[Pride and Prejudice] Becoming Katherine Bennett

Catherine sat upright in the carriage, staring straight ahead.She came to Darcy's house today in a kind of buggy with an open body and no hood.Mr. Darcy rode slowly on her right.There was a distance of about five feet between the two of them.

Catherine's neck and spine were straight, supporting her slightly weak mood.She didn't know why Mr. Darcy wanted to send her off, and she was worried that the other party would say some embarrassing topics, so she could only deliberately not look in Mr. Darcy's direction to avoid intersection with his eyes.

Mr. Darcy, however, made no attempt to speak to her.He said he was giving her away, but he really just gave it away.After the two came out of his house, they walked along Regent Street to Oxford Street. During this period, whether they passed Buckingham Palace and saw the Royal Cavalry, or the Milan store with the latest French fashion and jewelry in the window, Catherine did not make a sound.If the person beside her was not Darcy, she might have already discussed it with him.

Catherine was serious and nervous.But she struggled for a long time, and found that Mr. Darcy had been silent.She couldn't hold back, and secretly glanced at him.He looked ahead, not turning his head to speak to her.

Is he... really on the way?Otherwise, why didn't you talk to her all the way?Catherine couldn't figure it out.

However, this kind of quietness is more comfortable for her than talking.She didn't ask, and she didn't plan to talk out of nothing, they were silent all the way.After a while, Catherine saw St. Clement's Church and relaxed both mentally and physically.During this period of time, she often went out, and she already knew the road near Uncle Gardner's house. The sight of St. Clement's Church meant that she was approaching Grace Church Street.

The thought of getting home soon made Catherine no longer nervous.As for why Mr. Darcy sent her off, and why he didn't speak, she no longer guessed.Anyway, this journey is coming to an end soon, what else can she worry about?If Mr. Darcy spoke now, he would not be able to say a few words, and he would not follow her into the house.He had no chance to embarrass her.

Catherine breathed a sigh of relief.At the same time, she was still a little confused, not sure what Mr. Darcy's intention was.

In the short two short encounters at Darcy's just now, Catherine had seen that he still retained a touching love for her.Catherine was not surprised by this.It wasn't long before his marriage proposal was rejected, and the emotion was so hot and sincere, it would definitely take some days to completely forget it.She thought that he was using the excuse of sending her home and would take the opportunity to say something to her to express his love, but she was wrong in her judgment.

In any case, Catherine has arrived home, and she is glad that she no longer has to think about Mr. Darcy's mood, but just say goodbye to him.

She supported the servant's arm and got out of the carriage. After straightening the slightly raised skirt because of her actions, she was about to say goodbye to Mr. Darcy. When she turned around, she just saw Mr. Darcy got off the horse and He gave the horse's reins to the servant.

Catherine: ...

Mr. Darcy received her surprised look, stepped forward quickly, and discussed with her softly: "Miss Catherine, I have a few words to say to you."

Darcy's tone is gentle, and his eyes are more friendly.

Catherine blinked, realizing that the gentleman was not quite what he usually was when the two of them were alone.In the past, he was calm and serious, even if he was a little gentle towards her, but probably because there were other people present, his tone was always normal, and if you didn't listen closely, you wouldn't be able to hear his differential treatment.

But when there were only the two of them, his attitude towards her, whether it was his eyes, tone or voice, was like a calm and deep ocean, almost drowning.But now, maybe because his intentions no longer need to be concealed, he made it more obvious and exaggerated, and he didn't seem to notice it at all.

Catherine looked uncomfortable at him, and turned her gaze away, thinking that he was going to bring up the old matter again, and her face was flushed with embarrassment.

Darcy, seeing her reaction, knew at once what the young lady might have misunderstood.He then became at a loss, and hurriedly explained anxiously: "Miss, please don't worry, what I want to say has nothing to do with you and me."

Catherine: ...

It was fine if Darcy didn't say anything, but when he said it, Catherine's face turned even redder.If it was nervous and shy before, it would be full of embarrassment and embarrassment. I really want to dig a hole and bury myself.People didn't even want to mention it, but she pretended to be passionate.Catherine Bennett, do you really think you're that attractive?

