Prothalamion, or, A Song in Celebration of a Wedding

To Guy, who suggested it

Note: The title and structure of this piece are borrowed shamelessly from Busman's Honeymoon, by Dorothy L. Sayers, to whose spirit I offer much humble gratitude.

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Colonel Brandon to his sister, Sarah Marchbanks, in Avignon

Barton, March 27

My dearest Sarah,

I write with some news that I hope will make you smile. I am just engaged, this very day, to be married. It is past two o'clock in the morning and I have agreed not to tell my hosts as yet, so I will tell my cherished confidante, for I am brimming with happiness and I simply must tell someone. The lady's name is Miss Marianne Dashwood, and she is sister to Mr. Ferrars, that excellent young rector of whom I have written to you before. She is charming, compassionate, beautiful, generous, and I adore her. She is romantic--she likes a wild storm, a sad poem (she is an avid reader), a mournful song. Music, in fact, often moves her to tears--and yet she is not a low-spirited lady, but rather eager and lively in everything, a great walker and rider, with an especial love of dancing. She has a sweet voice and is an accomplished pianist, and has made good use of our mother's pianoforte during her visits here. I will send you a sketch of her by her sister, who has a fine hand. She has the loveliest dark eyes, and hair of a rich, honeyed gold, and a heartwarming smile-- I make her sound a saint, an angel, and you will not believe in her. I must therefore enumerate her earthly flaws. --Well, I cannot think of any. Some would say, I suppose, that she is impetuous, headstrong, opinionated, but I find those qualities refreshing. As one who suffered from society's conventions, I like someone who flouts them. She is not quite nineteen, and you will think me foolish to be besotted with someone so young. But she is no child--she is tempered by experience, by certain griefs not unlike mine so many years ago. I will say no more in a letter, except that it was not her family who were at fault. She has very kindly consented to marry without delay, as soon as the banns are published--we think perhaps the 25th of April, so I will be a real "April gentleman." Of course I would happily purchase any license she asked for, but I must make the house ready for her and she wishes to add to her trousseau, so the expense does seem unnecessary. We will travel to the Lakes, and then we would like to come to you for a few weeks, should a sojourn on the Continent be advisable. Mrs. Ferrars expects her first lying-in in August, and of course we should like to return for that occasion. --I have never written we in this context--the word looks strange and wonderful on the paper.

I hope the packets are swift and you receive this soon, as I should like to have your blessing before the day--sentimental idiot that I am. Warmest regards to Claude and the children. Take care--I do so wish you could be here.

Your most devoted brother,
Christopher

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Mrs. Dashwood to John and Fanny

Barton, March 28

My dear John and Fanny,

I write to inform you that your sister Marianne and our dear friend Colonel Brandon will at last be married, in Barton church on or about the 25th next. You will be pleased to hear that the colonel's settlement on Marianne will be exceedingly generous, including not only ample pin money but also a very comfortable jointure, which he has promised to enlarge as he can--all this even when she has so limited a fortune as not to have one at all. He is a truly beneficent man, and I know you will be happy for Marianne that she has captured the heart of one so worthy of her. And you will be pleased as well that she may now take possession of my mother's mahogany table and chairs, that you have so kindly stored for us. She will let you know when to send them.

We all hope you will be able to attend the ceremony and also the breakfast, which is to be held at Barton Park at the kind insistence of the Middletons, and of which I shall be able to relay more particulars at a later date.

Elinor and Edward have departed this morning for Delaford. They have been visiting these two weeks--Edward's first visit since their marriage as he takes his parish responsibilities so very seriously--but of course they will return for the wedding. You will be happy to hear that Elinor gets on well. Do kiss little Harry for me.

