Pride and Prejudice - Anne de Bourgh
Anne’s skin is fire, her bones ache, her eyes itch. For hours every afternoon it is as much as she can endure to keep them open, staring ahead. Between illness and her mother, so much of her life is simple forbearance.
Only in the mornings does she feel that her life is her own: a phaeton ride round Rosings park, a cool breeze, May bluebells, deer gathering in the shade. And now, one additional joy that surprises her: stopping at the Parsonage, to let Mr Collins’ ceaseless chatter skittle over her, while she raises her eyes to greet his wife.