aristocratic engagement

Annie raised her eyebrows, but turned to look at the shopkeeper without replying.

In fact, the samples in the box are not available to everyone—that is, the fabrics that are "specially provided" to the nobles.

It's not that I look down on ordinary people, but the price is ridiculously high.The hand-woven Yunluo is made of imported raw silk after traveling across the sea for several months. The design and manufacture of the loom took a lot of manpower and material resources. Even the plant dyes were specially developed in Annie's rose garden. Trial planting on a small plot of land.

Compared with most of the silk fabrics on the market, the price of the fabric produced with such a lot of effort is sky-high. Annie intends to use this batch of Yunluo regardless of cost as the key to open the upper passage.

However, Annie didn't intend to tell them, she just wanted to see how the store manager dealt with such a situation.

"Mrs. Bennet, of course your vision is very good, but just as Miss Bennet said, this material was first seen by this lady." The store manager pointed to Annie and showed her a smile. Flattering smile, "Everything must be first come, first served, you see..."

After saying this, the store manager didn't look at Mrs. Bennet's eager eyes, but turned to Mr. Bennet who was watching the play.

Mr. Bennet is of course a decent country gentleman. He understood what the store manager was saying, nodded and said: "My dear wife, I know you like this material, and it suits you very well. However, I have Mr. Klub has ordered a piece of fine material for your dress, aren't you going to Sir Lucas's party?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Mrs. Bennet dropped the box in her hand in surprise and praised her good husband again and again.The store manager Klub immediately waved to the clerk and ordered him to go to the warehouse now.

Anne glanced at the box again, and saw that Mrs. Bennet had turned the inside into a mess.Darcy snorted coldly, looked critically at the messy pile of samples, and said in a cold tone, "Shall we go to another store? I don't think there is anything worth buying here."

As soon as he said this, before Anne could answer, he saw the girl who was the same age as Anne glaring at her, and said coldly: "There is no better fabric store in London than Phoenix, this gentleman's vision is too high." Well, I think, only the treasures in the palace can get into your eyes!"

"Elizabeth!" Mr. Bennet stopped sternly.

Annie tugged at Darcy's sleeve, and seeing his brow loosen slightly, she said to the "overwhelmed" store manager: "Please continue to introduce the origin of this fabric, I haven't seen it clearly yet."

The store manager Klub exaggeratedly let out a sigh of relief, and described in detail the rarity of the raw material, the advanced weaving method, and the time-consuming and labor-intensive labor... The more he boasted, the more ugly Elizabeth's face was. .

Annie knew that the girl must have understood its value at that moment.Annie heard Mrs. Bennet's exclamation and longing again, and she couldn't help smiling. It seemed that this lady didn't understand the store manager's meaning at all.

The doorbell rang again, and Miss Bennet exclaimed in surprise, "Uncle Gardner! How do you know we're here!"

The visitor greeted the Bennet family with a smile, and his wife took the girl in Mrs. Bennet's arms, teasing her while talking to several other nieces.Mr. Gardner and Klub's store manager seemed to be old acquaintances. The two greeted each other familiarly, and the store became noisy for a while.

Darcy frowned unbearably, and the store manager Klub immediately greeted Anne and Darcy to sit down on the sofa on the other side.

Anne was also a little tired from standing, so she pulled Darcy's sleeve and sat down on the sofa.The servants in the store immediately brought tea, and the store manager also came to Annie with the box in his arms, and continued to introduce new products to her.

Darcy unbuttoned his coat and let out a sigh of relief, but his face did not relax at all, and he still had that sulky, hard-to-provoke serious expression.

After carefully inquiring about the properties of the sample fabric in her hand, Annie suddenly asked, "When did this fabric start to be sold?"

"What?" Klub's store manager was taken aback for a moment, and then said stumblingly, "Ah, this...Actually, these fabrics are not sold to the outside world. You see, there are only some fabric heads in this box. We don't have any in the store yet. Whole stock. If I hadn't seen that your clothes are also made of the latest fabrics in our workshop, I would not have taken these out."

Annie continued to ask: "That is to say, if I want to buy it today, I can't get it?"

