[Sense and Sensibility] Fascinated by you

On November 11rd, Butler's mansion completely changed its appearance. Because the house was built for a short period of time, the garden that had not yet formed a large scale also had more flower walls decorated with roses and roses on this day. This was ordered the day before. They cost Philip a good deal of money from flower-growers outside London.The hall, which is a ballroom, is also decorated with brand new carpets, curtains and lamps. If the time is not too short, Elena even wants to change the color of the walls. Now I can only add some ribbons and small decorations. .

Naturally, Hathaway, who is the protagonist, is the key object of decoration. Although the dance will not start until 7:3 p.m. until [-]:[-] a.m. the next day, Hathaway still gets up early under the supervision of Mrs. Tomina Yes, she needs to take a bath first, then twist the face, and then she will start to put on makeup. While Hathaway is putting on makeup, Mrs. Tomina has already prepared the iron rod for curling her hair.

Hathaway sat in front of the dressing table like a puppet, letting herself be manipulated back and forth, feeling like a newlywed, not a girl just going to a ball.While Abby was powdering her face, Elena and Mrs. Tomina exchanged opinions, "Oh! I don't think that thing should be used anymore. Hathaway's skin is already fair enough, so it's not as good as hers." As for the original skin color, I think it’s enough to put some makeup on the cheeks.” As she said that, she had already moved her hands, and Madam Tomina looked at her and expressed her approval.

Then Elena permed Hathaway's hair by herself, which made Hathaway feel a little more at ease. She was always worried that she would put the iron rod on her face if Abby's frizzy guy did it.It wasn't until lunch that the three of them packed up Hathaway.Of course, Hathaway couldn't eat too much for lunch, and could only eat a little beef to fill her stomach.

In the afternoon, Hathaway changed into the pure white high-waisted silk evening dress. The bust was not too low, but the white and tender breasts could still be seen. The hem of the skirt was embroidered with a large piece of silver thread. The pattern of winding vines is sure to sparkle under the candlelight at the party.Around her neck is a set of emerald necklaces handed down by Hathaway's mother. The emerald in the middle is the size of a pigeon egg, and there are hundreds of small diamonds beside it. There are also matching earrings and necklaces. A gold bracelet inlaid with emeralds.This set of emerald jewelry alone is already invaluable, and I believe it will be eye-catching at night.

By six o'clock in the evening, the preparations for Butler's mansion had been completed, and they were only waiting for the arrival of the guests.Hathaway sat in the room a little nervously. Naturally, her nervousness was not whether the next dance would go smoothly, but whether Colonel Brandon would be able to come in.Although Philip had promised her, and she had always believed in his character, she was always worried that something might go wrong.

After a while, Elena came in affectionately holding the arm of a woman. She knew that this was the Countess Felton who would lead her into the London society tonight.She was a close friend of Hathaway's mother during her lifetime, and she was also acquainted with the old Sir Butler. She lost contact with Mrs. Butler only after Mrs. Butler's death.

Because of her outstanding character and well-cultivation, this lady has a pivotal position in the London social circle, but she gradually faded out of this circle because her three daughters got married one after another.Tonight, Philip invited the Earl of Felton and his wife to be Hathaway's leaders. Later, Earl Felton and Hathaway will perform the opening dance, and then Mrs. Felton will introduce it to many ladies and ladies. them.

It is said that Earl Felton was still a loyal suitor of Hathaway's mother when he was young, but he was finally taken away by the old Sir Butler.

The Countess Felton is nearly sixty years old, but her complexion is ruddy and her skin is fair, and she can still vaguely see the demeanor of her youth.She first looked at Hathaway carefully for a while, and said with nostalgia that she looked very similar to Mrs. Butler, but she was more delicate and shy than Mrs. Butler, and she would definitely become the most charming flower in London this year.Hathaway shyly said that it would be the most important thing if she could marry a husband who was as she wished like the three Miss Felton. This sentence hit Countess Felton's itch, and what she was most proud of was All three daughters married wonderful husbands.

It wasn't until Philip sent someone to announce that the ball was about to start that the Countess of Felton was surprised that they had chatted for so long, and couldn't help secretly praising Hathaway for being a smart and interesting girl.It's just that I regret the flaw that Philip told her earlier in the morning. If it weren't for that, why would such a girl worry about marrying.

When Philip led Hathaway out, she hurriedly looked around and did not find Colonel Brandon, so she could only hope that she hadn't seen him.In the astonishment and admiration of everyone, Earl Felton took Hathaway's hand and started the opening dance.

