August 14, 2025 • 22 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Volume two, Chapter three. Emma could not forgive her, but
as neither provocation nor resentment were discerned by mister Knightley,
who had been of the party and had seen only
proper attention and pleasing behavior on each side. He was
expressing the next morning, being at Hartfield again on business
(00:21):
with mister Woodhouse, his approbation of the whole, not so
openly as he might have done had her father been
out of the room, but speaking plain enough to be
very intelligible to Emma. He had been used to think
her unjust to Jane, and had now great pleasure in
marking and improvement. A very pleasant evening, he began, as
(00:42):
soon as mister Woodhouse had been talked into what was necessary,
told that he understood, and the papers swept away particularly pleasant.
You and miss Fairfax gave us some very good music.
I do not know a more luxurious state, Sir, than
sitting at one's ease, to be entertained a whole evening
by two such young women, sometimes with music and sometimes
(01:05):
with conversation. I am sure Miss Fairfax must have found
the evening pleasant. Emma, you left nothing undone. I was
glad you made her play so much for having no
instrument at her grandmother's it must have been a real indulgence.
I am happy you approved, said Emma, smiling. But I
hope I am not often deficient in what is due
(01:27):
to guests at Hartfield. No, my dear, said her father,
instantly that I am sure you are not. There is
nobody half so attentive and civil as you are. If anything,
you are too attentive. The muffin last night, if it
had been handed round once, I think it would have
been enough. No, said mister Knightley nearly. At the same time,
(01:52):
you are not often deficient, not often deficient, either in
manner or comprehension. I think you understand me. Therefore, an
arch look expressed I understand you well enough, But she said,
only miss Fairfax is reserved. I always told you she
(02:12):
was a little But you will soon overcome all that
part of her reserve which ought to be overcome. All
that has its foundation and diffidence. What arises from discretion
must be honored. You think her diffident. I do not
see it, my dear, Emma, said, he moving from his
(02:33):
chair into one close by her. You are not going
to tell me, I hope that you had not a
pleasant evening. Oh no, I was pleased with my own
perseverance in asking questions, and amused to think how little
information I obtained. I am disappointed, was his only answer.
(02:54):
I hope everybody had a pleasant evening, said mister Woodhouse
in his quiet way. I had. Once I felt the
fire rather too much, but then I moved back my
chair a little, a very little, and it did not
disturb me. Miss Bates was very chatty and good humored,
as she always is, though she speaks rather too quick. However,
(03:18):
she is very agreeable, and missus Bates too in a
different way. I like old friends. And Miss Jane Fairfax
is a very pretty sort of young lady, A very
pretty and a very well behaved young lady. Indeed, she
must have found the evening agreeable, Mister Knightley because she
had Emma, true, Sir, and Emma because she had Miss Fairfax.
(03:43):
Emma saw his anxiety and wishing to appease it at
least for the present, said and with a sincerity which
no one could question. She is a sort of elegant
creature that one cannot keep one's eyes from. I am
always watching her to admire, and I do pity her
from my heart. Mister Knightley looked as if he were
(04:04):
more gratified than he cared to express, and before he
could make any reply, mister Woodhouse, whose thoughts were on
the Bates's, said, it is a great pity that their
circumstances should be so confined. A great pity, indeed, and
I have often wished, but it is so little one
can venture to do, small trifling presents of anything uncommon.
(04:28):
Now we have killed a porker, and Emma thinks of
sending them a loin or a leg. It is very
small and delicate, Hartfield pork is not like any other pork,
but still it is pork, and my dear Emma, unless
one could be sure of their making it into steaks
nicely fried as ours are, fried without the smallest grease,
(04:50):
and not roasted, for no stomach can bear roast pork.
I think we had better send the leg, do not
you think so? My dear, my dear Papa. I sent
the whole hind quarter. I knew you would wish it.
There will be the leg to be salted, you know,
which is so very nice, and the loin to be
(05:10):
dressed directly in any manner they like that's right, my dear,
very right. I had not thought of it before, but
that is the best way. They must not over salt
the leg. And then if it is not over salted,
and if it is very thoroughly boiled, just as searle
(05:31):
boils are is and eaten very moderately of with a
boiled turnip and a little carrot or parsnip, I do
not consider it unwholesome, Emma, said mister Knightley. Presently, I
have a piece of news for you. You like news,
And I heard an article in my way hither that
I think will interest you news. Oh yes, I always
(05:54):
like news. What is it? Why do you smile? So
where did you hear? Hear it? At Randal's? He had
time only to say, no, not at Randal's. I have
not been near Randal's. When the door was thrown open,
and Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax walked into the room,
full of thanks and full of news. Miss Bates knew
(06:16):
not which to give quickest. Mister Knightley soon saw that
he had lost his moment, and that not another syllable
of communication could rest with him. Oh, my dear sir,
how are you this morning? My dear miss Woodhouse, I
am quite overpowered such a beautiful hind quarter of pork.
