Miss Mary in Pride and Prejudice

After Mr. Collins finally shouted the aphorism "Where the tea is, there is hope" in the posture of an orator as his closing speech, Mary, who hadn't spoken for a long time, suddenly added a note to him at this time: "Well , this last maxim is from the dramatist Mr. Fielding. Mr. Lisbon, do you like Mr. Fielding's comedy "Love in All Masques?"

Mr. Lisbon has not yet answered, and Mr. Collins has already turned pale with fright: "My dear cousin, such deviant dramas are not for good women to watch. Fielding's plays are all about religion, government, priests, judges and ministers. I think the government should ban the performance of this kind of drama that satirizes current affairs, and it may have a slight reversal effect on the current social atmosphere that is deteriorating."

Mr. Lisbon said cautiously: "Miss Bennet, I don't personally appreciate satirical comedy, especially Fielding's works are simply the best scripts that can make me sleep from beginning to end. I think his novel "Abandoned The History of Tom Jones is more readable, because Fielding himself has rich life experience, and his observation ability is very deep and keen, coupled with his vivid and colorful language, make this novel full of breath of life." Collins The gentleman agreed enthusiastically, only to applaud.

Mary was a little unconvinced: "But I think Fielding is the most outstanding British playwright after Shakespeare. He learned from Aristophanes in Greece. His greatest contribution is to restore the ancient Greek drama on the British stage. Tradition—no matter how great you are, it can’t shield the great crimes from the satire they deserve on the comedy stage, and through the exaggerated performances of actors, the crimes of the powerful will be cast aside by society.”

Mr. Lisbon nodded and smiled, while Mr. Collins advised Mary worriedly: "Cousin Mary, it seems that I really have to write a letter to my dear Uncle Bennet, asking him to pay more attention to the review of the content read by the cousins. You know, originally I didn't want to talk about political issues in front of the ladies - just at the beginning of this year, the Parliament passed the "Drama Review Act", stipulating that all scripts must be submitted to the official review before being staged, otherwise a fine of 50 pounds will be imposed. I have reason to believe that the real cause of this Act was the play written against the Government by Fielding and his like."

Mary retorted angrily: "It turns out that this is the case. It is really the misfortune of English drama, but the great fortune of English novels-the Drama Censorship Act that drove Mr. Fielding from Shakespeare's camp to Cervantes." From now on, the novel has become the glory of England, and the drama has become the shame of England."

Seeing Mary's rare stubbornness, Mr. Lisbon couldn't help laughing, and Mr. Collins shook his head: "Dear cousin Mary, I really didn't expect you to be such a stubborn person, which is not what a lady should have. pardon my frankness—but if you are really fond of books, I recommend that you read Mr. Samuel Johnson, which is very good for the minds of young ladies."

Mary was a little annoyed at his contempt for women's intellectual level, and when she was about to continue to refute, Mr. Lisbon said leisurely: "I think Miss Bennet can read the works of several other English writers, such as Defoe." Mr. Robinson Crusoe, Captain Singleton and The Great Plague of London, Mr. Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, and Mr. Richardson's epistolary novel Pamela "."

Unfortunately, Mr. Collins is not a well-read reader. He has never heard of these authors, and he has never read these books. However, this does not affect his admiration for Mr. Lisbon's opinions a hundred times, and he will continue Immediately consider these books as must-reads for women's classics like Sermons.

Mary was a little skeptical—the books recommended by Mr. Lisbon were more insinuating and attacking current affairs than Mr. Fielding's satirical comedy in terms of thought. Sir, just teasing yourself, or killing two birds with one stone is also possible.

Facing her probing gaze, Mr. Lisbon returned a meaningful smile, but this little gesture was seen by the sharp-eyed Mrs. Collins, and Mary's face turned red.But at this moment she also somewhat understood Mr. Lisbon's intention: there was no point in arguing with Mr. Collins's stubborn mind, so she kept her mouth shut.The conversation quickly turned to the two children playing on the lawn.

Both Mary and Mrs. Collins were surprised to find that Mr. Lisbon was very proficient in when the child should change his teeth, what to do if he didn't eat on time, how to get into the habit of drinking milk, and other such details that only women are interested in. He was well-informed and gave both Mrs. Collins and Mary a lot of good advice on the care of the children.

It seems that he is not only liked by the ladies, but even the children are willing to jump on him. After calling the two little naughties over to have milk tea and dessert, Little Ellen and Emma surrounded Mr. Lisbon from left to right Never willing to leave again, Mr. Lisbon also played with them patiently. This kind of harmonious scene never appeared around Mr. Collins, and even his own daughter avoided him.

It's a pity that there are always regrets in the world. Mr. Lisbon has won the favor of everyone, but he is disliked by a dog. Although Xuefei is still his gift to Mary, it seems that Xuefei doesn't know Lisbon this time. Not only did he refuse to wag his tail at him, but he took advantage of the opportunity of Mr. Lisbon being entangled by the children, and angrily sprinkled some water on Mr. Lisbon's clean and crisp robe and polished leather shoes. After that, it turned its little buttocks and ran far away. When Mary laughed and scolded it, it barked several times at Mr. Lisbon unconvinced.