Yours most cordially,
Emily Dashwood

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Mrs. Jennings to Charlotte Palmer

Barton, March 29

My dear Charlotte,

You will never guess! He has finally proposed, finally secured her! I refer to Colonel Brandon and Miss Dashwood, of course--he has been so very patient with her--she has often made me quite put out--but she has accepted him and you would not know him he is so lively and joking now. He would do anything for her--completely infatuated--she is not, I think, but that is no matter, for one of them ought to keep a clear head. They believed it a great secret but anyone could tell just looking at him that night (the 27th) that something was up--and I saw a light under his door very late as if he could not sleep. And then when she came to dinner next day I knew what it was before ever they spoke--the way he jumped up at the first sound of their voices in the sweep and met her on the front steps and gave her his arm, and her look was different, her tone of voice to him--she attended to him in a way I had never seen before, though she has long thought him superior to any other man, often letting out with "Colonel Brandon said this" or "Colonel Brandon thinks that." She said very little, though she is not a great talker as you know, but he was so full of spirit--I did not know he had such energy--I believe he told three jokes in that one evening. And last night we had a little party here, and they danced and talked together--he has not her passion for dancing, but as it gives him pleasure to see her happy he dances whenever she wants, and by the same token she is happy to sit down to cards, which you know she never did like, if the mood strikes him. She has always an eye on the door while the gentlemen are at their port, and he is always the first to rejoin the ladies, and does not stay with the gentlemen at all if Marianne is to play and sing.

What shall I do, Charlotte, now that I have got my dear friends married off to each other? Miss Margaret is young yet, but one or two of the Careys and any of three Trevors might one day do for her. Something to plan! Well, I must off to the cottage to see if I may be of use.

Yr. dev. Mama

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Lady Middleton's journal

March 29----Colonel Brandon and Miss Marianne Dashwood are at last betrothed. It was inevitable, I suppose. I can only hope he will settle her down. Ill-natured, satirical girl--such shocking behavior she indulged in with Mr. Willoughby--I wonder that the colonel will have her. But not everyone has my standards. We have offered to host the breakfast. Given Miss Dashwood's relation to Sir John, we could not do else, but I know that the colonel intends to invite some army acquaintances--his groomsman is to be a sergeant from St. Ives--I cannot write it without a shudder--and, as he is obviously not particular about his associates, I can only pray that they do not spit on the carpets.

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Lady Middleton to Charlotte Palmer

Barton, March 29

Dear Charlotte,

Isn't it pleasant news about Colonel Brandon and Miss Marianne Dashwood? I know my mother has told you, and also that we shall host the wedding breakfast here. Sir John is already deciding how many musicians we will need. The weather should be somewhat more tranquil by then and the roads dry for traveling. I look forward to meeting the colonel's army friends, and of course I am always ready to assist my husband's cousins in any way I can.

Your sister,
Mary

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John and Fanny to Mrs. Dashwood

Norland Park, March 30

My dear ma'am,

How gratifying that Colonel Brandon's long and patient courtship of our sister is at last coming to fruition. Of course Fanny and I wish the betrothed couple happiness equal to our own. We have given a great deal of thought to the matter of a wedding gift, but despair of hitting upon a suitable item for a couple who will have all they need and want. We shall be pleased to attend the ceremony and breakfast.

I urge you, ma'am, and hope you do not object to my advice, to exercise great care in the matter of the settlement. You must guard the language of the documents carefully, so that no vague clause remains that may be exploited at a later date by unscrupulous relations of the colonel's, who might object to his uncommon generosity. As a young woman with very little fortune, Marianne must take especial care not to let softer feelings blind her to the necessity of assuring adequate protection for herself and her children. You must be certain to engage the finest lawyer you can afford.

Fanny wishes to add a postscript--

Yours, etc.,
John Dashwood

I do wish Miss Marianne very happy with her husband. Who would have thought she could secure such a good match? I shall hardly know the breakfast room without the mahogany set. I wonder if it will blend as well with the furnishings at Delaford House as it does here? So many fine things the colonel must already possess--Marianne would not want any of her rooms to jar the taste of her guests. But of course we shall send the set as soon as she likes.

