I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Even if Aldrich Deville noticed something unusual, it didn't have much impact on Pei Xiang.

In the final analysis, the whole matter has nothing to do with Aldridge, he just passively participated in most of the plans as a bystander at the right time.

Of course, Lester Sissel is also a bystander of this matter, he and his friend Aldrich have almost the same experience.

However, due to differences in personality and life experience, the cheerful heir to the baron did not find anything wrong from the beginning to the end, thinking that everything was wrong.

In this regard, in the carriage returning to Nolan Manor, he also expressed a few words to his good friend about what happened to Edward Ferrars, feeling a little sympathetic.

"Like that Mr. Ferras, I am controlled by the elders of my family and cannot be independent in marriage. However, I should be the kind of person who is more open-minded. Since I know that I must marry someone like me After I don’t love my wife, and I also don’t love my wife, I don’t have any sweet and warm illusions about my future married life. Therefore, I will never provoke those young ladies who need me to be responsible, because I will definitely be responsible Great."

Of course, Aldridge knew that the matter at the Nolan Manor had little to do with him. The reason why he thought about and analyzed the ins and outs of the whole thing seriously was inseparable from his own cautious character and life and death experiences.

More specifically, the colonel will subconsciously pay attention to all the details in the surrounding environment, judge the pros and cons, and find out the truth and falsehood.

He can choose to remain silent, but he is unwilling to be ignorant.

"Lester, do you really want to go on like this?"

"I want to have the confidence to resist, Aldrich, but not everyone has your decision. Many children of the nobles have also joined the army, but most of them are just fooling around, hiding in the back and making some opportunistic tricks. It’s just military merit, and in the final analysis, it depends on the family. Aldrich, few people like you, as the second son of the earl, would take the initiative to go deep into danger and risk their lives repeatedly. Of course, you have received the honor you deserve, with The right to say no to Count de Vere."

Aldrich shook his head: "My situation was different from yours at the time. My elder brother was still alive at that time. He guarded against me and wanted to use me. I had to choose a very risky path. But you are Baron Sissel, justifiably As long as you are financially well-off, there is no need to rush into marriage, and I think with Baron Sissel's character, I won't force you too much."

Mentioning this, Lester leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh:

"It's true that he won't force me, but he won't let me use my family's resources and connections to accumulate a small treasury for myself. Hey, my friend, Baron Sissel is very smart. Do you know the enclosure at Polly Field? , and the mines in Saran in the north? I want to participate, but unfortunately, Baron Sissel made rumors that he was neither willing to be a guarantee nor let the bank loan me. He actually invested a lot of money in Saran on behalf of the family A mine, but that is obviously a profitable project I found."

Aldridge recalled the two projects Leicester mentioned, shook his head and said:

"It's not necessarily that Baron Sissel deliberately blocked you from doing things. As far as I know, the situation at Polly Field is very complicated. Some people's methods are not clean. Baron Sissel is afraid that your reputation will be damaged and you will get into trouble. As for the Saran Mine, if I remember correctly, Baron Sissel would not have restrained you if your last female companion hadn't been too flamboyant and offended Congressman Rhode's wife."

"Yes, yes," Lester frowned, "so I broke up with Rose at that time, but my father still felt that it was my fault and refused to let go of his help."

Aldrich pondered for a moment, then said:

"We've stayed here long enough at Nolan Manor, and it's time to return to London. After returning, I'll try to connect you with Baron Defoe, who has shares in the Saran Mine."

Lester was a little surprised: "Baron Defoe? Do you still know him?"

"I met a few times in the Cavendit Card Club. He leaked the wind on the poker table and wanted to find someone to transfer the shares of the mine. Many people were interested."

"Why does he want to do such a business, the Saran mine will soon be profitable."

"You are optimistic about the Saran mine, but Baron Defoe feels that the return on investment there is too slow and unstable. He wants to buy a real estate in Ireland, so he needs a lot of urgent money."

