[Pride and Prejudice] Crossing into Elizabeth

Mr. Bingley was the first to get out of the carriage, and Mrs. Bennet welcomed her son-in-law with a smile.

After the daughters got out of the car, Mrs. Bennet first hugged her favorite little daughter affectionately, then turned to Jane and Elizabeth, smiled and complained to them: "I want you to come back quickly!" Come back, how did you delay until now!"

The tall, stout young man was also smiling, and Elizabeth supposed that he was Mr. Collins.

As soon as Mrs. Bennet was free, the gentleman said at once: "My lord, please introduce me to your pretty daughters."

Mrs. Bennet said "Oh": "Look at me being so happy that I forgot the business." Mrs. Bennet proudly took Mr. Collins's arm, and introduced to her daughters: "This is you cousin of Mr Collins."

Mr. Collins nodded to them with a broad smile.

Mrs. Bennet first introduced Mr. and Mrs. Bingley to Mr. Collins: "This is my eldest son-in-law, Mr. Bingley, and this is my eldest daughter Jane next to him," Mrs. Bennet said to Mr. Collins proudly "But now she shall be called Mrs. Bingley. They live in Netherfield, three miles from Longbourne. I told you they were married not long ago, Mr. Collins, Mr. Bingley to me. Jane fell in love at first sight, and it only took three months from meeting to getting married."

In fact, Mrs. Bennet has said this to Mr. Collins countless times. Mr. Collins has long been clear about the situation of her eldest daughter Jane. Mr. Collins did not feel regretful before. He can slowly choose the beautiful married daughter, but at this moment, facing the beautiful face of Miss Bennet and hearing Mrs. Bennet repeating the words countless times, Mr. Collins is not in the same mood at all. up.

Mr. Collins was very embarrassed. If he had come a few months earlier, the Miss Bennet would have been his wife at this moment.

Mrs. Bennet then introduced Elizabeth, and Elizabeth stood there listening to Mrs. Bennet as if she was selling something to Mr. Collins: "This is my second daughter, Lizzie, and she has the best temper. The most temperate of our family, I used to say to the other daughters that none of them could compare with Lizzie, and she was very pretty too, and Lizzie was the most famous beauty in our town, except Jane, in Ha You can't find anyone prettier than Lizzie in Fordshire."

Mr. Collins had no choice but to turn his eyes from Jane to Elizabeth, and soon he nodded in agreement. Just as Mrs. Bennet said, the second lady of the Bennet family is also very beautiful, only a little worse than her sister, Collins The husband immediately made a choice in his heart, and he chose the second lady of the Bennet family.

Mrs. Bennet introduced Lydia at the end, and Mr. Collins looked at Lydia following Mrs. Bennet's introduction. He never considered her, mainly because she was too young, only 15 years old, and seeing her now Mr. Collins' original idea has not wavered in the slightest. The youngest lady in the Bennet family is pretty, but obviously not as good as her second sister.

As soon as Mr. Collins got the opportunity, he complimented: "Mrs. Bennet, I heard that all your daughters are very beautiful before I came. Unfortunately, when I came, three of the five cousins ​​were visiting at someone's house. But I finally saw them all today, and when I return to Rosings Manor, I can definitely tell Madam Catherine that the rumors about your daughter are true."

While speaking, Elizabeth and Lydia's luggage was removed from the carriage by the servants and sent back to their respective rooms.

Jane ordered the coachman to take her and Mr. Bingley's luggage back to Netherfield first, where she and Bingley would finish their dinner before going back.

Everyone quickly returned to the house together.

Mary just came down from upstairs, and she sat down among them: "I saw your carriage early in the morning, but I know that you will have to wait a long time at the door, and it will take a long time just to introduce each other. I don’t like those vain rituals, you compliment me, I compliment you, there is no benefit other than wasting time, I think these things should be removed from life.”

Mr. Collins agreed: "My dear cousin, you are quite right. Sometimes these formalities are really useless, but at other times they are useful. Just like last time at Rosings Manor, Mrs. Jenkinson insisted on Miss Anne After taking a bite of the gold shredded jujube cake, Mrs. Catherine also said that Miss Anne’s fingers were too thin because I ate too little. I had an idea and immediately said to Mrs. Catherine, “Miss Anne has a pair of beautiful hands, but if the hands It would have been nicer if there was more meat on it', guess what? Lady Catherine agreed with me, and she looked very happy all evening when I said it, but of course I made a lot of other compliments too talk."

