[Comprehensive classics] Darcy or Brandon

The episode before the ball passed quickly, and Anne didn't have much thought about what happened just now, because Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Palmer introduced all the unmarried men in the ballroom to her very enthusiastically. And Lucy, as the new bachelorettes, Anne and Lucy receive a somewhat warm welcome from the bachelors.

"Miss Steele, I wonder if someone has asked you to dance for the first time?" Mr. Hunter asked.

He is a very tall and burly gentleman, and he is also very handsome. According to Mrs. Jennings, this gentleman has an income of 30 pounds a year.He is not very old, he is only [-] years old this year, so he is a good marriage partner, but the appearance of this gentleman is really very apologetic, which is probably the reason why the ladies are discouraged.

Annie has long passed the age of paying attention to appearance, but for the sake of the next generation, if possible, she will try her best to find someone who is better looking without feelings.And she could see that the reason why Mr. Hunter approached her was not because he had a good impression of her, but because he thought that an orphan girl like her, who was ugly and had little money, would not be picky about men, so maybe he could catch up with her after a while.Although there was no malice in the courtship and pursuit for this reason, it also disgusted Annie. She would never get close to this kind of person.

"I'm sorry, but I've already promised the other gentlemen the first dance."

Mr. Hunter felt a little regretful, but he immediately said, "What about the second dance? Do I have the honor?"

"I'm very sorry." Annie said apologetically. She did not have an appointment for the second dance, but she can find one temporarily. I believe Mr. Palmer will be happy to help. He would not dance with anyone but Mrs. Moore without an invitation.

"That's such a pity, I don't know about the third game..."

Mr. Hunter wanted to ask Annie if she had a partner for the third dance. Annie couldn't think of who to ask for help, so she pretended to see Lucy calling her and interrupted Mr. Hunter, saying: "Mr. Hunter, My sister called me for something, I think I need to go over there." After speaking, Annie ran to Lucy's side without waiting for Mr. Hunter to respond.

Lucy was chatting with several young gentlemen. She was very beautiful, and she was well-dressed today, so she attracted some gentlemen.Anne didn't disturb their interest either, and after standing beside Lucy for a while, she went to find Mr. Palmer who was drinking in the corner.

Mr. Palmer shook the wine glass in his hand gracefully, and asked, "Miss Steele, why don't you talk to some friends?"

"I would like to, but I have encountered a big problem." Annie took a glass of wine from the plate held by the passing manservant, took a swig and said, "I think I need your help, Mr. Palmer. "

Mr. Palmer raised his eyebrows, and said clearly: "Is Mr. Hunter the trouble?"

"Yes, this gentleman seems to have decided to ask me to dance. Knowing that I was asked for the first dance, he asked me for the second dance. I had to prevaricate and said that I also had a partner. He actually wanted to ask me for the third dance." Whether there is a partner for the dance, I found an excuse and ran away before he finished speaking." Annie said with a sigh.

"Oh, apart from your two sisters and the two sisters from the Dasherwood family in this ballroom, the others are all familiar ladies. If he wants to find a suitable candidate, he can only find among the four of you."

"So I, the ugliest one, was chosen by him, then I am really honored." Annie said mockingly.

What Mr. Palmer likes most about Anne is her sarcasm. Although Anne doesn't often do this, it really suits his taste. Among the ladies and wives he knows, only Anne can do this.One night, when Mr. Palmer was lying on the bed and was forced to listen to Mrs. Palmer's chatter about uninteresting things, he regretted thinking that if he hadn't married so early, maybe he would have married Anne. After all, he also often goes to Ramsgate, and they are very likely to meet.

This was just Mr. Palmer's whim, he knew very well that Charlotte was his wife and Anne could only be a friend.But this is enough for Mr. Palmer, at least he has finally found a bosom friend, and he no longer has to be alone to taunt.

"So I'm the one you put off?" said Mr. Palmer, laughing.

"Yes, Mr. Palmer, will you help me?" Anne begged and looked at Mr. Palmer. She only knew three men in this ballroom, and she would definitely not go for Colonel Brandon. Yes, the remaining one, Sir John, would probably be willing to help, but he probably won't be available for the second dance.

"Of course, but what do I get?" asked Mr. Palmer.

"What do you want?"

"I have been hearing from Miss Lucy that your cooking skills are very good. I wonder if I will be lucky enough to eat your dessert one day after the dance? I don't want to eat gingerbread made by Mrs. Palmer anymore. , she was definitely trying to turn me into a ginger tree," Mr Palmer said.

Mrs. Jennings's two daughters are very good at cooking. Mrs. Middleton and Mrs. Palmer will go to the kitchen to make some snacks for everyone these days when they get excited. Mrs. Palmer has a love for gingerbread. I have a special liking, so I have to make a piece of gingerbread every time. Others don't have to eat it, but Mr. Palmer can't avoid it.

