little miss austin

Byron thought for a while, "You should practice writing something else."

"That's what I thought too, but I haven't thought of what to write yet."

"Write what you are familiar with."

Alice smiled: "I am familiar with it? That's the only life I have now. I change at least 4 sets of clothes every day, play the piano, dance and dance, men go hunting in spring and autumn, women are keen to discuss new skirt styles and scandals, and men always It is to discuss current affairs, thinking that they can give advice and promote the development of the times by sitting at home."

Byron stared at her in surprise, "Now I think you are very suitable for writing satirical novels."

Alice smiled, "Probably."

"Stop talking about novels!" Ivo said impatiently

"Then what do you say?"

"Talk about something else. Why don't you ask me how my time at Oxford was going?"

"Didn't you all write to me?"

"Writing it in a letter is one thing, but telling you it in person is another." Ivo dragged Alice to talk about what happened at school.College life is a major test for boys. From then on, you will be free from the constraints of your parents or housekeepers.

More than half of the boys don’t know how to plan the use of money. Those who pay living expenses on a monthly basis will spend all the living expenses for a month in the first week when they get the money. When they have no money to eat, they rush home and ask It is even worse to bring a full semester of living expenses. They spent the money that should have been enough for several months in the first month of school, and they didn't even know where the money was spent.

Smoking is a fashionable thing in colleges. Hand-rolled cigarettes and pipes are very common. There are small fires caused by smoking every month, ranging from burning beds to dormitory buildings.

And drink.There are drunk students on campus every day, so that the dormitory supervisor is busy looking for students who are drunk on the side of the road and recording them. Students who make a fool of themselves will be named and criticized by the dean of the college, but if you have money Give it to the dormitory supervisor, and he will be able to tick off your name.

The vast majority of boys begin their most enduring activity in college: chasing women.The situation of students studying highly practical majors is slightly better, and those students who are not short of money enjoy it.

There are many women of unknown origin living around the university, and many low-level girls make a living by being the mistresses of those students. After all, in the eyes of those students who are not short of money, 100 pounds is just a small amount of money, but in the countryside, 100 pounds is enough for a family It's been a year; there are also some women with relatively high social status who use the excuse to go to the countryside for leisure and trysts with their lovers.

"What about you? Do you have a mistress?" Alice asked with great interest.Ivo is 18 years old, and it's time to fall in love.The precocious Byron already knows how to pursue his distant cousin, and there is no reason why the older cousin is still an ignorant boy.

Ivo was a little shy about this topic, "You know that 'mistress' is different from 'lover', right?"

She nodded.

"So don't ask such questions," Ivo carefully glanced at Cathy who was sitting on the sofa next to him, lest Cathy would hear what they were talking about. "You might think that's the way it is in college, but there are always some people who are... well... more serious."

Alice smiled and changed the subject, "Did you make any new friends at school?" Henry accidentally leaked some words about Oxford University before getting married, but after getting married, he never mentioned it. .Eliza should also know what he was like in college, and he should be better than those children from rich families. After all, Pastor George couldn't give him much living expenses.

"There are a few classmates who can play together, but if we want to achieve the friendship of friends, it may be a little short for the time being." Ivo replied lazily.Then he asked: "What about you? Now that you have left Daylesford House, what are your plans for the future? Are you no longer studying?"

She shook her head, "I can't go to university to study systematically, and what I have learned now is almost enough for me to use. Learning itself is a continuous process. It doesn't mean that you will stop studying after graduating this year."

"Do you really enjoy studying?"

"Of course those who are interested will like it. Besides, I don't need to take the exam."

Ivo laughed a few times, causing Cathy and Augusta to look over.

"But I thought Mr. Hastings would test you."

"It's mostly reading comprehension, not too difficult."

"You haven't said what you're going to do next."

"Shouldn't girls stay at home obediently and learn some girls' skills? Just like your sisters."

Ivo was surprised, "You——this is not like you." After a minute, he suddenly realized: "You are being sarcastic, aren't you?"

Byron on the side just wanted to help his forehead.

Ivo sent his servants to buy tickets for the stage play the next day, and wrote to Alice that he would send a carriage to pick her and Cathy on the same day; She and Alice went to the stage play.

Elena arrived in London ahead of schedule, accompanied Ivo, and watched the stage play with the Austin sisters.

