I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

After the dinner that day, everyone moved from the dining room to the blue velvet living room on the second floor.

This living room has two opposite carved doors. After the door on the inside is opened, there is another piano room with a terrace, where Marianne's piano is placed.

"Marian, please give us some music. I miss your piano and your beautiful voice very much."

The original Marianne Dashwood is very good at playing the piano, and her singing voice is also very pleasant.

After Pei Xiang crossed over, because she was busy painting and making money, she didn't devote a lot of energy to practicing piano music every day like the original body, but she didn't waste the talent of the original owner, and tried her best to ensure a certain amount of practice time.

Therefore, Pei Xiang was not embarrassed by John Dashwood's proposal. She was happy to play the piano and sing to kill the free time after dinner.

So, Pei Xiang got up and went to the piano room opposite, and played two pieces in front of the piano.

The guests who came to the dinner sat on the sofa in the living room, and they could just see the beauty playing the piano and the open-air balcony full of flowers opposite the piano.

The watery moonlight and the bright lights complement each other, and the melodious notes linger in the ears. The fragrance of flowers is overwhelming, and people are more delicate than flowers. This situation makes everyone feel happy and relaxed, as if immersed in a magnificent and romantic dream. among.

One is light and lively, and the other is subtle and soothing.

The flowing sound of the piano gradually stopped, and the beautiful girl who played the piano stood up gracefully, her eyes rolling.

Everyone in the blue velvet living room came back to their senses.

Lester Sissel's eyes were full of admiration. He thought that Miss Marianne was a rare beauty, and he was even more pleasantly surprised when he heard her playing the piano.

It's not that this lady's playing skills are already at the level of a first-class pianist-to be honest, there is still a big gap.It is because of the delicate emotions and abundant spirituality in the sound of the piano that it is easy to arouse the resonance of the listener.

In fact, John Dashwood had been secretly paying attention to the heir to the baron, and he was overjoyed when he found the undisguised appreciation in Leicester's eyes.

He felt that... some things were not impossible.

After all, for men—especially energetic young men, sometimes they have no ability to resist such a plump and beautiful appearance.

If they get some tender hints and encouragement, they will often have their heads turned hot and their eyes darkened, and they will make marriage vows with a beautiful girl from an inappropriate background.

And when they come to their senses and feel remorse, it is usually after marriage.

—If Marianne can seize the heart of Mr. Sissel, I shall have a brother-in-law of the baronet.It was a very respectable marriage.

——To be honest, Marianne's conditions are not too bad. Her father and elder brother are both country gentry and manor owners, and her mother is also from a respectable family. It is said that she has a distant relative of a jazz.

——Her dowry was thinned before, but now she has a property of at least [-] pounds. Although she can't compare with those real rich girls and noble ladies, it is justified.Most importantly, Marianne is pretty.

While John Dashwood was thinking about how to climb a noble relative, other young girls who came to visit also started to play the piano.The melodious sound of the piano sounded again, and the guests stopped talking and listened carefully again.

John Dashwood secretly squinted at Lester Sissel, and found that his expression at this time was slightly different from before, and he seemed to be less focused.

Why this was so, Mr. Dashwood, who had no interest or taste in music, could not understand.But this did not prevent him from discovering the exciting fact that his sister Marianne was excellent, and that she had attracted the attention of Mr. Cecil.

After a while, taking advantage of the card game, John approached Pei Xiang and suggested in a low voice:

"Marian, I noticed that you didn't sing tonight. You should show your singing voice. Don't be shy. Believe me, your singing voice is very intoxicating."

Pei Xiang glanced at John who was very enthusiastic tonight in surprise, and shook his head:

"I've already played two pieces tonight, and that's enough. You see, Fanny has invited several accomplished ladies, the West sisters, Mrs. Eggerson's niece, and the understanding Miss Geert. I can't selfishly deprive other girls of the opportunity to express themselves."

John looked at Pei Xiang with a hint of hatred that iron cannot be made into steel.He wanted to persuade him again, but unfortunately he was interrupted. Tonight's hostess, Fanny, called him to play cards.

Pei Xiang looked at the back of John leaving in a hurry, his mind turned slightly, and he probably guessed some plans of this brother, and couldn't help but smile.

