[Pride and Prejudice] The leisurely life of Miss Bentley

Lavender is blooming everywhere.

Blue flowers and green leaves, full of fragrance.

I am the king and you are the queen.

Toss a coin and make a wish.

I love you all my life, and this love will never change.

——British folk song "Lavender"

Neither the dreamlike Paris nor the luxurious Paris failed to keep Mr. Darcy and Caroline in their footsteps.After the ball of the Marquis de Rochechouillard, Caroline bid farewell to her new friend—Miss Isabel Rochechouille, and went south with Mr. Darcy.

The warm and bright Mediterranean sun, the clear blue sky, the lavender blooming in the wind, the emerald green valley decorated with rich colors, the aroma of lavender, thyme, and pine trees mixed with the fragrance of scorched green grass permeates the air, this is the south of France The most unforgettable Provence.

Although she already knew that lavender is almost synonymous with Provence, Caroline was still shocked when she saw such a lush grass field and such a large area of ​​pure purple.Like the deep purple undulating large lavender, swaying the romantic style of Provence, as sung in folk songs, it is the sweetest mood, deep thoughts, and bright and sad warmth.

"It's so beautiful here!" Looking around, the boundless purple was imprinted in her eyes. Caroline took a deep breath, and her breath was full of sweet and happy breath.The beauty here is like a dream, I hope I will not wake up after being drunk.

The sun shines on the boundless purple, and the golden yellow is inlaid with blue and purple, shining brilliantly.On both sides of the path, there are large lavender fields everywhere, covering almost every corner, and even Mr. Darcy is moved.

"It's no wonder that Miss Rocheshuar strongly recommends to see lavender in Suo Village. This sea of ​​purple flowers is really intoxicating!" Caroline felt that Miss Isabel Rocheshuar, who grew up with her grandmother in the south, What a bliss.In such a place, guarding the bright sun and clear blue sky, watching the flowers bloom and fall in front of the court, and watching the clouds and clouds in the sky, how relaxed and lazy life is.If she lived in France during this period, she must go to the south to get a small house and experience the life in Provence described by Peter Mayer, which is full of warm sun, breeze, lavender fragrance and various delicacies in the countryside of southern France. That’s all. , you can't run into Mr. Darcy.

Thinking of Miss Isabel Rocheshuar, Caroline turned her head and asked Mr. Darcy: "Fitzwilliam, I really don't understand why the Marquis of Rocheshuar would ask to send Miss Rocheshuart to a foreign country. How about going to a finishing college in England? Wouldn’t it be more convenient for Miss Rocheshuyal to stay in Paris to study and then participate in the social life in Paris?”

Before Mr. Darcy and Caroline left, the Marquis of Rocheshuyal made an unfeeling request to Mr. Darcy to send his sister to study in England.Naturally, Mr. Darcy and Caroline would not refuse such a small favor.When she returned to the mansion that day, Caroline wrote a letter and sent it to Mr. Bingley, asking him to arrange for Miss Roshshuyar's admission.But according to Caroline's understanding, the women's college in Paris is not inferior to the Villa Pierrefert College, so why bother to get Miss Rocheshuyal to go to England?

"Caroline?" Mr. Darcy didn't understand how Caroline's thoughts jumped from the sea of ​​lavender flowers to Miss Rocheshuar's schooling, but he still replied, "I'm afraid the situation in France is not stable. ..."

"Unsafe?"

"Since the death of Louis XVIII, the successive kings have implemented some decrees that are not very popular," Mr. Darcy said, his soft expression gradually becoming serious. Let’s light it up, after all, the tragedy of the Great Revolution is still vivid in our minds.”

After the baptism of the Great Revolution, although the Bourbon royal family has been restored, its rule has not been very stable.Especially after the death of Louis XVIII, some of the decrees implemented by his successor Charles X were extremely conservative. Now France is like ants roasting on the stove, and a revolution is imminent.Of course, in Paris, the aristocrats were still drunk and dreaming, singing and singing every night, without any tension.

Caroline nodded, since this is the case, Marquis Rocheshuar's worries are justified.However, if the situation in France is unstable, wouldn't the Darcy family's business and property be affected?

