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lady_mary"But Lady Catherine is right," says Mary. "Elizabeth is beneath his station."
"And you'd have her marry Mr. Collins instead?" asks Sybil, making a face that conveys her utter contempt of the parson in question. Clearly her sister has all the wrong ideas about Jane Austen's novel.
"You must admit that it would be practical. It's the best offer she has."
"You can't really believe that!"
"And why not?"
"Where's your sense of romance?"
"Do you think romance bought that dress you're wearing?"
Mary catches Anna's eye in the dressing table mirror. She's trying to suppress a smile as she pins Mary's hair in place, but Mary spots it anyway.
"I can practically hear you pouting, Sybil, darling, but it's true. I'm sure romance is lovely, for people who can afford it. Some of us must look to our futures."
Sybil, as ever, is not easily put off.
"Mary, please don't suggest that you're going after the new heir."
"Of course not!" As if she would. "Anyway, if Mama and Granny have their way, he won't be the heir for long."
"What? But I thought the entail was fixed!"
"The title, yes. But the house and Mama's money... it's just about the only thing Mama and Granny can agree upon."
"Mary, that's wonderful!"
"Well it's not final yet. But I can't imagine those two would allow themselves to fail. Isn't that right, Anna?"
"I should certainly hate to stand in the Countesses' way, M'lady."
"Quite right, Anna."
"Then you can marry for love," Sybil insists.
"I'll marry someone who'll help carry on Downton's legacy. No. Don't protest. You'll see things differently when you come out next year. The decision to marry is your whole life, and you can't throw your life away for a handsome face and pretty compliments. Trust me."
"And you'd have her marry Mr. Collins instead?" asks Sybil, making a face that conveys her utter contempt of the parson in question. Clearly her sister has all the wrong ideas about Jane Austen's novel.
"You must admit that it would be practical. It's the best offer she has."
"You can't really believe that!"
"And why not?"
"Where's your sense of romance?"
"Do you think romance bought that dress you're wearing?"
Mary catches Anna's eye in the dressing table mirror. She's trying to suppress a smile as she pins Mary's hair in place, but Mary spots it anyway.
"I can practically hear you pouting, Sybil, darling, but it's true. I'm sure romance is lovely, for people who can afford it. Some of us must look to our futures."
Sybil, as ever, is not easily put off.
"Mary, please don't suggest that you're going after the new heir."
"Of course not!" As if she would. "Anyway, if Mama and Granny have their way, he won't be the heir for long."
"What? But I thought the entail was fixed!"
"The title, yes. But the house and Mama's money... it's just about the only thing Mama and Granny can agree upon."
"Mary, that's wonderful!"
"Well it's not final yet. But I can't imagine those two would allow themselves to fail. Isn't that right, Anna?"
"I should certainly hate to stand in the Countesses' way, M'lady."
"Quite right, Anna."
"Then you can marry for love," Sybil insists.
"I'll marry someone who'll help carry on Downton's legacy. No. Don't protest. You'll see things differently when you come out next year. The decision to marry is your whole life, and you can't throw your life away for a handsome face and pretty compliments. Trust me."
