Mary Bennet : Pride and Prejudice

32.

As the Bennet's retired, each one was in a different mood. Mrs Bennet, a little drunk and joyful had made up the scenario in her head where Mary will definitely accepted Mr Burton. She was so hopeful that she vowed to write a letter to Lizzy the next morning, wanting her to intervene and resolve this issue for three welfare of her sister

Lydia, still hurt and sad was hopeful and this hope came in the form of Mr Wright. She was glad to meet him and a little embarrassed at he being candour but was glad he didn't judge her like the others and understood her problem and even offered to help her. She now had to contemplate if she would take his help or not.

Mr Bennet was more or less in the same mood when he left, except he was more at peace at home, and rushed to his library.

While Mary still sulked in her room, a bored but excited Lydia could not help but want to talk to her.

"I forgive you," she says as her sad face looks at her. "But I do not understand why you had to bring me up to cover your mistakes." She goes on.

"My mistakes?" Mary says astonished.

"Let's not fight, we are sisters after all," Lydia try's to make amends.

"Huh, it's very much like you Lydia. First you say hurting words then act like you are the bigger person forgiving me? I do not care for your forgiveness!" Mary declares.

"You said the hurting words! I was being the bigger person forgiving you and..

"Lydia I do not want to talk to you right now!"

"Okay, but I wanted to tell you such a wonderful time I had and oh, Mr Wright was there and even Kingsley but...

"Mr Wright?" Mary says astonished.

"Yes, I believe he's your acquaintance?"

"Yes," she clams herself.

"I spoke with him and he was truly a gentleman."

"What did you talk to him about?"

"Oh!" Lydia startles. "Nothing important," she lies.

"Did he...ask...about...me?" She asked nervously.

"Yes," Lydia informed that brightened Mary's face. "Just about how you and Mr Burton were."

"Mr Burton? Does he not know I'm not engaged?" She asked shocked.

"Not only him, but everyone thinks you're soon to be engaged to Mr Burton," Lydia informs naively.

"But—

"Mamma said, but do not be angry, Mary," she says taking her hand. "It is good thing. No one will talk about your rejection and you do still have a chance with Mr Burton!"

"No!" Mary leaves her hand with anger. "I do admit Mr Burton is a good man, but I do not see myself married to him, or anyone at this point!" She says as she barges out to find her mother.

"Mamma! Mamma!" She shouts only to be informed that her mother is out visiting friends. Then her father calls her.

"Mary, dear, are you alright?" He inquires worried. "Have you and your mother still not resolved things between you both?"

"There can be no resolution anymore!" She declares determined. "Mamma has been going around telling everyone that I am still to be engaged to Mr Burton!"

"My dear, you know your mother..."

"No! Papa, I apologise deeply if I have disappointed you in anyway by not getting engaged to Mr Burton, but I have made my decision and there is no going back."

"I have decided Papa, to go to visit uncle and aunt Gardiner," she informs.

"But—

"I will leave as soon as a reply comes. I've heard that they are to go into to go away on holiday and I have offered my services to watch over the children," she informs sternly.

"If you have already made the decision, I cannot stop you," Mr Bennet says not being able to find any better solution to resolve this quarrel between his wife and daughter.

"Thank you, papa," she says giving him a hug.

Mary, was very irritated and knew that confronting her mother will only make things worse. She waited now desperately for the reply so that she can get away from her house for a while.

As the days passed, Mary waited for her reply, she managed her anger by not talking to her mother or Lydia. She barely even spoke to her papa and was isolated in her room most of the time or went out for fresh air and long walks to keep her mind off things.

She often thought about Mr Wright and desperately wanted to visit him, that one day when she was doing one of her long walks she almost reached Merton, and briefly though if she should go visit her aunt and uncle and Mr Wright to clarify the confusion of her engagement, but she decided against it. Even if she were to tell him she wasn't engaged what was she expecting, she wasn't sure so preferred to not put him or her in such a position.

On the other hand Lydia, who also thought about Mr Wright, had decided to write to him before she left. She had contemplated deeply about her life with her husband and not being able to withstand him or their situation she decided that she would not return to Wickham, instead with the help of Mr Wright would settle her share of the debt and leave Mr Wickham.

Mr Wright, who was still in Meryton received the letter from Lydia, where she asked him to help her settle all matters with Mr Wickham.

Mr Wright, who soon received the letter was glad. He accepted to pay Lydia's debts and support her divorce process, which would be lengthy and expensive, in order for her to leave Mr Wickham. But as he accepted this he wondered what Mary was doing, and if she found out about this would she approve of it?

Mary soon received the reply from her uncle, who was very glad for her offer and instantly invited her to stay with them. She packed her bags and was off to London. Mary was unsure to go back to London, but decided to not let Mr Wrights presence stop her, besides her aunt and uncle lived in a very different part of city then Mr Wright and she knew there was a slim possibility of them ever bumping into each other.

As Mary left the very next day, she only bid her father goodbye.

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