[Pride and Prejudice] Becoming Katherine Bennett

The next morning, Mr. Walker's sister Alma came to visit.Walker's was in West London, about six miles from Uncle Gardner's.This girl of the same age as Catherine appeared very suddenly, without any news beforehand.

However, her arrival did not cause any trouble for the master.Alma was going to visit a friend's house and happened to pass by Grace Church Street on the way. The reason why she knocked on the door was to bring a present to Jane and Catherine-she had recently made face cream and hand cream.

Unlike the girls of later generations who will spend a lot of money on skin care products with exquisite packaging, complex ingredients, and claims to be rich in various high-tech research results, Catherine lives in an era that advocates natural beauty. Oil is mostly made by hand.

These ingredients and methods are relatively simple, and many women's magazines such as "Lady's Reading" will publish some new formulas from time to time.Similar products are also sold in the Milan store, but there are no major brands and machine production lines, and the stores are only the "exclusive secret recipes" of pharmacists.

Catherine's sisters are not very keen on such "handicrafts" and used to buy them from shops.But since getting to know Alma, even though it's only been a few days, they've received all kinds of her homemade skin care products, enough to last them a long time.

A few days ago, when they visited Walker's house, she just gave Jane and Catherine a large bottle of elderflower water and rose water, and today she sent two large jars full of skin cream.This girl is keen on researching this kind of thing, and the feeling of using it is no worse than buying it.

"I made these two jars of face cream with almonds, roses, oatmeal, lavender and natural glycerin. I made them the last time you guys came to my house, but I just finished them. I've been using them for a few days now. I’m sure I’ll let you know that there is no problem. Although they are not as beautifully packaged as those sold outside, I have improved and studied a little bit according to reliable recipes, and the raw materials used are definitely better than those in the store. Moreover, I did not smoke them for the sake of fragrance It smells good and doesn't add sugar, I tried it, it's more comfortable and the skin won't be tight." Alma said.

Jane and Catherine thanked her repeatedly.

After explaining the ingredients and usage to them in detail, Alma was ready to leave.She had to go to a friend's house, and came in without even taking off her bonnet.Jane was both grateful and moved, and could not help but blame herself, thinking that it was rude to entertain the other party in this way.

Faced with Jane's repeated attempts to stay, Alma said to come back another day.Alma was already ten years old when the Walker family achieved class promotion, so her personality retained many traces of poverty. She was simple and straightforward, and didn't care much about etiquette. How many.

Alma said: "I hope you won't be so polite. If you say it's impolite, I came to the door rashly first. I don't think we need to mind it."

Jane and Catherine were greatly moved, especially Jane.She is kind and enthusiastic, and when others treat her badly, she can find a reasonable explanation for them and treat them gently. Alma's kindness is so obvious, she is full of gratitude in her heart, and can't help but thank her again.

Alma smiled and said: "You don't have to thank me. These ingredients are all prepared by my brother, and the glycerin used in it was bought from France by someone. It is also the first time I have used such a good material , so I want to thank you. My brother usually pretends to be mature and stable, but this time when I was making face cream, he was wandering around. I asked him and he only suggested that I put some perfume in it, saying that it would be better. Smell. I gave him a blank look at the time, but now that I think about it, it’s actually a good proposal, but the perfume is too expensive. But it doesn’t matter, Jane, what smell do you like, so I can let him buy it.”

Jane's face was flushed by such a straightforward and undisguised joke, and she hesitated for a long time and couldn't speak.In the end, it was Catherine who saw that she was really shy, and thanked Alma on her behalf, and told her that Jane liked orange-flavored cologne.

The two sisters blinked at each other knowingly and happily reached a consensus.

After Alma left, Jane shyly blamed Catherine for not speaking.Having said all that, Catherine shrugged and said "sorry" insincerely.

After dinner, Catherine and Jane talked about Mr. Walker again while walking in the small garden.This topic was brought up by Catherine. She was familiar with Jane's reservedness, and it was difficult for outsiders to see her intentions. Naturally, she seldom talked about it with others.

Catherine recalled what Mr. Darcy said yesterday, and thought that although Jane and Bingley had no fate, it was mainly due to Bingley's cowardice and unsteadiness, but if Jane behaved more clearly, everyone would be sure that she also fell in love. Then maybe there won't be such twists and turns.Catherine resolved to warn her sister, lest she repeat the same problem.

"Jane, if I'm not mistaken, you admire and admire Mr. Walker very much. As for whether you have love, it is said that only the two of you know. But considering your demure personality, and out of reserved thoughts, you will deliberately hide your thoughts , this makes it more difficult for people who are not familiar with you to guess. I think Mr. Walker probably doesn't know what you think. If you have a crush on him, you might as well give him a little hint to make him more courageous. Although you didn't ask me But I still want to say that Mr. Walker is a good match for you, he is mature and stable, he has a good income, more importantly, he is full of heart for you, and his family is kind and enthusiastic. If you get married, I will definitely agree with it.”

