Diana Birchall

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A View from the Stage by Diana Birchall and C. Allyn Pierson

  After our “Austen Assizes” play in Brooklyn (at the 2012 JASNA Annual General Meeting) Syrie James and I, much to our delight, were commissioned to write a “behind the scenes” play-within-the-play in Mansfield Park for the Montreal AGM. We knew this would be even trickier to bring off, as Mansfield Park is arguably the least …

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Persuasion 200: Mary Has Something to Say

Mary had had her evils; but upon the whole, as was evident by her staying so long, she had found more to enjoy than to suffer. As soon as Charles and Mary returned from Lyme, they drove over to see Anne at Kellynch Lodge, and to give her their report. Lady Russell was out, but …

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Persuasion 200: Louisa’s Firmness of Resolve, and its Consequences – by Diana Birchall

“As they drew near the Cobb, there was such a general wish to walk along it once more, all were so inclined, and Louisa soon grew so determined, that the difference of a quarter of an hour, it was found, would be no difference at all…”     They were to depart for Uppercross at …

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Persuasion 200: Which Will He Marry?

Captain Wentworth had not been above four or five times in the Miss Musgroves’ company, and Charles Hayter had but just reappeared, when Anne had to listen to the opinions of her brother and sister, as to which was the one liked best. Charles gave it for Louisa, Mary for Henrietta, but quite agreeing that …

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P200: Little Charles’s Collar-bone

Captain Wentworth was visiting at Uppercross, and Anne must have seen him, but an accident occurred to prevent it…   Mary was feeling well enough for a walk to the great house, on a bright October morning; and Anne was looking forward to her enjoyment of the sweets of the season, the leaves gaining in golden colour …

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Persuasion 200: Mary Musgrove’s Complaint

“Anne,” said Charles, “I wish you could persuade Mary not to be always fancying herself ill.” Anne, who really thought Charles bore very patiently with his wife, disliked anything resembling interference, or being placed in the midst of disputes. Yet she felt decided sympathy for her brother-in-law, and so she resolved to try.  A gentle …

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Persuasion 200: The Musgroves Talk About the Elliots

The night before Anne’s visit, the Musgroves vent their feelings about the Elliot family. The Pooles, a very good family of old friends, lived two miles from the Great House, and so it was necessary for Mr. and Mrs. Musgrove to pick up Mary in their carriage for the dinner party on the Thursday evening. …

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Persuasion 200: Sir Walter Departs for Bath

Sir Walter and the ladies depart for Bath while Anne walks up to Kellynch Lodge to stay with Lady Russell. Sir Walter examined the horses he was so soon to give up, with complaisant satisfaction. Their last office would be to draw him, Miss Elliot, and Mrs. Clay, to Bath. “We will make a very good picture,” …

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Persuasion 200: “We Cannot Possibly Do Without Mrs. Clay” by Diana Birchall

  “Elizabeth,” said Lady Russell, “I wish to have some talk with you.” There was that in her voice, that informed even Elizabeth, who was by no means perceptive, that the talk would be unpleasant. “Oh!” said she, “surely you mean – I will send Anne. She is only scribbling and turning over some old …

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Persuasion 200: Can We Retrench? by Diana Birchall

It had not been possible for him to spend less: he had done nothing but what Sir Walter Elliot was imperiously called on to do; but blameless as he was, he was not only growing dreadfully in debt, but was hearing of it so often, that it became vain to attempt concealing it longer, even …

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