Of course, Mr. Lisbon would not be as knowledgeable as a dog. Soon when Mary thought it was too early to leave and go back to Howard Mansion, he offered to take Mary back and get to know the Bingleys by the way.Mr. Collins impatiently begged him to do him the honor of presenting the Archbishop's envoy to the most respectable family in the diocese, but Mrs. Collins, who was sensible of the situation, discouraged his gallantness with a surreptitious wink, for it was evident that Mr. Lisbon would have preferred to have Mary I know her sister and brother-in-law.

After many bows and many flattering words, Mr. Collins finally let Mr. Lisbon go with Mary.The nanny hugged little Allen and followed them, but because the young nanny admired Mr. Lisbon too much, she only admired the upright background of Mr. Pastor and did not look at the road under her feet, so she tripped over the stones on the side of the road several times. Stumbling, for the safety of little Ellen, Mary had to order the nanny to carry little Ellen back first, and she and Mr. Lisbon walked slowly along the field path to Howard Mansion.

The two of them didn't speak at first on the road. Mary felt a little depressed about the silence except for the sound of birds and Sheffield's claws, so she tried to find something to talk about. She remembered the story about Mr. Fielding's play just now. Lisbon, just now Mr. Collins' comments on Fielding's plays, I don't believe that his views are acceptable with your cultivation, so I can't help but think about a question: when When we talk to someone on the left, should we say what the other person wants to hear, or what we want to say?"

Mr. Lisbon obviously did not expect her to be so outspoken, but he was a little happy about it in his heart, so he replied frankly: "I think the correct way is to say what you want to say, but in the way others love Please pay attention, Miss Bennet, who knows how to flatter, also knows how to slander." Mary understood that this was his most heart-to-heart conversation, and she was a little startled, so she nodded silently Nod and continue walking.

But Mr. Lisbon became talkative. He talked about Mr. Collins' good reputation among the parishioners. He asked Mary if she thought the Collinses were a happy couple. He also asked Mary what she thought of the marriage of her two sisters. He even repeated what Mary once said about her desire not to marry for life: "As your friend, I want to care about your happiness more urgently than myself. I just want to ask, is your idea still Didn't it change?"

Mary had not expected him to ask the question so frankly, and while there was an eager gleam in his eye which reminded her involuntarily of the speculations of her mother and other relations about his affection, she suddenly realized that Mr. Lisbon might be in When a marriage proposal was proposed at this moment, she suddenly felt uncomfortable, and quickly said: "Is this Mr. Pastor asking me to confess? Then I will answer with the truth: my wish is more determined, but there are also obstacles—— —It’s not hard to be single, it’s hard to deal with people who try to get me out of it.”

Mr. Lisbon stared at her for a while, then quoted Fielding's quotes in a low voice and said: "You are the author of your life, why write such an unspeakable script?"

Looking at the evening mist gathered in the valley, Mary said lightly: "My life is like a dandelion. It seems free, but I can't help myself. As a woman, I have no independent means of earning a living. I can only rely on my father or others. It’s the husband, and it makes me feel insecure and belonging.”

Mr. Lisbon said sympathetically: "The real sense of security comes from your confidence in yourself, and the real sense of belonging lies in the control of your own destiny in your heart, because your biggest opponent will always be yourself."

Once again, Mary felt the magical charm of Mr. Lisbon. He always has the ability to make people tell him the inner thoughts that even close relatives would not say: "If I could really control my own destiny, I would choose the present without hesitation. The idyllic life, the trip to Paris and Florence made me more aware of what kind of lifestyle is suitable for me. Many people think that living in the countryside is a vulgar thing forced by life and a last resort, but in fact those vulgar People who live a vulgar life, but in turn complain about the vulgar life; while a person with a rich heart can always live the simplest life with great interest. As a philosopher we all know said——In Birds born in cages think flying is a disease."

Mr. Lisbon seemed to have given up on further persuading Mary, and he said gently: "I believe that you are indeed a rich person, who is neither afraid of being alone nor of crowds, because you can develop a lot of things in your heart when you are alone. The world can also maintain a tranquility among the crowd."

Mary was very grateful for his understanding, but she stopped talking with him because she still remembered Georgiana's emotion: If you are wise enough, you should realize that people can only be affectionate when they are laughing and talking loudly. Or be merciful when one party can do good and earn a reputation for generosity, but no one can really share your spiritual loneliness.

They walked in silence for a while, and Mr. Lisbon suddenly remembered something, and said lightly: "By the way, have you heard that the Earl of Leicester has returned to England, and it is said that he is currently living in the Emerald Valley Manor normally." When he said this seemingly plainly, a motto that he suppressed in his heart unexpectedly emerged in his heart:

After fighting with the dragon for too long, I become a dragon myself;

Gazing into the abyss for too long, the abyss will stare back.

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