Chapter 26 Chapter Twenty Six

London, 25th August Dearest Philippe, I am sorry to send last night's letter so late.The sunshine in the past two days is beautiful. Although it is not as bright and warm as in summer, it has a wonderful golden texture, and it is even more beautiful when the evening is approaching.Miss Carlesso thinks "Afternoon in the Park" is going very well. People who went to escape the summer gradually returned to London.I dined at Carlesso's last night and every guest was bragging about their holidays, some were hunting grouse all August in Scotland, some were sailing the Isle of Wight and it was only me who stayed in London for a full fortnight, proving again How boring I am.

I can finally meet you tomorrow, I can't wait.Wish we were married already. Enclosed with the letter is endless love and longing, which will never change. Faithfully love you, Ferdy The news of Condon's departure quickly spread.It was so newsworthy that within thirty-six hours all of London knew that he had emptied the flat and taken everything with him.Word of mouth spreads rumors so quickly that the telegraph cannot match it, nor can the telephone. Everyone wants to know what that means.Mrs Tremes finally won?Has Lord Tremaus retired from the battlefield forever? Or just retreat and pack up, ready to fight again?

Jiaqi tried her best to avoid it in a perfunctory and evasive way.If the other party pushes too hard, she simply lies.She repeatedly stated that she didn't know, Lord Tremais hadn't informed him of his plan, she didn't know what his plan was, didn't know, didn't know, didn't know, so she could only wait and see. The divorce documents have been retyped, and only her signature is required, and she told the lawyer not to send them out yet.Goodman came to ask for instructions on how to deal with the furniture in Condon's bedroom, whether to move it or cover it with cloth first, or wipe it every day and wait for him to come back. She told him to keep it as it was.Her mother sent a pile of telegrams, and she didn't read any of them.

But she couldn't leave Ferdy alone.Fortunately, Ferdi was very patient, but he also became increasingly restless.Has Sir Tracy's solicitor a letter?He asks that every time we meet.I wish we could get married right away.There was worry in his tone, it could even be said to be panic.She carefully crafted a narrative, always coping in the same way, but each time it made her hate herself more and more. Only Croyce was the most considerate, never bothering her with questions she couldn't answer.But without Congdon, it became frustrated and lethargic.She often found it in the conservatory, nestled in Condon's favorite wicker chair, with its faded paisley pillows and the smoke scars on the armrest, as if waiting for him to return.

Maintaining this tricky state is as difficult as throwing several scimitars on fire at the same time.She woke up very tired every morning, and when she went to bed, she was so tired that she was about to pass out.Countless nodding acquaintances came to ask curious questions, and she had to dismiss them one by one, and control her mother so that she would not meddle in her own business.Ferdi needs her best to be gentle and comforting, even in front of a few trusted close friends, she can't tell the truth. The social season is over, and the situation still hasn't improved.The railway transportation is very convenient, even if you hide in the heather, you can't rest.Every weekend she held a three-day party at her house so that she and Ferdi could meet in the open and undiscussed, so half the time her house was full of guests.A large number of good-natured people are eager to inquire about the news, and they have repeatedly investigated, stalked, and followed suit.Poor Ferdie was restless, and she was sulking like an old dame who has too much tea in her bladder.

In addition, she also felt guilty, ashamed, and depressed. Of course she knew what she was doing.She was stalling for time, not wanting to face the moment of decision so soon, but sooner or later she would have to decide whether to take the step and marry Ferdy, or to admit that she couldn't marry him, even if Condon quit altogether. How should she tell Ferdy?From the very beginning, he had been loyal to her.Even in the face of such a mess, he never blamed her, not only did he not express it, he did not even hint at it.He stood by her side bravely and humbly, the rumors outside were very ugly, some said he was a fool, others said he was the tallest gold digger, but he endured them all silently.

She owes him.He has given so much loyalty and trust, and he should be rewarded well.He sacrificed so much for her, she was like Don Quixote slumping around, and he was like the faithful squire Sancho.Panza generally never leaves.How could she let him down. The stream water in this season is clear, shallow, and gurgling, with occasional splashes of water.The willow branches hang down and caress the water, like a coquettish woman loosening her long hair, slowly turning her head to tease the man. Jiaqi didn't know why she came here.He probably hoped that Condon would come galloping like a Cossack and snatch her away.She shook her head, not expecting that she was still being stupid.

