August 6, 2025 • 16 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Volume one, chapter thirteen. There could hardly be a happier
creature in the world than missus John Knightley in this
short visit to Hartfield, going about every morning among her
old acquaintance with her five children, and talking over what
she had done every evening with her father and sister.
She had nothing to wish otherwise but that the days
(00:20):
did not pass so swiftly. It was a delightful visit,
perfect in being much too short. In general, their evenings
were less engaged with friends than their mornings, but one
complete dinner engagement, and out of the house too. There
was no avoiding, though at Christmas mister Weston would take
no denial. They must all dine at Randall's. One day,
(00:41):
even mister Woodhouse was persuaded to think it a possible thing,
in preference to a division of the party. How they
were all to be conveyed, He would have made a
difficulty if he could, but as his son and daughter's
carriage and horses were actually at Hartfield, he was not
able to make more than a simple question. On that head.
It hardly amounted to it, doubt, nor did it occupy
Emma long to convince him that they might in one
(01:03):
of the carriages find room for Harriet. Also, Harriet, mister
Elton and mister Knightley, their own especial set, were the
only persons invited to meet them. The hours were to
be early, as well as the numbers few, mister Woodhouse's
habits and inclination being consulted in everything. The evening before
this great event, for it was a very great event
(01:25):
that mister Woodhouse should dine out on the twenty fourth
of December had been spent by Harriet at Hartfield, and
she had gone home so much indisposed with the cold,
that but for her own earnest wish of being nursed
by Missus Goddard, Emma could not have allowed her to
leave the house. Emma called on her the next day
and found her doom already signed with regard to Randall's.
(01:46):
She was very feverish and had a bad sore throat.
Missus Goddard was full of care and affection, Mister Perry
was talked of, and Harriet herself was too ill and
low to resist the authority which excluded her from this
delightful and gay Though she could not speak of her
loss without many tears, Emma sat with her as long
as she could to attend her in Missus Goddard's unavoidable absences,
(02:09):
and raise her spirits by representing how much mister Elton's
would be depressed when he knew her state, and left
her at last tolerably comfortable in the sweet dependence of
his having a most comfortless visit, and of their all
missing her very much. She had not advanced many yards
from Missus Goddard's door when she was met by mister
Elton himself evidently coming towards it, And as they walked
(02:31):
on slowly together in conversation about the invalid of whom he,
on the rumor of considerable illness, had been going to
inquire that he might carry some report of her to Hartfield,
they were overtaken by mister John Knightley, returning from the
daily visit to Donwell with his two eldest boys, whose
healthy glowing faces showed all the benefit of country run
and seemed to ensure a quick dispatch of the roast
(02:52):
mutton and rice pudding they were hastening home for they
joined company and proceeded together. Emma was just describing the
nature of her her friend's complaint, a throat very much inflamed,
with a great deal of heat about her, a quick
low pulse, et cetera. And she was sorry to find
from Missus Goddard that Harriet was liable to very bad
sore throats, and it often alarmed her with them. Mister
(03:14):
Elton looked all alarm on the occasion, as he exclaimed,
a sore throat, I hope not infectious, I hope not
of a putrid infectious sort. Has Perry seen her? Indeed,
you should take care of yourself as well as of
your friend. Let me entreat you to run no risks?
Why does not Perry see her? Emma, who was not
at all frightened herself, tranquilized the success of apprehension by
(03:38):
assurances of Missus Goddard's experience and care. But as there
must still remain a degree of uneasiness which she could
not wish to reason away, which she would rather feed
and assist than not, she added soon afterwards, as if
quite another subject, it is so cold, so very cold,
and looks and feels so very much like snow, that
if it were to any other place with any other party,
(04:01):
I should really try not to go out to day
and dissuade my father from venturing, But as he has
made up his mind and does not seem to feel
the cold himself, I do not like to interfere, as
I know it would be so great a disappointment to
mister and missus Weston. But upon my word, mister Elton,
in your case, I should certainly excuse myself. You appeared
to me a little horse already, and when you consider
(04:23):
what demand of voice and what fatigues to morrow will bring,
I think it would be no more than common prudence
to stay at home and take care of yourself to night.