Elizabeth is now completely sure that the Mr. Collins in front of her has the same personality as the one in the original book.

In spite of Mr. Bingley's presence, and in spite of Mrs. Bennet's evident desire to make her and the gentleman together, Elizabeth listened with interest to what Mr. Collins had to say.

Lydia was not interested in listening to Mr. Collins. She felt hungry and wanted to eat quickly, so Lydia asked Mrs. Bennet when dinner was served.

Mrs. Bennet hadn't seen this precious girl for a long time, and when she heard Lydia cry, she said in a repeated voice: "It's almost there, it's almost there, baby, you wait a little longer, but I You can urge Hill again."

After speaking, Mrs. Bennet rang the bell, and Hill was quickly called over.

"Hill," said Mrs. Bennet, "go and urge the kitchen to get dinner ready. Miss Lydia is hungry."

Hill took the order to go, and Mrs. Bennet looked at everyone: "Where did we just talk?"

Mr. Collins seemed to have seized the opportunity, and he immediately said to Mrs. Bennet flatteringly: "You are such a good mother. Once you hear that your daughter is hungry, you don't remember anything else. You It's a blessing to have a mother like you for your five daughters."

Elizabeth felt that Mr. Collins was so powerful that he could say such words. Elizabeth couldn't help but glanced at Jane. Jane had a big heart and always tried to put people in the best light. There was nothing she couldn't bear. Elizabeth saw her Listening to Mr. Collins with a smile on his face.

Mr. Collins' compliments were very useful to Mrs. Bennet, who, who always smiled when she spoke to Mr. Collins, praised Mr. Collins even more.She had the same self-satisfied energy as when Lady Catherine spoke of Mr. Darcy, and it was not difficult for a discerning eye to see what was in her mind.

Thinking of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth felt a little melancholy.

Elizabeth unconsciously cast her eyes in the direction of the door. She was in a daze, not knowing what to think, when she heard Mr. Collins call her name.

"... Cousin Elizabeth, I heard that you went to visit Mr. Darcy's house. I was very happy when I heard Mrs. Bennet say that. It's a pity that I don't have such an honor, although Mr. Darcy is my favor. Mrs. Catherine’s nephew, and I have close contacts with Mrs. Catherine, but until now I have not had the chance to meet Mrs. Catherine’s nephew—Mr. Darcy! I really envy your blessing! I would like to ask, Mr. Darcy Are there hundreds of servants in the house? The tableware must be gold or silver? I say this because there are hundreds of servants in Lady Catherine's house-it is absolutely true! I have the honor to be When I was invited to dinner at Rosings, there were a dozen or so servants serving at the table! And the tableware was all gold, and Lady Catherine was not used to other tableware. Her old man said to me, 'I have never liked To visit other people's houses, for I am not used to their food, and their tableware,' but I hear you met at Pemberley, and I suppose you also think Lady Catherine is very agreeable, my dear cousin? "

Elizabeth quickly glanced around, Mr. Bingley tried his best to hold back a smile, and Mrs. Bennet immediately showed an envious expression on her face. She said with great envy: "I think Mrs. Catherine must be a very charming lady, Mr. Collins, You are favored by such a noble lady, and you are often invited by Rosings, this blessing is really enviable."

Mr. Collins immediately showed a smug look on his face, but in his mouth he said with a feigned modesty: "It's just luck for me-but I will say that such luck is not for everyone," and he said to Bennett immediately. Madam said: "Dear Madam, but your luck is not small. I dare say that not every family with five daughters can be as happy as you. As for my beautiful cousins, I wish them all the best." They are all married to expensive sons-in-law like cousin Jane."

It was rare that Mr. Collins did not forget to compliment Mrs. Bennet when he was complacent.

Mrs. Bennet was delighted to hear such compliments, and it was her future son-in-law, which delighted Mrs. Bennet.

It's a pity that people are prone to encounter unhappy things when they are extremely happy. This is how the so-called "extreme joy begets sorrow".

