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"Susan, I am not invited!"

"Surely that is only because she does not think you will accept If you tell her--''

"I ale for an invitation," Elizabeth said hotly "Even I havethere by accident on Friday? Then you would have to return on Saturday to fetch it" Susan"Maybe you would be invited to join in the festivities"

"And you don't think Lady Danbury will find that a trifle odd?" Elizabeth scoffed "I've been her cootten any of s before"

"Perhaps she will Perhaps she won't" Susan shrugged "But you won't know until you try And you certainly won't find a husband if you hide yourself here all day"

"Oh, very well," Elizabeth said with great reluctance "I shall do it But only after I check the guest list, and then only if I can be certain that there will be an un to embarrass uests are ether "Excellent! And in the meantime, you shall have to practice upon this Mr--"

"No!" Elizabeth said loudly "I will not"

"But--"

"I said no I will not seek this man out"

Susan raised her brows innocently "Fine There is no need for you to seek him out Mrs Seeton says one isn't supposed to do that sort of thing anyway But if you should just happen upon him "

"That won't be likely, since I plan to avoid hiue"

"Just in case--"

"Susan!" Elizabeth leveled her sternest glare in her sister's direction

"Very well, but if you--''

Elizabeth held up her hand "Not another word, Susan I aht nohere 1 will attend to Lady Danbury, and only Lady Danbury Have I made myself clear?"

Susan nodded, but she clearly didn'tto report when I return home" Elizabeth tramped to the front door and wrenched it open "Today shall be so dull Utterly, blessedly dull I am sure of it In fact, I probably will not see Mr Siddons even from afar"