[Pride and Prejudice] Mrs Bennett

Chapter 28

Mr. Bingley stayed by Jane's side all evening, and did not invite other women to dance out of politeness, nor did his two sisters.The news of the engagement of the two golden couples spread throughout the men and women attending the party not long after the group arrived at the ball.

While the ladies of the right age in Langbourne lamented the loss of the chance to marry a wealthy man, the gentlemen in Langbourne were also depressed and entangled in their hearts.Their goddess, Miss Jane Bennett, has a fiancé!The eldest daughter of the Viscount's family with a sweet appearance and a gentle temperament bid farewell to being single, and bachelors like them no longer have to daydream.

And another Miss Caroline Bingley, who is widely welcomed by gentlemen from Lumborn, while rejecting countless young people who invited to dance and became a wallflower all night, Mr. Darcy, the only one she wanted to dance with but rejected her, He also stood alone in the corner and silently observed the country dance that he was not very optimistic about.

Although the Bennetts did not go to the dance at this ball, they socialized and greeted with many people in the middle, but the bad taste of the two couples was greatly satisfied.Mr. Bennett, though not famous, is clearly content with both Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy; Grace is happy.

This is a ball that is completely different from the drama ball that she has a little memory of. For the people of Longborn, this ball may not be perfect, but for her, it can be said to be perfect for the Bennett family. .

The satisfied Bennetts took Jane with them when they left the ball late at night. It was already so late, and there was no need for Mr. Bingley to send Jane back to the Bennett's house.The distance between Bennett House and Netherfield was about three miles, and Meryton had to be crossed. If Bentley wanted Jane to go home at this time, it would be tantamount to crossing Longbourne twice.

Helping Jane into the carriage carriage engraved with the family crest of the Bennett family, Bingley reluctantly said, "I'll go for a walk with you tomorrow morning, Jane. Take a good rest tonight. I hope to see a radiant girl tomorrow." .”

"Good night." Jane finished with a gentle smile, walked into the carriage and closed the door.

After watching the Bennett family's carriage leave, the warm smile on Bentley's face disappeared.He put Darcy and the Hursts in one carriage, and he and Caroline in another.The extra carriage was originally for him to take Jane home, and now it just happened to be used for him to have a good talk with Caroline.

The carriage was driving under the night covered with stars, even with the shining of stars, the speed was different from galloping in the daytime.In the carriage, facing Bentley's penetrating dark green eyes, Caroline clenched her hands nervously.

"Caroline, you like Fitzwilliam." Bing used a statement, not a question.

Pursing her lips, Caroline was silent for a while before saying: "Yes, I have a good impression of him. Can't you, Charles? I think our family and Darcy's family are quite compatible."

"Compared with the Darcy family, our family is still a little bit worse, but that's not the point." Bingley stared at his sister, and that gaze made Caroline feel stinging as if materialized, "The point is Fitzwilliam doesn't think that way about you, Caroline."

"...He doesn't like it now, but it doesn't mean he won't like it in the future." Caroline said slightly angrily, the fact that her brother pointed out made her a little angry.

"I know better than you who Fitzwilliam is, Caroline." Bingley stated lightly, "Although the Darcy family is not aristocratic, all the heads of the family have married noble ladies. They own more than half of Derbyshire, He has great influence in many dioceses. Fitzwilliam is the next patriarch of this family, and he needs to be responsible for his family..."

"Mr. Darcy's marriage doesn't need a marriage of interests to add icing on the cake!" Caroline interrupted Bingley, "Old Mr. Darcy didn't ask him to marry a nobleman's daughter."

Bingley didn't care that his words were interrupted by his sister, and he gave Caroline a meaningful look: "I didn't expect that you have known Fitzwilliam for less than half a year, and you haven't seen him a few times. You can even get these news I know. Fitzwilliam didn't tell you all this? Old Mr. Darcy couldn't possibly tell you that, so you got it from that little girl Georgiana?"

