Abbotsford, home of Sir Walter Scott Jane Austen and Scotland – the UK Jane Austen Society was putting on a conference in Edinburgh in September, and the title was irresistable. I knew Jane Austen never went to Scotland, and had little if anything to do with that country; but it was intriguing to …
Lydia received an invitation from Mrs. Forster,the wife of the Colonel of the regiment, to accompany her to Brighton. This invaluable friend was a young woman, and very lately married. Spring, 1812. Early on a bright morning in late May, a gay party left Meryton: the girls, Lydia and Mrs. Forster, with the …
“We will go as far as Meryton with you,” said Catherine and Lydia. Elizabeth accepted their company, and the three young ladies set off together. 13 November 1811 At Meryton, Lizzy left her younger sisters near the lodgings of one of the officer’s wives, Mrs. Pratt, and crossed the road to walk through …
Mrs. Bennet’s famous reaction to Elizabeth’s marriage in Pride and Prejudice contains this rhapsody: “Oh! my sweetest Lizzy! how rich and how great you will be! What pin-money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! Jane’s is nothing to it – nothing at all.” Pin-money was money given to a wife for her private expenses. Pins were expensive …
The maid pulled apart the curtains, and left the tea tray. As soon as she had withdrawn, Elizabeth opened her eyes and lifted her head from the feather pillow. Darcy, in his nightshirt, was beginning his ablutions with water-pitcher and bowl. “Oh, Darcy,” she fairly wailed, “only look at the rain!” He turned from his …
Mrs. Clay’s affections had overpowered her interest, and she had sacrificed, for the young man’s sake, the possibility of scheming longer for Sir Walter. Of as little importance as Anne had ever been to Sir Walter and Elizabeth, her marriage made a difference to them. She was gone on her honeymoon, to the seaside of …
Sir Walter and Elizabeth, left alone, with few friends, little money, and no sense, soon found that as their enjoyments were less, their complaints grew greater. “This cravat,” thundered Sir Walter, “will never do.” “I beg your pardon, sir.” The butler, Harris, stood back a little, his face red from his efforts at tying, and …
It’s our anniversary, and we’re in the mood to celebrate! Throughout February, we’re commemorating the success of Austen Variations‘ first year by dropping in on some of our favorite Austen couples on their anniversaries. We started with the Darcys and the Bingleys on the 2nd. Today, we’re visiting the Eltons from Emma. I wonder how …
The visit of ceremony was paid and returned… “Now, Elizabeth, you have your watch, dangling from your chatelaine, have you not?” said Sir Walter Elliot. “For we by no means wish to overstay this call. A quarter of an hour I deem quite sufficient to spend with such people as the Crofts.” “I think ten …
It was ten o’clock. Could it be Mr. Elliot? It was long dark by ten o’clock, and the dinner had been eaten, when the knock on the door announced a visitor. In the servants’ room, every one had just sat down to eat the remains of the Elliots’ mutton and potatoes, along with a few …
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