I saw that he was looking anxious.'I thought you weren't coming.' As he spoke, he grasped my hand. And if the sight of him had not quite restored the magic, the touch of him most certainly did. 'You're not wishing yourself some place else, Mary?
fear romantic jane-austen pride-and-prejudice divine jennifer-paynter mary-bennet peter-bushell hope
At that moment a solitary violin struck up. But the music was not dance music; it was more like a song - a solemn, sweet song. (I know now that it was Beethoven's Romance in F.) I listened, and suddenly it was as if the fog that surrounded me had been penetrated, as if I were being spoken to.
music jane-austen pride-and-prejudice song jennifer-paynter mary-bennet message peter-bushell
I knew it was Peter playing. I fancied he was trying to tell me something - an absurd idea, but it persisted - 'I may not be able to spell, but just you listen to this.
proof music jane-austen pride-and-prejudice song jennifer-paynter mary-bennet peter-bushell embarrassment
Before I could reply, he had picked me up, literally swept me off my feet, and kissed me. And afterwards, when I tried to speak, he silenced me in much the same manner. It was a shock (but not at all distasteful) to be so caught up. Later - when he at last set me down - he handled me more gently. He took of my glasses and told me that he loved me.
truth jane-austen pride-and-prejudice lovely confession tenderness jennifer-paynter mary-bennet peter-bushell
I did not have an opportunity to speak privately with Peter until just as he was leaving, when he handed me one of the Burns song-sheets and (with a most earnest look) told me to read it before I went to bed. The song was 'My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose,' but it was not until was up in my bedchamber that I saw he had written on the inside page: 'My mother would be honoured if you visited her after church tomorrow.
family romantic jane-austen pride-and-prejudice secret lovers jennifer-paynter mary-bennet peter-bushell
In suiting the action to the words, however, I perceived that the stars were all wrong. That was my undoing. I had looked up unthinkingly, anticipating the familiar, and, finding it gone, began to cry like a baby. Whereupon Peter stopped the gig and took me in his arms, kissing me so that my face was soon sore both from kissing and crying.
marriage comfort jane-austen pride-and-prejudice jennifer-paynter mary-bennet peter-bushell
Blessed with the love of a good man, I felt equal to anything - even the prospect of living out my days in the Antipodes.
sacrifice jane-austen pride-and-prejudice support lucky blessed jennifer-paynter mary-bennet peter-bushell
I found I could listen without envy to Letty's singing, and afterwards when the applause came, I did not mind that Mrs Knowles was heaping praises upon her. Peter's hands were on my chair, and when I leaned back I could feel them against my shoulders.
comfort jane-austen pride-and-prejudice support loyalty jennifer-paynter mary-bennet peter-bushell
This made my father laugh. 'Mary made a cake, did she? Well, well. Better that than she should make a cake for herself, I suppose.'Peter then burst out: 'Why must you always be making a game of Mary? 'Tis not fair; 'tis not sporting.
jane-austen pride-and-prejudice cute loyalty jennifer-paynter mary-bennet peter-bushell protectiveness
After a moment, he added more seriously: 'I don't get as angry as m'father used to about things. Or maybe I', just better at hiding m'feelings.''I fear I'm not very good at hiding my feelings.'He covered my hand with his own. 'That's what I like about you. I liked it from the first. You're so different from the others.
jane-austen pride-and-prejudice cute divine jennifer-paynter mary-bennet peter-bushell
Hello, Mary.'It was like hearing a note of divine calm after a dissonant passage of music. My confusion died away.
jane-austen pride-and-prejudice cute divine innocent jennifer-paynter mary-bennet peter-bushell
Ah yes.' Peter's tone was scornful. 'And they must always be paid before the poor tradesmen's bills, mustn't they?''They must indeed. They are debts of honour.''Oh, Mary.' He leant over and kissed me quickly. 'What a lot we'll have to argue about after we're married.
jane-austen pride-and-prejudice jennifer-paynter mary-bennet peter-bushell
I lost the letter in rather embarrassing circumstances. We were to dine at Parramatta Government House that same evening, and Peter had come in early from harvesting the wheat, sitting down in all his dirt to read the precious missive. I sat beside him, fresh from my bath. And so handsome did my husband look, long legs sprawled in Dungaree trousers and frowning over my father's spiky hand, that I could not resist reaching out to smooth away the frown. He caught my hand to his lips, still reading, and then chancing to look up, and reading my face more swiftly than he would ever read the written word, pulled me onto his lap.
Peter was now standing very close - as if he wanted to comfort me - as if he knew how hurt I felt that Mrs Knowles had not asked me to play or to sing. And I did feel comforted. It was as if a tide of warmth was carrying me out of myself, inclining me to trust him and to conduct myself well.
jane-austen pride-and-prejudice support loyalty jennifer-paynter mary-bennet peter-bushell
You must log in to post a comment.
There are no comments yet.