aristocratic engagement

Chapter 48

"That's my cousin, Lance Fitzwilliam." Anne said casually suddenly, Jane glanced at her, bit her lips, but did not stop, "He is not the eldest son of Earl Fitzwilliam, I have another A cousin, Lawrence Fitzwilliam, Cousin Lawrence is already working with the earl, maybe you will meet him when you have a chance in the future."

The girls who were about to step onto the social dance floor had sparkling eyes and nodded repeatedly.

"I heard my father mention Mr. Lawrence Fitzwilliam. My father said that he is young and promising, and I am afraid that he will formally enter the parliament this year!" A small voice sounded.

Anne looked around, and saw a little girl who was only eight or nine years old sitting beside her sister, Miss Hall. After she finished speaking, she immediately blushed when she saw that she was stared at by Miss de Bourgh.

Miss Hall touched her head, said something in a low voice, and saw that the little girl immediately slumped and slumped her shoulders.

"Yes, you are right, Miss Alice." Alice Hall raised her face and looked at her in surprise, then immediately lowered her head.Annie smiled, thinking that this girl is both bold and timid, which is very interesting.

"Alice often remembers the words of her parents very clearly, and likes to imitate us. But I think she may not even know what the parliament is!" Miss Hall pinched her sister's neck and nodded to Anne.

"I know! It's where Dad and the others quarrel at work!" Alice pouted dissatisfiedly.

Annie couldn't help laughing at her words, and all the sensible ladies covered their mouths and laughed, and Miss Hall patted her on the head dumbfounded.

Anne thought to herself, Mr. Hall is also straightforward enough to frankly mention that Parliament is a place for quarrels in front of his daughters!But in detail, it is not a joke.When those big figures discuss big things, there are too many twists and turns in it, and there are too many interests involved, and I am afraid that they have to make people lose face.

"It's not easy to win a quarrel." Annie sighed.

"Yes, I heard that the parliament is arguing about 'steam engines', 'ferries', and 'coal'." Miss Hall shrugged, "I don't understand those, but listen to them Meaning, it seems to be arguing that the king should be responsible for such a major event. But now, it is all controlled by the House of Commons, and even... those with lower status."

"Stop talking about it, we don't understand."

"Yes, yes. But I heard that if the cruise ship can be equipped with some kind of steam engine, it can go faster? I want to try this!"

"I don't care about ships or coal, that's what gentlemen worry about."

"Coal? That sounds dirty..."

……

The ladies were not interested in these, and quickly shifted the topic to the balls one after another.The young girls complained that the family gave their pocket money to the eldest sister in the family to ensure that they did not have a duplicate dress and jewelry when they participated in the dance, and those girls who were too young to dance had to stand Aside to give advice to my sister.

Annie chatted with Miss Hall and found that she was very interested in politics and economics. After asking a few more questions, she found out that she had no brothers in her family.There are only two daughters in the Hall family. Miss Hall has been raised as a boy by her father since she was born.Mr. Hall never thought that a girl should grow up empty-headed and marry a gentleman as his wife at the ball by virtue of her youth, appearance, and Hall family's money. From then on, her happiness depends on her future husband alone. body.

"Even if a girl can't run a business, we should keep our eyes open and see the world. That's what my father said." Miss Hall also blushed, "Miss de Bauer, you don't think we are out of line ?"

"On the contrary, I admire Mr. Hall's ideas." Anne shook her head, she turned to look at the Bennet sisters, and said, "Mr. Bennet is also such a wise gentleman. Both Jane and Liz see I have read a lot of books and learned a lot of principles.”

Jane waved her hands in shame: "We don't know anything about politics or economics... Only Liz is very interested in literature, and I just read idle books and help my mother do some work in my spare time."

"Miss Bennet is too modest." Miss Hall disapproved, and chatted with them.

Seeing that Miss Hall and Miss Bennet were chatting happily, Annie looked at Liz.

"Do you want to talk to me?" She blinked.

Liz nodded, then quickly shook her head like a rattle.

Annie looked into her eyes firmly: "Do you really have nothing to say? About what you gave me, about..." Lance.Annie said quietly.

Liz understood her lips, and suddenly crushed a small biscuit at a loss.

But Annie thought to herself, it would be a pity not to have a few more conversations with such a rare opportunity to meet a like-minded lady?

—Lance, of course, just incidentally!