Mister Elton looked as if he did not very well
know what answer to make, which was exactly the case,
for though very much gratified by the kind care of
such a fair lady, and not liking to resist any
advice of hers, he had not really the least inclination
(04:45):
to give up the visit. But Emma, too eager and
busy in her own previous conceptions and views to hear
him impartially or see him with clear vision, was very
well satisfied with his muttering acknowledgment of its being very cold,
certainly very cold, and walked on, rejoicing and having extricated
him from Randall's and secured him the power of sending
(05:06):
to inquire after Harriet every hour of the evening. You
do quite right, said she. We will make your apologies
to mister and missus Weston. But hardly had she so
spoken when she found her brother was civilly offering a
seat in his carriage if the weather were mister Elton's
only objection, and mister Elton actually accepting the offer with
(05:26):
much prompt satisfaction. It was a done thing. Mister Elton
was to go, and never had his broad, handsome face
expressed more pleasure than at this moment. Never had his
smile been stronger, nor his eyes more exulting than when
he next looked at her. Well, said she to herself.
This is most strange. After I had got him off
(05:48):
so well, to choose to go into company and leave
Harriet ill behind. Most strange, indeed. But there is, I believe,
in many men, especially single men, such an inclination, such
a passion for dining out a dinner. Engagement is so
high in the class of their pleasures, their employments, their dignities,
almost their duties, that anything gives way to it. And
(06:11):
this must be the case with mister Elton, a most valuable, amiable,
pleasing young man, undoubtedly and very much in love with Harriet.
But still he cannot refuse an invitation. He must dine
out whenever he is asked what a strange thing love is?
He can see ready wit in Harriet, but will not
dine alone for her. Soon afterwards mister Elton quitted them,
(06:33):
and she could not but do him the justice of
feeling that there was a great deal of sentiment in
his manner of naming Harriet at parting in the tone
of his voice while assuring her that he should call
at missus Goddard's for news of her fair friend. The
last thing before he prepared for the happiness of meaning
her again when he hoped to be able to give
a better report, and he sighed and smiled himself off
in a way that left the balance of approbation much
(06:55):
in his favor. After a few minutes of entire silence
between them, John Knightley began with I never in my
life saw a man more intent on being agreeable than
mister Elton. It is downright labor to him. Where ladies
are concerned with men, he can be rational and unaffected.
But when he has ladies to please, every feature works.
(07:16):
Mister Elton's manners are not perfect, replied Emma. But where
there is a wish to please, one ought to overlook,
and one does overlook a great deal. Where a man
does his best with only moderate powers, he will have
the advantage of a negligent superiority. There is such perfect
good temper and good will in mister Elton as one
cannot but value. Yes, said mister John Knightley, presently with
(07:40):
some slyness. He seems to have a great deal of
good will towards you me, she replied, with a smile
of astonishment. Are you imagining me to be mister Elton's object?
Such an imagination has crossed me, I own, Emma, and
if it never occurred to you before, you may as
well take it into consideration. Now, mister Elton in love
(08:02):
with me? What an idea? I do not say it
is so, but you will do well to consider whether
it is or not, and to regulate your behavior accordingly.
I think your manners to him encouraging. I speak as
a friend, Emma. You had better look about you and
ascertain what you do and what you mean to do.
I thank you, but I assure you you are quite mistaken.
(08:24):
Mister Elton and I are very good friends, and nothing more.
And she walked on, amusing herself in the consideration of
the blunders which often arise from a partial knowledge of circumstances,
of the mistakes which people of high pretensions to judgment
are for ever falling into, and not very well pleased
with her brother for imagining her blind and ignorant, and
in want of counsel, he said no more. Mister Woodhouse
(08:47):
had so completely made up his mind to the visit
that in spite of the increasing coldness, he seemed to
have no idea of shrinking from it, and set forward
at last, most punctually with his eldest daughter in his
own carriage, with less apparent consciousness of the weather than
either of the others, too full of the wonder of
his own going and the pleasure it was to afford
at Randall's to see that it was cold, and too
(09:09):
well wrapped up to feel it. The cold, however, was severe,
and by the time the second carriage was in motion,
a few flakes of snow were finding their way down,
and the sky had the appearance of being so overcharged
as to want only a milder air to produce a
very white world. In a very short time. Emma soon
saw that her companion was not in the happiest humor.