During the conversation, Charlotte came to visit their house. When Hill brought Charlotte in, Mrs. Bennet's face suddenly pulled down.

Charlotte pretended not to see Mrs. Bennet's cold face. After greeting everyone, she walked towards Elizabeth with a smile on her face. She quickly held Elizabeth's hand, "Eli Zha," said Charlotte, "I couldn't help coming over as soon as I heard you were back. How are you doing in Pemberley?"

Just as Elizabeth was about to speak, Mrs. Bennet took a step ahead. She said to Charlotte in a strange way: "Then you really have a heart. You think of Lizzie so much. I want to thank you for Lizzie."

Elizabeth blushed for her mother's words, but fortunately Charlotte could bear it, she replied to Mrs. Bennet as usual: "Mrs. Bennet, you are too polite, I just came to see Eliza, and I didn't do anything for you thing."

"I hope coming here won't hold you back," said Mrs. Bennet at once. "Miss Lucas, last time Mrs. Lucas told me that because you were late, there was no one in your pies." Do it, but your family can't eat in time. I don't want to delay your family's meal because of our family's affairs. "

Elizabeth saw that Mrs. Bennet's words were getting more and more outrageous, so she pulled Charlotte to stand up decisively, and was about to go upstairs. As she walked, she said to Mrs. Bennet: "Mom, Charlotte and I have something to say, we have something to say. The two went to my room and said, by the way, Charlotte will be having dinner at our house in a while."

Then Elizabeth looked at Mr. Collins again apologetically: "Mr. Collins, I'm sorry."

After speaking, Elizabeth dragged Charlotte upstairs, regardless of what Mrs. Bennet muttered behind her.

Elizabeth walked quickly, and Charlotte cooperated with her very well. Seeing that they were about to reach the corner of the stairs, and would soon be out of Mrs. Bennet's sight, Mr. Collins suddenly raised his voice and shouted, "Cousin Elizabeth, You haven't answered my question yet."

Elizabeth rolled her eyes in her heart, because of politeness, she had to take a few steps back from the stairs, stood where Mr. Collins could see clearly, and said, "Mr. With so many servants, I'm afraid it's not the same as Rosings."

Then Elizabeth said excuse me again, and went upstairs with Charlotte who was waiting there for her.

After arriving in Elizabeth's room, the two good friends immediately exchanged each other's recent situation. When Elizabeth told Charlotte that she had pneumonia in Pemberley, Charlotte asked her a series of questions in surprise and worry, Elizabeth answered them all.

Charlotte pressed her chest with some fear: "It's a good thing you came back safe and sound, and it's a good thing you didn't let Jane tell your family about this, otherwise I would only know that you were sick and in danger at home, but I couldn't do anything. Then I'm going to worry to death."

Charlotte seemed to think of something else, and she quickly said: "No wonder you have stayed in Pemberley for so long. Mrs. Bennet said that she had written to urge you to come back, but you just refused to come back." .”

Speaking of this, Elizabeth was a little shy, and she immediately thought of the reason why Mrs. Bennet urged them to go home. Judging from Charlotte's face, she also thought of this.

Elizabeth smiled sheepishly. She changed the subject and asked Charlotte, "I heard Maria is getting married?"

"Yes," Charlotte said, "Our cousin, Mr. Grieg, proposed to Maria. They will get married in March next year, and now my mother is already helping Maria prepare the wedding dress."

When Charlotte said this, she tried her best to put on a relaxed and comfortable look, but Elizabeth could still feel the imperceptible heaviness in her tone.

This heaviness silenced Elizabeth for a moment.

She knows Charlotte's situation. There are many boys and girls in her family, but the family property is only so small. It can be said that Charlotte can't share anything. After this winter, Charlotte will be 27 years old. She is about to step into the ranks of old girls. From a secular point of view, she is ordinary-looking, not young, and has meager assets. She has no capital to attract men, and it is very likely that she will live like this for the rest of her life.

Counting from her father to her youngest brother, Charlotte's family wanted to marry Charlotte as soon as possible.

Now that Charlotte's sister Maria is getting married soon, the pressure on Charlotte will only increase.