[Pride and Prejudice] The leisurely life of Miss Bentley

The Seine River gurgles through Paris, flowing gently, and blending with Paris.It can be said that there would be no France without Paris, and there would be no Paris without the Seine.The gentle water of the Seine quietly caresses the shady banks, and the Ile de la Cité is delicately inlaid in the center of the river, which is the birthplace of Paris.

Caroline took Mr. Darcy and strolled on the Ile de la Cité.There is such a quiet existence in the bustling Paris, which makes people linger and forget to return.Because of the Seine River as a natural barrier, the hustle, bustle and congestion of Paris seem to be separated, leaving only a piece of tranquility and comfort, a piece of vicissitudes and deposits of history.

This is the best time of the day for Cité Island, with the sun setting and the breeze blowing.As time goes by, Paris expands from the Ile de la Cité to both sides of the Seine River. The left bank is filled with many amorous feelings of petty bourgeoisie Paris, while the right bank is lined with aristocratic royal palaces.Xidai, which is located in it, seems to be independent from the world, becoming a quiet and pure land.In the afterglow of the setting sun, the sculptures and decorative patterns shone like golden velvet.

The sunset glow painted a magnificent color outside the church.When she finally walked to Notre Dame de Paris, which was called "a symphony of stones" by Hugo, and saw the grand Gothic building standing in front of her, Caroline couldn't hide her excitement.The typical Gothic facade is covered with statues, tall and slender columns with pointed vaults, tall bell towers and spires, huge round rosettes, and bits and pieces of light in the stained glass, all of which make people feel at ease. People are amazed.

Like countless Chinese people, Caroline's impression of Notre Dame began with Hugo's world-famous novel.It can be said that even in Paris after the Great Revolution, it was Hugo who brought this ancient church into people's vision.Mr. Darcy didn't quite understand Caroline's excitement. After all, Notre Dame had not maintained its original splendor after the Revolution, and Hugo hadn't published the famous "Notre Dame de Paris". It can be called dilapidated.In the eyes of Mr. Darcy, Notre Dame is magnificent, with gorgeous architecture, rich sense of history and religion, but it has already revealed signs of decline.

But still the same as before, since it was the place Caroline wanted to go, Mr. Darcy would not say "no" easily.Moreover, in the large square in front of the church, accompanied by the towering bell tower, it is also good to take a walk in the embrace of the gurgling Seine River.As long as she is around, I feel satisfied.

It wasn't until the afterglow of the setting sun dissipated that Mr. Darcy and Caroline returned to Mr. Darcy's private residence in Paris in a carriage.As soon as he entered the door, he received an invitation letter from the Marquis of Rocheshuar.The Marquis of Rochechouillard is one of the partners of the Darcy family in France.The cooperation between the two families can be said to be what they need.The Darcy family's property in France has been spread so smoothly, and the property such as owning a large area of ​​vineyards in the south has largely benefited from the help of the Marquis of Rocheshuall.Similarly, the Roshshuyar family also took the family business to a higher level through the relationship of the Darcy family, and quietly collected a lot of wealth.

Although Mr. Darcy's trip to France was low-key and low-key, there is no impenetrable wall in the world, not to mention that there is nothing that the Marquis of Rochechouart wants to pay attention to, and there is nothing he doesn't know.It can be said that as soon as Mr. Darcy set foot on the land of Calais, the Marquis of Rochechouill received the wind.Compared with Mr. Pooh's letter with twists and turns, it came faster.

The social life in Paris is actually similar to that in London.It's just different from the London dance, which ends at eleven or twelve o'clock. The social life here is more upside down day and night, and more bohemian.

When the sun was high, I got up from the bed to dress up.From after brunch until before dinner, it's a good time to meet sympathizers, or to go for a walk in the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries or wherever the crowds are.After dinner, when the lanterns come on, the highlight of the day begins.Or go to enjoy operas, attend concerts, or go to balls, and usually have to make noise until early in the morning before going home.

Originally, Mr. Darcy just wanted to take Caroline to some places where they were alone, but God failed, so he had to look at Caroline apologetically.Caroline didn't take it seriously. When she arrived in Paris, it was a very normal thing to be invited socially. Besides, it was the Marquis of Rocheshuyal who had a good relationship with the Darcy family. I really couldn't blame Darcy. gentlemen.

According to the social rules in Paris, Mr. Darcy and Caroline set off for the Opera House after dinner, and met the Marquis of Rochechouillard and his female companion at the gate of the Opera House.