(09:30):
The preparing and the going abroad in such weather, with
the sacrifice of his children after dinner were evils, were
disagreeables at least, which mister John Knightley did not by
any means like he anticipated nothing in the visit that
could be at all worth the purchase, and the whole
of their drive to the vicarage was spent by him.
In expressing his discontent, a man said, he must have
(09:52):
a very good opinion of himself. When he asks people
to leave their own fireside and encounter such a day
as this for the sake of coming to see him,
he must think himself a most agreeable fellow. I could
not do such a thing. It is the greatest absurdity
actually snowing at this moment, the folly of not allowing
people to be comfortable at home, and the folly of
people's not staying comfortably at home. And they can if
(10:14):
we were obliged to go out such an evening as
this by any call of duty or business. What a
hardship we should deem it. And here we are, probably
with rather thinner clothing than usual, setting forward voluntarily without excuse,
in defiance of the voice of nature, which tells man,
in everything given to his view or his feelings, to
stay at home himself and keep all under shelter that
(10:37):
he can. Here we are setting forward to spend five
dull hours in another man's house, with nothing to say
or to hear that was not said and heard yesterday,
and may not be said and heard again tomorrow, going
in dismal weather, to return probably in worse Four horses
and four servants taken out for nothing but to convey
five idle, shivering creatures into colder rooms and worse company
(11:00):
than they might have had at home. Emma did not
find herself equal to give the pleased assent which no
doubt he was in the habit of receiving, to emulate
thee very true my love, which must have been usually
administered by his traveling companion. But she had resolution enough
to refrain from making any answer at all. She could
not be complying, She dreaded being quarrelsome. Her heroism reached
(11:23):
only to silence. She allowed him to talk and arrange
the glasses, and wrapped herself up without opening her lips.
They arrived, the carriage turned, the step was let down,
and mister Elton, spruce black and smiling, was with them. Instantly,
Emma thought, with pleasure of some change of subject. Mister
Elton was all obligation and cheerfulness. He was so very
(11:44):
cheerful in his civilities, indeed, that she began to think
he must have received a different account of Harriet from
what had reached her. She had sent while dressing, and
the answer had been much the same, not better. My
report for Missus Goddard's said she presently was not so
so pleasant as I had hoped. Not better was my answer.
His face lengthened immediately, and his voice was the voice
(12:07):
of sentiment as he answered, no, No, I am grieved
to find. I was on the point of telling you
that when I had called at Missus Goddard's door, which
I did the very last thing before I turned to dress,
I was told that miss Smith was not better, by
no means better, rather worse. Very much grieved and concerned,
I had flattered myself that she must be better after
(12:28):
such a cordial as I knew she had been given
in the morning. Emma smiled and answered, my visit was
of use to the nervous part of her complaint. I
hope when not even I can charm away a sore throat.
It is a most severe cold. Indeed, mister Perry has
been with her, as you probably heard, yes, I imagined
that is I did not. He has been used to
(12:50):
her in these complaints, and I hope to morrow morning
will bring us both the more comfortable report. But it
is impossible not to feel uneasiness. Such a sad loss
to our party to day dreadful exactly so indeed she
will be missed at every moment. This was very proper.
The sigh which accompanied it was really estimable, but it
(13:11):
should have lasted longer. Emma was rather in dismay when
only half a minute afterwards he began to speak of
other things, and in a voice of the greatest alacrity
and enjoyment. What an excellent device, said he the use
of a sheepskin for carriages, How very comfortable they make
it impossible to feel cold with such precautions. The contrivances
(13:33):
of modern days indeed have rendered a gentleman's carriage perfectly complete.
One is so fenced and guarded from the weather that
not a breath of air can find its way unpermitted.
