[Comprehensive Classics] Detective Mary

Twelve pounds in royalties!

Mary felt as if she was in a dream when she got paid.

It has been 19 years since she traveled to this world.Although Mary was already a working dog in the 21st century, the twelve pounds was the first money she earned with her own ability as Mary Bennett.

Although twelve pounds is nothing but a drop in the bucket for a single lady like Mary, everything has a beginning.Even Conan Doyle himself was not favored when he started working on a novel. "A Study in Scarlet" only received a copyright fee of 24 pounds.

As for Mary, she didn't experience rejections, didn't get rejected, and was appreciated by the editor-in-chief of Hall. As a novice author, her luck was so good that it exploded.

Editor-in-Chief Hall said it was customary to send Mary a sample of the magazine before it went to print.

She can't wait for the reaction of her work.

Mary happily returned to the Gardners' mansion with the twelve pounds. Mrs. Gardner was also very happy when she heard that the novel had passed the draft, and insisted on ordering the cook to cook a big dinner tonight to celebrate.

"I've got to tell Papa and Lizzie about it."

Jane, who is reserved by nature, was also very happy. After dinner, they returned to the room, and Jane sat down with a smile: "It just so happened that Lizzie sent a letter today, and I haven't had time to share it with you yet."

"A letter from Lizzie?"

Mary carefully saved the remuneration, and said pleasantly, "Is there anything new in Longbourne recently?"

"No matter how fresh it is, it's still as fresh as when you went to the slums."

Jane smiled and blamed: "I thought about it for a long time before I couldn't resist not writing it in the letter. If my mother finds out about this, she might come to London herself and take you home."

"Hey." Mary just laughed.

She sat beside Jane, holding Jane's arm and acting like a baby: "I know Jane is the best!"

"Don't play tricks," Jane said. "After flattering Lizzie on the front foot, and flattering me on the back foot, you have such a mind, why don't you want to have a good conversation with the gentlemen and ladies in the social circle?"

Because they're bored to death, the petty bourgeoisie and gossip are not as interesting as listening to Irish workers drink and sing.

But Mary didn't argue with Jane, she just leaned on her shoulder and looked at the letter on the table: "What did Lizzie write in the letter?"

Elizabeth's letters were addressed to Jane and Mary. The correspondence between girls' families is always trivial and serious. Even Elizabeth, who is straightforward by nature, wrote down everything that happened in Longbourne recently.

First up is Lydia, who is grounded.Mrs. Bennet's character is startled, and she can't hide things, but what she believes will not change even if it is said to be broken-this has also been passed down to most of her daughters, including Mary.

Mrs. Bennet, therefore, had no mercy when it came to grounding Lydia.

Now Lydia can go to social occasions, and go to Meryton to buy hats, but Mrs. Bennet must be there.

Elizabeth didn't need to say much, Mary could also imagine how miserable Lydia was living these days.

"She deserves it," Mary judged unceremoniously. "It's fine if you lose the bet. If you don't say a few words or cry a few times, you won't end up being grounded at all."

"I hope she can remember this experience."

Jane sighed, and when she mentioned their little sister, even the tolerant elder sister couldn't avoid worrying: "Lydia's character needs to be disciplined, she's only 15 years old, how can this go on like this?"

I'm afraid it won't help if you ground your feet once.Mary slandered in her heart, not because she looked down on Lydia, but because Lydia really... would have liked to spend less time on attracting bees and attracting butterflies.

"Where's my hat," said Mary, "why didn't you mention the hat?"

"You!" Jane laughed out loud.

After finishing the daily life in the letter, Elizabeth mentioned the wedding of Mr. Collins and Charlotte, and Charlotte's invitation to visit Mr. Collins' parish.

In the original book, Elizabeth is invited to visit Charlotte's new home, where she meets Mr. Darcy.

And the famous face-slapping scene where Mr. Darcy condescended to propose to Elizabeth and was rejected by Elizabeth angrily also took place there.

It's just that Mr. Darcy has apologized to Elizabeth, and Elizabeth also knows that Darcy is not a small-bellied, contemptuous nuisance. If they still meet again and Mr. Darcy proposes again...how will Elizabeth react?

Mary regained her spirits immediately: "It's good to go out to relax, but staying at home is too boring, tell her to remember to write letters."

Jane: "Then who is watching Lydia?"

Mary blinked. "Is grounding not enough?"

Moreover, Mary calculated carefully that the sign of elopement first appeared when Jane and Elizabeth both returned to Longbourne.Now if she really wants her not to go out and socialize freely for a few months, I'm afraid it will have the opposite effect and force Lydia to rebel.

"Just remember to rush for my hat when you reply," Mary exhorted viciously, "I will have to inspect it when I get home. If Lydia can't finish her embroidery, I will publicize her dishonesty to the militia." go."

