Chapter 18 Chapter Eighteen

May 25, 1893 Mrs. Roland greeted His Excellency the Duke of Perrin, but he could clearly feel the lack of excitement and flattery that she usually had at his fingertips, but her hospitality was still flawless.However, she was so eager to make friends before, even to the point of fawning, but tonight she just showed thoughtful etiquette.Even her usual pink attire was replaced by blackness, like the mourning dress of a new widow. The living room used to receive him was brightly lit, as dazzling as the Palace of Versailles.There were so many burning candles that he wondered if a church had been robbed of its altar.The windows facing the country road are all open, and the linen curtains are only half drawn, so that passers-by can clearly see the movement inside.

Could it be that she couldn't wait to show off her friendship with him.possible.But the road outside was seldom passed by during the day, and it was even more deserted at night.She might as well set up a signboard in the garden, and Duke Perin came to the house. What drink would you like?she asked.Tea, pineapple water, lemon juice. He was pretty sure he hadn't been asked if he wanted lemonade since he was thirteen.There were no alcoholic beverages among the options she offered, and he was aware of that. It would be nice to have a brandy. She pursed her lips, but she couldn't resist the Duke's request, let alone just a glass of wine.She turned to tell the manager.Hollis, prepare a bottle of Remy Martin for Your Excellency the Duke.

The steward bowed and left. Ronff showed a satisfied smile, it was much better this way.What lemon juice!Hearing that you went to London, you must have gained a lot, right? Her laugh was startled and false.Yeah, so to speak. She touched the embossed pin on her throat, and he stared involuntarily at the contrast between her white fingers and the solemn blackness that swallowed the light.Although the skin on her hands is delicate, it lacks the plumpness and transparency of youth.He remembered that she was indeed a few years older than him, almost fifty.Old Princess Snow White. Yet she was more beautiful than many women of marriageable age, even at nineteen.Generally speaking, compared with ordinary-looking women, beauties are more unbearable when they are old, and the difference from when they were young is greater.But she is different, under her still beautiful skin, she found self-worth in the journey of life, it is the best decoration, more dazzling than pearls and diamonds.

I had the honor of meeting two of your cousins ​​at the opera, she said.Mrs Anfery and Mrs Thornsby were very polite, and invited me to sit with me in the box. He didn't understand for a while.So what if you meet Caroline and Grace?Many people will meet them, the difference is that some people are very happy, some people are very painful, the happy people are because they heard the gossip, and the painful people are because they were ruthlessly excavated by the gossip.After a moment, he suddenly realized.Mrs. Roland originally only knew that he was a reclusive scholar who almost had no relationship with men and women. She didn't know that he had had a wild life when he was young.

What did they tell her?It's probably because of the jealous fight between the women, the burning of the bed, and the time when he hired all the girls in Mrs. Minon's shop.He's done worse things, but these are the most widely known.Although Mrs. Roland loves to cling to the powerful, she is a model of dignity and rigor. Because she was too shocked and frightened, she temporarily put away her idolatrous posture and soft tone. To be honest, if he thought his intentions were wrong, a few open windows and heavy and solemn black clothes might not be enough to dissuade him. His most absurd period has caused many widows to lose their morals, sometimes even in front of the open windows.

Not to mention that he didn't intend to get his hands on Mrs. Roland.Twenty years ago, the situation might have been different, but he has changed his face, and as he gets older, he has become more conformist. most of the time. They must have told a lot of stories about my youth and frivolity, right?He said.My behavior back then was really not enough to set an example. Apparently she hadn't expected him to bluntly point it out.She waved her hand, trying to pretend not to care.Well, what gentleman doesn't have a few romantic debts? exactly.He nodded, appreciating her insight.After a summer of indulgent sunshine, there will be a ripe and luscious harvest in autumn, as it was in the past and as it will be in the future.

He almost laughed at the puzzled look on her face at his philosophical insight.Fortunately, the servant brought over the brandy, which is an extremely fine wine, stored in old oak barrels in the Limousin region of France, and brewed for fifty years. The card table was ready and they moved over, and she asked cautiously if it would be okay to start off with a bet of something else instead of a thousand pounds.When I play cards with my daughter we usually bet on candy, butter sugar, toffee, chocolaty, you know what I mean, sir? Of course, he showed magnanimity, not to mention that he had only gambled a thousand pounds a bet three times in his life, and lost a year's income overnight.

