I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Elinor Dashwood gently pushed open the bedroom door, and saw her sister Marian curled up in the rocking chair and fell asleep, like a quiet and elegant oil painting.

The goose-yellow thin blanket draped around her waist had already fallen onto the carpet, an open book was pressed on the young girl's abdomen, and the bookmark with exquisite patterns fell on the owner's calf, and a corner was crushed.

The room was extremely quiet, and the morning light shone on the girl's fair and clear skin through the half-drawn curtains, making her beauty clearly visible and her exhaustion invisible.

Elinor sighed silently, thinking that she had to find some time to talk to Marian in the next few days.If my sister stays up late reading or painting or writing like this, it will definitely cause some damage to her health.

——Marian can no longer arrange her work and rest time so willfully.

But now, the soft-hearted elder sister saw her younger sister sleeping so sweetly, with a slight blush on her face without makeup, pitiful and cute, how could she be willing to drag her up to preach?

——But you can’t sleep on the chair all the time.

Elinor walked lightly to Marianne's side and gently pushed her shoulder.

"Marian, go to bed and rest..."

"Marian, it's uncomfortable to sleep like this..."

Following Elinor's low calls, the young girl who had fallen asleep on the rocking chair opened her eyes in a daze.

She was a little dazed and quite obedient. Even though her face was full of trouble, she still obeyed Elinor's suggestion and got up from the rocking chair.Marian staggered and groped to the side of her bed with half-closed eyes, and leaped forward deftly, sinking into the soft quilt.

After a while, Marian's breathing became clear and gentle again, apparently, she fell into a sweet dream again.

Elinor looked at her younger sister who was almost asleep, with connivance and worry in her eyes.

Helping her sister close the curtains, Elinor left Marianne's bedroom.

In the living room, Mrs. Dashwood was instructing Margaret to be a queen, while asking the eldest daughter who came down from upstairs:

"Marian is in bed again?"

"Yes, Mom, when I opened the door and walked in, she fell asleep on the rocking chair by the window. She must have stayed up late last night to read again."

Mrs. Dashwood was a little apprehensive.

"The habit of staying up late and reading is bad for your eyes and skin. When Marian wakes up, I have to talk to her about it."

Elinor sat down diagonally across from Mrs. Dashwood, and complained affectionately:

"Since coming to London, Marianne's work and rest schedule has been a bit chaotic. I wanted to talk about her a long time ago, but you stopped me, Mom. When young people are obsessed with literature and art, they always stay awake at night with passion. It’s okay to stay up late occasionally.”

Mrs. Dashwood's eyes wandered for a moment, showing a little guilty conscience. She defended herself and her second daughter:

"Marian just woke up late occasionally, and it's not a big deal to catch up on sleep during the day. Although, um, that... the number of late nights this month has been slightly, only slightly more, but the young girl is addicted to art and In the palace of literature, indulging in creative passion is justifiable. When you get older, maybe you won’t have this rare full of emotions.”

Elinor leaned her forehead and sighed: "Mom, how much ecstasy soup have you been fed by that ghost girl Marianne? Hey, with your partial attitude, how can you persuade and stop Marianne? It would be good if you don't continue to pamper her and encourage her." .”

Being complained by the eldest daughter, Mrs. Dashwood simply waved her hand and said in a good-tempered manner:

"Well, my dear Elinor, I leave it to you to persuade Marianne, after all. To tell you the truth, I, as a mother, can't help spoiling children, especially the one who loves to be spoiled. I don't know There's no way to pretend to be stern."

Margaret on the side immediately threw away the female red embroidery in her hand, hugged Mrs. Dashwood's arm obediently, and said sweetly:

"Mom, my good mother, pamper and pamper me too! I don't want to sit here and learn embroidery. I want to visit my little fish and change my sunflower into a bigger pot."

Mrs. Dashwood immediately put on a straight face and refused her younger daughter's request to "play truant", demanding that she must embroider a leaf before lunch.