"...I'm sorry, that's exactly it." The Klub store manager bowed his head and apologized.

"Stupidity." Darcy commented in a low voice.

Annie laughed in her heart, but she kept her face calm and nodded her head to express her understanding.

Suddenly, the sound of a girl crying came from the counter behind her, which attracted the attention of other customers in the store.The youngest girl in the Bennet family was crying while clutching a flower with a bow, making a noise that she must buy it.Her mother wanted to satisfy her again, but she also showed embarrassment.

Jane and Elizabeth exchanged a speechless look, patiently preaching to the other two younger sisters.

The clerk almost collapsed in the face of this family, he turned around and looked at the store manager bewilderedly.Anne said that she didn't mind waiting a while, and the store manager immediately jumped up from the sofa and came to the Bennet family.

Darcy glanced impatiently at the pocket watch again, and Annie noticed it and asked, "Do you have anything else to do?"

"No." Darcy quickly denied without thinking.

That is the noise in the impatient shop.Annie understood.

A nobleman like Darcy has always been in contact with the polite hypocrisy and obedience among the "high class", and it is difficult to accept such "disgraceful" noise for a while.In fact, this is a common situation among lords. If Anne hadn't had a more wonderful experience than them, she might have turned her head away immediately and went to an "elegant" and quiet place to pass the time.

Mr. Bennet's face was sombre, and despite his wife's direct or indirect temptations, he did not respond.

The clerk who went to pick up the goods from the warehouse came out with a large bag of things at this moment, and was stunned when he saw the chaotic scene in front of him.The store manager immediately beckoned him to put the things on the counter, opened the package himself, and said to Mr. Bennet with a smile: "All the things you ordered are here, Mr. Bennet, please check them out."

Annie stood up curiously, looked over there, and met Elizabeth's eyes looking at her, and both of them smiled at each other embarrassedly.

Annie noticed that Mr. Bennet first took out two exquisitely shaped hats from the package, and Jane and Elizabeth both exclaimed happily and put them on for each other.Then there were three hair bows—anne discovered that it was exactly the one the little girl was clamoring for just now.

"Oh! My good sir! You are always...so teasing me!" Mrs. Bennet was overjoyed and beat her husband a few times in annoyance.Mrs. Gardner couldn't help showing a smile, and lowered her head to put bows on the girls' hair.

Mr. Bennet didn't change his expression, but Anne could see his complacency from the bouncing little finger behind his back.Then, Mrs. Bennet screamed loudly again. It turned out that she finally found a large piece of tea-white silk satin from the bottom of the package. Although it is not as stunning as Yun Luo in the box, it is already available in the store. One of the better ingredients.

Mrs. Bennet immediately held the half piece of cloth happily, gestured on her body, and kept "blaming" her husband for "wasting money" and "loving to play tricks on her fragile nerves".

Anne thought this family was very interesting. Mr. Bennet obviously loved his family deeply, but he always said nothing.Seeing her wife and little daughter crying endlessly, it was clear that she had already prepared a surprise.Maybe he just enjoys the surprise and joy of his family's "complaints".

Mr. Gardner took out another small package from his arms and handed it to Jane and Elizabeth. Inside were five beautiful lace gloves.The girls were taken aback by the successive surprises, surrounded Mr. Gardner happily, and hugged him one by one to thank him.

After watching such a good show, Annie withdrew her gaze and walked to other counters.

The store not only sells whole pieces of fabric, but also finished products such as hats, silk scarves, gloves, and hair accessories.Even in the place with the best light, several pieces of ready-made clothes with novel designs were placed.

Annie's eyes stopped on a royal blue checked handkerchief. She turned her face to look at Darcy who was flipping through a magazine on the sofa. He was dressed in black and white. Although they were all made of high-quality materials, they were unavoidably monotonous. .

I really don't know why he likes to dress himself up as an old gentleman when he is so young—even Mr. Bennet's neckline shows a faint red lining.