Most sincerely,
Fanny Dashwood

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Marianne to Elinor

Barton, March 30

Dearest Elinor,

Christopher has left this morning for Delaford and I am miserable. I had not been aware how constantly we have been in each other's company until he was gone. How shall I endure the next three weeks and a half? You must look out for him and let me know how he gets on. He plans to visit once or twice, but he must organize the house for a long absence and also go to London upon some business or other--if he told me I did not note it. I cannot seem to pay attention to anything. I speak and listen but I cannot remember any conversation more than ten minutes in the past. Were you in such a flutter before your own wedding? One would never have known if you were, for you are always so outwardly calm. Margaret has been teasing me. She did not tease you, I am certain. Dear Mama is hardly better, bursting with plans and writing to everyone in the family, even to fourth cousins thrice removed whom I never shall meet. --Here she is with more dress patterns. I had better close--

With affection but in haste,
M.

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Marianne to Elinor

Barton, April 3

Dearest Elinor,

I have been all morning planning the breakfast menu with Lady Middleton at the park. She behaves as though the Regent himself were coming. She has ordered how the napkins shall be folded, how the flower vases shall be placed, how the sweets shall be arranged on the platter. Why does she have a housekeeper at all if she is determined to trouble herself with such details as those? By her countenance I am certain Mrs. Stevens feels the same.

You will tell me I should not complain about Lady M., and you are right. She and Sir J. are very kind to host our breakfast. I should not like to leave Mama with so much to attend to after such a crowd, and I do wish to leave as early as possible, for I should like us to spend our first night as man and wife in our own home.

Christopher has written twice already--such sweet letters, saying that he misses me to distraction and cannot wait until we are married, etc., and I have responded with every ounce of the deep affection I feel for him. I hope it is enough to sustain him, to erase the doubts I can sometimes sense from him. Now and then I think he expects me to tell him I have changed my mind. But if he is not confident now, I must do all I can to make certain he does not doubt on the day.

Yrs.,
M.

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Elizabeth Williams to Colonel Brandon

Oakhill, April 5

Dear Cousin Brandon,

May I express my warmest congratulations to you and your intended! I wish you both all the happiness in the world! You are good to say that your attentions to us will not diminish, but of course they will, and you must not expect otherwise. We will not see you as often, and we shall miss you, but you will have your own family to attend to, and that will be as it should.

Mrs. Sutton says I make good progress--I have at last got my stitches small enough to please her, so I shall soon be allowed to do some of the finish work. John said "needle and thread" today, all in a phrase, though of course it sounded rather like "fwed." He is eighteen months Tuesday next, and toddling about quite efficiently.

May I ask, very humbly, if you have acquainted Miss Dashwood with my circumstances? If so, would it be proper for me to write to her? I should like to convey my good wishes and also to praise her betrothed, though on that subject I am certain I could tell her nothing she does not already know.

Your most grateful cousin,
Eliza

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Elinor to Marianne

Delaford, April 6

Dearest Marianne,

I am sorry I did not write yesterday. We were called to a sickbed, not to get home again until midnight. We left the farmer much improved, a blessing, as he has a large family. This morning all of them are feeling newly devout. Edward has just rung the bell for prayer, and there in the lane are some of the farmer's relations I have never seen near the church before. I think I will want a nap this afternoon.

Of course I was in a flutter, though I am glad to know you did not realize it--one hysterical outburst is more than sufficient for any bride-to-be.

We see Colonel Brandon every day. He is very busy making some alterations in the house and acquiring this and that which I have sworn not to reveal to you. He is unfailingly cheerful, and rides out briskly, always at a canter; I do not think I need to "look out" for him. If he does have doubts I think they cannot be very severe. Mrs. Baynes tells me that he has instructed her to engage another manservant and two maids, and I hardly think our prudent colonel would go to such expense if he were really not sure of you. When we dined with him yesterday, in the midst of showing us a lovely cabinet he has brought out from a remote room because he thinks you will like it (I agree), he stopped talking and looked about him as if to take in all the changes in his house, though many of course were not visible from where we stood. With a little laugh he said very softly, "I cannot yet believe my good fortune." Dearest Marianne, what in him you fear may be doubt is at least as likely, I believe, to be wonder.

I do thank you for seeing your way to making our dear friend and patron so happy. I do not in the slightest doubt that he will do the same for you.

Most affectionately,
Elinor

PS--Yes, Margaret did tease me, but I suspect I was not so rewarding a victim as you.