Just as she was about to ask Mr. Darcy about this matter, Caroline heard Mr. Darcy say seriously: "...Fortunately, the Queen's rule is still very stable... Otherwise, I would be like the Marquis of Rocheshuar , sent you far away."

Although Mr. Darcy's earnest and earnest words moved Caroline, but Caroline still said firmly: "...No."

"If one day encounters such a situation, I will choose to stay with you."

No matter what storms we encounter, we should face them together.If he was gone, living alone would be boring.

……

Caroline asked with a little worry how much the Darcy family's property was affected by the French political situation, but Mr. Darcy reassured her not to worry.Politics and economy have always influenced each other, and this time showed the foresight of the cooperation between Marquis Rocheshuar and the Darcy family.Once the political situation changes, the property of Roshshuyar can be transferred out through the hands of the Darcy family. operate on behalf of.What a mutually beneficial cooperation.

In addition to lavender, there is also a sea of ​​flowers for the Darcy couple to stop, that is the endless sea of ​​sunflowers outside Arles, competing with the golden sun.This golden ocean made Van Gogh intoxicated and obsessed, making him nirvana and destroying him.It was this piece of golden sunflower that inspired Van Gogh. Using passionate colors and brilliant light, Van Gogh painted masterpieces handed down one after another.It's just... At this time, the crazy Van Gogh hadn't been born yet... Moreover, even if she witnessed the radiant sunflowers decades before Van Gogh, Caroline couldn't have painted a painting like Van Gogh... ...Even if she has already seen several pictures of sunflowers.

"Hey, Fitzwilliam, shall we try the Provence specialty tapenade with bread?" Caroline reluctantly looked away from the golden ocean, and said to Mr. Darcy.

As Peter Mayer wrote, French people, especially Provence people, are passionate about food, just like people in other countries are very enthusiastic about sports and politics. Provence cuisine has always been an essential part of visiting here. big element.In other places, special products may be optional, but in Provence, missing special products is like not having been to this place.Nice’s famous Soca, Marseille’s Provence Fish Soup, and Tapioca Bread are all outstanding. How can you miss such delicacies!

The small town of Arles has a typical "Provence" character, unrestrained and leisurely, simple and casual.Cafes filled with the aroma of coffee, pedestrians who occasionally pass by in the small streets, the whole town reveals a leisurely and lazy atmosphere.

But in such a city, the most eye-catching thing is the huge Roman arena.There are often bullfights or horse races held here.If there is a chance, Caroline will definitely take Mr. Darcy to see the ancient Roman-style bullfighting competition, but the focus right now is the Provence specialty olive paste bread.

Caroline and Mr. Darcy were sitting in a small unknown café in Arles, ordering a far less famous tapenade in Provence with bread.Chop the garlic and anchovies separately, add washed capers, thyme, savory and lemon juice, beat well, then slowly pour in olive oil and season with pepper to make the tapenade, a specialty of Provence.Spread tapenade on lightly toasted bread is the most authentic appetizer in Provence.It's only afternoon, so order a piece of bread and strong coffee, the portion is just right.

The attentive proprietress quickly delivered the items they ordered.With a Provence-style simple smile, the proprietress enthusiastically recommended the absinthe produced in Provence to them.The alcohol content of this wine is very high, which is easy to cause addiction, but it is not a problem to drink a few.It is said that it was because of drinking absinthe and being catalyzed by love that Van Gogh went mad and cut off his ear.Even in the future, absinthe was branded "the root of all evil".

But these rumors can't dispel Caroline's eagerness to try, just don't overdo it.

So the proprietress brought two tall glasses, filled each with some absinthe, and then brought some ice water, sugar cubes, and a special spoon for stirring.As for the sweetness and strength of the absinthe in the mouth, it is up to Mr. Darcy and Caroline to control it.

Although acquiescing to Caroline's attempts, Mr. Darcy began to fill the glass with as much ice water and a small amount of sugar cube as he could.Concentrated and serious actions were exchanged for the ambiguous and teasing smile of the proprietress and the clear eyes of the guests.Mr. Darcy didn't care about the eyes around him, Caroline blushed slightly, and looked back at the kind eyes around him generously.

It was not until the wine was adjusted to a satisfactory level that Mr. Darcy pushed the glass in front of Caroline.

Caroline picked up the wine glass and lightly touched Mr. Darcy: "Cheers!"