I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Pei Xiang took Charles Bingley's arm and walked down the dance floor. When he looked up, he saw Fitzwilliam Darcy standing not far in front of them.

Mr. Bingley greeted happily, and introduced his best friend to Pei Xiang enthusiastically:

"Miss Wilkes, I must introduce you to one of the best gentlemen in England. He is my good friend Mr. Darcy. Darcy, this lady is Mr. Bernard's fiancée, Wilkes Miss."

From the time when Bingley started to introduce the two parties, Darcy has been staring at Pei Xiang deeply. In other words, when Pei Xiang and Mr. Bingley are still dancing happily on the dance floor, Darcy has been silently observing nearby. This blond Lucy is gone.

"Hi, Miss Wilkes, it's an honor to meet you."

The tall gentleman opened his mouth slowly and bowed slightly. His etiquette is perfect and elegant, but his expression looks too serious and serious, his jaw is tight, and his thin lips are slightly pursed. This handsome gentleman doesn't look like he is being himself introduction, but is facing a thorny trouble.

Mr. Bingley on the side was a little worried. He felt that his friend was a little too cold and arrogant tonight. Such a harsh tone could easily make the sensitive and gentle ladies feel panic and uncomfortable.

Charles Bingley had secretly prepared words of persuasion and comfort to Miss Wilkes, making sure that she did not complain and prejudice against his good friend.

However, Mr. Bingley obviously worried too much. Miss Lucy Wilkes from the United States seemed to have inherited the enthusiasm and cheerfulness of that new country. She was not affected by Darcy's serious attitude and still smiled gently and kindly.

After she returned the gift gracefully, she looked back at the tall gentleman with full eyes, and said in a lively and relaxed tone:

"It's also very nice to meet you, Mr. Darcy. Although it's the first time we meet, I know that you must be the best gentleman in England, as Mr. Bingley said."

This witty compliment earned no friendly response from Mr. Darcy, who merely nodded politely and stood silent, without turning away, of course.

The atmosphere was bewildered and silent for a moment, and Mr. Bingley, who was between the two, suddenly felt very embarrassed, but he couldn't figure out what he was embarrassed about.

"Ha ha, Darcy, Miss Wilkes dances very well, and I reckon you'd love to dance with her. Why don't you ask Miss Wilkes to dance?"

Darcy's gaze moved to Pei Xiang's face again, and he stared at it for a while, as if he was studying some historical puzzle.

Just when Charles Bingley was so embarrassed that he wanted to scratch his cheek impolitely, Mr. Darcy finally withdrew his too sharp gaze, and then he reservedly replied in a condescending tone:

"If... I have the honor, I would naturally invite Miss Wilkes to dance."

Pei Xiang always had a smile on his face. The two gentlemen beside him, one embarrassed and the other cold, didn't seem to affect her mood. When Mr. Darcy looked at her seriously, she was also observing this gentleman.

She found that time does favor each other. Four years have passed, and Fitzwilliam Darcy has become more handsome and charming. The calm and calm settled in his temperament added a bit of majesty and dignity to his gestures, which is very impressive. Can't beat its edge.

"Mr. Darcy invites me, of course I am willing."

The man walked up to Pei Xiang, stretched out his arm, and Pei Xiang pulled it up, and the two walked away slowly.

Mr. Bingley who was left behind: "...Hey, the music for the next dance hasn't started yet..."

When there were only two people left, Darcy changed his reticence just now and spoke first:

"Miss Wilkes resembled an old acquaintance I knew."

"So, you just kept staring at me, are you remembering old friends through me?"

"Old friend?" Darcy paused, her voice slightly lowered: "My relationship with her... I don't know if it's still a friend."

After Pei Xiang was slightly startled, he immediately said pointedly:

"She will be honored to be able to remember Mr. Darcy, and he will be very happy if you can keep your friendship.

Therefore, in my opinion, as long as Mr. Darcy does not dislike it, the friendship between you must be strong and sincere. "

"Is that so? Then, if Miss Wilkes doesn't ask, who is the old man I'm talking about?"

"If Mr. Darcy is willing to tell, I will certainly listen."

