August 4, 2025 • 11 mins
Listen Ad Free https://www.solgoodmedia.com - Listen to hundreds of audiobooks, thousands of short stories, and ambient sounds all ad free! Welcome to The Jane Austen Podcast, your premier source for daily doses of Austen magic! Step into the elegant world of Jane Austen's literary masterpieces, including "The Watsons," "Sense and Sensibility," "Pride and Prejudice," "Persuasion," "Northanger Abbey," "Mansfield Park," "Love and Friendship," "Lesley Castle - Dramatic Reading," "Lady Susan," "Jane Austen's Juvenilia," and "Emma." Each day, we unveil a new chapter, inviting you to lose yourself in the enchanting tales of love, society, and wit that only Austen can craft. Whether you're a die-hard Austen aficionado or just beginning your journey into her world, The Jane Austen Podcast promises to be your daily escape into the realms of timeless literature. Subscribe now and let the magic of Austen sweep you away!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Volume one, chapter eleven. Mister Elton must now be left
to himself. It was no longer in Emma's power to
superintend his happiness or quicken his measures. The coming of
her sister's family was so very near at hand that,
first in anticipation and then in reality, it became henceforth
her prime object of interest. And during the ten days
(00:21):
of their stay at Hartfield it was not to be expected.
She did not herself expect that anything beyond occasional fortuitous
assistance could be afforded by her to the lovers. They
might advance rapidly if they would. However, they must advance
somehow or other. Whether they would or no, she hardly
wished to have more leisure for them. There are people
who the more you do for them, the less they
(00:42):
will do for themselves. Mister and missus John Knightley, from
having been longer than usual absent from Surrey, were exciting,
of course, rather more than the usual interest. Till this year,
every long vacation since their marriage had been divided between
Hartfield and Donwell Abbey. But all the holidays of this
autumn had been given into sea bathing for the children,
and it was therefore many months since they had been
(01:04):
seen in a regular way by their Surrey connections, or
seen at all by mister Woodhouse, who could not be
induced to get so far as London, even for poor
Isabella's sake, and who consequently was now most nervously and
apprehensively happy in forestalling this too short visit. He thought
much of the evils of the journey for her, and
not a little of the fatigues of his own horses
and coachmen, who were to bring some of the party
(01:26):
the last half of the way. But his alarms were needless,
the sixteen miles being happily accomplished, and mister and Missus
John Knightley, their five children, had a competent number of
nursery maids, all reaching Hartfield in safety. The bustle and
joy of such an arrival, the many to be talked to, welcomed, encouraged,
and variously dispersed and disposed of, produced a noise and
(01:47):
confusion which his nerves could not have borne under any
other cause, nor have endured much longer even for this.
But the ways of Hartfield and the feelings of her
father were so respected by Missus John Knightley, that in
spite of maternal solicitude for the immediate enjoyment of her
little ones, and for their having instantly all the liberty
and attendance, all the eating and drinking, and sleeping and
playing which they could possibly wish for, without the smallest delay.
(02:10):
The children were never allowed to be long a disturbance
to him, either in themselves or in any restless attendance
on them. Missus John Knightley was a pretty elegant little woman,
of gentle, quiet manners and a disposition remarkably amiable and affectionate,
wrapped up in her family. A devoted wife, a doting mother,
and so tenderly attached to her father and sister that
(02:32):
but for these higher ties, a warmer love might have
seemed impossible. She could never see a fault in any
of them. She was not a woman of strong understanding
or any quickness, and with this resemblance of her father
she inherited also much of his constitution. Was delicate in
her own health, over careful of that of her children,
had many fears and many nerves, and was as fond
(02:52):
of her own mister Wingfield in town as her father
could be of mister Perry. They were alike too, in
a general benevolence of temper, and a strong habit of
regard for every old acquaintance. Mister John Knightley was a tall,
gentlemanlike and very clever man, rising in his profession, domestic
and respectable in his private character, but with reserved manners
which prevented his being generally pleasing, and capable of being
(03:15):
sometimes out of humor. He was not an ill tempered man,
not so often unreasonably cross as to deserve such a reproach.
But his temper was not his great perfection, and indeed,
with such a worshiping wife, it was hardly possible that
any natural defects in it should not be increased. The
extreme sweetness of her temper must hurt his. He had
all the clearness and quickness of mind which she wanted,
(03:37):
and he could sometimes act an ungracious or say a
severe thing. He was not a great favorite with his
fair sister in law. Nothing wrong in him escaped her.
