I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Colonel Brandon needs to go to the Willett Brothers store on Bond Street to pick up the previously customized agate cufflinks, and Mrs. Dashwood also needs to go to this store to replace some old jewelry. Therefore, after the group arrives on Bond Street, They didn't separate for the time being, but walked into the same shop with bright windows and clean windows together.

Elinor accompanied Mrs. Dashwood to discuss the price of jewelry replacement with the shop owner, while Pei Xiang took Margaret to choose the latest exquisite jewelry.

She wanted to buy a pair of pearl earrings for her little sister, but Margaret preferred a pink crystal ring. The two sisters gathered together to discuss which one to buy, not noticing that the door of the shop opened again, and another woman walked in. male customers.

"Oh, Mr. Deville, it's a pleasure to see you again."

The boss Willittle, who was haggling with Mrs. Dashwood, looked up and saw the new customer, and immediately came out from behind the counter with a big smile on his face.

Aldrich nodded towards Willitell, and his eyes fell on Pei Xiang immediately.Immediately, his gaze shifted quickly, and the slight ripples in his eyes disappeared without a trace.

The black-haired colonel first greeted Mrs. Dashwood, and then exchanged a few words with Elinor. After that, he looked at Pei Xiang again and greeted him nonchalantly.

Pei Xiang only played poker with this person for half the night last night, but he did not expect to meet him again on Bond Street today, so he had to smile sweetly and express his surprise and joy at the reunion of his friends.

"Colonel de Vere, it is very good to meet you on the street," said Mrs. Dashwood cheerfully. "We, mother and daughter, have moved to live in London, and our new home is Condit Street. If you If you are free with Mr. Sissel, please come and sit down and have a light meal. When we were at Nolan Manor, we have always been grateful for the care and help of you and Mr. Sissel."

Pei Xiang knew Aldrich's aristocratic status and cold personality, and when he heard Mrs. Dashwood's invitation to him, he thought that the other party would definitely refuse to refuse.

But unexpectedly, Aldrich did not show hesitation and indifference.

After a few courteous remarks, he declared that he would certainly convey Mrs. Dashwood's invitation to Lester Sissel, and pay a visit as soon as possible.

At this time, Colonel Brandon came out from the VIP room next door, just in time to see Aldrich, he said in great surprise:

"Mr. Deville, what a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet you here."

"Mr. Brandon, long time no see." Aldridge nodded reservedly.

Both were Army officers and had worked together a few times on the job, so knew each other.

Colonel Brandon handed over the box to the waiter beside him, walked quickly to Aldrich, and solemnly took off his hat to salute:

"Mr. Deville, before we parted last time, I didn't have time to say, thank you for helping me and my comrades in arms. We will always remember this rare helping hand, and we will try our best to repay it in the future."

Aldridge stepped back half a step with his hands behind his back, and said softly:

"Mr. Brandon doesn't have to be like this. We are comrades in arms and play for England together. Some things are responsibilities and obligations."

Colonel Brandon was aware of Aldrich's temper, and besides, it was not appropriate to talk too much about what happened in the army here, so he stopped talking about the past, but changed the subject and asked:

"Mr. Deville, Mrs. Dashwood, do you know each other? Sorry, I just interrupted your conversation."

Mrs. Dashwood replied with a smile:

"Colonel Brandon, we met Colonel de Vere when we were in Sussex, and we got along very well. I was just now inviting him and another Mr. Sissel to my house. It is very good to think that Colonel Brandon is our mutual friend; and when the day comes when we have a feast at Dashwood, Colonel Brandon will be sure to honor it."

Colonel Brandon sincerely thanked Mrs. Dashwood for her invitation. At the same time, as soon as the idea of ​​going to Dashwood's house for a dinner came to him, he subconsciously glanced at Pei Xiang who was not far away. .

Aldridge frowned slightly.

Pei Xiang smiled calmly, led Margaret to her mother and sister, and asked Aldridge about the recent situation of another friend, Lester.

"He's fine. He met Mr. Paddington himself, and invited him to a gentleman's club for entertainment. The two are currently attracting much attention."

"Oh, I've read related reports in the newspaper that Mr. Paddington is very popular." Pei Xiang frowned, with a hint of regret in his proud tone, "Unfortunately, our mother and daughter have never had the opportunity to ask Paddington Thank you sir."

Mrs. Dashwood echoed: "Yes, Mr. Paddington wrote that he was busy with writing during the day and never went out. It was inconvenient to visit other people's homes at night, which made us abruptly miss the opportunity to meet each other. However, we are very sympathetic to Mr. Paddington's difficulties, and an artist as talented and talented as he must have his own social habits."

