[Pride and Prejudice] Becoming Katherine Bennett

The next few days the Bennett sisters were busy.

They first asked Uncle Gardiner to send Maria back to Longbourne with a servant, entrusting her to bring a letter to Mr. Bennett, saying that they still needed to live in London for a week before returning home.Then he started running non-stop between shops selling furniture in London.

The most popular furniture in England today is the neoclassical style, which has begun to take shape in the minimalist style of later generations.Mrs. Gardner persuaded Catherine to choose second-hand furniture, saying that a friend of her friend was moving to Italy, and the furniture could not be taken away, and she wanted to deal with it at a low price.If Catherine agrees, she can buy a whole house of furniture for the price of two new pieces.

Such a price could not prevent Catherine from being tempted.However, after only hesitating for a minute or two, Catherine shook her head and declined.

In her heart, the new furniture is not just a simple furniture item, but also represents that she is going to start a new life, carrying her diligent expectations for life.Of course she could save the money, but it was her home.If she has to save money on installing her first home in two lifetimes, then what is the point of her making money?

Eventually, Catherine gritted her teeth and bought a set of Hepplewhite furniture.It almost cost her money.But even so, she only bought necessary furniture such as a bed, writing desk, dining table, and chairs. Other sideboards, office tables, and chests of drawers can only be discussed later.Among the new furniture, except for the bed, which she really had no money for, she chose basswood, and the rest were made of mahogany and ebony.The most expensive was the armchair, which cost almost as much as the bed.The wood of the chair is red sandalwood, the surface of the fabric is all silk, and the inside is filled with soft goose feathers. 2

Catherine did the math, this chair was equivalent to her manuscript fee of [-] words, and it would take nearly a month to write all the [-] words in drafts.After the conversion, Catherine's heartbroken face distorted when she paid the money, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't hide it.Elizabeth couldn't help but tugged at her hand, and seriously persuaded Catherine to buy a cheaper set.

But Catherine insisted on paying.Her heart is very painful, but the happiness brought about by Anjia Real Estate is also very deep-rooted and real.As long as she thinks that she will write her life in a comfortable and beautiful high-end chair in her own small house with a writing desk in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows every day facing the sunshine and breeze, she feels that the money is worth it.

What is expensive is not the chair, but the expectation of life.

After running for three days and finally finalizing all the furniture, when Catherine spent all the money and came out of the store with a relaxed and heavy body, she felt that the sky above her head was just like her mood at the moment, bright and foggy.

Aunt Gardner entered the hat shop next door with her two sisters.When Catherine thought that her pockets were cleaner than her face, she couldn't help feeling sad. How could she be in the mood to visit this kind of store, so she stopped in front of the door, ready to stand outside to breathe in the free air for a while.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she stood still outside the door, she saw two men riding horses coming from the south.

The two gentlemen were dressed in neat three-piece suits, and one of them was dressed in an extremely fashionable style. Catherine recognized that it was the playboy style that is currently in fashion. It was led by George Brummell, a gentleman who is very popular with the Regent. Fashion trends all over London.

Compared with him, the dress of the other gentleman is a bit "outdated".He is wearing a simple brown short coat with a white shirt inside, a bow tie tied in an Irish style, and a black bucket hat, but this does not mean that he is not good-looking, such strict clothes complement his serious and contemplative look, Anyone who sees him will praise him for his tallness and handsomeness.

Catherine also thought he looked good in it.It would be better if he didn't see himself.

Catherine hated London for being too small, and she unexpectedly met him again.She also hated Darcy's good eyes. If he hadn't seen her and he met her eyes, she could have run into the store and avoided seeing her.It's a pity that she was so surprised by this unexpected encounter that when she recovered, Darcy had already come towards her.

There are so many carriages, horses and pedestrians coming and going on this street, why can he see himself at a glance?

"Miss Catherine, I didn't expect to meet you here." Darcy got off his horse and greeted her.His face flushed slightly, and his voice was calm and polite.

Catherine was silent.She raised the corner of her mouth, feeling all the nerves on her face jumping wildly, making it difficult for her to maintain a smile.

Ever since she made it clear that her intention for Darcy was not the indifference and rejection she thought, Catherine has been thinking about what she will do next time she sees Darcy.