Margaret turned her head and snorted, and made a face at Elinor:

"Look, how eccentric our mother is, and Marianne is her sweetheart, and you and I are both poor little ones."

Elinor smiled slightly, and Mrs. Dashwood gently pinched the soft cheeks of her little daughter, pretending to be serious:

"Since you are a poor little girl, you should practice the piano for an extra half an hour today, or you will cancel your dessert after dinner."

"Oh, no, mother, your heart is on the other side of the Atlantic, who is the youngest in the family? Elinor, my dearest sister, you must stand with me, and we will Crusade on Mama and Marianne."

Elinor raised her eyebrows and refused: "I won't join your camp. When Marian wakes up and plays with you for a while, your favorite sister will become her..."

"mom!"

"Oh, Margaret, I think Elinor is telling the truth..."

The mother and daughter spent the morning talking and laughing, and at lunch time, Pei Xiang walked out of the bedroom wrapped in pajamas.

While drinking the soup, she listlessly listened to Elinor's earnest advice.

In the end, she had to promise again and again that in the future, she would definitely restrain and control all kinds of impulsiveness in her nature, and try her best to become an elegant lady with a normal schedule and healthy living habits.

So, for the next week, Pei Xiangdu stayed at home obediently.

She spends most of her energy on the creation of the next work of "Brown Paddington". Occasionally, she will meet and chat with neighbor Sir John and friends, listen to family stories, talk about gossip news, and spend a leisurely time. every day.

During this period, because of the accidental death of Red-browed Locke and the re-division of the gang forces in the neighborhood, Pei Xiang did not contact the street boy Jim again for the time being.She did not want anyone to pay attention to the Dashwoods in any way at this sensitive and chaotic moment of strife.

Thus, Willoughby's mask was not immediately revealed.He was still at this time one of Mrs. Dashwood's favorite young men, and received the most cordial reception on every visit he made.

A week later, Pei Xiang once again climbed over the wall and left the mansion at No. 16 Condit Street in the night.

In the Bartley Card Club, Lester was chatting and joking next to Aldrich, when he accidentally looked up and saw Pei Xiang walking over, he immediately lifted his spirits.

"Good evening, dear Paddington, I heard that you and Aldrich have joined forces to do a big thing, and I am curious about the details. Unfortunately, our colonel friend is very stingy with words and lacks the ability to tell vivid stories , can't satisfy my curiosity at all."

"Oh, then I probably have to live up to your deep expectations."

Pei Xiang sat down opposite the two, and said with a smile:

"After all, the whole matter involves Mr. Deville's family affairs, and it is inconvenient for me to talk too much about the details. What's more, this time it involves the long-sleeved and dancing Mrs. Betty. Baron Defoe must now blame me in his heart Well. If I tell you a story happily, he will come back to the card table in a while."

When Pei Xiang said these words, Baron Defoe had already walked over from the opposite side, and when he heard her talking with Lester Sissel, he felt both annoyed and funny.

"Why should I blame you, shrewd Paddington?"

"Of course it's because of Mrs. Betty. She is now a criminal harboring murderers. Don't you feel sorry for that lady's experience, Your Excellency the Baron?"

"Of course I feel sorry for Betty, but in front of a just law, I will not block anything, nor will I complain about a brave and resourceful gentleman."

Pei Xianghui smiled slyly, as if she was just waiting for the Baron's promise, she immediately followed the words and asked:

"So, Your Excellency the Baron is indeed a noble gentleman who understands justice, so you won't embarrass me at the poker table?"

Baron Defoe raised his eyebrows and asked back: "Paddington, tell me, how can you prove that I don't embarrass you?"

"I'm not sure about this," Mr. Painter made a thoughtful look, and then slowly suggested, "Anyway, if you don't win my money when playing cards, it's tantamount to not embarrassing me. Well, thinking After thinking about it, this is indeed the most powerful way to prove it.”