You are too bountiful. Have you had the news mister
(06:39):
Elton is going to be married? Emma had not had
time even to think of mister Elton, and she was
so completely surprised that she could not avoid a little
start and a little blush at the sound. There is
my news. I thought it would interest you, said mister Knightley,
with a smile which implied a conviction of some part
of what had passed between them. But where could you
(07:02):
hear it, cried miss Bates. Where could you possibly hear it,
mister Knightley, For it is not five minutes since I
received missus Cole's note. No, it cannot be more than five,
or at least ten, for I had got my bonnet
and spencer on just ready to come out. I was
only gone down to speak to Patty again about the pork.
Jane was standing in the passage. We're not you, Jane,
(07:23):
for my mother was so afraid that we had not
any salting pan large enough. So I said I would
go down and see, and Jane said, shall I go
down instead? For I think you have a little cold
and Patty has been washing the kitchen, Oh, my dear,
said I. Well, and just then came the note a
miss Hawkins. That's all I know, a miss Hawkins of Bath.
(07:44):
But mister Knightley, how could you possibly have heard it?
For the very moment mister Cole told missus Cole of it,
she sat down and wrote to me, a miss Hawkins.
I was with mister Cole on business an hour and
a half ago. He had just read Elton's letter as
I was shown in, and handed it to me directly. Well,
that is quite I suppose there was never a piece
(08:07):
of news more generally interesting. My dear sir, you really
are too bountiful. My mother desires her very best compliments
and regards and a thousand thanks, and says you really
quite press her. We consider our Hartfield pork, replied mister Woodhouse. Indeed,
it certainly is so very superior to all other pork
(08:29):
that Emma and I cannot have a greater pleasure than. Oh,
my dear sir, as my mother says, our friends are
only too good to us. If ever, there were people who,
without having great wealth themselves, had everything they could wish for,
I am sure it is us. We may well say
that our lot is cast in a goodly heritage. Well,
mister Knightley, and so you actually saw the letter, Well
(08:53):
it was short, merely to announce, but cheerful, exulting. Of course,
here was a sly glance at Emma. He had been
so fortunate as to I forget the precise words. One
has no business to remember them. The information was, as
you stay, that he was going to be married to
a Miss Hawkins. By his style, I should imagine it
(09:15):
just settled. Mister Elton going to be married, said Emma,
as soon as she could speak. He will have everybody's
wishes for his happiness. He is very young to settle,
was mister Woodhouse's observation. He had better not be in
a hurry. He seemed to me very well off as
he was. We were always glad to see him at Hartfield,
(09:39):
a new neighbor for us, or Miss Woodhouse, said Miss
Bates joyfully. My mother is so pleased, she says she
cannot bear to have the poor old vicarage without a mistress.
This is great news. Indeed, Jane, you have never seen
mister Elton. No wonder that you have such a curiosity
to see him Jane's curiosity did not appear of that
(10:00):
absorbing nature as wholly to occupy her. No, I have
never seen mister Elton, she replied, starting on this appeal.
Is he Is he a tall man? Who shall answer
that question? Cried Emma. My father would say yes, mister Knightley. No,
and Miss Bates and I that he is just the
(10:20):
happy medium. When you have been here a little longer,
Miss Fairfax, you will understand that mister Elton is the
standard of perfection in Highbury, both in person and mind.
Very true, Miss Woodhouse, so she will. He is the
very best young man. But my dear Jane, if you
remember I told you yesterday, he was precisely the height
of mister Perry, Miss Hawkins, I daresay an excellent young woman.
(10:46):
His extreme attention to my mother wanting her to sit
in the vicarage pew that she might hear the better,
for my mother is a little deaf. You know it
is not much, but she does not hear quite quick.