Ivo booked a box, barely paying attention to what was going on on the stage during the whole process, and kept talking to Alice in a low voice.

"It's your birthday, but unfortunately I can't stay in London to celebrate your birthday with you." Thinking about it, I feel a little wronged, "I have never given you a birthday." It is impossible for a person born on Christmas Eve to be alone. It is unlikely that outsiders will be invited to spend the birthday party together.

"This is my birthday present for you." Finally, he could take out the gift he had prepared a long time ago from his coat pocket, as if he was afraid that Alice would refuse, and stuffed it into her hand with a little force.

——Her palms are small, soft, and warm.

He wondered, in fact, it was inevitable that they would touch each other's hands when playing together before, but he didn't seem to notice at all at that time that she was a girl.

In fact, the timing of this change is very obvious. Just after Alice began to develop, she paid more and more attention to the difference between men and women, and she was no longer as casual as she was when she was a child; they all realized that she was a girl.

He was a little flustered, and there was some inexplicable joy in his heart: just like what he told Alice, after going to college, many boys realized that women were a different category from them.

Carnal desire is an indescribable emotion, like cousin George, who knows how to court women at the age of 15, but he has always liked older women.The good thing about older women is that they have a lot of experience, and finding a clean and lovely woman to lose your virginity is a necessary and common thing in Oxford University.

"Open it quickly and see if you like it. If you don't like it, I'll give you another gift." He urged.

Alice opened the slender box, and there was a lace folding fan inside, which was sprayed with sweet French perfume, giving off a delicate fragrance.

The fan is really an indispensable gift for women.

She took out the folding fan, opened it, and covered the lower part of her face, "Very good, I like it."

That is the best compliment.

Ivo suddenly felt—I don’t know why she blushed inexplicably, and quickly glanced at her, then quickly lowered her eyes, and said in a low voice: "As long as you like it." Let her often see that giving jewelry is too intimate and not suitable until after the engagement; or like Oliver, it is not because of any anniversary that gifts are given, but as long as she sees a book that Alice will like, she will Buy it and give it to her.

He suddenly realized that Oliver also liked Alice——

Christmas in 1804 was fast approaching, and Alice was 15 years old.

After watching the stage play, Ivo Gordon followed his sister Elena to Winchester, the capital of Hampshire, to the Gordon family's mansion.

George Byron returned to Newstead, the Byron estate in Nottinghamshire, to spend Christmas and New Years with his mother.

Baron Bondfield brought Julian to London for the holidays.

During the period, the baron's house held a New Year's ball, inviting the Austin family, the young Lefroy couple, and the young Austin couple.

After the new year, Alice began to write a new book.

The library at home is basically her own now, and she uses it most of the time. Pastor George, mother, and Cathy occasionally go in to find a book to read.She doesn't like to be disturbed when she is working, and often stays in it for the whole morning.

Austin’s family’s meal time has changed. Breakfast is around 8 o’clock, lunch is simpler, and dinner is postponed to 7 o’clock in the evening. The food is richer, including chicken, fish, meat and eggs, but there are no fruits in winter.

Meili, the housekeeper, arranges the housework in an orderly manner. Mrs. Austen basically doesn't need to do housework now, but she is too busy to take time off, so she spends a lot of time making clothes and embroidering.

Cathy's own handwork is very good. Her dresses and skirts don't need to be made by her mother. Except for little Helena's skirts, her mother only makes skirts for Alice.

Alice wrote in the morning, took a nap at noon, and accompanied her mother and Cathy in the housework to do manual work.It's not that she can't do it, but she has no patience and does it slowly.My mother used to always talk about how she would get along if she didn't learn needlework. Later, she thought that she would have little chance of making clothes for the whole family by herself, so she let her go.There are many tailors and clothing stores in London. It is very convenient to make fashionable skirts, and the manual cost is not expensive, only a dozen shillings. In the current Austin family, it is completely affordable for the whole family to make clothes outside. overhead.

Mother wants to spoil little Helena, probably because Henry and Eliza have no children of their own, and Helena is the only grandchild in London, so she gave Helena her endless love, especially after Helena was born, Ellie Ruth was still in Daylesford and did not come home, and the little guy became the darling of Reverend George, Mrs. Austin, and Cathy.