"Investing in real estate?" Lester raised his eyebrows.

Aldridge nodded slightly: "To buy a fertile real estate of more than [-] acres, for Baron Defoe, it is not only an investment, but also a symbol of glory and status. Even if the shares in the mine can bring him future Greater benefits are not as attractive as a piece of land that can be passed down from generation to generation."

Lester took a deep breath, and to be honest, he was also tempted.

"Who does Baron Defoe want to buy the estate from?"

Aldridge named a surname.

Lester was extremely shocked and couldn't help raising his voice slightly:

"The Marquess of Kingston! Why did he sell the land? This is really a rare thing in many years... For families like us, even if we are in debt of tens of thousands of pounds, no, even hundreds of thousands of pounds, we will not sell the real estate Grange..."

Aldridge did not explain in detail some of the political difficulties and huge debts of the Kingston family to Lester, but only reported the price of the real estate and the background of the current potential bidders in a flat tone.

Then, his words successfully dispelled Lester's eagerness to move, and he refocused on the investment share of the mine.

"Thank you, Aldridge, I will do my best to persuade Baron Defoe to transfer the shares to me."

"Do you have money?"

"I will always find a way." Lester smiled.

Immediately afterwards, he shook his head at Aldrich, and said firmly:

"No, my friend, until the last step, I don't need you to lend me money. I know that you are also investing in factories in the northwest and port construction recently, and you don't have much spare money. So, I can't give you any more Sorry for the trouble, I'm going to try to figure it out myself as best I can."

Regarding this, Aldridge didn't say anything more, he knew that his friend was not a brave person, if he really needed help, he would definitely speak up.

The group returned to Nolan Manor, and two days later, Lester and Aldridge said goodbye and left.

"Aldridge, didn't you say goodbye to Miss Marian alone?"

"It's not necessary, Lester."

"Why, my dear Aldrich, don't think I don't see that you have something different about that Miss Marianne."

"So what?" Aldridge was riding on the horse with a calm tone, "It's just a little different. After leaving Nolan Manor, we may have no intersections anymore, and some emotional ups and downs will disappear soon."

"But……"

"There aren't that many 'buts'," Aldridge said with unusual calm.

"There is no possibility between me and Miss Marianne. She is beautiful, smart, and has good knowledge and talent. As a single male, I have a shallow affection for her, which is normal. But , Some things are often over before they start, and it is useless to think too much."

Lester was even more puzzled now, and he asked straightforwardly:

"Aldrich, there is never a shortage of beautiful, intelligent, knowledgeable and talented ladies in London. How come you have never developed a shallow affection? And, since the matter hasn't started yet, how do you know it's over? Fleeing without a fight? That's not like you."

Aldrich pursed his lips, thinking that the lady already had a sweetheart, and it was very likely that she had been secretly engaged long ago, so why would someone who came a little later take the initiative to pester her?

——Besides, it's just a few days of getting along, the momentary amazement and novelty... soon the wind will pass without a trace.

The guests left Nolan Manor one after another, and Mrs. Dashwood re-arranged the moving matters.

She had already learned about Edward Ferrars from her daughters, and felt very terrified.

Mrs. Dashwood knew her eldest daughter well.

Although Elinor was calm and rational, she was also emotional, sensitive and soft.Once she was moved by the gentle Edward Ferrars, it was difficult to cut off the throbbing in her heart again.

"Elinor, Marianne, oh, and my little Margaret, you three, come to me, and read this letter for me."

Pei Xiang put down the book in his hand, walked to Mrs. Dashwood and sat down.

"Mom, did someone write to invite you to visit again?"

"No, I'm not invited," Mrs. Dashwood shook her head and smiled, "but we should pay a visit to the Middletons. You see, this Sir John Middleton is my distant relative. Concerned about the recent situation of our mother and daughter."

When Pei Xiang heard the surname Middleton and read the letter in Mrs. Dashwood's hand, he immediately understood that this was Sir John, the owner of Barton Manor, who kindly rented a house to his mother and daughter at a low price in the original book.

