The autumn morning came much later than the previous day, but it was just as clear.

Under a blue sky, sunlight pours down from the sky and shines into every corner of this recently renovated mansion.

It was in the midst of this mansion that Mademoiselle de Léoland walked to a room on the second floor, led by her servant.

She was slender, her golden hair combed into a new fashion, hanging down to the sides, and she wore a Persian silk dressing gown, the dense pleats of which could not hide her slender and graceful figure. Through this flower-like embroidered satin, the snow-white skin is accentuated by the gorgeous white openwork lace on the shoulders. The eyes covered by thick eyelashes reveal a look that can be distilled with a smile that can be cut into the roots, but can be moody and invisible.

Until this point, she didn't know what kind of experience awaited her next.

Because of this, although there is a hint of nervousness in her expression now, it is more leisurely, as if she is just taking a morning walk.

Soon, she was in the room.

"I'm here, Lord Marquis." As soon as she entered, she set her eyes on the Marquis of Treville, who was sitting at the table, and a kind smile was piled on her face, and then she saluted, "Is there something wrong with you calling me here?" ”

Her expression was very respectful, and there was a hint of hesitation in it, for it was the Marquis of Treville, the head of the family, who had called her alone for a face-to-face conversation.

What did he want to tell me? In addition to maintaining a polite smile. Mademoiselle Marquis's heart was also full of doubts.

"Oh, here it is, Mary." The Marquis of Treville also greeted her with a smile. Then he motioned for her to sit across from him, "Actually, it's nothing, I just want to ask how you guys are doing?" ”

"Ah, thanks, we're fine." Mary, of course, would not be naïve enough to think that the other party was only concerned about herself, and she followed the other party's instructions and sat down opposite the marquis. "Fran has been doing well lately, much more energetic than a while ago, and has been taking the time to learn. She really wanted to help everyone. 、……”

"Oh, that's great." The old marquis nodded with satisfaction. "Thank you, miss, and thank you for being by her side. My granddaughter is in a better mood. ”

"You've won the prize." Mary was still smiling, "She's a good friend of mine, I'm just doing what I can, doing what I'm supposed to do." ”

"Well, it's my granddaughter's luck to have a friend like you," said the old marquis, smiling similarly, and then extending his hand. "Thank you very much, miss. You have gained the friendship of our family. ”

What does he mean by that? Mary was even more puzzled, but she didn't think much of it, and likewise stretched out her hand and shook the old marquis's hand gently, "It is my pleasure, sir." ”

The old man's slightly withered and rough hand and the girl's slender white hand were held together, and it was such a pleasant scene, but it seemed as if two swordsmen were greeting each other before they started.

After letting go of his hand, the old marquis fell into a brief groan, and then looked up at Mary.

"I talked to you when you first came to my house, do you remember?"

"Well, of course I remember," Mary nodded, "you told me something about your time at war, and something else. ”

"Yes, I was very happy with your response at the time, so we accepted you." The old marquis smiled and nodded, "Now it seems that I should be glad for this decision, whether it is Charles or Fran, you have been of great help, Mary, I really appreciate you." ”

What's going on here? Mary was still confused.

"Don't say that, I'm just running errands, and I didn't help much." The smile on her face remained unchanged, "Besides, I've learned a lot from you, and Charles has helped me a lot, and I don't know what to do if it weren't for your family's help......

"The world is so chaotic, everyone should help each other!" The old marquis laughed, "Anyway, you're one of our family's closest friends, aren't you?" ”

"I feel incredibly honored and delighted by this." Mary looked at the old Marquis sincerely.

“…… Would you like to become more intimate with our family? ”

A sudden sentence reached Mary's ears.

What does that mean? Is this what he came here for today? Mary's heart sank.

"You...... What do you mean by that? She tried her best to pretend to be confused, and looked at the old man curiously.

"I mean it very simply." The smile on the old marquis's face suddenly mixed with an indescribable aura, "Girl, you are Charles's close assistant and one of the most trusted people in our family, so why can't you be more intimate with Charles?" ”

Mary froze.

However, the relentless language continues. "You know what I mean, right? I want you to get along well with my grandson, and I can give you whatever I can in reward for that. ”

What kind of nonsense is this!

If that person didn't have a fiancée when he didn't have a fiancée, and now it's like this, why should he go to his arms?

This one...... Old bastard, what do you think of me? Do you want a tutor to sleep with?

