[Pride and Prejudice] Rich Lady

Even with Uncle Gardner's generosity, Catherine looked uninterested.It was the silent little Mary, although she was not good at expressing, but her bright eyes were full of desire for new knowledge.

It's just that when Uncle Gardner looked at her, fear and uneasiness filled again, causing little Mary to hastily dodge his eyes.

Uncle Gardner was a little disappointed, he was really thinking about the future of his nieces: for girls without much dowry, the chances of all five of them getting married were very slim; although a good education might not make them get married smoothly, but After all, it can enrich people's hearts, and even an old girl with a chest can live a happier life.Even, Uncle Gardner's hidden secret worry is consistent with Elizabeth: if Mr. Bennet unfortunately dies young, the well-educated girl will not suffer from cold and hunger, at least she can find a position as a governess.

Mrs. Bennet was pleased with Kitty and Mary's tact, and she could not wait to show off the Bennet's delicacies to her brothers.

Uncle Gardner had no choice but to temporarily stop talking, and accepted the kindness with a smile on his face.However, the two sticky and delicious food that I have never tasted is indeed a pleasant surprise.

"It's Lizzie's credit. My little Lizzie is so careful. She is the only one in the whole family who found out that mother has no appetite, so she specially told Mrs. Georgia the recipe she heard." Mrs. Bennet repeated the old tune and told the brother loudly, " I heard that the lady from London told her the exotic recipe, dear Gardner, you live in the city too, have you tried it?"

Uncle Gardner was very supportive and praised: "Never! Even on the dinner tables of those gentlemen in London, there is no such delicious food. Lizzie has always been pleasing, and others are willing to share their knowledge with her."

Mrs. Bennet was very proud, "I dare say that the French cooks hired by those rich masters can't cook such delicious food!"

After saying this, not only Elizabeth, but even Mr. Bennet showed a look of disbelief.Fortunately, everyone knows that this lady has always been a bombastic talker, and everyone is willing to consider her ignorance.

After dinner, we sat in the living room and chatted. Uncle Gardner was a good guest with great intelligence and knowledge. He told the news not only for the ladies, but also for Mr. Bennet.

Probably only Elizabeth was a little out of her mind.

"...The eldest son of Earl Douglas entered Westminster College, which caused a sensation. The young Douglas is already very handsome, even more stylish than those older gentlemen." Obviously, Gardner My uncle also remembered the past and told an anecdote about the public school.

Mr. Bennet actually agrees with his uncle's kindness, but while this humorous gentleman is objective and calm, he also often evades reality and shirks responsibility.His small study seemed to be a safe haven. As long as he hid in it, he could not care about his daughters' upbringing and family trivial matters.It's the same at this moment, not as a father to analyze, exhort and encourage his daughters, but to stand on the sidelines without saying a word.

"Believe me, although the reputation of Taurice College is not obvious, it is no worse than ordinary private schools. The young ladies read and practice calligraphy, play the piano, sing, sew and draw pictures, and some of them are even invited by the most fashionable literary salon in London. She is beautiful, witty and elegant, and is called a 'gifted woman'!" Uncle Gardner was in high spirits.

Mary flinched even more, thinking: I am neither versatile nor eloquent. If I really go to college, it will be a disaster.

"Have you not changed your mind, our ladies?" asked Uncle Gardner again.

"My dear uncle, why didn't you ask me?" Lydia said coquettishly.

Uncle Gardner looked away from Mary and Kitty, disappointed.Hearing Lydia's words, he laughed loudly and said, "Then my little lady, you mean to go to Taoris Academy?"

"Of course not!" Lydia laughed.

"I think I would."

Almost as soon as Lydia finished speaking, Elizabeth continued.

"what?"

"Lizzie! Don't talk nonsense, now, now! Take back your words!"

"Are you crazy, Lizzie? That's a boarding school!"

"Oh, what little Lizzie could say."

The chaos in the small living room was a headache, especially when Mrs. Bennet yelled at Elizabeth to take pity on her fragile nerves and stop stimulating her with nonsense.

Elizabeth's ears were buzzing for a long time, and she couldn't tell who was screaming and who was talking. She felt that there were two hundred ducks quacking in this small room.

Thanks to Mr. Bennet's dignity, he suppressed those voices.