Weather becomes absolutely of no consequence. It is a very
cold afternoon, but in this carriage we know nothing of
the matter. Ah snows a little, I see, yes, said
(13:55):
John Knightley, and I think we shall have a good
deal of it. Christmas weather, observed mister Elton, quite seasonable
and extremely fortunate. We may think ourselves that it did
not begin yesterday and prevent this day's party, which it
might very possibly have done, for mister Woodhouse would hardly
have ventured had there been not snow in the ground.
(14:15):
But now it is of no consequence. This is quite
the season indeed for friendly meetings at Christmas. Everybody invites
their friends about them, and people think little of even
the worst weather. I was snowed up at a friend's
house once for a week. Nothing could be pleasanter. I
went for only one night and could not get away
till that very day sunnight. Mister John Knightley looked as
(14:36):
if he did not comprehend the pleasure, but only said coolly,
I cannot wish to be snowed up a week at Randall's.
At another time Emma might have been amused, but she
was too much astonished now at mister Elton's spirits. For
other feelings, Harriet seemed quite forgotten in the expectation of
a pleasant party. We are sure of excellent fires continued
(14:58):
he and everything in the greatest comfort, charming people, mister
and missus Weston. Missus Weston indeed is much beyond praise,
and he is exactly what one values, so hospitable and
so fond of society. It will be a small party,
but where small parties are select, they are perhaps most
agreeable of any Mister Weston's dining room does not accommodate
(15:20):
more than ten comfortably, And for my part, I would rather,
under such circumstances, fall short by two than exceed by two.
I think you will agree with me, turning with a
soft air to Emma, I think I shall certainly have
your approbation, though mister Knightley, perhaps from being used to
the large parties of London, may not quite enter into
our feelings. I know nothing of the large parties of London, Sir.
(15:43):
I never dine with anybody. Indeed, in a tone of
wonder and pity, I had no idea that the law
had been so great a slavery. Well, sir, the time
must come when you will be paid for all this,
when you'll have a little labor and great enjoyment. My
first enjoyment, replied John Knightley, as they passed through the
(16:03):
sweep gate, will be to find myself safe at Hartfield again.
End of Chapter thirteen.
Volume one, chapter thirteen. There could hardly be a happier
creature in the world than missus John Knightley in this
short visit to Hartfield, going about every morning among her
old acquaintance with her five children, and talking over what
she had done every evening with her father and sister.
She had nothing to wish otherwise but that the days
(00:20):
did not pass so swiftly. It was a delightful visit,
perfect in being much too short. In general, their evenings
were less engaged with friends than their mornings, but one
complete dinner engagement, and out of the house too. There
was no avoiding, though at Christmas mister Weston would take
no denial. They must all dine at Randall's. One day,
(00:41):
even mister Woodhouse was persuaded to think it a possible thing,
in preference to a division of the party. How they
were all to be conveyed, He would have made a
difficulty if he could, but as his son and daughter's
carriage and horses were actually at Hartfield, he was not
able to make more than a simple question. On that head.
It hardly amounted to it, doubt, nor did it occupy
Emma long to convince him that they might in one
(01:03):
of the carriages find room for Harriet. Also, Harriet, mister
Elton and mister Knightley, their own especial set, were the
only persons invited to meet them. The hours were to
be early, as well as the numbers few, mister Woodhouse's
habits and inclination being consulted in everything. The evening before
this great event, for it was a very great event
(01:25):
that mister Woodhouse should dine out on the twenty fourth
of December had been spent by Harriet at Hartfield, and
she had gone home so much indisposed with the cold,
that but for her own earnest wish of being nursed
by Missus Goddard, Emma could not have allowed her to
leave the house. Emma called on her the next day
and found her doom already signed with regard to Randall's.
(01:46):
She was very feverish and had a bad sore throat.
