赵刚听了黄师爷的话，对刘屏东刮目相看，本来他看刘屏东贪杯好色、粗鲁不文，认为他是个无能之辈，没想到竟然这般了得。就动了心思，向曾蕴请求随同刘屏东出城剿匪。
曾蕴自无不允之理，而刘屏东却有些慌张，擦了擦额头上的汗：
“赵先锋远道而来，鞍马劳顿，还是早早休息，等养足精神以后再战。”
赵刚见刘屏东拒绝，心里有些疑惑，帮忙打仗还不要，这可没见过。但是自己初来乍到，不好深究此事，也就打了个哈哈带了过去。
刘屏东见赵刚不再坚持出城观战，人松了一口气，在卫兵的帮助下骑上马，半醉的身体在马上晃来晃去，如果不是有人帮他牵马，恐怕连城门都出不去。赵刚的心里更加疑惑了，没见过喝醉了还能打仗的？
看见刘将军信心十足的走出去，众人心情轻松了很多，又开始敬酒、划拳。赵刚假装不胜酒力，溜出了摘星楼，骑上一匹马出了城门。
远远的就听见一阵阵的喊杀声，赵刚急忙策马向战场处跑去。离战场不过百十米，喊杀声更加清晰，但是却听不到枪声；偶尔能听到铁器相撞的声音，但是听不到惨叫声；风中传来干涩的尘土气息、野花野草的味道，却没有一丝血腥气味。
The loveliness of the day, and of the view, he felt like herself. They often stopt with the same sentiment and taste, leaning against the wall, some minutes, to look and admire; and considering he was not Edmund, Fanny could not but allow that he was sufficiently open to the charms of nature, and very well able to express his admiration. She had a few tender reveries now and then, which he could sometimes take advantage of to look in her face without detection; and the result of these looks was, that though as bewitching as ever, her face was less blooming than it ought to be. She _said_ she was very well, and did not like to be supposed otherwise;
but take it all in all, he was convinced that her present residence could not be comfortable, and therefore could not be salutary for her, and he was growing anxious for her being again at Mansfield, where her own happiness, and his in seeing her, must be so much greater.
Fanny struggled for speech, and said, "I am very sorry that anything has occurred to distress you. This ought to be a day of pleasure. My uncle meant it so." ¡¡¡¡ "Oh yes, yes! and it will be a day of pleasure. It will all end right. I am only vexed for a moment. In fact, it is not that I consider the ball as ill-timed; what does it signify? But, Fanny," stopping her, by taking her hand, and speaking low and seriously, "you know what all this means. You see how it is;
and could tell me, perhaps better than I could tell you, how and why I am vexed. Let me talk to you a little. You are a kind, kind listener. I have been pained by her manner this morning, and cannot get the better of it. I know her disposition to be as sweet and faultless as your own, but the influence of her former companions makes her seem--gives to her
Perhaps he will always stay longer than he talks of. It is the general way all young men do." ¡¡¡¡ "He did not, the only time he went to see Mr. Owen before." ¡¡¡¡ "He finds the house more agreeable _now_. He is a very-- a very pleasing young man himself, and I cannot help being rather concerned at not seeing him again before I go to London, as will now undoubtedly be the case. I am looking for Henry every day, and as soon as he comes there will be nothing to detain me at Mansfield. I should like to have seen him once more, I confess.
But you must give my compliments to him. Yes; I think it must be compliments. Is not there a something wanted, Miss Price, in our language--a something between compliments and-- and love--to suit the sort of friendly acquaintance we have had together? So
