Dear Diary: The Thoughts and Extracts of Mary Bennet

Piano Forte

~Piano Forte~

Dear Diary,

Last night held many exciting memories, I suppose, for my sisters and I. An elegant ball was held at Lady Catherine De Bourgh's mansion, in one of her banquet halls. How amazing her home is, filled with awe inspiring architecture I could have only seen within my dreams. But the object that filled my heart with the most joy was the large Piano Forte that sat in a rose colored drawing room, accompanying several windows overlooking the beautiful garden that flourished behind the mansion.

When all the rest were laughing, drinking and being quite merry, I slipped away to the beautiful drawing room and allowed my fingers to skip gayly over the ivory keys. This instrument made such a lovely sound! Far better than that of my small, out of tune piano at Longbourn.

I felt as if eyes were watching me, and turned to find a familiar pair of solemn eyes. The figure I had seen earlier, reading on the porch, sat tucked away in a velvet chair that sat in a corner. The woman was so silent, I had not noticed her when I had found my way to the piano. In a hushed voice, she commented on my skill of playing tis piano. She called it 'quite sublime and alluring, almost angelic'. I had blushed slightly, gazing at the keys once more. I thanked her with a nod and continued to play. Oh how alive I feel when my hands seem to have a mind of their own, figuring out their own little tune.

The woman I supposed was Anne De Bourgh, Lady De Bourgh's sickly daughter who also was quite bashful and demure, as I, sat her book down and made her way over toward me. I addressed myself as Mary, and a small smile hinted excitement in her eyes. Yes indeed, she was not the most graceful or beautiful woman I had ever seen, but I enjoyed her company and her grey eyes swirled like a storm cloud. She was calm, and soft spoken, though, which definitely fit my liking.

We chatted and played some simple songs, her showing me some of her skill, and I fabricating some tunes that she could play. She once again complimented me on my skill and I smiled, for I have never had a compliment on my music.

The night was growing old as Mama came to me, complaining about how her head was buzzing because she drank to much....oh mama.... She took me from the drawing room as I waved a silent goodbye to Anne and we loaded into a carriage with the Collins'. We retreated back to their home, staying the night. Now I sit in a guest room here at the Collins', writing to you from a wooden desk that was inside the dull room.

Tomorrow we shall return to Longbourn, taking Kitty with us as we shall gather her from Lydia and Wickham. The ball at Lady De Bourgh's is now a jovial memory that shall live with me forever, for that is where I met one so much like myself, for perhaps I shall consider her a friend. The only one I have...Ms. Anne De Bourgh.

Until I return to Longbourn,

Mary Bennett