[Pride and Prejudice] Dear Lydia

After a tooth-and-mouth argument with Lydia about how she 'persuaded' Miss de Boer last year, Mr Pitt is miraculously back to 'normal'.

To be precise, he has returned to his pre-Christmas state.

Today, Mr. Pete has begun to treat Lydia with a pleasant face and is willing to communicate, but he is no longer ambiguous.

Lydia was once puzzled by this, and couldn't help asking questions when the atmosphere was good.

Mr. Pitt still said the same thing - for a person with whom quarrels can be a pleasure, he must be more tolerant.

"Please put away your unrealistic thoughts," Mr. Pete said to Lydia, whose face became weird instantly after listening, "I don't really have any eccentricities."

"Oh," Lydia silently put away the shaking M label she was about to put on Mr. Pete in her heart, "I didn't think about anything, but your explanation surprised me."

"I like the scenery and life in the countryside, and I have bought a property here. I will definitely live in Netherfield for a lot of time in the future, so I will definitely need to communicate with the surrounding neighbors and residents, and make a few friends among them for daily walking , in this case, why don't I choose the person I am interested in."

Lydia had no choice but to express her honor to be included in the list of possible contacts selected by Mr. Pete.

"Of course I know that you are not a lady in the true sense. I have a deep understanding of this since we met for the first time. But this is not a problem. Is it too few ladies and ladies I have met? In fact, most of them are Rigid and boring, but a philistine and blunt person like you is more fond of my temper. Besides, you have some knowledge," Mr. Peter further explained, "Mr. Eshton's business prospects in Cape Town are very promising, and I also have a stake. "

"Wow! Sir, you are so good at talking!" Lydia was dissatisfied and ironic, "I really dare not call myself a lady, but I don't agree with the evaluation of being a philistine." She still felt a little annoyed, "No wonder You have to find pleasure in arguing with others, and with your 'outspoken' character, I really doubt how many people are willing to be your friends and communicate with you in a calm state every day."

"Unfortunately," Mr. Pete shrugged, showing a sly smile, "I'm going to disappoint you, ma'am, since I was a child, no one has ever refused me an olive branch of friendship."

"They just took a fancy to your status as the heir to the Earl of Chatham!" Lydia didn't take it seriously, and found that Mr. Peter's expression became more and more colorful when facing her.

Then Lydia remembered the last words Mr. Pete said just now, "You also invested in Mr. Eshton's gold mine development business? How come I never heard of him? Even Lois didn't know."

"Because Eshton is my financial advisor and executor, he is obliged to keep all my assets and investments confidential, but it doesn't matter if I tell you this."

This was confirmed by Miss Mallard's subsequent correspondence with Mr. Eshton.

When Mr. Eshton learned that it was George Pete who told them, he no longer shied away. He said very fortunately that the business was able to operate in time thanks to the timely injection of large sums of money from Mr. Pete.

As for why Mr. Pitt was suddenly optimistic about this project that he didn't pay much attention to before, Mr. Eshton said that it was because he had obtained first-hand reliable information through his relationship, and learned that the British government was about to pay a huge sum of money to buy the Cape Town area. , Strengthen the administrative management there, in order to make it the cornerstone of controlling India, and the rights and interests of British businessmen there will also be unprecedentedly improved, which prompted him to finally decide to invest.

Lydia sighed to Miss Mallard, "The more powerful a person is, the easier it is to make money. This is really an eternal truth!"

At this time, the party in Netherfield was over, and the Earl of Chatham, who came to see his son in a low-key manner, had already gone to London with his large set of servants and the two fitness metal balls that he never left his hands every day.

Miss Mallard's life has returned to the leisurely and peaceful life before, taking care of Netherfield's housework, studying plants and flowers, gathering with Lydia at Longbourne every now and then, or inviting Lidia when her cousin is out. Dia went to see her.

Lydia also lived a leisurely and comfortable life. At the beginning of May, Mr. Gardner sent his brother-in-law a list of the bond returns they jointly invested last year. Mr. Bennett found that this is indeed a safe way to make money Because of this, his income in the past two years has increased a lot, so he jokingly said that he was able to earn this money thanks to his youngest daughter, and that he would give Lydia an extra share of the inheritance to his daughters in the future.

