[Pride and Prejudice] Becoming Katherine Bennett

"I'll get the paper," said Mr. Darcy politely.

Catherine was baffled by his overly formal attitude, but she still put down her book, paper and pen, stood up and knelt slightly to him, and pointed to the low table next to her: "Here are the letter papers, I just brought them all from the desk gone."

Mr. Darcy looked over and found that the letter paper that Catherine had just put down was densely covered with words, occupying all the blank space on the entire paper.

Mr. Darcy couldn't help asking: "Miss Bennett, are you making an excerpt? I think the writing is very complicated. Why don't you divide it into a few more sheets?"

Catherine was taken aback, surprised by his opening.

According to Mr. Darcy's character, she thought that he would go out immediately after taking the letter paper, so as to avoid giving her time and possibility of accosting.At the same time, she couldn't help laughing at his question: "Mr. Darcy, this kind of ironing paper is expensive, and I also use it at home. Although Mr. Bingley is a rich and generous host, he won't mind these few sheets of paper. However, I think I should be more self-conscious. After all, if there are guests who don’t know how to cherish and use my stationery casually when they come to Longbourn as a guest, I will feel very heartbroken.”

Mr. Darcy never expected such an answer.He took the rare step of speaking to Miss Bennet, thinking she would say something about books, which would enable him to carry on anyway.

But her answer made him unable to speak, so he could only be silent for a moment before responding softly: "What you said makes sense, but I thought too simply. You have always been a reasonable lady."

His voice fell, and both of them were a little dazed.It was the first time Catherine had seen Mr. Darcy, who was now regretting his gaffe, utter a compliment in such a kind and gentle manner.

"I don't think I can be called reasonable." Catherine smiled and said, "If you had come in earlier, I'm afraid you wouldn't associate this word with me."

Mr. Darcy politely asked her to explain, but Catherine just smiled and refused to tell him that if he appeared not long after she went upstairs, then she would probably be offended by Mr. Darcy's words that afternoon. Seeing his yin and yang weirdness.

When she tried to calm down and read, slowly immersing herself in the framework of learning new knowledge and writing, her anger gradually extinguished.

After calming down completely, Catherine thought for a while, but what Mr. Darcy said was not wrong.It is true that the status and status of the Bennett family's relatives will have a negative impact on the marriage of the five girls, and she has no reason to be dissatisfied because others tell the truth.

Besides, what Mr. Darcy said was not harsh, he was just stating the facts objectively.Catherine had heard much worse things than that, much worse than that.

Thinking of this, Catherine couldn't help laughing at herself.It seems that pampering and being pampered really wears down one's will. She has just become a lady of status for a few months, and she has already learned the temper of a young lady. Even such words can make her feel angry.

If Mr. Darcy's analysis had not been connected with the malicious sarcasm of the Bingley sisters, which made her feel that it was a kind of approval and summary of their words, she would not be angry with him.

After figuring this out, Catherine no longer feels indignation towards Mr. Darcy, but the good impression she has accumulated on him inevitably fades a bit.

The two of them were silent for a while, Catherine was not good at thinking about topics, she looked down at the book pretending to be obsessed with books, and avoided eye contact with Mr. Darcy.

She sincerely hoped that Mr. Darcy would leave as soon as he had finished collecting the paper.On the one hand, she doesn't want to chat awkwardly, on the other hand, she doesn't want to have other people around when she writes, or at such a close distance.

Of course, she believed that Mr. Darcy would not be rude enough to lean over to see what she was writing, but even if he glanced casually at the paper, it would be difficult for her to explain why it didn't look like a book's notes at all.

In order to prevent this from happening, Catherine could only pick up the book and read it pretendingly, hoping that Mr. Darcy would leave quickly.

She could hardly imagine that Mr. Darcy had the exact opposite in mind.He came to the study to get the letter paper on the grounds that he wanted to write a letter, but he didn't want to leave when he finished taking the letter paper, as if he was carefully picking out the books in the bookcase.

However, he said that he was looking for a book, and his mind was not on it at all.Mr. Darcy stood by the bookcase, covered by the bookshelf and the screen, could not help watching Catherine all the time, thinking that the way she bowed her head to read was elegant and charming, and her every move exuded a moving breath.

After admiring it for a while, and his eyes lingering elsewhere, he realized that the book she was reading was actually "The Wealth of Nations".Before, his attention was all attracted by Catherine herself, and only now did he see clearly what book she was holding.

"It's the first time I saw a lady read this book. I thought you would like to read some books about the cultivation of ladies." Mr. Darcy thought he had found a good topic, because he had read this book, The admiration now is really sincere.

It's just that Catherine didn't intend to accept such compliments. She explained: "I really hope to answer you that I only have those elegant books, but in fact, I just want to find one to pass the time, but unfortunately there is no one in the house, and of course there is no teaching on how to be a lady. But even if there was, I don't think I would read it, after all, I know my stupidity well, and I already knew that I would not become a "proficient in music, singing, painting, multiple languages, temperament and manners conform to The fixed standard is still broad, and talented women with a profound spiritual realm are also willing to give up unnecessary efforts."

The standards for talented women mentioned by Catherine were all put forward by you when Mr. Darcy was chatting with Miss Bingley and others in the lounge tonight.