She was quick in feeling little injuries to Isabella, which
Isabella never felt herself. Perhaps she might have passed over
more had his manners been flattering to Isabella's sister, but
they were only those of a calmly kind brother and friend,
(04:00):
without praise and without blindness. But hardly any degree of
personal compliment could have made her regardless of that greatest
fault of all in her eyes, which he sometimes fell
into the want of respectful forbearance towards her father. There
he had not always the patience that could have been wished.
Mister Woodhouse's peculiarities and fidgetiness were sometimes provoking him to
(04:20):
a rational remonstrance or sharp retort, equally ill bestowed. It
did not often happen or mister John Knightley had really
a great regard for his father in law, and generally
a strong sense of what was due to him, But
it was too often for Emma's charity, especially as there
was all the pain of apprehension frequently to be endured,
though the offense came not the beginning. However, of every
(04:42):
visit displayed none but the properest feelings, and this being
of necessity, so short might be hoped to pass away
in unsullied cordiality. They had not been long seated and composed.
When mister Woodhouse, with a melancholy shake of the head
and a sigh, called his daughter's attention to the sad
change at Hartfield since she had been the last. Ah,
my dear, said he, poor miss Taylor, it is a
(05:06):
grievous business. Oh yes, sir, cried she with ready sympathy.
How you must miss her, and dear Emma too, What
a dreadful loss to you both. I've been so grieved
for you. I could not imagine how you could possibly
do without her. It is a sad change, indeed, But
I hope she is pretty well, sir, pretty well, my dear,
(05:28):
I hope pretty well. I do not know, but that
the place agrees with her. Tolerably, Mister John Knightley here
asked Emma quietly whether there were any doubts of the
air at Randal's O. No, none in the least. I
never saw missus Weston better in my life, never looking
so well. Papa is only speaking his own regret, very
(05:49):
much to the honor of both, was the handsome reply.
And do you see her, sir, tolerably, often asked Isabella,
in the plaintive tone which just suited her father. Mister
Woodhouse hesitated. Not near so often, my dear as I
could wish. Oh, Papa, we have missed seeing them but
one entire day since they married. Either in the morning
(06:11):
or evening of every day excepting one have we seen
either mister Weston or Missus Weston, and generally both either
at Randall's or here, and as you may suppose, Isabella
most frequently here. They are very very kind in their visits.
Mister Weston is really as kind as herself. Papa. If
you speak in that melancholy way, you'll be giving Isabella
a false idea of us. All. Everybody must be aware
(06:33):
that miss Taylor must be missed, but everybody ought to
be assured that mister and Missus Weston do really prevent
our missing her by any means, to the extent we
ourselves anticipated, which is the exact truth, just as it
should be, said mister John Knightley, And just as I
hoped it was from your letters. Her wish of showing
you attention could not be doubted, and his being a
(06:54):
disengaged and social man makes it all easy. I've been
always telling you, my love, that i'd no idea of
the change being so very material to Hartfield as you apprehended,
And now you have Emma's account, I hope will be satisfied.
Why to be sure, said mister Woodhouse, yes, certainly, I
cannot deny that Missus Weston, poor Missus Weston, does come
(07:16):
and see us pretty often, but then she is always
obliged to go away again. It would be very hard
upon mister Western if she did not. Papa, you quite
forget poor mister Weston. I think, indeed, said John Knightley pleasantly,
that mister Weston has some little claim you and I,
Emma will venture to take the part of the poor husband.
(07:37):
I being a husband and you not being a wife.
The claims of the man may very likely strike us
with equal force. As for Isabella, she has been married
long enough to see the convenience of putting all the
mister Westerns aside as much as she can. Me, my love,
cried his wife, hearing and understanding only in part are
you talking about me? I am sure nobody ought to
(07:58):
be or can be a greater advocate for matrimony than
I am. And if it had not been for the
misery of her leaving Hartfield, I should never have thought
of miss Taylor, but as the most fortunate woman in
the world. And as to slighting mister Weston, that excellent
mister Weston, I think there is nothing he does not deserve.
