Chapter 24 Chapter Twenty-Four

June 5, 1893 No, no, this one won't work.Take the green one.Ronff unbuttoned the purple vest and took it off to the valet. This was the third one he had changed. He looked at the middle-aged man with a stinky face in the mirror.He was never considered handsome, but when he was young, he always attracted attention wherever he went. He was always well-dressed and suave, with the most admired beauties in the upper class on his arm. After living in seclusion for fifteen years in the countryside, he unknowingly became a bumpkin.His clothing styles are at least ten years behind the trend, he has forgotten the key to applying hair oil, and the methods of seducing women have long been forgotten.A man with 100% self-confidence can make a woman do everything he wants, while a man with 80% self-confidence can only be cool on one side.

The man in front of him, who was only 80% confident, unexpectedly invited Mrs. Roland to have tea.Really!What kind of tea to drink, it's like a little old woman who likes to chatter with someone. To make matters worse, he felt like an emotional crybaby trying to turn back the clock thirty years. The footman returned with a dark green vest, the color of a lush valley.Ronff put it on and decided not to change it anymore, no matter whether he looked like a prince or a frog, he recognized it.He doesn't look like either, just a man who is restless, overwhelmed, and somewhat panicked. His appearance is not bad, but he is not much better.

It seems that this is the only way to go. At 5:02, her carriage stopped in front of Loud House.She was holding a lace parasol, and her pretty and delicate appearance was like a delicate teacup used by the Queen.He liked the dress she had chosen, an afternoon dress interlaced with pearl white and light blue.Most of her clothes are beige and pink, like an eternal and gorgeous spring. Now he knows how to appreciate it, but that playboy back then would definitely dismiss it, thinking that this color is too plain. He went to greet her himself, and stretched out his ungloved hand to help her out of the car.She was both happy and a little embarrassed, which was very good, so that both parties were the same.

Your Excellency, I came to visit a few weeks ago, but you happened to be away.Her tone was half reserved, half defiant. They both knew very well that he was actually at home that day, but only he knew that he was standing at the upstairs window watching her, annoyed and fascinated.How about some tea?He offers his arms. As far as the Duke's residence is concerned, Neutrogena is too simple, almost to the point of shabby.Ronff visited Blenheim Palace many years ago, when he was only in his twenties, sitting in the carriage, watching the magnificent building approaching, suddenly felt ashamed.Compared with the Duke of Marlborough's ancestral mansion, his manor house looks like a farmhouse for a wealthy vicar.

However, although the Blenheim Palace looked beautiful, he soon discovered that it was only the surface, even an illusion.For when the carriage came up to the house he saw that the outer walls were in disrepair.The curtains in the mansion were not only moldy but pitted; the exhaust pipes were not properly maintained, the walls were blackened, and the ceilings in every room were water-stained. At that time, the Marlboroughs had sold the famous family Jewelry and money to repair the mansion.A few years after that visit, the seventh duke had to appeal to Parliament to have the qualifications lifted so that the contents of the mansion could be auctioned off to pay off the debt.

In contrast, Neutrogena is like a small jewel box. Although it is small in size, it fully demonstrates the architectural style of the Renaissance. The lines are simple and elegant, the proportions are elegant and beautiful, and the interior maintenance is relatively loose. It can be renovated when there is room. However, when Mrs. Roland gently took his arm and walked through the hall and the front hall, Ronff couldn't help but pay attention to her feelings.Although her current residence was only slightly larger than a hunting lodge, he knew that she used to live in a mansion, which was not only larger than his house, but probably had more modern equipment and more elegant decoration, after all, her dead husband left a large fortune.

As soon as they approached the south living room, Mrs. Rowland said at once: You have refinished the terrace.From this living room there is a view to a stepped terrace at the rear of the house, leading to a formal geometric garden and beyond to the small lake.The Duchess often agonized over this matter. Yeah?He didn't know his mother too well, and now there was another piece of evidence. Yes, it's quite distressing, but she decided not to start work because she was afraid of disturbing your father's recovery.Mrs Rowland said: "She's a good person. He found out too late how good his mother was.When he was a teenager, he was too self-righteous, and often secretly disliked his mother's slovenliness and rusticity. She was obviously the duchess and the lord's spouse, but she lacked style and style at all.In his eyes, his mother's anxious love was just a heavy burden, like a big stone hanging around his neck. He never thought that without this love, he would be helpless.

She never mentioned it to me.And I was too dull and selfish back then, so I couldn't guess it at all.I'm renovating because I'm having a weekend party here. It was beautiful, and she looked out of the window, where the apricot roses were thickly planted on either side of the railing.Her wide-brimmed hat was adorned with pale blue satin roses.She should like it. Would you like to use tea on the dew cap?He suggested it impulsively.The weather is nice outside. Well, I thought, thank you, she smiled. He ordered someone to set up a table under the roof of the terrace, spread a white tablecloth, and cut a few roses that she admired just now and put them in a crystal vase.