Jane says that Colonel Campbell is a little deaf. He
fancied bathing might be good for it, the warm bath,
but she says it did him no lasting benefit. Colonel Campbell,
(11:06):
you know, is quite our angel, and mister Dixon seems
a very charming young man, quite worthy of him. It
is such a happiness when good people get together, and
they always do. Now here will be mister Elton and
miss Hawkins, and there are the Coals, such very good people,
and the Perrys. I suppose there never was a happier,
a better couple than mister and missus Perry, I say, sir,
(11:28):
turning to mister Woodhouse, I think there are few places
with such society as Highbury. I always say, we are
quite blessed in our neighbors, My dear sir. If there
is one thing my mother loves better than another, it
is pork, a roast loin of pork. As to who
or what Miss Hawkins is, or how long he has
(11:48):
been acquainted with her, said Emma, nothing, I suppose can
be known. One feels that it cannot be a very
long acquaintance. He has been gone only four weeks. Nobody
had any information to give, And after a few more wonderings,
Emma said, you are silent, Miss Fairfax, but I hope
you mean to take an interest in this news. You
(12:09):
who have been hearing and seeing so much of late
on these subjects, who must have been so deep in
the business on Miss Campbell's account. We shall not excuse
your being indifferent about mister Elton and Miss Hawkins. When
I have seen mister Elton, replied Jane, I dare say
I shall be interested, but I believe it requires that
with me, And as it is some months since Miss
(12:31):
Campbell married, the impression may be a little worn off. Yes,
he has been gone just four weeks, as you observed,
Miss Woodhouse, said, Miss Bates, four weeks yesterday. Are Miss Hawkins? Well?
I had always rather fancied it would be some young
lady hereabouts, not that I ever missus Cole once whispered
to me, but I immediately said, no, mister Elton is
(12:53):
a most worthy young man. But in short, I do
not think I am particularly quick at those sorts of discoveries.
I do not pretend to it what is before me,
I see. At the same time, nobody could wonder if
mister Belton should have aspired. Miss Woodhouse lets me chatter
on so good humoredly. She knows I would not offend
for the world. How does Miss Smith do? She seems
(13:15):
quite recovered. Now have you heard from missus John Knightley lately,
Oh those dear little children, Jane, do you know I
always fancy mister Dixon quite like mister John Knightley. I
mean in person, tall and with that sort of look,
and not very talkative. Quite wrong, my dear aunt. There
is no likeness at all. Very odd. But one never
(13:36):
does form a just idea of anybody beforehand. One takes
up a notion and runs away with it. Mister Dixon,
you say, is not strictly speaking handsome, handsome, Oh no,
far from it. Certainly plain. I told you he was plain,
My dear you said that Miss Campbell would not allow
him to be plain, and that you yourself. Oh As
(13:58):
for me, my judgment is wor nothing. Where I have
a regard, I always think a person well looking. But
I gave what I believed the general opinion when I
called him plain. Well, my dear Jane, I believe we
must be running away. The weather does not look well,
and Grandmamma will be uneasy. You are too obliging, my
(14:19):
dear miss Woodhouse, But we really must take leave. This
has been a most agreeable piece of news. Indeed, I
shall just go round by missus Cole's but I shall
not stop three minutes, and Jane, you had better go
home directly. I would not have you out in a shower.
We think she is the better for Highbury already, thank you,
we do. Indeed I shall not attempt calling on missus Goddard,
(14:40):
for I really do not think she cares for anything
but boiled pork. When we dress, the leg will be
another thing. Good morning to you, my dear sir. Oh,
mister Knightley is coming too. Why that is so very
I am sure if Jane is tired, you will be
so kind as to give her your arm. Mister Elton
and miss Hawkins, good morning to you. Emma alone with
(15:02):
her father, had half her attention wanted by him, while
he lamented that young people would be in such a
hurry to marry, and to marry strangers too, And the
other half she could give to her own view of
the subject. It was to herself an amusing and a
very welcome piece of news, as proving that mister Elton
could not have suffered long. But she was sorry for Harriet.
(15:23):
Harriet must feel it, and all that she could hope
was by giving the first information herself to save her
from hearing it. Abruptly from others. It was now about
the time that she was likely to call if she
were to meet Miss Bates in her way, and upon
its beginning to rain, Emma was obliged to expect that
the weather would be detaining her at Missus Goddard's, and
that the intelligence would undoubtedly rush upon her without preparation.
(15:48):
The shower was heavy but short, and it had not
been over five minutes when in came Harriet with just
the heated, agitated look which, hurrying thither with a full heart,
was likely to give. And oh, miss Woodhouse, what do
you think has happened? Which instantly burst forth had all
the evidence of corresponding perturbation. As the blow was given,
(16:11):
Emma felt that she could not show greater kindness than
in listening, and Harriet, unchecked ran eagerly through what she
had to tell. She had set out from Missus Goddard's
half an hour ago. She had been afraid it would rain.
She had been afraid it would pour down every moment,
but she thought she might get to Hartfield first. She
had hurried on as fast as possible, but then she
(16:31):
was passing by the house where a young woman was
making up a gown for her. She thought she would
just step in and see how it went on, And
though she did not seem to stay half a moment there,
soon after she came out, it began to rain, and
she did not know what to do, so she ran
on directly as fast as she could, and took shelter.
