Miss Mary in Pride and Prejudice

Mary didn't wear the star-studded zodiac necklace sent by the Earl of Leicester, but instead put on a relatively humble necklace on her own, which made Jane feel a little uneasy, but she didn't Too much worry, after all, which girl can refuse a suitor like the Earl of Leicester?So she smiled.Said: "Well, that necklace is indeed too flamboyant. If you wear it to a dance, people will gossip about it. It's better to change it to the current one. It matches the color of your eyes."

Mary said solemnly: "It's not that I don't wear it because I'm afraid of people's gossip. Anyway, Derbyshire is full of people who gossip about me now-the lice don't itch. I don't have a gemstone necklace of the same style. Yesido’s answer, that’s why I reluctantly gave up.” Jane couldn’t help laughing, she didn’t expect Mary to be so good at joking, so she said, “You really look like Elizabeth when you talk now.” Mary sighed and said : "I wish I was as lucky as Lizzy."

This time, Jane praised the Earl of Leicester unreservedly, saying that his property is so rich, his character is so noble, and he is a good match for Mary. She predicted that Mary's marriage will be like Elizabeth and her husband. Mr. Darcy and herself as happy as Mr. Bingley, and how happy the father would be, and how proud the mother would be, when they were engaged, and how Kitty's marriage would benefit, and the society of Pemberley and Howard The status will be improved accordingly...

Now Jane is completely at ease about the marriage, and she speaks so happily that the whole family will benefit greatly from Mary's husband-in-law, but she forgets to stress that whether her sister In the marriage that everyone is looking forward to, she is willing, because she thinks it is a matter of course, and Mary's initial reluctance is regarded by her as hypocrisy, or a common psychology of girls who worry about gains and losses before marriage, so Not surprising.

When Jane finally combed Mary's hair, Mary expressed the wish to be alone for a while without being disturbed by others, and of course Jane agreed.When she walked out of the room, she suddenly remembered something and said: "By the way, Mary, there is one thing I almost forgot to tell you-I didn't know that the Earl of Leicester would propose marriage, so I specially invited I sent the Vicar of Lisbon to your birthday ball, who is visiting the parish in nearby Cleveland County, and wrote back that he would be here this morning. Well, I guess I'm meddling now."

Mary was a little surprised, but she thought about it and said, "It's okay, I didn't expect much from Pastor Lisbon. Since I have already invited him, let's treat him as a good friend." Jane deeply agreed , smiled at her, walked out of the room, and gently closed the door.

Mary sat in front of the dressing table, looked at herself in the mirror, and asked herself: "Maybe I should marry him. After all, I loved him once, and I can't say I'm not in love with him even now. And, I have other choices." Is it? Rumors must have spread all over the surrounding villages and towns. If I agree to his marriage proposal, it will be the most romantic thing, but if the marriage fails in the end, he will be sympathized by everyone, and I will be disgraced. Even my parents, sister and brother-in-law's family may not be able to accommodate me... But, how unwilling, how unwilling!"

Thinking of this, she couldn't help lamenting the misfortune of being a woman again. Even outstanding women like Jane and Elizabeth depended on the love and care of their husbands. Once they lost this identity, they were nothing.She fell on the dressing table and cried for a while, her heart became empty, but the sadness also flowed away with the tears.She reapplied her makeup and decided to face reality and go downstairs, because some guests had arrived early in the morning.

When Mary went downstairs, a group of guests had just got out of the carriage, among them was the Vicar of Lisbon, who listened to Mr. Collins flattering the Vicar of Lisbon in all directions with his characteristic red tape.Pastor Lisbon greeted Mr. Collins politely, but his attitude was obviously colder than that of Mr. Collins. Mr. Bingley was busy entertaining another group of guests and couldn't take care of everyone at the moment. When Pastor Lisbon looked around, He saw Mary who was coming down the stairs. Mary was sure that the tears on her cheeks had been completely covered, but the pastor Lisbon's gaze only stayed in the corner of her eyes for a moment, which made her suddenly feel that there was nothing to hide .

"Miss Bennet," a warm smile appeared on the lips of Pastor Lisbon, he bowed and took off his hat, "It is a great honor to be invited by your sister to come to your birthday party. Please allow me Happy birthday to you."

Mary stepped forward to shake his hand: "Thank you, Mr. Lisbon. It's a pleasure to see you again. Recently, I often recall the happy times I spent with you in Florence."

The Lisbon priest's eyes sparkled: "Yes, Florence...that's a place where angels dare not set foot, I'm glad you like it, many young ladies would rather go to Venice, there are fun and things to enjoyMore .”

Mr. Bingley came over at this moment, and joined the conversation: "But of course the most refined and joyful entertainment is in the English countryside, isn't it, Mr. Vicar? Do you like dancing?"