"Since I took the initiative to bring up this topic, I will definitely not hide it. Miss Wilkes, the old man I am talking about not only looks like you imagined, but even has the same name. That... is also a blond Lucy. .”

Pei Xiang smiled, pretending not to hear Mr. Darcy's temptation.

"It's so common that when my name is mentioned, I have to complain about the person who named me.

I think that in any village in England, if you shout Lucy, several people will answer, from little girls to old women, and a woman named Lucy can stand three times around the Thames. "

"You're right. Lucy is indeed a very common name. However, if you add the similar looks, it's not just a coincidence."

Pei Xiang nodded slightly, and continued to argue: "There are many people who look similar. Just now, a Mrs. Claire said that I look alike to a woman named Jennifer Gray. I just thought, I and that woman The Miss Gray may be related by blood."

"I've just heard related remarks."

Darcy raised his eyebrows coldly: "I also heard that Miss Wilkes and her fiancé, Mr. Bernard, came to England to look for their lost relatives?"

At this time, new dance music started, and Pei Xiang took Darcy's arm and walked around to the rest area behind the pillar, pointing to the deserted couch and said:

"It's a long story, Mr. Darcy, if you want to know what's going on, why don't you sit down and let's talk slowly. As for the dancing, can we wait until the next dance?"

Darcy naturally had no objection, and sat down following Pei Xiang's suggestion.

Pei Xiang blinked, handed Darcy a glass of wine, and then told the identity and background of "Lucy Wilkes" in a slow voice.

She spoke very carefully, and Darcy listened carefully. When Pei Xiang finished explaining the cause and effect, Darcy did not speak immediately.

He first drank the wine in the glass, pondered for a moment, then looked into Pei Xiang's eyes and said slowly:

"Miss Wilkes, I think they're all wrong, you and Miss Jennifer Gray are not particularly alike.

You are exactly the same as the Mrs. Lucy I know, especially... the expressions of the two of you when you are seriously making up stories are so vivid that I can hardly tell who is who. "

"Miss Wilkes" who was "accused" of making up the story did not show an offended and angry expression. Instead, she leaned forward and looked around curiously with a pair of eyes deeply remembered by Mr. Darcy men.

"Mr. Darcy, you mean, you were once cheated by another Lucy? It's... unimaginable."

"What does Miss Wilkes mean by that, that I don't think I should be cheated?"

Darcy couldn't help speeding up his speech: "Sure enough, my gullibility and stupidity have surprised you and disappointed you?

It's kind of ridiculous, right?But who makes me a rigid and stubborn English gentleman? Of course, I am not as well-informed as a French knight. "

Pei Xiang shook his head quickly, and said very sincerely:

"No, of course not, I find it unimaginable that someone would have the heart to deceive you!

Especially after knowing who you are, it is really embarrassing for a person's conscience.

Mr. Darcy, I guess that Miss Lucy must have had a last resort to choose to treat you like that. She has absolutely no intention of hurting your kindness and belittling your kindness. "

Darcy's eyes flickered, he suddenly lowered his eyes, and took a serious look at Pei Xiang:

"Miss Wilkes means that my old friend would be more than willing to be frank with me if the circumstances allowed it?"

"Of course, this is a very certain thing."

Pei Xiang also looked at Fitzwilliam Darcy with burning eyes, with an extremely sincere expression.

The moment the two eyes met, Pei Xiang's heart moved, and she suddenly understood thoroughly that Mr. Darcy should have recognized her at the very beginning, and recognized her after removing the disguise.

——After he recognized me, he didn't walk away, dismissed me, nor exposed the truth and reprimanded me coldly. Instead, he said so many things to me.

——It can be seen that in Mr. Darcy's heart, I am not yet a figure that makes him completely bored.

——Well, it's really lucky not to squeeze out George Wickham's No.1!

——Actually, I shouldn't be surprised. If I hadn't noticed Mr. Darcy's kindness, I wouldn't dare to appear in such a grand manner tonight. Anyway, I would find a meeting place where Mr. Darcy was not present.

Darcy changed his sitting position, and the indifference between his brows seemed to ease a bit. He no longer looked at "Lucy" beside him, but instead set his eyes on the dancing floor with laughter and laughter. After a while, he brought up another topic.