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Marianne to Elinor

Barton, April 7

Dearest Elinor,

We have had a letter of congratulations from John and Fanny--the tone very cool, as you might imagine. John pretends concern on my behalf about the settlement, but of course he only wants to be assured that he will not someday be required to support a destitute sister. Fanny is trying to avoid sending me the table and chairs that Grandmama left expressly to me. One can only laugh at them, they are so transparent and ridiculous, and pretend they are no relations of ours. I have replied to them with all the civility they deserve.

Christopher has mentioned to me that he plans to open some rooms he has not ever used. Many have no furniture at all, you know, so much was he forced to sell to pay the estate's debts. But now we will be able to install pieces of our own choosing, rather than live with the detritus of former owners. I know he has set aside the east drawing-room for my own use--he is bringing a caseful of paper samples when he comes--is there more?

Yrs., etc.
M.

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Marianne to John and Fanny

Barton, April 7

Dear John and Fanny,

Please send the table and chairs to Delaford at your earliest convenience; Mrs. Baynes, the housekeeper, will be expecting them. I know you will be relieved to have space in your breakfast room for pieces of your own purchase. I am deeply touched by your good wishes and concern.

Sincerely,
Marianne Dashwood

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Brandon to Eliza

Barton, April 9

My dear Eliza,

Do you think I hide you away like a dirty secret, denying your very existence even to those who will be my family? Put all such thoughts out of your head. Of course Miss Dashwood knows about you. In fact, she desires me to say that she would be very pleased to hear from you should you wish to write, and I think if you do you will not wait long for a reply. I shall come to Oakhill within the week, for I do want to see you before the wedding, as we shall be traveling almost continually through the last of July. I wish, dear Eliza, that I could tell you when you might meet Miss Dashwood--or Mrs. Brandon, as she then will be--but there are circumstances which make a meeting ill-advised for a time. I shall explain when I see you, for she has given me leave to do so, and I am confident of your understanding and sympathy. I am off to London this morning--I will stop on my return.

Yours very affectionately,
C.B.

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Marianne to Elinor

Barton, April 9

Dear Elinor,

In Exeter today I had a fitting for my new dresses--a bright blue and a soft rose muslin--and I also purchased a new pair of walking boots as mine are wearing badly. And I could not stop myself buying a porcelain figurine of a man and woman reading together under a tree. It is a completely frivolous item at which you would not have looked twice, but I want to give Christopher not only the traditional shirt (which I have almost finished--a fine snow-white linen) but also something he will not expect, and this speaks of us. The man is even dressed in a red coat, which suggests an army uniform, and the woman's hair is the exact shade of mine. I also purchased--and you will laugh aloud at this--a piece of warm flannel which I am having dyed Bishop's blue and from which I shall make Christopher a fine new waistcoat!

I am so glad we are not waiting to marry. Having made the decision, it will be best to be about our new lives, but also it is a blessing that there isn't time to go to town to shop, which Mrs. Jennings would certainly insist upon. London holds no charms at all for me, as you know, and I want it to hold no part in my preparations.

No, I must concede that London will soon hold one charm, for Christopher is on his way there. He left this morning, and I do miss him. Thank you so much for your anecdote; I was so affectionate seeing him off that I believe he was quite startled!

Yrs., etc.
M.

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Elinor to Marianne

Delaford, April 11

My dear Marianne,

I feel it my duty to caution you not to spend all the colonel's money before you have even married him.

Having fulfilled my sisterly obligation I can now say that if the figure of the man had been dressed as a clergyman I too would have been frivolous. Edward and I do read together, you know, if only insipid prose, and sometimes even under a tree, though a healthy, green tree with all its branches intact. It sounds a charming piece, and will well suit the mantel in the family parlor.

I write in haste, called to a lying-in, at which I will certainly learn far more than I want to know about what awaits me in August.

Yrs.,
E.

PS--You will not pry it out of me.

