[Pride and Prejudice] Rich Lady

"Dear Lizzie, I think you need our private training?" Laura hesitated, saying such words was already an offense, and she was simply doubting a young lady's upbringing, but Lizzie's etiquette was too rigid.

"If it wasn't Mrs. Judith, I would never have said that." Laura pressed her fingers between her eyebrows. "Mrs. Judith, she is the etiquette teacher of the Countess. She is known throughout London for her sternness and acrimony." It is absolutely impossible for this lady to correct and teach bit by bit. Her education method cannot be tolerated without a strong heart.

Lizzie, on the other hand, is incredibly ignorant.

Elizabeth couldn't wish for it, and hurriedly begged: "Dearest Laura, you are so kind!"

The British are so hideous at the dinner table, even the distance between the cups and plates, tables and chairs has strict rules, and the lady's eyes are sharper than a falcon, Elizabeth is sure that she was gouged out several times during the dinner just now Second-rate!

Lily and Daisy also expressed their intention to join, and everyone rejoiced: "Fortunately, I have you, Laura!"

"I can guarantee that throughout the dinner, only Laura was not despised by Mrs. Judith."

"Whenever Mrs. Judith's gaze turns to my side, I feel stiff all over. My voice must be full of the bitter taste of biter wine, because Mrs. Judith is so disgusted." Lily complained with a rare bitter face.

"My godmother, Viscountess Sterling, is a gentle and patient lady. She has taught me a lot." Laura's cheeks flushed slightly after being complimented by her friends.

Lily has done a lot of research on the famous ladies in the London society, and asked in surprise, "Princess Sophia's etiquette teacher?"

"Great! Dear Laura, teach us like correcting Lizzie's pronunciation!" Daisy said happily, "No matter how you fiddle with the last name, we are all good students. Compared with Mrs. Judith, you are an angel."

It wasn't until Lia knocked on the door to remind the ladies that it was time to go to bed that Elizabeth sank into the pillow exhausted with her buzzing head.

"This is really terrible!" she murmured in pain.

Compared with this etiquette class, the courses required by the Yin family in the previous life can be regarded as benefits.Elizabeth didn't even have the strength to write a letter to Jane. She remembered the novels she had read before, and wondered how those protagonists who also traveled through time could integrate into a strange era without any violations?Even if she got the memory of Mrs. Darcy, she couldn't do it.Laura said she was as stiff as a sunfish stranded on the beach, only slightly better than wood.

"Actually, there are very few occasions where I need to use these, right?" Elizabeth sought comfort from her little friend, "I only like gold guineas! Marrying a nobleman is not realistic, nor is it my pursuit."

Littered from the blow, Elizabeth stared at the velvet ceiling with blank eyes.

Laura was relentless: "On the contrary. In fact, you will use it often in the future, and you must make it a habit. Don't forget what Mrs. Judith said is to the extent that it becomes our 'unique trait', I'm still far from it."

Elizabeth covered her eyes, and vowed to escape for a while: "Our country dance is so comfortable, I have never seen such complicated and complicated requirements."

The pitiful tone made Laura laugh: "Good Lizzie, once you get used to it, you won't find it complicated. Maybe the dances in the country are more free, but I have to say that the dances in the city, especially in London, are more particular. I'm sure that will be part of the etiquette class as well."

"As long as you marry a gentleman." Laura sternly said, "You will at least marry a gentleman." "When you become someone else's wife, you must appear on various social occasions with your husband. It will be as tolerant as a country dance." The tolerance and requirements of the unmarried lady and the married lady are completely different from the outside world.

Elizabeth naturally understood that she was just talking bluntly, and would only work harder when it came time to learn etiquette. As Mrs. Judith said, elegance and calmness are synonymous with a lady.Becoming a lady in the eyes of others is the first step for Elizabeth to integrate and gain a foothold in this era.

All etiquette and rules are her weapons to arm herself. Good upbringing and elegant posture are undoubtedly a very useful stepping stone on her way to gain gold guinea.

