Also...
Posted by Barbara on August 11, 1998 at 17:59:50:
In response to First names as terms of direct address..., written by The Mysterious H.C. on August 11, 1998 at 08:15:23
] I don't think all married couples addressed each other by "Mr. X" and "Mrs. X". As for your basic question, Darcy takes advantage of his proposal being accepted to call her "Dearest Loveliest Elizabeth" (Chapter 58), and in the canceled chapter of Persuasion Capt. Wentworth bursts out with "Anne, my own dear Anne!".
Mr. Knightley always calls Emma by her Christian name. She, on the other hand, does not think she will be able to call him "George" because she has always been used to calling him Mr. Knightley all her life.
"'Mr. Knightley', you always called me. 'Mr. Knightley'; and, from habit, it has not so very formal a sound. And yet it is formal. I want you to call me something else, but I do not know what.""I remember once calling you 'George', in one of my amiable fits, about ten years ago. I did it because I thought it woud offend you: but, as you made no objection, I never did it again."
"And cannot you call me 'Goerge' now ?"
"Impossible! I nver can call you anything but 'Mr. Knightley'. I will not promise even to equal the elegant terseness of Mrs. Elton, by calling you Mr. K., but I will promise," she added presently, laughing and blusing, "I will proimise to call you once by your Christian name. I do not say when, but perhaps you may guess where--in the building in which N takes M for better for worse."
Posting followups to old messages is disabled; instead go to the main index and post a new message which mentions this one.