Alice also likes the little niece very much, after all, who doesn't like a cute little baby.Helena's temperament is like Jane's, lively and well-behaved. After learning to speak, her language skills have improved rapidly, and she is also very good at coaxing people. She is a sweet-mouthed little person.Mom made many beautiful little dresses for Helena, which filled the suitcase.

After the New Year, my mother packed her luggage and planned to live in Bath with Pastor George for a year, and planned to come back by the end of the year and early December.

Going out is a hassle. First, I have to write a letter to book a room. This time, because there are only two Austins and one servant, I decided to stay in a hotel. It is enough to book a suite or a single room, and the price is not very expensive for a long-term rental. Expensive, but actually quite convenient. There is a smoking room and a game room in the hotel. The lobby can also entertain guests simply. There are several restaurants next to it, and the hot spring bath is just a few minutes away, which is very convenient.

The mother was worried about the two daughters who stayed at home, so Henry said that he and Eliza could move in temporarily. They have no children, and they only need to live in one bedroom. They have everything in the house, and they both pack up their usual clothes. Clothes can be moved here.Mom is relieved now.

On the third Sunday in January 1805, Alice, Henry, Eliza, and Cathy sent off their parents together.

Henry brought his own servant, so the servant's room in Austin's house was very crowded and not enough.Alice discussed with her brothers and sisters to build another row of servants' rooms.The land had already been reserved when planning. The servant’s room was made of wood, and it was built very quickly. The three brothers and sisters made a decision very quickly, and the construction would start at the end of the month.

Alice thought that Cathy should have a personal maid, and Eliza agreed. She herself was used to having servants and found it inconvenient not to have a personal maid.A personal maid is also a status symbol. After all, the family must have money to hire a special maid.

"I don't have any place where I need a personal maid. I don't go out as a guest very often. I can just ask any maid to do things at home." Cathy declined.

"You should get used to it. You know that many people in this world judge people by their coats and hats. Look at those rich people who owe a lot of debt. Why do they owe more and more money?"

Cathy gave her a reproachful look, "Look at the words you use! You are not a lady at all."

Alice smiled disapprovingly, "Rich people have to keep their airs and keep their standard of living unchanged. If a rich person—whether he is an aristocrat or not—starts selling collections and houses, it means he is bankrupt. Or they are facing bankruptcy, so they can only buy, not sell; they can only continue to spend money, spend a lot of money, otherwise they will be expelled from the social circle by their former friends."

"It's so—reality."

"Because reality is so cruel. You see, Eliza and Henry and I have personal servants, and Jane and Tom have personal servants, but you don't have one, which is not good. It's not like the family can't afford servants. You have to think so." , if you use an extra servant, the salary is at most 20 pounds a year, plus food, clothing and housing, at most 25 pounds a year, and this servant has a stable job, and may have money to take home to support his younger brother Sister, this is a good thing."

Cathy was dazzled by her, and thought it was not bad.

Henry Austin studied literature and theology at Oxford University. He was born in a pastor's family. Theology is a must, and philosophy is also a compulsory course. Among Oxford students, his cultural literacy is considered top-notch.Henry and his eldest brother James once published a very interesting weekly magazine "The Loiterer" in the year Alice was born, with a total of 60 issues published. Dissenting Opinions of Its Authors", "Sex Differences Between French-speaking and English-speaking Countries", "Observations of Several Curious Advertisements in the Newspapers", "The Marital Happiness Project and Its Effects", etc., etc.The content is extensive, from school to society, all aspects are involved.

But this kind of cynical and satirical magazine has a short life cycle without a patron.

Henry now manages 3 companies: Austin Typewriter Company, Austin Publishing House, and the editorial department of "London Morning Post". He is very busy with work, leaving early and returning late every day.Eliza, like any married woman, had nothing to do, going out to have tea and dinner with her companions.

Cathy, whose birthday was in early January, turns 1 today.In this day and age, it is almost impossible for her to marry again.It is marriage, maybe only a widower over 32 years old with several children can choose.It was a pity for Alice that Major Bridges's marriage proposal was unsuccessful. Their distant cousin's conditions can be said to be quite good, but Cathy just couldn't like him.

The Austin family can be regarded as a wealthy family now. Cathy has always had suitors, but some of the other parties' personal conditions are far inferior to Major Bridges, and her mother looks down on them; That's even more impossible.Cathy was troubled by these inexplicable suitors, and always deliberately dressed in dusty clothes when she went out, which was very inconspicuous.

