[ There has never been any reason for Mary to question whether their furnishings and linens were good enough for company before. Whether it was the Gardiners and their children or Mr. Collins coming to stay, Longbourn has always been a comfortable home with a genteel air. Yet some strange sensation overtakes her as they enter the room. She begins to have the quite outrageous worry that the room might not suit him, or is lacking in something vital. The notion is preposterous, of course, and yet for a moment such concerns take hold until she is roused by his pain at trying to remove his shoes. Her hands — which are clasped loosely in front of her — suddenly separate as she takes a step forward as if to aid him. But then she stops herself. It would be entirely inappropriate. After all, he hadn't helped her out of her clothes when she was forced to stay at his residence, did he?
Startled at her own behavior, she clasps her hands together once more and inclines her head. ]
I will do so at once, sir. Dinner will be served at five o'clock.
[ And with that, she quickly leaves the room to fetch one of the servants they passed and send them in. Her face feels very hot all of a sudden and she retires to her own bedroom to splash some water on her face. Hopefully at dinnertime she will have a better grip on her senses. ]
no subject
Startled at her own behavior, she clasps her hands together once more and inclines her head. ]
I will do so at once, sir. Dinner will be served at five o'clock.
[ And with that, she quickly leaves the room to fetch one of the servants they passed and send them in. Her face feels very hot all of a sudden and she retires to her own bedroom to splash some water on her face. Hopefully at dinnertime she will have a better grip on her senses. ]