"Can't you?" Caroline's eyes widened, not wanting to lose to Bingley in terms of momentum, "Georgianna likes me, and thinks it's good for me to be her sister-in-law, okay?"

"It's true that Georgiana is the daughter of the Darcy family, but she's going to marry, Caroline." Facing the aggressive Caroline, Bingley remained calm, "She's much younger than Fitzwilliam. , her opinion has a certain reference value for Fitzwilliam, but it is not the most important."

"Charles, what are you trying to say?" Caroline asked frustrated.

She wondered what Charles was thinking. Wouldn't it be good for the Bingleys if she married Mr. Darcy?Mr. Darcy is now willing to help Mr. Bingley because they are good friends.But when she married Mr. Darcy, the two would be related by marriage, wouldn't they?

"What I want to say is that Fitzwilliam is 22 years old and has never had a woman, and old Mr. Darcy didn't say anything. Didn't you think of something, Caroline." Bingley just looked at Caroline like that , Waiting for her to figure it out.After all, she was his own sister, and he didn't want her to be hurt emotionally.He didn't stop Caroline when she first had a crush on Darcy, he was not good enough as a brother.Fortunately, there is still time.

"...What do you mean, Charles?" Caroline lowered her head slightly and asked, she was unwilling to accept the fact that she had conjectured before Bingley said it out.

Sighing, Bingley said suddenly: "Caroline, what do you think of the Bennett family?"

Although she didn't understand why her brother suddenly changed the topic to the Bennett family, Caroline returned to his question: "The Bennett family...is very good. The Viscount and Viscountess Bennett are very kind, and the husband and wife of the family The ladies are well educated and versatile.”

"Compared to our family, how is the Bennett family?" Bingley said lightly, "Don't talk about the past, just talk about the present."

The ancestors of the Bingley family used to be the Marquis, but now, although they still have connections with the high society, they are not justifiable. Otherwise, Bingley didn't have to ask Jane to bring Caroline into London's social season.

"Although Mr. Bennett only has the title of viscount... he is much better than the Bingley family." Caroline had to admit this fact even though she was not reconciled.

"You know how difficult it is to obtain a title now, Caroline." Bingley sighed and said, "The Bennett family has not only obtained a title, but has also been recognized by those high-ranking nobles. Dylan is my friend , His reputation among the younger generation of nobles is also very good. And the ladies of the Bennett family, whether they are the adopted daughter or the twins who are only ten years old, the ladies and ladies all praise him."

After listening to Bingley's words patiently, Caroline frowned and said, "Charles, neither Louisa nor I have any objection to your marriage with Miss Bennett. Even when Mom and Dad were still there, we had already agreed I acquiesced to your relationship. What are you trying to explain by saying this now?"

"The land owned by the Darcy family is mainly in Derbyshire, and the Bennett family also owns a lot of land in Derbyshire." Bingley turned his head and looked out the window of the carriage. Dylan knew each other, but it was Fitzwilliam who brought me and George to take the initiative."

"...Charles, don't you want to tell me?!" Caroline was startled by Bingley's words and her own speculation, "This is incredible! Didn't Miss Bennet already have an engagement with you? ?”

"Jane is not the only daughter in the Bennett family, Caroline." Bingley turned his head, his green eyes dark as water, "Now you know why I stopped you?"

"Oh, Charles, don't you mean to tell me..." Caroline's face was very ugly, "I lost to a little girl who was underage?" Her pretty face twisted, "Is it Elizabeth or One of those ten-year-old twins? I know it can't be Delia, she's just an adopted daughter! But those three Bennetts are so young that Mr. Darcy likes... little girls?! "

Caroline felt that she could not accept this reality.Although she guessed that Mr. Darcy already had someone he liked, and that person was approved by the old Mr. Darcy.But when Bingley actually confirmed this fact to her from the side, especially when the object was a little girl, she still felt like she was going crazy!

"Caroline, I've made it very obvious." Bingley rested his left hand on his chin, "The Bennett family can be regarded as a well-established upstart in high society, and the Bingley family is obviously not comparable. But to For the Darcy family, an old and famous family, there is no need to be so attentive to the Bennett family."

