[Pride and Prejudice] Becoming Katherine Bennett

In recent days, in addition to the best sales and the serialization of new books in Catherine's life, other good things have happened at the same time.

This matter may not make her as happy as making money, but it is also worthy of joy.At last she had friends besides her family, and these two friends were, according to everyone's opinion, dignified and important, and their acquaintance was worth a long time in Meryton.

Catherine herself was also very surprised by the development of friendship with Tina and Georgiana.She has a cold personality, with thoughts beyond the times, and she does not want to over-socialize to occupy time, so she cannot get along with most ladies.She didn't take these two friendships seriously at first. Although Tina and Georgiana took the initiative to throw olive branches, Catherine would not be as grateful to Dade as others, and she was also very grateful, but she only made friends based on her personality and temper, not Will flatter and please because of interests.

In Catherine's mind, the reason why they were willing to associate with such an unprofitable lady like herself must be for their brother, and they wanted to try to deal with her in advance.If she really married, then she would naturally be able to get along well based on the previous friendship.Once it is known that she is not likely to be their family, the friendship will disappear, just like Miss Bingley did with Jane.

Out of such thoughts, Catherine felt that she would be really stupid if she took it seriously.She was neither planning to write nor to visit.

But the development of things soon made her realize that her mind was too narrow.In Catherine's previous social circle, only she, Elizabeth, and Jane did not admire the rich and powerful, and could make friends with others based on their personality, not just their wealth and status.She took it for granted that everyone else was "turbid" and they were "alone".

But in fact, whether it is Tina or Georgiana, these two aristocratic women have respectable morals. They may be interested in getting in touch with Catherine because of their family members, but the subsequent contacts are all out of love and affection. appreciate.They took the initiative to write letters with warm and warm words, and invited her to be a guest many times. They didn't mention any topics mainly about men, let alone tried to make stereotypes, asking around about her family, property, and their views on their brothers.

On the third day after the ball, Catherine first received a letter from Tina.Before opening the letter, Catherine guessed that Tina would recall the ball with her, and in a tone that seemed modest and apprehensive, apologizing for the poor reception, she actually showed off the grand scene and the expensive expenses throughout the article.

Turns out she was dead wrong.Tina didn't say a single word about the topics she thought. The latter wrote a whole sheet of letter paper, a large amount of which was devoted to one thing.Tina asked Catherine to allow her to read the entire manuscript of "Blood Debt" in Willard's hand now.

In order to ensure the stable and efficient serialization of the new book, Catherine saved nearly [-] chapters before publishing. If she waited for the newspaper to follow up every day, it would take more than a month for Tina to see the part she is writing now. This follow-up Of course, the process is not as enjoyable as watching all of them at once.

Tina complained loudly.She told Catherine that she had been tricked, the origin was that she went to Willard's study, here is a background, Willard has been trying to find a way to keep her away from his study, anyway she went In the study room, I saw that the manuscript of "Blood Debt" was laid out generously on the bright side, with a particularly large title, for fear that people who came would not see that it was Catherine's new work.

Tina couldn't help being overjoyed, and immediately picked it up to look at it.And this new book really fit her appetite as always. She liked it so much that she was soon fascinated by it, intoxicated by it, and even forgot to take the manuscript and walk away immediately.

It was this omission that led to the annoying situation now—she was discovered by Willard after reading a few chapters.

Willard pointed to the agreement written in the contract that "the manuscript shall be kept confidential and shall not be circulated to anyone in advance", asked for the manuscript back, and then kicked Tina out.He refused to give her the following manuscripts and asked her to buy newspapers and other serials by herself.

Tina was furious.She felt she had been duped.All of this was probably Willard's plan. He should have seen Tina watching "Blood Debt" a long time ago, but he didn't make a sound. He waited until she was immersed in the plot and couldn't extricate herself before starting to chase her away.

Tina thinks Willard is out for revenge.It's a pity that no matter how much she annoyed him, Willard didn't let go. He didn't let go until today when he was so annoyed by her that he had a headache and said that she promised never to enter his study again, and he would give her the next manuscript.Or, she could ask Catherine for help, and if Catherine agreed, then he would obey.

Tina immediately wrote to Catherine, promising that she would buy the newspaper every day, and would buy dozens of copies as gifts as soon as it was published.

She wrote, "If I can buy it, it must be a popular gift!" But that's all for the future. She is now worried about the follow-up plot. Her son wouldn't tell her even if she asked.

After reading the letter, Catherine couldn't help being moved by the intimacy between Mr. Gordon and his family.The Gordon Brothers have a great relationship, very rare in this day and age.Although Tina complained and blamed between the lines, anyone could see the deep friendship behind it.

