Miss Mary in Pride and Prejudice

Ever since the confession-like conversation with the Lisbon priest, Mary has unknowingly gotten close to him, and the two have become close friends who talk about everything.They spent many wonderful times together in this idyllic place. Mr. Lisbon was born with the ability to turn stones into gold, and it was never boring to be with him. With sociability, life is much more enjoyable than when I first arrived.

But in the depths of Mary's heart, she didn't get real peace. She felt that her self-esteem was hurt in the whole thing, but whether the hurt came from the Earl of Leicester's deception, or from She couldn't distinguish the shame she felt from becoming vain after seeing the Earl's wealth and power, perhaps the latter accounted for more weight.She seems to be no longer the woman who loved reading. At that time, she valued the inner world of peace, and it was never her style to dress up and go to a banquet. However, what made her heartbroken was that she gave Leicester The Earl had changed so much, but what he got in return was treachery.

Although Anne still had doubts about Miss Cynthia's accusation against the Earl of Leicester, she could hardly believe that a young noble woman would disregard her own reputation and intentionally slander the Earl maliciously. This place is not incognito, but the earl has never sent a letter to explain it. Mary regards this as a manifestation of self-knowledge, and Anne gently points out that there may be other secrets, but they have agreed not to discuss this matter at present.

Mrs. De Bower wrote to Anne, hoping that they could return to England for Christmas. It happened that both Anne and Mary were already homesick. Loneliness only makes people miss the warm home even more.So they agreed to stay in Italy for another week, and then headed home.It seemed that there was no reason not to take a good look at Florence and the masterpieces left by the old masters before leaving, so during this week, they took a buggy almost every day to travel around the city and suburbs of Florence.

Walking on the narrow and deep stone roads in Florence, shuttling through ancient blocks, surrounded by ancient buildings with yellow exterior walls and red roofs, Florence exudes the elegance of the Renaissance everywhere.Mary likes to walk along the cobblestone streets, and she will encounter surprises anytime and anywhere. When she looks up, the Baroque sculptures on the porch of a building will come straight into her eyes. The ancient buildings are clearly distinguishable, brick by stone, as if telling the long history.

But the Lisbon priest preferred to take them to the Piazza de la Ville, where he leaned against the balustrade of the Neptune fountain and talked about the influence of the Medici family in Florence, but Mary and Anne just wanted to enjoy it quickly. Michelangelo's David sculpture.Later, the Lisbon priest finally realized that his audience was two young ladies who were not interested in politics, so he restrained his strong interest in the Medici family, and turned to tell the ladies how the Florentine citizens who were rigid in traditional etiquette gave their lives. The nude David statue wears a copper leaf skirt.

The Lisbon priest also took them to watch the bronze sculpture Perseus beheading the banshee Medusa on the other side of the square. He explained: "The purpose of placing the bronze statue here is to warn Cosimo I of the fate of his political enemies."

Anne quietly said to Mary: "The current Mr. Lisbon makes people feel that he is more interested in politics than theology." Mary nodded, and she also noticed that the priest in Lisbon was unconsciously aroused when facing these masterpieces of art His enthusiasm seemed to reveal the ambition he had been trying to suppress.

But when the priest of Lisbon gets rid of the entanglement of historical figures and political intrigues, he becomes that understanding gentleman again.At this time, he suggested that everyone go to the steps of Poseidon Hot Spring to take a rest for a while, where you can see the beautiful scenery of the whole square.But Mrs. Jenkinson is not tired at all, and today is the last day in Florence, and tomorrow she will leave for the country. Mrs. Jenkinson hopes that Anne can buy all the gifts to bring back, especially for Mrs. De Bourgh.So she suggested that Annie go and take a look with her at the century-old shops selling all kinds of luxury goods around the square.

Anne had long wanted to choose a meerschaum pipe for her husband, so she agreed to Mrs. Jenkinson's suggestion, and the two of them went there together. Soon Mrs. Jenkinson came back and asked the priest in Lisbon to talk to the man who could only speak the local Italian dialect. The shopkeeper was negotiating the price. Mr. Lisbon was discussing with Mary the meaning of the fairies on the base of the Poseidon statue. He was reluctantly taken away by Mrs. Jenkinson.

Mary was alone, and she let out a small sigh of relief, making herself more comfortable.Since it was winter and it was almost noon, there were almost no people in the square, and flocks of pigeons cooed and walked on the ground. The sun was warm and the wind was not strong. Although it was chilly, it did not make people shy. An unknown bird Birds chirped and flew overhead, and Mary raised her head and squinted, looking for the bird's flight path.

Mary felt a peace she hadn't felt in many days. Sitting there, bathed in the sunshine and cool air, she felt fresh and clean from head to toe.The leisurely reading days spent in Longbourn before came to mind. How long has it been since she had such a calm and indifferent mood?So many things happened this year that she almost lost herself.