"Dad, you don't have to do this, just give me a fair share." Lydia replied.

"This is not the time to be generous, dear," said Mrs. Bennet anxiously on her behalf. "Since your father is willing to give it, why don't you, you definitely need the money more than Jane and Elizabeth." Mary thought that she should not be too partial in public, "Of course, so does Mary."

Mary smiled, and believed that her own share would be indispensable at that time. She has always had a full spiritual world, so she can look at material life from a rational perspective.

Mrs. Bennet was not as sensible as her third daughter, and had already begun to count her poor Lydia's difficulties, "Oh, poor child, Mr. Wickham is really unreliable. He has been away for so long without even sending a letter. Come back, has he completely forgotten about you? I’m really afraid that even if he earns money at sea, you won’t be able to enjoy much. He is such a beautiful and amiable person, how can he be so careless to his wife? If I had known that he was like this, I would never have promised you to marry him..."

Mr. Bennet could not help interjecting, "My dear lady, I remember your ecstasy when you heard that your daughter was going to marry Wickham."

"Mr. Bennett, I really don't like what you say! It's a happy event for your daughter to marry, aren't you happy for her!" Mrs. Bennet said confidently, "The problem is that at that time who knew Wickham would be like this You don't care about your family!"

Lydia comforted her softly, "Mom, this is the way it is, don't worry about it, we should think about the good side, at least in this way I can often live at home with you."

"Oh!" Mrs. Bennet still understands this point, knowing that a married daughter stays at her mother's house every day, and it is definitely not a good thing not to receive a letter from her husband for half a year, and finally she was so annoyed that she stopped talking.

After dinner, Mrs. Bennet went to visit Lucas's house, and when she came back, she brought Charlotte, who had just returned from Hunsfordshire to visit relatives.

Charlotte was the eldest daughter of the Lucas family. Because her husband, Mr. Collins, was caught up in his parish business and couldn't make it in time for Christmas, he simply waited until the weather was completely warm.

"Look, who did I bring back!"

Mrs. Bennet shouted loudly when she entered the drawing room. She had been very angry with Charlotte because she had robbed Elizabeth's suitor, Mr. Collins, but now Elizabeth had a son-in-law who was a hundred times stronger than Mr. Collins. Mrs. Nate, of course, had long ago magnanimously forgave Charlotte.

Charlotte is not as beautiful as her sisters, but she is very smart and has a decent manner. She greets Mary and Lydia kindly, tells each other goodbye, and smiles at Lydia after a few words, "Lydia Dia, I have brought you a surprise!"

Charlotte is Elizabeth's best friend, and she is a casual acquaintance with the other daughters of the Bennett family. She suddenly smiled and said that she specially brought her a surprise, which surprised Lydia, "For me? What is it?"

Charlotte took out a letter from her side and handed it to her, "It's a letter from Mr. Wickham."

Lydia took it, and before she could say anything, Mrs. Bennet clapped her hands and cried, "Really! That's great! I was wondering why Mr. Wickham hadn't sent back a letter this morning! But why did his letter come?" Where did you go, Charlotte?"

"Because their ships sailed to Woolwich base to rest, the officers all got some leave and went home to visit relatives and friends in two batches. Among them, a lieutenant happened to live in the same parish as Mr. Collins, and he was the first to take leave. He told us at church last weekend that he had brought a letter back for a colleague. He wanted to go to London in a few days and then forward it to Longbourn from there, but I heard we were coming, so please pass it on. .” Charlotte explained with a smile.

"It turned out to be so, what a coincidence," Mrs. Bennet pushed Lydia anxiously, "Lydia, baby, take it apart and have a look, didn't Mr. Wickham say he was coming back to visit us all soon? "

Charlotte joked, "Ma'am, Mr. Wickham should mainly want to come back to visit Lydia."

