[Pride and Prejudice] Becoming Katherine Bennett

After calming down, Catherine walked towards Jane and the others who were standing not far away.

When she was chatting with Willard before, Elizabeth looked at her from time to time, with a slight worry in her eyes.

Now that Catherine came over, Elizabeth immediately took two steps forward, and whispered to her sister, "Kitty, are you having trouble with Mr. Gordon?" She saw that Mr. Gordon's expression was not very good when he left.

"That's right." Catherine said.

"I've actually been meaning to suggest you change publishers," Elizabeth said.

Catherine couldn't help showing a look of surprise.

"Speaking of which, Mr. Gordon's help to you is a generosity that our whole family deserves to be grateful for. But since he has fallen in love with you, if you have no intention, it may be misleading if you have any further contacts. We all know that you don't have such thoughts, But people will not blame that gentleman, they will only think that you have ulterior motives," Elizabeth carefully chose her words, "Society is always too harsh on women, I don't want others to say something bad about you."

Elizabeth's concern moved Catherine very much, and her sister's reminder was also a sad reality.

Catherine knew that there was a gap in status between her and Willard, and any contact between the two of them would be slandered as a result of her deliberate efforts.

He favored her because she was very scheming and used tricks to confuse this gentleman; if she responded to him, she finally got her wish and achieved her goal of leaping through life classes with her beauty and scheming; if she rejected him, it just so happened It proved the previous guess, she won the victory in her tricks of manipulating people's hearts, and she was playing hard to get.

Elizabeth was right that society has always been too harsh on women.

Catherine explained to Elizabeth softly, saying that Willard had already arranged for another gentleman to take over his job and arrange publication-related matters. The two hadn't had direct contact for a long time, and today was the first time after the ball.

She has also considered changing the publisher, but it would be too heartless if she changed the publisher as soon as she became famous.Without Willard's support, she would not be where she is today.Although the other party didn't care about the money, she would feel uneasy if she did so.

Catherine said: "I think all feelings need to be responded to in order to continue. Mr. Gordon really expressed his kindness to me. I don't want him to have any misunderstandings, so the attitude of refusal is very clear. He walked away annoyed just now, because my The attitude irritated. Miss Manla came to talk to him, and he told her to go away. He probably hoped that I would ask a few words about their relationship, but I said nothing. He is a wise man, and he will not fail to understand this. meaning behind it."

Elizabeth was a little relieved after hearing this, but she always felt worried.As for why, she couldn't tell.

The two walked to Jane and Alma's side.Alma blinked, full of questions flickering inside.However, she was very measured in her words and actions, knowing that her friendship with Catherine was not enough to say such a thing, so she didn't ask a word.Everyone continued with the previous topic as if nothing happened.

The literary salon, featuring the works of Addison Fitch, is scheduled to start at eleven o'clock.

As time drew near, Catherine could not help but be in high spirits.She will come today, except that she is embarrassed to always refuse Tina's invitation, on the other hand, of course she is very interested in today's topic.

To say that she wants to hear readers boast is to underestimate her.Catherine is very eager to get readers' opinions and feedback, but due to technical limitations, although she deliberately collects, she can only get a small part of comments through newspaper reviews and letters from readers.

Today's occasion is a good opportunity for her to hear the opinions of readers. Although the sample is only a small number of noble people and is not authoritative, she thinks that when everyone argues their point of view, they will definitely quote the classics and say that there is nothing wrong with it. less content.Among them, the thinking brought about by recognition and criticism is an important reference, and the sparks from the collision of different ideas may bring her new inspiration and ideas.

Catherine was looking forward to this salon very much. She specially cut out a small portable notebook for this purpose, and put two German pencils in the skirt pocket.She also whispered to Elizabeth, letting her sister shield her, hoping that she would not attract attention when she memorized things.

But disappointments and surprises come quickly, as always.Catherine is destined not to hear the truth from the readers today.