The feeling of being humiliated made Mary's face flush suddenly.

"You...... It's a shame you figured it out. Her tone was no longer respectful, and her smile was even more gone, "However, I don't want to do that, I think I'm in good shape now, and I don't need anything further, sir." ”

"So you don't agree?" The old marquis grimaced.

In just a split second, Mary carefully estimated the shape.

This old bastard is old, but he was a soldier after all. I don't know if there is still some brute force, and there may be a strong servant waiting outside, at least not for now.

Let's go the other way. At least get out of this damn room first, and then get out of here, run as far as you want.

There was no need to brew at all, tears suddenly welled up in her eyes, and then dripped down her smooth face to the ground, drawing two tear streaks.

"Who do you think I'm for?" Mary asked, sobbing. "You...... You think, since I sent someone under the fence. Is there no freedom at all? Do you think you can manipulate me as you want? I...... I ......"

The uncontrollable anger made her forget her usual etiquette, and choked the old man in front of her with anger. Tears flowed from the corners of her eyes. glaring at each other, this kind of shy and resentful eyes is enough to make most hard-hearted people can't help but feel compassion.

However, it is very regrettable. It wasn't the Charles in front of her. It was not a young aristocrat like Albert who still had a little romantic feelings in his heart, but a Marquis of Treville who had already seen all kinds of women in the social scene.

After all the romances of the early years, such an elderly aristocrat could no longer be touched by any of the woman's appearances, and in high society, he was accustomed to seeing too many ridicules hidden in his smile, too much poison wrapped in tears, and too many unscrupulous souls under the delicate appearance, therefore. Neither smiles nor tears could break his peace—it was just a different disguise under the same soul.

"Medicine."

The Marquis received an answer that was strangely simple.

"What do you mean by that?" She looked up at the old marquis.

"I mean it very simply. I don't think of you as a wretched creature who can support you at will, on the contrary, I value you very much, which is why I propose such a strict mention to you. The old man's tone was calm, "My grandson is seriously ill and he needs treatment, and I feel that you are a good candidate to cure him." ”

After hearing the old man's words, Mary's anger just now couldn't help but be slightly replaced by doubt and anxiety.

"Wouldn't it be nice to call a doctor if you get sick? I haven't studied medicine before, have I? Since you are seriously ill, what are you still wasting your time doing here? ”

"It's a pity that his illness can't be cured by doctors." The old man sighed, and there was a deep pain in his tone that could not be concealed, "He has a crazy stupidity, so he fell in love!" ”

"In love?" Mary didn't just gasp, "Who is he in love with?" How did I not know? ”

"My grandson, who is in love with Mademoiselle de Dilion, your former classmate, seems to be called Matilda." The old marquis replied with a frown, "And he seems to be so deep that he doesn't even listen to my advice." ”

"Matilda!" Mary exclaimed. "This ...... How is this possible? ”

"Why, do you think I'm kidding you? I don't want that to be true either! The old marquis sighed again, "But, there is no way, it is true." ”

Mary looked at the old man in disbelief, but there was not a trace of lying on his face.

I really didn't expect that Matilda, who looked so reserved, would do such a thing silently! Why?

Oh, no wonder her father survived the storm before, it turned out that she did this kind of thing in order to get Charles to help, what a pitiful thing...... Moments later, Mary came to a logical conclusion, albeit a departure from the facts.

"Even if he really falls in love with someone, that's his freedom and right, right? You have no right to interfere! Not to mention, what does this kind of thing have to do with illness? ”

"An aspiring young man falls in love, this is a disease that needs to be treated." The old marquis replied coldly, "Therefore, I will find him a cure and a cure to bring him to his senses." ”

Mary's eyes widened and she looked at the old man in front of her in amazement, and her originally beautiful face suddenly became a little distorted. The heart-wrenching pain made her almost breathless.

Ignoring Mary's state, the old man continued.

"Miss, I've been observing for a long time, you're a smart person and you know what you want." The Marquis of Tréville looked at Mary calmly, "In that case, why do we have to go around in circles with such deliberate pretensions as we do in the social arena?" Wouldn't it be best for everyone to spread things out?