Philip had mentioned earlier that the earl was very strict and rigid, but he was a figure that many people feared.But when Hathaway faced the earl, he felt that he was serious at best. This gentleman had a neat and dignified beard on his face, and his eyes were sharp but warm when he looked at Hathaway. He was tall and tall, and he was good at ballroom dancing. At least Hathaway didn't find a chance to step on his feet at all.Although he didn't talk much, he could see that he liked Hathaway very much. After the song ended, the Earl said with regret: "If Brent is not married, he must marry you."

It wasn't until Hathaway and Philip danced the second dance that she came back to her senses. While spinning in the crowd, she took the opportunity to intersect with Philip and said: "I am afraid that the Earl was really a loyal admirer of mother when he was young! "

It caused Philip to give her a hard look, and then to the gentleman next to him whose eyes were glued to Hathaway's body, "This matter is not something that a lady like you should discuss! Focus on it, if you Step on a few more gentlemen like me tonight, and tomorrow the reputation of Miss Butler's poor dancing skills will spread throughout the city of London."

Hathaway blinked her eyes mischievously, until the gentleman next to her looked even hotter before restraining her mind.It's just that at the end of the song, she vaguely heard Philip muttering in a low voice, "No wonder I agreed so happily..."

There were quite a lot of people attending this ball, Hathaway felt that there were at least a hundred people, and she almost suspected that all the gentlemen in London had come here.Because after Philip, she danced 7 or 8 dances in a row, but as soon as she returned to her seat, there would always be new husbands to invite her, which made her tireless, but she couldn't refuse them rudely, after all, she was The protagonist of this dance.Now she was sure that Colonel Brandon hadn't come, and she almost turned around the venue but couldn't find him.

It was almost nine o'clock when her feet were almost swollen, and she found a place where she could rest. It was on the balcony on the east side of the hall, separated from the ballroom by a thick curtain, and she could only faintly hear There was cheerful music.In fact, that place was more like a good place for trysts between men and women, so she really annoyed several couples who met here privately.

Although it was a bit cold on the balcony, and she was only wearing a thin silk skirt, not even a shawl, she still didn't want to go back, because whenever she was free, a husband would come to invite her to dance, or she would be pulled into a group of ladies The young ladies accept their love among them.

Hathaway leaned lightly on the railing of the balcony, shaking the wine glass in her hand, the night is beautiful tonight, the bright moonlight is deserted but not lonely, the sky is full of stars twinkling with stars, and there are bursts of fragrance from the garden below , such a romantic scene is really suitable for talking about love, but unfortunately the person who promised her is not there.

At this time, the curtain behind her was lifted, and Hathaway didn't bother to pay attention to the other party, anyway, they were all the same people who wanted to take a break.But the sound of slowly staggering footsteps stopped beside her, and the heavy smell of alcohol that could not be blown away by the cold wind passing by passed over, Hathaway had some bad premonitions.

Sure enough, the other party approached a few more steps and trapped her between him and the railing. She immediately turned around and put the hand holding the wine glass on her chest, ready to splash the wine on the other party's face at any time.This is a 30-year-old man. He looks expensive in his clothes. His hair has been caught long ago and his scarf has disappeared. He stood in front of her a little crookedly, and the wine glass in his hand was still upright.

"Miss, why are you here alone, come, come and have a drink together!" He opened his mouth and a strong smell of alcohol came to his nostrils, Hathaway couldn't help but tilted her upper body back and turned her face away, She really didn't expect that just two hours after the dance started, someone was already drunk.

"I'm not that interested, please leave immediately." At this time, Hathaway was still thinking of making peace with the matter, as long as the other party left immediately, she would no longer pursue the other party's faux pas.

But it was obvious that she misjudged the behavior pattern of an alcoholic, especially when a beautiful young lady like her was here alone. He grabbed Hathaway's hand holding the cup, moved his face closer, and laughed, "Miss, Don't, don't be so indifferent! Isn't that why a beauty like you is here alone? I have a lot of pounds on me, and I will definitely satisfy you!"

Hathaway felt that her hand was clamped by an iron clamp, and she would definitely turn red later. She regretted it very much now, why did she hide here alone, otherwise she would not have encountered such a thing.Did the other party treat her as a social butterfly?What about her attire gave him such an illusion? The jewelry on her neck alone is not something ordinary ladies can afford.

Although the current situation seems to be very urgent, she still has the mood to think about it and is unwilling to call for help. After all, if she shouts and invites all the guests, it will be very embarrassing. The Butler family Tomorrow such a scandal will spread throughout society, and the Butler family will be dishonored by her inappropriate behavior.

Just when she was considering whether to step on his feet and kick his genitals, or hit the bridge of the nose with the bracelet on her wrist that weighed more than a pound, maybe a triple hit?

Both were so absorbed, though in different directions, that neither of them noticed the arrival of yet another gentleman.