She got up and fetched a large golden embossed box.This is Swiss chocolate, given to me last Easter by my daughter who knows I love it. The box was divided into several layers, and the top layers were almost eaten up. She picked it up and took out the two full plates below and placed them in front of both parties. What do you and your daughter usually play?He starts shuffling. Common two-player games, Bizik, Casino, Ikat.Her poker skills are excellent. When she comes, I'm looking forward to playing a game with her, he said. Mrs. Rowland paused before answering.She will be very happy.

When it comes to plotting, Mrs. Rowland can hold her own against the ghetto veterans, but impromptu lying is not her forte.There must be sparks flying between the fiancé and her husband, and the situation is bound to explode. Mrs. Tremes should not be willing to obey her mother's crazy conspiracy and find another man to add to the chaos.He began to deal the cards, face up, and there was a few seconds of silence. It would be more to your liking to play with my son-in-law, said Mrs. Rowland.She has been unable to confirm the itinerary, so maybe my son-in-law will come instead. He feigned great surprise.she married?

That's right.She had been married to the heir of Duke Fairfer for ten years.Her answer was still full of complacency, but also a hint of frustration. The first trump card appeared on his side.He shook his head lightly, took the cards back, reshuffled them and handed them to her to cut.Mrs. Roland, I am very puzzled.When you said you wanted to introduce your daughter to me, I thought she hadn't left the cabinet yet, and the reason why you were interested in me was because you hoped that your daughter could develop a friendship with me. She stared at him blankly, as if he asked her to undress, and in a way, he did expose her.She tugged at the cameo pin, as if the collar was too tight.Your Excellency, I promise this is not the case!How could you think so!I

