Owl to Elizabeth Bennet, from Simkin

[silk-simkin.livejournal.com]

My dear Miss Bennet,

I just wanted to tender my congratulations on becoming a Raven's Claw. I am certain that you will make a marvellous member of our house. Also, should you care for a walk in the gardens at any time, I would be most pleased to accompany you. Or at any other point you should care for.

Also, I do not know if you realised yet, but a certain Mr. Darcy, whom you mentioned with some great disdain has appeared in the Sorting Room. You may wish to avoid him, as he seems most dull and rather boorish. Of course, we can't all have a sparkling wit, but you'd think that there would at least be a dull glimmer amongst all that formality.

Alas there is not.

Yours, ever faithfully

Simkin

Comments

[fine-eyes-lizzy.livejournal.com]

After Elizabeth suffered a moment of shock from seeing an owl carrying a letter, and, furthermore, receiving a letter from a gentleman (http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/pptopics.html#envelope) that she was not engaged to, nor had any present inclination to become engaged to, she decided that several centuries had somewhat dulled the detailed nuances of answering letters in her century.

She sat down and penned a very neat letter replying,

Mr. Simkin,

I thank you very much for your compliments and your warnings, but I, alas, have been so singularly unfortunate as to wander into the Sorting Room while Mr. Darcy commanded the attention of the room, and been forced to renew our acquaintance once more. I wish I could say I was half as glad to see him as he said he was to see me.

There is very little in Mr. Darcy's manner that I find lends him my good opinion, nor is there much in my knowledge of his character that I find admirable. Aside from an occasionally amusing satirical eye on company, when he is not as confused at his circumstances at present, and a few brief glimpses of wit, I should agree with your sentiments entirely. As it is, I merely mark him as one of the more disagreeable members of my acquaintance, and I shall endeavor to avoid him as best I can.

If you are entirely serious about your offer, sir, I should be delighted to walk with you in the gardens. I am very fond of both walking and observing nature, and, that, combined with your company, would make it a very pleasant pastime.

-ELIZABETH BENNETT