[Pride and Prejudice] Rich Lady

It was so unfortunate that two strange men were blocking the way of the ladies.

Elizabeth and Lily immediately blocked Laura and Daisy behind them, looking warily at the person coming.

Thank goodness.The gentleman who spoke was in his twenties, and in appearance, he seemed to be an authentic gentleman; the man next to him wore snow-white gloves, bowed his head slightly, and looked very capable in a respectful manner. The valet wasn't bad in style either—clearly a trained valet, and his master was certainly of good parentage.

Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief, as long as she is not an accomplice, she is lucky.

The gentleman, Major Fitzwilliam, could not help but see what the young lady was thinking. He touched his nose and looked involuntarily at a luxurious carriage parked ten yards away. profile.

But Major Fitzwilliam swears that his cousin must have seen the joke: the girls were terrified, and the cutest lady in front looked more like a frightened mockingbird, with little fluffy With a red chest, she was vigilant and trying hard to protect her companions; while this lovely young lady looked at him with suspicion and disgust in her eyes, until she saw his servant Cook, she softened slightly.

Am I not a gentleman?Major self-doubt: Cook more convincing than myself?

"Maybe you need some help, ladies?" said the major politely.

The female teacher chasing after her saw two tall strangers with obvious identities, she also stopped hesitantly, and was stopped in front of her by a loyal coachman.But across the four-wheeled carriage, Elizabeth here didn't intend to talk to the two gentlemen.

She looked around for a while, and then looked behind her. Who knows how many female teacher's accomplices are hiding nearby?Although these two gentlemen can be called tall, they are not the ones they can rely on for help.

"Sir, we come from Taurice College. Something has changed here, and we need to tell Bishop Frederick immediately." Elizabeth said quickly, "Miss Teacher is too rigid, and she is hardly someone that Countess Anne appreciates. If possible, please Can you stop our Miss Teacher a little bit?"

After finishing speaking, she nodded slightly.

Fitzwilliam Henry listened to her and pointed out Bishop Frederick and Countess Anne in a sentence.The young lady was upright, and her nodding gesture seemed extremely reserved, but her hand lifted up the long skirt unequivocally, and she had already taken half a step in the blink of an eye.

The major raised his eyebrows, which was very amusing: it seemed that the young lady was not only articulate, but also had long, strong legs.

The other three ladies were exactly the same.

He moved his eyes away from Elizabeth, looked at Laura who was following her, and raised his voice, "Is this Miss Laura?"

Laura hesitated, and they all stopped, "May I ask who you are?"

The major shrugged: "Fitzwilliam Henry, at Viscount Stirling's mansion, he had the honor to meet Miss Laura who was beside the Viscountess."

The Viscountess Sterling is Laura's godmother. Besides, according to British rules, only the eldest daughter of the family can be called Miss by her family name. For example, in the Bennet family, only Jane can be called Miss Bennet. The rest of the daughters can only add their Christian names in front of the title of Miss.It is true that Laura is not the eldest daughter of Baron Cliff. This person puts it a little too heavily, and it seems that he does know Laura.

Henry?Laura was taken aback, "Are you Master Fitzwilliam from Earl Henry's residence?"

The four girls put down the corners of their skirts at the same time, as if nothing had happened, and slightly bent their knees in a ladylike manner—if you ignore the thin blush on Laura's face.

The major nodded and said, "I think I understand a little bit." "Cook!"

The manservant named Cook nodded and walked towards the carriage parked not far away, but he hadn't gotten close to the gentleman who passed the master's words to the carriage, the gentleman who didn't want to show up had already ordered his followers in advance.

Several tall entourages gathered towards the carriage, one ran into the church, and the other ran towards Scotland Yard.

Elizabeth's tensed nerves were only slightly relaxed at this time, and she gave the carriage a look of appreciation. That decent faceless man was better than the gentleman in front of him: at least he knew how to tip off the news instead of relying entirely on his followers.

The female teacher was visibly flustered, and the 'Stoke's valet' who was holding down the little man also became uneasy. People change.But the movement on Elizabeth's side was noticed by the ladies. Although the ladies were nervous, they all made concerted efforts to tighten the door handle immediately, and the coachmen from the Taolisi College also stood in front of the door as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

This farce will soon be over.thought Elizabeth.

Traveling in England was not an easy task in this era, because there were many highway robbers.Although Tao Lisi is not far from London, and there are many carriages, women still have to be escorted on the road, which is why the academy dispatched male servants from the Stoke family.It's just that this escort is more about the style put on by the Taolisi Academy. No robber would be foolish enough to provoke a noble with real power, not to mention that all these ladies are from good backgrounds.

Mrs. Pulan ran out almost regardless of her manners, followed by the priests in the church.After a while, Scotland Yard arrived late, together with the Stoke family's entourage who had been diverted away.