"Actually, England is still too small, and the outside world is very vast. If you have the ability, it's good to go out and see more of the world. There is no need to take risks and come back to 'find relatives'."

"In life, there will always be some unavoidable things. Sometimes, the weak side does not have the right to make choices on its own initiative, but is pushed forward by fate."

Darcy frowned, but Pei Xiang didn't give him a chance to inquire deeply, and immediately diverted his attention with new questions:

"Mr. Darcy, I've heard of a very interesting thing, and I always feel a little unbelievable. I want to talk to you. By the way, please help me clear up the confusion."

"what?"

"It's about that Miss Doris Gray. I heard that although she hasn't been arrested, the case about her has been closed, and the result of the trial is very unexpected."

In front of everyone before, Pei Xiang didn't even know who Jennifer Gray was, but now, she mentioned Doris Gray very naturally.

She took it for granted, and Darcy did not raise any objections, and the two tacitly agreed to something.

"Unexpected? Everything is carried out in accordance with the laws and regulations, and there is nothing strange about it."

"Isn't it surprising that the church expressed great sympathy for what happened to Doris Gray? I guess there must be some well-meaning people secretly promoting something."

Darcy suddenly changed his sitting position, his expression was unnatural for a moment.

This reaction made Pei Xiang more confident in her guess. She should have taken the opportunity to ask, but because of Darcy's dodging and embarrassment, Pei Xiang suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. She even felt her cheeks were a little hot. .

When the two were silent, Miss Bingley, who was always paying attention to Mr. Darcy's movements, came over.

She had long been aware of the movement, and was not pleased to see Mr. Darcy talking too long alone with a pretty young lady, even though she was engaged.

However, because she had made an appointment to dance with Louis Bernard in advance, she had no chance to disturb Pei Xiang and Darcy for a while. Now that the dance music was over, Miss Bingley came over immediately.

"Mr. Darcy, Miss Wilkes, what are you two talking about? It would be a pity to just sit and talk at such a nice ball.

Of course, I've always known that Mr. Darcy was not very fond of dancing. Didn't Miss Wilkes also enjoy this elegant activity? "

Caroline Bingley sat down opposite the two of them while talking, but according to Pei Xiang's observation, if the couch she and Darcy were not sitting on was not long enough, Miss Bingley would rather sit between them.

Seeing that Darcy was not willing to answer the conversation, Pei Xiang saw that Caroline Bingley's complexion was not good, so she took the initiative to say:

"I was the one who interrupted Mr. Darcy's dancing. I've just been talking to Mr. Darcy about Miss Jennifer Gray. I've heard something. Now, about another Miss Gray. Miss Bingley, you've heard Doris Gray?"

Miss Bingley covered her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled: "I don't know, the reputation of the Gray sisters is very impressive. However, it is really rare that Mr. Darcy is willing to mention these things. I think Mr. Darcy always likes serious topics about gentlemen." Woolen cloth."

Darcy glanced at Pei Xiang indifferently, and didn't expose the fact that she used him as an excuse, and acquiesced that he told her about the Gray sisters.

"As far as I am concerned, I really don't like to say these things, but when Miss Wilkes first arrived in England, she was curious about many things and asked again and again.

I don't want to let distorted and exaggerated rumors affect her impression of Britain, so I have to pick out some real details and try to be objective. "

Pei Xiang immediately went on to say:

"Oh, yes, Miss Bingley, Mr. Darcy and I went from Miss Jennifer Gray to Miss Doris Gray, and it occurred to me that I had heard of that Miss Doris Gray before.

Uh, it seems to say that a member of Parliament in England, in order to avenge his lover or something, used power to overwhelm others and disrupt the law, but I only listened to it occasionally, and it was messy, and I didn't think it was the same as Jennifer Miss Gray linked up.

When I was chatting with Mr. Darcy just now, I suddenly realized that I asked him, but Mr. Darcy seemed... to be very dismissive of what I heard, and I was just curious. "

Miss Bingley has always spared no effort to pursue Mr. Darcy, and now she heard that he did not want the lady from America to misunderstand Britain, so she enthusiastically undertook the job of explaining:

"Miss Wilkes, Miss Doris Gray was a staunch girl.

