[Pride and Prejudice] Rich Lady

"Lola!" "Lily..."

The other four ladies who made an appointment to meet had already arrived, and the waiter led Elizabeth and the others to them.

It was probably the first time for the ladies to dine in this kind of public restaurant, and they were a little shy, so they purposely sat down in a corner.

"Thank God, you still remember us!" said a round-faced lady to Daisy, obviously well aware of Daisy's usual style of rich and wealthy lady.

Elizabeth was not very familiar with this round girl, and Daisy told her in a low voice: "Darlene and I have known each other since childhood, and our father was both a shipowner."

"Miss Phoebe's shop has new tricks again?" Darlene asked with great interest seeing the empty-handed ladies who arrived late.

"The most unique and novelty items have been sent to our carriage!" Daisy raised her face, very proudly: "I think you are a step too late, Darlene."

Miss Darlene didn't take it seriously, "Gingini can get all the good things in exchange, and they're sure to be happy to take out the things hidden in the warehouse—at least in Miss Phoebe's store."

Daisy pouted.

Elizabeth suddenly realized that this style is really Daisy!It seems that Miss Darlene is also the lady of a wealthy businessman with a lot of money.

Daisy and Darlene, the two girls were shining with gold coins, and seemed to be secretly competing for glory.No wonder they have known each other since childhood, but their relationship can't really be called close.

This restaurant in Covent Garden is indeed the first choice for fashionable ladies: the dark red velvet semicircular sofa subtly divides the restaurant into small semi-private spaces, and the white tablecloths are embroidered with exquisite patterns. Candlesticks and silver tableware; under the dome with intricate patterns, the walls of the dining room display a magnificent collection of antlers, and the corners are dotted with specimens of birds and animals. Under these ostentatious trophies, there are labels similar to the color of the wallpaper. In splendid Spencer script the hunter's name, time and place are recorded...  

In the corner where Elizabeth is, two semi-circular sofas face each other, forming a bracket shape. At the same time, each of the semi-circular sofas and the seats facing each other across the dining table are also an independent dining unit - especially suitable for two small groups like them, both Intimate and independent.

The waiters in the restaurant were tall, handsome, and polite, which made the ladies glance a few more times.The ladies didn't feel hungry until the hot delicacies were served.Thanks to the terrible Mrs. Judith, even on this occasion, the girls' dining etiquette is very standard, all of them are elegant and generous, and they are not too late.

In a restaurant with more and more visitors, it is also more eye-catching, and strange gentlemen and ladies will pass by their eyes from time to time.Fortunately, most British people are conservative and polite, and don't pay too much attention, so as not to disturb the interest of the ladies.

"There are a lot of guests." Elizabeth chatted with her companion in a low voice while tasting the fresh and tender venison.

Laura swallowed her food and nodded slightly: "It's the social season in London, and rich people from England, Wales, and Scotland gather here, so it's extra lively."

Elizabeth gave her hand a slight pause. In her impression, the social season in London should start from April and end in August. These four months are also the most beautiful season in London, with long hours of sunshine and little rainfall, and the indoor and outdoor are very comfortable—but That's the modern social season, isn't it different from the late 4th century social season?

Lola was quite attuned to her friend's whimsy and lack of common sense, "Don't you think gentlemen are going to leave London and return to their country estates when Parliament is not in session? No, no, that's outrageous, they don't waste their time on In the carriage."

"So," said Elizabeth, "the London social season runs from the State Opening of Parliament in November to the summer?" Cautiously, Elizabeth used summer to pass the month vaguely.

Sure enough, the ladies quickly gave her an answer: "Yes, gentlemen arrive at least before the end of October every year, gather in London to attend the opening ceremony of the Parliament, listen to the will of God and the king, and then stay until June of the following year , will not leave London for half a year." Lily said.

"Until July, the air in London will become unbearably foul and hot, and nobles and gentlemen will flee London to spend the summer in their country estates." Daisy continued, "In autumn, they will wear Red hunting suit, wearing a black felt hat, stepping on a vigorous horse, surrounded by groups of hounds, circled the hunting ground to hunt foxes."

Laura said: "Fox hunting was the only outdoor activity my father liked. There are many gentlemen in England. Lizzie's father too?"

"In addition to fox hunting, my father also likes fishing." Elizabeth said: "Of course, Mr. Bennet's hunting suit is brown-green. Dressing has always been the choice of young gentlemen, not much favored by mature gentlemen."

"On formal social occasions, the British pay attention to the fact that husbands and wives go in and out together." Elizabeth pulled the conversation back to the London social season, "so the ladies and wives will return to London together, and then the ladies of the right age at home will also appear."

When the parliament opens, the nobles and political elites will inevitably stay in London and refuse to leave.And where there are gentlemen, there must be no shortage of ladies.

In fact, young ladies and gentlemen are the most active in the London social season, especially those unmarried aristocratic women who have reached the marriageable age. They are especially keen to participate in various balls, salons and dinners.As a real lady, there will be no shortage of female elders around her, so the role of the London Social Season as a "marriage market" far outweighs its political color.There are whispers about judging single men and women in various places and corners of the social season.

