I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

16 Condit Street, London.

Mrs Dashwood took her three daughters on a tour of the new home.

This is a four-story house with an attic.Entering the door is a semi-circular foyer and a spacious and gorgeous main staircase. On the side of the staircase are the kitchen, maid's room and storage room.

The space on the second floor is divided into four parts, consisting of the living room, living room, study room and piano room.

Pei Xiang walked to the window of the large living room and looked down.She found a narrow green area behind the house, well-trimmed with shrubs and bushes, and here and there scattered clusters of colorful flowers.

"Marian, let's study that little garden in a few days. Let's go up to the third floor and take a look at the bedroom."

"Okay, Mom, I'm coming up."

Pei Xiang withdrew his gaze from the low fence wall and the layout of the houses on the back street, and followed Mrs. Dashwood up to the third floor.

The third floor is the private space of the masters. The mother and daughter can all be allocated a separate bedroom. Pei Xiang walked around in each room and finally chose a suite on the easternmost side.

"Marian, are you sure you want to live here? I think the room next door is quieter."

"But this suite has better lighting and is more spacious."

Pei Xiang opened the curtains and explained with a smile while looking at the scenery outside the window:

"It was supposed to be a children's suite, and the room next door was for a nanny or tutor. After I moved in, I didn't need a nanny, so, um, I could turn that bright room into my own studio. .”

"studio?"

"Yes, Elinor. You know, when I paint, I prefer a more private space, and I don't want to be disturbed or watched."

Hearing Pei Xiang mention her painting habits, Elinor shook her head and sighed:

"I don't know how you developed such a habit... However, you don't mind that this room is next to the servants' backup stairway."

Pei Xiang frowned, thinking to herself, she chose this suite because the original nanny's room was next to the backup stair passage.

After that, Mrs. Dashwood lived in the master bedroom in the middle, and Elinor and Margaret chose two bedrooms next to each other. Obviously, Elinor wanted to take care of the little sister nearby.

After choosing their bedrooms, Mrs. Dashwood told the maid beside her to clean up the room, and then led her daughters up to the fourth floor.

"Oh, we can get two to three guest rooms here, and we can set aside one-third of the space as our collection room. Clothes, hats and bedding that are temporarily unused during the season change, unused furniture and utensils, and some outdated furnishings can all be used. Save it on this level for the time being."

Margaret was not very interested in these, she ran to the attic with her skirt in hand, and cheered a little:

"Mom, can I use this as my tree house? I love this little space."

Mrs. Dashwood smiled and replied, "You'll have to talk to your two sisters and ask them if they want to share the attic space."

"Oh, Elinor won't like it here, she'd prefer the sitting room and study on the second floor. But—Marianne, will you share the attic with me?"

Pei Xiang followed Margaret, turned around in the attic, and said with a smile:

"If you are willing to carefully read a French storybook, recite five English poems, and play two new songs smoothly within a month, this attic space is completely yours."

Margaret thought for a while, gritted her teeth and agreed to the second sister's condition.

In this way, the mother and daughter Dashwood quickly planned the use of each room, and then began to work with the servants to organize and arrange all the details.

Because some preliminary cleaning work has been completed, although the first day of their moving was very busy, it was still in an orderly manner.

There is time for master and servants to sit down and enjoy a warm meal before it gets completely dark.

In the evening, Pei Xiang said good night to Mrs. Dashwood, and then locked his bedroom door.

An hour later, she gently pushed open the door of the studio next door, walked lightly through the spacious room, opened and closed the door, and quickly walked to another secret door.

Pei Xiang listened attentively, and the spare corridor outside was very quiet.

——At this time, the servants should all be resting on the first floor, and almost no one would stay in the area on the third floor.

So, Pei Xiang pushed open the secret door, wrapped himself in a cloak and dodged into the spare stairwell, and walked softly along the stairs to the back door on the first floor.