Although the entourage made mistakes, they didn't get nothing. They caught all the "bait" of temptation.

Mrs. Poullan's upbringing did not allow her to lose her temper in public. In fact, apart from the stiff lines of her face, she smiled and thanked Major Fitzwilliam and the commander of Scotland Yard softly.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Fitzwilliam!" Laura and the other three girls knelt gracefully again.

The major took off his hat and bowed back, the girls returned to the carriage, and soon the surroundings of the church were quiet again.

"What an interesting and lovely lady! Darcy, I'm so sorry that you don't want to get in touch with strangers." Major Fitzwilliam sat up, still full of thoughts: "It's a pity that the head of Taurus College came too soon, I haven't inquired about that yet. The lady's first and last name, and I didn't even get a word."

"But if she can be educated at Taurus College, maybe this lady's family is very good." The major said enthusiastically, "If she is a rich woman, even the daughter of a merchant's family. I think she is so interesting and looks good." For good sake, I might be willing to marry her."

"As a man of my status, he must pay attention to money when he gets married, but there are too few women with money and status. Even if there are, it is difficult for them to look up to the youngest son who cannot inherit the title and property, unless I grow a A face like yours." The major teased his cousin, "Darcy, you should smile more and compliment the ladies more, otherwise the ladies will not appreciate you, just like today."

"Ah! I hope that lady is valued by the countess, so that maybe I can see her in the social season in London next year. I don't have a handsome face, and I still have a humorous conversation. As long as I get in touch for a long time, I promise, she will definitely Will be attracted to me—God bless her a rich woman!" The major babbled to himself.

"It's true that I'm not as comfortable talking to strangers as some people are," said Darcy, "but I've heard that Countess Anne is tough and protective—a lady whose uncle wouldn't offend her, Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Going to spoil her students?"

This major is not frivolous, but what happened today is so interesting. On Christmas Day, someone dared to tease the baroness's tiger beard, and the female students taught in the academy run by the baroness seemed to be Different from ordinary ladies, the agility is eye-catching.That's why the major couldn't help chattering. Except for the ladies, he began to speculate who was behind the scenes and came up with such low-level tricks—this is really not something that conservative old nobles would do.

"The most important person among the nobles, our Prince of Wales, went to the Parliament to make a special allocation of funds to pay off his debts," Darcy said slowly, blocking his cousin's throat, "and his lover and illegitimate children I hope you won't take a similar path in the future, I, and Cousin Henry, will not lend you money to use in this kind of place."

Mr. Darcy managed to choke his cousin—he himself was a little lost in thought, repeatedly thinking of the slender figure that stood up to protect his companion just now.Mr. Darcy was not attracted by the beauty of the leading lady, nor was she overwhelmed by her manner of speaking, but only had some empathy.This reminded him of how he protected his younger sister Georgiana in the same posture when he just lost his father when he was young, like a bird of God with spread wings, frightened and brave.

Back at Taurus College, the ladies not only were not frightened by this small twists and turns, but felt very fresh.Reluctantly maintaining a ladylike demeanor, they secretly shook their heads in anticipation of the cause and effect of the matter.

Mrs. Copeland evidently had no intention of telling the details.

Countess Anne made an appearance before the dinner and personally wished the ladies who stayed at school a good Christmas, before leaving in a hurry.

Elizabeth looked carefully, and felt that the Countess' steps were firm and neat, as if she was stepping on the rhythm of her heartbeat, which could be described as menacing.

"Very well, our fright will not end lightly," Elizabeth and Laura blinked, "Those who play tricks will pay the price of heartache!"

Lily, who was holding a teacup opposite, agreed: "The Stoke family will not give up."

Daisy, who was the youngest, was quite open-minded, "I heard that those who were ambushing on the road were all caught by the guards of the Stoke family. In fact, even if we were caught by those people, at most we would suffer a little bit. They dare not What can we do with us? It can be seen from the newspaper that it is just a trick of the disgusting countess, and he does not dare to really fight against the countess. Enmity with our family."

Laura raised her chin and snorted, "I guess there must be someone related to General Nelson among the envoys. Offending the Countess is not the purpose, but turning the Countess against the General is the truth."

Elizabeth shook her head: "It's not necessarily related to General Nelson, I think it's more likely to be someone close to Mrs Hamilton. In this way, the Duchess will hate that lady even more, and the whole of London knows that the general is extremely stubborn towards Mrs Hamilton. Then The first lady will become a gap between the two."

Most of General Nelson's relatives are civilians. It is too obvious to lure them, and the other is that it is not very effective at all. That general can accumulate military exploits and climb to a high position. It can be seen that he is also a cold and decisive person. Except for old Nelson, he may not be willing The rest opened their eyes.Before Mrs. Hamilton married the Sir, there were quite a few guests, all of whom were nobles. Provoking one of them is enough to blame her. The Countess will also because of her old lover. And hate her even more.