When the glass of red wine splashed dark colors on her skirt, Catherine couldn't react immediately.

She heard someone scream, and then everyone in the salon looked at her. At this time, her mind was still a little blank, and she didn't understand what was going on.

When she noticed that the face of a good-tempered person like Jane was full of anger, her flowing skirt was sinking due to the weight of the water, and the wet feeling penetrated her skin through layers of fabric, Catherine realized later. He lowered his head unconsciously, and found that the wine-red liquid was splashed on the skirt, leaving a few smudged spots.

Pity the new dress.It's a pity for this glass of Margaux.

Catherine stared at the hem of the skirt for a few seconds, then raised her eyes and looked at the young lady standing opposite her without warmth.

She didn't know this lady.Her appearance at the moment was also extremely ugly in Catherine's eyes.In fact, her facial features are beautiful, and her dress is fashionable enough, but the arrogant expression on her face completely destroys the beauty, leaving only a mean and stupid image.

She was taken aback when she felt Catherine's gaze, but she quickly came back to her senses, annoyed that she was actually startled by Catherine's gaze just now.In order to cover up this, her contemptuous tone became more deliberate, and she said extremely meanly: "I'm sorry, I slipped my hand just now and didn't hold the glass firmly, and accidentally spilled the wine on your skirt. I don't think you mind?"

The lady apologized, but her attitude was full of yin and yang, and she didn't apologize at all.There were buzzing discussions all around, and the attention of everyone present made her more self-satisfied. She longed for the attention of others and liked to be in the limelight. What made her even more happy was that she taught this wild girl who had no self-knowledge and wishful thinking with her own hands.

The lady's name is Kathy Crane.Her uncle was an earl.Although her father is nothing, this does not prevent her self-positioning as superior.

Miss Crane fell in love with Willard. She thought she had hidden it well, but everyone knew it.But she was mean, and no one wanted to remind her of it, which intensified her complacency.Catherine would have recalled, if she had put more thought into it, that it was this young lady who taunted Miss Manla grandly as they sat in the salon before the ball at Earl Gordon's country estate.

Like Miss Manla, Miss Crane had noticed Catherine from the ball.After she found out that Manla's dancing partner was her cousin, she had been secretly delighted, thinking that Willard would invite her, even if it wasn't the opening dance, dancing together would be a must.

It's a pity that Willard only danced with Catherine once throughout the night, and looked at her the whole time afterwards, without giving himself half a look.

Miss Crane thought it was all Catherine's fault.She must have seduced Willard by some mean and shameless means.Otherwise, she was so humble, how could Willard be obsessed with her?

But if it is because of this judgment that Miss Crane has no brains, it is not entirely true.

Before humiliating Catherine, she had inquired about Catherine's origin in detail.The information she heard was incomplete, but she also knew that the other party was just a friend of Viscount Valk's pastor's younger brother, and he did not have any distinguished status or relatives.Viscount Valk is nothing in her eyes, let alone this friend who turned a few corners?

Her actions were deliberate, and the apology was merely a matter of courtesy.Besides, what if she doesn't apologize?

Miss Crane said arrogantly: "This dress seems to be beyond your spending range, and your money must have been hard-won. But I can compensate you for the loss. After all, this is nothing to me, but it may need to be taken care of for you. Beg someone else, you..."

Miss Crane was interrupted.During her triumphant "apology", Catherine turned around, looked at the wine glasses in the hands of Jane and Alma for a moment, and chose a fuller glass.

She took the wine glass from Jane's hand and went straight to Miss Crane.The latter didn't pay attention to her, and was still immersed in the cognition of being in the limelight, but the others guessed Catherine's thoughts and couldn't help but let out a low cry.

Catherine walked up to Miss Crane calmly, without any hesitation or speaking, she just raised her hand and poured the wine on her body forcefully.Miss Crane splashed her skirt, and in return Catherine thought she was going to be creative, so she splashed her bosom.