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Marianne to Elinor

April 13

Dear Elinor,

Do not be concerned--it is not Christopher's money that I spend. I will not take a penny from him until we are wed. Mama and I have scraped together a little and the dressmaker is very clever--she was recommended to us by Mrs. Jennings. Do you think yourself so poor a teacher that I have not learned a thing or two about economy? I have even told C that I do not need a lady's maid any more than he needs a valet--even at Norland we were not so spoiled as that--one of the chambermaids will do nicely when I need assistance. He looked most touched when I said that I would not want to strain his purse after he has been so thrifty. Besides, I would much prefer that he support a horse for me rather than a lady's maid who would be always underfoot!

Affectionately,
Marianne

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Elinor to Marianne

Delaford, April 14

Dear Marianne,

The colonel is just returned from London and has stopped by to say that the lawyers will draw up the contracts tomorrow. I remember that my hand quite shook as I signed ours! It is so very kind of Sir John to send his lawyer on your behalf. --Oh Marianne, it will be such a pleasure to have you so near! I have missed you very much. Even letters as frequent as ours do not compensate for the loss of daily converse. --Of course I am merely the parson's wife, while you will be lady of the manor. Shall you speak to me in the lane?

Yours most humbly,
Elinor

PS--The birth went well, producing a plump, red baby girl with a bit of brown fuzz on her head. I was not as alarmed as I had anticipated.

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Marianne to Elinor

Barton, April 16

Dearest Elinor!

How I laughed to read your last! Speak to you in the lane, indeed! I shall spend at least half my time in your parlor and the rest you will spend in mine. Our respective husbands will be always looking for us. But are you certain you want me nearby, when I exasperate you so?

I have had a letter--this might well surprise you--from Miss Elizabeth Williams, full of warm phrases. She asked Christopher if she might write to me, and he asked me, and I could not but say yes, though I was not a little uncomfortable to contemplate it. There was a time when I thought I should never want to meet her, but now I think I should like to. She is Christopher's relation, after all, and my own age, and little more at fault for her situation than I was for mine a year ago. Christopher does not press her on me, indeed he says the decision is all my own whether to make her acquaintance, but yes, I think I do wish it--though I must steel myself to look at her son. Christopher says he looks to grow up very like his father in appearance. Perhaps with diligence on the part of his guardians he will not resemble him in character as well.

Yrs. ever,
Marianne

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Marianne to Elinor

Barton, April 17

Dear Elinor,

C arrived today about noon and our first order of business was to meet with the lawyers. My hand shook as well! His did not--I was observing closely--but he drew a deep breath before he took up the pen. He gave me a necklace of pearls that belonged to his mother, fastening it around my neck with his own hands. It is exquisite, so delicate--but he says he showed it you. I shall wear it at our wedding--it will beautifully complement my dress.

We rode out for a while with Sir John and his steward, though as they were discussing a recent tenants' meeting and the problem of some fungus that has appeared on a few trees, C and I were very nearly alone, and it was heady indeed--I am afraid we were not as discreet as we might have been and Sir John laughed at us all evening. He had found some very fine musicians for the dance--the finest for some time, I think. C and I did look the smart couple, if I may be so immodest as to say so. He is quite splendid in fancy breeches and hose--for he does have good calves!--and such cascades of ruffles--I was afraid I would shame him. But I wore my plum gown with my new necklace, and he declared that I looked as if I had stepped from a painting. I made no attempt to resist such a compliment, and danced with him all night long! He is even more attentive as a fiancé than he was as a friend, and I am not too proud to admit that I delighted in being seen with him as an engaged couple. Before you accuse me of vanity, I will tell you that C confessed he felt the same. He dances quite well, and I scolded him for concealing so valuable a skill. He had much practice, he says, at officers' balls in India, though of course he tells me I am the most beautiful of all the ladies he has ever danced with. --When will he tire of such flattery, I wonder? Will we soon be bored with each other, living so intimately? Oh Elinor, I do not want us to become like the Middletons and the Palmers!

Yrs.,
Marianne

PS--It is now three o'clock in the morning. It is strange to know that he sleeps in the guest room just down the hall--though sometimes I think I hear his step on the floor. I wonder if he is wakeful, too, knowing I am here?

