Pride and Prejudice Becoming Jane Bennet

The first fortnight of Jane's visit at Hunsford passed very quietly, and Rosings dined with them two or three times a week or so, each in almost exactly the same form as the first.After the meal, the ladies first got together to chat. The content was nothing more than Lady Catherine asking Mrs. Collins about her daily life, providing her with a lot of advice on housekeeping, and not allowing her to object, and occasionally asking Maria and Jane After asking a few words, after tea and the gentlemen came over, they set up a game of cards until Mrs. Catherine's mother and daughter didn't want to play any more. Then Mrs. Catherine sent a carriage to send some guests back , while waiting for the carriage, they sat around the fireplace and listened to Lady Catherine's conclusion about the weather tomorrow, until the carriage arrived and she told them to get in.

If Mr. Collins and Miss Maria Lucas were honored by such visits, it was not so pleasant for Jane.She can't say so many flattering words like Mr. Collins against her will; she is completely indifferent to the detailed family reports and guidance between Mrs. Catherine and Mrs. Collins-although she can maintain due courtesy, But she can't be so patient and respectful like Charlotte, respond to every sentence Lady Catherine said, and can't listen to these things like Maria; Almost all of her daily conversations were done for her, and Jane always had a feeling of playing the piano with cows, and she stopped talking when she came and went.

Sir Lucas had been back a week before, and after this short visit he had already decided that his daughter was very well married.Mr. Collins still went to Rosings every day, and his wife every few days.When they went to visit Lady Catherine, Jane either stayed in the house to read and write letters, or she went for a walk in the little wood by the side of the garden, where there was a path not traveled by, full of natural beauty, On both sides were tall trees with lush foliage, and looking up you could only see a line of blue sky, and on one side of the path you could see the rolling hills, and on the other side you could see the beautiful stone house of Rosings among the trees.

This day, Jane was walking along her favorite route, when she suddenly heard the sound of horseshoes "dee" from the place covered by the bushes, she stopped in surprise, completely unable to think of anyone nearby who would be so leisurely, Or if you have this condition, come here on horseback.

She had not been waiting like this for a while, when she saw a gentleman riding a tall horse come out of the bushes.The gentleman didn't expect to run into anyone here at first. He was about to drive his horse along the path, but suddenly found a person standing on the other side of the path, so he subconsciously turned his head and looked there. .This turning of his head gave Jane a good look at his face, which surprised her—for this gentleman was Mr. Darcy!

If Jane thought of the possibility of meeting Mr. Darcy again in Kent at the beginning, then the most likely place she expected to meet Mr. Darcy should be Rosings Manor, not this path.

As a person who knows the plot, Jane is already so surprised, and Mr. Darcy's surprise can be imagined.The two looked at each other for a few seconds, and then Mr. Darcy kept his facial expression blank, turned his horse's head, and went forward along the trail without even saying hello, as if he hadn't seen Jane at all. .

Jane watched Mr. Darcy's back disappearing at the end of the path in amazement, raised her eyebrows, and felt a little doubtful about his behavior, but she quickly put this doubt behind her, only thinking that Mr. Darcy He was happy to see her here, but his unhappiness could not affect her mood, so he continued to walk down the path slowly.

But something even stranger came up.

When Jane came near the end of the path, she found Mr. Darcy standing aside with his horse, as if waiting for someone.

"Miss Bennet," he said, coming up to her as soon as he saw her, "excuse my insolence, I didn't expect to meet you here..."

There was a hint of annoyance on his face, as if he was very sorry for his rude behavior of treating a lady he knew as nothing just now.

Jane looked at his face, couldn't help but smiled, and said, "You don't need to feel sorry, Mr. Darcy... I'm here as a guest at the invitation of Mrs. Collins."

Mr. Darcy nodded his head in understanding, and said: "I just arrived in Kent last night... Maybe you know that Lady Catherine is my aunt?"

Jane nodded to show that she knew about it.

"Excuse me, but when did you arrive at Hansford?" asked Mr. Darcy.

"Two weeks ago," Jane replied.

Mr. Darcy nodded.The two stood for a while in relative silence, and then Mr. Darcy bid her farewell and rode away.

Jane watched him leave, thinking that since Mr. Darcy had come to Rosings, the Rosings dinner that Maria was thinking about would be much less.Thinking of this, she couldn't help but smile.The reduction in dinner parties may disappoint Mr. Collins and Maria, but it is not a bad thing for her. She can arrange her time more freely.And because she had no expectations for the relationship between herself and Mr. Darcy, knowing that Mr. Darcy had arrived in Rosings was like confirming a certain thing that would happen, and she didn't feel the slightest fluctuation in her heart.

She continued the walk she had interrupted earlier, and walked slowly back to the vicarage.But no sooner had she entered the vicarage door than the servants came and bid her into the drawing-room.

Jane changed her going out clothes and followed the servants to the door of the living room.As soon as the servant opened the door and let her see the scene inside, Mr. Collins walked up to him in a few steps.