"That's right!" Laura laughed, "Everyone is used to respecting Luo Yi first, and manners are another layer of Luo Yi. This is the stone step to realize our wishes."

Only then did Elizabeth realize that she had just murmured.

"Marriage is a must for us, no matter sooner or later. It is not easy to choose a gentleman with a character and wealth. If you choose the wrong one..." Laura continued.

She didn't know what to think of, and her words were bitter and sarcasm: "You know, no matter how painful and disgusting, in social places, couples have to live together and behave intimately. If only half of the couple appeared in the social activities of the upper class in London It's as ridiculous as seeing couples in pairs in the upper class in Paris!"

Elisabeth evaded the words behind her, and whispered weakly: "Dearest Laura, your argument is exactly the same as that of Mrs. Bennet! My mother used to say 'rich bachelors always marry a wife!', she My greatest wish is to marry off all five daughters, and it would be best to sell them all at once like a fruit farmer sells apples. But as apples, our dowry is just big. If it is too small, no matter how red or sweet it is, we will not be favored—and we I haven't officially stepped into the social world yet, so it's too early to say this!"

"The top priority is, shouldn't we work hard to grow taller?" To grow like a watermelon, it would be more comfortable and comfortable not to get married for a lifetime.

"Honey, you are really interesting, I have never met a lady like you..." Laura couldn't help but bury her face in the pillow and grinned.

Elizabeth was so tired that she fell asleep halfway through the speech.

At this time, the Bennet family in Longbourn still had no mood to sleep, and everyone including Mrs. Bennet was frightened by Jane's newspaper clippings.

"Is this true? Are these all?" Mrs. Bennet stopped yelling about neuralgia and stuttered to her eldest daughter.

Jane's face was also a little pale, and she put down the stack of newspaper clippings that were neatly bound and carefully bound, "I think so, Mom."

During the dinner, Jane told the family part of the letter according to Elizabeth's wishes, which made Lydia and Mrs. Bennet very dissatisfied.Seeing that everyone seemed to think that Lizzie was alarmist, Jane decided to read a few newspaper clippings aloud over tea after dinner.

In order to attract enough attention, Elizabeth deliberately placed a murder case uncovered by Scotland Yard on the front page of the newspaper clippings.

She was a country girl who was full of aspirations to be famous, and she portrayed London as a good scene in her thin cognition: cemeteries, lions, kings, palaces, lace hats, satin skirts and shoes trimmed with silver, and wonderful Opera and Ball.Determined to enjoy these, she took a stagecoach into the city.

As soon as the young and beautiful girl got out of the car, she was spotted by the bustard who was watching secretly like a vulture hunting for prey. The innocent girl was easily coaxed.The stupid, gullible girl thought she was blessed by God and found a decent job, but this is actually an old trick of the madams: they always dress decently, with 'kindness and kindness' on their faces, and they regard themselves as housekeepers of rich families , in the name of hiring a maid to lure people back to the brothel.

The poor girl entered hell in a bewildering manner, and since then light and grace no longer belonged to her: she was first attracted by the dress decorated with lace and silver trim, and couldn't wait to take off her homespun clothes and tweed robe. The dress is very attractive, like a dewy flower bud, which makes it easy for the bustard to find a buyer.The old perverted ghost with a fat body and a sallow complexion got the girl's first night at a high price.

The girl who fell into misery without knowing it lost her most precious thing and became less valuable because of it.After experiencing bitter crying, hunger strikes and other struggles that are common in the eyes of the old bustard, she can only give up resistance like others, and become an ordinary prostitute who is still fresh.After that, the best time she lived was when she was a mistress to two or three men. Only in those two years, she could put moles (decorative patches) on the corners of her eyes to show that it was someone's. mistress, thus temporarily escaping from the control of the madam.

The good times don't last long, after being abandoned many times, the delicate and simple temperament peels off, and London's brothels are never short of new flowers, and the attitude of the bustard and customers is getting worse.