Annie asked the clerk to take out the handkerchief for her, picked out another collar clip of the same color, and packed it up.She was about to turn and walk towards Darcy when Mr. Gardiner sat down beside Darcy and began to talk.Surprisingly, Darcy did not show any impatience. Mr. Gardner must be good at words and understand the temper of these lords' children.

At this time, the bell at the door of the store rang again.

"Oh! My dear, I just passed by the window and I seem to see your figure. You are indeed here." The person who came was Earl Fitzwilliam, but he just stood at the door and did not come in.

"Uncle!" Annie happily invited, "Would you like to come in and have a look?"

"No, no need." Earl Fitzwilliam immediately refused. He raised the pipe in his hand towards Darcy who was on the sofa, as if to say hello, "Let Darcy walk with you, I have something else to do."

"Okay." Annie didn't force it.

Earl Fitzwilliam narrowed his eyes and looked at the layout of the store, very picky.He raised his hand, pointed to the most conspicuous piece of lavender cloth hanging at the entrance with his pipe, and ordered to the store manager: "Wrap this up and send it to Earl Fitzwilliam's residence together with the bill."

He looked at Anne from head to toe, took a sip of the cigarette and said, "Uncle hasn't given you anything since you came to London, so ask your maid to make you a new dress, the material is barely enough for your family to wear. "

"No..." Annie quickly refused.

"Don't be polite in front of me, it's too fake and worthless." The count didn't care.

"No, I already..."

"Okay, stop talking." Earl Fitzwilliam interrupted her again, waved his hand impatiently, turned around, closed the door and left.

With a smile on his face, the store manager Klub asked the clerk to write down the serial number, and went to the warehouse to get a new horse out for packing.

Annie was dumbfounded. She turned her head and said to the store manager whose face was flushed because of the big dividend, "How much is this fabric?"

"Hey, it's not that expensive compared to the ones in that box, only five pounds per foot."

As soon as Mr. Klub's words came out, everyone who heard the price gasped.

Five pounds!A nice ready-to-wear for less than ten quid!The material was so narrow that a decent skirt would have required at least twenty feet.

Annie secretly dripped blood from her heartache!

Why bother!

This is her own shop!

As soon as new products come out every season, the textile factory headquarters in Phoenix will send her new samples.This time, she lost a lot of money by turning her left hand to her right hand.

Anne was depressed.

At this moment, Darcy, who was sitting on the sofa, also pointed to the violet hat beside him, signaling the clerk to wrap it up.

He looked at the resentment on Annie's face inexplicably, and said as a matter of course: "This color matches the fabric that uncle just gave you—ah, and that white silk scarf, packed together."

Annie wept silently in her heart, puffing up her little face.

Annie and Darcy had just walked out of Phoenix when they heard a voice calling from behind: "Mr. Darcy, Mr. Darcy! Please wait!"

The two turned their heads and saw Mr. Gardner hurriedly following him.

"Your pocket watch fell!" He raised his hand, holding the body of a pocket watch between his fat fingers.

Darcy's expression changed, and he touched the hem of his clothes, and found that the pocket watch that had been hanging there had disappeared.

"When you just got up, it fell off your body. I'm sorry, I just opened it and it's already..." Mr. Gardner handed over the pocket watch with both hands. Darcy's face was very ugly, and he took it After opening it, a trace of imperceptible pain appeared on his face.

Anne was startled. She stood on tiptoe and looked, only to see that the needle of the pocket watch had stopped moving.To make matters worse, the pocket watch had a small portrait of a woman on the cover, already teetering in the shattered glass.There was also a very small name written on the portrait: Anne Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Annie's breath was stagnant, and when she looked up, she saw Darcy's eyes rolling like black clouds, full of self-blame, helplessness and bewilderment.

Anne took the pocket watch from his hand without a trace of resistance.She reached out decisively, took a small clip from her hair, and picked out the broken glass bit by bit.Seeing Darcy's trembling hands, I'm afraid the little statue will fall out soon.If it lands on this dirty ground, it will be troublesome if you want to rejuvenate.

"What are you doing! Put it down!" Darcy yelled angrily at Annie after regaining his senses.

