“I see. However, I fear I must disappoint you. The position has recently been filled.” Mr. Bennet rose, put his hand on Mr. Collins’s arm to guide him out of the chair, and began to steer him from the library towards the front door. “You are, of course, most welcome to attend the service along with your in-laws, the Lucases. However, your services in the pulpit will not be needed. Mr. Yarby will be more than capable, I have no doubt.”
A painfully desperate look washed over Mr. Collins’s face. “But…that is…is it absolutely finalized, Mr. Bennet? I was so hoping to start anew with my family here—”
“Quite settled.” Mr. Bennet nodded as he opened the front door. “Well! I have much to deal with at this time; I am sure you understand. Thank you for calling, Mr. Collins—good day.”
With a final pat on the back, Mr. Bennet shoved his guest out of Longbourn, closing the door firmly behind him.
***
That afternoon, Mary was resting in her room when she heard a soft knock at the door.
“Come in.” Expecting Mrs. Hill, or perhaps even her father, she was surprised and pleased to see Mrs. Withers enter her room. Mary quickly scooted off her bed where she had been curled up, tried to smooth her now rumpled dress, and put on her spectacles.
“Oh! I did not expect you, Mrs. Withers. Why did Hill not come for me?”
“Forgive me the intrusion, Miss Bennet, but my brother and I were visiting with your father and sister. When I did not see you, I asked Hill whether I could just slip up to check on you. The parlor is quite full of people just now, come to offer their sympathies.”
“Yes, word has reached most people in the village by now. I…I suppose I should go down to meet our guests. It would only be proper.”
“Kitty and your father are managing.”
Anguish washed over Mary as she spoke bitterly. “Naturally. I am not needed. Why should anyone wish to speak to me, after all?”
Mrs. Withers crossed quickly to Mary and took her hands in her own.
“Oh, that was not my meaning at all! Pray forgive me for distressing you.” She guided Mary to sit beside her on the bed. “I only meant you should go down when you feel up to it. I am certain your presence is greatly missed.”
Mary shook her head sadly. “And I am every bit as certain no one has even noticed my absence. You are too new to the area to know yet, but I am the unseen Bennet sister.”
Mary fumbled in her dress pocket for a handkerchief, wiped her eyes, and blew her nose. “Forgive me; I am quite ashamed of my outburst. The sharing of my emotions is ill-timed just now. My thoughts should be on Papa, Kitty, and the others—not on myself.”
“You may be assured of my discretion. As for your comments…well, doubtless it is the tremendous stress you feel. Certainly, once you are past the shock of it all, happier memories will surface to comfort you.”
Mary gave her a wry look. “Your optimism is duly noted.” She made an exasperated noise and shook herself. “Enough! I must go and do my duty as my father’s daughter. Shall we go together?” She began to move towards the door when Mrs. Withers gently put a hand out and stopped her.
“Will…will you allow me to assist you with your hair before we leave, Miss Bennet? It is a bit mussed from lying down. You wish to look your best, I am sure.”
Mary gave her companion a long look. “As if anyone would notice. Besides, does not the holy book warn against vanity? Our focus should be on higher things.”
Mrs. Withers simply smiled, steered Mary to the dressing table, and made her sit. Before Mary could say another word, the widow had undone her hair and was combing out the tangles. As she brushed and arranged Mary’s tresses, she kept up a quiet conversation.
“While undue vanity is a sin, I believe there is nothing wrong with trying to look our best while in this world. After all, does not our Lord wish all his creatures to be at their best? Why did he make flowers so lovely if they were not to be admired? I see no reason not to make the most of our physical gifts. No one would ever call me a great beauty, but I still do what I can with what the good Lord gifted me.” After pulling back most of Mary’s hair and securing it a bit loosely, she took the remainder and began to braid two thin side plaits and pin them in loops that framed Mary’s narrow face.
“Oh—I do not wear it that way,” Mary protested.
“But it will flatter your face—just watch.”
Too tired to argue, Mary let her continue. When Mrs. Withers was done, Mary studied her reflection. She had always just pulled her hair back somewhat severely from her face, never making the most of its natural wavy tendencies. But now she saw how this new style softened her features. Heavens! It made her look—well, if not handsome exactly—at least a little less plain.
“Oh my,” she whispered, leaning forward to see every detail in the mirror. “I look quite different…”
Mrs. Withers beamed. “You see? I did not have time to do anything very elaborate, but I think it quite pretty. Does that not give you a bit more courage to face the world?”
Mary blinked back tears, reached up, and clutched her friend’s hand.
“It does. Thank you.”
Together, they descended the stairs and entered the formal parlor. If anyone noticed Mary’s new appearance, the only one to comment was Kitty, who stared at her briefly before blurting out, “Good heavens, what have you done with your hair?”