The seats are arranged on the same side to form a wide angle so that both can enjoy the garden view.After sitting down, she said: It seems that now is the most suitable time to apologize. Don't take it to heart.Dinner that day was a pleasant one, with good food and pleasant company. This is true.She laughed awkwardly, and even the stage performance was not that good.However, I still want to apologize, all this is a conspiracy designed by me. From the beginning, I deliberately let the servants have a holiday, and then trapped the cat in the tree, just so that I could ask you for help. he smiles.I have to admit, I didn't fall into the trap without knowing everything.I know exactly what your intentions are, but I still decide to play the impolite flower protector for the time being.

She blushed.Due to what happened later, I have judged myself, but I still have to apologize for the deceit in the beginning. The tea was delivered in a very pompous and solemn way.Mrs. Roland added sugar and whipped cream, and the little finger of her right hand was slightly raised, with a delicate arc like an oriental chrysanthemum. You are willing to have the courage to admit the deceit at the beginning. I appreciate your courage very much, but I care more about the story you made up later. He didn't touch his cup of tea, but just watched her stir it with lazy and gentle movements.Would you like to apologize together?

An apology is required only if it was completely made up. He was so shocked that he accidentally took a sip of tea.He still hates it just as much.Do you want to say that those are not completely made up. She continued to stir.When I think about it carefully, I realize that even I can't tell the difference. He scolded himself for not being curious, and for being too clumsy.Prudent people never ask that question, and certainly don't have to face the infinite possibilities that answer opens up. Maybe you can help me decide, she said.I want to know a little more about you. I am no longer young, so I decided to abandon the little girly tricks and switch to a more direct way.At least that statement is true.what do you want to know a lot of.But what I want to know most is how did you become what you are now.It's a puzzling mystery. His heart skipped a beat.No mystery at all, because I almost died. But she was not so easily fobbed off.My daughter almost died when she was sixteen.That experience only made her personality stronger, not completely transformed, but you are like a different person. She picked up the cup and stayed still on the edge of her lower lip, her wrist was as firm as steel.My gut tells me that I can't really understand you unless I understand why you changed.My intuition also said that it was not just because you walked through the gate of hell.Am I right? He thought of many answers, but rejected them all after consideration.All his life he had enjoyed the privilege of being able to speak directly, and suddenly it was really impossible for him to circumvent it. That's right, he said. The tea cup still rests near her chin, and as a defense, even a disguise, she conceals her amazing insight with a crystal glass of painted ivy and roses in bone china.Is it because of women?Hope I'm not being too abrupt. Yes, because of women, he replied.There is another man. She was taken aback, and her expression froze for a moment.She carefully put down the teacup, even though her wrist has been tempered, she still couldn't resist the excitement caused by Xiangyan's imagination. My God, she mumbled. He smiled, a little disappointed.It would be nice if it was really just an affair. Oh, she said. You should have heard that I once had an accident while hunting.I was hit by a bullet and bled profusely. It took the doctor six hours of surgery to barely save my life.He said.No, you're quite right, the incident itself didn't affect me much, any more than a hangover or severe indigestion changed my life. A week after Ronff was out of danger, the person who shot him came to visit him.That man's name is Francis.Elliott, they also attended Eton College. When Ronff returned home on vacation, he often went to the neighboring county to find classmates, and it was Elliott's house that he went to.They were originally good friends, but over the years their relationship has gradually become estranged and they have seen each other less and less often.Ronff lived a dissolute and free life, while Elliott settled down and followed in the footsteps of his ancestors, becoming a steady, responsible and boring landowner. On the morning of his arrival, Ronff, cranky from pain and boredom, taunted Elliott not only for his bad marksmanship, but also for his lack of manliness.Elliott listened silently, and Ronff finally used up all the curse words. This was not easy, because Ronff studied literature, so the vocabulary of insulting people was extremely rich, almost to the point of infinity. At this time, Elliot broke out, and this was the first time Ronff heard him roar in his life. I found out that he shot me on purpose, but he didn't intend to kill me, but he almost killed me because he was too nervous and didn't aim well.The reason is that I hooked up with his wife. Mrs. Rowland picked up a cucumber sandwich and stood still.He hadn't even gotten to the worst part, and she was freaking out. I had no idea what he was talking about, and I didn't remember seeing his wife at all, and I only had a very vague memory later.Six months ago, another friend held a masquerade party. At that time, I met a young woman with a resentful and lonely temperament. To me, it was just a pointless one-night fling that put a friend's family at risk.He loves his wife very much. Although there is friction between them, he loves her very deeply and deeply, but he is too shy to express it. At first, Elliott's story only made Ronfe disdainful.He would never let any woman have such an influence on him, not even half of it.Men who get into this situation have only themselves to blame, who told them to be so stupid to love women so much. After the outburst, Elliott did the unthinkable and apologized.Although he gritted his teeth, he really apologized. He said that his character was too weak, and he lost his head in a moment of anger. He shouldn't have vented his despair on Ronff. It was his fault that he failed to give his