She said that she was not angry, but she still couldn't help it, and wanted to "pay back" to Mr. Darcy.

"So you listened to our chat just now. I see you haven't spoken all the time, and I thought you were immersed in the world of books." Mr. Darcy didn't mind her ridicule at all, and said calmly.

He regretted the remark, for it gave away the information that he had been watching her, and he hoped Catherine would not be acutely aware of it.

But when he found that Catherine did not pay attention to these words as he had hoped, Mr. Darcy could not help but feel depressed.

"We are all in the lounge, very close to each other, and what's more, the content of your chat sounds very interesting, so I can't help being attracted." Catherine complimented.

"Interesting?" Mr. Darcy was evidently incredulous.

Catherine wanted to answer "of course" directly, but she didn't know that the surroundings were too quiet. The flickering candles in the study cast moving candle shadows on Mr. Darcy's handsome face, which made her feel uncomfortable in this closed and solitary space. Still, he looked over with obvious seriousness in his eyes.

Catherine found that he was staring at her silently, with deep and elusive eyes. She couldn't bear it, and a layer of red appeared on her face.

Catherine wanted to break the weird atmosphere, she coughed lightly, and said: "Mr. Darcy, you are very wise and clever, this question is difficult for me. If I answer interesting, it seems that I am hypocritical, but it is boring, and it proves It’s even more hypocritical that I was talking about scenes just now. Anyway, I don’t mind letting you know that I am not a lady. To be honest, I think those judging criteria just now are very ridiculous.”

"Ridiculous? I'd like to know why you think so." Mr. Darcy asked softly.

He realized that he liked Miss Bennet's appearance very much at this time: the confidence and wisdom flying in her bright eyes complemented her charming face.

Catherine said: "When you talk about it, you think that women should do this and that. It seems that you are talking about a commodity. They should have a unified and fixed standard, and they must work hard to erase it for a good marriage from birth. All the edges and corners and uniqueness, let yourself become what society expects."

"But Mr. Darcy, every woman is a real person. They have their own beauty forged by different life experiences. I don't agree to judge everyone by one standard. She can dance and play the piano. A qualified lady is not the other way around. Of course, I have absolutely no intention of belittling others, after all, this is the result of many factors. And men are not immune to this point, and are divided into three or six by property and status Nine, like you, Mr Darcy, became the most conspicuous of the merchandise. I hope my comparison will not offend you."

Darcy watched Catherine intently, and would not blink.He had to admit that it was fascinating how beautiful and unique Catherine was who uttered those words.

"I'm not going to be offended," said Mr. Darcy, refusing to reveal that he was pleased with the words "most striking," "on the contrary, I quite agree with you. We really shouldn't hold everyone to the same standard. It's Why did I say just now that I don’t think those definitions are real talented women, the lofty spiritual world is more important, and the spiritual world will never have fixed requirements. Please forgive my bold guess, Miss Bennett, you will definitely not follow this The standards demanded of themselves."

Catherine nodded: "Never."

After saying this, Catherine felt Mr. Darcy's gaze rest on her again.She couldn't help lowering her head, not daring to look at him.

She was annoyed that she talked too much, and she had a shallow conversation with Mr. Darcy. Almost the next moment, she decided to end the conversation: "Mr. Darcy, it's late, I'm going back to take care of Jane."

For a moment Mr. Darcy thought he was going to blurt "It's still early, we can continue talking", but he fell silent just in time, thanking his sanity for not saying it.

"I'm sorry to bother you. I came here to get the letter paper. Seeing that the book you are reading is one I like very much recently, I can't help but feel interested in talking."

"Oh, no, I'm just a temporary guest. You are the master's best friend. If you want to bother me, I'll bother you." Catherine saluted him and left the study.

Sitting in his chair, Mr. Darcy watched Catherine's swaying figure being obscured as the door closed.He thought carefully about what Catherine had just said.He was amazed at how much more wit and sagacity she had than he had supposed, and at the same time really angry that he thought he was paying too much attention to Catherine.

Mr. Darcy found that he could not control his emotions more and more.

He grudgingly admits that he does have a crush on Katherine Bennett.In spite of all his efforts to conceal and prevent, now appearing unsuccessfully, both Miss Bingley and Miss Elizabeth Bennet were acutely aware of the difference he made to Catherine.

He couldn't be sure, if Catherine hadn't left in time just now, would he still be able to control his words full of admiration from flowing into her ears.

Darcy stayed alone in the study, thinking quietly for a long time, until he was almost burnt by impulsive emotions to the point where his rationality gradually recovered, he could calmly look at the various gaps between the two of them and their incompatibility.

If such feelings are allowed to continue, he may be completely addicted to it and unable to extricate himself.

But he was no match for Catherine Bennett.There was nothing wrong with the young lady herself, and Mr. Darcy thought he had never seen a more charming girl.But her relatives are too humble, and some family members are very stupid. 2

Mr. Darcy has made up his mind that he wants to end this vague and unspoken emotion. He thinks that as long as he suppresses it in time, distances himself from Catherine and reduces contact, this kind of affection that may develop into love will disappear completely.

Before going to bed, Mr. Darcy lay on the bed, thinking about what happened tonight again, and was very satisfied that he used reason to overcome emotion.