Lydia was not as excited as her mother. Instead, she felt annoyed that her peaceful life was about to be disrupted. She opened the letter and quickly browsed through it. Sure enough, it was Mr. Wickham who said that he would have a few days of vacation in the near future and planned to come back Visited his wife, and asked Lydia whether she would like to wait for him at Longbourn or join him in London, because Mr. Wickham stayed on the ship for more than half a year, and he rarely had a vacation, and he must be going to London for entertainment for a few days.

Lydia read the main points of the letter to her mother, and then asked, "Mom, can I go to Uncle Gardiner's house in London for a few days?"

"Of course, then you can see Mr. Wickham sooner. Although he may not need to go back to Longbourne to see us, you can spend a few more days with him. I will give it to you." Uncle Gardner writes." Mrs. Bennet thought she could understand her daughter's eagerness to see her husband.

Lydia was a little worried, she finally persuaded him to go to the ship, why is there a vacation so soon!

It is true that she and Mr. Wickham are husband and wife, but they really have no feelings. They never want to rush to fulfill their husband and wife obligations after the other party ignores them for more than half a year.

Faintly heard Charlotte complimenting her mother on the recent arrival of distinguished guests, and heard that even Mrs. de Boer's godson, Lord Pitt, had become his guest.

Mrs. Bennet was very proud of this, and after a little modesty, she said that it was thanks to dear Lydia, who was charming everywhere, and was favored by General Walter's family in London, Afterwards, even the likes of Mr. Pitt and the Baroness Moran were willing to befriend her, which did her mother a great deal of respect.It was followed by a measured compliment on the delightfulness of the two young Lucass, whom Mr. Walter Jr. had visited several times during his time in Hertfordshire.Of course, those few occasions were all temporary decisions made by Mr. Walter Jr. who wanted to change the environment after he had been coming to Longbourn for several days in succession.

Lydia listened to them intermittently, interrupting inadvertently, while her mind was occupied with the idea of ​​what to do with Mr. Wickham, who was returning to visit his family.

It should be wise to choose the meeting place in London. Wickham will definitely have a good time in London for a few days, and he won't have a lot of energy to pay attention to her. It will be more convenient to perfunctory.

Might be able to ask Miss Mallard for help, remember Lois said she had a house in London, bequeathed to her by an aunt of hers, and she was considering letting it out, if she could be persuaded to stay with her for a few days It would have been better if I didn't have to go to Uncle Gardner's.

It would be safe to meet Mr. Wickham at Miss Mallard's place. He would not be afraid to live with him, and he could have a separate bedroom for him. Anyway, servants could be hired temporarily, and they couldn't figure out what was going on, let alone Will gossip about people he knows.

Charlotte was very enthusiastic. First, she chatted with Mrs. Bennett, Mary and Lydia for a while, and then she wanted to go upstairs to see Jane. After she found that Jane was still taking a nap, she took the initiative to look for Beck who wandered out of the study. Mr. Nate talked for a while, and when he left, he made an appointment to see Jane the next morning, and then she could accompany Jane on her daily routine walks.

Mrs. Bennet was very happy to hear that she could have a day's rest, and she welcomed her to come to Jane as often as possible.

Lydia had something on her mind, and went to Miss Mallard early the next morning, told her all about her troubles, and asked her for help.

Miss Mallard is also a unique and wonderful person. After listening to Lydia's request for help, she neither made a fuss nor tried to persuade and match her self-righteously. Marriage concluded at the age of 15, once something goes wrong, how terrible it will be, and I am willing to help you, but you need to think clearly about what to do in the future. Lydia, a man has been indifferent to his wife for a long time. You will fall in love with Chi Chi, and your identity is always Mrs. Wickham, and this cannot be changed."

"Lois, thank you for your willingness to help me," Lydia thanked her sincerely, "You know, I can't tell anyone about these things except you, and they won't understand if I tell them. I probably still feel that I am abnormal. Of course, thank you for your reminder, don’t worry that my indifference will exhaust Mr. Wickham’s affection. This thing has been with Mr. Wickham not long after we got married. It disappeared completely. As for what to do in the future..." Lydia paused before saying, "I have some ideas about what to do in the future, but you have to do things step by step."