Before Pastor Lisbon had time to answer, Mr. Collins had already started to praise Pastor Lisbon's "cool dance steps". When Mr. Collins finally stopped to catch his breath, Pastor Lisbon turned to Mary and said, "Although I am not as praised by Mr. Collins, But I still hope to have the honor of dancing with you, Miss Bennet, may I ask you to dance today's opening dance?"

Mary didn't expect him to be so straightforward, she stared quietly into his eyes, his eyes were deep and quiet, with firm eyes, his handsome face like an ancient Greek sculpture had sharp lines, but there was no wave of emotion .Before Mary could answer, Mr. Collins on the side interjected smartly: "Hehe, Mr. Lisbon, I think Miss Mary would be very willing to dance the opening dance with you—who would refuse to dance with such an outstanding dancer as you?" How about a dance? But I think Miss Mary has every reason to go to the opening dance with another gentleman today, and you know there's only one case where girls have a reason to refuse the invitation of other boys..." he said While winking to suggest that Mary has an open suitor.

Mr. Lisbon's eyes flickered for a moment, and he immediately regained his composure. He turned to Mary and asked sternly, "Well, can I ask who this lucky guy is?" Mr. Collins revealed the answer impatiently: " What you can't imagine is a great gentleman, the richest and most generous man in England..."

Pastor Lisbon didn't speak any more, his lips were tightly pressed together, and Mary could read the deep disappointment in his eyes looking at her, which made her feel inexplicably uncomfortable.So she turned her head and looked out of the window. At this time, the pastor Lisbon spoke quietly: "Just now from the carriage, I saw a large field of yellow lilies blooming beside the river beside the woods. Miss Bennet, please excuse me." Want to go watch it with me?"

Mary was a little flustered at the thought that his excuse was that he had something to say to her, but she thought it best to be able to say all that had to be said beforehand, so she nodded her assent, and went upstairs for her hat and Parasol, when she went downstairs, she saw the Lisbon priest waiting under the cloister outside the foyer, talking with Miss Bingley. They seemed to be talking very speculatively, and Mary felt a little strange, because it was impossible for the two of them to appreciate each other At the same time, people whose thoughts and habits are very different, now they get together, their expressions are concentrated, and they can even be called serious. Miss Bingley talks eloquently, while Mr. Lisbon just nods constantly.

As soon as Mary went downstairs, Miss Bingley glanced at her, and walked away without saying hello. Mary had gotten used to Miss Bingley's impolite behavior recently, and didn't care about her. The Lisbon priest smiled and extended his arm to her, She took his arm, opened the parasol with the other hand, and walked slowly along the gravel path in the garden to the woods.

Through the grove with verdant trees, they came to the river. The water flowed slowly, murmuring among the gravels, and the beach was covered with large yellow lilies, which shone like broken gold in the sun. .This is really a good place to enjoy the flowers and scenery, but it is a pity that the two well-dressed and beautiful young people walking by the river are not in the mood to appreciate the natural beauty.

Pastor Lisbon had been walking with his head bowed. At this moment, he suddenly stopped, turned around and said, "Miss Bennet, I thought you were different from the young women I knew—you wouldn't be influenced by money. I won’t stoop to marry for the sake of luxurious material comforts, but I heard the rumors before I came here—are you going to be engaged to the Earl of Leicester?”

Mary did not expect him to say such a thing. What did such a frank accusation mean?Ordinary friends may just think about it in their hearts, but they will never say it out loud, right?But she never regarded the Lisbon priest as an ordinary friend, so she said bluntly: "Yes, Mr. Lisbon, this matter is now known far and wide, although the count has not yet made a formal marriage proposal-use A more conventional way—but no one doubts that he will bring it up at the ball tonight, and I have no intention of refusing it. I am not as proud of myself as you think, and even a noble woman has to do it for me. I have to bend my waist for food and clothing. I think you understand my situation, do I have any other options?" When Mary said the last sentence, her voice was choked up. How could she not confide in her heart, even to her own sister? How about telling a man who doesn't know him well?But this is also where Mr. Lisbon's unique charm lies. Perhaps it is a professional relationship, he can always easily let people open their hearts in front of him.

Now Mr. Lisbon's frozen shell has melted a little, his piercing eyes have softened, and the corners of his lips show sympathy and love, and he said softly: "Mary, please allow me to call you that, of course you can be different." The choice. God arranges everything in its own way. I don't have a huge property, but I have a property in the town of Poole Bridge on the shore of Ossee Lake. It is a very beautiful place, very suitable for people who like tranquility. country life, and besides, I have a regular income of three thousand pounds a year..."

Mary stared at Mr. Lisbon in surprise. Mr. Lisbon had never been so tender. He knelt down on one knee, held Mary's hand with his right hand, and said, "Please marry me, Mary, and make me the happiest man in the world." Man." The yellow lilies by the river rippled for a while, and then suddenly parted a ripple like a wave, and then shook their arms like children who love to laugh, and danced cheerfully in the wind .