Period Drama Advice Event Letter #3!

Here we go, round 3! First the letter, and then my responses...I wrote two. :)

Dear Period Drama Advice Column,

I received a proposal from a dear friend of mine, John Chivery. I refused him because I do not love him. I am very fond of John, but I could never feel that way about him. I wish I could; it distresses me to see him unhappy, but I can't love him -- not in that way, not to be his wife. I would rather stay and look after my father than marry someone I do not love. I hope he will find a good wife one day because he deserves one. I am in love with another man, Arthur Clennam, but he is in love with someone else who I don't know. And now because I refused John, everybody is unhappy or angry with me. What should I do?
Sincerely,
Amy Dorrit

Response #1 --

Miss Dorrit –

Ah, ‘tis a sad thing you have done, refusing John -- provided he's rich. My sister did something similar once…there was a young man named Charles Musgrove who proposed to her in the prettiest manner! We were all convinced that she should marry him, as he had some money and some land! Alas, Anne refused him, claiming she did not love him – just as you have done! Charles went on to marry our younger sister, Mary. I do not believe that Anne was in love with anyone else though…oh, when she was younger there was a young man named Wentworth, but she was wise and turned him away. He had a penchant for the sea, you know. We are all immensely glad that she did not marry him, and we have not seen him since. There is a rumor, however, that he is visiting Uppercross, where Charles and Mary live, and Anne is currently visiting. But it has been many years since Wentworth and Anne had any contact, and we think that nothing shall come of it.

As to your own sorry case, I can only hope that perhaps someday, you will come across a wealthy young man who will fall in love with you! Is this Arthur Clennam rich? You must put out all your charms if he is, and do your best with everything you have to make him wish to marry you!

If you need more advice, do write again.

Signed,

Miss Elizabeth Elliott, daughter of Sir Walter Elliott

Response #2 --

My dear Amy,

You were quite right to refuse him. Men who are a dear friend are rarely rich, I’ve noticed! And if he is not your equal in society, how could you ever marry him? It would be quite terrible, I’m sure. I am truly sorry if he is unhappy because of your refusal, but men must learn that women are not always delighted to accept any and every offer of marriage given to them. You must continue to search for the man who is right for you, one with a nice house and fine manners, and naturally, a good source of income. There is a young man here, named Mr. Elton, who I believe you would like. He is the vicar of our parish here in Highbury. Unfortunately, my dear friend Harriet Smith is in love with him, and so I fear he is taken. However, I am quite adept at matchmaking, and should I come across any other eligible young men, I will most certainly write to you!

Is Mr. Clennam of a good family and income? He is not a farmer, is he? You see, my dear little friend Harriet was at one point quite enamored with a common farmer called Robert Martin. He was even so bold as to propose, and I fear she very nearly accepted – but we averted that tragedy, for if she had, she I could not have visited her. Simply imagine: Miss Emma Woodhouse going to see Mrs. Robert Martin of Abbey Mill Farm! It would have been terrible, and I would never have done it.

There is a rumor here of a Frank Churchill coming soon…my governess married Mr. Churchill’s father. Thus I know that he is of good family, and a fine income. If he is eligible and good for a young lady of means (for such I assume you are), I will let you know. You and your father may come and stay with my father and me… we would love to be have you. I assume that your father would, after all, not wish you to travel alone – I know my father would not.

Lovingly,

Emma Woodhouse

Comment and tell me which you like best! :)

Period Drama Advice Event Letter #2!

I participate again in Miss Elizabeth Bennet's Period Drama Advice Event, Round 2!



Without further ado, here's the original letter, followed by a response. :)

Dear Period Drama Advice Column,

I find myself in a predicament. Four years ago, I became secretly engaged to a woman named Lucy Steele, the niece of my tutor in Exeter. I thought myself in love, but it was a foolish, idle inclination on my side. I have recently met my sister's sister-in-law, Elinor, and I like her a great deal. I find myself in love with her, but I cannot break my commitment to Lucy. If I were free, I would tell her that my heart is and always will be hers. Her friendship has been the most important of my life. My mother also wants me to marry the rich Miss Morton with 50,000 pounds: all I want, all I've ever wanted is the quiet of a private life, but my mother wants me distinguished. Do you think I am doing the right thing in keeping my promise to Lucy despite all of this?

