Chapter9

Hume died.

In accordance with her last wishes, Brando sprinkled her ashes into the sea after cremation.

This is obviously not in line with the general funeral customs in Britain today. So what, Hume didn't live by the rules in his life anyway.

She said that if she didn't want to hide the secret of a woman disguised as a man, she would be willing to donate the body to the medical school to contribute to the development of anatomy.

Not many people attended the funeral.

Before his death, Hume advised not to invite his former colleagues, but only to his nieces and nephews from afar.

She faked her death more than 30 years ago, pretending to be a male and alive, and her relatives were nominally unrelated to her.

Niece Sophia married to the United States five years ago, and her husband Allen died of illness two years ago.

Widows can also live freely, have no children and have an inheritance, and start a sojourn in Europe and the United States.

Nephew Newman Steve attended the University of Edinburgh School of Medicine. After graduation, he will inherit the mantle of his late father and become a doctor.

Sophia and Newman know about their aunt's masquerade experience, but they don't know that her student Brando harbors a similar secret.

After the funeral, the trio met briefly in the town of Scarborough to make arrangements for Hume's legacy.

Hume's legacy is divided into four.

Brando's royalty was left with the country house in Scarborough, and five thousand pounds each to his nephews and nieces. Most of the remaining money and collectibles were converted into a fund to help the orphanage.

The three of them did not have any objections to the distribution of the estate, and sat down to discuss the donation part. Ensuring that the nearly £40,000 donation is made to the ground and will not be misappropriated.

Lawyers, representatives of charitable foundations, and orphanage directors who were designated to help were all present.

Hume instituted a strict system of capital expenditures during her lifetime, and after her death, the three Brandos took over the review and continued to review.

When these things are settled, the time of separation comes.

Sophia and Newman have only been together for a short time, but they have maintained regular correspondence.

I am very grateful to Brando for being able to accompany Hume as the countdown to her life and become her recognized student, so that she left without regrets.

Both sent out an offer to Brando.

In the future, be sure to get together and have fun, or go to the United States or to Scotland, and let them be hospitable hosts.

Brando agreed, and couldn't tell what day the goodbye would be.

Before leaving Scarborough, she took Julien on board for a ride on a small donkey to the beach.

Since Yu Lian has completed the "advance teaching" about the customs of his hometown town, he will return to the "vacation project of riding a donkey to watch the sunset" as a reward. Even if the matter was originally said in a joking tone, but when it is said, it must be kept.

Riding a donkey and walking on the beach, the dusk of that day was particularly gorgeous.

Between the sea and the sky, the afterglow is like a secret of life and death.

The waves rose and fell, and it was long impossible to tell which drop of sea water had touched Hume's ashes, but it seemed that the footsteps of the dead could be heard, and they were sinking into the night with the sun in the west.

The dead are gone, but the living have to go on.

Brando sorted out his memories of the seaside town, packed his truckload of luggage, and set out on the road to Longborn.

Not counting the coachmen, there were five of them, and the servant Susan also went with them.

Susan had no children, and when Hume died, she was reluctant to leave her alone in the empty beach house and would rather take care of Brando's daily life.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were very welcoming to Susan.

The fourth daughter was cared for by Susan when her dementia was still cured, and now Brando needs reliable help.

The way back was slower.

The sad mood brought by the funeral lingered for a long time, and almost all the people in the group looked tired and a little unable to lift their energy.

Mrs. Bennet was usually heartless, but she cried a handful of snot and tears during this time. The eyes are swollen like walnuts, the appetite is not good, and the people have lost some weight.

She doesn't hide her sadness, and after blowing her nose, she babbles at her husband.

I have known Hume for twenty-two years, and the time I have spent with him has been less than three months, but it is enough to arouse sadness, because his benefactor is dead.

Mrs. Bennet regarded Hume as a benefactor, not just remembering that she had saved him.

This is not an exaggeration. Without Hume's "inspiration", the problem of limiting inheritance could not be solved, and he might end up dying on the streets of old age.

There is another reason to be sad.

Mrs. Bennet realized that something that was hidden in the deepest part of her heart had shattered.

She didn't know how to describe it, as if she saw another life that she couldn't think of but vaguely envied came to an end.

It's like learning that the lone eagle that has soared in the sky all his life died on the top of a snow-capped mountain that he could never reach, which makes people's hearts empty.

Mr. Bennet was also sad and could not lie, and his grief was not as deep as that of his wife.

It feels like losing a friend you don't have a close relationship with. Although the two sides have very different philosophies, they are close because of a common secret relationship.

And he was only ten years younger than Hume, and he was considered a man of his generation. When people reach middle age and witness the death of their peers, it is inevitable that the fox dies and the rabbit is sad, and there are relatives in their hearts.

