Wormwood Tastes of Woe and Spite (Rapunzel)
Captain Weston was a thief, pure and simple. Nothing would ever convince Mr. Churchill or his wife otherwise; for why would a sweet girl like their sister ever throw herself away on such a man, except by trickery?
"He has as good as killed her too, the way she is wasting away," Mrs. Churchill muttered with bitter loathing, but her husband did not go that far. He could not like his sister's husband, but it was an honest aversion. He would only hate the man for crimes committed, not suspected.
It was agreed even before Mrs. Weston's death that her baby should not remain with his father, although the Churchills waited until the actual event to inform the man of their plans. In their minds it was only just, even charitable; where Miss Churchill's life had been cut short, they would plant the seed of a better one for her only child.
Conceal (Sleeping Beauty)
A respectable boarding school, in a healthy village, run by a plain but sensible matron, was just the sort of place to send a young girl out of the way of trouble. Mrs. Goddard knew it as well as her clientele, and was as scrupulous at keeping private matters to herself as providing for those entrusted to her care. No sharp signals of rank separated her students. There were no spinning wheels, only ladylike embroidery; nor any higher Latin, mere simple English in poetry and prose.
So it was that Miss Harriet Smith grew up to hear herself called beautiful and good-natured, and if not altogether wise, was none the wiser of what might do her harm. Indeed, it was as if all the world had decided to reward her: not only had she spent a delightful summer with friends, and come to know a very pleasing young man, but she was to meet Miss Woodhouse in her palatial home that very day. Who knew what might occur next?
Invariable Praise (Puss in Boots)
"Come, let us see you married as well as I," Mrs. Suckling said to her sister. "What think you of the men last night?"
"Oh! there can be no doubt, I must see Mr. Elton again."
"He is but a clergyman."
"One would not think so by how he carries himself: I hope you saw the way he wore his hat as he departed. I must think well of so stylish a man, supported by a good living."
"True; and he certainly appreciated your looks better than my conversation."
"I am indebted to you, my dear sister, for wetting his interest, though besides his other charms, he seems absolutely desperate for companionship."
"We must see about inviting him to dinner."
As in the case of the previous Miss Hawkins, the affair was settled between them almost before the man could discover his own desire for matrimony.
Matron (Thumbelina)
"You are comfortable?" Mr. Woodhouse asked his guest from the cocoon of his coat and chair.
"Yes sir," Mrs. Bates answered, wrapped in her shawl and seated by the fire. "Thank you."
At length the gentleman remarked: "It is amazing how daring the young people are. I warned Emma to be mindful of any drafts. Candidly, I believe we are the better situated of the parties gathered tonight."
Mrs. Bates, from long experience, did not quibble about the supposed dangers a May ball might pose to either his or her children. She was more agreeably occupied by recalling entertainments when she was courted by Highbury's scholarly vicar, and the future mistress of Hartfield was admired by its heir. "What tune was it, that Mrs. Woodhouse always used to sing so prettily?"
The recollections of their past lives, and those they had loved so well, were as welcome to these souls as the finest music any assembly might enjoy.
Emerald Gain (Toads and Diamonds)
Escape. Jane Fairfax wished only to escape. But escape would not yet come, for Mrs. Elton must offer her evergreen advice for the thousandth unwelcome time.
"Now Jane, as you have no real family, I feel I must do something for you."
Perhaps the Bates were not fashionable enough for a Mrs. Elton or Miss Woodhouse. But at least her aunt did not pretend to care about people.
"And so, Jane, you must accept this position. It is not as if you will find a better. Whatever can you be waiting for? You would not like to exist on charity, I am sure."
No. Living on love was proving too costly to bear. So, against her inclination, she said yes.
Lust (Snow White)
At the very moment everything should be going right, it was instead falling apart. "Perhaps," Frank Churchill briefly admitted as he hastened to Highbury, "I deserve it." For when he finally had permission to marry as he wished, she must be courted who he had scarcely had a doubt of before.
Of course there had been misunderstandings (that stupid letter unsent! her caution! his blunder!) "But still, she ought to have had more more faith," he consoled himself when approaching the little house. After all, it was not as if she were the only one to suffer.
All his self-absorption was not entirely lost when he entered the Bates' drawing room and observed how pale and ill his dear Jane looked. Rather, it was redirected, and gave him the the words to humble himself long enough to gain his object: to rescue her, and become the true knight errant at last.
Charity Rejoiceth in the Truth (Six Swans)
When Robert Martin proposed to Miss Smith a second time, dogged by pigeons and the Knightly brood (coats and skirts all askew) in a London park, it was with more candour than ardour.
"I beg you express any doubts. And if you have higher expectations, I would not hold you to any vow made in ignorance...." For all his courage, he could not quite finish, and was saved by her exclaiming:
"Oh no, of course I will say yes!" Blushing but steady, she added, "Miss Woodhouse fancied I came from a great family, but the truth is I can not know. It may be you should have reservations." Proving that even simple girls may mature after several months' experience.
"There is nothing I could learn that would distress me," he said feelingly.
"Nor I. And no matter who I was, I am very glad to finally know who I am to be."
Chocolate Dark and Rich (Hansel and Gretel)
Though happy for the resolution of his brother's distress, John Knightly could not resist tweaking his sister by two marriages. "I have explained to little Henry that he will not be master of Donwell Abbey after all," were his grave words to Emma before her wedding.
She laughed and responded in kind. "You must work that much harder, to make up the difference in his expectations."
They looked as one with fondness at said boy playing with his uncle. In the warm autumn sunset their forms appeared more similar, differences blurring, so that the future Knightly heritage might be glimpsed and cherished.
Born on the Sabbath day: Good and Gay (Little Red Riding Hood)
It was a beautiful Sunday despite the thin October frost. Though Frank and Jane were gone, Mrs. Weston was delighted to share an afternoon at Hartfield on the eve of the Knightleys' departure. Her Anna was properly admired as Isabella's children merrily crowded around.
"Is Uncle really staying here from now on?" Henry asked while his mother and grandfather enjoyed a last bowl of gruel together, and the newlyweds talked in a corner.
"Is Emma still our aunt?" John wondered. Young Bella contented herself with repeating her brothers' questions.
"Yes. Everything—and everyone—is just as it should be," Mrs. Weston told them, smiling with fond memories of another child who had, despite everything, found her way at last.