The current fashion in Paris is to go to the Opera House. It is said to be to watch plays, but in fact the main purpose is to show off and attract attention.The ladies of each family wear heavy make-up, compete for beauty, and constantly compete for popularity and jealousy. It is best to attract the attention of the most outstanding gentleman present.As for what happened on the stage, who wants to know!

The Marquis of Rocheshuyal was indeed a handsome man, with light brown curly hair draped behind his shoulders, piercing gray-blue eyes, and his facial features were resolute and decisive.It was far from the greasy old man with a big belly that Caroline had expected, so she couldn't help but pay more attention to it.The female companion next to the Marquis has a straight face, deep facial features, black curly hair scattered around her face, and a pair of big smiling eyes that seem to be able to talk. She is an out-and-out beauty.Of course, this female companion is a good example of the fashion in Paris today—it is never his own wife who is brought out to socialize by his side, and the one who expresses love is always a mistress or a courtesan sought after by everyone.It's almost become a tradition in Paris.

Mr. Darcy is wearing a three-piece suit today, which is elegant and rigorous, and the female companion of the Marquis of Rocheshuart has made several circles on his body.And Caroline was not inferior in any way, standing next to Mr. Darcy was very suitable.

Turning a blind eye to the lady's eyes, Mr. Darcy and the Marquis of Rocheshuyal greeted each other, and after introducing their wives to each other, they went to the house that the Marquis of Rocheshuyal had reserved in advance. Go to the box.

"The viewing angle here is really good!" Caroline sat down in the box, and picked up the binoculars on the side to observe the stage set.

Probably the Marquis of Rocheshuyal wanted to talk to Mr. Darcy about some men's topics.In the box, two gentlemen sat at the rear, while Caroline and this Mrs. Margaret sat at the front.

Wearing the most popular low-cut off-the-shoulder cake dress, Mrs. Margaret, who dressed herself up like a Christmas tree with various lace, ribbons, and feathers, patted her fan and said with a charming smile: "Of course, Mrs. Darcy. How could the Marquis's box be any less than the best!"

The best seats in the theater are the boxes on the second floor on either side of the stage.Such a box has always been in high demand. If it were not for the power of the Marquis of Rocheshuill, Mr. Darcy and Caroline might not be able to sit in this excellent position in Paris.

Smiling faintly at Mrs. Margaret, Caroline asked, "Mrs. Margaret, what drama is going on today?"

Mrs. Margaret's smiling face froze, and she said with a little embarrassment: "...I don't know." Jue's face is fine, so why do you need to know what plays are being staged in the Opera House? !

Caroline was also taken aback. She originally thought that these people had to be arty and show off, but she didn't expect that they really didn't even know what was going on.

Mr. Darcy and Marquis Rocheshuar, who were chatting about business, also noticed the awkward atmosphere of the two.Unable to explain to Caroline, the Marquis of Rocheshuyal said: "Mrs. Darcy, you don't know something. Today's release is a new work "Chatton." What the Marquis meant was It's normal for Mrs. Margaret to be unclear, so don't go into it too deeply.

Nodding to the Marquis of Rocheshuyal, Caroline put her energy back on the stage, chatting with Mrs. Marguerite one after another.

"Mrs. Darcy seems to be very interested in this play?" This is Mrs. Margaret who has nothing to say.

"It's really interesting," Caroline replied.

"It's hard to find a lady as dedicated as you in Paris!"

……

During the intermission, the Marquis of Rocheshuall and Mr. Darcy went out of the box, leaving Caroline and Mrs. Margaret who were a little bored.

"Mrs. Darcy?"

Caroline was bored looking at other boxes with a telescope when Mrs. Margaret's voice came from her ear.

"Mrs. Margaret?" Caroline asked suspiciously, looking back at the owner of the voice.

"You seem to be on good terms with Mr. Darcy..."

"Any questions?"

After hesitating for a moment, Mrs. Margaret said with a slightly puffy face: "I'm just a little surprised. This is not in line with the fashion in Paris."

"..."

"Then, Madame Marguerite, what is the fashion in Paris?"

"that is……"

Caroline was really speechless after listening to Madame Marguerite's whispered so-called fashion in Paris.Could it be that it is fashionable in Paris to marry a husband who does not have feelings, but is just of equal status and rich family, and then secretly communicates with the one he loves?Although status does matter, Caroline does not deny the importance of these things at all.But it's too much to blindly follow the fashion and engage in extramarital affairs!She doesn't want such popularity!