People who don't know the truth have previously blamed her entirely for Lord Essex's death, said she was guilty of a terrible murder, and that she was vain and took the initiative to seduce a respectable gentleman into a mistake. , These rumors are buzzing, and many people believe them to be true.

But three years ago, the wise judge and the sensible gentlemen on the jury had already revealed the truth.They saw it clearly and proved those claims to be wrong.

Miss Doris Gray didn't intend to kill someone, but after being deceived by someone with a heart, in order to protect her purity and loyalty, she hurt someone in a panic.

However, she was too flustered and didn't have enough medical knowledge. She didn't know that Lord Essex, who was unconscious, would die from his injuries, so she ran away in a panic, which caused irreparable consequences. "

Pei Xiang glanced at Darcy indiscriminately, and this man returned to his usual composure, looking as if he had nothing to do with him.

She went on to ask Caroline Bentley for answers:

"In the final analysis, she still accidentally killed someone, which is murder. I remember that there were such cases in England before, and the judges sent the prisoners to the gallows.

How come there are so many rumors about Doris Gray?

Moreover, isn't it related to that Mr. Marlborough MP?Could it be that your Excellency, the Member of Parliament, ordered the judge to make excuses in order to protect someone? "

Miss Bingley hastily denied it sharply, claiming that the judges of England are the most just and reasonable officials, and will never bend the law for personal gain.

"Let me tell you, Miss Wilkes, if there is anything unusual about the whole thing, it can only be said that another tragedy is involved in Miss Doris' case.

I think you should have heard from Mr. Darcy, that Miss Jennifer Gray, who died young, was once the favorite of the MP Marlborough.

Therefore, when her misfortune happened, Mr. Senator felt extremely painful, and he vowed to do something for Miss Gray.

It just so happened that, through a letter written by Miss Gray during her lifetime, Councilor Marlborough concluded that the person Miss Gray cared about and could not let go of was her sister, Miss Doris.

Therefore, Mr. Senator began to pay attention to the case of Miss Doris. Of course, he definitely did not intend to interfere with the fairness of the law arbitrarily, but he did not believe that Miss Jennifer Gray, whom he admired, would have a sister with bad conduct.

Unexpectedly, after Mr. Marlborough's investigation, he really discovered the secret. He interrogated Miss Doris's girls' school principal, and discussed with the investigator Mr. Morris many times, and finally determined that Miss Doris was not Not a vicious villain, but an unfortunate girl who deserves sympathy. "

Pei Xiang blinked her eyes. Although she already knew what Miss Bingley said in advance, and even wanted to be more detailed, she didn't feel disgusted to listen again, especially when she was sitting next to a "deeply hidden merit and fame" "Mr.

"If that's the case, then I can understand the judge's judgment on that Miss Doris.

It is reasonable to sentence her to exile instead of death. Moreover, they have not found her so far. Maybe Miss Doris has left England. In that case, she is also considered exile. "

Miss Bingley nodded as a matter of course:

"Of course it is reasonable. Although Miss Doris Gray's experience is sympathetic, she did cause a lord to be seriously injured and accidentally died. Afterwards, she fled the scene and refused to confess her guilt. No matter how you say it, she should be punished." Something punishing."

Pei Xiang smiled slightly, and instead of answering Miss Bingley's words, he looked at Darcy:

"Mr. Darcy, I think the most important thing for Miss Doris Gray is to let the truth come out. She may have done something wrong, but she shouldn't be charged with unwarranted crimes, and she shouldn't be ridiculed and slandered as a A dissolute and vain woman.

With such a background, she is easily misunderstood and despised by others. Since she was a child, she should be most concerned about her reputation.

Today, although she is still convicted and even exiled outside of Britain, I think she is grateful to those who pushed it, because someone protected what she cared about most. "

Darcy's eyelashes trembled slightly, he lowered his head and took a sip of wine. After a while, he whispered:

"Exile is... the most lenient punishment that Councilor Marlborough can obtain, I hope that Miss Doris Gray can understand.

In addition, those people have never found her. If one day they really find her somewhere in England, they will send her out of the country, which is better than being sent to the gallows. "

Pei Xiang's eyes were a little moist, she turned her face slightly to conceal the abnormal expression, and said as calmly as possible:

"Of course she understands the painstaking efforts behind this, and she will not disappoint the chance of survival that someone gave her."