Lily drank the hot tea and put down the gold-painted cup: "Those have nothing to do with us, at least until we stand on the same ladder, it doesn't matter!" One day, they will be able to seek justice for themselves without relying on others!They can be like the duchess, just standing there so that people dare not offend, only dare to beat around the bush!

Lily's subtext and companions understood, not only Daisy, Elizabeth and Laura also straightened their spines, especially Elizabeth, who for the first time longed to stand on a higher position.

"We don't have power, but we definitely have memory." Elizabeth looked at her partners seriously.

The girls nodded solemnly together.

"Crack, crack!" The soft applause startled the four ladies in the corner.

Elizabeth hurriedly turned her head to look, but it was Mrs. Pulan who came to this corner at some time.

"I have prepared black tea and desserts from the Ming Dynasty. Would the four ladies be willing to taste them?"

Coming out of Madame Poulein's little drawing-room, the girls were very preoccupied, especially Laura.

She pursed her lips tightly, stopped at the corner, and apologized to her companions: "I have troubled you, if they knew who I was, maybe they wouldn't scare you."

It turned out that those people, the culprit named Addison Bull, also involved Mrs. Hamilton's old lover Charles Grewell, and Viscount Bull's goal was actually Laura.

Laura's father, Baron Cliff, is a special person. Although he has a low title and family wealth, he is passionate about current affairs. He gathers around him a group of small nobles with the same hobbies. some right to speak.Baron Cliff is old-fashioned and stubborn. Although he is a distant relative of the Stoke family, he is not very optimistic about the Duchess. He, together with his companions, is in the middle of the middle when it comes to the Duchess.

If something happened to Laura, no matter how big or small, her reputation would definitely be affected.As a father, Baron Cliff will definitely not quit, and angering the Countess is the inevitable result.Indirectly, the attitude of the House of Lords towards Nelson will slip into a worse situation.

Fortunately, they overestimated the female teacher they bought. The female teacher is still inexperienced and can only assist in teaching musical instruments-the girls who can enter the school can't play a few pieces, so the music course is not important. The important work does not fall on her head.She didn't have time until the seniors came home for Christmas, but Mrs. Poulein and the maids were there almost all the time, and an auxiliary teacher who didn't fit in with the freshmen had no way of figuring out which was the baroness.

"Dear Laura, you don't have to blame yourself for other people's sins." Elizabeth didn't have a smile on her face, she whispered: "We must be in the same carriage with you."

"If they know it's you, those people won't rush to attack near the church. They just need to work together to stay or attack our carriage on the road. The guards have to look after others. The chances of us being left behind are too great. If they succeed, What will happen to the three people who are not nobles?" Elizabeth has been wondering that for more than a dozen freshmen, the number of people sent by the main envoy is too small, and the methods are too rough, but if they just want to stay A carriage, indeed, is enough for these people.Luckily the teacher didn't know who Laura was.

Elizabeth's words made Lily and Daisy shudder.

Daisy said dryly with a pale face: "No matter how rich my father is, the nobles can only look at him when he pays tribute." That's why so many people sharpen their heads to get seats in the House of Commons, and then want to get Knighthood.

"They hired gamblers and orphans from the Eastern District. Those people have no morals or even fear in their eyes. They will only bully the weak more recklessly and badly." Lily couldn't help shivering.England is rich but conservative. According to the traditional concept, a lady who loses her virginity before marriage is almost tantamount to self-degradation. No one cares about the pain of girls, they just talk about it.

"The reputation is ruined, whether we ourselves or Taolisi College, together with our innocent sisters." Elizabeth said with a cold face.

It wasn't until Leah came to invite them: "Ladies, the Christmas dinner is about to begin." The heavy atmosphere was broken.

Elizabeth hugged Laura, "Fortunately, those terrible things didn't happen. Good girl, let's cheer up!"

Daisy and Lily also gathered around like chicks looking for warmth. The four young girls hugged each other. Elizabeth lowered her head and looked at the tears of the girls on the carpet.Suddenly, a burst of gloom rushed into my heart: "We have no strength, but we definitely have a memory! We will do what we can, but we will get revenge!"

This turmoil, the academy was just a false alarm after all. The Duchess' revenge might hurt Bull's muscles, but it would never shake his noble status.As long as the title is still there, the Viscount Boer can still be high and enjoy himself freely.He will not have even the slightest care or guilt for almost ruining the lives of several girls.

Several girls, including Elizabeth, vowed silently: One day, that invincible villain will pay enough pain!

"Leah, I think there is still some time before the dinner party?" Laura raised her head again, "enough for us to replace with a more decent Schumitz?"

"Of course, my honorable lady." Liya approached at this moment, bowing her head slightly in response.