Yet she couldn't leave.In the past ten and a half years, she has forgotten how beautiful and quiet the streamside is. In the silence, only the stream is soft and thick. In the morning, the breeze stirs the leaves and branches. On the grassland behind, a group of sheep gnaw on the lush alfalfa and bleat from time to time. Voice.Moreover Hooves? Her heart leaped for joy in her chest.The voice came from the direction of her house, and she turned around hastily, holding up her skirt and rushing up the slope. Not Condon, but Ferdy.The surprise in her heart was almost greater than the disappointment.She didn't know Ferdy could ride a horse.His sitting position was awkward, but he persevered, zigzagging forward tremblingly.

she ran over.Ferdy!Be careful, Ferdy! He got stuck in his heel when he dismounted, and she helped untangle the tangled stirrups. I'm fine, I'm fine, he hurried to reassure her. She looks at her watch.Ferdy usually came at thirteen past two, but it was not yet eleven.You came early.What's wrong? All right, he tied the horse to the hitch with jerky movements.I was so bored that I took an earlier train.You don't mind? No, no, how come?You are always welcome here.Poor Ferdy, every time I saw him he was getting thinner.She felt a twinge in her heart, he was so lovable, how she wished him to be happy.

She kisses him on the cheek.Did you paint well yesterday? The picnic mat is almost finished. Great, she smiled, admiring his enthusiasm, which felt like a parent pampering a child.What about the picnic mat?The picnic basket, the forgotten spoon, the half-eaten apple, and that open book? do you remember !Ferdy looked surprised. It turned out that he had noticed that she was absent-minded.She herself was too unrealistic to expect him not to notice. Of course I do.Just not very impressed, and she asked many times.How are those parts going? That book gave me a headache because it was half in the sun and half in the shade.I couldn't decide on the shade to blend into ocher brown or chrome green.

