The next morning, Elizabeth woke up to the noise of activity nearby. It was already quite late and she quickly dressed by herself and headed downstairs.

"Oh Lizzie, where have you been!?" retorted Lady Bennet who stood at the foot of the stairs with Charleston in her arms.

Before her niece had time to reply, her ladyship continued, "But never mind that. Mr. Collins has finished the last of the funeral duties and… Well, it's good news for us! What do you think? The Bromptons have sent their carriage to convey us to their home! And a coachman to drive our own chaise. Perfect timing isn't it?"

And with those joyful words, suitcases and boxes were packed and stacked in a flurry of activity and the three guests bade farewell to The Poppyrock.

"Well I guess it's all over for us now." said Mrs. Barrows as she saw the last chaise disappear over the hill.

"But they p-paid sich a handsome amount; you could use it tuh repayer the place." suggested Barnes, the cook who stood next to the Innkeeper.

"Mmmhm…But I'll miss that child."

"Miss Bennet? Yes, she was kind to us."

After a few minutes of silence, Mrs. Barrows clapped her hands and said, "Right! No time to idle around. Better go inside now. We have work to do!"

*

It was a fine morning after yesterday's downpour. The sky was clear and the air was filled with the sweet scent of Lavender which grew in abundance at the backyard of Mrs. Darcy's home in Longbourn. However, this peacefulness could only be expected to be observed from the outside.

"Georgie!!!!!!!!!!" shrieked Lydia as she realized her older sister had borrowed a bonnet without permission. A brand new bonnet.

Running downstairs, she nearly collided with her brother who was flipping through a volume.

"Have you seen Georgie!?"

"You just missed her. She went out with Miss Lucas a few minutes ago."

Lydia's eyes widened at this outrageous behavior of her sister and she let out a strangled cry.

"Well, I wouldn't be so angry if I were you Liddie. That bonnet was rather plain."

Lydia's rapid breathing began to slow down as Mr. Darcy coaxed her. Very little persuasion or effort was required to change her ever-fluctuating mind and at the moment, after thinking for awhile, she calmly said, "I suppose you are right. It was such a plain thing after all! And I think it suited Georgie better…..for she is plain too!"

Feeling much better after this statement she headed back upstairs, humming a tune.

Mr. Darcy shook his head and continued to read when Claire, a maidservant came in and announced that a Mr. Bingley had arrived.

A few moments later, a young man of about five and twenty, entered the morning room, brightening the atmosphere at once with his cheerful manner. He was of medium height, and well built. And he was also responsible for breaking not a few hearts at the previous assembly.

"Fitzwilliam! How are you, man? It's been quite a while hasn't it!?" he exclaimed while patting his friend on the arm.

"I stopped by yesterday evening but you weren't at home. Been out and about eh?"

"Uh, yes, I've been quite busy. It's not easy."

"It isn't easy painting!?" cried Mr. Bingley in disbelief. "Why, for someone as talented as you, it should be as easy as squat! Come man, you're not looking like yourself at all. Talk it over a drink?"

"Nah, I'm alright." replied Mr. Darcy "Just having some trouble with-"

"Wickham? I supposed so-"

"No, it's not as bad as you think."

"Really but you're effort at appearing optimistic would put a dead fish to shame."

"Charles!" exclaimed Mr. Darcy, overcome with laughter.

"What? I was only saying that-"

"We should have a drink?"

Mr. Bingley nodded seriously and got up to follow his friend in to the drawing room. Something was wrong…

*

The smiling girl in the mirror wore a light-blue bonnet and a dress to match. The reflection placed a hand on its round chin and looked critically at itself. She tilted her head this way and that and after some thought an idea lit up her blue eyes. "Kitty, go down and fetch my ribbon basket will you?" asked the girl in the mirror.

"You do it Kitty! Can't you see I'm busy!?"

"But it's your *bonnet."

"But you're borrowing it!"

"And I'm going to fix it for you!! If you'll bring me my ribbons."

Lydia continued working in silence and decided to ignore her sister.

"I have a white ribbon with blue stripes…it'll go very well with this bonnet." pressed Kitty.

Mary, who was silently observing this little argument from the window seat rolled her eyes and shut her book. Where on Earth am I going to find any peace!!!? she thought as she got up from the seat and adjusted her dress.

On her way out of the room she turned around and said,

"The best way to avoid an argument is for both parties to come to a resolution which involves one side compensating for-"

"But that isn't fair!" cried Lydia who threw the handkerchief she was busy embroidering down on her lap.

"No, it is. When-I mean before- the next argument occurs, the other party has to compensate; you end up taking turns."

"But who's going to keep track of the turns!? And besides, we're not going to have another argument!" cried Lydia.

Mary looked at her sister as if she were denying she were a girl and said calmly, "Whatever you decide, I am leaving your presence. I find it quite impossible to read when you two are yelling at the top of your lungs; arguing over such a trivial matter as that; I can almost laugh at it- you have no idea of the greater ordeals of man. Kitty, you should be thankful you have a bonnet to fix- and Lydia, you should be grateful for having three bonnets of your own and an entire wardrobe. There are some of us who do not even have clothes to protect our bodies against the harsh winters. So many poverty-stricken individuals…left on the streets to make homes out of crates…eating the trash of other people. And we, we are blessed with a roof over our heads, warm food and more than enough clothes to wear! We should be thankful to God for looking after us. And be grateful to each other for the company received."

At the end of this speech, a teary-eyed Lydia flew out of the room, breaking into sobs on her way out. Katherine- who was not as easily moved- remained where she was and simply stared out the window.

Mary left the room and descended the stairs, feeling satisfied with herself for educating her younger sisters. Unlike her sisters, Mary was keener on her studies. She was proud of the fact that she was the most accomplished young woman in Longbourn. She could play very fast- although not very melodiously- and had memorized whole paragraphs from philosophical books which she could quote instantly. But even if she was overshadowed by her sisters at times, she never gave up. Every day, she would practice the piano for at least three hours in a row- much to her family's irritation- and teach herself from her father's collection of books. She was determined to do well since she knew her looks could not charm her way into a secure future- when that future could only be attained by marrying well.

"Mary?" A high-pitched voice called out.

She looked left and right but saw no one along the corridor.

"Behind you!"

Turning around she saw Georgina giggling through the open window which led to the backyard.

"Here, could you take these in for me? I'll be spending some time in the garden." she said as she handed some parcels over. "Charlotte wants me to come for tea in the evening. She has a dress she wants to show me; you can come if you like."

"Who is this for?" Mary asked as she caught glimpse of a shiny white material through a small hole in one of the parcels.

"It's for you!"

"Me???"

"Well, I saw it and thought it'd become you very well."

"But it's-"

"You can get it made for a ball. We're also bound to have another assembly soon."

Mary sighed and looked at her elder sister

"But-"

"But you should be grateful to me and accept this little gift from your sister."

"Thank you Georgie."

"There, that's more like it. Oh and I forgot, there's a book in there too—Mr. Oak told me to give it to you. He's been busy and did not have any time to stop by."

Georgina looked for any signs of emotion on her sister's face as she said this but she could only perceive the very faintest of blushes.

"Oh, yes I remember him mentioning it to me a few weeks ago. I never thought he'd actually trouble himself to…" Mary's voice trailed off as she looked inside for the book.

"Well, why don't you come out and help me get some flowers? It's nice outside."

Mary looked up.

"Alright, I'll just keep these."

And she rushed along the corridor, a thrill of warmth running across her body whenever she looked at the book. He remembered…

* A different bonnet