[Comprehensive Book] A Rose for Catherine

Miss Catherine Bennet, whose pen name is Ryan Upton, is currently a second-rate novelist who is well-known in England.

This is not because of how much she loves writing, but because of real life.Not long after Catherine came to this era, she thought about how she would live in such a society, and making plans for the future first required understanding the legal provisions of this era.With this mentality, Catherine studied some of the laws that might be relevant to her in the future, and then fell into a deep silence.

If women in this era want to maintain a prosperous life, there are only two best ways, either to inherit a considerable amount of inheritance or to marry a rich husband. ①

Although the former Bennet family is considered a wealthy country gentry, almost all of Mr. Bennet’s income comes from land and farms. These real estates need to comply with the complicated British land law, that is, the limited inheritance law. Only male heirs can inherit real estate. Unfortunately, Surprisingly, all five children of the Bennet family are daughters. ②

Therefore, the only part that the daughters can inherit is cash, and this part of cash comes from Mrs. Bennet’s dowry of [-] pounds and interest of [-] pounds. After Mr. Bennet’s death, the amount that each daughter can get is only [-] pounds and interest of forty pounds a year.And obviously, forty pounds a year is by no means enough to live comfortably. ③

At this time the latter would be an excellent way out, as Mrs. Bennet had planned.Since several daughters have grown up one after another, the marriage of the daughters has become a lingering nightmare in her heart.Catherine would bet that half of Mrs. Bennet's nerve pain was from not being able to find a marriage that would satisfy her and her daughters.

But Catherine didn't want to go this way—marry a wealthy gentleman who doesn't dislike her meager dowry, stay by the fireplace in a luxurious manor and play boring Quadrille cards with wives of the same class. Go to great lengths to have a male heir. ④

Oh come on!

Catherine felt that life was not interesting at all when she thought about it.

Therefore, Catherine had to find another way to save a considerable amount of pounds to maintain her future life before the first three sisters married off.But at this time, there were too few jobs for women. Catherine only knew two professions, "being a maid" and "being a tutor", but these two professions were poorly paid, and they were not occupations that a decent lady should hold.She didn't want to drive Mrs. Bennet to death.In the end, Catherine decided on a career of "writing" after thousands of choices.Although it is not honorable to the world--to the world, women are not honorable in any occupation other than being a rich wife.But it's free enough, and the rewards are good if you succeed. ⑤

that's the truth.

In order to cater to the literary market, Catherine wrote her first epistolary novel, "Morris", imitating the current popular style two years ago. ⑥

The book received a remuneration of 200 pounds from the publisher and was well received after publication.A few months later, the publisher happily reprinted and bought Catherine's manuscript at a high price of [-] guineas.Catherine also immediately responded with a happy smile to express her honor to the "lovely and respectable Mr. Taken" in her eyes. ⑦

This is a commercial work aimed at earning sterling pounds, and it would be great to get another 200 pounds of property now.

Catherine happily praised the publisher, and asked him in the letter whether he would like to buy her second work, a novel whose genre is not so common at present, "The Marriage of Thirty Thousand Pounds", which uses a lot of Dialogue and psychological description are completely different from the popular epistolary style. ⑧

Sure enough, the publisher did not disappoint Catherine's expectations, decisively sent an advance payment of 460 pounds, and paid the remaining [-] pounds after Catherine delivered the manuscript.

Because of the unique and novel writing method, this book quickly aroused a wave of discussion in the literary world, and sold [-] copies in just three months.

Catherine then began working on her third novel.At the rate of one book a year, Mary would probably save nearly three thousand pounds before she married.

The road ahead is bright.

she thinks.

It took several days for Catherine to finish reading the last page of this "forbidden book". She carefully hid the book under her pillow to avoid being seen by Lydia who shared the same room.

Lydia is an overly lively girl, she is 15 years old this year, she is young enough in any age, and the exuberant curiosity of children determines that she must not be able to keep secrets.Catherine didn't want to startle her parents and the other sisters with Lydia's "My God!", which represented an inevitable sermon, or several.

Catherine thinks that Lydia is probably the most authentic one of Mrs. Bennet among the five sisters in the family. She has a pretty face and is much more confused than ordinary people—forgive Catherine for not being able to use such harsh words as "no brains" to evaluate own mother and sister.In addition to the meager dowry, Lydia is almost the best marriage partner for most men.

