Lydia Bennet's Online Diary.
At this time of the year I always read Pride and Prejudice and I thought it would be fun to see what Lydia is thinking about all the goings on at Longbourn. Lydia's online diary starts just before Mr Bingley arrives and finishes where my novel, Lydia Bennet's Story, begins.
Friday, March 12th, 1802
Another letter from Lizzy arrived this morning, which mama read at the breakfast table. Lady Catherine’s daughter Anne called at the vicarage in her phaeton on Wednesday. Lizzy is pleased to report that she is very thin, cross and sickly, an entirely suitable candidate as a spouse for Mr Darcy. Lady C. has high hopes for a match and this idea has amused my sister greatly. Her description of Charlotte and Mr Collins standing at the gate in the wind, hanging on to Miss de Bourgh’s every word, whilst Sir William waited at the door, smiling and bowing alternately before them brought much hilarity to our table. Papa who normally has his head buried in a newspaper was actually very animated on the subject, although it prompted him to say how much he was missing his eldest daughters, particularly Lizzy.
They have all dined at Rosings Park and Lizzy has met the great Lady Catherine herself. We could imagine the exultation with which Mr Collins received this invitation, proving his intimacy with his neighbour and suffering poor Lizzy to listen to yet more conceit. Thank the Lord I am in Meryton with all the officers! I would not swap her situation for all the tea in China!
Lydia Bennet
Charles Brock illustration from Pemberley
At this time of the year I always read Pride and Prejudice and I thought it would be fun to see what Lydia is thinking about all the goings on at Longbourn. Lydia's online diary starts just before Mr Bingley arrives and finishes where my novel, Lydia Bennet's Story, begins.
Friday, March 12th, 1802
Another letter from Lizzy arrived this morning, which mama read at the breakfast table. Lady Catherine’s daughter Anne called at the vicarage in her phaeton on Wednesday. Lizzy is pleased to report that she is very thin, cross and sickly, an entirely suitable candidate as a spouse for Mr Darcy. Lady C. has high hopes for a match and this idea has amused my sister greatly. Her description of Charlotte and Mr Collins standing at the gate in the wind, hanging on to Miss de Bourgh’s every word, whilst Sir William waited at the door, smiling and bowing alternately before them brought much hilarity to our table. Papa who normally has his head buried in a newspaper was actually very animated on the subject, although it prompted him to say how much he was missing his eldest daughters, particularly Lizzy.
They have all dined at Rosings Park and Lizzy has met the great Lady Catherine herself. We could imagine the exultation with which Mr Collins received this invitation, proving his intimacy with his neighbour and suffering poor Lizzy to listen to yet more conceit. Thank the Lord I am in Meryton with all the officers! I would not swap her situation for all the tea in China!
Lydia Bennet
Charles Brock illustration from Pemberley