[Pride and Prejudice] Rich Lady

It is true that educational opportunities can help Elizabeth to a large extent, making her irrational gradually reasonable.Boarding schools such as Kelowwood College also hide many crises, especially in this era, when epidemics such as typhus and cholera break out more frequently and intensively than ever before.

What's more, in today's medical situation, even tuberculosis, a severe infectious disease, is still regarded as a "personal disease". What is even more unacceptable is that tuberculosis is also known as a "romantic disease". That tuberculosis "illuminates life and makes life otherworldly".Tuberculosis makes people pale, flushed, emaciated, and sentimental. It seems to be in line with people's aesthetics for young geniuses with romantic elegance and outstanding talents. In this era, it is actually a "fashionable disease" recognized by the public.

In this case, Elizabeth had to think more.

Today's boarding schools, especially charitable or semi-charitable ones, are mostly harsh and difficult.For example, at Lowood Girls' School, the students couldn't even eat enough, and the teaching conditions and accommodation were extremely simple. Jane Eyre's six-year boarding career was simply suffering.Successfully graduating like Jane Eyre can be regarded as lucky. Many girls died of illness in the process.If it hadn't been so, the reputation of the girls' boarding school would not have spread to the country, and even little girls like Kitty and Lydia had heard of it and avoided it.

Elizabeth did not turn the pages of the book for a long time, carefully comparing the gains and losses in her heart.

"Lizzie, are you okay?" Jane put down the lace she wove, and asked worriedly, for fear that her sister's illness was not fully recovered.

"Honey, I'm fine." Elizabeth hesitated, wanting to hear Jane's opinion: "Jane, what do you think of boarding schools?"

Jane was taken aback for a moment, then laughed: "Are you worried about Mary and Kitty?"

"Lizzie, you don't have to worry. Uncle Gardner won't force them. What's more, mom won't agree."

Mary, who was sitting in the corner holding a large tome, quietly relaxed her straight back and looked more relaxed.And Catherine had already gone out with Lydia to have fun.It has to be said that the two youngest sisters have exactly the same rough nerves.

"You think boarding school is scary, too? Hmm... the unbearable kind?" Elizabeth pressed.

Seeing her seriousness, Jane couldn't help but stop smiling and think. After a pause, she said seriously, "Actually, it's a little scary. Lizzie, do you remember the umbrella shop that closed in Meryton?"

At some point, Mary also came over with the thick book in her arms, and sat in the armchair opposite the sofa. She frowned and said, "Is that the very beautiful umbrella shop made of appliquéd lace? I heard My mother said that there are still people who regret that the shop is closed, saying that the umbrellas sold in the umbrella shop in Meryton are not exquisite and beautiful, and the ladies are holding such parasols, and they are a little hard to hold."

Jane nodded, "Yes, it is said that the name of the shop is 'Lady Hannah's Umbrella Shop'. The new owner of this shop inherited his brother's shop, but sent all three nieces to a charity girls' school in Woodstock, There was a cholera outbreak in Woodstock, and the shopkeeper refused to take home his three nieces, and as a result...there was such a commotion, the shopkeeper's reputation was ruined, the neighbors in Meryton refused to socialize with the family, and the umbrella shop couldn't go on. closed."

"It is said that one in five people in Woodstock died of cholera that year, and the girls' school was even rarer. After the cholera, this school ceased to exist."

Saying this, both Elizabeth and Mary shuddered.

"However," Jane laughed, and continued, "the girls who graduated from boarding schools are comparable to the girls from rich families. Most of them are talented and can speak French. Painting, piano, and embroidery are no problem for them, Luca. Mrs. Smith once thought of having such a lady as a governess. I have heard that there are even some who go to the homes of noble lords to teach young ladies. All the regular lessons required for a good education can not trouble these girls. "

The upbringing of the Bennet family is relatively loose. When Jane and Elizabeth were young, they often looked forward to having a kind and gentle tutor to teach and accompany them.Of course, as Mrs. Bennet is always unable to produce sons, Mr. Bennet is somewhat disheartened. He doesn't care much about the upbringing of his daughters, and this vision of the sisters is quickly shattered.Mr. Bennet used to say that his daughters were as silly and stupid as anyone else's daughters, and that Lizzie was probably a little bit better than little Lizzie.

Mary held her face together, "There is a layer of French books in Dad's bookcase. It would be great if someone could teach me French."

Elizabeth can speak and write, because French is praised by many people as the most beautiful language in the world. The Yin family arranged French training for all the adopted daughters, so as not to embarrass the Yin family in formal occasions such as French restaurants or banquets.But the Bennet family did not have this condition. The girls might be able to say a few simple greetings, but they were far from able to read and write. What's more, many words and grammar in French at this time were different from what Elizabeth had learned.Elizabeth thought, it's best to learn to correct it systematically, so as not to cause trouble in the future.

Good education and harsh environment, Elizabeth has already moved her heart. After Jane said so, the balance of will has infinitely approached the boarding school at this time.

