[Emma] Becoming Jane Fairfax

After silently saying "calm down" a hundred times, Wei Lai picked up the knife and fork because Lance, who was sitting across from him, was behaving normally.

Frank and Emma, ​​sitting on both sides of Mr. Weston, chatted as soon as they ate.

Mr. Weston was really proud that Frank was able to come back, not to mention that Frank arrived half a day earlier than the scheduled time, which further showed how much Frank valued his father and Highbury. Mr. Weston was in a good mood and even Drank three glasses of wine.And Frank did not disappoint his father's desire to show off in front of the folks, and said affectionately that he finally returned to the home he longed for day and night.

[Think about it day and night and haven't come back for many years, who are you kidding. 】In Wei Lai's eyes, Frank is already suspected of being a scumbag, and now he is labeled as a hypocrite if he is secretly engaged and pretends not to know each other in this era that pays so much attention to reputation.

Still, Frank's words made most of the people here feel happy and proud.He also made persistent efforts to say a few more words, claiming that he wanted to come back many times but was delayed due to various irreversible reasons, but he never forgot Highbury in his heart, and he did not forget the folks in Highbury. Although he grew up in a big city, he didn't know much about the country and had no interest in it, but Highbury was the only place that could touch his heart.

These words really had the desired effect. His stepmother Mrs. Weston added to the flames: "In fact, he had already been to Highbury last time, but he had to go back when he suddenly received news that his aunt was seriously ill. A horse was broken, Emma, ​​you know, a black horse."

"A horse!" Emma's eyes widened in surprise, "It's unbelievable. If this can't show Mr. Churchill's feelings for Highbury, I don't think there is any other better way to express his affection for Highbury." Weston, you have a very brave and virtuous son."

Mr. Weston grinned from ear to ear.

"Yes, but the horse was poor," said Mr. Knightley, laughing.

Emma knew that he was teasing, but she didn't quarrel with him as usual on this occasion, as long as she gave him a non-threatening look, just as Emma's eyes flew over, Knightley turned to Vivian with his glass up. Mr. Stone.

"Mr. Churchill, you are a valuable gentleman. I hope you can stay longer this time and take a good look at Highbury. This is a very interesting place, and I believe it will not be more boring than London." Emma He also raised his glass, a little bit against Mr. Knightley.

Knightley finished his glass of wine and said with a smile: "I think all gentlemen take a carriage."

"Pfft." Wei Lai finally managed not to spit out, but still couldn't help laughing, Knightley is too funny, it must be black when cut.With her smile, everyone looked over.

Wei Lai was taken aback for a moment, and immediately lowered her head, acting shy. Anyway, she reckoned that Jane Fairfax was not a social person like Emma. If she was in doubt, she pretended to be shy, which seemed a little bit She is petty, but it's better than talking nonsense and revealing her secrets. What if she is burned as a witch and burned to death.

Regarding British history, Wei Lai didn't remember anything else, except that her roommate told her that there were witch hunts in British and American history.Whether she is a witch or not is a matter of opening her mouth. She doesn't want to die in such a vague way, or lock her up as a mental illness.

Wei Lai didn't speak, but just smiled, everyone's eyes quickly moved away from her, and they started talking among themselves again.She inadvertently noticed that Emma looked at her with some contempt. Thinking about it carefully, in the eyes of a lively and carefree girl like Emma, ​​the gentle and cautious Jane is a pretentious white lotus.

Wei Lai hooked the corners of her lips, she didn't care, and turned her head to find that there was an extra cup of tea next to her wine glass.

"what?"

"Yes, I asked the servant to bring it to you." Harriet, who was sitting on her left, explained timidly, "Miss Fairfax, please don't blame me for being meddlesome. I think you have been busy all night. I didn't touch the glass, thinking that you are recovering from a serious illness, so you shouldn't drink from the bar, so..." Harriet glanced at her as she spoke, as if she was afraid that she would get angry.

The cautious Harriet reminded Wei Lai of her appearance in front of her parents, and her heart softened.

"Thank you, how can I blame you, you are so thoughtful, I really can't drink alcohol, a little wine will make me blush, Harriet, you are so careful."

Harriet is a few years younger than Jane and Emma. Before becoming friends with Emma, ​​she had been living in a boarding school. She had limited contact with the outside world. When she was with Emma, ​​she always listened to love. Damn, although she admits that Emma is a smart and knowledgeable girl, after a long time, she will also mutter in her heart, do I have to listen to you for everything?

However, Jane is different. She is synonymous with gentle lady in Highbury. Although Harriet has not had much contact with her, she can see that Jane is not ostentatious, so she should be easy to get along with.

Thinking of this, Harriet gradually let go of her sense of restraint.

While the two girls were talking, the topic at the dinner table had already shifted away from Frank Churchill. Wei Lai pricked up his ears to listen for a little bit, and it was amazing to hear a very familiar word.

——Spinning machine

"...my friend's factory has now used this new type of spinning machine, the speed is much faster than before, the quality of gauze has not declined, and it saves manpower. I think it will become a big trend to use new type of spinning machine in the future , more likely to produce more new tools.”

Although this Lance was a little hateful, what he said was quite prescient.This time Wei Lai was very clever and didn't make any sound. She is now Jane Fairfax, a lady who is going to be a governess, and she shouldn't know many things, so she just listened silently.

I don't know what Lance does in London, what kind of family background, businessman or aristocrat, when it comes to economics, the Weston father and son and the Knightley brothers can only listen.However, economics and politics have never been the ladies' concern. Mrs. Weston and Emma are trying hard not to be distracted, while Miss Bates has already dozed off.