I believe he is one of the very best tempered
men that ever existed. Excepting yourself and your brother, I
(08:21):
do not know his equal for temper. I shall never
forget his flying Henry's kite for him that very windy
day last Easter, and ever since his particular kindness lasts
September twelvemonth. In writing that note at twelve o'clock at night,
on purpose to assure me that there was no scarlet
fever at Cobham, I have been convinced there could not
be a more feeling heart nor a better man in existence.
(08:43):
If anybody can deserve him, it must be Miss Taylor.
Where is the young man? Said John Knightley. Has he
been here on this occasion or has he not? He
has not been here yet, replied Emma. There was a
strong expectation of his coming soon after the marriage, but
it nothing, and I have not heard him mentioned lately.
(09:03):
But you should tell them of the letter, my dear,
said her father. He wrote a letter to poor missus
Weston to congratulate her, and a very proper, handsome letter
it was. She showed it to me. I thought it
very well done of him. Indeed, whether it was his
own idea. You know, one cannot tell. He is but young,
and his uncle perhaps my dear papa. He is three
(09:25):
and twenty. You forget how time passes three and twenty?
Is he indeed? Well? I could not have thought it.
And he was but two years old when he lost
his poor mother. Well, time does fly, indeed, and my
memory is very bad. However, it was an exceeding good,
pretty letter and gave mister and missus Weston a great
(09:48):
deal of pleasure. I remember it was written from Weymouth
and dated September twenty eighth, and began my dear Madam.
But I forget how it went on, And it was
signed F. C. Weston. I remember that perfectly. How very
pleasing and proper of him, cried the good hearted missus
John Knightley. I have no doubt of his being a
(10:10):
most amiable young man. But how sad it is that
he should not live at home with his father. There
is something so shocking in a child's being taken away
from his parents, a natural home. I never could comprehend
how mister Weston could part with him to give up
one's child. I really never could think well of anybody
who proposed such a thing to anybody else. Nobody ever
(10:31):
did think well of the Churchill's I fancy observed mister
John Knightley coolly. But you need not imagine mister Weston
to have felt what you would feel in giving up
Henry or John. Mister Weston is rather an easy, cheerful
tempered man than a man of strong feelings. He takes
things as he finds them, and makes enjoyment of them
somehow or other, depending I suspect much more upon what
is called society for his comforts, that is, upon the
(10:54):
power of eating and drinking and playing whist with his
neighbors five times a week, than upon family affection or
anything that home of Emma could not like what bordered
on a reflection on mister Weston, and had half a
mind to take it up. But she struggled and let
it pass. She would keep the peace if possible. And
there was something honorable and valuable in the strong domestic habits,
(11:14):
the all sufficiency of home to himself. Whence resulted her
brother's disposition to look down on the common rate of
social intercourse and those to whom it was important, it
had a high claim to forbearance. End of chapter eleven,
Volume one, chapter eleven. Mister Elton must now be left
to himself. It was no longer in Emma's power to
superintend his happiness or quicken his measures. The coming of
her sister's family was so very near at hand that,
first in anticipation and then in reality, it became henceforth
her prime object of interest. And during the ten days
(00:21):
of their stay at Hartfield it was not to be expected.
She did not herself expect that anything beyond occasional fortuitous
assistance could be afforded by her to the lovers. They
might advance rapidly if they would. However, they must advance
somehow or other. Whether they would or no, she hardly
wished to have more leisure for them. There are people
who the more you do for them, the less they
(00:42):
will do for themselves. Mister and missus John Knightley, from
having been longer than usual absent from Surrey, were exciting,
of course, rather more than the usual interest. Till this year,
every long vacation since their marriage had been divided between
Hartfield and Donwell Abbey. But all the holidays of this
autumn had been given into sea bathing for the children,
and it was therefore many months since they had been
(01:04):
seen in a regular way by their Surrey connections, or
seen at all by mister Woodhouse, who could not be
induced to get so far as London, even for poor
Isabella's sake, and who consequently was now most nervously and
apprehensively happy in forestalling this too short visit. He thought
much of the evils of the journey for her, and
not a little of the fatigues of his own horses
and coachmen, who were to bring some of the party
(01:26):
the last half of the way. But his alarms were needless,
the sixteen miles being happily accomplished, and mister and Missus
John Knightley, their five children, had a competent number of
nursery maids, all reaching Hartfield in safety. The bustle and
joy of such an arrival, the many to be talked to, welcomed, encouraged,
and variously dispersed and disposed of, produced a noise and
(01:47):
confusion which his nerves could not have borne under any
other cause, nor have endured much longer even for this.
