Pride and Prejudice

Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Pride and Prejudice took a little trip with me to the grocery store today. We picked up some groceries, stopped by the post office, got some cash from the ATM, and walked around the block to the library where we had planned to part company.

Argh! Foiled! The library was closed. It's always closed Tuesdays, but I was thrown off because it's been closed since Thursday because of some unexplained bank holiday. So my friend, of only recent acquaintance, had to come home with me again for yet another night.

We were such fast friends only just a few days ago! We spent so many happy hours in each other's company, communing intimately and sharing everything between us. Meals, afternoons, and the odd few minutes here and there were spent in the most pleasant companionship.

So well bred! So accomplished! My friend spoke so elegantly that all I could do was listen and admire her regal bearing. Not a minute spent in her company was dull, yet her conversation was always very proper and well-mannered.

She never spoke ill of anyone unless they clearly deserved it, like the very silly Mrs. Bennet, the flighty and vacuous Lydia, or the boorish Mr. Collins. She revealed to me all the details known to her about the lovely Elizabeth Bennet and the admirable (but intimidating) Mr. Darcy.

Nothing was omitted--I heard what they all were wearing, what was said, and most especially, who danced with whom. It was all incredibly delightful.

Then suddenly my friend seemed to have nothing more to say! We reached the end of our passionate but short-lived intimacy and I presently felt that this particular friend had overstayed her welcome. We had nothing left to say to each other. I soon found a new friend (actually an old acquaintance by the name of Krakauer) and stayed up late into the night conversing with him.

All I could do was ignore Pride and Prejudice and leave her in the hall to amuse herself. This unfortunate situation is the reason for our excursion to the library today; I assumed she would be much happier in the familiar company of her family in her own home, and there I escorted her.

Thus it was all the more uncomfortable for both of us upon reaching the library to see its gates locked and windows shuttered. I took pity on the poor creature, however, and immediately offered her another night's lodging at my own home.

She sits forlorn in the hall, dreaming of new admirers, no doubt.

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