As the golden song faded with the end of the first act and the curtain was drawn, Lydia sprawled along the velvet railing of the box, crushing her bosom against it. “Lizzy,” she said pettishly, “That girl is no prettier than I am, and she squeals too high when she sings.” Elizabeth was surprised. “Why, …
Mr. Collins stood awkwardly in the middle of Lord Byron’s box at the Teatro de Fenice, arms akimbo, looking very much how he felt, like a fish out of water. “I declare! This is very fine, to be sure, to be in a box at the opera, but I do not know if it will …
Lord Byron sent over a note to say that he had ordered tickets for the opera at Teatro la Fenice for the whole party. Contessa Guiccioli had already arrived and was in residence, and they would travel in the two gondolas, Byron’s own and Mr. Darcy’s. “I long to see her,” enthused Lydia as they …
No wedding clothes for Lydia… August 31, 1812 Mrs. Gardiner entered her husband’s study quietly and glided across the room. Kissing him on the cheek, she pulled a chair up beside him and sat down. To her dismay, he looked even more tired and distracted than he had been for the past few weeks. “Thank …
Nobody spoke for a moment. At the sight of Mr. Collins standing in the doorway of Lord Byron’s apartments at the Palazzo Mocenigo, the persons assembled wore expressions ranging from surprise, horror, and pained disdain; but no one looked at all happy. Mr. Collins, who seemed the least distressed, was the first to speak. “Lady …
Lydia completely fails to repent before her wedding… August 8, 1812 It was after breakfast that Mr. Gardiner was called away to consult with his man of business, Mr. Stone, and Lydia was wild with fear that he would take so long, that they would not reach St. Clement’s by eleven o’clock, when the wedding …
Wickham is not the young man to refuse a companion… August 1, 1812 “Look here, Lydia,” said Wickham, getting out of bed and standing by the window, watching red coated troops march by on their way to the Downs. “I have got to leave town.” Lydia sat up, clutching a bed-sheet to her bare shoulders. …
Mr. Wickham makes the town too hot to hold him… July 29, 1812 About a month after Lydia’s removal to Brighton, Mr. Wickham sauntered into a handsome suite attached to the Prince Regent’s palatial quarters in Marine Parade. It was not where a young officer of a common militia regiment might expect to be admitted, …
“Papa! Papa!” shrieked Allegra. The pretty little three year old girl, her father’s dimple in her chin and with sparkling eyes, propelled herself into Lord Byron’s arms. “Gently, gently, mia cara. What? You are pleased to see Papa again? But you know I said you should.” “Will you stay with me this time, Papa?” “We …
Lord Byron had quite forgotten about his dinner invitation to the Darcys, as Shelley’s arrival had distracted him. They had not met in several years, and after warm greetings Shelley lost no time in freeing his mind about his first concern: the fate of Byron’s little daughter Allegra. The child’s mother, Claire Clairmont, lived with …
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