What did Miss Carlesso say? Chrome green.That's why I hesitated so much.I think it should be ocher brown.He took a few steps toward the creek.Is this still within the scope of the Heather Plains?I don't think I've ever been that far from the main house. Across the creek was the Philfers' land. That land would have been yours. She turned to look at him, but only saw his profile.I have enough land. Ferdy sighed.What I mean is, if you and Lord Tremais have not broken up, or you have successfully reunited, then you will be the owner of that land. Or the seventh duke didn't die before the wedding, she said.Life is like this, and plans can't keep up with changes. But at least you don't often wish the Seventh Duke wasn't dead. She opened her mouth to comfort him. In the past few months, she has comforted him countless times.But she suddenly realized that those words were just hypocritical and stupid lies.Ferdy knew it well.Even if he wasn't convinced, he knew everything had changed. Words could not soothe his anxiety, not even a wedding could completely reassure him.Like a ghost in a haunted house, it may hide in the bushes when the sun is high, but when the night and the storm come, the ghost will come out again for revenge. Because she didn't answer, the atmosphere seemed extremely dignified.Ferdy was a little stunned, maybe he was also used to receiving comfort, used to her always producing gentle words like a factory.She's a liar, she paints a magnificent castle on a hill, but it's really just a shoddy stage set. Ferdy walked forward, seemingly needing space to collect his thoughts.She could still coax him and keep pretending everything was going to be all right, but that was just a nasty lie. The fact that she had believed for so long that she could bring him happiness, even if he couldn't do the same for her, showed how arrogant, even ignorant she was.It is impossible for only one person to be happy in a marriage. Unless two people get it together, neither of them can get it. She ran to the edge of the lawn after him. The light here is very good, and he has nothing to say.His appearance at this moment is like his favorite Impressionist painting. In the bright sky and green landscape, the natural light of the outdoors illuminates a sad and pensive figure. She pointed downstream.Where the willows grow by the bank, that's where Lord Tremais and I first met. Ferdie rubbed the soles of his boots against a rocky outcrop.love at first sight? Pretty much, I fell in love with him in one day.She took a deep breath, and then again.It's time to confess everything.It can be said that I was harmed by my youth and ignorance. It was my first love, and I couldn't cope with such strong emotions.But the one who hurt me the most was actually myself. I was too selfish, too short-sighted, and too cruel. I knew I shouldn't, but I still lied to him and made him think that my sweetheart married someone else. Ferdie gasped. This was the first time she had told him.In fact, she never told anyone about this past, and no one knew the real reason for the disharmony between their husband and wife.Not surprisingly, that story was very ugly and showed her at her worst. Three weeks of happiness in exchange for my villainy, but the shadow lingered, and at last it all fell apart.she sighs.Life can teach the arrogant to be humble. You are not arrogant.Ferdy persisted. Oh yes, dear Ferdi.Maybe it's changed a little bit now, but I'm still too arrogant to tell you the truth in the first place, whether it's my marriage or the paintings Ferdy turned to her.You really think I'm in love with you because of the pictures on the wall.I fell in love with you before I walked through your door. She held his hands, stared at the intertwined fingers, and shook her head slowly.It's a pity, and I hope it's because of the paintings.If it's because of the painting, then you and Miss Carlesso will definitely be the most suitable couple. Angelica wanted to transform me into someone else, she wanted me to be the next Bouguereau, the most famous artist of our time.But I don't want to be famous or rich.I paint very slowly, but I don't care.I only paint when I want to, and only when I want to.I didn't want to struggle with whether the shade should be ocher brown or chrome green. She smiled wistfully.I can understand.Although I wish you and Miss Carlesso The person I love is you. I like you too, she said sincerely.You are the nicest person I have ever met.But if we marry, there will always be another person in that marriage.It's not fair to you, and it's bound to become unbearable in the end. This incident tormented me day and night for many days.You are my dearest friend.I keep asking myself how can I let you down.But I've finally come to realize that if you continue to pretend that everything is as it was before, you're really violating your trust.The change has happened and I can't get back to it, like water can't go up.I can only confess all the facts to you in one breath. Ferdy hung his head.Do you still love him? This question once frightened her so much that he was bored for six weeks without opening his mouth.Yes, I'm afraid so.i don't know how to apologize You don't have to apologize to me, you don't have to do anything.You never let me down, and this time is no different.Ferdy hugged her.Thank you. . She was beyond confused.Thanks for what? Thank you for liking the real me.Before you came along, I didn't appreciate myself very much.You can't imagine how wonderful the past year and a half has been to me. Dear Ferdy, only he could be so kind as to thank her at such a time.She hugged him tightly.You are the best person I have ever met, no one can compare. When the hug was over, his eyes were red.She also had to suppress sobbing, she sighed and shed a teardrop, they were not suitable in the first place, although they were very happy together, but the marriage was too complicated, and this relationship would never stand the test. Zandi spoke first.I guess you are planning to go to America? She shrugged, trying to pretend she didn't care.have not decided yet. Since Cong Deng was able to let her go so easily and gracefully, it meant that he had made up his mind not to want her. Although he had asked to get back together, it was just a moment of excitement, and after rational thinking he decided to give up. He should have started a new life, had a lover or two, and maybe started looking for a bride, there were so many beautiful