Although Lance and the Weston family have dated before, and understand that Mr. Weston intends to make friends with him, but tonight is not his home game after all, the sleepy appearance of the ladies fell into his eyes, and There was no one to communicate with him, so he stopped in time and didn't continue talking.

But how did he feel that Miss Jane Fairfax was more disappointed than Mr. Weston?

Of course Wei Lai was disappointed.As a former history buff, it is a rare opportunity to hear the ancients talk about history, which is much more detailed and exciting than history books.This guy didn't even talk about the wonderful things.

No matter how good Wei Lai's expressionless expression was, the disappointed and depressed expression still did not escape Lance's eyes.His eyes can't see far away, but he can see clearly up close.

Lance felt amused, and held his glass to cover his curled lips.This Miss Jane Fairfax looked effeminate and demure, with a ladylike air, which was all feigned.How many people would be frightened by the appearance of teaching him a lesson outside.Lance suddenly thought of teasing her, but after thinking about it, he suppressed it again.

Embarrassing a lady in public is not what a gentleman does.

Lance's mind was on and off, and he didn't notice that his gaze had been on Jane's face until John Knightley couldn't stand it anymore and reminded him: "Your eyeballs are about to fall out, pay attention point!"

Lance was startled, only to realize how impolite he had done, and hurriedly looked away. Fortunately, the dinner was coming to an end, and everyone present was focused on their own food and did not pay attention to him. He thanked John in a low voice, hesitating After a while, he took another look at Jane's expression calmly.Fortunately, she lowered her head to eat dessert, so she probably didn't notice it.

While Lance was observing Jane, Wei Lai was also observing another person, Frank Churchill.

What's the matter with this man?He got engaged to Jane secretly, and he just pretended not to know each other well, and now he looked at her without any scruples in front of his family, on such an important occasion, what kind of game was he playing!Are you not afraid of being known by others?

Wei Lai felt a little angry, but he couldn't do anything substantive, so he could only bury his head in pretending to be a quail.

After dinner, the guests sat in the living room and chatted again.The men and women gathered in one place, and the female guests chatted about the family affairs of each family. Wei Lai accompanied Miss Bates to listen to each sentence, and she actually heard some useful information.

"Whenever I think of Frank, it hurts me, and so does his father, and his aunt has too much control over him. As long as Frank shows concern for anyone other than her, she will try to make Frank uncomfortable. Many times he The letter said that he would come back, and he was called back by his aunt as soon as he was punished. His father was hit by expectations again and again, and he didn't know when he would be able to get rid of Mrs. Churchill's control." Mrs. Weston sighed, shook her head and said It is helpless to encounter such a wonderful thing.

"But now that Mr. Churchill is back, you can keep him for a while longer." Emma comforted Mrs. Weston, holding Mrs. Weston's hand.

Wei Lai suddenly had an idea. The reason why Frank Churchill was secretly engaged to Jane and did not dare to let others know was not because he was afraid that his father or Jane's family would disagree, but because he was afraid that his aunt would disagree.

He now lives by his uncle and aunt, and the financial power is in the hands of his aunt. As long as he is disobedient, he may be cut off from his source of income at any time.

A penny stumps a hero, why marry without money?

The more Wei Lai thought about it, the more he felt that his guess was right. The more he thought about it, the more he felt sorry for Jane. Hearing what Mrs. Weston said, Mrs. Churchill must not be an easy person to get along with. If Jane really married Frank, life would be better. Are you having a good time?

A thought that had been brewing for a long time came to her mind: Frank Churchill was not her type, and she was going to divorce him.

Yes, divorce!

As soon as the idea of ​​retiring the engagement came up, I saw Frank walking towards them. Willie shrank behind Miss Bates. Frank walked up to Emma and said with a smile: "I heard Mrs. Weston say that Woodhow Miss Woodhouse plays the piano very well, and it just so happens that my father bought a new piano for Mrs. Weston, would you be honored to ask Miss Woodhouse to play for us?" He said, holding out his right hand like Emma.

Emma clutched her chest in surprise, looked left and right, got her teacher's encouragement, put her hand on Frank's hand lightly, and agreed gracefully: "This is my honor."

A melodious piece was played slowly. Wei Lai didn't know the name of the piece, but he just thought it sounded good. Although Emma's piano skills were average and the beats were messed up, it was still considered a qualified performance. Halfway through, Frank Churchill, leaning against the piano, sang along on a whim.

Ladies play, men sing, this...can it be more ambiguous?Rao Wei Lai, a modern person, felt that Emma and Frank had done too much.

So, what was Frank Churchill trying to do as Jane's fiancé?

After the song was played, Emma and Frank smiled at each other and accepted the applause of everyone.

Wei Lai noticed that Mr. Knightley's eyes were as soft as water, and he was standing in the corner by the window with a smile on his lips, looking at Emma silently.

Frank, Emma, ​​Mr. Knightley, these three people will not form a love triangle.

"Miss Fairfax, can you play a piece for us?" Suddenly, Frank reached out to Wei Lai.

The author has something to say: When I read the original book, I felt that Frank Churchill had no feelings for Highbury and his father. He had been back, and if Jane hadn't returned to Highbury, he might not have come back.So, before that, was it really because of his aunt that he missed appointments again and again?I find this questionable.

Why Jane chooses Frank is also worth pondering. In my opinion, one thing is that under Jane's gentle and demure appearance, there is an unrestrained heart, and Frank is the embodiment of another side of her heart.