Lester booed from the side: "Yes, let's talk about the results. As long as Baron Defoe doesn't win Paddington's money at the poker table, then he definitely doesn't care."

Baron Defoe squinted at Lester, who was joining in the fun, and asked him with a smile:

"I'll add one more condition, that is, Mr. Paddington, who will win money, must invite Mr. Sissel to be his partner, okay?"

"This is the best condition, as expected of the baron." Lester suddenly smiled.

Faced with such a rogue answer, Baron Defoe blew his beard pretending to be angry, and then couldn't help shaking his head and laughing.

A few small talk created a familiar and comfortable atmosphere.

Baron Defoe looked at the silent Aldridge and sighed:

"Earl de Ville is a matter of thought, and finally caught those two evil-minded guys. Your brother William... well, he is also the young man I watched growing up. Everything is good, it is luck It's worse."

Aldridge nodded slightly in response.

Although the House of the Earl of Deville has always declared that the last heir, William Deville, died of illness, but those who got close knew that it was actually an unseemly murder.

Now that the murderer has been arrested and the related trials are in progress, when people in the circle talk about this matter, they are not too shy.

Baron Defoe asked Aldridge with concern:

"I heard that when the woman named Flora ran away, she took away a lot of valuable things. Among them were some jewelry left by your mother. They are all commemorative things, and now they are all found. are you back?"

Aldrich replied quietly:

"A few pieces have been recovered one after another in the past few years. Flora and Rhodes needed money on the way to flee, so they slowly sold off my mother's jewelry during her lifetime. There are faint traces of people. After capturing Rhodes this time, two more pieces were found from him, and so far, there is still a violet crystal necklace left outside."

Hearing that Countess Qixian's jewelry has not been found yet, Baron Defoe frowned:

"That Rhodes didn't fully explain it?"

"I can't ask anything." Aldridge shook his head, "Rhod explained that it was Flora who kept those jewels all the time, and he himself was only responsible for going to the black market to exchange money, and he didn't even have a few pieces of jewelry in total. clear."

"Then it will be difficult."

Aldridge didn't care too much: "Do your best, and find a way to get it back if you encounter it. It's nothing if you don't find it. My mother had a lot of jewelry during her lifetime, and some of them were never worn at all. It's okay to miss one piece."

"That's true. In those years, the countess gave away a lot of jewelry."

Baron Defoe muttered, and stopped worrying about this issue.

After taking a few sips of wine, he asked about Earl Deville's mood and physical condition, and said that he planned to visit that venerable lord in a few days.

Aldridge thanked Baron Defoe for his concern for his father, and his attitude was always polite, neither rude nor enthusiastic.

After a while, Baron Defoe noticed an old friend entering the club lobby and wanted to say hello.So he stood up and said goodbye, temporarily leaving the place where Pei Xiang and the others were.

When the baron walked away, Lester Sissel's expression changed quickly, and his smile became more real in an instant:

"Okay, Paddington, it seems that Baron Defoe didn't blame you for Mrs. Betty's matter, so don't worry about it."

Pei Xiang smiled and toasted, thanking Lester for his kindness and maintenance.

Aldrich glanced at the back of Baron Defoe, and said simply:

"Whether he is aware of it or not, he will not offend you for the real purpose of your going to the box to find him and Mrs. Betty that day. Baron Defoe should know that this is a matter of the Deville family, and what Betty did is He is fighting against the Deville family. If he angers you because of this, it is tantamount to insulting the Deville family, he is not so irrational."

Lester nodded again and again: "Yes, look at him, he has been trying to inquire about Earl Deville's attitude from Aldrich just now. This shows that while you are worried about his revenge, he is also worried that the Earl's House will be affected by Mrs. Betty's actions. The relationship is dissatisfied with him."

"Thank you both for your comfort and reminder." Pei Xiang toasted, his eyes bright and sincere.