The back door was next to the storage room and was locked at this time.

Pei Xiang took out the key she secretly assigned before and successfully opened the door. She looked around, but it was dark and silent outside, no one passed or stayed here.

Pei Xiang walked out of the room, groped along the wall to the window of the storage room, and took out a spare key again.She quietly opened the wooden partition outside the window of the storage room, and removed several earthen pots and flower pots under the window.

After that, Pei Xiang returned to the house and locked the back door again from the inside.

She was not going to leave directly through the back door, because the door lock of this door could only be locked from inside the house.

If she just opens the door and leaves, there will only be two consequences.One is that the servant who inspected the doors and windows found something abnormal, causing a series of troubles, and the other is that the back door has been kept ajar until she returns, but this will bring safety hazards to everyone sleeping in the house.

Putting the tested and easy-to-use key back into his pocket, Pei Xiang pushed open the heavy wooden door of the storage room on the left.

After entering the storage room full of miscellaneous chores, Pei Xiang took out the prepared clothes and disguise tools from the corner.She made a simple disguise for herself, and then jumped out of the window.

Landing silently, Pei Xiang re-closed the wooden partition outside the window and locked it tightly. Then, she moved the flowerpots, earthen jars and other sundries that had been moved back under the window again.

After everything was packed, she climbed over the wall and left No. 16 Condit Street, her new home.

Passing through the quiet back streets and winding alleys, the busy London city at night came into Pei Xiang's eyes...

The next morning, Mrs. Dashwood frowned at her listless second daughter.

"Marian, didn't you rest last night?"

Pei Xiang covered his mouth and yawned, complaining:

"Maybe it's because I moved to a new place. I didn't sleep well last night, and now I'm a little mentally weak."

Mrs. Dashwood hesitated, and said:

"We need to visit Sir John Middleton's family. I originally planned to arrange a visit today. But since you haven't had a good rest, forget it. It doesn't have to be done today. Our mother and daughter have just moved here. There are still a lot of household chores that need to be dealt with, and it is not rude to be late for a day or two."

Pei Xiang shook his head: "Mom, let's go according to the original plan. I'm not that sleepy. Don't worry, I'll be refreshed after breakfast."

Elinor said with a smile: "For Marian, there is nothing more refreshing than a hearty breakfast. I don't even know why her appetite is so good in the morning."

Margaret speculated solemnly: "Maybe Marianne has an agreement with the mysterious forest elves to fight evil forces every night, so she will be very hungry in the morning. This is the glory of a warrior."

Mrs. Dashwood also smiled, got up and walked to the dining room: "In that case, let's go, let's go to have breakfast and reward our brave female knight."

Margaret, who loves fantasy, seriously emphasized: "Maybe it's a witch or a wizard. There are a bunch of mysterious bottles and jars in Marianne's bedroom, and there are many strange paints that I don't know the brand of. I think it's a forest witch." A brewed potion."

Pei Xiang smiled and tugged at Marianne's braid, threatening:

"You don't have any birthday presents this year, Margaret. Also, I'm not going to buy that pearl hairpin you saw last time as a gift to some sharp-mouthed little girl."

These words immediately brought the little girl's protest and begging for mercy.

The two sisters quarreled from the living room to the dining room. In the end, Margaret, who was small and rich, had to succumb.

She stood at the dining table lovelessly, loudly announced that her second sister Marianne was the prettiest, smartest and kindest fairy of the forest, and recited a not-so-long hymn pretentiously, which redeemed her this year. all gifts.

Mrs. Dashwood and Elinor laughed so hard they could hardly eat their breakfast.

After happily spending the breakfast time, the mother and daughter of Dashwood began to prepare for the visit.

Unexpectedly, before their family went out, the enthusiastic Sir John was the first to visit.

This gentleman is in his forties, vigorous and healthy, with a ruddy complexion and a kind and sincere smile in his eyes all the time.