After dinner, Elizabeth and Jane got a little time alone, and she couldn't help but whispered to Jane: "If, I mean, if Mary and Kitty don't want to go, then I want to give it a try."

Jane was very surprised: "My dear Lizzie, next year you will enter the social world, and the whole of Longbourn is looking forward to it. Everyone says that the second lady of the Bennet family is very eloquent and will definitely add a lot of fun to the ball... ..."

Elizabeth held Jane's hand and shook her head gently, "Dear Jane, there are only 24 families around Longbourne. As you said, I will be 16 next year, but the farthest place I will go is from Longbourne Meryton, one mile from Bourne. Jane, I am not as beautiful as you, and my temperament is not as gentle and considerate as yours, and even my words are sharp, which often makes people uncomfortable, and there are far more ladies than gentlemen in Meryton. Such me, how can I marry a man of high moral character and wealth as my mother wishes? You must know that the wife that men want to marry is either as beautiful and gentle as Jane, or as a generous dowry. Everyone knows that marrying a woman can How difficult it is to entrust a gentleman for life. If it were not so difficult, marrying off five daughters would not be the most important event in a mother's life."

"If you can learn some skills in school, it will not only improve people's evaluation, but more importantly, if you really can't get married, you won't be starving and destitute. Worst of all, you can still be a young lady. What about the governess?"

Elizabeth's words made Jane feel very uncomfortable, but she also agreed with what she said, except, "A gentleman's daughter is going to be a governess?"

Elizabeth laughed: "Honey, of course a gentleman's daughter doesn't need to be a gentleman's daughter. Even if she really gets the position of a tutor in someone else's family, people will talk and despise her. If we have a brother, I won't say that. "

Jane fell silent, limited inheritance is the scar of the entire Bennet family.Think about it, once their father passed away, not only would they not be able to inherit the land of the Bennet family, but they would also be evicted from the house, and Jane felt a tightness in her chest when she almost mentioned it.

"You're so right, even your ambition and vision amazes me. It's just Lizzie, you're 15, you know what I mean?"

Of course Elizabeth knew that whether it was a boarding school or a private girls' school, most of them would take five or six years to complete.In general, girls from families above the middle class will formally enter the social world at the age of 16.If Elizabeth insisted on going to the academy, the chances of her getting married would be greatly reduced.

In this era, the most important event in a lady's life is to marry herself out.Elizabeth's idea is undoubtedly contrary to it, even Jane does not agree with it.

Elizabeth laughed: "The chances are already slim, would you care if it shrinks again? Even if a grape is whole, it's not as good as a half-peeled apple." What's more, it's not friendly to marry in this era: how many glamorous Gentlemen keep mistresses out of their wives' dowries.Even the wives can't control their own dowry at all, even if it's all left to their children, they can't make the decision.It seems that the only way out for unhappy wives is to kill their husbands and become a rich widow?

Seeing that she seemed to have made up her mind, Jane couldn't help persuading her.

Elizabeth said seriously: "Jane, you know, this is my only chance, before I enter the social world." No lady who has already entered the social world will go to school again, which will bring down the reputation of the entire Bennet family.

"Well, I don't seem to be able to persuade you at all. Lizzie, let's stop this topic for now and discuss it tomorrow after hearing Uncle Gardner's opinion. Besides, I don't think you can persuade Mom."

"Oh, I think I can convince Dad. If Dad agrees, he will help me talk through Mom."

The next day, Mrs. Bennet woke up early, urging the servants to net fresh fish and shrimp. "Fish and shrimp are the freshest in the morning," she said.

Mr. Bennet seldom did not refute her rhetoric, and even echoed: "Anyone who is good at fishing knows that the fish are most active in the morning and evening."

Mrs. Bennet didn't want to listen to her husband's advice. She hurried to find Mrs. Georgia: "Good lady, I hope you have learned that delicious dish."

Mrs. Georgia showed embarrassment: she had contempt for Miss Elizabeth's cooking skills yesterday, thinking that the ladies' cooking on a whim would definitely mess up, so she didn't watch Elizabeth's action steps carefully at all.

The boss of Mrs. Bennet was not happy, and exclaimed: "My God, do I still need my little Lizzie to cook by herself? Ladies shouldn't get too involved in the kitchen!"

Mrs. Georgia hurriedly said: "Dear madam, please allow me to ask Miss Elizabeth for advice. When Miss Elizabeth made it yesterday, although I didn't dare to look at it because it was her private recipe, I could still feel these two delicious dishes. It's not very complicated and difficult, at least it's simpler than the white soup you drank at the ball. As long as Miss Elizabeth tells me the steps, I will definitely be able to make it!"

This reminded Mrs. Bennet that these two delicacies were unique to her Bennet family, at least in Longbourne.Don't ask Mrs. Georgia to spread the word. Mrs. Bennet intends to make this dish a special feature of the Bennet family's hospitality, and the whole Longbourne ladies will be amazed and envious.