Daisy has always been straightforward: "God bless me to be able to attend the palace party in May in a few years, even if it is a star full of red roses."

Darlene, who was on the sofa next door, shook her head: "It's too difficult, unless Uncle Reed is willing to send a merchant ship to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales." Perhaps His Royal Highness is willing to see that the Reed family has taken the initiative to fill his financial deficit. Instructed the dear lady to take poor Daisy with her.

Since His Majesty the King held an extremely grand birthday party for Queen Charlotte, who was pregnant at the time, and received all the young men and women attending in person, May has become a very popular event every year. A special day that high-class ladies look forward to.The king will receive unmarried noble girls over the age of 20 in the palace in May, and formally "introduce" them to upper-class unmarried men, so that the ladies can find their ideal husband before the end of the social season, while the little gentlemen You can pursue your favorite wife.

The meaning of Darlene's words was that Daisy did not have such a good fortune to attend the royal ball.

"The Reed family's fleet has just expanded by a quarter, and more than one old merchant ship has been bought out!" Daisy glanced sideways at Darlene's somewhat mediocre appearance, and said proudly with her chest out, "It's been a while since I was an adult." It will take at least 3 years, so you should plan for yourself first! But I'm sure, Uncle Bird will be willing to spend a boat to get you a decent marriage!"

"Daisy Reed!"

"Darlene Byrd!"

The two girls were like two irritated shrikes, their bulging little wings blown out.

Seeing that the two ladies were about to start arguing again, Elizabeth put down the knife and fork, clasped her hands, and exclaimed: "Oh, a boat! Look, look! Miss Darlene and Miss Daisy easily and uniquely call the poor again." Recognize poverty. I seem to be dazzled by gold, and please, dear Lily, shield me from the light!"

As she spoke, she also covered her eyes with her hands, with the gaps between her fingers wide open, vividly showing a dazzling and reluctant look of the gold.

Laura held back her laughter, grasped her hand cooperatively, raised her eyes, pretended to be salivating, and chanted: "Stupid girl, I don't know how to cherish! Open your eyes wide, and don't let go of any golden strands." light—and then when you look at your knives and forks, they too will be bright yellow gold!"

Lily, who was sitting on the opposite side of the dining table, also echoed: "My God, even the glass of the window seems to be covered with gold leaf!"

The exaggerated attitude made the girls laugh.

Daisy and Darlene couldn't hold back their sarcasm anymore, and couldn't help but smile.

The warm sunshine covered the girls with a layer of gold. Under the light and shadow, the smiling faces of the young ladies were lively and cheerful, which was simply wonderful.

Even though the movements and voices were a little louder, I noticed that none of the other guests in this corner expressed dissatisfaction, and they all magnanimously forgive the girls for their occasional little indulgences, and one or two little gentlemen looked at the smiles slightly red face.

"You are so interesting, dear Elizabeth!" Darlene took a closer look at Elizabeth for the first time, "I like it very much... I mean, if you want, you can come to my room as a guest, and we can have a drink together Tea."

"My pleasure," Elizabeth said with a smile.

Daisy pursed her mouth and looked at her, aggrieved as if she had been robbed of her beloved toy.

Elizabeth winked at her: "We can ask Darlene to do needlework together." "I heard Daisy said that the lace you embroider is very beautiful, maybe you would like to teach us?"

Darlene is indeed a good embroiderer, and I heard that she has a French embroidery teacher in her family.Darlene didn't know that Daisy, who was always at odds, would praise her behind her back, and she was very surprised.At this moment, he smiled even more sincerely, and agreed without thinking.

Daisy's eyes widened, and she nodded hastily, "You can teach Lily more, she likes embroidery very much." After the three friends took turns instructing Miss Lily's sewing, within a week, they had already become the ones they avoided. Less than a chore.Even Daisy praised Darlene when she was getting a splitting headache from teaching her dear bedmate.

Darlene didn't know why, she was startled by Daisy's sudden enthusiasm, subconsciously guarded, thought for a moment, but couldn't think of the reason, so she turned her head to look at Lily.

Miss Lily Clumsy Peel gave her a sweet, innocent smile.

Darlene hesitated for a moment: "We can discuss with each other. I'll teach you the newly learned pattern of '卍字'."

Lily nodded, before she could thank Darlene, Daisy said: "It's done! You have to teach us!"

Darlene thought to herself, although the 'Swastika' lace is a style of the Ming Dynasty, not many girls in London can make it, but as the daughter of the Byrd family, she is not an embroiderer who makes a living by embroidery. Planting new tricks is really nothing.

So she nodded again, "I can definitely teach Lily, Laura and Elizabeth, but I'm not sure if Miss Reed can learn it."

Daisy waved her hand and said happily: "It doesn't matter whether I learn it or not, as long as you remember your words!"

Elizabeth and Laura tried their best to hold back, not showing any pity in front of others.

Lily was sitting upright, showing a dignified smile to Darlene again, and sincerely thanked her.

Darlene always felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't tell. She used her hands to straighten the shawl, and asked her friend in the same seat: "Is it windy outside? It seems a little cold."

Her friend looked up at the bright noon sun and shook his head in doubt.