"Why are you attacking her! She is helping you!" Elizabeth stood in front of Anne, staring at the tall gentleman in front of her without any fear, "Why are you like this? It's not like she threw your pocket watch Broken! Besides, aren’t you rich? You just broke a pocket watch..."

Elizabeth was patted on the shoulder by Annie, and now she finally saw the small portrait on the watch, she reacted immediately, and closed her mouth embarrassingly.

Darcy's lips moved slightly, but he said nothing.How should he say that he was worried that her fingers would be scratched by broken glass?On the spur of the moment just now, I didn't notice that she borrowed a small clip instead of flicking it with her fingers stupidly.

Annie picked out all the glass, and the small statue fell into her palm smoothly.She put the pocket watch in front of her eyes, and saw that the pointer fell off, but the small parts connecting the pointer were still moving, so she breathed a sigh of relief.

"The watch is still salvageable. You see, the part is still working. Maybe the hands just need to be put back on. Darcy, let's go to a watch repair shop."

Darcy took the pocket watch, took out a handkerchief from his pocket—it was the royal blue plaid Anne gave him just now, and wrapped the pocket watch in the handkerchief.Annie raised the small portrait in her hand, but Darcy said, "You should keep it for me first, I really..." I couldn't believe myself anymore.

"Mr. Darcy!" Klub's store manager ran out of the store, holding a broken leather rope in his hand.

Anne took her hand, and it really was the string on Darcy's pocket watch.

"Mr. Gardner, I remember that your neighbor is a clock shop?" Mr. Klub made a gesture to him.

Mr. Gardner nodded immediately: "Yes, that is an old clock shop. It has been there since I moved to London. Mr. Darcy, if you need, I can introduce you to the clock master .”

"Is he good at repairing? As far as I know, manufacturing and repairing are two different subjects." Annie asked hastily.

"Of course, nobles often buy a new one when their watch breaks, but we ordinary people certainly don't waste it like this. To put it an exaggeration, half of the broken watches in London are repaired by him!"

Anne breathed a sigh of relief and nodded to Darcy.

Darcy clenched his handkerchief-wrapped pocket watch and agreed.

Darcy, Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Bennet entered the watch shop, and Anne was invited by Miss Bennet to sit in their uncle's shop.

"It won't be fixed in a while. I've been to that watch shop. It's a mess. There are parts and blueprints all over the floor. There's nowhere to sit and wait. I think you might as well come with us in Canada. Sit in Uncle Dana's shop and have some tea." Miss Bennet's arrangement was very thoughtful, and she spoke to Anne as if coaxing her sister.

Annie thought, she must be the most perfect big sister.

Anne did not refuse her kindness, and after greeting Darcy through the window, Jane held one hand and entered Mr. Gardner's shop together.

Mr. Gardner ran a jeweler's shop, and perhaps for that reason, he was well-dressed and indistinguishable from Mr. Bennet's class.Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Gardner joined hands, and took the little daughters who were noisily going to sleep into the back room, leaving Jane and Elizabeth together to greet the guests of the same age.

Annie looked around and found that it was a typical merchant's residence.The front room is the place of business, and the back is where the owner and his family live.This can not only ensure that there are people in the store at any time, but also ensure the safety of the jewelry store at night.

"Uncle has already bought a house on another street, and he can move in next year." Seeing her looking around, Miss Bennet couldn't help explaining.

Anne didn't realize at first that there was something in her words, but when they began to talk about the situation at home, she suddenly realized that Miss Bennet added that sentence because she was worried that Anne would look down on Mr. Gardner.

Mr. Gardner was just a businessman, one of the most despised professions in this day and age.

Miss Bennet and Elizabeth invited her to sit by the window, and the young boy who worked in the store cleverly brought tea and pastries, and Anne realized that she was a little hungry.They visited the duke's mansion early in the morning, and Anne had no appetite at all there. She only drank some tea, and her stomach was already empty.

Walking around is also exhausting.

Anne picked up the small cake on the plate, and ate it in small bites - completely following the lady's etiquette taught by Mrs. Catherine.By the time she finished with the two little cakes, the two Miss Bennets were already talking about the Meryton ball.