Mr. Bennet looked at Elizabeth quietly, and asked softly, "Lizzie, are you serious?"

Elizabeth looked straight into his eyes and said solemnly: "Yes, Dad. I have never been so determined. In fact, I heard about it yesterday, and before Uncle Gardner came, I had already made up my mind."

This was beyond Mr. Gardner's expectations. In his heart, Jane was beautiful and gentle, and Elizabeth was smart and generous. These two girls were the most worried about marrying.

"Well, then, what reason do you have to persuade your dear uncle?" Mr. Bennet said quietly, but his meaning was already clear.

Mrs. Bennet couldn't bear it, and said loudly: "Lizzie is stupid and self-willed, Mr. Bennet, why are you talking nonsense too!"

Mr. Bennet raised his brows and added reluctantly: "Sorry, and your mother, she seems to need a reason too."

"I don't need an excuse, all her nonsense! Mr. Bennet, I beg you, order Lizzie to take back her foolishness!"

But she hit a wall again, and even her brother, instead of listening to her carefully, looked at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was taken aback, and at this critical juncture, she secretly took a small errand: If it was changed to a flower-growing country, which son-in-law would dare to treat his wife so coldly in front of his natal family? Sisters come out...

"Increase knowledge and broaden horizons, just like the school motto of Taurice College: God helps those who help themselves." Elizabeth looked at her uncle and said seriously: "Uncle Gardner also studied at Northampton Academy, I think you feel the same way ?”

Uncle Gardiner's blue eyes narrowed happily, and suddenly he laughed loudly: "Yes, yes! My dear lady! If I hadn't had the experience at Northampton Academy, maybe I am still in Meryton for you now. Uncle Phillips is an assistant. After all, I really don’t have the talent like him to be able to work as a lawyer. Fortunately, your grandfather saw this, trained him to inherit the career, and sent me to Northampton.”

This aroused the excitement of Uncle Gardner, who told his niece about his schooling experience: "... You must know that people only recognized Oxford and Cambridge at that time, and they were always skeptical about the new academies. Especially In addition to the national education courses, there are also philosophy and science courses in the academy. Earlier, some gentlemen even openly opposed these newly established academies in the parliament. Fortunately, there are always visionary people, and these academies have now spread all over England. Even Cambridge University established a chair of natural philosophy a few years ago."

"Of course, I'm not dissatisfied with the two pearls of Britain. In fact, when I was young, I also dreamed of entering those two universities." Uncle Gardner shrugged. It's too high!"

"Noble students, senior self-funded students, self-funded students, and fee-reduced students, only the sons of nobles and high-ranking church priest families can enter there. The Gardner family has nothing to do with any of them, even the lowest-level fee-reduced students I can’t even get there. And their tuition fees, even the senior self-supporting students need 120 pounds a year, and the meals alone need 40 pounds! You must know that the expenses in the Northampton Academy are all calculated, and it only costs 20 pounds a year... ..."

Uncle Gardner winked his eyes: "Your grandfather was overjoyed when he settled the bill. Old Mr. Gardner kicked your poor uncle out of the house with just one notice."

Mrs. Bennet was so uncomfortable that she eagerly interrupted her brother's talk, and questioned in disbelief: "She, that disobedient bad girl! It only took one sentence to get your approval? Edward! Pity me, don't you?" Do you have the heart to see your niece become an old maid who cannot be married?"

Uncle Gardner comforted her, and said softly: "Okay, Clarissa, she is determined to make progress, shouldn't the family be happy?" Elizabeth has such ambition, and Mr. Gardner is very pleased and joyful.

Clarissa, Mrs. Bennet hadn't heard this address for a long time, and her anger was eased.Immediately afterwards, she immediately became aggressive again, picking up her shield like a Spartan female warrior, "Please think about her age, she will soon be 16 years old, and she will be able to enter the social world soon! You must know the girls Time is always short, teenage girls are most favored by gentlemen, and she is likely to marry before the age of 20! But if she goes to such a damn school, I can’t imagine! An old girl in her 20s returns When I got home, I set foot in society seriously... Oh, all Longbourn would laugh at her! Laugh at the Bennets!"

Elizabeth thought to herself that she would not marry before the age of 20. Even the original Elizabeth did not meet Mr. Darcy until she was 21.