Among the group, Yu Lian had no reason to grieve for Hume, but he couldn't be in good spirits.

At the beginning of July, he signed a work contract and returned to France to withdraw from school.

As soon as he arrived at the seminary in Besançon, he learned that the dean Bilal had been suspended, and that the acting bishop, Frillay, was behind it.

When Bilal heard that Julien was going to England to work as a governess, he expressed his disapproval.

Leave everything in France behind and go to England to work as a tutor. Tutoring is a profession that is not glamorous, unstable enough, and has little room for growth, so it is far better to go to Paris with him.

Recently, it has been rumored that the position of secretary of the Marquis de La Mur is vacant, and a single operation will allow Julien to be selected. Now you can be sure that you don't have to wait too long, just a month.

Yu Lian hesitated and swayed for a moment, but he made a choice with an unexpected speed and refused the former dean's offer.

Being the secretary of the Marquis Court can step into the Parisian high society with one foot, and the status of being a governess in the English countryside is very different. For most people, the former would be chosen.

He could predict what he would encounter when he went to Paris. There was the power he desperately longed for, and there was the old French aristocracy that he hated so much.

If he hadn't gone through the odd interviews of Scarborough Town, he would have buried his true happiness and ideals with his own hands, and now he has another option that is more obedient to his heart.

But I can't tell Father Bilal honestly, so I can only use the excuse of going out to see the outside world while I am young.

Father Bilal sighed and did not persuade again, saying that he would take care of a back road for Julien in Paris, but it was impossible to enjoy the good treatment of the post of marquis's secretary this time.

'Son, I really don't understand why you made such a crazy decision, but I wish you a happy life. ’

Yu Lian thanked the former dean for his kindness, but at the same time he was lonely and sad.

There are very few people close to him, and close relatives, such as Father Bilal, may never understand what his students really want.

He did not hold back, and finally went to Madame de Renard again to explain his decision to leave France. This time it's really goodbye.

Madame de Renard was sad, but resolutely said not to have any further contact.

She does not regret having this secret love, because she has no feelings for her husband. After all, I can't let go of the child, and I can't continue with a clear conscience.

In this way, Julien set foot on England again in double sorrow.

He wasn't sure if he had made the right choice. It's impossible not to be confused, how to define "right" in this chaotic era? Thankfully, he was very satisfied with the working environment.

From Scarborough to Longborn, the convoy traveled for twelve days.

Of the group, Brando seemed to be the calmest.

Compared with fellow travelers who have red eyes from time to time and are in a daze from time to time, she seems extraordinarily normal. It's so normal that it's suspected that there's something abnormal.

Brando didn't seem to be saddened by Hume's death, and was able to do a lot of things every day in an orderly manner.

Not to mention reading books and newspapers, you can also have the leisure to record the situation along the way in detail.

For example, where are hotels, post offices, grocery stores, etc., the price lists, opening hours, distance intervals, customer flow, etc. of these stores are not omitted.

Why do you want to record these?

None of the companions asked, saying that it was because they were in a bad mood and didn't have time to care about small things, or they thought it wasn't worth asking.

Sad, confused, or calm, the convoy returning to its hometown did not deviate from the route, and no matter how slow it went, it drove into Longborn.

*

*

On August 14, Longborn, the heavy rain stopped.

After heavy rain, the temperature is pleasant.

At tea time, the five Bennet sisters gather in the living room.

Lydia looked out the window boredly, as the servant carried the barrel through the stone road on the south side, which led to the small three-story building at the back of the villa.

This was the place to live for the Bennet family's sole "male heir" Brando.

A little over a month ago, the Bennets traveled to Scarborough Township. When he set out, he instructed the servants to clean the small building every day, and to be sure to keep it clean to welcome Brando's arrival.

"Humph!"

Lydia snorted softly, "As long as he can live in a small building with a single house, he has been cleaning for fifty days, and no one has returned." No matter how much you sweep, it's a wasted effort. ”

Elizabeth frowned, "Lydia, be careful with your words. When my father left, he said that he hoped that he would be away for as long as possible. You are twelve years old, and it is not clear how long your father has been there has to do with Mr. Hume's health. ”

When I think of Mr. Hume, whom I have only met once, I have the impression that he is a serious and gentle person.

Elizabeth was not very sad about Hume's serious illness, how could she have strong feelings without getting along.

There is no sadness, but there is respect, because Hume is his brother's teacher. It is reasonable for parents to send off the last ride.

Elizabeth didn't like Lydia's open-mouthedness, and she didn't like her displeasure with Brando.