After breakfast the next day, Pei Xiang sat in front of the piano and practiced the new score.

John Dashwood accompanied the guests from the other end of the corridor. When he passed the door of the piano room, he heard the faint sound of the piano, and his footsteps stopped.

He suddenly remembered the observations made last night and the words he had been interrupted, and immediately knocked on the door of the piano room.

"Marian, I need to talk to you."

"Talk about what?"

"Talk about your marital problems..."

Just as John Dashwood started speaking, Pei Xiang signaled him to stop for a while.She listened carefully and was sure that someone had entered the blue velvet living room next door.

Pei Xiang got up from the piano bench, walked to the other door of the piano room, and gently pushed open the carved wooden door.

Sure enough, in the blue velvet living room connected to the piano room, several gentlemen who had just sat down were laughing and chatting in twos and threes.

John glanced at the lively scene in the living room, and said indifferently:

"Oh, don't worry, Marianne, the gentlemen on the opposite side can't hear what we're talking about. I know girls are thin-skinned, and they are always very cautious when talking about life-long events. But you don't have to be too cautious, It's so far away."

Pei Xiang smiled noncommittally, and planned to close the wooden door between the two rooms again, but was stopped by John Dashwood.

"My dear Marianne, please don't close the door. You look so radiant today that you should not hide. At breakfast, I noticed that Mr. Cecil gave you a few extra glances."

Pei Xiang raised his eyebrows slightly, followed John's meaningful gaze, and set his gaze on Lester Sissel among the crowd.

Mr. John Dashwood, pacing up and down before the piano, said at last in a low voice:

"Marian, you know, I promised Dad to take good care of you sisters. I swear, I have always kept this promise in my heart, but my ability is limited, and I have never found a suitable way to take care of you. Now I suddenly I found that, as the elder brother, I have the responsibility to help you refer to a happy marriage."

"A happy marriage? You mean Mr. Cecil?"

"Is there a more outstanding young man? It is a respectable marriage, and I trust you will be truly happy."

Pei Xiang felt a little funny, she shook her head:

"Brother, you think too much. Mr. Sissel doesn't have a special affection for me, and neither do I."

"Oh, no, it's not so absolute."

John shook his head and said:

"I have observed carefully, and his attitude towards you is different. Of course, you may not feel it, because I know very well that a young and beautiful girl like you always gets a lot of favors, so you It seems dull to those subtle and not obvious favors.

"But how could I, as a responsible elder brother, overlook the slightest clue to my sister's life-long happiness? Believe me, Marianne, I can draw a solid conclusion—that you are attractive to Mr. Cecil. .”

Pei Xiang pretended to be listening to John Dashwood's nonsense seriously, and suddenly felt a real look on him.

She slightly adjusted her sitting posture, and found that Colonel Aldrich Deville not far away was looking at her.

The colonel was talking to someone, and the round-faced gentleman opposite him was eloquent and eloquent, but he didn't pay attention.

Pei Xiang caught a glimpse of Aldrich's handsome and deep face, and even though he couldn't see the emotion in his eyes, he immediately understood the colonel's silent reminder.

—Colonel Dwyer's hearing was sharper than ordinary people's, and he heard John Dashwood's words.

——This distance... This person is very talented.

——However, just listen to it, it’s not a big deal, I didn’t intend to take more precautions.

Pei Xiang's thinking was a little divergent, and she suddenly felt that the matter was quite interesting, it was almost like a plot in a romance novel she read before time travel.

——Brother Daba accidentally overheard a scheming conversation, a girl of ordinary background was encouraged by relatives and friends to seduce Mr. Xiaoba.How the plot develops next, whether it's really fragrant, bloody, slapped in the face or robbed, depends on whether the girl is the heroine or the supporting actress.

But no matter what, she has already attracted the attention of "Overlord".

Because he thought of an interesting storyline, a smile appeared on the corner of Pei Xiang's mouth.

John noticed the change in Pei Xiang's expression, thinking that she was moved by him, so he continued to seduce his sister with a high-spirited air.

"Marianne, I believe in your charms, and if you make a little effort, such as tactful courtesies, casual shyness and affection, and seduction of Mr. Sissel, he will surely be captivated. of.