"Meridon?" The name sounded familiar, and Anne suddenly remembered that the place name was mentioned in the Rose Garden report.

Elizabeth explained: "Yes, Meryton is the nearest town to our home. It is very lively and there are often various dance parties. Of course, I haven't been there yet...Jane has already been there once!"

Miss Bennet smiled sheepishly, and Anne noticed that her smile was always so shy that she seemed ready to blush at any moment.

"It's going to be spring again soon. Every spring, there will be red-uniformed officers stationed in Meryton for training. At that time, all the girls in the town will go to the side of the road to see them!" Elizabeth seemed to think of something, and suddenly laughed, "Last year we worked together When we go to town, even Lydia, my youngest sister, knows to watch the fun!"

"Liz!" Jane bumped her with an elbow, looking very carefully at Annie.

Anne seemed to have never seen it: "I haven't seen the red uniform yet. Hansford near Rosings Manor has never had such an event... I guess they will only be stationed in larger towns."

"Then you must come and see!" Elizabeth warmly invited, "Oh, by the way, we have talked for so long, I don't even know your name! I am Elizabeth, and this is my sister Jane Banner We live in Longborn, Hertfordshire, and Uncle Gardner invites us to London every spring after Christmas."

"I'm Anne de Bauer." Anne introduced herself with a smile, "I live in..."

"Rosings Manor." Elizabeth answered immediately.

"Yes, Liz? Can I call you that?"

"Of course." Elizabeth nodded vigorously, "It's the first time I've met someone my age...ah, are you 11?"

Annie didn't deny it.

"That's right, Jane is two years older than me! You see, she is only two years older than us, but she is completely different from us!" Elizabeth said enviously.

Annie looked at Jane, only to see that she blushed again shyly.A thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl has already developed and grown. Jane is much taller than Elizabeth, and her face has lost the baby fat, with a smooth jaw line on the high collar.

Her appearance is outstanding, even if Anne has seen so many beautiful, grown-up noble ladies at the ball before Christmas, it is impossible to deny that Jane will be more beautiful than them in the future.

"Jane is the prettiest girl I've ever seen." One.Annie added silently in her heart.

Her words set Miss Bennet's face on fire.

Elizabeth was used to Jane's shyness. After complimenting her a few words, she asked Anne curiously, "Where is Rosings Manor? This is the first time I've heard of this place."

"Kent, right on the border with London."

"You must have other brothers and sisters, right? That begging...is that person just now, is your brother?" Elizabeth stuck out her tongue, and almost said what was in her heart.

"He is Darcy, my cousin. I have no real brothers or sisters, but I have two cousins ​​and a cousin." Anne told her patiently.

"Oh, that's good too! I have three sisters, Mary, Katie, and Lydia, you've seen them all! Sometimes they're like angels, and sometimes they're demons! It's pretty damned, especially When fighting each other! Mom always favors Lydia, maybe because she is the youngest..."

"Cough cough." Jane coughed lightly, "Miss de Bauer may not be interested in our family affairs, Liz."

"It doesn't matter, I'm very interested. After all, I won't have any younger brothers or sisters." Seeing the puzzled expressions of the two of them, Anne explained, "My father, Sir Louis, has gone to God's old man's place. "

"Oh—I'm sorry." Elizabeth subconsciously apologized in surprise, and Jane also hurriedly said, "I'm sorry."

Annie shrugged: "It's okay."

The two sisters glanced at each other and were speechless for a while, Annie poured herself another cup of tea.

Annie recalled the words in the report and account book, and asked casually: "The agricultural industry near Meryton should be pretty good, right? I've heard people say that Hertfordshire is the land of roses."

"Of course!" Elizabeth nodded resolutely. "As long as he is a serious businessman, his life will not be too bad...except for Mr. Williams, who is the owner of Netherfield Gardens and also has a large piece of land. But I heard Said that he is already considering renting out Netherfield Gardens or selling it, otherwise he will not be able to pay off the deficit of the family."

"Sounds bad. Why doesn't he hire someone to take good care of the land? It stands to reason that Hertfordshire's climate is suitable for growing anything?" Anne asked.