Her income from receiving guests is comparable to that of ten full-time maids, but the madam always deducts clothing, board and lodging and other reasons, so the poor woman is always in debt.Women with low knowledge have to damage their health more frequently, overdrawing their beauty and life expectancy.

Like the fate of most prostitutes, when the last bit of blood was drained, she was kicked out of the brothel-to make room for the newcomers who were about to cheat.Wretched women, in feeble and decrepit bodies, with no other means of earning a living, were reduced to the lowest kind of barter: street courtesans in alleys, for half a shilling or a pint of bad wine a trade.

For a low-level street girl with no background, the danger is not only from guests, robbers and landlady, but also the magistrate, prison and court bathed in divine grace and the king's scepter. Indecent" charges were arrested and prosecuted.

The magistrate demanded that she describe the crime to which she had fallen, down to the tiniest detail, in detail.This woman is like a flayed lamb, losing her last bit of dignity as a human being in the court of justice.The adults despise and despise it, but they never tire of it.

By luck or misfortune, she escaped hanging and spent her last days in Newgate Prison.

Although the vast majority of prostitutes, after their short-lived beauty withers, they can't escape the end of disease, poverty or early death.But the woman published in the Times was more tragic. On the day she was released from prison, she died in an alley only half a mile from Newgate Street in London, at the hands of a drunken man who lost her eyes. .Her limbs and blood were all over the dirty alley. The horrific murder scene shocked Scotland Yard and caused a long discussion in London.

The soul of this extremely sad woman can't rest in peace after death. The newspapers disclosed all her painful past one by one. The brothel she used to stay in became famous because of this, and the men in the brothel... The owner and the madam even use this name to attract more customers.

The Times used a large page to narrate the life of this woman with considerable style. At the end, Jane and the others knew that the woman was not yet 24 years old when she died.

No matter how provocative the text is, it is not as shocking as the two paintings printed in the lower room of the newspaper: the first one is a portrait of her when she was the mistress of a certain gentleman, her beauty is like the messenger of Venus in the world; The one next to the back is a horrible scene of her limbs scattered like hell.

"Lydia, don't look!" Jane hurriedly covered her little sister's eyes, her face pale and screamed.

But she was too frightened, so she took a step too late, and asked Lydia who came over to look at her.

"Mom!" Lydia's small body trembled, and tears covered her face.

Elizabeth really used too much force, she would not understand that in this era when information dissemination is not widespread and intuitive enough, such a painting is a frightening experience for many gentlemen.

Such rough lines and blurred paintings due to printing are like graffiti to Elizabeth. The martial arts comic strips she has seen in her previous life are more straightforward than this.I chose this newspaper clipping because the news is very alarming, and the sensational and delicate description can touch the nerves of wives and girls.Elizabeth, who ignored the information differences of the times, did a solid job of cheating her family.

Until the next day, Mrs. Bennet was still muttering: "That stupid girl who failed her studies actually frightened her mother and sisters like this. Oh, Mr. Bennet, come out quickly, our family will be spoiled by Lizzie." The girl is in trouble. You have to write to her and criticize her severely. If she doesn't apologize to us and sincerely reflect on her mistakes, I will never forgive her!"

"I have to talk to Jane myself." Mr. Bennet rang the bell, and Jane was invited into the study by the maid soon.

"Come here, son." Mr. Bennet thought for a moment. "Perhaps what I say will surprise you." He said, "Would you like Lizzie's letter to Papa?"

Jane was a little surprised, but quickly agreed.In her and Lizzie's minds, Dad was a sensible man, perhaps a little eccentric, but never offended that Lizzie had told the truth in her letter.

If Mrs. Bennet made this request, Jane would not dare to agree. Fortunately, this lady is not interested in the daughters' letters. Now she is very unhappy and shouts: "My dear sir, you just promised me that you will Severely reproach that daring girl! Instead of reading her letter to Jane."

"Honey," her husband replied, "I have a small request. Please allow me to stay alone in the study and give me enough time to judge this matter independently."