Elinor also finished reading Sir John's letter, and said happily:

"Sir John's letter is very sincere, and it can be seen from the lines that he really hopes to help us. This is a kind and kind gentleman, mother, and I think Sir John's proposal can be seriously considered. "

Although Mrs. Dashwood was also very happy, she felt a little embarrassed at the same time. She pointed to the contents of the letter and said:

"Sir John said that at first he thought we were not in a good financial situation, so he planned to rent us a cottage. Although the cottage was a bit rough, the rent was surprisingly low. However, he started from my last one. He was delighted at the news that we had improved financially with the help of the generous Mr. Paddington, who said that we had no need of renting a small cottage. gone."

Margaret hadn't read the contents of the letter yet, so she quickly asked, "Then what should we do?"

Elinor explained to her little sister Margaret:

"Sir John proposed that we go and live in London. His house, he said, was in Condit Street, where a family happened to be moving to Bath for a long-term convalescence, and would let the property to a respectable family. Sir John wrote in his letter that he had visited there before and knew that the house was very comfortable and elegant, and it was quite suitable for us mother and daughter to live in. And in this way, we can become neighbors with Sir John's family, and we can live in the same place on a daily basis. Keep in touch and take care of each other.”

"Going to London?" Margaret's voice was full of joy. "Although I hate the tree house at home and the squirrels in the woods, I also like living in the city. There are always many interesting things happening there."

Pei Xiang didn't ignore the hesitation on Mrs. Dashwood's face, so she asked her gently, why did she feel embarrassed?

Mrs. Dashwood said that she was somewhat reluctant to part with the leisurely and clean life in the countryside, and preferred the fresh and beautiful natural scenery. Of course, she did not dislike the bustling London and the city full of people coming and going.

Just to be honest, the air in London does suck.

Pei Xiang also felt that the two kinds of life have their own advantages, so he suggested:

"Why don't we live in London permanently, and rent that Barton Cottage at the same time. In winter, we live in the city, and when the hot summer comes, we will leave the city of London and enjoy the rural life."

Elinor nodded and agreed: "That's a good idea, Mom, we don't necessarily have to rent Barton Cottage, but in summer, we can go out of the city to relax, or go to the beach for a few days."

Mrs. Dashwood felt that it was a waste to live in the country all the time.

Pei Xiang persuaded: "Mom, Elinor's marriage has not yet been settled. If we move to live somewhere in the countryside, the new friends we know will definitely be limited to a few or a dozen families. At that time, it may not be There were single youths who were suitable for everything. Besides, Margaret was still young, and her education was also a problem. Whether it was going to a girls' school or having a tutor, it was always easier to settle in a densely populated city. "

Elinor patted Pei Xiang lightly, and said with a smile: "You can use me and Margaret as an excuse, so is your marriage settled?"

Pei Xiang said as a matter of course: "Before you get married, I'm not in a hurry to think about my marriage."

——I still have to save for a dowry...

Elinor looked into her younger sister's clear eyes and smiled.She knew that it was too early to talk about some things, and when fate came, maybe this girl would marry earlier than herself.

Mrs. Dashwood was indeed moved by Pei Xiang. Considering her daughters' marriage and Margaret's education, she finally chose to live in London.

So she immediately wrote a letter back to her enthusiastic cousin Sir John, intending to ask him to help with the matter of renting the house.

Half a month later, Mrs. Dashwood left Norland Manor with her three daughters, and at the same time took part of the exquisite furniture, precious porcelain, gold and silver utensils, linen tablecloths and curtains, piano books, and the personal belongings of the three mothers and daughters. thing.

Behind them, Fanny clutched her chest, looking very weak, but her complaining voice was full of air:

"I really didn't expect that they would take so many things away, it was like robbers."

John Dashwood was equally sullen, though he tried to appear sensible and kind.