When getting along with relatives and friends, most people will only "speak ill" generously if the relationship is good enough, because both parties are sure that there is no malice in it.When the relationship is not good, they are all high-sounding compliments, and each word must be carefully considered.

Of course, Catherine would not refuse Tina's request. She didn't know Tina well, and the other party wrote this letter specially. Could it be that she put on a show and said no?

Catherine replied politely, and a second letter arrived from Tina the next afternoon.

Catherine was "little hearted" again, thinking that Tina would talk about Willard.Who would have thought that the other party was beyond her expectation again, the reply letter was thicker than last time, full of three pages.The entire letter was devoted to "Blood Debt", and Willard's name was not even mentioned.

Tina stayed up late to read all the archived manuscripts, and used nearly a page of paper to blow rainbow farts to Catherine implicitly.Tina said that the new book is even more exciting than "Returning Blood". She never tires of reading such settings as revenge and rebirth. What makes her even more fascinated is that although she knows that those who make the protagonist suffer and despair will be punished sooner or later, she I can't help but be curious and look forward to this process.

Tina also kept guessing about the mastermind behind the scenes who never showed his figure like the sword of Damocles hanging over Earl Leon's head. She guessed all the suspicious characters and listed them in detail. Reason, she asked Catherine if she guessed right after listing one person.But after the question was over, he specifically said at the end of the letter not to tell her the answer, because she didn't want to know the ending in advance.

Catherine looked at the repetition and entanglement in her words, and felt that this was a different world. Tina now looked very much like herself who used to watch dramas and scratch her heart.

Now Catherine could no longer doubt the purpose of Tina's acquaintance.If the other party was just perfunctory for Willard and her, they would never be able to write such a reply.Catherine felt a little guilty, and the words of the reply letter were much more cordial.She praised Tina's seriousness, saying that her analysis gave her new inspiration.She also asked Tina a few details about aristocratic habits and concepts, saying that she wanted to use them in her creations.

Tina's third letter arrived the next day.She didn't give it to the postman, but sent it by a servant on horseback.She was very happy to be helpful, knew everything, not only answered Catherine's questions with enthusiasm, but also offered to add a lot.

If you have to say that there is any regret in the relationship between the two, it can only be that Tina invited Catherine to the salon but she didn't go.It certainly wasn't because she didn't like Tina.Catherine had an excellent impression of Tina, and no author could dislike such a serious reader.

The reason why she refused was that she was not interested in social activities full of routines and purposes. More importantly, she was afraid of meeting Willard at Earl Gordon's house. She really didn't know how to face him, and she hadn't thought about it yet How to live with it.

Compared with Tina's enthusiasm and liveliness in the letter, Georgiana's words are extremely inconsistent with her appearance.

Georgiana is introverted and reticent. She has only met Catherine once, but because she is Mr. Darcy's sister, and Miss Bingley has previously claimed that her brother has fallen in love with Miss Darcy.When we met that day, Catherine intentionally observed her, but after watching for a long time, she couldn't see any signs of this young lady falling in love.

Miss Darcy is far less lively than girls of the same age, nor does she have the sense of superiority and arrogance like other noble women.Her silence at the beginning also made people feel that she thought highly of herself, and felt that she was worthy of being Darcy's sister.But if you pay attention, you will find that she is very different from Mr. Darcy.

Mr. Darcy's silence was more due to a haughty reluctance to bother talking to someone he couldn't talk to, but Georgiana, on the contrary, wanted so badly to talk, but couldn't get the words out.

Catherine has always felt pity for such a weak girl.She thought it might be because she was too cold and hard, so she couldn't help whispering softly when she saw a delicate woman, wanting to care for her.To Jane, to Georgiana, Catherine found her somewhat protective.

Compared with the quiet face-to-face, Georgiana talked a lot more in the letter.For some reason, Catherine found herself very kind to herself, except for some restraint in the first letter, a polite chat about the usual topics of piano and Latin.From the second letter, Georgiana began to say something lovely and original to Catherine.For example, she told Catherine that she was reading "Gulliver's Travels" recently, and asked about the magical countries in it, where Catherine wanted to go most.

Catherine couldn't laugh or cry at such childish words, but she still took a pen to reply seriously.She didn't talk about any of the countries in it. She just used the excuse of having a dream after studying to talk to Georgiana about the era in which she lived for many years and women were free to go out and control their own destiny.

Considering her current knowledge, Catherine didn't express too much, she was afraid that this thought would scare the conservative young lady.Who would have thought that Georgiana liked her dream very much, so she wrote back asking her to tell more, her words were full of curiosity and yearning.

It can be seen from the letter that Georgiana is well protected by Mr. Darcy, and her words are full of the innocence of a girl who doesn't know the world, and doesn't understand the politeness of adults.