young ladies in America to choose from, each with American-style flawless white teeth and straight noses.He really wanted her to go and mess with his new plan? bring it on.She took Ferdy's arm.We walked back and it was lunch time.The horse will stay here, and then the groom will be called to lead it back.Since you don't want to be a world-renowned great artist, tell me what you want to do in the future? On Monday morning, Jiaqi sent Feidi to the train.This period of time passed quite comfortably, they hadn't talked properly for a long time, and she was finally able to face him with a frank, truthful and comfortable attitude.She summoned up the courage to announce to her family that although she respected Ferdi more than before, after careful consideration, she decided to let him break off the engagement.In this way, even the banquet becomes more fun. When she got home, Goodman notified guests that they were waiting.Ma'am, Mr. Edsham of Abbey Associates, I ask him to wait in the study. Abbey Associates, Condon is their client.Why did the senior partner of the firm come all the way from London to meet her? Edshaw, a short man in his early fifties, was immaculately dressed in a tweed suit.When Jiaqi walked into the study, he smiled, not the tense and polite smile that lawyers often see, but the genuine joy of reuniting with an old friend after a long absence. Mrs. Tremais, he bowed with a neat movement. Mr. Edshaw, I have come to Bedfordshire specially, what advice do you have? Although it is business, I must confess, madame, that I have been very anxious to see you in person since Mr. Boward first contacted me about the former Duke of Fairfer. certainly.How could she forget?Boward was her lead attorney, through whom she pitted ruthlessly against this Mr. Edshaw, who defended her clients' interests like a lioness. she smiles.Am I that scary myself? He didn't answer directly.I was not surprised when Lord Tremais informed you of your impending marriage and asked me to apply for a charter on your behalf.But unlike his cousin, he hopes every day that the wedding will come soon.Now I understand why. Ah, the good old days.Her heart ached again.She compared a chair.please sit down. Edshaw took out a rectangular box from his briefcase, put it on the table and pushed it towards her.The sweet and intoxicating aroma of ebony wood wafts to the nose.This item was delivered to our office last week by special courier.Please open it and take a look at the contents to confirm that it has not been tampered with during transportation and storage. What would Condon give her?She couldn't guess it at all.Inside the wooden box was a velvet jewelry box, and as soon as she opened it, she immediately forgot to breathe. Inside is a beige silk studded necklace with a dazzling necklace of diamonds interlocking with teardrop-shaped diamonds and seven rubies, each surrounded by more diamonds , the two smallest ones are as big as her thumbnails, and the largest one in the middle is bigger than a pigeon's egg.There was also a pair of earrings, two rubies the size of the first knuckle of her index finger. She has seen a lot of jewelry in her life, and she has several sets herself.But even she seldom saw such bold and exaggerated designs.Only women with outstanding self-confidence can wear this set of jewelry, and transform the brilliance of gemstones into their own brilliance. Ordinary women will be overshadowed by the brilliance and extravagance, and become a supporting role in the necklace. There was a note in it, undated, unsigned, but with crooked handwriting that seemed to be written by Condon.The piano arrived safely, but it was still out of tune.Reciprocity, I bought this necklace in Copenhagen, so you can keep it. Copenhagen.It was bought for her. There seems to be nothing missing.she said blankly. That's great, ma'am, Edshaw said.One more thing, you can file for divorce at any time.Lord Tremais instructed our company not to intervene.Since the two have no children, and the property-related arrangements are clearly stipulated in the marriage contract, the divorce is just a simple legal procedure. For an instant, her heart stopped beating.He no longer objected? Yes, ma'am, Lord Tremais wrote me a letter expressly agreeing to it.Mrs. Ruo wants to have a look, believe me to bring it. No, she answered quickly, a little too quickly.Don't bother.I trust you. She stood up, and the lawyer followed suit.Thank you, madam.But there is one last little thing. Jiaqi looked at him in surprise, she thought the matter was over.What's the matter, Mr Edshaw? Lord Treodoss asks you to return a small thing, a ring set in gold wire with a small sapphire. She froze.Edshaw was describing her engagement ring. It will take me a while to find it, she said. Edshaw bowed.Then I take my leave, Mrs. Tremais. Jiaqi twisted the ring between her fingers, and the small sapphire shone faintly.Condon bought it for her.She was so moved that she almost fainted.Not because of the ring itself, but because of the great significance it represents.he loves her. She had already donated the wedding ring to a charity to help the homeless poor, but she kept it in a box where the dried flowers he sent were also kept, and there was also a faded blue The sash, which was originally the lovely crooked bow tied around Croyce's neck. Now he wants the ring back.Why look back on that sweet and heart-wrenching past?He might as well go back to Croyce, now that the poor old dog was still alive. Could it be that he deliberately stimulated her. What if not?What if he really just wanted the ring back?If he insists, fine, but he'll have to dig it out himself, and she'll hide it in her She covered her mouth.That was the most shocking thought in her life.However, what surprised her most was not the level of eroticism, but the unrepentant naughtiness, so unrestrained and passionate, she originally thought she would fall into depression and listlessness. She loves him.Since she was willing to violate her conscience when she was young, why can't she do something completely reasonable, reasonable, and legal now?For example, strip naked and lie on the bed waiting for him.Think about it, how exciting the next development will be. She covered her mouth and snickered a few times.She was an unruly woman, all right.Condon loved her for that. alright.There was no more hesitation, she was going to New York.Mrs. Roland will never come back until she becomes a grandmother.