"So, it was because Mr. Darcy fell in love with a certain daughter of the Bennet family that you and Mr. Bennet got acquainted, and now you and Miss Bennet have made an engagement?" Caroline smiled mockingly, "Then Charles, do you really like Miss Bennett, or did you decide to be with her because she is the daughter of the Bennett family?"

Bingley chuckled lightly: "Of course there are two reasons, Caroline. I'm very fortunate that the person I like happens to have a good family background, which reduces the barriers between us a lot."

"Are all men so realistic, Charles." Caroline said helplessly, "So Mr. Darcy chose Miss Bennett because he considered both aspects?"

"Of course, Caroline." Bingley nodded and said, "Fitzwilliam became interested in a certain Miss Bennett because of a certain encounter, and then learned of that lady's family background. Then I went to school to meet Mrs. He has been inferior to Dylan for several years, visited Bennett's house as Dylan's friend, and then made friends with a certain Miss Bennett. In this way, he can get close to the lady he likes without causing damage to the lady's reputation. Harm. If you want to do it, Fitzwilliam will definitely do the best, no matter what it is."

"So Mr. Darcy should also be thankful that the girl he likes just happens to meet the requirements of old Mr. Darcy." Caroline sneered, "Charles, from what you said, not only do I have no expectations for Darcy at all, but I also have no expectations for Darcy. All men are somewhat disappointed."

Bentley frowned. Was he overkill?

Caroline over there continued: "No wonder Darcy and you didn't just find a courtesan for a few years in college. Viscount Bennett is a man who is loyal to marriage. He will definitely ask his son-in-law to do the same. But Charles, can you guarantee that there will only be Miss Bennett in the future?"

The expression on her face became mocking.Back then, the old Bentley couple had a very good relationship in front of their children, but in reality?They each had their mistresses and lovers, but they didn't have any illegitimate children.

"Caroline, although it's not very nice to say that, women are just like that." Bentley's green eyes were a little warmer, "Only Jane is different. When she is by my side, I can feel the warmth of the air." They all have a sweet taste. She is different from those women who calculate how much money I have behind me, this is just one criterion for her to consider her husband, not all of them."

Caroline rolled her eyes, and said to Bingley earnestly, "Charles, I must say, you have been poisoned by Miss Bennett."

"Perhaps." Bingley smiled, "Caroline, it was too late when you met Fitzwilliam. Although love doesn't always pay attention to first come first come first, but he already has someone else in his heart, no matter how hard you try, you can't get married." It's nothing but heartbreak. My sister is no worse than anyone else, and there's no need to hang her from a tree."

The carriage just stopped at this moment, Caroline stood up and looked up at him at a 45-degree angle, and said proudly: "Dear Charles, I just have a crush on Mr Darcy, not to the point where I have to. It would be his regret not to choose me."

"Caroline, you won't really..." Stopped Caroline who was about to get out of the car, but Bentley still only asked half a sentence.Thinking of what she said before, "disappointed with all men", he was a little entangled.

Turning back to look at him, Caroline smiled beautifully on her delicate face: "Dear Charles, when men evaluate a woman's appearance, background and dowry, don't women also evaluate a man's wealth? [-] I will I expect a man who loves me to appear, and that man will be better than Mr. Darcy."

After finishing speaking, with the help of the servant, she walked gracefully to the mansion of Netherfield Manor.And Bentley, who was left behind, smiled silently, with a slightly desolate feeling in that smile.

A better man than Fitzwilliam... Is Caroline self-comforting or self-deceiving?The Bingleys may be much better than these squires in Langbourne, but compared with the upper class in London, they don't know where they are left.

He was able to get together with Jane because...or maybe it was because he had used up all the luck in the Bingley family. This was the result of Caroline's first love, and Louisa...thinking of the drinking and Lazy Mr. Hesto, he can only shake his head helplessly.