Missus Goddard was full of care and affection, Mister Perry
was talked of, and Harriet herself was too ill and
low to resist the authority which excluded her from this
delightful and gay Though she could not speak of her
loss without many tears, Emma sat with her as long
as she could to attend her in Missus Goddard's unavoidable absences,
(02:09):
and raise her spirits by representing how much mister Elton's
would be depressed when he knew her state, and left
her at last tolerably comfortable in the sweet dependence of
his having a most comfortless visit, and of their all
missing her very much. She had not advanced many yards
from Missus Goddard's door when she was met by mister
Elton himself evidently coming towards it, And as they walked
(02:31):
on slowly together in conversation about the invalid of whom he,
on the rumor of considerable illness, had been going to
inquire that he might carry some report of her to Hartfield,
they were overtaken by mister John Knightley, returning from the
daily visit to Donwell with his two eldest boys, whose
healthy glowing faces showed all the benefit of country run
and seemed to ensure a quick dispatch of the roast
(02:52):
mutton and rice pudding they were hastening home for they
joined company and proceeded together. Emma was just describing the
nature of her her friend's complaint, a throat very much inflamed,
with a great deal of heat about her, a quick
low pulse, et cetera. And she was sorry to find
from Missus Goddard that Harriet was liable to very bad
sore throats, and it often alarmed her with them. Mister
(03:14):
Elton looked all alarm on the occasion, as he exclaimed,
a sore throat, I hope not infectious, I hope not
of a putrid infectious sort. Has Perry seen her? Indeed,
you should take care of yourself as well as of
your friend. Let me entreat you to run no risks?
Why does not Perry see her? Emma, who was not
at all frightened herself, tranquilized the success of apprehension by
(03:38):
assurances of Missus Goddard's experience and care. But as there
must still remain a degree of uneasiness which she could
not wish to reason away, which she would rather feed
and assist than not, she added soon afterwards, as if
quite another subject, it is so cold, so very cold,
and looks and feels so very much like snow, that
if it were to any other place with any other party,
(04:01):
I should really try not to go out to day
and dissuade my father from venturing, But as he has
made up his mind and does not seem to feel
the cold himself, I do not like to interfere, as
I know it would be so great a disappointment to
mister and missus Weston. But upon my word, mister Elton,
in your case, I should certainly excuse myself. You appeared
to me a little horse already, and when you consider
(04:23):
what demand of voice and what fatigues to morrow will bring,
I think it would be no more than common prudence
to stay at home and take care of yourself to night.
Mister Elton looked as if he did not very well
know what answer to make, which was exactly the case,
for though very much gratified by the kind care of
such a fair lady, and not liking to resist any
advice of hers, he had not really the least inclination
(04:45):
to give up the visit. But Emma, too eager and
busy in her own previous conceptions and views to hear
him impartially or see him with clear vision, was very
well satisfied with his muttering acknowledgment of its being very cold,
certainly very cold, and walked on, rejoicing and having extricated
him from Randall's and secured him the power of sending
(05:06):
to inquire after Harriet every hour of the evening. You
do quite right, said she. We will make your apologies
to mister and missus Weston. But hardly had she so
spoken when she found her brother was civilly offering a
seat in his carriage if the weather were mister Elton's
only objection, and mister Elton actually accepting the offer with
(05:26):
much prompt satisfaction. It was a done thing. Mister Elton
was to go, and never had his broad, handsome face
expressed more pleasure than at this moment. Never had his
smile been stronger, nor his eyes more exulting than when
he next looked at her. Well, said she to herself.
This is most strange. After I had got him off
(05:48):
so well, to choose to go into company and leave
Harriet ill behind. Most strange, indeed. But there is, I believe,
in many men, especially single men, such an inclination, such
a passion for dining out a dinner. Engagement is so
high in the class of their pleasures, their employments, their dignities,
almost their duties, that anything gives way to it. And
(06:11):
this must be the case with mister Elton, a most valuable, amiable,
pleasing young man, undoubtedly and very much in love with Harriet.
But still he cannot refuse an invitation. He must dine
out whenever he is asked what a strange thing love is?
He can see ready wit in Harriet, but will not
dine alone for her. Soon afterwards mister Elton quitted them,
(06:33):
and she could not but do him the justice of
feeling that there was a great deal of sentiment in
his manner of naming Harriet at parting in the tone
of his voice while assuring her that he should call
at missus Goddard's for news of her fair friend. The
last thing before he prepared for the happiness of meaning
her again when he hoped to be able to give
a better report, and he sighed and smiled himself off
in a way that left the balance of approbation much
(06:55):
in his favor. After a few minutes of entire silence
between them, John Knightley began with I never in my
life saw a man more intent on being agreeable than
mister Elton. It is downright labor to him. Where ladies
are concerned with men, he can be rational and unaffected.
