Jane Austen Variations - Writers, Readers and Jane Austen

P&P The Untold Stories: Darcy and Fitzwilliam have a talk

Colonel Fitzwilliam talks some sense into his cousin… April 11, 1812    “Darcy, that is the tenth time you have sighed tonight. I insist you tell me what has you so out of sorts!” cried Colonel Fitzwilliam as he stirred the fire in the library. “I am not out of sorts,” grumbled his cousin. Fitzwilliam …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Fitzwilliam Takes His Leave of the Parsonage

Fitzwilliam Bids Farewell to the Parsonage April 10th, 1812 “ARE YOU COMFORTABLE, COLONEL?” asked Mrs. Collins. “Perfectly, madam,” he replied. “Of course Colonel Fitzwilliam is comfortable, Mrs. Collins!” cried Mr. Collins. “Did not Lady Catherine de Bourgh herself pick out these very chairs? I assure you, my dear colonel, that your most excellent aunt arranged …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Darcy Walking in the Grove

“I Shall Never See Her Again.” 10 April 1812 Dawn’s dew rolled off the polished leather of Darcy’s boots with each meticulous step. He had paced this path in the grove twenty-three times already, but in such a straight, methodical trail that there was but a single line of steps between the ancient oak and …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Darcy Writes to Elizabeth

Darcy reflects on his proposal and decides to write to Elizabeth April 9, 1812 Darcy walked so quickly on his way to Rosings from the parsonage that it might as well have been called running. Too many thoughts and feelings coursed through him to make sense of them. All he wanted was to be alone, …

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P&P The Untold Stories: After the Proposal

The bitterness of rejection… April 9, 1812 Fury choked him. All-consuming fury – at her, of course, but no less at himself for laying himself open to the abject humiliation. Darcy tugged his gloves on and his countenance twisted into an almighty scowl. Heavens above! How had he failed himself so utterly, so completely? He, …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Darcy Plans His Proposal

Darcy goes for a ride to clear his head and put together a gentlemanlike proposal… April 9, 1812 Darcy tightened the reins, and brought his mount to a halt. To his left, far into the hazy distance, stood the great house, grey and squat, surrounded by manicured parkland. He could not see the parsonage from …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Fitzwilliam Meets Elizabeth in the Woods

Colonel Loudmouth Drops a Dime on Darcy April 9th, 1812 COLONEL FITZWILLIAM WAS NOT IN THE BEST OF SPIRITS as he left the main house. He loved Darcy like a brother, but there were times when his cousin’s high-handedness drove the colonel to distraction. The reason for today’s irritation? Darcy had hinted that he might …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Fitzwilliam & Darcy Visit the Parsonage Again

Fitzwilliam and Darcy Suffer the Attentions of Mr. Collins – Again March 31st, 1812 “MR. DARCY AND COLONEL FITZWILLIAM,” THE SERVANT ANNOUNCED. The party ensconced at the Hunsford Parsonage stood about the small parlor. Colonel Fitzwilliam quickly took in the scene: Mr. Collins, tall and stocky, was literally bowing from the waist. Steady man, the …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Is Mr. Darcy in Love?

There is a great deal of awkwardness at the parsonage when Mr. Darcy visits. I wish he would not call. I have no idea what he means by it – unless he comes here to find fault. –- from Elizabeth’s letter to Jane, April 4, 1812 Why did Mr. Darcy come so often to the …

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Behind the Mask: “You Are Passionate, Jane” – The Story of a Play

Some years ago, I wanted to write a play about Jane Austen, in which she would have a conversation with another famous author. My choice was Lord Byron, for they were both alive and in England, sometimes even in London, at the same time. They never met, but they knew about each other’s existence. Austen …

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