"Brando has been in poor health since he was a child, and he needs to recuperate according to the doctor's advice. The building was built before you were born, and we all look forward to my brother's healthy return.

What are you dissatisfied with? Usually, your mother favors you, and you have always had special treatment. You've been with your parents since you were born, but Brando has been recuperating outside since she was seven years old. Isn't he still allowed some care? ”

The small building has been vacant for nine years, and the so-called single-family house occupancy has an unknown price.

The Bennets, of course, would not tell the other children, and the four daughters were originally conceived to live alone just to hide the secret of the woman's disguise. Children run around without measure, living in the same villa, and if they don't say well, they will break the secret.

Lydia was trained, and she made no secret of her unhappiness.

Jane froze as she watched the atmosphere and wanted to say something to ease the relationship between her sisters.

Lydia turned her head directly, ignored Elizabeth, and called Catherine to go out to play. "Katie, the rain has stopped, let's go out for a walk."

Without waiting for Catherine to reply, there was the sound of horses' hooves and wheels rolling from far and near outside the door.

The one who was talked about has returned.

Hearing the movement of the convoy, Lydia pulled Catherine and rushed to the door to greet her.

"Mom, you're finally back!"

Lydia shouted happily, with a hint of grievance. "You've been gone for fifty days, and I miss you so much."

This voice shattered the sluggish atmosphere that hung over the convoy.

There seemed to be a narration sounding, "Crackling! Welcome to the village of Longborn."

The Bennets' carriage stopped at the forefront.

Mr. Bennet got out of the car, and was about to help his wife, when he saw his little daughter running with Catherine like a gust of wind.

He doesn't think it's reserved and elegant for his daughters to run and jump like this, but why is the only object of missing is their mother, not their father?

It's okay, get used to it.

Mr. Bennet was not disappointed, but secretly glanced sympathetically at the two smiling sisters.

- Are you happy now?

Then hurry up and have fun for a while, the learning task of turning you into a bitter gourd face is coming soon!

Mrs. Bennet jumped out of the carriage without her husband's help.

This will put all the sadness behind him, take the little daughter's hands, and look left and right at her.

"Dear Lydia, I miss you too. We're not here, how are you doing? ”

Mrs. Bennet was about to say, 'Look at you, I want to lose weight,' but the words got stuck in her throat.

Miss your mother and want to lose weight? It simply doesn't exist.

Fifty days of not seeing, Lydia is fat. Looking at the fifth daughter on one side, Catherine is also fat.

No, no, no, how can a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl be called fat, it is normal growth and development.

Mrs. Bennet skipped the stubble, and saw Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary coming slowly. There is no comparison, there is no difference, it is the eldest daughter who has really lost weight, and Jane's face has been thinned.

Mrs. Bennet remembers her eldest daughter's new hobby for nearly half a year, is this fascinated by gardening?

"Jane, you're not going to stay in the flower garden all the time, are you? Look at the way you look, it must be hard. There is no shade, the summer sun is very tormenting, but don't get sunburned. ”

Jane didn't feel tired, and after walking around the flower garden more, she found that her body was lighter and lighter than before.

"Mother, please rest assured, I'm fine. Elizabeth gave me a large straw hat that she had knitted herself, and wore it to keep out the annoying sun. ”

Jane deliberately mentions Elizabeth, hoping that her mother will feel the second sister's love for her sisters.

Mrs. Bennet looked at her second daughter.

A hand-knitted straw hat from Elizabeth? As a mother, she is not envious, she has not received this kind of treatment.

"Father and Mother, welcome home."

Elizabeth doesn't remember enough to forget the fight with her little sister two minutes ago, and Lydia hasn't apologized for her rude gaffe.

At the moment, I can't disguise the excitement of reunion after a long absence, I can only smile politely and say hello.

Whoever connived at Lydia was their mother. If you don't sue on the spot, it's the dignity that my sister left for her sister in front of people.

With that, Elizabeth looked at the four carriages that had stopped and went to meet Brando.

Lydia took a slow moment and remembered that she was dissatisfied just now, and her brother, who was able to live in a small building, also returned.

She glared unabashedly at the second carriage. The car door opened, and Brando got out of the car with his notebook and looked at everyone.

Brando watched as Lydia's expression changed again and again in just three seconds.

At first, he was angry and turned into an embarrassed lip bite, and then quickly switched to joy and excitement.

At this time, Yu Lian just stepped out of the third carriage.

Lydia: Ah! It's a real annoyance.

She didn't want to, she wanted to be angry with her brother for a while, but she lost her temper when she saw the real person. There's no way, it's just that it's not popular with good-looking people.

My God! What did she see again? Come one get one free, my brother brought a beautiful man back!