Pei Xiang looked pleased, obviously agreeing with Mrs. Dashwood's statement.

Mrs. Dashwood noticed the doubts in Colonel Brandon's face, and at once spoke of Brown Paddington's good character and generosity to their mother and daughter.

She repeatedly praised every letter sent by the other party, saying that every sentence in it was so warm and sincere, and every word was so kind and thoughtful.

Aldridge listened quietly to Mrs. Dashwood's compliments for a while, and then thought of Brown Paddington himself whom he came into contact with last night, and suddenly became suspicious.

— If there was a secret engagement between Paddington and Marianne, what made them insist on keeping it a secret?

After being a guest at Nolan Manor, Aldrich thought he knew Mrs. Dashwood's character very well.

This mother is definitely not a person who hates the poor and loves the rich, nor does she have a particularly strong view of family status. She is even more emotional and romantic than the young daughters. She is definitely not the kind of stubborn parent who interferes with her children's marriage.

— Mrs. Dashwood would not hinder the progress of the affair so long as her daughter really liked the other.

——Therefore, the obstacle to an open marriage contract is not on the woman's side, but the reason should be found from the man's side.

——But, what is Paddington's unspeakable secret?

Aldrich thought of the debunked Edward Ferrars, and smiled in his heart. Of course, he would not suspect that Marianne and Paddington were facing similar difficulties.

Aside from the little ripples and unwillingness in his personal heart, it is fair to say that Miss Marianne and Mr. Paddington are smart and calm people, and they will not be confused about important life events.Therefore, there must be a deeper reason.

Thinking of this, Aldrich warned himself not to explore any more, after all, it was the privacy of a secret couple.He is a bystander, no need to get to the bottom of it.

——If the truth is discovered, will I help?

While they were talking, Mrs. Jennings came down from upstairs.

She smiled and told the waiter to carefully remember her order requirements, while looking for today's companion, so Mrs. Jennings quickly noticed the strange and handsome Aldrich.

And... Aldrich's complex eyes that were about to leave Pei Xiang.

Mrs. Jennings, who is very sensitive to the relationship between men and women, even occasionally creates something out of nothing, her eyes light up. She feels that she has discovered a new world, and Columbus back then was not as excited as she is now.

The stout old lady rushed down the stairs with a speed unbefitting for her age and figure, and shouted to Mrs. Dashwood to introduce her to the handsome young man.

After learning of Aldrich's surname and military rank, Mrs. Jennings, who had lived in London all year round, immediately realized that this was not an ordinary rich boy, but the heir to the Earl of Deville.

——This is a real nobleman with a noble birth and a bright future.

Now, the old lady's desire to be a matchmaker has faded away. She has lived a transparent life, and naturally understands that sometimes the best is not necessarily the most suitable.

After several people said a few more words, they dispersed. After all, everyone had their own things to do.

After Pei Xiang and Margaret bought the new jewelry, and Mrs. Dashwood negotiated with the shopkeeper about the replacement conditions for the old jewelry, everyone left the Willett Brothers store and walked towards other shops.

Tailor shops, hat shops, shoe shops, perfume shops, stationery shops and sundry shops... one after another, the products inside are dazzling and diverse in style, making people linger and forget to return.

The women shopping were all in high spirits, and even Pei Xiang, who was short of sleep, cheered up and enjoyed the fun of shopping and spending money.

Among the group were two beautiful ladies who were of the right age to be married, and they were not stingy with their actions, and soon attracted the attention of someone who cared.

The man was a handsome, agreeable young man who lived in Bond Street.

In order to have a more dignified and comfortable living condition in the future, he has been paying attention to wealthy unmarried ladies in London. Now seeing two fresh and pleasant new faces, he naturally wants to inquire with acquaintances.

Soon, he inquired about the specific information from the shop that Mrs. Jennings frequented, and knew the general economic situation of the mother and daughter of Dashwood.

"Ten thousand pounds..." repeated young Willoughby.

His old friend, Emma, ​​the hostess of the tailor shop, while fiddling with the flowers and bracelets Willoughby gave her, poured out the gossip she had heard from Mrs. Jennings.

"Yes, every Miss Dashwood gets a dowry of at least ten thousand pounds when they marry. Besides, their mother has a generous annuity. I believe that no matter how much it costs such a widow, as long as she lives long enough , will always leave a considerable amount of wealth to the daughters."

Willoughby smiled and kissed Emma's side face, flattering:

"You are always so understanding, thank you for the message, my darling."