Jane: "..." That's too cruel!

The eldest sister shook her head helplessly, and also looked at Elizabeth's letter: "Compared to Lydia, I am more worried that Lizzie will feel bad."

Mary was taken aback for a moment, and then realized that Jane was referring to visiting Charlotte.

After all, Mr. Collins first proposed to Elizabeth, and after being rejected by Elizabeth, he turned to her friend Charlotte.Being invited this time, Charlotte herself was kind-hearted, so naturally she would have no other intentions, but Mr. Collins might inevitably show off his might.

It's normal for Jane to be so worried, but...

Thinking of Elizabeth's character, Mary felt relieved: "I think Lizzie doesn't take Mr. Collins seriously at all, so she won't be embarrassed or uncomfortable!"

"I'm just worried about her marriage." Jane sighed.

"Oh," Mary teased, "I have a sweetheart, and I think all the unmarried girls in the world have sweethearts. How can it be so easy, Miss Bennet."

"Ghost spirit."

Following Elizabeth's example, Jane poked Mary's forehead with her hand.

"Not only Lizzie, but also you," she said. "It's not good to like anyone, just like to follow Mr. Holmes to the slums? Elizabeth doesn't like anyone, but you are full of absurdity. Neither of you two It’s no better than anyone else, I’m really afraid you won’t be able to find a suitable partner.”

"Um……"

"how?"

Mary hooked her lips: "I think there is a gentleman who is quite suitable for Elizabeth."

Jane was a little surprised: "Who?"

Mary: "Mr. Darcy."

simple:"……"

Hearing Mary's words, Jane immediately covered her mouth, as if Mary had said something terrible.

She widened her beautiful eyes, staring at Mary as if she didn't know her, and looked up and down several times before she confirmed that Mary was not joking.

"Mr. Darcy?"

Apparently, Jane never thought about this possibility, but when she saw Mary nodding her head desperately, her rebuttals came to her lips, but she couldn't say anything.

Thinking about it carefully, Mr. Darcy is talented and knowledgeable. Although he really didn't pay attention to Elizabeth at the beginning, and made a very excessive judgment, he also realized his mistake afterwards, so he reflected deeply and made a statement. Apologize.

This proves that Mr. Darcy is not only a rich man, but also a man of integrity and sincerity.

Not to mention, Mr. Darcy meets Elizabeth's mate selection criteria in all aspects. If two people are in love...

Mary: "Right?"

simple:"…………"

Mary: "Right, right?"

After much deliberation, Jane could not find any definite reason to object to Mary, so she had to admit: "If Mr. Darcy likes Elizabeth, it is indeed appropriate."

"He likes it! He likes it very much," said Mary hastily. "Why do you think Mr. Darcy apologized, because I reminded him, and he admitted that he liked Lizzie!"

"what?!"

Jane didn't know about this at all. When she heard Mary's confession, she was surprised and at the same time contacted the past, but she immediately figured it out.

"In that case, Mr. Darcy is particularly fond of talking to Lizzie," Jane added, "and danced with her at the second ball, and he looked very interested."

"It's up to Lizzie to like Mr. Darcy now," said Mary, "and if she doesn't, there's nothing Mr. Darcy can do about it."

"this."

Jane thought for a moment, then turned her head to look at Mary with bright eyes, and immediately understood what she meant.

"You're planning to join me in matching her and Mr. Darcy, aren't you?" Jane smiled slightly. "No wonder Lizzie got so annoyed when she heard you mention Mr. Darcy before."

"Clizzie won't bother you!"

Mary didn't hide her motives at all: "Good sister, dear sister, for the happiness of Lizzie and Mr. Darcy, you should use your mind."

"If Lizzie likes Darcy too," returned Jane, "of course I support them."

"It's easy!"

Mary, who received the approval, let out a long sigh of relief.She had already made up her mind. If Mr. Darcy's first marriage proposal was successful, it would be fine. If not... She had an idea.

"Well then," said Mary mysteriously, "you must help me when I get back to Longbourne."

Jane had already personally understood Mary's bad idea—otherwise she and Mr. Bingley wouldn't be able to pierce the window paper.Seeing Mary's excited look, Jane shook her head: "Worry about this, worry about that, what about your own life?"

"I'm worried."

Mary took out her own twelve pounds: "I have made money, the first story has twelve pounds, and the second story is probably twenty-four pounds-by the time of the tenth story, I will be a little rich woman!"

What a bunch of childishness.

Jane was amused by Mary's sloppy algorithm, and she couldn't help laughing: "It's so beautiful."

But Jane knew that Mary didn't like to talk about her children's love, so she didn't force it.Moreover, the submission went smoothly, which is indeed a happy event.

