Mary Bennet's Diary

In this palimpsest version of the Pride and Prejudice story, Mary Bennet seeks out fortune, friendship — and maybe even "e;connubial felicity"e;. Pious, prim and plain, even Mary herself assumes she'll be left to take care of her parents when her four pretty sisters marry.  On the verge of womanhood, she admires both her lovely sister Jane and her brilliant sister Lizzy, but Mary is socially awkward and has little confidence in her future prospects.  There are few options for a gentlewoman without fortune in Regency England.  Mr Bennet's estate will be inherited by a male cousin:  the dull and bombastic Mr Collins, so the Bennet girls will have little to live on if they can't marry.