Catherine once worried that this silly little sister would be coaxed away by some wild man's rhetoric.Lydia is naive, not deeply involved in the world, and she has the same superficial understanding of marriage as Mrs. Bennet—even more superficial—Mrs. Bennet will at least consider the man’s annual income, and Lydia can only see The handsome looks and elegant manners of the men.

After finishing everything, Catherine packed up and went downstairs.

When she reached the corner of the stairs she heard Mr. Bennet say to Elizabeth: "I hope Mr. Bingley will like this hat, Lizzie."

Catherine's footsteps paused slightly, and she hadn't realized which faction "Mr. Bingley" belonged to, when the mother interrupted Mr. Bennet angrily.

"Since we are not going to visit Mr. Bingley, how are we going to know what he likes?"⑨

"Don't say that, mother. I suppose father must have called on this Mr. Bingley." Catherine walked briskly down the last few steps, and sat down opposite Elizabeth.She would have liked to sit beside Elizabeth, but Jane was already there.

There was a half-burned white candle in a silver triangular candlestick on the table. Catherine thought three would be enough to light up the room, but the rest of the Bennet family got used to it, and Catherine had to get used to it gradually.But Catherine secretly decided that when she left Bennet's house, she must light three white candles in her house at night.After all, she might not see the emergence of lighting in her lifetime. ⑩

"I saw Dad going out in a carriage this morning. If it wasn't for visiting important guests, Dad wouldn't pay so much attention to his travel style." Catherine winked at the sisters slyly.

Mrs. Bennet immediately cheered up: "Mr. Bennet, Kitty is right, isn't she?"

Mr. Bennet nodded: "Kitty, your rare cleverness has spoiled the surprise your mother and sisters were going to get."

This is affirmative, and several women present immediately cheered.Elizabeth also put down her unfinished hat.

Catherine didn't care that she was a silly girl in the father's mind. "Oh, Dad, I just brought the surprise up a little bit."

In all fairness, Mr. Bennet is not a qualified father.Mrs. Bennet's tedious vulgarity bored him day after day, especially after the only skin of beauty faded with age.The boredom of marriage directly led to his indifference to the education of his five children. He liked smart children, but he never thought about how to teach them to be smart.The only thing worthy of praise is that he has never mistreated his five daughters materially.

Catherine had mixed feelings about him.

Elizabeth said: "Actually, we can meet him at the next dance. Mrs. Long has promised to introduce him to us."

"Prom?" Catherine blurted out in surprise, completely surprised by the news.Thinking of the painful experience of the previous ball, she couldn't help showing an unbearable look in her eyes.

Jane knew that she didn't like most social situations when she grew up, but social customs have always been like this, so she had to gently comfort her: "Kitty, you will always go to social situations in the future. Maybe this time you can meet a lady at the ball." Your hearty gentleman."

"Oh, if he really charms me, I suppose he won't ask me to dance."

Catherine complained.

Mary tried to make her point, but Elizabeth beat her before she could form the words.

"Kitty, if he charms you enough, you'll expect him to ask you to dance."

"That's really terrible," said Catherine.

Mrs. Bennet joined in the sisterly conversation with gusto, almost bursting with joy on her face: "Now, boys, you can look forward to the ball as much as you want! Lydia, my darling, you Gotta start trimming your skirts now. You too, you should go and get some new lace and ribbons. Go to-morrow, and I'll give you fifteen shillings each. Mr. Bingley is enough to dance with either of you. I'm happy."

Several girls approached Mrs. Bennet and kissed her happily on the cheek, "That's great! Thank you, Mom."

Catherine belatedly realizes that she seems to be missing something.

She looked at Elizabeth, and asked suspiciously: "Why does mother value this Mr. Bingley so much? Is it because he has thousands of pounds a year and hasn't married yet?"

she said jokingly.

Elizabeth smiled narrowly at her: "Congratulations, Kitty, you guessed right. Mr. Bingley is about to move into Netherfield. He earns £[-] a year and is not married yet."

". . . it is a delight to the girl of Longbourne. God bless this Mr. Bingley to find the mistress of his estate!"

Elizabeth looked at her and laughed "puchi".

"So when are you planning your next dance?"

"In two weeks."

Elizabeth replied.