[Pride and Prejudice] The leisurely life of Miss Bentley

Before Napoleon sent troops south to conquer Venice, masks were a part of life in Venice. People, both men and women, had to wear masks and cloaks when they went out.Exaggerated masks, gorgeous costumes, gathering or swimming, without any scruples, wanton carnival.After that, under strict control, there were no mask visitors coming and going in the streets and alleys of Venice. Only in certain festivals, people brought up the long-lost mask carnival, singing and dancing.

Under the guidance of the boatman, Caroline and Mr. Darcy were lucky enough to catch the open-air masquerade in St. Mark's Square. It must be said that it was good luck.There are countless mask shops in the streets and alleys of Venice. As soon as you walk in, your eyes are full of colorful masks.Each has its own characteristics, some collect traditional masks, some also sell popular cloaks, some have high-top hard hats, and some show the making process of masks on site. "Masks" can be as simple as being painted directly on the face, or they can be made through complex procedures. Their common characteristics are exaggeration, gorgeousness, and drama, which make you dazzled and don't know where you are.

Randomly stopped in front of a small shop, fiddled with the assortment of masks on the stall, and she really caught one.This Moretta is very special, not the whole face, but barely covers the eyes and nose.The base color of ice blue, trimmed with a circle of silver, outlines the charming eyes and erect nose.On the side of the mask, there are bay leaves that are also ice blue and sprinkled with silver powder, layered on top of each other, which is very unique.Then let the boss draw a few strokes in the corner of the eyes, which is extraordinarily enchanting.Finally, according to the tradition, a veil of the same color is covered in front of the mask, which looks mysterious and charming.

Seeing that Caroline had chosen a pleasing mask, Mr. Darcy also chose a well-regulated Bauta, covering the part from the forehead to the upper cheek, with the underside of the nose protruding like a bird's beak. Bauta is the most common mask in Venice, it can hide identity, but it is easy to talk, eat and drink, so it is very popular.

The moonlight is reflected on the water surface at night. After a day of hustle and bustle, the river surface returns to calm at this time, and the gondola moves quietly on the silky blue waves.The ancient moss-covered walls on both sides of the bank gave off a special damp smell, as if they could be touched.The river is gurgling, the boat is rippling, take a gondola, and go to a masquerade ball.

St. Mark's Square was full of people at this time, a large cluster of bonfires were crackling and burning happily, and thick smoke curled up from the flames.The air is filled with the unique smell of burning firewood, and there is a hint of warmth in the cool night, and the golden flame seems to illuminate half of the sky.

People in fancy costumes and various masks dance around the bonfire to the beat of the music.The mask is like a disguise, which can temporarily put aside the complicated etiquette. In the real society, the disparity of status, the difference between the rich and the poor, conflicts and disputes, beauty and ugliness, etc., are all temporarily covered up.No matter who you are, as long as you wear a mask, you will gain freedom and have no scruples. Here, no matter you are familiar or unfamiliar, you can enjoy music, dancing, feasts, and feasting, and carnival all night long.

Mr. Darcy and Caroline moved among the bustling crowd, attracting more or less attention among these merry-seekers.Sticking to the wine glass, the woman with a mask dangling back and forth bumped into Mr. Darcy with evil intentions, leaving a charming wink and a seductive smile.Avoiding those gentlemen who raised their glasses and tried to strike up a conversation, Caroline simply pulled Mr. Darcy to join the people who were waltzing slowly by the side of the bonfire.

The charming night is very easy to be intoxicated, and dancing under such a night is even more relaxing.

I have to say that this Bauta is very suitable for Mr. Darcy, with a white mask and expressionless face, but it can't cover the deep and focused eyes, which complements Mr. Darcy's temperament.

Turning round after round, and taking a break, Mr. Darcy thoughtfully fetched champagne for Caroline.Standing alone in one place, looking at the men and women of different shapes in the distance, Caroline found that a hand stretched out from the side unexpectedly took her out of the range she was in, turned around a few steps, and turned to next to.The visitor wore a white Larva, a black open-necked cloak and a three-cornered hat, like a wandering ghost.

Before Caroline could react and break free, the man said with a smile: "We meet again, beautiful lady."

"It's you?!"

Caroline regained her composure and recognized the familiar voice as the young boatman who steered the gondola for them in the afternoon.

"Yes, ma'am." Seeing that Caroline recognized his identity, the man stretched out his hand to invite Caroline to dance, "Can I have a dance?"

"It's a nice open-air dance, isn't it?"