At Ford's. Fords was the principal Woolen Draper, Linen Draper
(16:51):
and Haberdasher's shop united the sharp first in size and
fashion in the place. And so there she had set
without an idea of anything in the world. Fall ten
minutes perhaps, when all of a sudden, who should come in?
To be sure? It was so very odd, but they
always dealt at Ford's who should come in? But Elizabeth
Martin and her brother, dear miss Woodhouse only think. I
(17:15):
thought I should have fainted. I did not know what
to do. I was sitting near the door. Elizabeth saw
me directly, but he did not. He was busy with
the umbrella. I am sure she saw me, but she
looked away directly and took no notice. And they both
went to quite the farther end of the shop. And
I kept sitting near the door. Oh, Dear, I was
(17:36):
so miserable. I am sure I must have been as
white as my gown. I could not go away, you know,
because of the rain. But I did so wish myself
anywhere in the world. But there, oh, dear miss Woodhouse. Well,
at last, I fancy he looked round and saw me,
for instead of going on with her buyings, they began
whispering to one another. I am sure they were talking
of me, and I could not help thinking that he
(17:57):
was persuading her to speak to me. Do you think
he was, Miss Woodhouse? For presently she came forward, came
quite up to me, and asked how I did, and
seemed ready to shake hands if I would. She did
not do any of it in the same way that
she used. I could see that she was altered, But however,
she seemed to try to be quite friendly, and we
shook hands and stood talking some time. But I know
(18:18):
no more what I said. I was in such a tremble,
and I remember she said she was sorry we never
met now, which I thought almost too kind, Dear Miss Woodhouse.
I was absolutely miserable. By that time. It was beginning
to hold up, and I was determined that nothing should
stop me from getting away, and then only think I
(18:38):
found he was coming up towards me too slowly, you know,
and as if he did not quite know what to do.
And so he came and spoke and I answered, and
I stood for a minute feeling dreadfully. You know, one
can't tell how. And then I took courage and said
it did not rain, and I must go. And so
off I sat, and I had not got three yards
from the door when he came after me, only to
(19:00):
say if I was going to Hartfield, he thought I
had much better go round by mister Cole's stables, for
I should find the near way. Quite floated by this rain,
Oh dear, I thought it would have been the death
of me. So I said, I was very much obliged
to him, you know, I could not do less. And
then he went back to Elizabeth, and I came round
by the stables. I believe I did, but I hardly
(19:22):
knew where I was or anything about it. Oh, miss Woodhouse,
I would rather done anything that have it happened. And yet,
you know, there was a sort of satisfaction in seeing
him behave so pleasantly and so kindly. And Elizabeth too,
Oh miss Woodhouse, do talk to me and make me
comfortable again. Very sincerely did Emma wish to do so,
(19:44):
but it was not immediately in her power. She was
obliged to stop and think. She was not thoroughly comfortable herself.
The young man's conduct and his sister's seemed the result
of real feeling, and she could not but pity them.
As Harriet described it, there had been an interesting mixture
of wounded affection and genuine delicacy in their behavior. But
(20:05):
she had believed them to be well meaning, worthy people before.
And what difference did this make in the evils of
the connection. It was folly to be disturbed by it.
Of course, he must be sorry to lose her. They
must all be sorry. Ambition, as well as love, had
probably been mortified. They might all have hoped to rise
by Harriet's acquaintance. And besides, what was the value of
(20:26):
Harriet's description, So easily pleased, so little discerning what signified
her praise. She exerted herself and did try to make
her comfortable by considering all that had passed as a
mere trifle and quite unworthy of being dwelt on. It
might be distressing for the moment, said she, But you
seem to have behaved extremely well, and it is over
(20:48):
and may never can never as a first meeting occur again,
And therefore you need not think about it, Harriet said,
very true, and she would not think about it. But
still she talked of it. Still she could talk of
nothing else. And Emma, at last, in order to put
the Martins out of her head, was obliged to hurry
(21:09):
on the news which she had meant to give with
so much tender caution, hardly knowing herself whether to rejoice
or be angry, ashamed, or only amused at such a
state of mind in poor Harriet. Such a conclusion of
mister Elton's importance with her. Mister Elton's rites, however, gradually revived,
Though she did not feel the first intelligence as she
(21:29):
might have done the day before or an hour before,
its interest soon increased, and before their first conversation was over,
she had talked herself into all the sensations of curiosity,
wonder and regret, pain and pleasure as to this fortune
a miss Hawkins, which could conduce to place the Martins
under proper subordination in her fancy. Emma learned to be
(21:51):
rather glad that there had been such a meeting. It
had been serviceable in deadening the first shock, without retaining
any influence to alarm. As Harriet now lived, the Martins
could not get at her without seeking her where hitherto
they had wanted either the courage or the condescension to
seek her, For since the refusal of the brother the
sisters never had been at Missus Goddard's, and a twelvemonth
(22:12):
might pass without their being thrown together again, with any
necessity or even any power of speech. End of Chapter
three
Volume two, Chapter three. Emma could not forgive her, but
as neither provocation nor resentment were discerned by mister Knightley,
who had been of the party and had seen only
proper attention and pleasing behavior on each side. He was
expressing the next morning, being at Hartfield again on business
(00:21):
with mister Woodhouse, his approbation of the whole, not so
openly as he might have done had her father been
out of the room, but speaking plain enough to be
very intelligible to Emma. He had been used to think
her unjust to Jane, and had now great pleasure in
marking and improvement. A very pleasant evening, he began, as
(00:42):
soon as mister Woodhouse had been talked into what was necessary,
told that he understood, and the papers swept away particularly pleasant.
