A Match for Mary Bennet by Eucharista Ward Page B

comfortably enough.
    A few days after her carolling excursion, having helped Lizzy and Georgiana wrap presents to be given the servants on Boxing Day, Mary again sought her favourite corner on the balcony and read of Christian the pilgrim, now relieved of his load of guilt but confronting the giant Despair. Suddenly an inadvertent sound of both guilt and despair escaped her lips as several pages fell from the book in her hands. She quickly retrieved the pages, glancing over the balcony to assure herself she was alone. She placed them carefully back in the book, closed it tightly, and re-shelved it. Regretting it deeply, she would read no more in Pilgrim’s Progress . She looked once more to the main library floor, still glad to see no one below. Then she reached for the Cowper volume, examined its binding, and finding it secure, settled down with it, sadly missing the Bunyan work, but resolved to search out only newer, well-bound books in future. She cast her eye on a volume of Blake that looked hardy enough and noted it for her next selection.
    As it happened, Mary failed to fully acquaint herself with the Blake, because preparations for the holiday ball had her mother so excited, and consequently the servants so flustered, that Elizabeth encouraged Mary to spend more time with their mother. Mary’s deliberate temperament, Elizabeth found, counteracted, to some extent, Mrs. Bennet’s more excitable outbursts. Thus, Mary helped her mother watch the transformation of the grand ballroom as the floor was thrice covered with wax and polished, the walls were festooned, sconces filled and fresh candles or oil put in all the lanterns, and candelabra were brought in for all the tables. A platform was erected for a small orchestra, but its placement so near the L-shaped hall where cards would be played became a matter of consternation for Mrs. Bennet. While Mrs. Reynolds announced the places on the refreshment table for punch, tisane, fruit, currant cakes, and pastries, Mrs. Bennet as quickly objected, being certain that more suitable arrangements could be found. Mary, whose two days helping Lizzy wrap presents for Boxing Day had been serenity itself in comparison, now endeavoured to bring calm to Mrs. Bennet when her suggestions went for naught. “Mama, might not the music cover the occasional outbursts from card games?” and “Perhaps Mrs. Reynolds wishes the punch bowl so near the table edge so that no drips may soil the cloth when guests refill their glasses.” And in this manner, the Pemberley ball came to fruition as it had done for many years, even when deprived of the bustling assistance of Mrs. Bennet.
    Christmas found the manor teeming with so many guests that every carriage was needed to take them to Lambton’s church for the early service in a parade of coaches that resulted in an empty carriage house and an overfilled church. Mary sat with Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, just behind Jane and her family, and Mary found the service both solemn and sweet. Mr. Bennet said it was ample, and Mrs. Bennet pronounced it terribly long. In Darcy’s pew across the aisle, Lady Catherine slept silently through it, sitting erect the whole time. From time to time Mary glanced at her, marvelling at that talent, which she supposed all fine ladies must cultivate.
    On Boxing Day, Elizabeth asked Mary to help distribute gifts, first to the servants and then to the farm hands and some other tenants. Not that they actually bestowed the gifts, but they had to sort them for the proper recipient, while Darcy personally presented them. The children, who had received their gifts earlier at the party, remained near to enjoy watching their parents.
    The following day all the guests were allowed to enter the transformed ballroom to behold a feast for the eyes. It was all much grander than Mary could have imagined during the preparations. She recalled Netherfield’s ball of some years ago, grand on a lesser scale, when