Jane was stunned for a moment, then said shyly and worriedly: "Kitty, I... Mr. Walker is indeed excellent everywhere, but I'm not sure what he thinks of me."

"What's so suspicious about that?" Catherine said.

In her opinion, Mr. Walker's affection for Jane is something that almost all family members and friends have already determined.This gentleman has a stable personality. He always smiles when talking with others, and is polite and stable.But when facing Jane, he talked a lot, his expression changed drastically, and his spirit was high.

He was very attentive to Jane, and Jane casually talked about her favorite books, needlework, etc., and would send them in the name of Alma in a few days.During the chat, if he finds out what kind of stories Jane likes to hear, he will definitely tell Jane the relevant news collected recently in detail when they meet next time.

Compared with Mr. Bingley, Mr. Walker's love is less obvious, but his actions are the most conclusive evidence.Catherine appreciates this approach of doing more than talking.What's more, Mr. Walker's performance is actually very obvious. Anyone can see that he is different from Jane.

But Catherine could understand Jane's hesitation.Jane has just experienced a failed love. The shock and hurt brought to the soul by a painful and unforgettable relationship cannot be ended in a day or two. Some people may not be able to get out of it for a lifetime. Sad and disappointed ending.

Thinking of this, Catherine was not very angry at first, and Mr. Darcy's heart could not help feeling indignant at him.But after a while, the anger dissipated again.If it wasn't for him, Jane and Bingley might be engaged by now.

Catherine didn't intend to act as an afterthought. She really didn't like this marriage for a long time. She thought that Bingley and Jane were blind and impulsive when they fell in love, and both were irrational and too warm and kind.

Catherine couldn't imagine what would happen to Jane if one day Mr. Bingley met a cruel, intelligent and beautiful fighting green tea outside.Bentley has no ideas and is easily influenced by others.He is not as intelligent, strong-willed, majestic and reliable as Mr. Darcy, and he is full of security. He will not be tempted by any...

stop.Catherine was bewildered by the sudden thought.

What does she want him to do?

Catherine was very worried about her sister's life.Mr. Walker is the priest of the parish of Earl Gordon. It is said that the Bennett family wants to know more about him. Usually, the brothers in the family associate with him and give an objective evaluation, but they do not have such relatives. She can only talk to him. Only a mutual friend inquired.

"I'm sorry that I sent you a letter in the morning and rushed here in the afternoon. If my sister hadn't been in London tomorrow, I wouldn't have made me so nervous. Please forgive my haste." Sitting in the salon of Earl Gordon's house Here, Catherine put down the exquisite porcelain teacup, and said to Tina apologetically.

Tina said: "I understand your feelings very well, and I really want to say congratulations. To be honest, when Walker asked me about your sister, I felt that something good was going to happen, and I was very optimistic about it."

When writing to Tina, in order not to make Tina feel that she was too abrupt, Catherine tactfully mentioned that she wanted to consult Mr. Walker, but she didn't say it directly.Tina was so smart that she guessed what was going on after reading the letter, and gave a positive answer directly.

Tina's approval made Catherine breathe a sigh of relief.Although she judges that Mr. Walker is excellent in all aspects, she has very little contact with him. Based on these dozens of hours of superficial contact, if this gentleman is corrupt and deliberately conceals it, he has superb acting skills like Wickham , then no matter how smart they are, they cannot accurately distinguish.

Tina did not hide anything, and generously told Catherine her impression and judgment of Mr. Walker.

"Rhode is an upright and smart gentleman. As a friend, he is safe and reliable, wise and kind-hearted, and can always give practical advice. As a pastor, he is enthusiastic, generous and conscientious. I like him. Actually, I am not surprised that he is so reliable and likable. People in the Valker family are simple and kind. You must know that his brother Neil has a close relationship with us. When the Earl went to the battlefield, Neil Neal was just his entourage, but he blocked the enemy's attack for the earl. You must know that the earl was very young at the time and had no status. Neil did this only out of kindness and loyalty. If it weren't for him, would the earl have been able to escape from the battlefield? It's still unknown to return safely." Tina said.

After talking about Neil, Tina told Catherine that after the eldest daughter of the Walker family became a widow, she still introduced her new husband.She had faith in the character of the family.

Her words surprised Catherine.Catherine knew that the Walker family had close contacts with Earl Gordon, but it was the first time she heard of such a reason.

With Tina's unequivocal guarantee, and thinking of the information she judged from the contact, Catherine finally felt relieved.