Flowers, Swords and France

While Charles was happily chatting with the adults of the Dilion family, his sister was also happily staying with her friends.

After they arrived at the reception room in the Earl's Mansion, they continued to tease little Matilda and chat.

"Fran, Mary, how are you doing recently?" After teasing her niece for a while, Matilda looked up at her two former classmates. "I've been missing you a lot lately."

Although her tone was very calm, no fluctuations could be heard, and although her expression still looked a bit serious, the smile in the girl's eyes behind the lenses had already been felt by Fran and the two.

"Me too!" The two of them replied quickly.

Then they talked about all the terrible experiences they had experienced in the past six months or so, and thanked God for each other's relatives' luck in escaping the disaster. The two wars and killings that occurred in the country's capital have largely become memories that they will never forget.

"Miss Treville, did your brother also participate in the battle at that time?" Matilda asked in a low voice, "I heard that he later joined the National Guard."

"Yes, he was outside during the days when General Cavaignac ordered the quelling of the mob. God, those days really scared me to death. There were constant gunshots every day! God knows how worried I was at that time. Those days God, he never came home..." Fran nodded slightly, and then suddenly sighed softly, "Fortunately, thank God, we are all safe! The world suddenly became very scary."

Her words unexpectedly caused a moment of silence.

"This world has always been scary." After a long silence. Mademoiselle Léoland summed up their brief melancholy in a few words.

"If we keep talking about this kind of topic, we will grow old faster than before." Matilda smiled reluctantly and forcibly changed the topic. "Miss Treville, I heard that the teacher has decided to inherit his gallery after his death?"

"Yeah, when the teacher told me about this decision, I was shocked." Fran blinked, as if she was a little embarrassed. "He said he was afraid that he would have no heirs after his death, so he decided to let me take care of everything there."

"He made a wise decision." Matilda looked at Fran seriously, "It will definitely be as he wishes. The one who will carry forward the gallery is because of this talent, Miss Treville."

"Look!" Fran, like every girl who is greatly praised, felt both benefited and a little embarrassed by Matilda's words. He quickly blushed and shook his head in denial. "Since when have you ever been so good at complimenting people?"

"It's not against your will. There's nothing bad to say." Matilda just smiled indifferently.

"Yes Fran, look, I'm not the only one who thinks so, right?" Mary also joined in, making Fran even more embarrassed.

The three of them were joking with each other like this, and finally all the sadness just now was completely wiped away.

I don’t know what has happened to my country and my family this year, and everything I have experienced. It made them feel a little sad thinking about it, but it didn't ruin the atmosphere. They all buried this sadness in their hearts. The three of them forced smiles at the same time, which still made this small room look happy.

The experience of more than a year has taught the girls more about the impermanence of the world than any classroom. After this year of tempering, the innocence and innocence that these three girls had before because of their ignorance of the world have been Most of it is gone (if not completely gone). In other words, they are all going to grow up. Like every child who was once innocent, they will grow up.

Is this luck or misfortune? There is no answer to this question, only necessity.

"Speaking of which, let's call me Fran. Calling me Miss Treville, Miss Treville all day is too unfamiliar. We are friends, aren't we?" Fran, who was in a good mood, suddenly suggested, full of expectations. Looking at Matilda, "In return, I will call you Matilda..."

After hesitating for a moment, Matilda slowly spoke. "Okay... Fran, thank you."

"You're welcome. How do you say thank you among friends?" Fran tried to put on a serious expression, but couldn't help but laugh. "This is my honor."

Seeing this, the three of them couldn't help laughing. At this moment, they seemed to have found the time in the studio again.

At this time, an inappropriate voice pulled them back to the real world.

"Why are you smiling so happily? Ladies? Can you share it with this poor man to make him happy too?"

They subconsciously looked towards the door, and then found a handsome and upright young man appearing in front of them.