"Then what murder are you planning to write next," said Jane, "a great writer?"

"No more murders," Mary replied.

This is not only Mary's plan, but also the advice given to her by editor-in-chief Fred Hall.

The editor's thinking was straightforward: the first story was fascinating, but no one knew what the feedback would be.After the murder, it would be much better to have a less shocking, but fresher story.

Mary thought so too.

"I think," she said to Jane, "it would be nice to write about a burglary."

When it comes to the theft, Mary’s insight in the 21st century is much more helpful-remove the high-tech crimes, and the thieves all over the world steal things with nothing more than superb disguises, extraordinary skills, and proper planning.

It's easier to write the characters a little more novel, and the process a little more bizarre, than to portray a human demon with a real prototype.

"Theft?"

The unexpected answer really aroused Jane's interest: "How are you going to write it?"

Mary: "Steal the painting, and... the criminal team is a circus."

Jane: "Circus?"

Yes, the circus.

The source of Mary's inspiration is very simple: when it comes to extraordinary skills, it is inevitable to think of an "unpopular" founder in the [-]th century-the circus king P. T. Barnum.

Thanks also to Hugh Jackman's music movie "The Greatest Showman" for letting Mary know about this master.

All the members of the circus with unique skills are very suitable to be the kind of popular "Grand Thief".But Mary feels that a crime is a crime, and she doesn't want to write about marginalized people who are discriminated against in reality as criminals.

Still have to think about it.

"I only have one idea for the time being," Mary said truthfully, "I must carefully consider how to develop."

If one is not handled well, the story will be uninterested or secondary, and the most feared thing is that being popular will make everyone discriminate against and hate the marginalized people in society, then Mary will not be able to forgive herself no matter what.

To actually write the story... the case was secondary, she had far more work to do than the murder.

Seeing Mary's serious expression, Jane took her hand and encouraged her earnestly: "Don't worry, think about it carefully, and if you have an idea, you must tell me."

Mary laughed: "I'm afraid I'll scare you!"

Jane: "I want to listen even if I'm scared."

Mary was taken aback.

Jane smiled, and took Mary's hand, with touching sincerity in those beautiful eyes.

"I never know what you're thinking, Mary," she began. "You've read a lot, and you're full of ideas that people don't understand, but you've never done anything wrong—whether you go to the slums or start writing. , are meaningful."

"Jane?" Mary was at a loss.

"So," Jane said solemnly, "after you came back from the slums, I thought a lot, and the answer I finally came up with is--even though I don't understand you, you are doing the right thing, so I have to try I understand you."

"..."

"Then let's start with your story," said the eldest sister, rubbing Mary's hair. "You have thought up the idea, and you must tell me. I have to listen carefully, so that I can understand what is in your little head." What is it?"

"........."

"Mary?"

"It's nothing."

Mary said with great emotion: "God gave me an angel as my sister, right?"

Jane couldn't laugh or cry: "What nonsense!"

She is not talking nonsense!

Mary really didn't expect Jane to say such words - even Elizabeth scolded herself for being absurd every day!But Jane, an unmarried girl born and bred in the nineteenth century, a lady who is so standard that she can be a model, can sincerely say that she wants to understand herself.

At this moment, Mary really didn't know how to describe her emotion. She was so good and such a good sister, she couldn't bear Jane to marry Mr. Bingley.

"Thank you, Jane," Mary said with a bright smile, "If I have an idea, I will be the first to tell you."

"not only that."

Jane was very careful, and clearly remembered every word Mary said when she came back from the slums: "You said you made a new friend named Mary Morstan, didn't you?"

The next morning, Miss Mary Morstan, an Irish girl, arrived as scheduled.

Mary's intention had been to tell the maid not to keep Miss Morstan at the door because of her patched clothes.But now, not only did Mary not ask, Jane even came forward in person and solemnly invited Miss Morstan to her door.

Miss Morstan, who was holding a brand new cotton dress, was flattered, but Jane just took the dress with a smile: "Thank you very much for taking care of Mary, Miss Morstan, she is always surprised and careless, and she wants to give it to you." You added a lot of trouble."

"Where."

Miss Morstan, who had the same name as Mary, shook her head hastily: "Miss Mary Bennet tracked down the truth for my friend, and it's too late for me to thank her."

Jian Wenyan was surprised: "Are you also an insider?"

Miss Morstan spoke frankly, her words were full of pride: "Not only that, I also brought a message from Mr. Holmes today, asking me to ask Miss Mary to go out."

"Going to visit Mr. Holmes?!"

When Mary heard this, she hurried downstairs, almost rushing to Miss Morstan with a red face.

"No," smiled Miss Morstan, "not to the detective's apartment, but to Mr. Hamp's factory."