Catherine sincerely hoped that the young lady would realize that she had guessed the wrong answer.If she was really as miserable as the young lady said, she must have taken advantage of others and poured wine over her head.

Miss Crane finally stopped her chattering speech.She opened her mouth wide in disbelief, and looked down at her wet clothes in a daze.

Catherine smiled slightly: "Sorry, I accidentally slipped my hand too. We're even, so you don't have to pay for my skirt."

There was no sound in the salon.

Miss Crane froze for ten seconds before screaming.

"Ah!!!" Miss Crane raised her finger and pointed at Catherine, she almost cursed out of her mouth, but fortunately she thought of the occasion and endured it with difficulty, trembling with anger.

Catherine shrugged, and greeted the waiter casually under everyone's gaze.The waiter came over cautiously, Catherine put the wine glass on his tray, and walked up to Tina.

Tina had just returned to the salon, and when she came in, she saw Catherine splashing the drink.To her left stood Tracy and Willard, and on the other, the housekeeper was telling her all that had happened in a quick whisper.

Tracy looked at Catherine who was coming, and then at her brother.Unsurprisingly, the smile on Willard's face disappeared, and there was no sound, and an invisible flame was brewing in his eyes.He was about to move on, but Tracy pulled him back and shook her head slightly.

Willard took a deep breath and didn't insist anymore.

Catherine walked up to Tina, bowed slightly, and then said in a voice that everyone could hear, "Honorable countess, please forgive my rashness. This lady and I accidentally wet each other's skirts just now, I think We all need somewhere to clean up."

"What nonsense!! You clearly did it on purpose!" Miss Crane would come back to her senses and shout angrily standing behind her.

"This statement is very interesting. This unknown lady, although I really don't have a noble background, I really can't think of a reason to deliberately make things difficult for you."

"If you are beautiful enough, you may still accuse me of being jealous. If you are knowledgeable and talented, you can speak boldly to me, but..." Catherine glanced at her lightly, chuckled, and did not continue, but Everyone present could understand the contempt in her unspoken words.

"I don't know you before. I was standing at the south corner of the salon before. If you hadn't accidentally walked around half of the salon, walked to me so unintentionally, and then unintentionally knocked off the wine glass, the wine glass Inadvertently, it didn’t fall vertically, but violated Newton’s physical theory and spilled on my skirt. Presumably I didn’t have a chance and accidentally spilled the wine glass. All of this can only be said to be a small coincidence arranged by God. .”

"If you are not satisfied, then I apologize to you, or you can pour me another glass. As long as you calm down and stop screaming in the salon, destroying the atmosphere of the salon carefully prepared by the countess and the mood of the guests, I can do whatever you want me to do."

"You humble..." Miss Kelan was so angry that Catherine threw her head back, but she was speechless, and she didn't know how to respond to these trap-filled words.

When she wanted to curse angrily, Tina said expressionlessly, "Okay, Miss Crane. All of you here today are my guests. Please pay attention to your words."

"Ma'am, it's clearly her..."

Facing her, Tina said word by word: "I, say, okay, it's not clear enough?"

Miss Crane's expression froze, and she didn't dare to speak again.

Tina whispered to Catherine: "Sorry, I will give you an explanation."

"No, I've already vented enough, I just hope you can come forward so that she won't embarrass my family." Catherine said.

"Don't worry." Tina was about to answer when Willard, who was standing aside, suddenly said.

He stared at her closely with deep eyes, and said in a deep voice again: "Don't worry."

Catherine did not answer.

Tina arranged for a servant to take the two ladies to change into suitable clothes.Everyone in the salon was quiet, and those who cared noticed that Tina asked the housekeeper to take Catherine out, and only arranged for Miss Crane to be an ordinary maid.It is clear at a glance which is more important in the countess' heart.

Catherine thanked Tina, and then she straightened her back, lifted her neck, held her head high, and walked out of the salon in front of all eyes.

And in those gazes, she felt a hot gaze falling on her body, almost burning her skin.