fandomhigh | Practical Etiquette, Period 3, Class #7

Miss Bennet was a generous, kind soul who would never place her students in any real danger. But she was going to amuse herself at their expense. Somehow, teaching etiquette did not preclude her from misbehaving.

Oh, this would be fun.

"Good morning," Miss Bennet said, clapping her hands in front of herself. "As I warned you last week, you do, in fact, have a final exam today. That is why I have asked all of you to assemble here, in the Danger Shop. Your exam will be a test of many of the principles we have learned over our short weeks together -- how to be social and civil even in circumstances which may be considered less than ideal.

"In this next room," she said, gesturing through the doorway, "is a gentleman by the name of the Reverend William Collins. He wishes to propose marriage to you, for varying reasons, which he will list for you at the slightest provocation. I assure you, you do not wish to accept his proposal. However.

"You cannot simply stride into the next room and call him rude names. The laws of inheritance state that Mr. Collins is next in line for your estate; should your father fall ill this very evening, and pass away, then by dawn, your house and all your possessions will belong to Mr. Collins. Making an enemy of him will have very real and very dire consequences.

"Walk that particular balance as best you can. Persuade him that you do not wish to marry. Spare his feelings. Dissuade him from wishing to offer for you. This is your final exam: refusing Mr. Collins's proposal while not causing him to throw your family out onto the street." Her smile was nearly evil. "Good luck. I do believe you shall need it."

(OCD COMING!)

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"I did," Mr. Collins said, approaching with a wide grin and reaching to take Karla's hand, should she allow it. "Believe me, my dear, your modesty only adds to your other perfections. But you can hardly doubt the object of my discourse, however your ... feminine delicacy may lead you to dissemble."

There was something to the man that oozed.

Karla let him take her hand, but retrieved it back as gracefully as she could a few moments later. She was tempted to simper, but there was something about this Mr. Collins that reminded her of the males back home. The ones who liked their women to giggle thoughtlessly and let them take the lead.

"I'm afraid I don't," Karla said flatly. She'd intended to say something a bit more diplomatic, but oops.

Then paused for a moment thinking. Perhaps simpering could work to her advantage...

Edited 2009-06-25 06:16 (UTC)

Mr. Collins failed to note her lack of enthusiasm. He was not terribly skilled with subtleties, to be perfectly frank.

"Nay, my attentions have been far too marked to be mistaken," he insisted, clasping his hands together and eying her appreciatively. "For I have now singled you out as the companion of my future life."

He announced this with fanfare, as though Karla should fall at his feet and thank him.

"How...lovely," Karla said, struggling for a smile that didn't look too sickly. "Me? Truly? Whatever for?"

Practical Etiquette, Period 3, Class #7 - Thursday, June 25th

Re: Mr. Collins's Proposal [ET-7]

Re: Mr. Collins's Proposal [ET-7]

Re: Mr. Collins's Proposal [ET-7]

Re: Mr. Collins's Proposal [ET-7]