This young man was wearing black casual clothes and a gray tie, and his face was full of ambition. Because everything has been going well recently, I am even more proud of myself, so the vigorous vitality of the young people is fully revealed.

"Miss Treville, wouldn't you like to share the fun with your brother?" The young man walked towards them with a smile on his face.

"The fun was interrupted by the sudden appearance, sir." Fran pretended to be unhappy, but everyone could see that it was just a act of coquettishness, "Why, with Julie Are you done talking?"

"Well, it's over. I'm very happy."

"So are we going back now?" Fran hesitated.

"No, let's continue playing here. Just tell me when you want to leave. I'm free today and I'm not in a hurry." Charles nodded gently. "I'll go to the card room downstairs to find someone to play billiard with..."

"That's great, thank you!" Fran cheered a little.

While this pair of pleasing siblings were talking to each other, Matilda also stood quietly beside them, looking at the smiling young man like the Marquis.

He is indeed a good young man. Even if there is no love, choosing him is not a big mistake.

Matilda suddenly had an idea in her mind.

At this moment, she remembered the conversation between her sister and herself last night.

………………

At that time, they had just worked together to coax little Matilda to sleep. After completing this great feat, fine beads of sweat appeared on their heads. The candlelight swayed, reflecting the two people as if they were painted with a layer of flowing colors.

"Children are the most terrible torture for every mother!" Julie sighed softly, "I wonder how many years they will be tortured!"

"But this kind of torture is always fun." Matilda replied.

"Oh? Can't wait to see, Matilda," Julie smiled, "You like children so much... So, do you want to have one for yourself?"

The original text is in the six # 9 @book/bar!

Even though she was determined, Matilda couldn't help blushing after hearing her sister's teasing, and didn't dare to answer.

"Don't be shy, Matilda, you are already this age..." Julie still looked at her jokingly, "You can also consider these things..."

"I haven't thought about it yet." Matilda forced herself to stay calm.

"Then start thinking about it now, we will all help you think about it..." The sister's smile became more and more intense.

Suddenly, she said another sentence. "Decide what will happen if Mr. Treville becomes your husband?"

Matilda couldn't help but be slightly stunned, and then she lowered her head.

"I haven't considered it." She repeated again.

"He is a very good candidate. Wouldn't it be a pity if I missed him soon? Yes, Charles is only the heir of the Marquis and has no wealth, but you can't treat him as just a count. This young man has a bright future... I think it won't take long for him to rise to prominence." The sister seemed to be stating something, but also seemed to have a hidden meaning. "Grandpa is also very optimistic about him. I think if he can become your husband, your life will be smooth... You won't suffer like your poor sister." \u003ce is a homophone, so this is a pun, which means to hint Matilda not to take Charles lightly, this man has a bright future, and at the same time tell her that her grandfather also means this.

"Did Grandpa say that too?" Matilda whispered to herself, she seemed to understand something.

Finally, she lowered her head.

………………

When she came to her senses, Mr. Treville had turned around and was ready to leave.

She wanted to ask him to stay, then make a joke, and then take him to her house with a legitimate reason. However, after the words slipped to her lips, she found that she couldn't say it.

I really don't have those flirtatious things like them.

After a moment of silence, she said to herself calmly in her heart, and it was like a sigh.

I don't love him, and I don't want to try my best to please him, even if I know it's good for me, and I know it's just a few words. What is this? Am I not as smart as I think? Or is there another reason?

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, but she couldn't catch any of them.

While she was still entangled in these thoughts, the young man had walked out of the door quickly and walked down the stairs. His steps were fast and heavy, with an unquestionable and unyielding certainty.

Just like that, Matilda looked at the other person's back as he left, without saying a word.

"Matilda, my brother opened a newspaper and is planning to give me a column on it, specifically to write reviews of paintings and sculptures..." Fran said beside her. Children always like to show off. "If you have time, come and help me write, just as a pastime, okay?"

Matilda retracted her gaze without leaving a trace and nodded gently.

"Okay..." (To be continued...)