"Where have you been, Cousin Jane?" he said eagerly. "Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam have been here for a long time!"

Without waiting for Jane's answer, he turned back to the two honorable gentlemen in the room and kept apologizing, with a humble attitude as if it was rude for Jane not to come back before the two guests arrived.

"Don't mind me, Mr. Collins," said the gentleman whom Jane had never met. "We are here on a whim."

Even if he said so, Mr. Collins apologized to the two distinguished guests again and again, and did not stop until reminded by his wife that he wanted to introduce Jane and Colonel Fitzwilliam, whom he had never met before.

Colonel Fitzwilliam, about thirty years of age, was Mr. Darcy's cousin, the Earl of Matlock's youngest son.He is not very handsome, but judging from his appearance and conversation, he is a real gentleman.After the introduction, he sat down on the chair opposite to Jane and said to her, "It's a pleasure to meet you at last, Miss Bennet!"

"Finally?" Jane asked in surprise.

"I have heard of you for a long time," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, adding, with a glance at his cousin sitting on a sofa in a corner of the room, listening indifferently to Mr. Collins' compliments, "I can assure you that The praise is not exaggerated."

Jane followed his gaze to Mr. Darcy, and smiled.

"Is that so?" she laughed. "I'm afraid I can't bear such a high opinion. In Hertfordshire I did not make a very good impression on your cousin. Of course, a gentleman always Will be extra lenient in judging women."

Colonel Fitzwilliam also laughed, and said: "Then you don't know my cousin... My cousin's comments on people will only make people feel sharp - he is a person who always tells the truth and never exaggerates .and seeing you confirmed it for me—you fully deserve your praise."

Jane raised her eyebrows slightly, feeling amused and curious about Colonel Fitzwilliam's compliment from Mr. Darcy.

"I hope we shall see you often while we are at Rosings," continued Colonel Fitzwilliam. "I am fond of lively conversation. Anne is naturally reserved; Not a word; my aunt was quite talkative, but she never asked for an answer."

Jane smiled and didn't speak.

At this time Colonel Fitzwilliam heard Mr. Collins on the other side talking about playing and singing, so he asked Jane: "I heard you can play and sing, Miss Bennet?"

"I know a little bit." Jane replied, "but please don't expect too much from my skills, it will disappoint you. I'm too lazy to sit down and practice hard."

"I'm sure you're overly self-effacing," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, laughing. "Actually, I welcome performances of any kind. I wonder if I'll have the honor of hearing you play while you're at Hunsford? "

"If you insist, I think you will have a chance to hear it." Jane smiled politely and said.

At this time, she noticed that Mr. Darcy had been looking at her intently during her conversation with the colonel-he was sitting diagonally opposite Jane, and it was difficult not to notice.At the beginning, Jane only thought that he found a place to be in a daze or thinking about something, but in the following conversation with Colonel Fitzwilliam, she casually looked over several times, and found that it was not the case. Mr. Darcy seemed to be Sitting there, deaf to Mr Collins speaking in front of him, seemed to catch her conversation with Colonel Fitzwilliam instead.

This discovery inevitably made Jane feel a little surprised. I don’t know if it was the surprise on her face, or Mr. Darcy also noticed her looking at him from time to time. He suddenly stood up and walked a few steps away. Going up to them, asked Jane: “I hope your family members are all in good health.”

"They are all very well, thank you." Jane froze for a moment and said.She didn't understand what it meant that this gentleman didn't greet her when they met before, but greeted her at this time.

"Hunter told me that he is engaged to your sister, please allow me to send my blessing." Mr. Darcy said again.

"Thank you." Jane said, after a pause, she asked again, "Excuse me, Mr. Hunter has returned to London now?"

"I happened to meet him the day before I left," replied Mr. Darcy, "and I don't know if he's still in town."

Jane nodded, looked at him, and asked again: "My sister Elizabeth has been in the city for the last three months. Have you ever met her?"

Mr. Darcy was silent for a moment, seeming troubled, but after a moment he said: "No. I have not had the honor."

After saying this, he left Jane and Colonel Fitzwilliam, walked to the window, and began to study the scenery outside the window.

Colonel Fitzwilliam turned around to look at his cousin in some surprise, and then looked at Jane.

"I didn't know there was going to be a happy event in your family," he said. "Allow me to wish the couple well. I know Hunter, who is a good friend of Darcy's and has always had a good reputation. I'm sure your sister You will be very happy marrying him."

"Thank you," replied Jane, "I've always believed so."

It's a pity that there should be two people who could have been so happy.She added in her heart, and looked at the gentleman who was looking out of the window silently. She was not sure whether this gentleman was involved in preventing Mr. Bingley from returning to Hertfordshire, but now it seems that he is indeed Little sister Elizabeth intervened in the relationship between Mr. Bingley, but I don't know what purpose and reason he used to stop Mr. Bingley this time.