Pretending to be okay?As if the acting wasn't enough.Confession?Regardless of whether she has the guts, even if she is bold, the polite gentleman may be very moved and reject her.

Catherine was troubled for several days, until she met Mr. Darcy, the rational expected answer to this question was still unknown.

But her body is honest.Catherine couldn't speak, and subconsciously took a step back, for fear that Darcy would be able to hear her frantic heartbeat if she got closer.

Her heart no longer belonged to her, and it clamored wantonly in her chest to leave her.Her breath was no longer hers, and Mr. Darcy's face and eyes were so tightly around her neck that it was difficult for her to breathe.Her brain stopped working, and Mr. Darcy was mercilessly pouring flour and water into it, trying to make a paste.Even her vision became blurred, she couldn't see the sky or the ground clearly, there was a phantom around her, and she could only see Darcy in front of her.

God, let her die.

Catherine closed her eyes in despair, she couldn't believe that at her age, she could still act like a young girl, just looking into the eyes of a man with a heartbeat, her heart beat like thunder.

She remembered a description, "A young girl's heart is like a deer bumping around."Then what is she, old clam begets pearls?But is this idiom used in this way?

Catherine no longer had the brain to think about how sorry she was to her Chinese teacher. She stayed for a long time before putting her hands behind her back and pinching the backs of her hands until the pain returned to normal.

"Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam."

"Miss Catherine, hello." Colonel Fitzwilliam greeted her with a smile, his eyes wandering back and forth between her and Darcy.

Catherine didn't dare to look at Darcy, so she accurately caught Fitzwilliam's eyes.She really wanted to imitate the domineering heroine in the TV series she had watched before, turning her face and saying that you watch it again and pull out your eyeballs, but in fact, she just hung her head in a state of anxiety, and fell silent again.

"Are you here to buy something?" Darcy asked.

"Well, I came with my aunt and my sisters, and they are in the store." Catherine replied in a murmur, her voice lower than the hum of a mosquito.

Darcy couldn't help getting closer, trying to hear the words of the lady he liked clearly, who thought that Catherine was secretly scolding herself for being too shy and embarrassing, so she decided to raise her head generously.She raised her neck at the same moment as Darcy's approach.Her forehead slid over the brim of Darcy's hat, knocking his top hat askew.

Both of them were stunned.They couldn't recover.They stood very close, their eyes fixed, and each other's figure was reflected in their dark and bright eyes.

Catherine felt that something exploded in her head, making her eyes dazzled for a while, and the shy blush instantly extended to her face, ears, neck, and even her arms that were exposed outside the sleeves were covered with a layer A touch of red.

Darcy was not much better either, he just stood there dumbfounded, motionless for a long time, his appearance was a bit funny, his face was flushed, his hat was crooked, but he couldn't remember to help it up.

At this time, Aunt Gardner and others who came out of the store saved Catherine's life.They didn't expect to see such a scene as soon as they went out. Fortunately, they were smart and considerate, pretending not to see the situation between Catherine and Darcy, and greeted their friends cordially.

The greetings from Mrs. Gardner and others brought Darcy back to his senses, and he paid respects politely. While Elizabeth was chatting with Colonel Fitzwilliam, he couldn't help looking at Catherine again.

They stood very close to each other, and others didn't know whether it was intentional or not, but they were about one meter away from them.When Darcy came to Catherine's house, all the ladies brought their newly purchased hats and decorations, and asked Catherine softly, "Why don't you buy them?"

Catherine certainly could not say that she had no money.She was annoyed at her embarrassing appearance just now, but she still replied: "I don't like anyone."

Darcy was silent for a moment.

A few days ago, Georgiana gave him an idea to ask Catherine to help him choose in the name of buying a gift for himself.Darcy hasn't figured out how to operate it yet, who would have thought that he would meet Catherine here today.Thinking of the unexpected meeting back from Losings last time, Darcy decided that he must be decisive about Catherine in the future, and it is best to make up his mind immediately.

But this time the question was a little silly.Catherine said that she didn't like it, so the topic of asking her to help pick out the hat was out of the question.Darcy thought, next time he directly asked her for help, he would not be so speechless.