This is the choice of Luisa and her parents, and he can't say anything, he can only choose to help his married sister more.That's why he invited Hesto and his wife to come with him when he rented Netherfield Garden this time.It's just that his decision seemed to be wrong again.

Recalling what Louisa said to Mrs. Bennett at the ball, he narrowed his eyes slightly, picked up his hat and got out of the carriage.He values ​​the family relationship with the two sisters, but he will not let them override the Bingley family.In the future, the Bingley family will be decided by him and Jane.

Louisa... He should also let her know from the bottom of her heart that she is the married daughter of the Bingley family. She is just Charles' sister, but not the owner of the Bingley family!

****

Of course Grace didn't know about the turmoil at Bentley's house. The three of them who had just arrived at Bennett's house were eating the supper prepared by Hill.A simple ham and egg sandwich served with a glass of warm milk with a splash of brandy is the perfect nightcap.

Grace thought a lot, but he didn't think that the little girls in the family were awake and waiting for their return.Of course they didn't dare to come to her and Mr. Bennett, they just chattered around Jane, even Elizabeth, who was always carefree, was no exception.

Jane also attended a few balls while she was in London, but this time the significance was different.Firstly, it was a ball held in Bennett's hometown of Langborn, and secondly, it was the first time that Jane attended the ball with Bingley, who had confirmed her fiancé relationship.

"Okay, after eating these things, Jane is going to wash up and change clothes to get ready to rest. She is already very tired tonight, so don't keep pestering her." Grace finished eating the sandwich in his hand before he had the energy to greet the four. Experienced girl.

"Mom, we've been waiting for you for a long time!" The youngest daughter, Catherine, ran over and hugged Grace's arm, "I'm really curious, Jane and Mr. How is it, it must be fun!"

Grace curled her lips secretly, and the girls raised by her and Mr. Bennett were just like them who loved to watch and were full of bad humor.There is also Dylan who is far away in London. The Bennett family is now a group of people who are a bit out of tune with this era. Fortunately, everyone knows how to cover up and only shows it in front of the family. Otherwise, she and Mr. Bennett I really want to worry about the marriage of the girl at home.

"What's the fun, Kitty." Grace said with a smile as she reached out and tapped her little daughter's forehead. , life must go on.”

"Mother, isn't Jane the goddess of those bachelors at Langbourne? Don't they have any idea of ​​Mr. Bingley?" Catherine asked, tilting her head.Although she understood what her mother said, she couldn't completely extinguish the fire of gossip in her heart.

"Kitty, what do you think they think?" Grace picked up her little daughter and let her sit beside her in his arms. "What do the bachelors in Longbourne have? What the ancestors left must have a son to inherit." Land, an annual income of one or two thousand pounds. They can't compare with Charles, this is something they all know. You can wear as big shoes as you have feet, and people have to do what they can."

"It's like the fairy tale 'Cinderella' that my mother told me and Mary, isn't it? Even if Cinderella finally married the prince, it was because she was a girl of noble origin." Catherine said.

"That's right." Grace amplified her voice, not only to Catherine, but also to all her daughters, "Although our family is not of a high family background, we can still be regarded as a decent nobleman. Even if you don’t marry those nobles, it’s impossible to marry these squires from Langborn. It’s not that mother doesn’t like them, but you will not get used to marrying into such a family.”

"The lifestyle and environment are different. In such a family, you will have a hard time. Moreover, you and your husband will not have much in common, which will have a great impact on your married life. " Grace hugged Catherine and gently kissed her reddish-brown hair, "You are all mother's treasures, and mother hopes that you can live happily ever after. So, you must carefully choose a husband who suits you .It’s not just love, there are many aspects to consider.”

The author has something to say: Qi Dafei, the wisdom of ancient Chinese ancestors should not be underestimated.

Don't think that you will be happy if you marry into a wealthy family. Every class has its own living standards, and you may not be able to truly adapt.

Miss Bingley is not so irrational, because this is a fan written by Tudou.

Women should love themselves a little more.