Emma giggled, looked at the handsome lover with winking eyes, and gently placed a pair of soft hands on the man's chest.

Willoughby was not interested in continuing to flirt. He coughed lightly and continued to ask:

"That, um, girl who looks more lively and charming, is Miss Er? Does she have a lover?"

"Probably not, but that Colonel Brandon seems to like her very much. When I was recommending fabrics to Mrs. Jennings, I noticed him staring at Miss Marian several times."

"Marian..." The handsome young man smiled, and gently pronounced the name of a strange woman.

Emma curled her lips jealously, but didn't say much.

She hoped that Willoughby would succeed in marrying a particularly wealthy lady.That way, Willoughby's means would be better off, and her presents would be more expensive.

Leaving aside Willoughby's concern for the Dashwood family, it is only said that two days after returning from shopping on Bond Street, the Dashwood mother and daughter received two distinguished visitors-Mr. Sissel and Colonel Deville.

Lester Sissel was, as always, funny, cheerful and gracious.

He first praised Elinor's paintings on the wall of the living room several times, and then sincerely missed Miss Marianne's piano and singing voice. Finally, he answered Margaret's imaginative questions very patiently. .

In a short time he had the three Misses Dashwood on his side.

And his friend Aldridge was still taciturn, and never said a word unless it was necessary.

But it is strange that this Colonel de Vere is so indolent in social speech and indifferent to human relations, but he does not give people a feeling of isolation or arrogance.Everyone just thought that the man was just like that, a quiet, steady and reliable friend.

For such a guest, the host can only try his best to recommend various fruits and snacks to him, and adjust the atmosphere by eating and drinking.

After the guests had sat for a while, Sir John was announced by a servant.Thus, Lester and Aldrich met John Middleton, Mrs. Dashwood's relative.

As soon as the hospitable gentleman appeared on the stage, he and Lester chatted lively.Without much effort, Sir John helped Mrs. Dashwood organize the dinner for the guests, and made an appointment with Lester to go hunting in Barton Manor in autumn.

After this visit, the Dashwood mother and daughter had two more acquaintances in the city of London who could see and see occasionally.

To be more precise, Lester Sissel appears more frequently, while Aldrich Deville does not appear often, and sometimes he will leave London suddenly for a period of time, looking very busy.

During this period, Mrs. Dashwood had already learned that Aldrich was the heir of Earl de Vere.Moreover, she accepted his invitation and took her older daughter to a ball at the Earl's Mansion.Of course, Sir John and his wife and Colonel Brandon also received the invitation.

The news somehow reached the Norland estate, to the envy and astonishment of the John Dashwoods.

They began to write frequently to Mrs. Dashwood, asking for details of her attendance at the Ball at Earls Court.The most important thing is whether the younger sister who is as beautiful as a flower has been highly appreciated by any nobleman, and whether she is expected to form an extremely decent marriage.

Fanny also tried to "tactfully" instruct Pei Xiang and Elinor how to flirt and flirt...

In this regard, Pei Xiang regards the letter from Nolan Manor as a pleasure every time.Tired of dealing with those people outside at night, she thought about the absurd words and deeds of the couple in Nolan Manor, and she felt a lot lighter for no reason.

Compared with the real intrigues and murders in Vanity Fair, those bluffing selfishness are covered with a soft veil, which makes them not so hateful.

When Pei Xiang beat up several Kong Wu big men and interrogated the name of the person behind the scenes, she felt that she couldn't just focus on the vanity fair of the upper class.It's time to get in touch with those forces hiding in the shadows of the corners.

——At the very least, I have to have my own sources of intelligence and contacts for timely warning.

——Like this time, a Spanish businessman can contact the local gang to trouble me, but I didn't hear anything beforehand. This is a lesson.

——In the final analysis, the background power of "Brown Paddington" is too weak, and it is considered a persimmon.

Otherwise, why did the Spanish businessman only trouble her when she partnered with Leicester and Aldridge?

In fact, Pei Xiang knew well that if she hadn't possessed superb swordsmanship and disguise, she would never have allowed the identity of "Brown Paddington" to directly offend anyone.

At that time, she dared to disrupt the situation in the Bartley Card Club, and she knew that she had something to rely on.

——However, it is quite annoying to have too many such small troubles, and a deterrent counterattack must be made!

Therefore, during the two months after Aldrich Deville left London, Pei Xiang successfully contacted the boss of a certain block through the thugs hired by the Spanish businessman.

After successfully taking revenge on the Spanish businessman, she began to have frequent contact with several well-sleeved "ladies", and even had some vague scandals.