But when he has ladies to please, every feature works.
(07:16):
Mister Elton's manners are not perfect, replied Emma. But where
there is a wish to please, one ought to overlook,
and one does overlook a great deal. Where a man
does his best with only moderate powers, he will have
the advantage of a negligent superiority. There is such perfect
good temper and good will in mister Elton as one
cannot but value. Yes, said mister John Knightley, presently with
(07:40):
some slyness. He seems to have a great deal of
good will towards you me, she replied, with a smile
of astonishment. Are you imagining me to be mister Elton's object?
Such an imagination has crossed me, I own, Emma, and
if it never occurred to you before, you may as
well take it into consideration. Now, mister Elton in love
(08:02):
with me? What an idea? I do not say it
is so, but you will do well to consider whether
it is or not, and to regulate your behavior accordingly.
I think your manners to him encouraging. I speak as
a friend, Emma. You had better look about you and
ascertain what you do and what you mean to do.
I thank you, but I assure you you are quite mistaken.
(08:24):
Mister Elton and I are very good friends, and nothing more.
And she walked on, amusing herself in the consideration of
the blunders which often arise from a partial knowledge of circumstances,
of the mistakes which people of high pretensions to judgment
are for ever falling into, and not very well pleased
with her brother for imagining her blind and ignorant, and
in want of counsel, he said no more. Mister Woodhouse
(08:47):
had so completely made up his mind to the visit
that in spite of the increasing coldness, he seemed to
have no idea of shrinking from it, and set forward
at last, most punctually with his eldest daughter in his
own carriage, with less apparent consciousness of the weather than
either of the others, too full of the wonder of
his own going and the pleasure it was to afford
at Randall's to see that it was cold, and too
(09:09):
well wrapped up to feel it. The cold, however, was severe,
and by the time the second carriage was in motion,
a few flakes of snow were finding their way down,
and the sky had the appearance of being so overcharged
as to want only a milder air to produce a
very white world. In a very short time. Emma soon
saw that her companion was not in the happiest humor.
(09:30):
The preparing and the going abroad in such weather, with
the sacrifice of his children after dinner were evils, were
disagreeables at least, which mister John Knightley did not by
any means like he anticipated nothing in the visit that
could be at all worth the purchase, and the whole
of their drive to the vicarage was spent by him.
In expressing his discontent, a man said, he must have
(09:52):
a very good opinion of himself. When he asks people
to leave their own fireside and encounter such a day
as this for the sake of coming to see him,
he must think himself a most agreeable fellow. I could
not do such a thing. It is the greatest absurdity
actually snowing at this moment, the folly of not allowing
people to be comfortable at home, and the folly of
people's not staying comfortably at home. And they can if
(10:14):
we were obliged to go out such an evening as
this by any call of duty or business. What a
hardship we should deem it. And here we are, probably
with rather thinner clothing than usual, setting forward voluntarily without excuse,
in defiance of the voice of nature, which tells man,
in everything given to his view or his feelings, to
stay at home himself and keep all under shelter that
(10:37):
he can. Here we are setting forward to spend five
dull hours in another man's house, with nothing to say
or to hear that was not said and heard yesterday,
and may not be said and heard again tomorrow, going
in dismal weather, to return probably in worse Four horses
and four servants taken out for nothing but to convey
five idle, shivering creatures into colder rooms and worse company
(11:00):
than they might have had at home. Emma did not
find herself equal to give the pleased assent which no
doubt he was in the habit of receiving, to emulate
thee very true my love, which must have been usually
administered by his traveling companion. But she had resolution enough
to refrain from making any answer at all. She could
not be complying, She dreaded being quarrelsome. Her heroism reached
(11:23):
only to silence. She allowed him to talk and arrange
the glasses, and wrapped herself up without opening her lips.