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Elinor to Marianne

Delaford, April 18

My dear Marianne,

I have had you even nearer for all the years of my life that I can recall. This will seem a much more usual state of affairs. And I believe our exasperation has always been mutual!

I am not surprised, in fact, that you heard from Miss Williams. Some of the colonel's family must possess his same thoughtfulness, and I would expect it most of the cousin whose education he has sponsored. She and her son will be always in my prayers.

May I ask you to mind your penmanship, dear sister? It has taken me the light of day and a magnifying glass to decipher your last two letters.

Yrs.,
E.

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Elinor to Marianne

Delaford, April 19

Dear Marianne,

Why must you always imagine the worst? There is no reason at all to think that you and your husband will tire of each other, for your union, like mine with Edward, will be based upon more than superficialities. You are not marrying him for his money, and he certainly is not marrying you for yours, and since you have been almost inseparable for the greatest part of a year I venture to say that you are tolerably well acquainted. If you have not tired of each other yet it is not likely you will in future.

Yrs., etc.
E.

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Marianne to Elinor

Barton, April 21

Dearest Elinor,

My last, no doubt, before your departure. I am sorry for my handwriting--it is the excitement. I cannot play six bars without a sour note, or talk with Margaret for five minutes without snapping at her. But nothing seems to disrupt her good humor. When I embrace her with tears and a thousand apologies she says only that she knows I will be pleasant again once I am married. How can I have two such forgiving sisters! --Can you be right? Can our friendship survive our marriage? I would not lose it for anything. I would not hurt him for anything. He has already suffered once in love, terribly, and I would not have pledged myself to him if I did not believe I could help to ease his poignant memories as he has helped to ease mine. I am safe with him; I trust him to guard my heart, for though my heart is not as vulnerable as it was, still it wants respect and consideration, and I know I never shall have any less from him, nor shall he ever want either from me.

The announcements have appeared in the Times and the Post, and I have cut them out and pasted them in my journal. "Marianne Dashwood," they say. Is it myself, or some other woman with the same name? Am I dreaming? It is all so sudden! I am existing in a whirlwind, but when I think of Christopher I am calm.

Well, you will be here soon. Safe journey, dear Elinor--

Yours ever,
Marianne

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Sarah Marchbanks to her brother

Avignon, April 8

My dear Sentimental Idiot,

Picture me so joyful that I jumped up from the sofa and embraced Claude and each of the children and even the governess, who was thoroughly flabbergasted! Make me smile, indeed--I cannot tell you my happiness! You say that Miss Dashwood is impetuous, headstrong, opinionated--I like her already. You say she is romantic--she is then well suited to you. As to her youth, that is nothing. You need a young wife, for you are serious beyond your years and have been for too long. As she has accepted you she is clearly wise beyond hers--though I am sorry if it needed her sufferings to make her so. I shall write to her and advise her to make you laugh often. You said not a word about her fortune so I assume she hasn't one. Is she poor as a church mouse? It would be like you to rescue a worthy but penniless damsel and thank her for agreeing to marry you--I am teasing you, of course! I shall take the liberty of giving you advice that I hope our dear mother would give you were she able: only keep in mind that she is inexperienced in certain matters, be considerate and patient and explain everything, and all will be well.

Cousin Wilfrid will be so pleased to hear of your impending marriage, as he has often proclaimed very loudly that he and his sons have no real need of Delaford and that you might just as well leave it to charity as to them. He doth protest too much--but bother Wilfrid! Fanny will be kind, though. Claude tells me to wish you every happiness, as do the boys to their "Uncle Colonel"--the girls only gurgle but I am certain they send you their best as well. We shall think of you on the 25th, and can hardly wait to see Colonel and Mrs. Brandon soon!

Delightedly and with love,
Sarah

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Brandon to Sarah

Delaford, April 23

Dearest Sarah,

Rec'd yours just this morning. Did you intend to make me feel a boy again? I am not so far removed from my youth that I cannot remember my own nervousness-- I shall be patient and kind-- And now my face has grown very hot, and I am leaving this subject at once.

