I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Rumors arose about the piano, and in order to preserve her reputation, Jane Fairfax had to confess the truth to her aunt, Miss Bates, who kept questioning her.

It turned out that she and Mr. Frank Churchill were engaged, but because of some practical difficulties that could not be overcome for the time being, they chose to conceal it.

Frank Churchill visits Mrs and Miss Bates after Jane Fairfax confesses to her secret engagement.While begging the forgiveness of the two elders, he expressed his love for Miss Fairfax, and soon got the understanding and recognition of the Bates mother and daughter.

Afterwards, the Weston couple also paid a formal visit to the Bates family, and had a sincere conversation with Jane Fairfax for a while.

However, everyone knows that the biggest obstacle in this relationship is actually Mrs. Churchill of Yorkshire.So, after making his engagement public, Frank Churchill hurried away from Highbury again, intending to return to Enscomber Manor to lobby his aunt and supporter.

With these twists and turns, and Frank Churchill's previous behavior of approaching Pei Xiang repeatedly, the residents of Highbury have lowered their evaluation of the two young people a lot.Even Mr. Knightley, who has always admired Jane Fairfax's tenacity, expressed disappointment.

In private, he felt sorry for Pei Xiang. It seemed that Emma had some reason for not liking Miss Fairfax before.In a way, Emma's new friend, Miss Harriet Smith, seemed to have some finer qualities.Miss Emma Woodhouse, therefore, had a certain natural ingenuity in making friends and appraisers.

Pei Xiang smiled. She suggested that Mr. Knightley could praise Emma face to face. After a moment of hesitation, Knightley rejected the suggestion.Because he felt that Emma's vanity should not be encouraged.

Life in Highbury is still simple and leisurely, and a small matter can make everyone talk about it for many days.Pei Xiang enjoys such a soothing and peaceful atmosphere when he is busy, so in his letter to Theodore, it is inevitable that he will talk more about people and things around him outside of the business.

One day, she wrote in a letter:

"...It can be seen that Mr. Knightley is really a very elegant gentleman. At a certain ball, when the uncultivated Eltons ignored Miss Smith from a bad background, they never liked to dance. He took the initiative to invite Ms. Smith to be his dance partner, and he maintained a little girl's self-esteem very well...

It is also worth mentioning that at the dinner party hosted by the Woodhouse family, I had delicious dried scallops and lobster meat.I'm so thankful that my friends in Highbury don't know much about my 'allergy history'.

With the exception of Mr. Rochester (who used to receive feedback on the health of his students from the school), everyone looked friendly.

I think I prefer Highbury when it comes to eating and drinking freedom.Alas, as I write this, I don't really want to go to London anymore, the air and food there are terrible..."

Theodore wrote back:

"Sister Adele, from your description, the helpful Mr. Knightley is indeed an authentic gentleman, which is very similar to William. They both have a set of values ​​in line with traditional standards, pity the weak, love and comity Women, you are willing to stand up for the disadvantaged at critical moments, and you are keen to act as protectors for everyone. I am so happy that you can meet such a responsible friend.

As I write this, I suddenly feel uneasy, Sister Adele, am I not good enough?will you be disappointed in meCompared with such old and steady gentlemen as William and Knightley, I can't do everything in it.

Several times (I only realized it after being reminded by my friends afterwards), I didn't notice the sensitivity and sadness of the strange woman nearby, and I seemed to ignore or treat some people unconsciously.

Especially at the ball, I can't make all the ladies feel my respect and love. Some friends even criticize me for being too indifferent and hard-hearted... Sister Adele, I really tried my best, but I just did it Unless you are too diligent and turn their emotions into your own responsibility..."

After reading this reply, Pei Xiang always felt something strange, but she still answered Theodore's question very patiently.

"Theodore, it's good that you are doing this now. Everyone has different personalities, and naturally they have different styles of dealing with others. As long as you don't take the initiative to hurt innocent people and choose a way of life that makes you feel comfortable and happy, you will be fine." What's wrong?

I will not be disappointed in you because of this, Theodore, you are my friend and companion, and of course I pay more attention to your emotions, and the mood of strangers, their relatives and friends care about them.

Speaking of Mr. Knightley, I don't think he is very similar to William. At least, he is more decisive than William and knows how to care for the people around him.

Of course, I am not accusing William of being immature. As I just mentioned, people with different personalities must have different styles of dealing with things.Here, we discuss briefly the good qualities in Mr. Knightley.

Perhaps it is because he has been in charge of the family early on, his mind is more free and willful, and he also has a higher level of benevolence.