wife happiness. Ronff, still angry, accepted it unceremoniously.However, after Eliot left, he couldn't stop thinking about it.He kept seeing Elliott's self-blaming expression when he apologized. Although he knew that apologizing would only bring more humiliation, his friend was still determined to do the right thing. Although Elliott shot and injured someone before, his frank apology proved that he is a really good person with courage, conscience and education.Ronff dismissed these virtues, thinking they were too ordinary and unworthy of him who was born superior. I don't want to change, and I don't want to be changed, Ronff said.My lifestyle at the time was blissful and addictive, and I didn't want to give it up.But the effect has been done, and I am shaken.During the rest of my recuperation, I began to question everything I had taken for granted in my life.How many people have I unintentionally hurt by my pleasure-seeking behavior.I have talents and I was lucky enough to be born into a noble family, but am I using them well and doing something worthwhile?What will poor mother think of me? Mrs. Rowland listened intently, keeping her gaze firmly in his eyes.What happened to your friends and couple? This question still haunts him in the dark of night.As far as he could tell, they seemed to be doing well, with no arousing quarrels and no alcoholic vices.I heard they had three children, and their firstborn was born about a year after the shooting. That's great news, she said. Even that doesn't guarantee they're doing well, does it.Even if the husband and wife hate each other, they can pass on the family line. He wanted to portray a harmonious family, but he always had silent and fearful children in his mind, careful not to anger the stalemate and cold war parents.And all of this was caused by Ronff. Marriage is wonderful, Mrs. Rowland said.Some are vulnerable, while others are full of endurance and can survive no matter how big the test is. He wanted to believe it.But the marriages he had seen were nothing like that.I hope this remark is based on your experience. Indeed, she said firmly. Go into more detail, he said.I have told stories about the past that are not humane, and you should also come up with stories that are at least half sensational. She raised the teacup, but then put it down decisively.Sensation is impossible.The most sensational thing I have ever done in my life is to say that I want to marry you.However, even if I honestly say that I really wanted to marry you more than 30 years ago, you shouldn't be too surprised, right? He was still surprised to hear her say it so directly. I think I look good and behave well, and your mother likes me too.The only obstacles are that you are too young and definitely not willing to marry the one your mother picks, but both of these can be overcome.By the time you finish college, I won't be too old to marry.I plan to use that time to study classical literature, to make myself more distinctive, different from other girls who are eager to marry you. You must think my plan is arrogant and foolish.True, but I believe with all my heart that it will work.Thinking about it now, if we got married at that time, the end must have been extremely miserable. I can’t stand your debauchery, debauchery, and recklessness. You hate me for being high-spirited and meddling in other people’s affairs. That’s how my daughter described me.But in those dizzy days of 1862, you were as perfect as a mythical being, and I was determined to marry you. Needless to say, I was not at all happy when M. Roland started courting me.I yearn for social status, and disdain the dirty money transferred over the years, but he only has the latter.I didn't understand why my father welcomed him into the house, but then I finally understood.It is conceivable that being forced to marry because of such a shameful reason as my father's bankruptcy will only make me more reluctant to get close to him. Her tone was filled with deep regret.Ronff suddenly realized that she was not regretting not being able to marry him, but because of Mr. Roland who had passed away long ago.He felt inexplicably jealous.You want to use this story to tell me that although your marriage has been tested so severely, it has survived in the end. True, but it took a long time.When I first married Mr. Rowland, I decided to be as strict as a martyr.I don't want to demean myself to inquire about you, but I also don't want to regard him as a loser. He is only a legal existence, and he is the object I gave up my dream for the sake of my family.Later, although my mind changed, I still didn't know what to do.I have been calling him Mr. Roland for many years. I should only have responsibilities and obligations to such a person. It is really strange that there will be love. She paused at this point, and finally raised the cucumber sandwich to her lips again.We had three happy years before he passed away. He didn't know what to say︱He always thought that a happy marriage was just a fairy tale, just as incredible as the appearance of a fire-breathing dragon in this mechanical age.He thought he didn't have the resources to find out about her disappearance. She ate her sandwich in silence, with the utmost elegance.After eating, she shook her head with a melancholy smile.Now that I think about it, high society doesn't like being too honest.Embarrassing, right? There is indeed a bit, but it is more thought-provoking.he answered.I don't think I've ever talked to people so openly and honestly in my life, especially about something this big. Now all that can be talked about is over, only the topic of the weather remains, she joked. Madame, with all my liberty, I must point out your mistake, he said with equal humor.Although you appear to be a model of a lady, I know that you are actually a female scholar. Perhaps you are deep enough to appreciate my profound knowledge. Oh, my lord, you are very arrogant, she said with a smile.It might actually be the exact opposite.When you linger in the flowers every night, I am studying classical literature, and I have never missed a single work of that era. It’s good to read a lot, but do you have unique insights?He challenges. She leaned forward slightly, and her eyes were shining, which made him very happy.Monseigneur, can you spare a few days to listen to me?