They arrived, the carriage turned, the step was let down,
and mister Elton, spruce black and smiling, was with them. Instantly,
Emma thought, with pleasure of some change of subject. Mister
Elton was all obligation and cheerfulness. He was so very
(11:44):
cheerful in his civilities, indeed, that she began to think
he must have received a different account of Harriet from
what had reached her. She had sent while dressing, and
the answer had been much the same, not better. My
report for Missus Goddard's said she presently was not so
so pleasant as I had hoped. Not better was my answer.
His face lengthened immediately, and his voice was the voice
(12:07):
of sentiment as he answered, no, No, I am grieved
to find. I was on the point of telling you
that when I had called at Missus Goddard's door, which
I did the very last thing before I turned to dress,
I was told that miss Smith was not better, by
no means better, rather worse. Very much grieved and concerned,
I had flattered myself that she must be better after
(12:28):
such a cordial as I knew she had been given
in the morning. Emma smiled and answered, my visit was
of use to the nervous part of her complaint. I
hope when not even I can charm away a sore throat.
It is a most severe cold. Indeed, mister Perry has
been with her, as you probably heard, yes, I imagined
that is I did not. He has been used to
(12:50):
her in these complaints, and I hope to morrow morning
will bring us both the more comfortable report. But it
is impossible not to feel uneasiness. Such a sad loss
to our party to day dreadful exactly so indeed she
will be missed at every moment. This was very proper.
The sigh which accompanied it was really estimable, but it
(13:11):
should have lasted longer. Emma was rather in dismay when
only half a minute afterwards he began to speak of
other things, and in a voice of the greatest alacrity
and enjoyment. What an excellent device, said he the use
of a sheepskin for carriages, How very comfortable they make
it impossible to feel cold with such precautions. The contrivances
(13:33):
of modern days indeed have rendered a gentleman's carriage perfectly complete.
One is so fenced and guarded from the weather that
not a breath of air can find its way unpermitted.
Weather becomes absolutely of no consequence. It is a very
cold afternoon, but in this carriage we know nothing of
the matter. Ah snows a little, I see, yes, said
(13:55):
John Knightley, and I think we shall have a good
deal of it. Christmas weather, observed mister Elton, quite seasonable
and extremely fortunate. We may think ourselves that it did
not begin yesterday and prevent this day's party, which it
might very possibly have done, for mister Woodhouse would hardly
have ventured had there been not snow in the ground.
(14:15):
But now it is of no consequence. This is quite
the season indeed for friendly meetings at Christmas. Everybody invites
their friends about them, and people think little of even
the worst weather. I was snowed up at a friend's
house once for a week. Nothing could be pleasanter. I
went for only one night and could not get away
till that very day sunnight. Mister John Knightley looked as
(14:36):
if he did not comprehend the pleasure, but only said coolly,
I cannot wish to be snowed up a week at Randall's.
At another time Emma might have been amused, but she
was too much astonished now at mister Elton's spirits. For
other feelings, Harriet seemed quite forgotten in the expectation of
a pleasant party. We are sure of excellent fires continued
(14:58):
he and everything in the greatest comfort, charming people, mister
and missus Weston. Missus Weston indeed is much beyond praise,
and he is exactly what one values, so hospitable and
so fond of society. It will be a small party,
but where small parties are select, they are perhaps most
agreeable of any Mister Weston's dining room does not accommodate
(15:20):
more than ten comfortably, And for my part, I would rather,
under such circumstances, fall short by two than exceed by two.
I think you will agree with me, turning with a
soft air to Emma, I think I shall certainly have
your approbation, though mister Knightley, perhaps from being used to
the large parties of London, may not quite enter into
our feelings. I know nothing of the large parties of London, Sir.
(15:43):
I never dine with anybody. Indeed, in a tone of
wonder and pity, I had no idea that the law
had been so great a slavery. Well, sir, the time
must come when you will be paid for all this,
when you'll have a little labor and great enjoyment. My
first enjoyment, replied John Knightley, as they passed through the
(16:03):
sweep gate, will be to find myself safe at Hartfield again.
End of Chapter thirteen.
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