The four returned to two adjacent bedrooms, quickly arranged their faces and hair, and put on their most gorgeous long dresses. Even Elizabeth, who had always been plain, also put on earrings, necklaces, and gem-studded hairpins. It is one of her few luxurious decorations, a private gift from Mrs. Bennet.

The glamorous ladies raised their chins, straightened their chests and backs, and smiled at each other: they truly and strongly felt that they and their companions had become different from the moment they walked out of the room.

That night Elizabeth wrote to Jane by candlelight:

"...Dear Jane, I just discovered today that I have never kept my feet on the ground, but I have been floating in the air all the time. Under the simple environment in the countryside and the love of my family, I never knew what is sinister. I thought I was smart and witty, but in fact I was impetuous I am arrogant, but I don’t know it, and I am still complacent. I am ashamed of my solitude and simplicity, and I am also grateful for the simple and beautiful life in the past. Fortunately, I was born in the Bennet family, and our parents supported our daughters. A relaxed family environment...Jane, I just watched some things, so I don't need to worry about me. I say this, on the one hand, I want to share my life in the college with you; on the other hand, And what I think is more important: the education of Mary, Kitty and Lydia, whose characters are more or less problematic!"

"We can't live in Longbourn forever. If we change the environment, they will suffer a lot: Mary has been neglected for too long. She wants to blend in and let people see herself, but she tries hard in the wrong direction - learning esoteric Knowledge is not wrong, but it is not a good tool to show herself. Kitty has no opinions, and the people around her can easily influence her. When she is with you, she can honestly do an afternoon of sewing; When they were together, they played wildly and laughed, and Lydia listened to everything she said. Our little sister, Lydia, was probably the worst of the bunch, ignorant, flippant, and worst of all, she was good at using her A reckless, blank little head makes a decision, and does not care about the consequences of this decision, and is never responsible... Maybe my words are too harsh, but since I have seen a wider world, more complicated These worries fill my mind all the time, and I am afraid that our dear little sisters will suffer great harm in the future.”

"Dear Jane, you are patient, gentle and kind, I beg you! Take up the responsibilities that Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have not fulfilled, and try your best to teach the sisters. They are still young and there is still time. I learned in the college. I will share with you everything I have seen, everything I have seen, and I hope to create a new and better future for ourselves through my eyes, pen and paper."

Elizabeth attached to her letters a modified version of the incident, trying to write as sinister and tragic as possible, hoping that when Jane read the letter to her sisters, they would be at least a little alarmed.Personality cannot be changed overnight, Elizabeth understands, but as long as she perseveres, she can always guide people in a good way under subtle influence.Jane herself is not without flaws, and taking the responsibility of educating her younger sister is the best exercise for her submissive and passive character. I believe Lydia can wear away all her submissiveness.

"Jane, you have always been sympathetic to other people's difficulties, and you think that all people in the world are good people. This is true in Longbourne or Meryton, but when you come to London, I have to say mercilessly that we are all wrong Perhaps there are no natural villains, but stereotyped, honest-looking villains abound who will do harm to the innocent for a pound. There are always some kind-faced thugs lingering where the London stagecoach stops They warmly greet the country girls who have just got off the carriage, introduce architecture to them, take care of board and lodging and work-you must sigh "good people", right? But in fact, these are demons with black souls , in the name of recruiting maids to lure ignorant girls from the countryside, and what awaits them is either sold into a brothel, or given to a man as a mistress. We have all heard of the aftermath. But this is no longer It is a distant story, and it is a common thing that happens every day on the streets of London. You and I are weak, unable to save others, and can only do our best to protect our family—I can’t imagine that if one day, Lydia’s brain When it's hot and comes to London alone, what tragic things will happen to her? No, maybe with Kitty, but it won't help, but it will make us lose one more Bennet baby."

Elizabeth wrote: "Thanks to the esteemed Mrs. Porland, who agreed to send me a copy of the old papers from the past year. I cut out all the news and pictures of such events and asked the coachman to bring them to Uncle Gardner. Uncle will send it to you from the neighbors in London. Please read it to Lydia and Kitty and tell them that if they don't listen carefully, read it again and I will recommend a convent school to Dad This was introduced by my friend Miss Laura, who is the daughter of a baron. I heard that no matter how undisciplined girls are sent in, they will be well behaved after a year. If they are still there when I go home As empty-headed as before, I don’t know how powerful I am, even if they hate me, I will ask my father to send them to that school. Tell them what I said, and they will know that I can convince my father!”

Elizabeth threatened, and then gave a sweet date: "But if they grow up, I will bring home the most fashionable Schumize Dolles in London, and the most exotic hats with lace, and everyone will have a share."

"My dearest Jane, forgive my harshness and inappropriate words, but what has happened to other people is terrifying me. They were good girls, like us, but . . . I won't say any more, you have read the letter and newspaper clippings, I believe you can understand my feelings." Elizabeth finally signed: "Your..."