"I don't know... But some people say that Mr. Williams is not a kind customer. He once offended all the farmers in the neighborhood, and no one wants to work there." Elizabeth replied.

This was not stated in the report, Annie thought, is such a person credible?If you want to buy his land, will there be hidden dangers?

Even Jane couldn't help but said: "The Netherfield Gardens are now deserted, what a pity, I still remember visiting there as a guest when I was a child, the interior decoration is gorgeous and expensive. It’s like something out of a fairy tale.”

Anne echoed a few regrets.

"... Sir? Your father used to be a knight?" Elizabeth said suddenly, "Jane's good friend, Charlotte Lucas's father was also a knight. He once met the king. Before that, he was in the Meryton was in business, and he was the mayor! However, he has moved to the vicinity of Meryton after leaving office. Mrs. Lucas and her mother are good friends. The last time Jane was able to go to a dance, she followed Charlotte. went together."

"It sounds like this family is very good." Annie echoed, "Miss Lucas must be able to marry a good family, right? According to you, she is already an adult?"

"Yes! She's just grown up... She's really a good friend, it's a pity that few men can realize her beauty."

"Don't say that, Liz." Jane couldn't help interrupting her, "Charlotte is the knight's daughter, and she will definitely find a good home."

"If she is like Anne, without two brothers, she will be able to live better!" Elizabeth resolutely said.

Looking at her face, Anne suddenly understood what the earl and Darcy meant when they always said that they were big kids.

"However, Miss de Bourgh, you are very different from Miss Lucas. You look more..." Domineering?Extravagance?arrogant?Both, and neither, Jane suddenly didn't know what words to use to describe the new friend in front of her.

She has an outstanding appearance and a reserved demeanor.Even sitting there, he straightened his back, as if a ruler was tied to his back.But she didn't have the kind of arrogance to treat civilians in her words, which was very different from her cousin. Even if she sat with them to eat dessert or drink tea, there was no trace of alienation or prejudice.

This is also the reason why the two sisters are willing to chat with her. If it were Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth would be able to quarrel in less than three sentences...

"Lucas? I know this surname, but it's just a knight who was awarded for his meritorious service to the king. How can it be compared with the ancient de Bourgh family?"

Said Cao Cao, Cao Cao.

Darcy's voice came from Anne's side, and Anne was startled, not knowing when he came to the window.

"Eavesdropping on ladies' conversations is not a gentleman's job!" Elizabeth glared at him.

Darcy didn't answer, he went around the window, walked in through the gate, and sat beside Anne: "The master said that although the parts on the pointer are still running, the internal gears have fallen off and need to be dismantled. Open it and repair it, change a few parts, I’m afraid I won’t be able to get it back today.”

"Is it serious?" Annie frowned.

"It's still possible." Darcy looked calm.

Before saying a few words, Mr. Gardner and Mr. Bennet had already returned to the store while talking.Mr. Gardiner immediately introduced Darcy's situation with eloquence.

Anne noticed that Darcy was particularly mild-mannered, perhaps because Mr. Gardiner had found his dropped pocket watch and had introduced him to a reliable watchmaker.

Anne also got up with Darcy, listened to Mr. Gardner's introduction, came to the counter, and watched him take out a black velvet box from the counter.He asked the clerk to place candles, and slowly opened the box under the light.

Inside is a huge deep purple gemstone, which reflects a dreamy and dizzying purple on the black base cloth under the candlelight.

Annie's heart skipped a beat, hoping it wasn't what she had guessed.

Darcy picked up the little box and turned it gently.Mr. Gardner immediately took the candlestick from the clerk's hand, and found an angle for him to observe the shape inside the gemstone.

"This is my 'treasure of the town'." Mr. Gardner joked, "There is hardly a trace of impurities. It used to be a jewel in the ring of a noble lady. About seven or eight years ago, her maid took this gem Sold it to me, exchanged some money and took it home to tide over the difficulties."

Darcy nodded and stretched out his hand. Mr. Gardner nimbly turned around and took out a magnifying glass from the drawer, and put it in Darcy's hand.