Catherine was so ashamed and angry that she couldn't help but blame Darcy.But as soon as she stared over, she saw a smile on the corner of the other party's mouth, and his eyes became more gentle.

God, it's really impossible.Catherine really wanted to turn around and leave.

Fortunately, Catherine still has reason, but even if there is, there is not much left.Standing in front of the door, she said very impolitely: "Good sir, please tell me." Her attitude of not welcoming was very clear, and she hoped that the other party would finish speaking quickly, and she had no intention of inviting Darcy in.

Darcy likes her so much, of course he doesn't care about her.He said gently: "It's been a long time, maybe we'll all be more comfortable sitting in a chair and saying."

Catherine looked at him, Darcy's expression remained unchanged.

Catherine knew that Darcy was not the type of person to find reasons to stay with her for a while. He was so formal that he must have something to say.

They entered the house together.

The housekeeper came forward and informed them that Mr. Gardiner, Mrs. Gardner, and Miss Jane were not at home.Relatives are away, which saves the red tape of visiting.

Catherine led Darcy into the drawing room again, and they sat on both sides of the table, facing each other.She ordered the servant to prepare tea, and the servant closed the door behind him when he left.The living room of Uncle Gardner’s house is not too big, about 350 square feet, and the decoration is not gorgeous, but the style of pragmatism is everywhere.

Both of them lowered their heads and said nothing.In this small closed environment, silence is sometimes an ambiguous expression.Catherine had just realized that it was here, in the same position, that she had rejected Mr. Darcy's proposal of marriage a few days earlier.

Mr. Darcy evidently thought of this too.He was originally looking at the ground, but when he thought of this, he raised his eyes and met Catherine's eyes.The two looked away in an instant, maintaining calm on the surface, but what was going on in their hearts could not be described in simple words.

Fortunately, a servant soon came in with tea, breaking the silence.After she put down her tea and left, Mr. Darcy said: "Miss Catherine, I know that such behavior will cause you some trouble, but please forgive me for insisting on visiting. What I want to say today is of great importance to you. My dearest person and yours. I originally wrote these words in a letter and wanted to find a chance to pass them on to you. But I didn’t expect to see you today. After meeting, I thought about it and finally decided to write these words Talk to you face to face."

Darcy looked serious.Seeing his tone and attitude, Catherine couldn't help but sit up straighter again, expressing her serious attitude: "Please tell me."

"I want to say two things today. One is about Georgiana, and the other is about your sister." Darcy said, "Speaking of my sister, you may not believe me, but I don't know the difference between you." She didn't tell me anything about your relationship. Please don't get me wrong, I don't mean to comment on your friendship. In fact, I am happy to see it. I just want to ask. I think you have something about my sister Georgiana too. Basic understanding, what kind of person do you think she is?"

Catherine thought for a while and replied: "I won't talk about the level of those ladies' skills, just my feelings, I think Georgiana is a very good girl, she is kind, gentle, considerate, and I like her very much. The only downside is that she is too introverted and shy, I don't know if it's like this in my relationship or with everyone."

Listening to Catherine's words, Darcy's expression softened a lot: "I agree with you. It's not that I want to brag about my sister, but Georgiana does have too many advantages to praise. Her shortcomings are also obvious. Get in touch with her People who used to like her very much, but few people get in touch with her. As you said, she is too shy. Every time she meets a friend who wants to make friends, she is always speechless and unable to join other people's topics and conversations. Social. You're her, the first friend I've ever met to invite to her home."

"Oh. This..." Catherine was very surprised.Although she also found that Georgiana was withdrawn, she never expected it to this point.Georgiana's shyness seems to have gone beyond the general range, to the point of some psychological barriers.

But what kind of excitement can a noble lady like her encounter?

"You might think that Georgiana's personality had a lot to do with my mother's untimely death and not having a close female elder in the family to teach her, and I can't deny that. But she wasn't like that before. Although she wasn't like that before Lively, more introverted than other girls of the same age, but far less afraid of contacting strangers than she is now. The reason why she is like this..." Mr. Darcy paused for a moment, and there was a trace of unconcealable pain in his tone, " Something happened."