Come, come, Mrs. Roland, he hasn't forgotten how to coax a woman.A mother's struggle to get her daughter a good home is not the greatest human endeavor, but it certainly has a long history.I'm just a little surprised that Ling Ai has already betrothed to someone else, and the marriage is happy and stable, with a bright future ahead.Then why are you so diligent in wanting to make friends with me, running out of the house to chase me, and even agreeing to gamble with me, even though you usually hate this kind of behavior the most? The silence was deafening. Ma'am, it's your turn to place your bet, he reminded. She silently placed three chocolates on the small cushion in the center of the table.He deals the cards, hers face down, his face up.A mere five of spades.He deals the cards again, this time with both sides face down. She held down the cards but didn't pick them up, her cheeks flushed like wine.Sir, now I can answer your question.While it would be embarrassing for both of us, and I would be utterly ashamed, you have a right to know the truth. She licked her lower lip.Honestly, I'm fed up with being a widow.I searched around the neighborhood and decided that you would be a good husband for me. His jaw and cards almost fell on the table.The impact of this sentence was too great, and he had no power to parry. For the past five years, I have watched you walk past my house every day, rain or shine, her beautiful eyes gazing at him.Every day I wait for you to emerge from the detour, and I will see you when you pass the bell flower.I always watched you go until I passed the Wright house and I couldn't see you.I miss you day and night. He was sure she was lying, just as he was sure John the Royal Chamberlain.Brown had an affair with the Queen during his lifetime.However, for some reason, he was involuntarily affected by these words, and a beautiful picture appeared in his mind. Mrs. Roland could not sleep at night, let go of her long hair, liberated her breasts, and lamented because of loneliness, longing and needing a man, for Iraq. It makes people haggard.And that person was him. But only now did I finally find the courage to act, her voice as soft as a spring night.I am no longer young, so I decided to abandon the little girly tricks and switch to a more direct way.I hope you don't get offended by my being too aggressive. He couldn't tell the difference between up and down, left and right, north, south, east and west, which he rarely did.He tried to remind himself that she just wanted her daughter to marry the Duke and grab the elusive strawberry leaf crown, as she had confessed to the furball cat. why me?He found his voice hoarse and cleared his throat quickly.Please forgive me for being too abrupt, but you are beautiful and rich, as long as you let the wind out I have to deal with a lot of sycophants and gold diggers.Part of the reason I went back to Devonshire was to get rid of those people, and she was calm and reasonable.As for why I fell in love with you, it was probably influenced by Lingtang. my mother? A few months after his father died, his mother also died of pneumonia.If she had lived a few more years, maybe he wouldn't have lived such a ridiculous life, even if it was just to protect her from people like Caroline and Grace. Your Excellency, the day we first met, I pretended not to know your identity, I am really sorry.She finally took a look at the cards and put them on the table.An A plus a J, exactly blackjack.To be honest, although we haven't met officially, I have known about you for many years.When I was young, I lived on this farm, and I remember seeing you from these windows every holiday. She gave the candy box, and he took out three chocolates from the plate.How did you know my mother? In 1961, I went to help organize a charity gala, and she was an honorary patron.She likes me very much and invites me to Neutrogena for tea every week.Mrs. Roland smiled wistfully.In private, she is very elegant and ordinary. The reason why she is ordinary is that she has the same troubles as all women in the world: husband and son.I didn't realize it at the time, but in retrospect, she must have been pretty lonely.Because of the old Duke's ill health, she had to be tied up in the country, with few friends, and her amusements were limited, and because the Duke was seriously ill, she could not indulge in joy without being accused of insensitivity. He stared at her, not sure if she was still making up lies, but desperately hoped she was telling the truth.He hadn't talked to anyone about his poor mother for many years, and he rarely mentioned his father. No one asked him how he felt about losing his parents.Because of his unrestrained behaviour, it was automatically assumed that he was happy to be free and free to spend. Mrs. Rowland picked up a cellophane-wrapped chocolate and twirled it between her fingers.The wrapping paper rustled.She doesn't often mention His Excellency the Duke's illness, but she knows very well that she is just delaying the day.She is very proud of you and very much looking forward to your first place in the classics department.She even showed me a letter to you from Professor Thompson of Trinity College, where he answered your questions about Plato's Phaedo and praised your mastery of ancient Greek.But Madam was also worried, she said you were wild, like a South American jungle, she couldn't understand you.She is in a hurry because neither she nor your father can make you behave.She wants you to find a strong and steady wife, otherwise you'll just be messing around more and more. Ronff was completely speechless and almost became a portrayal of speechlessness.Mrs. Roland's words shocked him, and he never thought that he could reach this point.Five minutes ago, he had complacently believed that Mrs. Roland would never expect him to know her secret, but now their positions were completely reversed.She observed him as a teenager, was once a close friend of her mother, and even read Professor Thompson's precious letter. Since you often go to Neutrogena as a guest, why haven't we met. Because every time I stay for less than half an hour and leave, and you are always not at home, even if you have tea time during the holidays, there is always no one.In the summer, you will go to the beach to play in the water, and in the winter, you will go hunting deer, or go to the neighboring county to find classmates. Because he never spends time with his mother.When he was at home, he would eat with his mother, thinking that he had fulfilled his responsibilities and obligations as a son. As you can imagine, I talked so much to a loving mother, and of course it made such an impression on her son that I now want to Until Mrs. Anferi and Thornsby told me about my past absurdities. In fact, the first person to tell me about it was the little girl.She smiled contemptuously.She's been critical of you, but I don't think it's fair to judge you by your debauchery in those years, and it's equally biased to judge you by what you did before and after. She swept the chocolates and arranged them, then packed the cards.Sir, it's your turn to place your bet.But I can understand even if you want to leave, after all, I revealed that I once conspired to design you. No, not only did she conspire against him once, but she is still going on now.She continues to weave fact and fiction in hopes of reviving her daughter from the ashes of her divorce and climbing into higher social status. But now there is a bond between them.Thirty years ago, the young Mrs. Roland accompanied the Duchess respectfully, but he kept silent at the dinner table, used his temper, and tried his best to treat his mother as air.His mother gave him life, but he knew nothing about her.After his father passed away, he remained the same and never thought of getting close to her.His mother had always been healthy, and he thought she would live for decades, and continued to wring his handkerchief and worry about his lawlessness. He took out five chocolates.Please deal.