[Pride and Prejudice] Plain water

Although Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam understood something the moment they met, they didn't move, and they didn't even dare to look at each other. There was still a chance between them so that they wouldn't be so embarrassed.Anne and the others didn't feel much about seeing Elizabeth, so they greeted politely, probably she still remembered what she said about Darcy.

At the dining table, they uncharacteristically kept their mouths shut, lowering their heads and silently eating the food on the plate.Only Mr. Collins praised vigorously. He cut and ate, and praised each dish with great interest. He was the first to praise each dish, and Sir William also boasted. Be his son-in-law's answer.

Lady Catherine seemed to be very satisfied with these excessive compliments, and she always showed a kind smile, especially when a dish that the guests had never seen before was brought to the table, she was very happy.Now Mrs. Catherine is no longer in business, and Anne has taken over all the power. She only needs to enjoy the family happiness. Therefore, there are people like Mr. Collins who can talk to her and make her happy when she is bored. Also because she is old, I like to talk more and listen to other people's flattery.Seeing that she was happy, Annie let her go.

After eating, I went back to the living room, just listening to Mrs. Catherine talking.She talked on and on until the coffee was served, and she always talked about everything with such absolute certainty that no one could object to it.She inquired carefully about Charlotte's household, and gave her a great deal of advice on housekeeping.She told Charlotte that everything should be carefully arranged in a small family like hers, and taught her how to take care of the cows and fowls.

Elizabeth found that this lady would not let the slightest thing go easily, if she had the opportunity to dominate others.When Lady Catherine talked with Mrs. Collins, she also asked a few words from Maria and Elizabeth, especially Elizabeth.She did not quite know what Elizabeth was to them, but she told Mrs. Collins that she was a very gentle and pretty girl.She asked Elizabeth several times how many sisters she had, whether they were older or younger, whether any of them were married, whether they were good-looking, where they were educated, what kind of carriages their father had, and what kind of carriages her mother had. What is your maiden name?Elizabeth thought her question was abrupt, but she answered her calmly.

Then Mrs. Catherine said: "Your father's property must be inherited by Mr. Collins, I suppose?"... At this point, she turned to Charlotte and said: "I am happy for your sake; otherwise I I really don’t see any reason not to let my daughters inherit the property, but to give it to others. My family doesn’t think it’s necessary to do so.” While speaking, she patted Annie’s face gently and comfortingly. hand.It seems that she is very satisfied that her family's property is inherited by her daughter.

Then she asked curiously: "Can you play the piano and sing, Miss Bennet?"

"Know a thing or two." Elizabeth's face was already ugly when she heard the previous words, but she still answered her respectfully.

"Oh, we'd like to hear it sometime. We have a very fine violin. Come and try it some day. Can your sisters play and sing?"

"There is a meeting."

"Why don't you all learn it? You should all learn it. All the Miss Webbs can do it, and their father's income is not as good as yours. Can you draw?"

"No, not at all."

"How do you say, not even one?"

"None will."

"It's very strange. I guess you have no chance to learn. Your mother should take you to the city every spring to vote for a famous teacher."

"My mother won't object, but my father hates London."

"Has your governess gone?"

"We never had governesses."

"No governess! How can that be? There are five girls being educated at home, and no governess! I've never heard of such a thing! Your mother is educating you like a slave," said to Elizabeth. Lady Catherine was surprised that their five girls did not hire a governess. She couldn't figure out how they learned. "Then who will teach you? Who will serve you? Without a governess, you have no one." Did you take care of it?"

Elizabeth couldn't help laughing, and told her that was not the case. "Compared with some other families, our family treats us relatively laxly; but among the sisters, anyone who is eager to learn will never be helpless. The family often encourages us to study hard, and we have the necessary teachers. If anyone deliberately You can be lazy, of course."

"There is no doubt about it; but it is the business of a governess to prevent such things; and if I had known your mother, I should have tried to persuade her to have one. I have always thought that there was a lack of step-by-step instruction, education. There would be no results, and step-by-step instructions are only available to governesses. It's funny how many families I have introduced governesses to. I always like to have a young man well placed. Mrs. Jiang Jinsheng's four nieces have been introduced to them by me. Just a few days ago, I recommended another girl. She was just mentioned in front of me by chance, and the family was very satisfied with her. . . . Mrs. Collins, did I tell you that Mrs. Metcal came to thank me yesterday? She thought Miss Pope was a treasure. She said to me: 'Lady Catherine, you have given me a treasure.' ...Have any of your sisters come out to socialize, Miss Bennet?" Mrs. Catherine said to Elizabeth in a serious tone, as if she was talking about something normal.

"Yes, ma'am, we're all out to socialize." Elizabeth couldn't stand hearing this, but she kept her expression as she was the master.

"Everyone is out to socialize! What, five sisters are out to socialize at the same time? How strange! You are only the second! The younger sister is out to socialize before the elder sister is married! Your sisters must be very young?" Mrs. Catherine She was more surprised each time, she couldn't figure out why their family was so...well...strange.

"Yes, the youngest is only sixteen. Perhaps she is too young for many friends. But, ma'am, if it is because the older sisters cannot marry early, or do not want to marry early, the younger sister cannot have society and entertainment. That's really hard for them. The youngest and the oldest have the same right to enjoy their youth. How can they be asked to stay at home for such a reason! I thought that it would be impossible to promote the relationship between sisters, and it would not Maybe develop a gentle character." Elizabeth also knew that her sister would be hurt if she came out to socialize too early, but she still felt a little uncomfortable hearing Madam Catherine's words, but she still didn't show it on her face.

"It's amazing," said Madame, "that you can be so independent for such a young person. How old are you?"

"I already have three adult younger sisters," Elizabeth said with a forced smile, "you old man will never ask me to recruit my age again."

Mrs. Catherine did not get a straightforward answer, and she was a little dissatisfied and wanted to ask questions.At this time Fitzwilliam suddenly suggested, "Auntie, look at the weather is so good today, let's go for a walk, don't be bored here." In fact, Fitzwilliam has been silently watching Elizabeth during the conversation between Elizabeth and Lady Catherine, watching Mrs. Catherine's questions became more and more sharp, and Elizabeth became more and more embarrassed but forced to smile. For the first time, he wanted to blame his aunt.