[Emma] Becoming Jane Fairfax

Following this line of relationship, the servant of Elton's family was uncovered. The truth seemed to be in sight, but key evidence was still needed.Wei Lai, Emma, ​​and Knightley went to ask William at the post office together. At first he pretended to be stupid, but under Knightley's pressure, he said:

"Last Thursday, Miss Fairfax came to post a letter at the post office. As soon as she left, Mrs. Elton came. She asked me where Miss Fairfax's letter was sent. I heard that Elton Mrs. Ton and Miss Fairfax were friends, so I told her, and it was sent to London."

Now, Wei Lai has figured out all doubts.

"To be honest, I have long suspected that that nasty woman did it, but I can't say it. I know that Mr. Knightley has always thought highly of Mr. Elton. I don't want to be punished by Mr. Knightley because of that tacky woman." criticism, although I am often criticized by him."

Only now did Emma understand the meaning of what Mrs. Elton said at the ball that night. She actually wanted to provoke her relationship with Jane Fairfax!

Although she and Jane did not have the same sisterly friendship as Harriet did, she also hated Jane and even the Bates family, but they were born in the same year and knew each other since childhood. With the joy of her reclusive father alone, it's unlikely she'd make Jane her match for a dance.

Emma was still angrier at the thought of such a poor image of herself in the eyes of Mrs. Elton's self-righteous and uncultivated woman.She proposed to confront Mrs. Elton at the Elton's house. If Mrs. Elton's reputation in Highbury would be damaged, it would be better for her to go back to Bath in disgrace.

Neither Wei Lai nor Knightley agreed.

Knightley said: "Emma, ​​I want to make it clear that I don't think highly of Mr. Elton. I have always known what he is like, and I don't want to have a close relationship with him. I won't let you criticize Elton at will." It is for your own good, madam. Mr. Elton is even more vile in his taking that wife."

Emma's eyes widened in surprise when she heard Knightley's comments about others for the first time.

Knightley straightened his bow tie calmly and said, "I didn't expect that I would say such a thing. However, Emma, ​​I disagree with your proposal. Everything we know now is speculation and lacks evidence. If We dared to accuse the Eltons. They could justify that it was the servant's personal behavior or that William was framing them. Make it bigger. Elton still has a place at Highbury."

Weekly worship, the small church is full of people can show the importance of Elton.

Wei Lai also agreed with Knightley's opinion. This kind of thing is the most helpless. People sit at home and the disaster comes from the sky. Even if they know that the Eltons are evil, what is the evidence?There is no substantive evidence, and the couple was not arrested on the spot for spreading rumors. As Knightley said, everything is speculation, even though it is infinitely close to the truth.

Wei Lai couldn't eat or sleep for several days in a row, his chest felt as if he was being trampled hard, and the whole Bates family was shrouded in gloom.

However, even if she could not find out the Eltons in a fair manner, she would not make them feel better.

Knightley saw that Jane would not let it go, and swallow her breath and suffer.Although Jane looks weak, she must have developed a strong character long ago when she left her hometown and lived under the fence since she was a child. What's more, what the Eltons did was unacceptable to anyone.

So, Mr. Knightley said to Willie, let her just let her do it, and he will take care of everything.He was also afraid that Jane would not be able to deal with the Eltons, so he offered to help.

"Mr. Knightley, you have helped me a lot. I can find out who is behind the scenes, but my aunt and I will never do it. I am forever grateful to you, Miss Woodhouse and Harriet for their support. My help." Wei Lai showed a relaxed smile for the first time in these days, "You don't have to worry that I won't be able to do it, I will not show mercy to those who deliberately hurt me, I have already thought of countermeasures, even if I am Others know and think I've gone too far, and I'll do the same."

No matter in the previous life or in this life, Wei Lai has a character that will not be easily changed when he makes up his mind.

Two days later, Wei Lai and Miss Bates received an invitation from Mrs. Cole to attend afternoon tea at her house. The opportunity Wei Lai had been waiting for finally came.

After this experience, Miss Bates became silent a lot. She used to talk non-stop, and outsiders couldn't speak at all. Now, she didn't say a few words all day long, and stared at the window in a daze. Dazed, as silent as Mrs. Bates.Sometimes at home, no one speaks for a whole day.

Miss Bates couldn't help thinking of the good old days when the Bates family was not defeated. If the Bates family is still in the past, even if Jane really likes Mr. Amedeo, it won't cause so many bad things Sarcasm, others can only be full of blessings.