He cares about public affairs in the county, charity and social stability, land farming and ordinary laborers, and every friend.

The starting point of his actions has nothing to do with the overall interests of the Knightley family.In my opinion, he is really trying to take on a kind of social responsibility, and he has a kind of chivalry spirit that treats the poor and the weak. "

"Thank you, Sister Adele, for comforting me."

Theodore wrote earnestly:

"Just as you value me, Adele, I am also very concerned about your emotions. Compared with unrelated strangers and unfamiliar friends, I care most about your feelings and mood, Adele.

I think we've come to a consensus on this, to focus most of the attention on the most important people.

As for whether William and Mr. Knightley have the same disposition and temper, I will not express my opinion for the time being, because I really have not had in-depth contact with Mr. Knightley, and whatever I say is suspected of being subjective.

I deduce, however, from your very high opinion of Mr. Knightley, that Mr. Knightley must be in need of a wife who is a good housekeeper, and whom he trusts and adores.Only in that way, and only in that way, can he concentrate on being a knight and dedicate his sense of responsibility to the tedious local public affairs.

He should also be a country gentleman who is indifferent to fame and wealth and has little ambition. In terms of marriage, he has a very traditional concept of hierarchy.

As you mentioned before, he approves of the marriage of his illegitimate daughter, Miss Smith, to Farmer Martin, and at the same time thinks it is unrealistic for Miss Woodhouse to encourage Miss Smith to fall in love with the Reverend Mr. Elton.

He himself must be a defender of the secular concept of marriage. In this case, he and I lack a lot of common topics.

Because in my opinion, personal struggle and strong personality are more than enough to make up for the limitations brought by birth.Even true ingenuity proves a person's dignity more than so-called land and title, making friends, and finding a marriage partner.

Life is long, no amount of wealth is limited, and no matter how noble the background is, it is just a good starting point. No one knows what will happen in ten years, it may remain the same, or it may be changed.

Only the brilliance of the soul and the bond of each other's hearts can bring infinite joy, comfort and inexhaustible attraction to a marriage. That is the love I yearn for..."

Pei Xiang was a little surprised by the second half of the letter, because she did not expect that Theodore, who had not yet graduated from university, had already started thinking about marriage and relationship issues, and expressed it so seriously in the letter to her .

To be honest, Pei Xiang himself doesn't have a particularly clear understanding of his future partner.She only knows that when the time comes, love will come naturally, and whoever makes her fall in love is the right person.

Out of a certain intuition and prudence, Pei Xiang did not continue to discuss the topic of feelings in the next reply letter, and also subconsciously reduced the records of some daily trivial matters.She spent more space discussing business and Theodore's future development, and began to study new investment directions.

Theodore didn't seem to notice any difference. Without delaying his business, he still described his daily life to Pei Xiang in every letter.

From the weather to dressing, from breakfast to afternoon tea, he has changed to a new tailor, he hates a classmate with sloppy habits, he still likes the wooden stairs of Morse Bookstore, he complains that the outdoor coffee on the street corner is bad, he doesn’t even Conceal some women's advances to him.

There are all kinds of things, good and bad, which gave Pei Xiang an illusion that she and Theodore had never been separated, and he lived by her side, and she understood all his small changes.

Today, Highbury is lively again.

The reason is that Miss Smith was robbed by homeless gypsies while walking.Fortunately, a gentleman was hunting in the nearby woods. He heard Harriet Smith's cry for help, and arrived in time to scare the gypsies away.

This is a very classic scene of a hero saving the beauty.

Therefore, Miss Emma Woodhouse, who has been keen on being a matchmaker recently, became excited again. She thought from the bottom of her heart that she had found a new marriage for her good friend Miss Smith.

For Emma's eagerness to try, Mr. Knightley showed obvious disapproval.

Even though he found some advantages in Miss Smith, he still thought that Harriet Smith was not suitable to be a country gentleman's wife.Of course, as long as that well-qualified squire is sensible enough, he won't be tempted by an unknown girl's school student.

It is conceivable that Knightley and Emma had another dispute, and Pei Xiang successively became the object of the confidant of the happy friends.

After seeing off Emma, ​​who was full of fighting spirit, Pei Xiang continued to write the unfinished letter.

Because the recipient is Theodore, who often shares her daily life, it is natural for her to describe what just happened.Compared with Emma's idealism, Mr. Knightley's considerations are more practical and thoughtful, she writes.