"Deal." Anne agreed. In fact, she also planned to make some small snacks to please Mrs. Jennings. This lady has been worried about Colonel Brandon's invitation to her first dance until now. .

The first dance was over quickly, and Colonel Brandon was strictly a good partner, but Mr. Brandon was obviously a very good husband-in-law in the eyes of many ladies in this ballroom. Looking at it, Annie really felt tired, so Annie went to the rest area immediately after the music stopped.

She wanted to take a break and eat something, but she saw Lucy walking over with a complicated expression, "Annie, do you know who that Miss Dasherwood's lover is? It turned out to be Edward, Edward Ferrars, She said that they met more than two months ago, but he had just left Plymouth at that time, he, how could he do this." Lucy's eyes were red as she spoke.

Annie immediately kicked her secretly, signaling her to calm down, this is not the occasion to cry, "Do you think he changed his mind too quickly? Remember what I said at the beginning? He really likes you, but it's far from enough The point of true love. Since you are not his true love, and you have already broken up, he can find another lady to do harm to him."

"But even if he did, he couldn't find the Dasherwood family. They already looked down on us so much. If they knew that Edward had cheated my feelings and chose Eleanor Dasherwood, how proud would they be! I absolutely Can't let that happen! I just heard that Marianne tell Mr. Willoughby that Edward had written to say he would come to see them soon, and Marianne thought Edward would propose to Eleanor, and how could I be ashamed then? Ah, sister, how can I stop these things from happening?" Lucy asked for help, pulling Annie's arm.

"Edward Ferrars is coming to visit them, and Marianne thinks that Edward loves Eleanor deeply?" Anne asked, putting down the fork in her hand.

"Yes, Anne, sister, you must prevent this from happening. Edward must not be with Eleanor." Lucy said.

"Put it down, I will definitely help you." Annie laughed. It would be fun if Edward came, and she must make Marianne look good. As for that Eleanor, anyway, they will see each other. hate.

Happy time always flies by so fast, it seems that the dance is over in less than an hour.The servants hurriedly cleaned up the chaotic ballroom downstairs, while the owner and guests of Barton Manor were already sitting comfortably in the living room upstairs.

Mrs. Jennings said while drinking hangover soup: "Mr. Hunter is really good. He is the only one in his family. Once his future wife marries in, he can be the master of the house, and he doesn't have to look at the elders. Look, this is the best thing. And this gentleman is very profitable. I heard that he has a merchant ship in his hand. When that ship comes back, he will have more money. Anne dear, you Do you really not think about it? Mr. Hunter specifically asked me about you tonight."

"Yes, yes." Mrs. Palmer, who was sitting on the side, echoed: "Miss Steele, I think Mr. Hunter is really a good match. It's a pity that you sprained your ankle while dancing with Mr. Palmer, Henry Mr. Te would very much like to have a few dances with you."

"Mrs. Palmer, please stop blaming me. I didn't do it on purpose." Mr. Palmer said. In fact, Annie's foot was not twisted. It was just her way of tactfully rejecting Mr. Hunter, but that The gentleman didn't seem to understand Anne's good intentions.

"Miss Steele, do your feet still hurt now? I'll ask the maid to bring you some medicine to your room. Don't forget to apply it." Mrs. Mi Adelton said with concern.

"Thank you, I just twisted it a little bit, and it doesn't hurt now." Annie said, she likes Mrs. Middleton very much. This lady lives a very comfortable life without contending with the world. She never cares about those trivial matters. But she is very friendly to family and friends.

"Annie, I hope your feet get better soon, because I plan to go to Hertfordshire half a month in advance. I hope you and Lucy can accompany us. I wonder if you would like to?" Janning Mrs. Smith said that after seeing Marianne and Willoughby together tonight, she was very disappointed, and her dissatisfaction with Anne completely disappeared.

Anne and Lucy originally planned to stay for another ten days or so and leave before Mrs. Jennings and the others set off for Hertfordshire. Unexpectedly, Mrs. Jennings would invite them to go with them. Of course, there is no problem. They had not yet received invitations from relatives, and it would be a good thing for the sisters to stay longer with Mrs. Jennings and the others.

"Mrs. Jennings is very grateful for your invitation. Lucy and I are very willing to go to Hertfordshire with you. Don't worry, my feet will be completely healed in a few days." Anne thanked.

"That's good. There must be a lot of people to attend the wedding." Mrs. Jennings said happily.

"Mum, why do you want to go early?" asked Mrs. Palmer.

"Today I met a friend who just came back from Meryton not long ago. He said that a large manor near Meryton has been rented out by a wealthy single gentleman. He will bring his family and friends to move there recently. There's bound to be some good balls going on, and we'd better not miss them," explained Mrs. Jennings.