"I will express my attitude to you as soon as possible. Now, I hope you can leave the study as soon as possible."

Mr. Bennet was so shaken by the letter and the clippings that he stayed in his study all day.

After dinner, the father would simply call him to the study, "I'm sorry." The father said, "I'm sorry that I didn't fulfill my responsibilities."

Mr. Bennet lowered his hands to signal, and interrupted what Jane wanted to explain for Elizabeth. He seriously reflected on himself: "For you, I lack concern; for your mother, I choose to escape. I make fun of the stupid behavior of girls." , but forgot to examine yourself, and is doing a more stupid and irresponsible move. Good boy, I should apologize to you and say thank you. Because you have an irresponsible father and a childish and short-sighted mother, let you die prematurely Take on family responsibilities that you shouldn't have."

"Your mother's problems, your father should also bear a lot of responsibility." Mr. Bennet looked at the eldest daughter who had inherited his wife's beauty, and teased himself with some pain: "When I was young, I fell in love with the young and beautiful Clary. Sha Gardner, after getting married, I found out that this beautiful girl has an empty mind...God knows when she has a bad habit of teasing her wife."

"It is undeniable that this makes Mrs. Bennet's mind simpler. The entire Bennet family, without the guidance and correction of her husband and father, keeps getting worse." Mr. Bennet has always been aware of these things in his heart, but He is used to hiding in the study, avoiding the life of failure by neither watching nor listening.But his favorite daughter's letter deeply stabbed his weakness. Lizzie's letter to Jane did not deny her parents' dereliction of duty. I thought about asking my dear father for help.

Mr. Bennet covered his eyes in pain. What has he done all these years?

"Dad, are you okay?" Jane was a little at a loss, she tried to comfort him: "I don't think Lizzie meant to blame you and mom, she was just worried about her sister, afraid that they would go the wrong way."

"Yes, yes!" Mr. Bennet whispered: "Lizzie has always been the one who understands the most. She is right. Mary has never been confident. She seems to see herself as a swan flock." The ugly duckling in the movie wants to increase his charm through knowledge and talent..." But as a father, he never gave him praise and encouragement, and even thought it was humorous to blow his daughter's confidence.

Mr. Bennet's words reminded Jane of the times when her father interrupted Mary's performance, playing the piano and singing, "Okay, children, leave some peace for your poor old father." The father's words embarrassed Mary and called her and Li Qi felt sad.

"Kitty has no brains, but she is quite obedient. As for my little Lydia, she is stupid and ignorant, and I will not be surprised if she does anything out of the ordinary. Maybe one day she will be coaxed into elopement by some malevolent man, telling you All four sisters are ashamed of this..."

"Father!" Jane exclaimed, at her father's vitriol.

But in the next moment, she saw the reddish eyes of Mr. Bennet, and her father bent his shoulders under the weight of guilt: "This will be all my fault."

Anyway, things got off to an unexpectedly good start.Mr. Bennet seemed to cheer up, at least he would not hide in the study all day, he tried to communicate with his daughters more, and occasionally said a few nice words to make Mrs. Bennet happy.

Mr. Bennet officially invited his wife and four daughters into the study, and he announced his decision: "I think Lizzie is doing the right thing! I agree with her."

As the helm of the family, Mr. Bennet's majesty has never been a little bit less because of his avoidance in the past. When he speaks formally, Mrs. Bennet dare not interrupt no matter how dissatisfied he is.

"I ask you to learn from Jane, whether it is reading, reading newspapers, playing the piano and sewing, or your communication skills, at least four hours a day. If you are lazy, I am willing to pay a sum of money to send you to a monastery school. Not only that, you Don't even think about getting even a penny of pocket money from me."

He looked at his wife, "Mrs. Bennet agrees, right? I promise I won't subsidize the girls a penny in private."

Mrs. Bennet suddenly blushed as she looked at her husband's dignified face.She nodded quickly, completely oblivious to the little baby Lydia's begging eyes.