Lester waved his hand self-consciously:

"Actually, I guess you have already figured out what I analyzed for you. Hey, do you two secretly dislike me, so you don't ask me for help?"

Pei Xiang was still thanking Aldrich one second, and immediately caused trouble in the next second:

"Mr. Deville is the one who makes the decision. I just provide some help to the best of my ability. Lester, my friend, if you have any doubts or grievances in your heart, you can ask Mr. Deville."

Aldridge glanced coldly at Pei Xiang, who moved smoothly, and then met Leicester's expectant eyes, and said in a calm tone:

"It's a bit disgusting."

This answer made Leicester's whole person bleak.

However, these two friends around him lacked any comforting compassion, and did not respond to the inner drama of Lester Sissel.

But soon, this young man who thought he was open-minded and kind-hearted forgave his friends' "indifference" in his heart.Because Baron Defoe's poker partner tonight has arrived.

He asked the waiter to come and ask the three of them to go.Lester looked left and right, and found that no matter which partner he was with tonight, he could win without losing, proud of the game.

——If you are like this, why care about the details, you have to be magnanimous!

Pei Xiang spent several hours in the club and returned home safely at midnight.She walked lightly back to her bedroom, washed briefly with the water she prepared in advance, and threw herself directly on the bed.

Soon, the late returning young girl fell into a deep sleep.

Three days later, at the invitation of Sir John, Mrs. Dashwood took her two eldest daughters to watch a horse race in the suburbs of London.

After arriving at the destination, Pei Xiang met several new friends, and when she was chatting with everyone, Willoughby found her again without any mistakes.

"Miss Marianne, it turns out that you are also here to watch today's horse race. If I had known earlier, I would have set off with you, and I would have been able to ride in Sir John's beautiful carriage."

"Good day, Mr. Willoughby."

After Pei Xiang greeted the enthusiastic and handsome Willoughby, he found a stylishly dressed lady standing in the direction of his approach.The girl was peeking in this direction from time to time.

Pei Xiang thought to himself, that fashionable lady should be one of Willoughby's new lovers.

At this time, Lester's surprised voice came from behind Pei Xiang. When she looked back, she saw Lester Sissel and two young and beautiful ladies walking together.

——Why does it feel like Lester is smiling, but he is actually suppressing his anger?

—Oh, he's staring at the round-faced girl on the left.

--Huh?Leicester tired of the one on the right?But, since it's boring, why bring it out?

After she saw clearly the faces of the two ladies beside Lester, she was even more surprised.

Because one of the girls was the Rebecca she had seen with Mrs. Betty before.And the identity of the other is also about to be revealed, that is Lester's current girlfriend Lisa.

——How did these two get mixed up?Still showing up with Lester?

"Mr. Sissel, long time no see."

"Miss Marianne, I was just thinking about it. I must visit Mrs. Dashwood recently and have a fresh roast lamb chop at your house. I didn't expect to meet you here."

Pei Xiang smiled, and his curious eyes fell on the beauty behind Lester, but Lester didn't intend to introduce Pei Xiang, but instead looked at Willoughby.

After Pei Xiang introduced the two parties, Lester and Willoughby had a short conversation, and the atmosphere became a little cold.In other words, Leicester unilaterally showed a reserved attitude of indifference and alienation.

This was the first time that Pei Xiang saw Leicester pose as an aristocrat as Marianne, and he found it quite novel.

When Lester faced Pei Xiang, he became polite again.

He begged her to take him to Mrs. Dashwood and Elinor, saying that he had not seen them for some time, and that he must go and make a wisecrack, and see how the ladies looked.And Sir John, they had much to talk about hunting.

Naturally, Pei Xiang didn't want to stay with Willoughby any longer, so she immediately agreed to Lester's request and said goodbye to Willoughby without hesitation.

After the two walked side by side for a short distance, Pei Xiang looked back at the two ladies left alone by Lester, his eyes full of curiosity.