Miss Dashwood's fortune is almost as large as you speculate--since you were so tactless as to ask. (And now I am teasing you--thus demonstrating that my sense of humor is not quite moribund.)

Yes, Wilfrid can barely contain his pleasure; in his terse note of congratulation he very nearly wishes our marriage barren. I do exaggerate, but there is an undertone-- I think I will not long be his sons' favorite cousin. Fanny's letter was brief but warm. Being sound managers of money and property she and her husband have more than enough for their children without coveting the assets of others. I shall not hesitate to introduce Marianne to them.

Tomorrow I go to Barton, and the following day-- I shall not sleep for the next three nights. When next you hear from me I shall be a happily married man!

Incoherently,
Christopher

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a note slipped under Marianne's door, near midnight, April 24

Are you certain, my Marianne?

C.

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a note slipped under Brandon's door, near dawn, April 25th

Dearest Christopher,

I have never been more certain of anything.

M.

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Mrs. Jennings to Charlotte Palmer

Barton, April 25

My dear Charlotte,

We have just seen away the last of the guests and I want to tell you about the day while it is still fresh in my mind. Oh, how I wish you had been here! What a delightful morning, I must tell you, the pleasantest I ever spent, seeing my two dear friends so happy with each other and the world. The vicar would not tell me how they looked in the ceremony itself--he chooses a curious time to claim professional discretion, I must say--but my Betty knows the brother of the curate, who says that Miss Marianne was not the least faint, but stood up and said her vows as if fearless, and I should expect nothing less of someone so decisive and forthright. The colonel, said the curate's brother, was the one of them in a daze, but when he could make himself believe he was actually standing with her before the altar, his voice rang out his vows strong and clear as if he were on the parade ground. When they came out of the church the new Mrs. Brandon was lovely to look upon in her ivory satin--Mrs. Hays in Exeter is really a marvelous hand with a needle--and my Betty had helped to do her curls to perfection. And such elegance from her, who would have thought it, a real sort of elegance that will serve her well as mistress of a great house and a village, you mark my words. If she was elegant, the colonel was transformed, beaming like the sun, tossing sixpence about as if he had wagonloads to spare, looking so proud I was sure his buttons would pop off. (I do hope he saved some coin, for they will expect more to be tossed in Delaford!) If only that good-for-nothing Mr. Willoughby could look at her now. One can see in her face that she spares not a thought for him any longer.

At the breakfast Sir John and I were in a boisterous humor and your sister did scold us, but the colonel and his bride did not hear one in ten of our jokes, and would not have minded if they had. Such a table was laid!--spring lamb, hothouse strawberries, confections, wines, ham, a towering brides-cake and every delicacy one could wish for--how we all did stuff! The musicians were loud and vigorous and all the young people danced to exhaustion--the very floors will probably need refinishing. I do not know when the bride and groom departed--I looked about for them at half past one and they were not to be found. But Delaford is several hours' drive and of course they want to get there before nightfall which is still so early yet. When next we see them they will be an old settled married couple just like my girls and their husbands, with perhaps a little one on the way--it would be jolly for the baby Ferrars to have a cousin so soon!

Well, my grandchildren are pulling at me, for I have promised to take them to Exeter this afternoon, though how I will keep them from jumping out of the carriage and chasing all the farmers' cows, so much energy do they have, I'm sure I don't know.

Yr. dev. Mama

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Lady Middleton's journal

April 25----At last all the guests are gone. Interminable affair--a spectacle. I was right to be concerned about the soldiers--such roars of laughter, red coats streaming out onto the lawn and into the garden, a frenzy of dancing on the terrace, more raucous than the worst of Sir John's parties. And the colonel and Miss Dashwood, I must say Mrs. Brandon now, were quite foolish, looking such looks at each other and then falling silent. He in particular was most unlike himself, all gravity gone, all dignity erased, smiling from ear to ear quite like Sir John. I must relinquish all hope for sober acquaintance. I tried to talk to him about what new furnishings they will buy and to her about the Lakes, but they were both all but incapable of putting two words together. My husband and my mother behaved in the most shocking manner imaginable, teasing the bride and groom about the night to come and laughing louder than anyone--but I am resigned to such behavior from them. We needed only my sister's incessant laughter and her husband's incessant rudeness to make the day complete. At least we are not in town--I should hardly be able to hold up my head. I suppose we can look forward to another such ordeal in a few years' time when young Miss Margaret, Miss Dashwood now, marries; she, of course, is an absolute hoyden, far beyond saving.