She always sheds tears when she thinks about it. Wei Lai was afraid that something would go wrong if she stayed at home, so she immediately agreed to Mrs. Cole's invitation. Maybe talk to old friends, and Miss Bates will return to her former innocence. The shape of the lungs.

At the afternoon tea party at Cole's house, all the ladies present consciously avoided rumors about Jane. Even if any lady mentioned it inadvertently, she would be distracted deliberately.

Miss Bates knew that these old friends were taking care of her and her niece's self-esteem, and her heart was sad and moved, and her eyes were watery.

Wei Lai really came out of the hurt of the rumors, and didn't mind what others said.

"These days, those rumors about me are flying all over Highbury. I ask myself, I have never thought anything about Mr. Amedeo, and I don't know who would be so hateful to spread such rumors maliciously. I don't I feel good, and I seldom go out, but I can’t solve the problem by always staying at home. Fortunately, Mrs. Cole invited me and my aunt to have the courage to step out of the house. Ladies are old friends of my aunt. I believe you are absolutely Don't believe those rumours."

Mrs. Cole held Wei Lai's hand full of distress: "Poor girl, of course we believe you. I have lived in Highbury for so many years, and this is the first time I have heard such vicious rumors. I was shocked when I heard it." No, not to mention you! It's really disgusting!"

Mrs. Cole is the leader of this small circle. When she spoke, the other wives naturally only agreed. Even though some of them did not miss the jokes of the Bates family, and even added embellishments, but now, at least it seemed, they all had sympathy. and pity.

The ladies chatted briefly with each other, and the Eltons came to the conversation.

The time has come.

Wei Lai pretended not to ask: "Mr. Elton met Mrs. Elton when he went to Bath? It is said that they met at a ball?"

Mr. Elton was on good terms with Mr. Cole, and he told Mr. Cole in his first letter after his engagement to Mrs. Elton at Bath.

Mrs. Cole said: "It was love at first sight. Mr. Elton got married only four weeks after he went to Bath. I can't think of any other reason than love at first sight. Mrs. Elton is young but very personable. From the first time I saw her Right now, I believe they can live happily ever after."

Hearing the wives praise the couple, Wei Lai's mouth could reach his chest.

"Did they meet in Maple Garden? I always heard Mrs. Elton mention her brother-in-law Mr. Suckling's Maple Garden, saying that it was big and beautiful, just like a fairyland. If it was love at first sight in such a beautiful place, then so perfect."

Mrs. Cole said: "As far as I know, it should not be Maple Garden. Mrs. Elton often told me about her brother-in-law's Maple Garden. She said that Maple Garden is very similar to my house, both in appearance and furnishings, but they are not met there."

"God, I always hear Mrs. Elton mentioning that maple garden. Although she praised the maple garden as extremely beautiful, I thought it was just a small yard. It turned out to be as beautiful as Mrs. Cole's house!" Another A lady said, "So her brother-in-law's family is well-off, and her sister is lucky to have married a reliable husband."

"But Mrs. Elton is not as lucky as her sister. Although I have great respect for our vicar, I have to say that Mr. Elton is really not a big deal in financial terms, not even in Highbury. As a wealthy family, there is no way to compare with her brother-in-law."

The ladies talked to each other, bringing the topic to the direction Wei Lai expected. She added a cup of tea to Mrs. Cole and said, "Perhaps Mrs. Elton can marry a gentleman with the same wealth as her sister, But she is in love with Mr. Elton, and is willing to give up the pleasures of life for a good love."

Hearing this, the ladies laughed.

Mrs. Cole said: "Miss Fairfax, you are still young, and your thinking is inevitably immature. Beautiful love is precious, but in front of life, love is far less than the wealth that can make life carefree."

Wei Lai smiled embarrassedly: "I was naive. But, can't Mrs. Elton find a suitable husband in Bath? Didn't her sister and brother-in-law help her? And Mrs. Elton is worse than me. How old is she, hasn't she met someone who made her heart flutter before?"

"This one……"

Another round of sizzling speculation among the ladies.

The fire has been kindled.

Just as the rumors about Jane Fairfax were dying away, new rumors were circulating in Highbury.

Mrs. Johnson said to Miss Bates: "Highbury has never stopped these days. It's really a villain. Miss Bates, do you know that Mrs. Elton's sister and brother-in-law are rich, but her sister doesn't want to Introduce rich men to her, maybe because she is afraid that her sister will live a good life like her, and Mrs. Elton is afraid that she will not be able to get married when she is too old, so she married Mr. Elton."

Miss Bates was dumbfounded.

Wei Lai calmly drank tea and read a book, and she finally breathed a sigh of relief.