[Pride and Prejudice] Liz's Little Vest

Facing Elizabeth's stunned look, Darcy silently glanced at the house number of "Ladies' Magazine", and felt more and more that he should not take it for granted to stop just because he was on the way.

Would Miss Elizabeth think him eccentric at this moment?

"I need to resend a letter," he explained quickly. "Do you remember the 'First Impressions' I mentioned on Monday, Miss Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth: "..."

Elizabeth: "Yes."

"I originally replied to the author. Out of my own arrogance and prejudice against the countryside, the language was harsh. After the last conversation with you, Miss Elizabeth, I realized my selfishness. So this time I just wanted to take that letter back and send a new one."

"Do you often write to the author, Mr. Darcy?"

Darcy did not expect Elizabeth to ask such a question, he was stunned for a moment, and answered truthfully:

"Not really. It's actually the first one. Since I'm getting involved with Mr. Tom Hughes, the editor-in-chief of Ladies' Magazine, in the second half of the year, he will send me a sample issue. I just happened to find this one, to be honest. I am not interested in such novels, but the author's description is quite unique."

What a coincidence!

Elizabeth almost blurted out.

She was about to continue asking, but was interrupted by a voice behind her.

"I saw this back upstairs and thought it was familiar, but I didn't expect it was really you! Mr. Darcy."

A young man came up and took off his hat to Darcy.He is about 30 years old, and he is well dressed overall, but his jacket is a bit messy, obviously put on in a hurry when he went out.

"Hello, Tom," Darcy replied.

"This is Tom Hughes, editor-in-chief of Ladies' Magazine." Darcy first introduced editor-in-chief Tom to Elizabeth, which surprised both parties.

"This is Miss Elizabeth, my friend," he went on.

Editor-in-Chief Tom Hughes As a successful businessman, his ability to sense words and feelings is absolutely outstanding.When he came from the magazine, he saw the interaction between Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth, and he was keenly aware of the unusual relationship between the two.

The order of the present introduction illustrates this point even more.

"Good afternoon, Miss Elizabeth." He complimented very naturally, "You really have a pair of perfect eyes!"

"Thank you, Mr. Hughes." Elizabeth pretended to be calm.

Before serializing "Pride and Prejudice", she also planned to visit editor-in-chief Tom, but she didn't expect it to be in this situation!

Tom Hughes regarded the lady's restraint as reserved and shy, so he stopped looking at her with interest, and turned to the man and asked, "Mr. Darcy, what wind brought you here?"

"Did you send the letter I sent you last time?"

"Not yet, I'm going to send it in the afternoon."

Darcy nodded, took out a prepared letter from the carriage, and signaled Tom Hughes to send this letter instead.

Tom Hughes received the letter, smartly did not ask the reason, but said: "Since you are here, Mr. Darcy, let me invite you to sit upstairs, and I will certainly offer the best wine and afternoon Tea. Miss Elizabeth, I just hope that your trip will not be delayed."

"Not at all," Elizabeth said.

On the contrary, she was full of curiosity about this somewhat stimulating visit.A feeling of exploring the inside of the "enemy" arises spontaneously.

"what time is it now?"

"A little less than five minutes, Mr. Darcy."

There is still more than an hour before the start of Marseille, so there is plenty of time.Darcy complied.

The three of them walked through the small threshold, and an exquisitely furnished office appeared in front of them.Although it is a "ladies magazine", at first glance, the staff is all men, which is very funny.

Elizabeth sighed silently. It is unknown how many years it will take for this situation to change.

When going up the stairs, Tom Hughes said: "Mr. Darcy, Miss Elizabeth, what a coincidence you have come. I have a guest in my office, and we happened to be discussing "First Impressions" just now."

Elizabeth was wondering who this guest was, and the three of them arrived at the editor's office on the second floor in a blink of an eye.Tom Hughes opened the door first and let the lady enter first.

A man standing by the window by the street blocked some of the light, and she subconsciously took a look.

Elizabeth was quite frightened by this.

"Mr. Elton?" She smiled bitterly inwardly.

Stimulating visit?Explore the inside of the "enemy"?Now she finally knows what curiosity killed the cat!

"Miss Elizabeth? What a coincidence, I was discussing arrogance with Editor Tom just now—" His words stopped abruptly, because he saw the complicated look the lady gave him, and then he noticed that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Edited by Tom.

His face brightened instantly.

Tom Hughes was surprised: "Thomas Elton, Miss Elizabeth, do you know each other?"

Elton: "At the Meryton Ball, Tom."

Tom Hughes: "What a coincidence."

Elton: "And Mr. Darcy, the first time we met was at the dance in Meryton."

Tom Hughes took a look at the three of them and joked, "Meryton is such a magical place. You must invite me to the next ball. By the way, Thomas, what were you talking about with Miss Elizabeth?"