Stretching her body and standing still, she quietly looked at the man who was talking and laughing. Caroline said, "Your recommendation is really good. Thank you very much. My husband and I had a pleasant evening."

Raising his eyebrows and looking at Caroline through the ice-blue Moretta, the man was startled, and then smiled faintly: "So happy wedding, beautiful lady."

"Please accept my blessing, ma'am." From nowhere, a bright and dripping rose was conjured up and handed to Caroline's hand without refusal. The man disappeared into the crowd like a ghost when he came.

Staring blankly at the rose in her hand, Caroline watched the back of the man disappearing into the crowd, and resolutely donated the rose to a group of women not far away who were making fun of him and making the flowers tremble with laughter. clown.Seeing the clown bowing to her comically, and posing another pose that made people laugh, making everyone laugh, Caroline turned and walked towards the direction she remembered standing in.

It's just that there are people coming and going at the ball, and fish and dragons are mixed together. Caroline searches, but doesn't find Mr. Darcy.Just when she was a little flustered, she fell into a familiar embrace.

"It's me." Mr. Darcy said in a deep voice.

She turned around in surprise, "Fitzwilliam, so you are here."

Mr. Darcy took back the champagne, but he saw the scene of Mr. Boatman accosting him and the rose from afar.If it wasn't for the fact that the man gave the rose to Caroline and gave it away not long after, maybe the rose would have ended up differently.

Mr. Darcy couldn't see Caroline's expression, but he heard surprise in her voice, and the condensed breath around him suddenly eased.Taking Caroline out of the ball, Mr. Darcy led her on the return gondola.

The night is like water, and the night wind is blowing.

As soon as he got on the gondola, Mr. Darcy sat quietly without speaking.Pursing his lips, looking calmly at the rippling water, Mr. Darcy actually didn't understand the reason for the uncomfortable feeling in his heart, as if his own treasure was being peeped at, and he was always brooding.However, he didn't want to speak, because in fact Caroline did nothing wrong. If this was the case, it could almost be regarded as venting anger, so he had no choice but to remain silent.

Seeing Mr. Darcy's indifferent look that he hadn't seen for a long time, Caroline didn't know how to speak.After all, this was just an occasional invitation to dance, if something had to be imposed, it could only be called an encounter, and in fact nothing happened.Caroline wanted to break the deadlock, but she was afraid that Mr. Darcy would feel that she was trying to cover up.

As a result, the two people who were thinking about each other had nothing to say along the way, only seeing the clear and clear water surface, together with the tranquil night sky, forming an integrated body, the water and the sky are the same color, just like a beautiful dream.

The gondola swayed and took them back to the hotel where they were staying.The boatman (not the previous one) deftly anchored the boat to the bank, and waited for Mr. Darcy and Caroline to go ashore.

Maybe it was because she was absent-minded, or maybe it was the dew late at night, when Caroline slipped on the side of the boat, thanks to Mr. Darcy's sharp eyes, he hugged her waist tightly and brought her to the shore, so she didn't fall down.

Still in shock, Caroline stood firmly on the ground with Mr. Darcy's hand.The old boatman smiled at them kindly, waved, and then sang a little tune, rowed the boat and left.

Mr. Darcy was still wearing a mask. Caroline couldn't see expressions such as worry or anger from his face, but she could feel it from his breath.

"Fitzwilliam, you're angry." Caroline said in a positive tone, taking her hand into Mr. Darcy's.

"It was just a chance encounter, and I didn't accept the invitation." Caroline said when she saw Mr. Darcy's attitude that she was going to keep silent to the end if she didn't speak.Well, although there was a small accident of roses, she didn't intend to accept it, so it shouldn't be a big deal, Caroline thought with a guilty conscience.

"Mrs. Darcy, please allow me to remind you that you accepted his rose." Mr. Darcy said slowly.

Oh my god!She knew it was this one!Caroline wanted to pat her forehead j□j out loud.

"Mr. Darcy, I didn't want to accept this flower," Caroline said seriously, looking into Mr. Darcy's eyes, "and, I have already sent the flower."

"I know..." After a long time, Caroline heard Mr. Darcy's muffled voice, "It's just..."

Only then did she realize what was wrong with her Mr. Darcy.

Caroline softened her voice and said coquettishly: "Okay, Mr. Darcy..."

"Besides, there is such beauty and deliciousness... How can I have room for others in my eyes."

Caroline said pointedly, successfully seeing Mr. Darcy's neck dyed a suspicious pink.