You and miss Fairfax gave us some very good music.
I do not know a more luxurious state, Sir, than
sitting at one's ease, to be entertained a whole evening
by two such young women, sometimes with music and sometimes
(01:05):
with conversation. I am sure Miss Fairfax must have found
the evening pleasant. Emma, you left nothing undone. I was
glad you made her play so much for having no
instrument at her grandmother's it must have been a real indulgence.
I am happy you approved, said Emma, smiling. But I
hope I am not often deficient in what is due
(01:27):
to guests at Hartfield. No, my dear, said her father,
instantly that I am sure you are not. There is
nobody half so attentive and civil as you are. If anything,
you are too attentive. The muffin last night, if it
had been handed round once, I think it would have
been enough. No, said mister Knightley nearly. At the same time,
(01:52):
you are not often deficient, not often deficient, either in
manner or comprehension. I think you understand me. Therefore, an
arch look expressed I understand you well enough, But she said,
only miss Fairfax is reserved. I always told you she
(02:12):
was a little But you will soon overcome all that
part of her reserve which ought to be overcome. All
that has its foundation and diffidence. What arises from discretion
must be honored. You think her diffident. I do not
see it, my dear, Emma, said, he moving from his
(02:33):
chair into one close by her. You are not going
to tell me, I hope that you had not a
pleasant evening. Oh no, I was pleased with my own
perseverance in asking questions, and amused to think how little
information I obtained. I am disappointed, was his only answer.
(02:54):
I hope everybody had a pleasant evening, said mister Woodhouse
in his quiet way. I had. Once I felt the
fire rather too much, but then I moved back my
chair a little, a very little, and it did not
disturb me. Miss Bates was very chatty and good humored,
as she always is, though she speaks rather too quick. However,
(03:18):
she is very agreeable, and missus Bates too in a
different way. I like old friends. And Miss Jane Fairfax
is a very pretty sort of young lady, A very
pretty and a very well behaved young lady. Indeed, she
must have found the evening agreeable, Mister Knightley because she
had Emma, true, Sir, and Emma because she had Miss Fairfax.
(03:43):
Emma saw his anxiety and wishing to appease it at
least for the present, said and with a sincerity which
no one could question. She is a sort of elegant
creature that one cannot keep one's eyes from. I am
always watching her to admire, and I do pity her
from my heart. Mister Knightley looked as if he were
(04:04):
more gratified than he cared to express, and before he
could make any reply, mister Woodhouse, whose thoughts were on
the Bates's, said, it is a great pity that their
circumstances should be so confined. A great pity, indeed, and
I have often wished, but it is so little one
can venture to do, small trifling presents of anything uncommon.
(04:28):
Now we have killed a porker, and Emma thinks of
sending them a loin or a leg. It is very
small and delicate, Hartfield pork is not like any other pork,
but still it is pork, and my dear Emma, unless
one could be sure of their making it into steaks
nicely fried as ours are, fried without the smallest grease,
(04:50):
and not roasted, for no stomach can bear roast pork.
I think we had better send the leg, do not
you think so? My dear, my dear Papa. I sent
the whole hind quarter. I knew you would wish it.
There will be the leg to be salted, you know,
which is so very nice, and the loin to be
(05:10):
dressed directly in any manner they like that's right, my dear,
very right. I had not thought of it before, but
that is the best way. They must not over salt
the leg. And then if it is not over salted,
and if it is very thoroughly boiled, just as searle
(05:31):
boils are is and eaten very moderately of with a
boiled turnip and a little carrot or parsnip, I do
not consider it unwholesome, Emma, said mister Knightley. Presently, I
have a piece of news for you. You like news,
And I heard an article in my way hither that
I think will interest you news. Oh yes, I always
(05:54):
like news. What is it? Why do you smile? So
where did you hear? Hear it? At Randal's? He had
time only to say, no, not at Randal's. I have
not been near Randal's. When the door was thrown open,
and Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax walked into the room,
full of thanks and full of news. Miss Bates knew
(06:16):
not which to give quickest. Mister Knightley soon saw that
he had lost his moment, and that not another syllable
of communication could rest with him. Oh, my dear sir,
how are you this morning? My dear miss Woodhouse, I
am quite overpowered such a beautiful hind quarter of pork.