"Dear Fanny, those things are the belongings of my father before they moved into Nolan Manor, Mrs. Dashwood's dowry, and the private property of the mother and daughter. Therefore, they want to take things away, and we have no way to stop it.”

"Is there not your mother's dowry among those furniture and utensils?" Fanny asked again unwillingly.

"Oh, speaking of this...my father has handed over all of my mother's estate to me, you should know. When we got married, I got half of it. After my father passed away, I got the other half."

"Of course I know that," said Fanny sharply. "John, isn't your father too partial? He left everything to his second wife and three daughters, and asked you to take care of them! Oh, God, they're so rich, with an annuity of fifteen hundred pounds a year, that they should, I say, be the ones to finance our family in turn."

John Dashwood sighed approvingly.

Even if he can add another £1 a year to his income after inheriting the Norland Manor (Note [-]), the expenses of their family are still huge.

Fanny's favorite greenhouses, gardens and jewelry, his multiple real estate investments, little Harry's education funds...all kinds of things, the burden on his shoulders is really heavy.

Therefore, he really has no extra ability to take care of his stepmother and three younger sisters who left Nolan Manor.

When the husband and wife returned to the manor, every time they saw an empty place, they felt their hearts throbbing.They also have to add new furniture and decorative items, which is another big expense.

When Fanny wandered to the piano room, she finally couldn't help complaining again:

"They also moved the piano away, although I know it was Marianne's birthday present, but, but that piano has been here for so many years, and it has already become part of Nolan Manor, how dare they take the piano away ?”

John Dashwood was very sympathetic to his wife's grief, for he felt what he felt, but what could be done?Sometimes the law is just so unkind.

In the end, the husband could only shake his head and sigh:

"Well, Fanny, don't think about it any longer. After all, people are always selfish, and don't always take the overall situation into account and value family affection. Oh, for the sake of the good God, forgive them."

At the same time, on the carriage to London, the mother and daughter of Dashwood were very happy, and their hearts were full of yearning for their new home.

"Eleanor, have you prepared all the gifts for Sir John's family? This time, we were able to rent a house in Condit Street smoothly, thanks to Sir John's help. We must solemnly thank him."

"Relax, mother, Sir John Middleton, Lady Middleton and their children, I have suitable presents for everyone."

Hearing this, Mrs. Dashwood didn't ask any more questions. She always valued and trusted her eldest daughter.

Pei Xiang looked at Sir John's latest letter and said:

"Mother, Sir John says his mother-in-law, Mrs. Jennings, is also living in the city at the moment, at her house in Berwick Street, and we ought to pay that lady a visit."

"You should really visit Mrs. Jennings," Mrs. Dashwood smiled. "Sir John said that the servant we sent to clean up the house in advance encountered some small troubles, and finally Mrs. Jennings sent the maid around to help solve it." Yes, that's a really nice, warm lady."

Elinor nodded: "I also prepared a gift for Mrs. Jennings, the best Constance Snow Wine, she will definitely like it."

The mention of wine reminded Mrs. Dashwood of another gentleman.

"I received a letter from Mr. Brown Paddington before. He said that he plans to move to London recently, so the correspondence address will change. He will write to inform us when he settles down."

Hearing the name Brown Paddington, Margaret, who had been looking out the window, asked expectantly:

"Mom, can we meet Mr. Paddington this time in London?"

Mrs. Dashwood shook her head uncertainly:

"Maybe, Margaret, it depends on Mr. Paddington's wishes. He said in his letter that he is not in good health, and he is often immersed in artistic creation and thinking, and has little time for socializing."

"Well, I wanted to meet him and thank him in person," Margaret said very sensiblely, "I know we can be so relaxed now, thanks to Mr. Paddington's generosity, I want to do something for him Things within your power.”

Pei Xiang smiled and said: "If I can meet that generous gentleman, he will definitely like our lovely Margaret very much."

The author has something to say: (Note 1) The data here refers to the original "Sense and Sensibility"