Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

31.

The next morning, Mary felt dull. She had hardly recovered from Mr Burton situation and then there was Kitty's issue which she had to deal with, when suddenly Lydia came to visit. She couldn't pull herself to do anything today. She had no goal, no money no scope and she was a woman, AN UNMARRIED WOMAN! The worst. She had rejected Mr Burton without regret but now she was unsure if she would have rather suffered with Mr Burton than in her own house.

She goes down to get herself some tea only to find out everyone dressed.

"Are you all going somewhere?" She asks confused.

"Yes!" Lydia says with joy as she twirls in her flowy pink dress. "We are going to the gathering Mr Philip and our aunt are having!"

"Oh! Are they?" Mary says surprised. "And why was I not invited?" She wondered as she makes herself her tea.

"I—

"You were, my dear!" Mrs Bennet interrupts. "But in such circumstances I do not think you should visit many people, especially in such a social gathering!" She suggests.

"What have I done?" Mary asks astonished. "Murdered or stolen?" She says unfathomably.

"You just broke of an engagement!" Her mother says. "It isn't good for a maiden to go out and about so soon after a broken engagement!"

"I wasn't engaged to began with!" She shouts. "If I broke anything it was the expectation of engagement!"

"Mary!" Mrs Bennet shouts. "Do not speak to your mother like that! If I do not wish for you to go, you are not going!" She says assertively.

"I do not want to go!" Mary says with tears in her eyes. "I just wish that MY OWN MOTHER would not belittle me just because I did not Mary just any man like her younger daughter!" She says spitefully as she marches up to her room.

"How dare you bring Lydia into this!" Mrs Bennet shouts

As soon as Mr Bennet arrives her just has a crying Lydia and consoling Mrs Bennet to witness.

"What has happened?" He wonders.

"Oh Mr Bennet! No one respects me in this family, no one cares for my nerves. First you do not bother about me and then your daughter who shouts!" Mrs Bennet whines to her husband.

"But what has happened?"

"We do not have time to discuss this," Mrs Bennet changes track. "We must hurry to reach on time!" She says with spirits up.

"But isn't Mary coming?" Mr Bennet wonders as the two ladies board the carriage.

"No, it is better if she wouldn't," Mrs Bennet says with apathy. "Now hurry, Mr Bennet!"

Though Mr Bennet cared for his daughters, he wouldn't always be present for the time they needed him the most. Today's situation was an example of such. He wanted to talk to Mary and request her to come, but his judgment said otherwise. Between the fight Mrs Bennett and Mary had he couldn't handle anymore tension and felt it wise to resolve this after the visit.

On the other hand Mary worked fast. She knew after this she had to go away from her family to find peace. She analysed her situation. London and Pemberley were out of the picture with Mr Wright and Kitty present there. There was only one person she could hope to give her shelter—Mr and Mrs Gardiner. As she began to write the letter, she worried if it would be an inconvenience to them, but regardless she had to try and she hurried and asked on of the servants to send it first thing in the morning.

At Mr and Mrs Philips, the party had just began. There were soldiers, lawyers and eminent people of society who seem to be playing cards and enjoying drinks. As soon as the Bennet's arrived Mr Philip was taken a back as he saw Lydia. After the incident unfolded with Mr Wickham and her, both Mr and Mrs Philip's had their reservation about her. But regardless for the sake of Mr and Mrs Bennet they hid their true feelings and welcomed them with open arms.