The mother and daughter received this warm and friendly neighbor and distant relative in the living room. After hearing him praise the newly added furnishings in the house and the beauty of the three Miss Dashwood, they received his sincere invitation again.

Sir John asked Mrs. Dashwood and the four to attend the dinner at Middleton's house tomorrow night.

"My wife, Lady Middleton, is as hospitable as I am, and she has long wanted to know the three bright and beautiful Miss Dashwood."

"We are also very much looking forward to visiting your house and meeting Mrs. Middleton."

Having received an affirmative answer, Sir John sat down with the Dashwoods for a while.

During this period, he told a lot of anecdotes and gossips in the city of London, and also introduced the residents of Condit Street to his new neighbors, trying his best to help the mother and daughter adapt to the new environment.

His kindness and thoughtfulness won the heartfelt gratitude of Dashwood, mother and daughter.

Pei Xiang is not the Marianne in the original novel, and he would not secretly dislike Sir John for being too elegant and familiar when he first met.

Whether it is the description in the book or the real contact at this moment, Pei Xiang understands that this Sir John is indeed a generous, hospitable and charitable gentleman.Therefore, she was very willing to talk to Sir John more about the subjects that interested him, such as hunting and horse breeding.

Sir John soon declared that Miss Marianne was the most intelligent, lively and charming little girl he had ever seen.He laughed and joked:

"Miss Dashwood, although you are a gentle and intelligent lady, oh, I am sure many young men will agree with me, but I must say that Miss Marianne has become my most loyal and caring friend at this moment. , more considerate and friendly than Colonel Brandon. Haha, I can't wait to invite Miss Marianne to my Barton Manor immediately and let her see my hounds and horses. However, I guess Mrs. Middleton must like you more, because you They are elegant women who love art."

Elinor smiled and said, "Sir John, given your partiality, I can't wait to get to know Mrs. Middleton now."

Pei Xiang immediately blinked at Sir John, feigning dissatisfaction and protesting:

"I love art and literature as well. I am quiet and elegant, and I am not a little girl who only knows how to play. Sir John, for the sake of us all like riding horses, you must not let Lady Middleton and others think I am a crazy girl."

Sir John laughed and said, "Miss Marianne, are you worried about what my wife thinks, or what the young man thinks?"

For such teasing, Pei Xiang was not shy, and replied frankly:

"Of course Mrs. Middleton's views are more important. To be honest, not all young lads' views cause me to worry."

This remark aroused Sir John's enthusiasm for gossip again.

He spoke with gusto of some young men he knew, one smart and handsome, the other steady and dependable, and the subject, of course, interested Mrs Dashwood at once. . . .

In short, Sir John's visit was a success, and the mother and daughter who moved to the new place felt at ease.After all, it is very lucky to have such an easy-going and warm-hearted distant relative as a neighbor.

The day after Sir John's visit he came again with Lady Middleton.This visit was mainly to introduce Mrs. Middleton and the mother and daughter of Dashwood to the acquaintance of the four, and then it was to send out the invitation to the dinner that day.

Mrs. Middleton is a charming and handsome young woman in her twenties, with elegant manners and a charming demeanor, but she and her husband, Sir John, are two completely different personalities.

The Dashwood mother and daughter soon discovered that the lady's character was rather dull and cold, she was keen on housekeeping and child care, and besides that, there were few topics that could arouse her interest.

Even though the husband and wife have completely different personalities, they are surprisingly unanimous in their generosity when it comes to entertaining guests.It is said that whether it is in the Barton Manor in Devon or in the house in London, there are guests almost every day on the dinner table of their family.

That night, Pei Xiang attended the banquet at Middleton's house with his mother and sister.

There are two strange guests during the dinner, one is Mrs. Jennings, Sir John's mother-in-law, and the other is Colonel Brandon, the protagonist in the book.

For Pei Xiang, she is more interested in the joking Mrs. Jennings than the serious, dull and miserable Mr. Colonel.