"But, if you do a good job, I think I can reward each of you with a pound! Every month." Mr. Bennet learned the tactic of adding a pound with a stick without a teacher. His words called his daughters All eyes are shining.

If Elizabeth is here, she must be the exception, because the pocket money that the ladies get from their parents doesn't amount to less than a pound a month.It's just a piece of apple that fell before the donkey. Mr. Bennet's calculation is really much better than that of his daughters.

But it was undeniable that a whole pound was much more attractive than pennies and shillings, especially to Kitty and Lydia.The two of them had never been able to save money, and as much money as they got was spent in an instant, and a pound was quite a lot in the eyes of the little girl.Mr. Bennet complained about "stupid girl" in his heart, but he was actually quite proud of his method.

"Good sir, I know you love children, you are too generous." Madam said with emotion.

The corner of the gentleman's mouth twitched, and he swallowed back the sarcasm that came to his lips.

"Very well, now that we have reached a consensus, I hope you all will take today's words to heart."

The father looked at the three little daughters majestically: "I am not as soft-hearted as your mother. If I am still dissatisfied next year, I will contact the teachers of the monastery school to pick you up."

"And you, Jane, if you fail to do your duty, and the sisters beg to let them play--then I will set aside a part of your share to pay for their convent school. The same is true for Lizzie, she was the first to propose and make a promise, so if she fails to do so, I will also withhold her property, and I will not pay the fees for Taoris College next year!"

"You write and tell her what I have said."

The authority of the head of the family suppressed all members, even the heartless little daughter obediently nodded in agreement.

"Okay, let's go out." Mr. Bennet announced the end of the formal conversation. When Jane left, he couldn't hold back and muttered: "Lizzie, a heartless little villain, why didn't she write to her old father?" ?”

Jane turned her head and smiled and said, "Dear Papa, I will tell Lizzie that too. She must be very happy that Daddy misses her." The ladies have long been accustomed to their father's extra care for Elizabeth, so they didn't express anything else.Especially when such a heavy request is on the shoulders, I hope that my father will pay more attention to Lizzie.

Sure enough, in Jane's reply to Elizabeth, she mentioned: "... I feel that Papa is almost going to write to you himself."

In any case, under the leadership of Mr. Bennet, the rusty gears of the Bennet family staggered, and finally started to run again, and everything in Longborn slowly began to develop in a good direction.

Even Elizabeth didn't expect that her flapping her wings would bring about a little change, not only making the future of the sisters brighter, but also reviving the father:

Affected by his class and environment, Mr. Bennet, even if he has read a lot, cannot use his knowledge to create new wealth and pursue a new life. He can only move forward in a generally recognized correct direction.This made him often depressed, and he never had the energy to fight hard. As he grew older, the life where he could see his head at a glance made the negative side of his temperament constantly magnified.

But when he really took on the responsibility of educating children, the process of groping brought a sense of accomplishment, and the troubles were accompanied by fun. Gradually, Mr. Bennet’s words became less harsh, and became more full of the charm of a mature man ——This is a virtuous circle, at least Mrs. Bennet yells about nerve pain much less.

Elizabeth had not yet fully experienced the change until, during the Easter holidays in April, she was startled by the change at Longborn.It was only then that she deeply felt the weakness and impracticality of her original intention. It was impossible to pry the deep-rooted habits of her mother and sisters by relying on Jane alone.After all, the man of this era is the leader of the family. He determines the scope of communication and the way of life of the whole family, and determines the fate of himself and the family. The Bennet family is the epitome of English society.

This made Elizabeth re-examine her attitude towards the future and marriage, and at the same time become more cautious.She is powerless to change the tide of society. If she wants to control her own destiny, she must be stronger.At that time, the arrogance and self-satisfaction that had made her first pot of gold was extinguished without a sound. Elizabeth once again realized that the restrictions on women are everywhere, and the road to freedom is still long and arduous. .

Of course, this is a few months away.At this time, all of Elizabeth's energy was occupied by her busy schoolwork, and writing to Jane became her only moment of relaxation.