"My dear Marianne, you must know how to fight, use your beauty and tenderness... If he proposes to you, you will be guaranteed for life. Just think, you will be a respectable baroness, you What an honor to be going to the palace for the ball."

Seeing that John Dashwood was about to fall into a beautiful imagination, Pei Xiang refused decisively:

"Brother, I'm not interested in your proposal. Apart from other conditions, when I was visiting the city of Hemerhe, I heard people talk about it. This Mr. Sissel has a female companion, that is. This kind of, um, the relationship between a man and a woman that is not protected by the law, I think you know a thing or two. So, he can't make my heart move, so don't worry too much. "

"Oh, Marianne, you have to believe in your own charm, how can those women compete with you? Besides, men are different before and after marriage..."

Pei Xiang smiled and interrupted John's chatter:

"Brother, believe me, my marriage is different before and after marriage. If my husband can't be faithful to the oath made before the altar, I will let him know the fate of lying. You should understand my character, extremely I am self-willed, and when I am angry and sad, I can do anything. If you must let me get into a precious marriage, and you can't guarantee the man's loyalty, what I have done... It is very likely that the Dashwood family will be completely destroyed. Stay away from the upper class, and your son will be ostracized and hated because of having an aunt like me who is not afraid of offending the rich and powerful."

Hearing Pei Xiang's threat, John Dashwood's face became uneasy, and he said in a stiff tone:

"You must be bluffing when you talk to me like this. I don't believe that a little girl like you can do anything terrible. Besides, you don't care about your nephew or your sister? If you can It would be good for Elinor and Margaret to marry someone like Mr. Cecil."

Pei Xiang suddenly got tired of this conversation, she glanced at John Dashwood coldly, got up and went out.

In her peripheral vision, Aldrich Deville in the opposite room had already found an excuse, quickly ended the conversation with the person next to her, and then moved to a position farther away.

In the evening, it was another small party.

Fanny seemed to have been urged by her husband to invite only married couples and single gentlemen this time, and did not invite young and beautiful unmarried ladies to come as guests.

Moreover, the husband and wife are very concentric.When Fanny arranged party programs, she always tried to bring Pei Xiang and Lester Sissel together. In the eyes of some interested people, the intention of matching was very obvious.

But Fanny's scheming was in vain.

Because Pei Xiang had communicated with Mrs. Dashwood and Elinor in advance, and informed John and his wife of their plans.

All of Fanny's arrangements were stopped by Mrs. Dashwood. Even John personally suggested that Pei Xiang play the piano and sing, but Mrs. Dashwood declined on the pretext that her daughter had a sore throat.

In fact, Mrs. Dashwood had thought Lester Sissel very well at first.

He is a good friend of Mr. Brown Paddington, and this time he paid a special visit to Nolan Manor for their mother and daughter. It can be seen that he is definitely a young man worthy of trust and respect.

However, when Pei Xiang revealed some of Lester's love history, Mrs. Dashwood quickly eliminated him from the list of candidates for her son-in-law.

Holding Mrs. Dashwood's arm, Pei Xiang smiled sweetly and peacefully.This is the reason why she is willing to worry about this lady. Her love for her daughters has always been pure.

Now that Mrs. Dashwood has expressed her opinion and Pei Xiang has no willingness to cooperate, it is difficult for Mr. and Mrs. John to do extra things.The couple can only complain a few words behind the scenes, saying that some people don't know good and bad, and are doomed to be mediocre and useless for a lifetime.

And Lester Sissel didn't realize from the beginning to the end that he was first valued, then rejected, and finally quietly removed from Mrs. Dashwood's list of husbands.

He is still happily enjoying the leisurely life in the manor, and talking about Mr. Paddington with his good friend Aldrich...

Aldridge, who had overheard the conversation between the Dashwood brothers and sisters, had already learned of Miss Marianne's choice and "dislike" from the subsequent development.

He would inadvertently ponder one thing now, that is, was the threatening words uttered by that delicate little girl a bluff, or did she have a specific plan?

——What will happen to her future husband?

Soon, he noticed something that could bring him some "inspiration", that is, some encounters with Mr. Edward Ferrars.

