Much of a reception was there to meet me. Hill took the bonnet from my chilled fingers. Looking sideways, no doubt, at my tear stained face. Next came sister Jane. Enveloping me in a warm embrace.
"What has happened sister dear?" she asked.
A dilemma faced me. Should I tell the truth, and, admit that I had been sneaking out of the house to visit commoners, and that I was the one who took all that went missing. With this information, certain sisters of mine, would be able to mock me, and with minds uncultured by reading, but through gossip, they would remember this forever more, and, never let me forget it.
Yet lying was wrong. To already dismiss them, after they had not lain cold for even a day. What to do?
Lizzie saw this inwards struggle, and my look of fright at mamma and my younger sisters.
"Papa, I think Mary needs to be walked around the garden for a short time to rid her of her chill. Exercise will warm her, I believe. And Jane and I will provide company."
Papa was not an insensible man. He too saw my inner demons. "Yes Lizzie, Jane. That is the precise cure. Go."
"Go!? When this young madam has been out of this house for god knows how long. You simply are letting her go! Mr. Bennet I must dispersuade you, it cannot be so! Have some compassion for my nerves!" cried mamma passionately.
"Madam! I have spoken. And if you had taken your maternal duties more seriously, an event like this may have been averted! Think on that!" retorted Papa.
I had no problem telling my two sensible sisters the events that had enfolded that day, and before. They wept tears of sorrow. Bonding with me in a way that I never felt possible. One I had only dreamed of.
It is nice to be loved.
They wanted to know did I not have any other friends in the world.
At the tender age of nineteen, I foolishly, and innocently replied "my piano forte".
They had, at least, the good grace not to laugh, They looked at me in that way that older sister do though. I felt like crying again.
Jane and Lizzie than debated on how I could be persuaded to make friends. I drifted away to the times when it was easier. When Alice and Michael were alive. When I had all the friends I needed.
My older sisters soon decided upon a plan of action. But it was soon put to rest. Jane had been invited to dine with Mr. Bingley's sisters, and was sent there immediately. I was forgotten. The beauty of the family had fallen ill whilst ridding to Netherfield and was abed there with but Lizzie for company.
I drifted within and without the house in a dream like state. My piano forte was forgotten, books, placed aside. I simply had no notion of what to do.
Days passed. They still do
I never forgot.
I never will.
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
That ill day was soon forgot by my dearest sisters. They had more dire attentions, and all to soon all the anticipation of a ball. I hardly noticed that a Mr. Collins had come to stay, as, he took little notice of me I replied with the same gesture. Little conversation passed betwixt us. He had but eyes for Lizzie.
I appologise for the message at the top. Everything just 'blahhed' on me. Now... to eat pie!