Lydia burst into laughter: "20-year-old girl, mother, Charlotte Lucas will be 22 years old this year, she must not be happy with your words."

Mrs. Bennet, angered by an inappropriate jest, is now full of rage.

"Don't say those ridiculous things, Lydia, for God's sake! Don't people laugh at her behind her back? Everybody says, poor Miss Lucas, she's not pretty and doesn't have a good dowry." I'm afraid I'm going to be an old girl, and I'm going to hurt her little sisters! Miss Lucas won't marry her sisters, and her sisters won't be able to enter society. Maybe in a few years, Sir Lucas will have several marriages. The daughter who won't go out."

Mrs. Bennet was extremely vitriolic, but inadvertently reminded Elizabeth.

Elizabeth sat down next to her mother, and said softly, "Mom, you also said that if the older sister is not married, it is not easy for the younger sister to go out to socialize. A gentleman's family always follows this principle-even if I am sixteen years old, I should not rush to socialize. So as not to be criticized."

Seeing that Mrs. Bennet wanted to retort, Elizabeth immediately said: "Dear mother, we can't ignore Jane's face just because she is the most beautiful lady in Longbourn and has many suitors. At least we have to wait a little longer and enter later. The social world is the best. I promise you, Mom, I will finish my studies as soon as possible, and it will definitely not take as long as five or six years. After all, I can do basic reading, writing and embroidery with the guidance of you and my father."

Although Mrs. Bennet still disagreed, her face softened a little.

Uncle Gardner answered with a smile: "Lizzie is right! There is another great advantage of entering the college: there are many elegant and well-known wives teaching there. If they like them, they may be willing to be referees. Lizzie introduced her to the social world in London. It's a completely different level from Longbourne and Meryton, not to mention that it won't make people gossip about the Bennet family - no one can ask for it Come on!"

Mrs. Bennet softened a little, but she was still stubborn, and said in a vicious voice: "Fifty pounds, I won't pay you a penny, you have the ability, go and collect it yourself! I know, you and Jane Added up, the change I saved was only a few pounds."

Without waiting for Uncle Gardner to take over, Mr. Bennet had already said: "I am willing to support Miss Elizabeth. Even if she needs to study for five or six years."

Mr. Bennet's contrarian voice not only provoked his wife to shout, but also made his second daughter, who had only sworn to promise, pout at himself.

The matter was finally settled, not only Elizabeth, but even Mary was very happy.That night, she sneaked into the second sister's room quietly, wanting to talk privately, but found that the eldest sister Jane also had the same intention. The three sisters were squeezed into one bed, chattering until late at night.

"Lizzie, if it's really good there, next year, um, or the year after, can you help me convince my mother that I want to go too." Mary was a little embarrassed, and begged in a low voice: "I want to have you in a school, Maybe I won't be afraid anymore. This year I will read more books, so I will be more confident."

How considerate this 13-year-old girl is. She was afraid that her own request would make Mrs. Bennet, who had finally let go, object to Elizabeth's going to Taoris College again, so she held back her mouth and waited until the dead of night before carefully seeking Elizabeth's advice. Opinion.

Elizabeth took her little sister into her arms, kissed her forehead, and quickly agreed: "My dear little Mary, if it's really good there, there will definitely be two Bennet ladies at Taurice College next year."

"Don't be afraid. I will send many, many letters back, telling you about my experience and the situation of the college. When you enter school, you will be as familiar with it as your uncle's house. A master who is familiar with the environment needs to worry Can't you fit in?"

Mary blinked her eyes, knowing that the second sister saw her uneasiness, she was very grateful, she slid into Elizabeth's arms like a pony, closed her eyes and said, "Good night, Lizzie. Good night, Jane."

Not long after, the little girl fell asleep.

Jane and Elizabeth didn't speak for a long time, but they both knew that the other was still awake.

After a while, Jane said softly: "You know what, Lizzie? You really impress me. I even think you are a little strange tonight."

Elizabeth turned her head slightly on the pillow and listened to her saying: "Although I always knew you had courage, I really admire you today, Lizzie. I wish you all the best in Taurus College. I will pray to the Lord for you every day."

"I am the eldest daughter of the Bennet family, but I have never been able to take on important things. Lizzie, I know that you are not only for yourself, but also for us. If you continue to live as usual, if the safe haven of Dad collapses, the entire class That's the end of the Nats... I used to dream only of finding a rich and generous gentleman, marrying him, and counting on him to provide for us and Mother, never thinking of making a difference, or relying on myself..."