You are too bountiful. Have you had the news mister
(06:39):
Elton is going to be married? Emma had not had
time even to think of mister Elton, and she was
so completely surprised that she could not avoid a little
start and a little blush at the sound. There is
my news. I thought it would interest you, said mister Knightley,
with a smile which implied a conviction of some part
of what had passed between them. But where could you
(07:02):
hear it, cried miss Bates. Where could you possibly hear it,
mister Knightley, For it is not five minutes since I
received missus Cole's note. No, it cannot be more than five,
or at least ten, for I had got my bonnet
and spencer on just ready to come out. I was
only gone down to speak to Patty again about the pork.
Jane was standing in the passage. We're not you, Jane,
(07:23):
for my mother was so afraid that we had not
any salting pan large enough. So I said I would
go down and see, and Jane said, shall I go
down instead? For I think you have a little cold
and Patty has been washing the kitchen, Oh, my dear,
said I. Well, and just then came the note a
miss Hawkins. That's all I know, a miss Hawkins of Bath.
(07:44):
But mister Knightley, how could you possibly have heard it?
For the very moment mister Cole told missus Cole of it,
she sat down and wrote to me, a miss Hawkins.
I was with mister Cole on business an hour and
a half ago. He had just read Elton's letter as
I was shown in, and handed it to me directly. Well,
that is quite I suppose there was never a piece
(08:07):
of news more generally interesting. My dear sir, you really
are too bountiful. My mother desires her very best compliments
and regards and a thousand thanks, and says you really
quite press her. We consider our Hartfield pork, replied mister Woodhouse. Indeed,
it certainly is so very superior to all other pork
(08:29):
that Emma and I cannot have a greater pleasure than. Oh,
my dear sir, as my mother says, our friends are
only too good to us. If ever, there were people who,
without having great wealth themselves, had everything they could wish for,
I am sure it is us. We may well say
that our lot is cast in a goodly heritage. Well,
mister Knightley, and so you actually saw the letter, Well
(08:53):
it was short, merely to announce, but cheerful, exulting. Of course,
here was a sly glance at Emma. He had been
so fortunate as to I forget the precise words. One
has no business to remember them. The information was, as
you stay, that he was going to be married to
a Miss Hawkins. By his style, I should imagine it
(09:15):
just settled. Mister Elton going to be married, said Emma,
as soon as she could speak. He will have everybody's
wishes for his happiness. He is very young to settle,
was mister Woodhouse's observation. He had better not be in
a hurry. He seemed to me very well off as
he was. We were always glad to see him at Hartfield,
(09:39):
a new neighbor for us, or Miss Woodhouse, said Miss
Bates joyfully. My mother is so pleased, she says she
cannot bear to have the poor old vicarage without a mistress.
This is great news. Indeed, Jane, you have never seen
mister Elton. No wonder that you have such a curiosity
to see him Jane's curiosity did not appear of that
(10:00):
absorbing nature as wholly to occupy her. No, I have
never seen mister Elton, she replied, starting on this appeal.
Is he Is he a tall man? Who shall answer
that question? Cried Emma. My father would say yes, mister Knightley. No,
and Miss Bates and I that he is just the
(10:20):
happy medium. When you have been here a little longer,
Miss Fairfax, you will understand that mister Elton is the
standard of perfection in Highbury, both in person and mind.
Very true, Miss Woodhouse, so she will. He is the
very best young man. But my dear Jane, if you
remember I told you yesterday, he was precisely the height
of mister Perry, Miss Hawkins, I daresay an excellent young woman.
(10:46):
His extreme attention to my mother wanting her to sit
in the vicarage pew that she might hear the better,
for my mother is a little deaf. You know it
is not much, but she does not hear quite quick.