Although the old woman with a short, round face often likes to joke about the relationship between men and women, and is also keen to mess with the relationship between man and woman, but from her mouth, you can hear a lively London city.

Mrs. Jennings' gossip and jokes filled the city of London with the reality of everyday life and the ambiguity of men and women who eat and drink.At first glance, it sounds vulgar and outdated, but when you think about it carefully, this is the sad and happy life of ordinary people.

Pei Xiang didn't pay much attention to Colonel Brandon, but the male protagonist started to pay attention to Pei Xiang just like the original book.His occasional ecstasy immediately attracted the attention of Sir John and Mrs. Jennings, and they began to joke about Colonel Brandon and Pei Xianglai.

But different from the original book, Sir John didn't think that Miss Dashwood's marriage to Colonel Brandon was a very good marriage, and his tone was more tactful when joking.

In the final analysis, it is still because of the amount of dowry.

After all, there is really no need for a young and beautiful lady with a dowry of more than 1 pounds to choose a 35-year-old gentleman.

It's okay if the two are really happy, but if the marriage issue is considered due to practical factors, the woman is not in a weak position.This second lady doesn't need to wrong herself in some aspects for the sake of a stable and prosperous life in the future.

After the dinner, everyone invited Pei Xiang to play a few songs to show off their singing voice.Pei Xiang just didn't want to talk about raising children with Mrs. Middleton anymore, so he readily accepted it, sitting in front of the piano and pressing a series of round and melodious notes.

Back home at night, Elinor also talked about Colonel Brandon with Pei Xiang.

"He really pays special attention to you, Marianne. Especially when you are playing the piano, Sir John and the others are applauding, but they are also talking and laughing loudly. Only Colonel Brandon is listening carefully and his eyes are focused."

Pei Xiang thought for a while, then shook his head at Elinor:

"I don't have much special feeling for Mr. Colonel now, and I don't know how it will develop in the future. But for now, I like younger and more handsome ones."

"Colonel Brandon is very handsome and handsome, which is very good."

Pei Xiang smoothly said what was in his heart: "Looking at the appearance alone, he can't compare to Colonel Aldrich Deville."

"But Colonel de Vere has a scar on his forehead." Elinor pointed out the deficiency.

"Oh, that doesn't detract from his beauty, but adds a bit of mystery."

Elinor thought about it, and felt that her sister's evaluation was fairly fair.

Although the scar on the forehead of Colonel de Vere destroyed his perfect face, it did not give people a sense of ferocity and ferocity. Coupled with his cold eyes, it only made people curious and inquiring.

Pei Xiang continued: "I heard from Mr. Sissel that the scar has actually faded a lot. When Colonel Deville was first injured, the wound was very conspicuous, and it hurt when you looked at it. It was not what we saw at all. .”

Elinor asked in a strange tone: "You talked a lot with that Mr. Sissel. Marianne, I remember, um, you don't agree with our brother's arrangement of you and Mr. Sissel. .”

"I don't agree with it now, but this does not prevent me from having a pleasant chat with Mr. Sissel."

When Pei Xiang was speaking, Elinor had been carefully observing the changes in her sister's expression. Seeing that she really looked calm and indifferent, she knew that neither Colonel Brandon nor Mr. Sissel had moved her.

Meanwhile, Elinor subconsciously ignored the other man in the conversation.It's not that she dislikes him, but because Aldrich Deville's aura is too solemn and cold, and occasionally reveals a bit of sharp pride, forcing people to stay away.

Elinor felt from the bottom of her heart that a lively and lovely sister would not get together with such a complicated person.

——Although Colonel Brandon is equally silent and stable, the two are still different.

After saying goodbye at the stairs, the two sisters went back to their bedrooms to rest.

When everyone else in the house fell asleep, Pei Xiang quietly left the residence again.

Tonight she has an appointment with Lester Sissel.