After some conversations, Elton had guessed the current situation.

Obviously, Editor Tom is unaware of Elizabeth's relationship with "First Impressions", so the main reason for Elizabeth's visit to the ladies' magazine is Darcy.Although he didn't know why Darcy was here, it must be the only explanation.

Thinking of this, he replied: "Tom, Miss Elizabeth is also a loyal reader of "First Impressions."

Elizabeth: "..."

I had no choice but to nod and smile to express that I liked "First Impressions" very much.It can't be said that she is the author of this novel, can it?Because of the exchange of letters, she has no intention of letting Mr. Darcy know now.

Tom Hughes hadn't answered yet, Darcy asked nonchalantly: "I didn't know you liked "First Impressions" very much, Elizabeth."

His tone of voice was flat, but he deliberately removed the title of "Miss" and called her by her first name, which had a special charm, as if to promote their unique relationship.

Elizabeth bit the bullet: "After the last conversation, I went to see it again."

Darcy deliberately pretended not to remember: "The time in the pavilion at the end of Netherfield Manor?"

Elizabeth: "Yes."

There is a lot of information in these words.It made Tom Hughes and Mr. Elton look at them unexpectedly.

Elizabeth has a deep understanding of what it means to be "too late to regret".

If she had known that a lie would need countless lies to complete, she should have told Darcy earlier that she was the author.But when she thought that she would lose the opportunity to communicate with him by letter, she felt that the current embarrassing situation was not unbearable.

Darcy didn't make a sound, just lowered his head and took a sip of the Bordeaux wine, with the corners of his mouth hooked.

Tom Hughes was the first to break the silence: "Since everyone has read First Impressions, let's talk about the book. You guys just happened to be here. Thomas and I were discussing the publication and distribution of Pride and Prejudice." matter."

He took out a stack of letters from an envelope and put them on the table: "The Lady, the author of "First Impressions", is very talented. "Pride and Prejudice". The characters are vivid on the paper, and the language style is witty and humorous. Frankly speaking, if Ms. TheLady is in front of me, I will not hesitate to praise her language."

Elizabeth: "..."

Elton: "..."

Tom Hughes looked at the wonderful expressions on the faces of Miss Elizabeth and Elton, and looked at Darcy's slightly frowning brows, and was a little puzzled: "Thomas, don't you think so?"

Elton: "You're right, I don't object at all."

Tom Hughes seemed very satisfied with the reply, and said instead: "Mr. Darcy, if you read this 12-word novel seriously, I believe you will agree with my praise."

Darcy didn't answer immediately, but kept staring at the letter, as if confirming something, and said after a few seconds: "I seem to have seen such an envelope and letter paper somewhere, can you show me the content?"

As soon as he spoke, Elizabeth gave Elton a distressed look.

She is also very familiar with the envelope and letter paper, because this is the final draft of "Pride and Prejudice" that she asked her servant to deliver to Mr. Elton at the Lucas House ball nearly a month ago!

Not just envelopes and stationery, if someone familiar with her sees the handwriting inside, they can immediately recognize the identity of the author.

Elizabeth has no doubts about Darcy's IQ and comprehension ability.

Elton also understood Elizabeth's worries, so when Darcy finished asking that question, he said subtly: "Mr. Darcy, you are interested in this novel, which is beyond my expectation."

Darcy didn't deny it.

Elton then pretended to unintentionally retract the letter paper: "However, I believe that the author hopes that the work can appear in front of readers in its complete form. This novel will start serialization next month, Mr. Darcy, if you like , I'm sure Tom will send you Ladies' Magazine every month."

While speaking, he had already put the letter back into the envelope, and received it in his handbag as if nothing had happened.

Tom Hughes felt that what he said was a bit strange, but he couldn't find any major mistakes, so he went on to say: "The December issue has been printed, Mr. Darcy, this is a sample issue, you can take a look at it." .”

"No need." Darcy said.

He subconsciously looked at Elizabeth's reaction, and he caught a strange look on her face.

If this goes on, Miss Elizabeth will definitely recognize his eccentricity!

What kind of gentleman pays attention to Ladies Magazine other than stakeholders like Tom Hughes and Elton?Darcy asked himself angrily.

So Darcy added: "No more samples, Tom. You know I'm busy, and I probably don't even have time to unpack."

The author has something to say:

Darcy: Proclaim territorial integrity to Mr Elton.

Elizabeth: Hold on to the waistcoat and not relax.

Elton: Help Miss Elizabeth hold on to her waistcoat.

Tom: I turn a blind eye when I should be playing with you, and I'm forcing a person who loves you most to improvise.When did we start to put away the bottom line and follow the changes of the times to watch those clumsy performances. ("Actor" lyrics)