Alice generally ignores such things.Cathy's current life is very comfortable. Apart from not having a husband, if she wants to bring her child to experience motherhood, she can go and pick up Helena. This rounding up is equivalent to having her own child, and what an annoying husband is needed!

The complaint of married wives is usually that the husband is out of the house early and late, not only Henry, but Tom as well.

Jane sometimes came with Helena and stayed at home for a few days, and Tom would come to pick up their mother and daughter home on the appointed day.Tom is 29 years old this year. Compared with the high-spirited and beautiful young man nine years ago, he is much more mature.There are a little more wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, but his smile is still warm and his eyes are still bright.

During the meal, I will discuss her latest serialized stories with Alice. "England Horror Stories" is a collection of short stories, each story is of different lengths and takes place in different places.The most recent series, titled The Abyss, tells a thrilling horror story in a small, bleak midland village.

"Jane won't let me read it to her, saying it's too scary." Tom approached Alice, pretending to whisper.

Alice just laughed, "Is she really scared?"

"She didn't like it, said you shouldn't write gothic novels, you're only 14-15 years old, you should write cute country stories, not evil ancient evil gods."

"Then do you like it?"

Tom thought about it seriously, "It's okay, as a novel, your writing is very good, and you don't even need ice cubes to read your novels in summer." He said jokingly: "Jane actually thinks that you wrote Very well, except that she thinks you should write something else. Historical fiction, perhaps?"

"There are many readers of historical novels. I really want to write them, but I haven't found a good subject."

"War of the Red and White Roses?"

This is the famous English royal civil war. It is about the war between the two brothers, the Lancaster family and the York family. But in the end, neither of the two families won the fruit of victory, but the Tudor family, which was originally lowly, came from behind. Become the ruler of England.

"This subject matter is not bad, and the age is relatively recent, and the information is easy to find. Well, I will consider it." She pondered, historical dramas have always been popular, and more than 300 years have passed since the War of the Roses, but the impact of that war It is very far-reaching, and the infighting among several royal families is also quite exciting, so many people will be interested.

In fact, Jane herself also likes to read gothic novels, but she can't write them. She likes to write about the life she is familiar with, which is what she is good at.

Helena was born on the first day of 1802, and now she is 3 years old, and Jane has no plans to have a second child, Tom is a little anxious, after all, only boys can be considered heirs, and daughters are little angels, but what if It would be perfect to have another son.

Alice was also a little strange, thinking that according to Elizabeth's sister-in-law's situation, Jane should have two children now.But she couldn't ask her sisters. Jane would only discuss such intimate female issues with Cathy. She guessed that Jane probably had some kind of contraception.But because of religious issues, the Austin family does not advocate active contraception.

Pastor George believes that every child is given by God, and artificial contraception should not be used, such as the accident of Alice. Mrs. Austin just thinks that she is old, and having another old man may be laughed at by others, not Hate Alice.

Alice showed the new novel to Henry and Tom. They both felt that her writing ability was unquestionable, with rich imagination and rigorous logic, but she was really not suitable for writing such works full of the dark side of human nature.Little girls should be happy all day long and write some cute articles about love.

What's the point of being in love?It's boring, how can it be fun to make up stories!

"Pride and Prejudice" was published very smoothly, and in the golden sales season of Christmas, the sales are booming. After all, everyone likes to read romance novels. The first volume of "England Horror Stories" did not have such a high print run, but it also printed 1000 copies. It went on sale in January and sold for 1 months. After that, it was printed again, 3 copies, and sold for another 700 months.

Gothic novels are not as popular as romance novels, which is also expected by Alice.

The industrial revolution brought about a sharp increase in wealthy families throughout the UK. People’s opportunities for education have increased, the number of literate people has increased sharply, and the proportion of women receiving education has also increased. However, the female group is not as many as the male group due to leisure and entertainment. Fiction became a very fashionable activity.

The author has something to say:

*It's time to go up and down the tail of the quarterly list again, if it's not troublesome, just leave a message after reading it, I also need to make up points.

*The title of the chapter comes from WeChat circle of friends. The father said that if his son finds him on WeChat, he must be saying that he has no money.

*Jane Austen is buried in Winchester Cathedral in her native Hampshire.

*Winchester (Winchester) is the last name of the Winchester brothers on SPN.