But the ways of Hartfield and the feelings of her
father were so respected by Missus John Knightley, that in
spite of maternal solicitude for the immediate enjoyment of her
little ones, and for their having instantly all the liberty
and attendance, all the eating and drinking, and sleeping and
playing which they could possibly wish for, without the smallest delay.
(02:10):
The children were never allowed to be long a disturbance
to him, either in themselves or in any restless attendance
on them. Missus John Knightley was a pretty elegant little woman,
of gentle, quiet manners and a disposition remarkably amiable and affectionate,
wrapped up in her family. A devoted wife, a doting mother,
and so tenderly attached to her father and sister that
(02:32):
but for these higher ties, a warmer love might have
seemed impossible. She could never see a fault in any
of them. She was not a woman of strong understanding
or any quickness, and with this resemblance of her father
she inherited also much of his constitution. Was delicate in
her own health, over careful of that of her children,
had many fears and many nerves, and was as fond
(02:52):
of her own mister Wingfield in town as her father
could be of mister Perry. They were alike too, in
a general benevolence of temper, and a strong habit of
regard for every old acquaintance. Mister John Knightley was a tall,
gentlemanlike and very clever man, rising in his profession, domestic
and respectable in his private character, but with reserved manners
which prevented his being generally pleasing, and capable of being
(03:15):
sometimes out of humor. He was not an ill tempered man,
not so often unreasonably cross as to deserve such a reproach.
But his temper was not his great perfection, and indeed,
with such a worshiping wife, it was hardly possible that
any natural defects in it should not be increased. The
extreme sweetness of her temper must hurt his. He had
all the clearness and quickness of mind which she wanted,
(03:37):
and he could sometimes act an ungracious or say a
severe thing. He was not a great favorite with his
fair sister in law. Nothing wrong in him escaped her.
She was quick in feeling little injuries to Isabella, which
Isabella never felt herself. Perhaps she might have passed over
more had his manners been flattering to Isabella's sister, but
they were only those of a calmly kind brother and friend,
(04:00):
without praise and without blindness. But hardly any degree of
personal compliment could have made her regardless of that greatest
fault of all in her eyes, which he sometimes fell
into the want of respectful forbearance towards her father. There
he had not always the patience that could have been wished.
Mister Woodhouse's peculiarities and fidgetiness were sometimes provoking him to
(04:20):
a rational remonstrance or sharp retort, equally ill bestowed. It
did not often happen or mister John Knightley had really
a great regard for his father in law, and generally
a strong sense of what was due to him, But
it was too often for Emma's charity, especially as there
was all the pain of apprehension frequently to be endured,
though the offense came not the beginning. However, of every
(04:42):
visit displayed none but the properest feelings, and this being
of necessity, so short might be hoped to pass away
in unsullied cordiality. They had not been long seated and composed.
When mister Woodhouse, with a melancholy shake of the head
and a sigh, called his daughter's attention to the sad
change at Hartfield since she had been the last. Ah,
my dear, said he, poor miss Taylor, it is a
(05:06):
grievous business. Oh yes, sir, cried she with ready sympathy.
How you must miss her, and dear Emma too, What
a dreadful loss to you both. I've been so grieved
for you. I could not imagine how you could possibly
do without her. It is a sad change, indeed, But
I hope she is pretty well, sir, pretty well, my dear,
(05:28):
I hope pretty well. I do not know, but that
the place agrees with her. Tolerably, Mister John Knightley here
asked Emma quietly whether there were any doubts of the
air at Randal's O. No, none in the least. I
never saw missus Weston better in my life, never looking
so well. Papa is only speaking his own regret, very
(05:49):
much to the honor of both, was the handsome reply.
And do you see her, sir, tolerably, often asked Isabella,
in the plaintive tone which just suited her father. Mister
Woodhouse hesitated. Not near so often, my dear as I
could wish. Oh, Papa, we have missed seeing them but
one entire day since they married. Either in the morning
(06:11):
or evening of every day excepting one have we seen
either mister Weston or Missus Weston, and generally both either
at Randall's or here, and as you may suppose, Isabella
most frequently here. They are very very kind in their visits.