After careful inspection, Darcy nodded with satisfaction.He looked at Annie: "How about it, do you like it?"

Anne took a step back. "It doesn't matter if I like it or not, Darcy. I don't want jewels, and—"

"You helped me just now, and this is my reward." Darcy looked at her seriously.

"Repay? This is too precious."

"Anne, in my heart, nothing is worth as much as my father's pocket watch and my mother's miniature."

"Then you should thank Mr. Gardner, not..." Annie suddenly realized.

"I'm just thanking him."

Darcy closed the box.His way of thanking Mr. Gardner was by doing his business.

Annie was a little embarrassed, this way was indeed polite and alienated.There is no need to worry about Mr. Gardner coercing favors, coveting higher favors, and returning her "favors".

but……

"Miss de Bourgh doesn't like gems?" asked Mr. Gardiner hastily.

Annie shook her head: "To be honest, I don't need it. Such gemstones are very precious, but I already have many similar ones in my dressing box." Then, she suddenly thought of something, "Do you have any gemstones from here?" Orient jewelry? Jade or something."

"Yes!" Mr. Gardner's eyes lit up, and he immediately sent someone to pick up the goods from the warehouse behind.

Annie joked: "The 'treasure of the town store' you mentioned is placed at the bottom of the cabinet, but the jade is stored in the warehouse behind?"

Mr. Gardner laughed loudly, and said heartily: "Miss de Bauer, you are really...don't doubt my sincerity, I got the jade bracelet less than a month ago, and I haven't had time to mark it on the shelves. However, it is indeed a very beautiful bracelet, and although I don't know much about jade, I can tell that its quality is transcendent."

Soon, the clerk came back with a small wooden box.

Mr. Gardner personally opened it for her. The slender jade bracelet has a small opening, is delicate and small.Annie held it in her hand, looking through the light, the emerald green flowed in it.Annie didn't know the quality of jade, but she could tell at a glance that this jade bracelet was indeed of high quality.

"Put it on and have a look." Darcy urged.

Annie shook her head: "You don't need to wear it, it's too big." She raised her wrist, revealing a section of white skin.

Mr. Gardner immediately turned into a cunning businessman, bragging about the rarity of this jade bracelet, "In the whole of London, except in the palace, you will never find a second store selling jade bracelets!" The fate with it is so.

Annie couldn't help but think of the jade merchants she met in her previous life, who also seemed to like to talk about "fate".

Finally, Darcy bought it.Annie didn't refuse his kindness again, thinking that she would return it if she had a chance in the future.Under the promotion of Mr. Gardner, Darcy looked at other objects.

Annie was pulled back to the window by Elizabeth who was watching, and sat down on the sofa.

"Although your cousin is an arrogant guy, he is really kind to you." Elizabeth winked at her strangely, and Jane laughed beside her.

Annie became terrified when she saw this look in her eyes, and immediately changed the topic to other novel things.During the conversation, Anne found that Elizabeth likes reading as much as she does, although Anne herself likes to read practical reference books, while Elizabeth prefers literature.Jane also reads, but she is better at artistic attainments... The other three young ladies in the Bennet family have not yet started to read, but Elizabeth has vowed that she and Jane will teach the three younger sisters well.

The topic could not help but shift to the Lucas family they were familiar with.

"Sir Lucas never seems to ask Charlotte to study." Talking about her friends, Jane finally talked more, "Our father, Mr. Bennet, has a different view from him, even though we are all daughters, My father has never been relaxed and owed in his studies..."

Annie actually understood the reason. According to what they said, Sir Lucas was born as a businessman and climbed to this position after seeking fame and fortune. He valued real benefits rather than invisible and intangible knowledge.

This is not to say who is right and who is wrong, but the choice is different.

"Mr. Bennet is a respectable and true gentleman." Anne praised sincerely.

In fact, even 200 years later, fathers who value their daughters' education in this way are rare.Not to mention that in this day and age, even a noble family like Mrs. Catherine pays more attention to her daughter's etiquette, music, painting...these traditional ladylike ethics.

Her praise made both sisters smile sincerely.

"but