Catherine listened quietly.

Darcy said: "Actually, I'm also struggling whether to tell you this matter. I never worry about whether you can keep it secret. It's just that this involves Georgiana's life after all. If it wasn't for me, I haven't seen Georgiana so happy with others for a long time. Maybe I don’t want to mention it to you when we get along with each other. You must know that Mr. Wickham had a great relationship with our family before.”

Catherine said softly: "Yes, he said that he is your father's godson."

"Yes," Darcy said of Wickham, his tone was far less gentle than just now, and became angry and cold, "His father is the head of our family. He is reliable and kind. My father thinks highly of him, and I do too I respect and like him. It's a pity that Mr. Wickham has not inherited his father's advantages at all. He is full of bad deeds and dissolute, but he is good-looking and smooth-tongued. He is very good at disguising. The elders like him very much. However, although he can hide it, But I grew up with him and spend a lot of time together, he can lie to the elders but not to me. I knew early on that he was a man of bad character. But I didn't tell the elders, I know they won't believe it. My father I love him very much, and made a will before my death, asking me to use him as much as possible, and also asking me to fill in the vacancy of the pastor in the parish.”

"Mr. Wickham has mentioned that too."

"I think he must have said that it was my problems that cost him the job. But in fact, it was Wickham who gave up, saying he wanted to study law and not be a priest. I certainly don't want to let such a He is a priest in my parish, so we agreed that I would give him three thousand pounds, and he would never mention the pastor again. Actually, I know he is talking about excuses, but my father's will is here, and I And thinking that we grew up together after all, this is the last help."

"You are very generous." Catherine said sincerely.With the current purchasing power of [-] pounds, it is enough for a person to live richly for decades.

"I also felt that I was merciful. But three years later, after spending all his money, he came back to me and asked me to recommend him to be a pastor according to his will. I refused, no matter how much he asked. Since then, he has hated me deeply , Smearing my reputation everywhere. I heard a little bit about it, but I have never had anything against him. Who would have thought that he didn't appreciate my concession, and he was thinking of revenge. He couldn't think of any other way, so he set his mind on Georgiana on the body."

"Oh my god..." Catherine never expected that things would get in touch with Georgiana.

"At that time, it was Mrs. Younger who accompanied Georgiana. I was stupid. I didn't see her misbehavior. I actually had a good relationship with Wycombe. They reached an agreement in private. Mrs. Younger let Wickham approach Georgiana, And he took advantage of the friendship they grew up with when they were young, and he has been flattering Georgiana in every possible way, making Georgiana think that this relationship is love. He knew that I would never allow this marriage proposal, so he encouraged Georgiana to elope with him. Georgiana couldn't bear my sadness, so she told me in advance. They didn't make it. In order to protect my sister's reputation, I didn't do anything, but just cleared them from our surroundings and ended this matter quickly."

Speaking of this, although Darcy tried his best to hide the pain, this memory obviously made him extremely regretful and hated.

Catherine was shocked.

elopement!Catherine couldn't imagine that such a gentle and delicate girl as Georgiana would be connected with such a word.

No matter what age, elopement is an ugly word.But in this feudal and centralized country, the consequences of elopement are even more serious. Once exposed, it will inevitably be a huge scandal, which will bring a heavy blow to the reputation of the entire family.What's even more tragic is that if the two elope and get married, they can barely save face.But if you are not married, it will have little impact on the man, but the end of the woman will either become a prostitute or die from the world.

Given Georgiana's character and background, the latter outcome is more likely.

Catherine was taken aback.Although she had disliked Wickham for a long time, she still didn't expect a person to be so bad.Georgiana was young and ignorant, and she was deliberately guided by someone she trusted, so she could be excused, but Wickham's intentions were just like Sima Zhao's, and any man who proposed to elope was selfish and vicious.If he succeeds in doing so, he can not only avenge Darcy, but also get a lot of Georgiana's property.Catherine had no doubt at all that after getting all of Georgiana's property after marriage, he would go to spend and drink, and would not care about such a girl at all.