"I don't need the word 'painstaking'. I have always believed that goodwill is mutual. Perhaps Miss Doris Gray helped someone inadvertently. The other party was greatly favored and stayed away from the predicament, so I felt grateful for it." Help get her a fairer chance."

Darcy took a deep look at Pei Xiang, then his eyes suddenly turned and fixed on Louis Bernard who was not far away.

"However, Miss Doris Gray may not need this opportunity anymore. She is a girl with strong will and determination, and she will always find a new way out for herself."

Pei Xiang also followed Darcy's gaze and looked at Louis Bernard: "A new way out? Who knows."

Miss Bingley looked at the two sitting on the couch inexplicably, and always felt that something she didn't know was happening under her nose.

She frowned, she didn't like the atmosphere when the two of them got along with each other very much, it made her feel terrified.

Fortunately, this feeling didn't last long. Mr. Bingley and Mr. Bernard came over to chat, breaking the undercurrent in this corner.

After the dance, Pei Xiang and Bernard returned to their residence.

As soon as she entered the door, she directed the housekeeper to find two meticulous servants to help her carefully pack the two oil paintings in the study.

Louis Bernard leaned against the door frame, watched Pei Xiang command the servants to be busy, and raised his eyebrows:

"Are you confirming that the Santa Claus who likes to secretly give presents is Fitzwilliam Darcy?

I don't think so. That man is an honest and boring person at first glance. How can he secretly order Mr. Marlborough to rectify your case? "

Pei Xiang was dissatisfied with Bernard's evaluation of Darcy, and she glanced at him coldly.

"Three years ago, you told me that someone in England was secretly pushing to reopen my case, and I guessed that the only person who could help me clear my name was Mr. Darcy.

The following clues have proved my conjecture, and the remaining uncertainty has been confirmed tonight, so, Bernard, you have to pay attention to your words, respect Mr. Darcy, be careful, don't annoy me . "

"Tsk tsk, Lucy, Lucy, don't forget, I'm your fiance now, and it breaks my heart that you defend another man like this."

"Broken heart?" Pei Xiang sneered: "Then go to bed early, there is everything in the dream, maybe you can glue the broken heart together again."

Bernard shook his head and sighed for a while. After the servants went out, he put away the smile on his face and looked at Pei Xiang very carefully:

"Are you sure you want to give these two paintings to Fitzwilliam Darcy?"

"It's just two paintings."

"That's it?" Bernard gestured exaggeratedly: "Remove the works on the surface, and the oil paintings inside the interlayer of the frame are the real priceless ones.

It is a treasure handed down from the French court that I carefully collected. I tried every means to get it out, and it was intended to be a family heirloom. If you hadn't saved my life, I would not be willing to give it to you. "

"It is because they are the collections of the French court that I give them to Mr. Darcy. Tell me, besides this, what else does he lack?"

Bernard sneered: "He still lacks Mrs. Darcy, unfortunately, you can't send yourself up."

"Fuck off!"

Bernard was glared at by Pei Xiang, and quickly raised his hand to beg for forgiveness:

"Okay, okay, I said the wrong thing, but am I worried for you?

Three years ago, you told me that King George III of England was not in good health, and his absurd and extravagant eldest son would soon take over his power. article.

I believed your judgment and used these two paintings to repay your kindness for saving my life. However, three years later, you and that man just met once, and you are going to give away the paintings you bought with your life. Are you stupid?

Besides, Fitzwilliam Darcy is rich, and the two court collections are just icing on the cake for his Pemberley estate, and may be amulets for you. "

Pei Xiang ignored Louis Bernard, who was muttering behind him, and sat down at the desk, bowing his head to write a letter.

Not content to be ignored, Louise Bernard took the lampstand from her desk.

Pei Xiang rolled her eyes in her heart, and had to pay attention to the man who was turning around in front of her eyes:

"Bernard, you are wrong. I have no kindness to you. I gave me the treasures of the French court as a reward. We agreed in advance. I will do my best to help you. I will not use it at critical moments." Tripzi, if you don't stand by, you have to give me the painting.