Now that old self is back.She thought, go back to Longbourn, read, play the piano, live a quiet life, and occasionally visit Jane, Elizabeth, and Anne, she can live a very happy and comfortable life, a woman is not the only way to get married.It is unbearable that a woman without property is in a position of choice.She had already made up her mind—to never marry again in this life, to be an old maid all her life, and let others make fun of her.

Mary pursed her lips, and raised her head to look up at the intoxicatingly blue sky, which was clear and bright without a trace of cloud.She thought that when her father died she would have to leave Longbourn, and Cousin Collins would never take in widows and orphans.Then she will live in a sister's house, preferably Jane's house, because Mr. Bingley has a good temper, and she can help Jane take care of the children. Didn't the mother say that Jane will give birth to a lot of children, she does A tutor who doesn't need a salary and only wants a place to live is a profitable thing for both parties.

When she was thinking this way in her heart, it was not without sadness. After all, this was by no means a bright future, but it was the only way she could see.She lowered her head and gently wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. At this moment, a man who looked like a servant came over and handed her a note.

Mary was a little surprised, but the attendant looked polite and respectful, so she unfolded the note, which was written to her by the Duke of Clovis:

Dear Miss Bennet: I would like to take the liberty of inviting you to meet me for a while. I have something very important to tell you personally. It is about the Earl of Leicester and my daughter Cynthia. Please do me your favor.

Mary hesitated for a while. She really couldn't imagine what Duke Clovis would say to her. Didn't his daughter tell her what he wanted to say?But her nature would not easily refuse the invitation of others, especially a distinguished old man.So she stood up and asked the attendant, "Where is the Duke?"

The attendant bowed and said, "It's in the cafe in front, please follow me." Mary took out a note from her handbag, and left a note for Anne and the others, saying that she would return as soon as she left, with a small stone Press it down, put it in the position where you sat just now, and then left with the attendants.

They left the square, turned a corner along a side road, and came to the cafe that the waiter said.The door is very small, but when you open the door, you find that there is a cave inside, and the decoration is gorgeous, it should be specially for the dignitaries.There were no other guests in the store, only the Duke of Clovis, who was full of white hair, was sitting at the table by the window, concentrating on meditation. Seeing Mary coming in, he stood up immediately, took the shawl for Mary thoughtfully, and pulled it away. Chair.

Mary thanked the Duke and sat down.The Duke of Clovis waved to a waiter, and Mary stopped him: "Please don't order food, Your Excellency, I can't stay long, and my companion is waiting for me."

The Duke of Clovis said gently: "Don't worry, Miss Bennet, the espresso is made and drunk quickly, which is completely different from your British afternoon tea." The pure black coffee with golden foam floating on it was thick and hot. Mary took a sip and found that it was rich in sweetness and bitterness with a long aftertaste.The Duke of Clovis smiled and said, "I'm not wrong, miss? This kind of coffee is the favorite of the Italians. It's simple and pure, like a devil escaping from hell. Once you drink it, you will fall into an indescribable charm."

Mary didn't want to have more pleasantries with this charming and secretive nobleman, so she got back to business: "My lord, may I ask that you didn't come to me just to taste Italian coffee, did you?"

The Duke of Clovis showed a charming smile: "Of course not, but have you heard of it? Italians have a saying: a man should be like a good cup of coffee, strong and full of enthusiasm! I want to talk to you about Les earl.",

Mary said coldly: "I am just an acquaintance with the Earl." Lord Clovis said slowly: "As far as I know, this is not the case. In fact, the Earl of Leicester and you, Miss Bennet, have arrived To the point of marriage. Or rather, the Earl has proposed to you—in a romantic manner which I admire—and you are almost on the verge of saying yes, if my daughter Cynthia had not told you something of lies."

Mary didn't speak, but just stared at Duke Clovis. "A bad lie," was the Duke of Clovis's comment on his daughter's accusation.Seeing that she didn't speak, the Duke of Clovis felt a little respect in his heart, and continued: "That's right, I came here today to explain to you, please don't take the story Cynthia told you seriously. She fell in love with The earl, but found that the earl is pursuing you, a moment of vanity and jealousy made her do something stupid, ran to tell you a fictional story. In fact, that night, she regretted it, and she rushed back to Anti Bu, I wanted to tell you the truth, but you have already left."

Mary silently digested the meaning of these words, and the Duke of Clovis gently stirred the coffee in his cup with a small silver spoon, and continued: "Well, of course the Earl of Leicester also guessed the truth after that. Let him fly into a rage, and finally Cynthia was wise enough to tell me the whole story before it was too late. So I followed you to Italy, and I hope you will forgive Cynthia for her stupidity, she is still a child , a spoiled child..." Duke Clovis shook his gray head and sighed again and again.

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