Jane says that Colonel Campbell is a little deaf. He
fancied bathing might be good for it, the warm bath,
but she says it did him no lasting benefit. Colonel Campbell,
(11:06):
you know, is quite our angel, and mister Dixon seems
a very charming young man, quite worthy of him. It
is such a happiness when good people get together, and
they always do. Now here will be mister Elton and
miss Hawkins, and there are the Coals, such very good people,
and the Perrys. I suppose there never was a happier,
a better couple than mister and missus Perry, I say, sir,
(11:28):
turning to mister Woodhouse, I think there are few places
with such society as Highbury. I always say, we are
quite blessed in our neighbors, My dear sir. If there
is one thing my mother loves better than another, it
is pork, a roast loin of pork. As to who
or what Miss Hawkins is, or how long he has
(11:48):
been acquainted with her, said Emma, nothing, I suppose can
be known. One feels that it cannot be a very
long acquaintance. He has been gone only four weeks. Nobody
had any information to give, And after a few more wonderings,
Emma said, you are silent, Miss Fairfax, but I hope
you mean to take an interest in this news. You
(12:09):
who have been hearing and seeing so much of late
on these subjects, who must have been so deep in
the business on Miss Campbell's account. We shall not excuse
your being indifferent about mister Elton and Miss Hawkins. When
I have seen mister Elton, replied Jane, I dare say
I shall be interested, but I believe it requires that
with me, And as it is some months since Miss
(12:31):
Campbell married, the impression may be a little worn off. Yes,
he has been gone just four weeks, as you observed,
Miss Woodhouse, said, Miss Bates, four weeks yesterday. Are Miss Hawkins? Well?
I had always rather fancied it would be some young
lady hereabouts, not that I ever missus Cole once whispered
to me, but I immediately said, no, mister Elton is
(12:53):
a most worthy young man. But in short, I do
not think I am particularly quick at those sorts of discoveries.
I do not pretend to it what is before me,
I see. At the same time, nobody could wonder if
mister Belton should have aspired. Miss Woodhouse lets me chatter
on so good humoredly. She knows I would not offend
for the world. How does Miss Smith do? She seems
(13:15):
quite recovered. Now have you heard from missus John Knightley lately,
Oh those dear little children, Jane, do you know I
always fancy mister Dixon quite like mister John Knightley. I
mean in person, tall and with that sort of look,
and not very talkative. Quite wrong, my dear aunt. There
is no likeness at all. Very odd. But one never
(13:36):
does form a just idea of anybody beforehand. One takes
up a notion and runs away with it. Mister Dixon,
you say, is not strictly speaking handsome, handsome, Oh no,
far from it. Certainly plain. I told you he was plain,
My dear you said that Miss Campbell would not allow
him to be plain, and that you yourself. Oh As
(13:58):
for me, my judgment is wor nothing. Where I have
a regard, I always think a person well looking. But
I gave what I believed the general opinion when I
called him plain. Well, my dear Jane, I believe we
must be running away. The weather does not look well,
and Grandmamma will be uneasy. You are too obliging, my
(14:19):
dear miss Woodhouse, But we really must take leave. This
has been a most agreeable piece of news. Indeed, I
shall just go round by missus Cole's but I shall
not stop three minutes, and Jane, you had better go
home directly. I would not have you out in a shower.
We think she is the better for Highbury already, thank you,
we do. Indeed I shall not attempt calling on missus Goddard,
(14:40):
for I really do not think she cares for anything
but boiled pork. When we dress, the leg will be
another thing. Good morning to you, my dear sir. Oh,
mister Knightley is coming too. Why that is so very
I am sure if Jane is tired, you will be
so kind as to give her your arm. Mister Elton
and miss Hawkins, good morning to you. Emma alone with
(15:02):
her father, had half her attention wanted by him, while
he lamented that young people would be in such a
hurry to marry, and to marry strangers too, And the
other half she could give to her own view of
the subject. It was to herself an amusing and a
very welcome piece of news, as proving that mister Elton
could not have suffered long. But she was sorry for Harriet.
(15:23):
Harriet must feel it, and all that she could hope
was by giving the first information herself to save her
from hearing it. Abruptly from others. It was now about
the time that she was likely to call if she
were to meet Miss Bates in her way, and upon
its beginning to rain, Emma was obliged to expect that
the weather would be detaining her at Missus Goddard's, and
that the intelligence would undoubtedly rush upon her without preparation.
(15:48):
The shower was heavy but short, and it had not
been over five minutes when in came Harriet with just
the heated, agitated look which, hurrying thither with a full heart,
was likely to give. And oh, miss Woodhouse, what do
you think has happened? Which instantly burst forth had all
the evidence of corresponding perturbation. As the blow was given,
(16:11):
Emma felt that she could not show greater kindness than
in listening, and Harriet, unchecked ran eagerly through what she
had to tell. She had set out from Missus Goddard's
half an hour ago. She had been afraid it would rain.