Mister Weston is really as kind as herself. Papa. If
you speak in that melancholy way, you'll be giving Isabella
a false idea of us. All. Everybody must be aware
(06:33):
that miss Taylor must be missed, but everybody ought to
be assured that mister and Missus Weston do really prevent
our missing her by any means, to the extent we
ourselves anticipated, which is the exact truth, just as it
should be, said mister John Knightley, And just as I
hoped it was from your letters. Her wish of showing
you attention could not be doubted, and his being a
(06:54):
disengaged and social man makes it all easy. I've been
always telling you, my love, that i'd no idea of
the change being so very material to Hartfield as you apprehended,
And now you have Emma's account, I hope will be satisfied.
Why to be sure, said mister Woodhouse, yes, certainly, I
cannot deny that Missus Weston, poor Missus Weston, does come
(07:16):
and see us pretty often, but then she is always
obliged to go away again. It would be very hard
upon mister Western if she did not. Papa, you quite
forget poor mister Weston. I think, indeed, said John Knightley pleasantly,
that mister Weston has some little claim you and I,
Emma will venture to take the part of the poor husband.
(07:37):
I being a husband and you not being a wife.
The claims of the man may very likely strike us
with equal force. As for Isabella, she has been married
long enough to see the convenience of putting all the
mister Westerns aside as much as she can. Me, my love,
cried his wife, hearing and understanding only in part are
you talking about me? I am sure nobody ought to
(07:58):
be or can be a greater advocate for matrimony than
I am. And if it had not been for the
misery of her leaving Hartfield, I should never have thought
of miss Taylor, but as the most fortunate woman in
the world. And as to slighting mister Weston, that excellent
mister Weston, I think there is nothing he does not deserve.
I believe he is one of the very best tempered
men that ever existed. Excepting yourself and your brother, I
(08:21):
do not know his equal for temper. I shall never
forget his flying Henry's kite for him that very windy
day last Easter, and ever since his particular kindness lasts
September twelvemonth. In writing that note at twelve o'clock at night,
on purpose to assure me that there was no scarlet
fever at Cobham, I have been convinced there could not
be a more feeling heart nor a better man in existence.
(08:43):
If anybody can deserve him, it must be Miss Taylor.
Where is the young man? Said John Knightley. Has he
been here on this occasion or has he not? He
has not been here yet, replied Emma. There was a
strong expectation of his coming soon after the marriage, but
it nothing, and I have not heard him mentioned lately.
(09:03):
But you should tell them of the letter, my dear,
said her father. He wrote a letter to poor missus
Weston to congratulate her, and a very proper, handsome letter
it was. She showed it to me. I thought it
very well done of him. Indeed, whether it was his
own idea. You know, one cannot tell. He is but young,
and his uncle perhaps my dear papa. He is three
(09:25):
and twenty. You forget how time passes three and twenty?
Is he indeed? Well? I could not have thought it.
And he was but two years old when he lost
his poor mother. Well, time does fly, indeed, and my
memory is very bad. However, it was an exceeding good,
pretty letter and gave mister and missus Weston a great
(09:48):
deal of pleasure. I remember it was written from Weymouth
and dated September twenty eighth, and began my dear Madam.
But I forget how it went on, And it was
signed F. C. Weston. I remember that perfectly. How very
pleasing and proper of him, cried the good hearted missus
John Knightley. I have no doubt of his being a
(10:10):
most amiable young man. But how sad it is that
he should not live at home with his father. There
is something so shocking in a child's being taken away
from his parents, a natural home. I never could comprehend
how mister Weston could part with him to give up
one's child. I really never could think well of anybody
who proposed such a thing to anybody else. Nobody ever
(10:31):
did think well of the Churchill's I fancy observed mister
John Knightley coolly. But you need not imagine mister Weston
to have felt what you would feel in giving up
Henry or John. Mister Weston is rather an easy, cheerful
tempered man than a man of strong feelings. He takes
things as he finds them, and makes enjoyment of them
somehow or other, depending I suspect much more upon what
is called society for his comforts, that is, upon the
(10:54):
power of eating and drinking and playing whist with his
neighbors five times a week, than upon family affection or
anything that home of Emma could not like what bordered
on a reflection on mister Weston, and had half a
mind to take it up. But she struggled and let
it pass. She would keep the peace if possible. And
there was something honorable and valuable in the strong domestic habits,
(11:14):
the all sufficiency of home to himself. Whence resulted her
brother's disposition to look down on the common rate of
social intercourse and those to whom it was important, it
had a high claim to forbearance. End of chapter eleven,
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce
Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!