"Then you haven't considered my thoughts? Why should I do this? Mary sneered, "Do you think I have to do it?" ”

"I don't think there's the only way you can go. But I don't think this path is bad for you – if not better. I know that you are not short of money, even if you leave our house today. You will also be able to live without food and clothing in the future. But is that enough for you? If that's enough, you're not going to run into our house, are you? In that case, why not do it to the end? What you can get with Fran, and more from Charles, right? Mary still glared at him, but he didn't seem to notice it.

"The thought of giving Charles some sedation comes to mind. I said, it's an affirmation of you. You are very good-looking, at least I don't think you are worse than that Miss Dilillion. We all know what you want, and we are fully satisfied, much better and safer than the unpredictable Dilieon family. Isn't it? ”

That is to say. You want me to act as a medium to pull Charles out of his fascination with Matilda? After a moment of silence, Mary asked coldly.

"Ah, you're such a smart boy!" The old marquis nodded immediately, "Am I afraid that I can't do it with such a mind?" ”

Mary still stared at him coldly, and did not reply.

"Think about it, Mary, you're a smart boy. Think about it with your sanity. The old marquis looked at her with eagerness, and continued to persuade. If you just want a peaceful life in the future, you can have it now, without our family; But if you want prosperity and wealth, how many can you find besides us? And then you don't have to pay such a price? I don't think you're going to deceive yourself. ”

Mary lowered her gaze slightly, but did not answer.

It seems that the other party has made it very clear that if he does not agree to this condition, he will have to leave here, and leave the Tréville Cub, who has become a wealthy family - either leave and live in the corner, or he will do what he says.

Originally, I only thought that I could achieve my goal by influencing Fran, but now it seems that it is an extravagant hope that does not understand the world...... She smiled bitterly in her heart.

"To be honest, my grandson is actually good-looking, right? I'm not boasting. At this time, Treville's words still kept drifting through his ears, and the calm was terrifying, "I don't think you can do that, right?" It's just a matter of paying some price that would have been paid, and the reward is ...... I've already told you that I can give whatever I can. And Charles, you don't know, is a very generous man to his own people, if you can really ...... Is there anything you can't get your hands on? So, in any way, I don't feel that I am deliberately belittling you, on the contrary, I feel that this important task is too tricky to entrust to you. ”

"Doesn't he have a fiancée of his own? You can't just let the Duchess do it herself. Mary reluctantly retorted.

The Marquis of Tréville did not answer, but looked at her silently, making her herself feel how stupid this mention was.

Mary lowered her gaze again, looking at the waxed floor.

After the initial anger had been washed away, reason had regained the upper hand in this pretty head. Although her face was streaked with tears, and then full of pain and confusion, her mind was spinning sharply and thinking.

Actually, this mention is not as bad as imagined...... A thought suddenly flashed through her mind.

If he could do it, why would he have to put up with anyone, not even a friend?

Moreover, Mr. Charles de Treville is not a completely unacceptable candidate.

"Of course, this is a very difficult task, after all, that Mademoiselle Delier is already in close contact with him, and I am afraid that you may not be able to intervene rashly......" The Marquis of Treville sighed.

Old bastard, do you think it makes sense to deliberately provoke me!

"So...... Don't you worry about me! Suddenly, Mary looked up and looked at the old Marquis with a challenge, "What if he turns to me?" Looking for a new dose? That's really busy with you......"

The old man was stunned by this gaze that contained challenge and mockery, and then he burst out laughing.

Already getting into the groove so quickly?

"Then I will congratulate you on your success, after all, your interests and ours are one and the same." He laughed as he looked at the almost white hands on the armrests. "You are controllable, you have brains, I don't need to worry about you anything."

The long fingertips of the slender fingers were slightly upturned in the sunlight that leaked through the window, and the pink almond nails glistened as if they were inlaid with precious stones.

The room fell silent again.

"How's that, Mary? Can you grant me this request? After a long moment, the Marquis of Treville asked in a low voice.

Mary just stood up softly, and bowed to the old man.

"Your mention is too heavy, I want to think about it again, is that okay?"

"Oh, of course, no one is asking you to make a decision now. But I guess you'd better get back to me quickly, so I can do something else. The old marquis nodded.

Mary did not reply, but turned and left the room, as if she would not look at the old man again.

The old marquis sat in his chair and watched her departing back.

He knew these women too well—didn't the consideration of them mean yes? It just takes some time to give yourself a reason.

"And, I'll find it soon." In the spirit of years of experience in high society, the Marquis of Treville muttered to himself. (To be continued!)

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