She hurried to find Mr. Bennet and told him this idea, and Mr. Bennet agreed, unlike usual that Madam's words were ignorant, and she seemed to be intellectually poor in every way.You must know that even the white soup that is prepared at the ball has its own secret recipe. Although everyone knows that the white soup is made of gravy, egg yolk, chopped almonds and cream, the Lucas family makes it better than others. drink.Mr. Bennet was weary of two things Mr. Lucas always boasted about: his audience with the King, and the deliciousness of his bouillon.If the Bennet family also has a good dish, then he can at least get back one in front of Lucas.

Mr. Bennet readily assented, and to the great delight of his wife, the bluffing lady at once sent for Mrs. Georgia to the maid.

In front of Mr. Bennet, the wife shouted: "Mrs. Georgia, my little Lizzie can of course give you two delicious dishes, but you must promise not to spread it, even your one in the city My relatives didn't even tell me!"

Mr. Bennet once again lamented his wife's intellect. What is the use of verbal agreement, so he said: "Perhaps we should implement it on paper. Please sit down Mrs. Georgia. Like King Arthur's knights of the round table, each other is equal, Commitment."

It's a pity that his humor was not understood again. Mrs. Bennet would rather lament her own nerves than flip through her husband's collection of books. She doesn't understand the meaning of loyalty and trust of the Knights of the Round Table.As for Mrs. Georgia, she is a poor widow with no children and no support. She has been serving Longbourne since Mrs. Bennet gave birth to Lydia, and she hopes to continue working in the Bennet family for a long time. .

Upstairs in the drawing-room Elizabeth was helping Mary and Kitty choose their clothes for the day's visit, not knowing that Mr. and Mrs. Bennet took fish porridge and prawn porridge with such seriousness.

"Okay, Lizzie, put down the clothes in your hand, believe me, how much Mary smiles is more important than which dress she wears!" Mrs. Bennet interrupted the harmonious and beautiful time of the sisters when she came, She dragged Elizabeth downstairs without seeing Mary's lost gaze.

Elizabeth noticed that it was just that Mrs. Bennet was too hot to refuse, so she had to obey her first.Elizabeth took the matter to heart and made up her mind to change the situation: Mary was a sweet, sincere and responsible little girl who did not deserve to be ignored like this.

"My dear mother, you are more beautiful today than yesterday, and you are almost radiant. Is it because Uncle Gardner is coming?"

Standing still downstairs, Elizabeth gently wiped the fine sweat from Mrs. Bennet's forehead, and tidied her hair on the sideburns for the panting wife—after being ill for a while, Elizabeth made up her mind to integrate into this family and this era. Gradually put away the spikes all over your body, try to let go of your vigilance and vigilance.Discovering the beauty of her family and learning to praise her without hesitation is the first step she has taken, the most obvious and simple step.

"My little Lizzie, you are the sweetest of the five daughters, mother's baby!" Mrs. Bennet was greatly moved, and Lizzie has been so lovable these two days.She couldn't remember why she thought Lizzie was the least pleasing before.You know, although the whole house is full of Mrs. Bennet's voice all the time, in fact, this lady is the most indifferent.Perhaps it is precisely because she is everywhere that everyone subconsciously pays little attention to her feelings, even her most gentle eldest daughter, Jane.

Mrs. Bennet is an extremely emotional woman. Of course her exclamation at this time is true, but it is also very time-sensitive.Maybe at some point she would grieve her teeth again, complaining that Elizabeth didn't understand her fragile nerves.And that moment is coming soon, when her brother arrives.

... "If you are entertaining uncle, why don't I do it myself, I believe Mrs. Georgia will have a better grasp of it if she reads it by the side?"

"I won't allow it! Lizzie, although it's good to cook for the family once in a while, ladies shouldn't be tainted by the smell of fireworks in the kitchen, especially when guests are coming!"

Elizabeth could not persuade Mrs. Bennet, so she had to spend a lot of time teaching Mrs. Georgia.Mrs. Georgia couldn't understand the "a little", "a little" and "a moment" she said, and urged Elizabeth to clarify whether it was a teaspoon or a tablespoon, ten minutes or half an hour.Both are very tired.

At noon Uncle Gardiner arrived at Longbourn with his valet in a two-wheeled carriage.

The Bennet family was overjoyed, and even Mr. Bennet, who was not gregarious, had to admit that Edward Gardner was a man of taste, elegance and intelligence. Compared with his two sisters, Gardner seemed to be All the ingenuity of the family was concentrated in him alone.

After the pleasantries, Mr. Gardner did bring up the matter of the boarding school.

What pleased Elizabeth and Jane was that although this school was also funded by a benevolent nobleman, it was different from ordinary charity schools.The college is not far from London, and the geographical environment is superior. It was directly rebuilt from a small castle of the nobleman, and the facilities are almost comparable to the upper-class private girls' schools in the city.

"It's not free. The tuition costs about fifty pounds a year." Mr. Gardner said with a smile. "Will Mary and Kitty want to go? If you both want, I can sponsor one of them."

"Their school motto is very interesting." Mr. Gardner admired it very much: "God help those who help themselves! The school's school motto."