Sincerely,

Edward Ferrars

My dear Edward --

The only question of consequence is, who has the most money? My guess is that Miss Morton would have more than your sister’s sister-in-law or this Miss Steele. Money should be of utmost consideration when you are debating who to marry. A broken engagement…a girl may pity herself and whine for a while, but she will recover. Certainly, break it at once if Miss Morton has the most money! Tutor’s rarely have rich brothers, after all.

You say you want a private life…what a strange man you must be! I have never wished for such a thing, and never will. I am currently living a boring but active life as a soldier. Alas, I missed my chance to become a gentleman of means.

You see, I once tried to marry a young girl named Georgiana Darcy. I am convinced that she loved me, and we were ready to elope together. Her brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy, did not approve of the match, and thus we had to meet in a clandestine manner. However, just as we were ready to go, Darcy turned up unexpectedly, and having “rescued” his sister (as he no doubt will tell you) he ripped my inheritance from me and turned me out on my back.

I was forced to resort to the life of a soldier, which, all things considered, is not so bad as it might be. I found my wife in that way…for yes, I have a wife. Unfortunately, here is the missed chance I spoke of, for her father is a man of meager fortune, and she has four sisters, all older than she. I had only meant to take her to London, where we could hide for a few days, and then return her to her family. However, she was greatly attached to me and would not have left, even had we not been discovered, and forced to marry, by none else than Fitzwilliam Darcy. My life with her is miserable, for she giggles annoyingly, whines often, and spends every cent I make, unless I hide them from her – she hates sewing, so I hide my money in the back of my shirt drawer, in an old shirt full of holes. ‘Tis safe, for I know she’ll never patch it! A word to the wise.  

So my advice to you – go for the money. Marrying a poor wife is never worth it, and she will make you miserable just as Lydia has made me.

Do write if you need suggestions for somewhere to take Miss Morton once you elope with her…for I assume you will wish to do that? Gretna Green is a well-known place. Oh, and if you happen to find yourself with an excess of money (which I’ve heard does happen occasionally to the grossly wealthy), do remember me, and the advice that I’ve done my best to give you.

Sincerely, and with the best hopes for your happy future (pray remember me!),

George Wickham

Period Drama Advice Event Letter #1!

 

Miss Elizabeth's Period Drama Advice Event is finally beginning! I'm so glad. :) Click on the button above to learn more.

 

The first letter to respond to is from Miss Jane Eyre:

 

 

 

Dear Period Drama Advice Column,

I am the governess at Thornfield Hall, the home of Mr. Rochester. When I first met him, he seemed to be very harsh, eccentric, and unconventional, but I now find myself falling in love with him. He has been the only person who I could talk to as an equal. I had not intended to love him: I tried to fight it. He made me love him without looking at me, but he is to be shortly married to a Miss Ingram, a beautiful but subconscious person. I cannot help but love him. I've said that my pupil, Adele, should go to school and that I should seek a new situation, but I cannot bear to leave Thornfield: I have not been trampled on there; I have not been petrified; I have not been buried with inferior minds, and excluded from every glimpse of communion with what is bright and energetic and high. What shall I do?

Sincerely,

Jane Eyre

And a reply, written by me:

Jane Eyre,

You must leave at once. It is dangerous to be in such a close proximity to a gentleman who is already engaged! Naturally, a previous engagement must be honored, and having you there may harm it. Therefore, you must leave with all possible speed! Pray, what is your age? No doubt you are too young to be falling in love anyway – not to say that such a thing as “love” is real. It is a popular illusion nowadays. Alas, my own nephew was engaged to marry Anne, my sweet daughter. But then, a young woman came along and said that she loves him and he loves her! It is most intolerable. The worst of it is, that without any considerations for his dead mother’s wishes (or, might I mention, my own wishes) my nephew Darcy married the young flirt! I know she ensnared him with her flirtatious ways.

But, as to your situation, I say that you must leave immediately. If you would like to come to Rosings Park, my own home, you would be most welcome. You shall not be “buried with inferior minds” here – the vicar of my parsonage is sure to enrich your religious well-being and thought-life. He is a most solicitous young man. Pray reply at once so that we may arrange your travel plans. I shall take it as a personal affront if you do not come immediately.  

Lady Catherine de Bourgh

I'm hoping to post more replies to more letters in the coming weeks!