It has been a long time since this incident, but when Mr. Darcy thinks about it, it is still painful: "I hate these people, but I can't help but blame myself. After my parents passed away, I always thought about revitalizing the family business and not letting my parents down. At that time, I was not very mature, and I had a lot of official duties to do. I didn't care enough about Georgiana, and sometimes she came to pester me, and I still felt that she was ignorant. After the incident, I really regretted it and hated it. I didn't fulfill my brother's duty and cared too little for her. Otherwise, she wouldn't be easily deceived and played by people like Wickham."

This is the first time Darcy talked about his self-blame and repentance with others.When the incident happened, he was extremely shocked and angry. After dealing with Mrs. Younger and Wycombe decisively, he continued to comfort the frightened Georgiana.Few people knew about this matter. He only told Colonel Fitzwilliam. They discussed it and decided not to tell anyone. They were afraid that if the news leaked out, it would affect Georgiana's life, so others would naturally know nothing about it.

When he was discussing with Colonel Fitzwilliam, he concealed his emotions, because he felt that no matter how much he blamed himself, it would be better to spend time with his sister.

But in Darcy's heart, he always thought he was guilty.My sister wants to elope, which is the result of a complete lack of concern.He wanted to protect his family, but they either left him early or almost went astray.He was so bad, he was useless.Darcy couldn't imagine what would happen now if Georgiana eloped at that time.If his sister is gone, he doesn't know what will happen to him.When all ties are gone, what joy can he have?

Darcy pursed his lips tightly, in a state of confusion.Catherine looked at his depressed and painful expression, and felt sorry for Darcy while feeling sorry for Georgiana.

Mr. Darcy is a grown man now.He was tall and broad-shouldered.But what about that year?His parents passed away one after another, his younger sister was young and ignorant, and Pemberley's huge property and various relationships had to be maintained by him. It must have been very hard for him.

Catherine couldn't bear to see him fall into self-blame and remorse, and said quietly: "Mr. Darcy, I once read in a book that when some people suffer tragic things, some people will always say that the victim is to blame for it, yes He did not do well, he should reflect, otherwise how could such a thing come to him instead of someone else? But I want to say, such words are all vicious nonsense. There is only a thousand days to be a thief, how can a thousand days to guard against a thief You are not wrong, Georgiana is not wrong, it is Wickham, Mrs Younger, those who have evil intentions and easily destroy other people's lives for their own selfish interests. They are vicious, selfish, vicious and vicious. You are not wrong, You shouldn't think that if you do something better you can avoid it. You can't. As long as there are vicious people and as long as their jealousy, greed and ugliness never fades, then nothing we do will help. So let the vicious people Pay the due price, make them extremely miserable, and let other wicked people see his misery and feel fear, this is what we should do."

Catherine was very calm when she said these words, and Darcy was shocked by the decisiveness and cruelty in her tone.

In his impression, although she is often cold, she is lively and lovely, youthful and charming.She loves to wear beautiful dresses.She will roll her eyes.She is not good at dancing.She likes to read books.She is always reluctant to trouble others.She doesn't like him, but she is gentle.She has always been shy.

But Catherine in front of her was so strange.She was sullen and sharp-tongued.She looked at him with a steady tone, but there was a fierce coldness behind her.

"If it was me, I have your status and power. If he really elopes successfully, then I might be careful and endure the pain. But he didn't, so I will return Wickham after the matter subsides." There are Mrs. Young sent to a cell or a distant battlefield to make them disappear anyway. I don't even need to find a reason. I wouldn't be kind like you and let it go if they didn't succeed. No, they have succeeded, and they never will They hurt Georgiana, turning her from a cute and lively girl to being submissive and even afraid to speak. They also hurt you, making you, who is upright and generous, live in guilt and suffer a lot.”

"But they live shamelessly. He speaks ill of you everywhere, ruins your reputation, and has no guilt. It shouldn't be like this. Such a person, being kind to him, is unfair to others. He should be punished, Let him repent for his past mistakes forever. It's his fault, he deserves to go to hell, and he deserves to suffer forever, not you."

"It's not your fault, Mr. Darcy."

Darcy stared blankly at Catherine. He looked at her, speechless for a while.