This is a deal, we've settled it, and as for coming to England with you this time, you'll have to pay extra, so don't worry about my business. "

Bernard Louis was pissed off by this ruthless woman, but he wasn't too sad. He had long been used to the argument of a clean deal, but he didn't admit it in his heart. Could it be that his life was not worth more than two paintings? ?

Moreover, he firmly believes that Pei Xiang is just hard-hearted and soft-hearted, if it weren't for this...

Bernard pulled his hair, pulled back his wandering thoughts, and asked persistently:

"Hey, out of my friend's concern, you still want to reveal why you gave the painting to Darcy. In fact, if you are willing to give it, that honest gentleman may not be willing to accept it.

And, please take my feelings into consideration, I'm French, do you want me to watch as the 'fiancée' gives a French court treasure to an English man?What about my noble glory? "

"Do you really care about those old glory?" Pei Xiang raised his eyebrows: "Then don't ask me to help you, and go back to the arms of old Mr. Bernard honestly, good baby Louis."

Mentioning this, Louis Bernard kept quiet, but he didn't leave, just holding the lampstand and looking at Pei Xiang.

Pei Xiang knew that if she didn't send this man away, she wouldn't be able to write a letter tonight, so she put down her pen impatiently and quickly explained:

"Three years ago, I told you that the Prince of Wales would soon inherit the throne, and you see, he became Regent at the beginning of this year.

Unlike his father, George III, he was a man who liked luxury and indulgence, especially the treasures in the French court, because having those things would give him a sense of satisfaction.

He couldn't personally lead the army to the battlefield to fight your French emperor, which made him brood, and fell into a strange mood.

He wanted to compare with the other party in everything. For example, when Emperor Napoleon ordered a set of silver-plated tableware, he had to buy a set of gold-plated silver tableware. In this way, he felt that he had defeated the other party.

Bernard, we have analyzed his various behaviors, and know that he likes art and architecture, and likes vanity, and the treasures from the French court, dedicated to the regent, the future king of England, will definitely make him happy .

The Darcy family is indeed very prosperous. Even if I earn money all my life, I can't compare with them. However, I met you by accident.

Your pedigree still has some effect, and you can get some useful good things, so I have planned this since I guessed that Mr. Darcy was helping me to rectify my name three years ago. I will give him the painting and let him If you work it out, you might be able to get a title. "

Bernard was so sad that he said angrily:

"He's rich and powerful in the Church, and you see how much the Church played in getting Doris Gray's case reopened?

So powerful, do you still need to care?If he wants a title, he can donate money. As you said, the regent is a spendthrift and owes a lot of foreign debts.

At this time, whoever helps him repay the debt will be his favorite. Of course, the parliament will also be grateful to the fool who paid the regent's debt. "

Pei Xiang snorted and laughed: "Can the title obtained by donating money enter the House of Lords? Can it be passed on? Besides, this is my wish, so you don't need to meddle in it."

Pei Xiang didn't want the Darcy family to plug up that terrible financial hole for the regent. It was a bottomless pit, not to mention that it was not worthwhile. Moreover, getting rewards by flattering the regent would still hinder the reputation of the Darcy family.

Haven't you seen the endless caricatures that line the streets of London?

But if it is changed to presenting the treasures of the French court, it has another meaning. At the very least, during the period of confrontation between Britain and France, this is a patriotic act, which is to vigorously protect the face of England, and it will not damage the dignity of the Darcy family.

—What about the French?What does it matter to me?

Louis Bernard saw that Pei Xiang was determined to give a gift, his face was cloudy for a while, and finally he struggled and said:

"If you keep the painting, I'll find someone to help you operate it immediately, maybe you can get an amnesty, then you won't have to bear the status of an exile."

Pei Xiang shook his head, and said indifferently: "What do I want that amnesty for? I don't plan to stay here for a long time. I will go back to the United States after you finish my work. I still have industries waiting for me to manage." Woolen cloth."

Hearing that Pei Xiang planned to go back, Bernard Louise gave her a complicated look, and then returned the lampstand to her.

"Then you have to firmly remember your current thoughts. If you go back on your word in the future, I will laugh at you for the rest of your life."

"Go out quickly, your own affairs are still a mess, don't worry about me."