"The important thing is that the kind gentleman who saved people obviously had no superfluous thoughts. He was not attracted by Miss Smith's meekness and beauty. Although Miss Smith was grateful to that gentleman, she looked at him with a lack of In addition to admiration and love, it is obvious that this is Emma's wishful thinking."

In this letter, Pei Xiang did not mention the fact that Harriet Smith fell in love with Mr. Knightley, because it involved a girl's crush after all, and she would not talk about it unless necessary.

However, Theodore, who has repeatedly claimed to be very insensitive to the subtle changes in the relationship between men and women, once again demonstrated his insight into human nature in his reply.

"Sister Adele, the topic of heroes saving beauty was mentioned in the last letter, which made me suddenly think that if Miss Smith must have a good impression of a certain 'hero', Mr. Knightley is actually more qualified.

You see, rescuing Miss Smith from a mugger and rescuing Miss Smith from an embarrassment at a ball are actually two things that fall under the category of "hero saving the beauty", but according to my character of Miss Smith Analysis, she should be more grateful to Mr. Knightley.

So, if Miss Woodhouse must be a matchmaker, she might as well set up two of her best friends.

Speaking of which, I am really anxious about Mr. Knightley's marriage. He is 36, seven or eight years old this year, right?

Sister Adele, I have to tell you a terrible thing. I have been working with the Earl of Walpole recently, and I have met many gentlemen over 40 years old, regardless of their talents and personalities. , Their external image is really alarming and regrettable.

Being fat and bald is like a nightmare for most of them.Of course, some of them have good living habits, but they can't stop the hair from getting thinner day by day.

I inquired about it from the side, and this phenomenon seems to be related to family blood, not only affecting myself, but also affecting future generations.Some people, who have thick hair before the age of 40, will soon need a good quality wig or several as they grow older, just like their grandfathers and fathers.

Alas, when it comes to this helpless practical issue, I have to mention my gratitude to the ancestors of the Grant family.Because both the family portraits and my father have unusually thick hair, it makes me less anxious about the future.But others may not be so lucky..."

Putting down Theodore's letter, Pei Xiang subconsciously began to recall the portraits of the characters she had seen in Donwall Manor, and then shook her head violently.

She thought to herself that she was misled by Theodore's words, not to mention that those portraits must have been "beautified" by the painter, and only talking about Mr. Knightley's identity as the leading actor, how could he be bald?

——No matter which romance novel, the hero will definitely not be bald!Even if the author can't think about writing like this, the readers will stop such a tragedy!

Breaking free from the strange fantasy, Pei Xiang stared at the letter paper on the table and took a deep breath.

She suddenly realized that Theodore, a white-skinned and black-filled guy, had always meant something.Although he praised Knightley, affirmed Knightley, and didn't say a word of Knightley's shortcomings or bad things, but between the lines, the breath of tea came to his face.

--Huh?I was tricked by this kid?

Pei Xiang was a little shocked. She opened the drawer, took out the letter that Theodore had written to her before, and reread the part about Mr. Knightley.

——It really wasn’t an illusion, this guy...

While Pei Xiang was thinking about what Theodore had said in the past, Harriet Smith visited Emma full of sorrow, and babbled about the fact that she was broken in love again.

Emma was shocked: "How come, I didn't find that Mr. Edmond admired other women? Didn't you bandage his wounds before?"

Harriet also showed a shocked expression:

"Mr. Edmund? What Mr. Edmund? Emma, ​​what does this have to do with Mr. Edmund?"

"Didn't you say that you liked him?"

"No, I don't like him!"

"The hero saved the beauty..."

"I mean Mr. Knightley."

Emma opened her mouth, and emotions such as shock, sadness, and disbelief flooded in.

"Knightley? Mr. George Knightley?"

"Yes, that ball...I am so grateful to Mr. Knightley...Miss Emma, ​​you encouraged me, you said not to care too much about the difference in status, you said I deserve better, as long as I like it! So , I have the courage to like Mr. Knightley."

"...So, did you tell Mr. Knightley? How did he reply to you?"

Harriet did not notice the anguish in Emma's eyes, and she said sadly:

"Yesterday, I went to the path outside Donwall Manor and waited for Mr. Knightley to appear. I just wanted to say hello to him. But I happened to see him and Miss Duran walking side by side. The two were talking and laughing." Yes, I don’t know why, so I quickly hid behind the big tree. Then, I heard the two talking about their wedding, seeing a greenhouse in the garden, children’s room, indoor wallpaper needing new ones and so on. Miss Woodhouse, I'm sure they're discussing how to redecorate Donwall, which means..."

