he is!!" Lydia wanted to go into the group of the Militia officers, but Elizabeth held her tightly in her hand with her handkerchief and told her. "What are you up to, young lady?" Lydia looked at her. "Elizabeth, there he is! There is George Wickham! Let us go and meet him." With this, Lydia gripped Elizabeth's hand but she first grabbed Elizabeth's handkerchief which eventually fall down and blown by the wind. Elizabeth chased for her handkerchief. She had chased it and it was surprisingly handed to her by a militia officer.
"Is this you're handkerchief, Miss?" He showed it to her and Elizabeth nodded. He then gives it to her and introduced himself.
"I am George Wickham." He introduced as he accompanies it with a bow and she curtsied in return and introduced herself.
"I am Elizabeth Bennet, sir." She smiled at him. George Wickham, to Elizabeth was tall, his face is striking enough, his eyes we're blue, and his lips we're red and thin. He's complexion is fair enough and his cheeks we're alike with her father's. To George, Elizabeth Bennet is a beautiful lady for her face has good features; it was rendered in her dark eyes. It shown as it was strike by the light and he find it beautiful. Her lips we're red and mild, her complexion as like of his. Then, Lydia approached her sister who was talking to Mr. Wickham.
"Elizabeth!" Lydia said while catching her breath. "I have been looking for you, you know!" She noticed that her sister wasn't looking at her, but to Mr. Wickham whose eyes we're directed to Elizabeth. Lydia looked at them and clears her throat loudly for them to notice her and she succeeded. Elizabeth and Mr. Wickham looked at her with astonishment, Elizabeth in turn, ask her sister.
"Lydia! How long have you been here?" She said, while fixing her dress.
"About 2 minutes, Miss."
"I am so sorry, Lydia."
"It was okay, Elizabeth." Then she looks at Mr. Wickham. "Hello, Mr. Wickham. I see you've met my second eldest sister."
"With great pleasure, Yes, I've met her." He then glanced at Elizabeth who at that time was blushing of what he had said. Lydia then told Elizabeth what is their business in coming in to the town.
"Lizzy, we shall go now into Mrs. Cooper's shop! Remember? Mama told us to buy ribbons for our gowns and cute tiaras for us." Elizabeth glanced at Mr. Wickham and coolly replied. "Sir Wickham, thank you for handling my handkerchiefs and it is such a nice thing to meet you. Goodbye for now." She was about to go, when he suddenly gripped her hand for her to stop. "Wait. Are you going to the Meryton Ball tomorrow?" Elizabeth answered with a nod, and he let go of her hand. They went to the store to buy ribbons and some cute tiaras, after that, they have met with their mother and sisters in the same store and decide to go home.
It was 6 in the evening, they we're eating their dinner. Lydia spoke with great indignation to her sisters and parents as she told them who they have met in the way to the shop.
"You wouldn't believe who we came across in the town."
"Who is it, Lydia?!" Kitty demandingly asks her sister. Lydia answered and glanced at Elizabeth.
"It is Mr. Wickham!" Elizabeth glimpsed at her sister and Kitty responded.
"Oh! You have met Mr. Wickham?! Did you talk, please tell us more, Lydia!"
Lydia looked at her Elizabeth again and then responded to Catherine's question.
"We talk nothing. But try asking LIzzy, because I believe, they we're now acquainted as I saw them together, talking." Everybody looked at Lizzy who clears her throat to answer the address of her youngest sister.
"My handkerchief fell down, because of Lydia's excitement in meeting those Militia officers. And I chased for it for it was blown by the wind, to my surprise, he handed it to me and he introduced himself." Her mother looked at her and asked her.
"Do you find him handsome, Lizzy?" Elizabeth looked at them and answered quickly. "Yes, he's handsome." Then Kitty excitedly asks Elizabeth.
"Oh, pray! Do tell us what had passed between the two of you, Lizzy! What did you talk about? Did he have a fiancée?" Elizabeth then answers the query of her excited and impatient sister. "I am sorry we don't talk more, Kitty." But Lydia interfered to what she said to arouse the disappointed Kitty. "But he had stopped you to ask if you are going to the Meryton Ball tomorrow." Elizabeth glimpse to Lydia and looked away when Kitty ask impatiently. "OH! And what did you said, Lizzy?" Elizabeth looked at her and she replied that she just nodded, this has ended the discussion as Elizabeth stand up after she finishes her dinner to head in the drawing room. Jane finished her dinner too and proceed also to the drawing room, as she entered the room, she inquired about what she is thinking.
"What are you thinking, Lizzy?" Jane asked her as she drew near her and added. "Is this about that George Wickham?" Elizabeth then looked at her and replied quickly. "No, I am not thinking about Mr. Wickham. I am just thinking about Mama's morning lecture." Jane then questioned her. "That Mama told you that you should ever think of marrying because you are of age, Lizzy?" Elizabeth then nodded and added. "It struck me because my stubbornness is affected. Because of Mama, I am now thinking of it." Jane then cuddled her sister and told her. "Do not worry about it, Lizzy. Mama is just thinking of you're future, because you're of age. And you're appearance is striking enough to make someone offer a marriage thing to you."
Elizabeth glanced at her sister and told her that she does not think herself to be beautiful as her, but Jane strongly objected at her sister's statement and told her that she is as beautiful as she is. Elizabeth smiled at her sister's statement and told her. "If I will see you, happily settled with you're husband and kids. And if I find the man for me, then, I will marry." Jane then added. "Well, I am suggesting about this George Wickham, since he is the first ever man that you had laid an eye." Elizabeth blush a little, but told her sister not to kid around her and she likewise added. "Mr. Wickham is a militia officer—he is to dedicate himself to that work for his lifetime."
Jane contradicts with the idea and told her that she had told them at dinner that he was handsome. Elizabeth then told t hat she does not mean him to be attracted to her. Jane then holds Elizabeth's hands and told her in a low voice.
"Lizzy, do not close you're heart and eyes on love. You must not think him not to be attracted by you, you are beautiful and I daresay that any man will admire you. You're manners we're amiable and you're patience is too long—you're features are striking enough to be noticed—he must have wanted to know more about you and to talk with you in the Meryton Ball, because that is what I see as a reason that he asks you."
"Do you think he wants to know me more?"
"Yes, to improve more you're acquaintance—and now Miss, can we end this conversation and go to sleep?" At this, Jane yawned and Lizzy replied quickly.
"Yes! I see you yawned. So we must go to bed. Good night, Jane!"
"Good night, Lizzy."
The both then retreat the drawing room and went straightly to their respective rooms.
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Me: I am sorry if it was a not-so-nice start, but I have been writing since I was in the 4th Grade and I believe, that I have been able to attained a lot of words at such grade and I improve more on English since I watched the Pride and Prejudice 2005 version and Atonement. I wish to be a successful writer in the future or just a journalist. I am now in my 8th Grade or 2nd year in High School in Dominican College here in the Philippines. Hope you'll going to appreciate this work of mine.