It was no secret at Norlan Park that Mr. Edward Ferrars was in love with Miss Elinor Dashwood.

Although this gentleman never expressed his love clearly, and Miss Elinor did not respond extraneously, the two of them were always polite and interacted like normal friends.But the eager light in Edward Ferrars' eyes could not be concealed.

At the same time, Mr. Ferrars' hot and cold attitude seemed a little strange. Just when some delicate people began to mutter quietly, there seemed to be a dispute between the Ferrars siblings. Russ left Nolan Manor.

As for the ins and outs of Mr. Ferrars' departure from Nolan Manor, Aldrich always believed that he had watched the development of the whole incident.

All the signs seemed to start with a morning conversation.

This morning, Pei Xiang and his sister Elinor were walking on the hill behind the manor, and they met two gentlemen who came from another path.

"Good morning, Miss Dashwood, Miss Marianne. The scenery here is very nice. We came from the west and found a very tall mulberry tree."

"Good morning, Mr. Sissel, Colonel Deville," Elinor greeted with a smile, "That old mulberry tree has been around for many years. It was there before we moved to Nolan Manor, and the fruit every year Very sweet."

Pei Xiang nodded to Leicester and Aldrich, and Aldrich was one step behind, and the team of four changed positions.Elinor and Lester walked ahead, and Pei Xiang held Aldrich's arm.

The four of them gradually distanced themselves, and after a while of silence, Aldrich said:

"That day . . . I tried to avoid overhearing your conversation with Mr. Dashwood."

"I know," Pei Xiang smiled, "you reminded me first, and then changed positions. However, although my conversation with John involved personal issues, it was generally out of human nature. From my perspective From my perspective, I don't think there is anything to be ashamed of, so I don't mind if you overhear that conversation."

"Miss Marianne's words actually made me feel ashamed," Aldridge stared sideways at the girl beside him, "It seems that my previous reaction was a little too nervous."

Pei Xiang knew that Aldrich was referring to the encounter by the lake, so he shook his head slightly:

"That probably has something to do with your military experience. I can understand Colonel Deville's vigilance and caution, as well as his immediate rejection."

"But here is not full of war, and there are no spies and spies from the enemy country."

Pei Xiang frowned, and said in a warm voice: "Okay, let's not talk about that matter anymore. In fact, after all the calculations, you once and I once, it's even."

Hearing this, the dignified man was silent for a while.Although he felt that the girl's tone seemed to be coaxing, there was still a bit of relief between the stern eyebrows.

A slight smile jumped out of the eyes, like the white snow on the pine bathed in the warm spring sun, the ice and snow gradually melted, infiltrating the green and tall vitality.

When Pei Xiang raised his eyes, he happened to catch this trace of elegance and handsomeness.

"Colonel de Vere, do you want me to keep this matter of your extraordinary hearing a secret?"

Aldridge shook his head: "There's no need to hide it, it's not a secret. I can return to England in a complete way and get the award, which has a lot to do with my sense of hearing. It has saved me many times and helped me complete the There are many tasks, so many people are aware of this matter."

"But it shouldn't be hyped either, right?"

"Ah."

"So, you shouldn't have reminded me that day. If you pretended nothing happened, I wouldn't realize that you had heard me and John clearly."

Mentioning this, Aldrich still has some inconceivable feelings in his heart.

"I looked at you and Mr. Dashwood, just to warn you, whether you noticed my gaze or not, I was going to change seats. But I didn't expect that, Miss Marianne, you are so sharp, Immediately sensed the truth."

"It's not that I'm sharp, but it's because you, Colonel Dwyer, didn't hide your emotions."

Aldrich shook his head and didn't say anything more.

He could no longer see Miss Marianne as an ordinary lady. Under her gentle and bright appearance, there seemed to be a completely different and fierce soul hidden.

Realizing this, Aldrich now believed the threat a little bit.

——If this young lady is let down by someone in the future, she will definitely make the person who let her down feel sorry for the past.

——However... With Miss Marianne's keenness and vigilance, it is difficult to leave a chance for others to let her down.

—Probably... some signs of misfortune were cut off from the very beginning, right?Just like she "disliked" Lester, she behaved very clearly and rationally.