Having said this, Harriet sobbed, and she couldn't bear to express her conjecture in person.

But Emma murmured:

"Redecorating Donwall Manor? Are they preparing for their marriage? Adele is going to be the mistress of Donwall Manor?"

Choked up and speechless, Harriet silently mourns her second crush.

Emma felt extremely painful, and she realized clearly at this moment that she had always been deeply in love with Mr. Knightley.

After Harriet left in a daze, Emma could no longer hide the tears in her eyes.

In the morning of the next day, Miss Emma Woodhouse visited Pei Xiang. She sat in the sun and picked up warm black tea, but felt chills all over.

Pei Xiang looked at Emma who was hesitant to speak several times, and a trace of curiosity arose in his heart.

"Emma?"

"Adele, do you, do you have any plans to get married recently?"

Emma politely asked the question that had been brewing in her heart for a long time.After asking, he looked at Pei Xiang anxiously, anxious, anxious and sad.

Pei Xiang paused, and looked up carefully at Emma Woodhouse's expression.

— ever cried?Insomnia?

—fear, regret and sorrow...

——Anxiety, hope and forbearance...

She thought of Harriet Smith who quickly hid behind the big tree yesterday morning, and recalled the content of the topic she was chatting with Knightley at that time, and a flash of understanding flashed in her eyes.

"I'm 23, and I've been really thinking about these things lately."

"I'm thinking about it. Is that person selected? Is... someone I know?"

Pei Xiang smiled leisurely: "It's still too early to say these things, some things can only be announced if Mr. Rochester expresses his consent."

In Emma's ears, these words were almost equivalent to saying that Mr. Knightley had not formally asked Mr. Rochester to marry Pei Xiang, so it was inconvenient for the woman to reveal some good news at this time.

"I see, Adele, ah, I suddenly have something to do, I, I will leave now, goodbye, Miss Duran."

Pei Xiang nodded slightly: "Goodbye, Miss Woodhouse, I wish you happiness."

Emma forced a smile, thinking that she would never be happy in this life.

When Emma left, Pei Xiang asked someone to prepare a car and went directly to Donwall Manor.

"Mr. Knightley, Emma just came to me and asked me some things, and then she was very sad. I think you should go and comfort her, and make some things clear."

"What did Emma ask?" Knightley heard that Emma was sad, and was very anxious.

"She asked me if I was getting married soon, and who I was marrying, and if she knew her."

"What's so sad about it, wait a minute, Adele, are you getting married?" Knightley was a little surprised.

"Of course not," Pei Xianghui smiled mischievously, "But a certain silly girl thought you were going to marry me, and felt so sad that her eyes were red."

"You marry me? Are you kidding me?"

"Obviously, Emma has misunderstood. Mr. Knightley, I think you still need to say something yourself, instead of letting me, an outsider, do it for you."

Knightley didn't react at first, he frowned suspiciously, and sorted out his thoughts by the way, and then, he immediately realized what Pei Xiang wanted to express.

Then surprise lighted up his whole face.

"Adele, what do you mean... God, Emma, ​​she, she, haha, wait, Adele, are you right? I had an argument with Emma the other day, she, her It’s fine if you don’t hate me.”

Pei Xiang raised his eyebrows and joked:

"If you don't believe me, just pretend that I didn't come here today. Well, after Emma is sad, she can forget about the past and start a new life. She is rich, smart and beautiful, and she has no shortage of suitors."

Knightley said quickly: "Adele, I still trust your judgment."

"Then why are you still standing here?"

The one who answered Pei Xiang was the back of Mr. Knightley who couldn't wait to go out.

Pei Xiang subconsciously took another look at his hair...

In the evening, the good news came from Hartfield House that Mr. Knightley had successfully proposed to Miss Woodhouse.Moreover, in order to take care of Mr. Woodhouse's sensitive and fragile nerves, Mr. Knightley will leave his Donwall Manor after marriage and move to Hartfield Mansion.

This is great news, and in Pei Xiang's next letter to Theodore, she shared the good news with him.

So she read no more gossip about Mr. Knightley from Theodore's letters.

After that, no matter how much she praised that friend, Theodore sincerely agreed with her point of view, and thought very rationally and objectively that Mr. Knightley had many advantages worth learning from.

"He is a very distinguished gentleman, and worthy of Miss Woodhouse's lifelong trustworthy gentleman."

Theodore, in his latest letter, praised Mr. Knightley warmly in beautiful cursive English.