The two stood silently, waiting for Elizabeth and Colonel Fitzwilliam to finish talking, and the two sides said goodbye to each other.

On the way home, both Aunt Gardner and Elizabeth seemed eager to ask Catherine.But Catherine resolutely pretended not to see it this time.She herself is so upset, what can she say to her family?

In addition to buying furniture, the Bennett sisters have frequent exchanges with the Walker family.

After listening to Catherine's introduction, just as Elizabeth wanted to contact Mr. Walker, Alma came to the door.She came to discuss with Catherine about going to Earl Gordon's house next week, and she didn't want her to hit it off with Elizabeth.

After her friendship with Charlotte left Elizabeth heartbroken, Elizabeth turned her attention to Jane and Catherine.But Jane is gentle and demure, and Catherine is cold and intelligent. Although they both get along well with Elizabeth, they are far less congenial than Alma.They became good friends after meeting for the first time, and Alma invited her to visit the Walker's house.

The next day, Elizabeth got her wish and met Mr. Walker.After careful observation, she felt that the other party was indeed as Catherine said, knowledgeable, talented, humorous, and caring for Jane.He was supposed to preside over a service and sermon today, but he usually returns home at five or six o'clock.But he heard in advance that Jane and others were coming, and rode back at three o'clock in the afternoon.When he entered the house, he was dusty, panting slightly, and the sweat on his forehead didn't disappear.This scene happened to be seen by Elizabeth.

Now Elizabeth also became a supporter of Mr. Walker.She thought that although Bingley's love for Jane was also obvious, he had never really done anything for Jane.Compared with him, Herr Walker puts so much effort into it that what they see is touching enough.

Alma also quietly told Elizabeth that her brother is now like a fool, giggling at home every day.And Alma was not much better. The Bennet sisters went to the Walker's house empty-handed, and all kinds of bottles and cans were stuffed in the carriage when they came back.Alma was better to Elizabeth than to Catherine and Jane put together, and they had only come for two or three pots before.Jane may be Alma's sister-in-law in the future, but she obviously treats her differently.Elizabeth and Catherine felt amused, and at the same time expressed their appreciation and satisfaction in their words.

As for Mr. Bingley, he had disappeared after his last visit, and was never mentioned in the family again.

The arrival of Elizabeth encouraged Walker. He was introverted and didn't want to show it. In fact, he loved Jane very much in his heart.Like all people who fall in love, he tried his best to find all opportunities from his beloved to imply that she was also in love. He couldn't help thinking that Elizabeth came to see him soon after coming from other places because of Jane.If Jane hadn't been interested in him, he wouldn't have such an honor.

But this kind of thinking is just his guess, he is undecided, he is not sure about Jane's heart, and he is not sure whether to propose to Jane.

Walker's idea was despised by his younger sister: "Brother, can you be so concerned about gains and losses? Are you usually smart? I thought Jane showed it very clearly. If she didn't have feelings for you, who would listen to you talking about India over and over again?" story?"

"It's impossible! I'm preparing new experiences every day, so where's the repetition?"

"Oh, I can't bear to hurt you, but I still have to say, you have told the story of the black tea merchants in Assam three times."

"..." Valk was hit hard.He had carefully prepared for a long time, how could he make such a low-level mistake?

Seeing his dejected look, Alma comforted her, "But Jane is very cooperative. She seriously asks new questions and thoughts every time. Doesn't that explain something?"

"Really?" Valk rekindled hope in his heart.In fact, he was very uncertain.In his eyes, Jane was so perfect. If he was moved by her beauty when they first met, it was the later getting along that made him unable to extricate himself.He had never seen a lady so gentle and demure, so lovable, so kind-hearted, pure and charming, she was like a pure angel, but also a holy goddess.

Alma shrugged: "Of course. By the way, Catherine told me today that they will return to Longbourn in a while."

This sentence made Valker no longer hesitate.He resolutely made up his mind: "I'll go and talk to my parents and elder brother. I'm going to propose tomorrow."

The author has something to say: Are you afraid of the long-lost love?

2 "History of Chinese and Foreign Furniture Development" by Li Yuhong and Yu Shen