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Lady Middleton to Charlotte Palmer

Barton, April 25

Dear Charlotte,

Well, we have had a pleasant day. I think our friends can have no complaints, though the Brandons did depart rather earlier than I would have expected, after such an effort being put forth for them. I received many compliments on my table and the musicians were energetic enough to please even Sir John. The children were permitted to come down for an hour and all the guests did enjoy their usual antics. It is too bad that you and Mr. Palmer could not join us.

Your sister,
Mary

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Mrs. Baynes's journal

April 25----The colonel married this morning--what a happy day! How the tenants did cheer when he announced at the meeting two weeks past, and he was very touched, said Baynes, and I've never seen him with such energy and good spirits in the six years I've been housekeeper for him. Little Tommy Yost the butcher's son kept watch in the road this afternoon and gave a shout when the carriage came over the hill so that John Mathers the sexton could ring the bell and the village could cheer the bride and groom and shout bawdies to them, and Mr. B shouted the loudest tho' he won't confess it, and the colonel and his lady waving and calling out their thanks for all the good wishes, him looking so proud and her so happy if a little embarrassed with so many eyes upon her, and him just as generous as we all expected with throwing the coins. Of course we all do know her well by now, all the times she's visited her sister, she's a lovely girl, so thoughtful and helpful to Mrs. Ferrars and a polite and considerate guest in this house whenever they all come to dinner. And didn't she look beautiful as he handed her out of the carriage in the courtyard, and so refined as she greeted us all in our line to welcome them home, a good sort of girl, young but with such spirit as will see her through a challenge, and of course he'll be as thoughtful a husband as he is a master, I'm sure. Being a direct-spoken young lady she's already said to me that I should keep on managing the household just as I've always done, so I expect she won't be a meddling sort of mistress. She knows something about baking and confections and medicines but not much about pickling or making wine, and she's only a fair hand at embroidery but she sings and plays the pianoforte beautifully, boxes of music arriving yesterday, and it will be lovely to hear music in the house every day, as we do when she visits. She's fond of children tho' not, I'm glad to say, to the point of spoiling them, and she's already spoken to me about a party for the estate children when they return, and of course we do hope the Good Lord will soon bless their union with little ones of their own. She'll be as wise a mistress as her husband is a master, I'm thinking, and a wise master knows that if he treats his servants decent they'll work harder for him--Baynes says it comes of him being once an army man and having to take orders himself, and being out in the world and seeing how ungentlefolk live, and Miss Eliza's predicament too. He seems pleased with the new maids and man I've engaged, and they know they've got a good place, for the colonel pays an honest wage for honest work, and a girl's virtue is safe here, which you can't say of all bachelor's houses, nor them that's married either, and hasn't he been kind to Baynes and me, offering me such a good post when so many houses won't abide married servants? Mr. B is calling me to bed, tho' it is a temptation to sit up late when tomorrow is ours to do with as we like, for the colonel gave us this evening and all next day off except for necessities, saying he'll wait on the mistress himself. We plan a walk and some visiting and I might get my own new curtains made, before next day we pack up the master and mistress for their going away, and won't she be impressed with the surprises he's got hidden away for her! I've got my ledgers up to date for the colonel to pass before he goes, I do suppose the mistress will see to them in future, though she can't be more jealous of a guinea than he is. Then afterward we'll start on the mistress's drawing room, the rugs need beating and the fixtures polishing, and she's asked for a brighter paper, all she's asked for so far, and he's ordered some new chairs for those do have a musty smell when you sink into them. My!--Mr. B is impatient! Thinking, he is, about certain activity up in the master's bedchamber--well, no harm in a wife getting the benefit! And so to bed.

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© 2000 by Karen A. Beckwith

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