In a previous letter Georgiana had invited Catherine to Pemberley Park.She said she would return to Pemberley Manor, her hometown, in a few days.Georgiana used half the length of the letter to describe the beauty of Pemberley in detail with Catherine, introducing the mountains, rivers, birds and flowers there.She told Catherine that spring was the most beautiful time of the year in Pemberley.

Of course, Catherine did not consider this proposal.No matter how much she pitied Georgiana, she would never let this happen.She rejected Mr. Darcy with certainty, and ran all the way to his house as a guest in the blink of an eye?

This is impossible.

But Catherine read the pride and boast of Pemberley from the heart in Georgiana's words, and she couldn't help thinking that when Mr. Darcy proposed to her, he also talked about his home in a proud and calm tone, and talked about the amazing Pemberley Manor. beautiful view.

He also said that she would know after seeing it.

Catherine wrote back: "...I believe the scenery of Pemberley must make people intoxicated. It's a pity that I have something to do these days, so I regret that I can't go."

She wrote "recently," but Catherine thought anyone could see the politeness.She would never go to Pemberley in her life.

Catherine thought the refusal was obvious enough that Georgiana would understand it when she received the letter.Who would have expected Georgiana to reply that she could set off together after she finished her work, and the scenery of Pemberley in summer is just as beautiful.Immediately, she invited Catherine to sit at home.

Catherine really didn't know how to refuse this invitation.

She has never been good at rejecting other people's kindness. If Tina's invitation is not a salon, but a private gathering for the two of them, she will not refuse it repeatedly.When she thought that Tina was not busy to invite her, she was just one of the guests, so she refused with peace of mind.

But Georgiana was different.She said in the letter that this party was limited to the two of them, and she was full of expectations inside and out.She proposed to show Catherine around the house, to show her the latest pictures.She wrote like a little bird, chirping a lot, before finally remembering that Catherine might not be free.She politely told Catherine not to be embarrassed if she was not free, but if she was willing to go, she had better write back to herself one day in advance so that she would have time to prepare.

Catherine felt great anticipation and sincerity from Georgiana's cheerful words.She was not good at refusing, and the other party had a shy and gentle character like Georgiana. She had just denied her good intention to visit Pemberley. If she missed the appointment again this time, it would probably make her feel sad.

And Catherine couldn't think of a reason for the refusal.The only thing she was afraid of was meeting Georgiana's brother, Mr. Darcy, but Georgiana had already written that she was now living in Groswener Square herself.

Catherine speculates that Mr. Darcy may have left London after she refused.As for the reason, Catherine could think of it.If she encounters any great setbacks, then she will definitely leave this sad place.

She did not agree to the marriage proposal. It must have been a very big blow to Mr. Darcy, who valued emotions and was serious and would not be easily moved.

In a sense, Georgiana lives alone in the house now, and has an inseparable relationship with Catherine.

In terms of emotion and reason, she should agree to this young lady's invitation.

Catherine, troubled by thoughts, wrote to Georgiana that she would call after breakfast the next morning.

On the same day, Catherine arrived at the villa of the West family on time.Unlike Earl Gordon's luxurious and exquisite manor, the building in front of him is in the style of ancient Rome, full of solemnity and magnificence.

Before Catherine got out of the carriage, she saw Georgiana standing in front of the door.If it wasn't for the wife next to her to stop her, she might have run over.

Seeing Georgiana's face full of joy and shyness, Catherine couldn't help but speak softly: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Darcy."

Georgiana's eyes sparkled: "I am also very happy."

Georgiana took Catherine into the salon, where expensive and rare strawberries, pineapples and other fruits were placed on the table.Delicate red and bright yellow are packed in crystal clear glass trays, showing beautiful and delicious colors.

With the previous correspondence, Catherine and Georgiana met much warmer this time than the last time.Knowing her character, Catherine would take the initiative to ask questions that were easy to answer.Georgiana, on the other hand, responded cheerfully and lively every time, and was very glad that she could pick up Catherine's words.

When the two were going to Georgiana's studio to look at her paintings, there was a sound of horseshoes from a distance outside the window.

The salon of the villa is on the south side of the garden on the first floor, and the wide road of the manor is outside the window.

Hearing the voice, Georgiana looked at Mrs. Annesley suspiciously: "Who is here? Are there any other guests today?"

Mrs Annesley shook her head.Georgiana was confused.She had no other guests, and the servants would not go this way.

Where does this sound come from?

Catherine felt a sudden panic.Her fingers pinched the hem of the skirt tightly, and her mind went blank for a few seconds.Her heart was pounding and she was praying.

...God, please!It must not be the gentleman she thought.

However, God did not hear Catherine's heart.As soon as she thought about it, she saw two men coming on horseback.

At the front is Mr. Darcy.