"Every time I hear people talking behind my back, saying, 'Miss Bennet is beautiful, but she is poor, and marrying her is better than marrying the baker's daughter', I can't help being flustered, and I don't dare to be noticed. Try to smile—everyone knows that the property of the five Bennet daughters is nothing more than a deposit of a thousand pounds at four per cent. Mr. Bennet is owned by his daughter after his death. If women can feed and clothe themselves, and I can live on my own, then maybe I can just take off the smile in the face of these vicious rumors and be cruel Give those tongue-in-cheek women a quick look and let them know how powerful I am."

When Elizabeth heard this, she couldn't help it anymore, and chuckled lightly: "Dear Jane, even if you have a lot of money, you won't. You can't do such a behavior that makes people down. You are so considerate and gentle , I really can't imagine the way you raise your eyebrows and stare."

"Wealthy? Even in a dream, I never expected it." Jane couldn't help laughing.

Jane's words have already told Elizabeth that some wonderful and unprecedented changes have taken place in her mentality, and Elizabeth is happy from the bottom of her heart - she knows that Jane has been unwilling to agree to those suitors, and she is even unwilling to get to know them better. It's because of her reserved nature, and it's not because she hates it, but because of her wealth.Those poor boys' families were not rich, at least not to the point where they could support the Bennet family, so from the very beginning, Jane kept her heart tight and refused to give both parties a little chance.But with such a mood to get a marriage, even if there is really love between them, according to Jane's character, she will blame herself in her heart, feeling that her utilitarian purpose is not pure——

"My dear, if there is such a rich, generous and handsome gentleman who is pursuing you, will you agree? If you agree, is it because you love him?" Elizabeth asked.

Jane was silent for a moment, and then said: "Why don't you agree? Lizzie, you know how rare such a person is. I think I will fall in love with such a gentleman, after all, he is my dream."

"At least partly because I love him," Jane added. "He is willing to take care of my family. In addition to love, I will be deeply grateful to him, take care of him in every possible way, comply with all his requirements, and be a good wife praised by everyone."

really!But infinite submissiveness cannot bring a little more protection to marriage.Even without the ambitious maid, Elizabeth thought, Jane's mentality would cause problems in her marriage to Mr. Bingley, sooner or later.Regardless of men and women, obedience without a bottom line will only spoil the other party completely, and make them not cherish or care. As time goes by, even the most beautiful cinnabar mole will turn into mosquito blood.

"My dear, consideration and obedience do not make gentlemen appreciate you, and even make love fade."

Jane covered her mouth and trembled with laughter. She leaned close to Elizabeth's ear and teased her in a low voice: "Lizzie, how do you know love before you enter the social world? Is there any young man who is secretly pursuing you? Let me guess." , is it Jim, or Finn of Meryton? Perhaps it's Brooke, who keeps staring at you every time we're in the fruit shop."

Elizabeth pushed her and reminded her to think carefully: "Look carefully, am I right? Even among these neighbors in Longbourn, which of the hostesses who have no temper and only know how to obey has the respect of their husbands? Those gentlemen who are polite on the outside will even beat them with their hands. On the contrary, those wives who are not very submissive, people will listen to what they say."

"It's not that gentleness is bad, it's just that gentleness with a bottom line is valued. Besides, the gentlemen don't say it in their mouths, but in their actions they treat girls who can act like a baby and who can act like a baby. Even in our family, isn't it the same? ?”

Elizabeth's words made Jane ponder. When she thought about the balls she had attended in the past, it really seemed to be what Lizzie said: the more she refused, the more enthusiastic the boys were; the less she talked, the more everyone praised her. upbringing.There are also other ladies at the ball, who occasionally have a temper and are pointed at by the wives behind their backs, but they are the most favored by young gentlemen; they are even far less beautiful than her, but they can easily The husband who called Cai who expressed his affection for her changed his target and showed great hospitality.

Elizabeth didn't know that the private conversation between the two sisters caused an uproar in Jane's heart.Today, a major concern was resolved, and seeing a new future, Elizabeth was exhausted after a long day. She hugged Mary's warm body and fell asleep after a while.