She had been afraid it would pour down every moment,
but she thought she might get to Hartfield first. She
had hurried on as fast as possible, but then she
(16:31):
was passing by the house where a young woman was
making up a gown for her. She thought she would
just step in and see how it went on, And
though she did not seem to stay half a moment there,
soon after she came out, it began to rain, and
she did not know what to do, so she ran
on directly as fast as she could, and took shelter.
At Ford's. Fords was the principal Woolen Draper, Linen Draper
(16:51):
and Haberdasher's shop united the sharp first in size and
fashion in the place. And so there she had set
without an idea of anything in the world. Fall ten
minutes perhaps, when all of a sudden, who should come in?
To be sure? It was so very odd, but they
always dealt at Ford's who should come in? But Elizabeth
Martin and her brother, dear miss Woodhouse only think. I
(17:15):
thought I should have fainted. I did not know what
to do. I was sitting near the door. Elizabeth saw
me directly, but he did not. He was busy with
the umbrella. I am sure she saw me, but she
looked away directly and took no notice. And they both
went to quite the farther end of the shop. And
I kept sitting near the door. Oh, Dear, I was
(17:36):
so miserable. I am sure I must have been as
white as my gown. I could not go away, you know,
because of the rain. But I did so wish myself
anywhere in the world. But there, oh, dear miss Woodhouse. Well,
at last, I fancy he looked round and saw me,
for instead of going on with her buyings, they began
whispering to one another. I am sure they were talking
of me, and I could not help thinking that he
(17:57):
was persuading her to speak to me. Do you think
he was, Miss Woodhouse? For presently she came forward, came
quite up to me, and asked how I did, and
seemed ready to shake hands if I would. She did
not do any of it in the same way that
she used. I could see that she was altered, But however,
she seemed to try to be quite friendly, and we
shook hands and stood talking some time. But I know
(18:18):
no more what I said. I was in such a tremble,
and I remember she said she was sorry we never
met now, which I thought almost too kind, Dear Miss Woodhouse.
I was absolutely miserable. By that time. It was beginning
to hold up, and I was determined that nothing should
stop me from getting away, and then only think I
(18:38):
found he was coming up towards me too slowly, you know,
and as if he did not quite know what to do.
And so he came and spoke and I answered, and
I stood for a minute feeling dreadfully. You know, one
can't tell how. And then I took courage and said
it did not rain, and I must go. And so
off I sat, and I had not got three yards
from the door when he came after me, only to
(19:00):
say if I was going to Hartfield, he thought I
had much better go round by mister Cole's stables, for
I should find the near way. Quite floated by this rain,
Oh dear, I thought it would have been the death
of me. So I said, I was very much obliged
to him, you know, I could not do less. And
then he went back to Elizabeth, and I came round
by the stables. I believe I did, but I hardly
(19:22):
knew where I was or anything about it. Oh, miss Woodhouse,
I would rather done anything that have it happened. And yet,
you know, there was a sort of satisfaction in seeing
him behave so pleasantly and so kindly. And Elizabeth too,
Oh miss Woodhouse, do talk to me and make me
comfortable again. Very sincerely did Emma wish to do so,
(19:44):
but it was not immediately in her power. She was
obliged to stop and think. She was not thoroughly comfortable herself.
The young man's conduct and his sister's seemed the result
of real feeling, and she could not but pity them.
As Harriet described it, there had been an interesting mixture
of wounded affection and genuine delicacy in their behavior. But
(20:05):
she had believed them to be well meaning, worthy people before.
And what difference did this make in the evils of
the connection. It was folly to be disturbed by it.
Of course, he must be sorry to lose her. They
must all be sorry. Ambition, as well as love, had
probably been mortified. They might all have hoped to rise
by Harriet's acquaintance. And besides, what was the value of
(20:26):
Harriet's description, So easily pleased, so little discerning what signified
her praise. She exerted herself and did try to make
her comfortable by considering all that had passed as a
mere trifle and quite unworthy of being dwelt on. It
might be distressing for the moment, said she, But you
seem to have behaved extremely well, and it is over
(20:48):
and may never can never as a first meeting occur again,
And therefore you need not think about it, Harriet said,
very true, and she would not think about it. But
still she talked of it. Still she could talk of
nothing else. And Emma, at last, in order to put
the Martins out of her head, was obliged to hurry
(21:09):
on the news which she had meant to give with
so much tender caution, hardly knowing herself whether to rejoice
or be angry, ashamed, or only amused at such a
state of mind in poor Harriet. Such a conclusion of
mister Elton's importance with her. Mister Elton's rites, however, gradually revived,
Though she did not feel the first intelligence as she
(21:29):
might have done the day before or an hour before,
its interest soon increased, and before their first conversation was over,
she had talked herself into all the sensations of curiosity,
wonder and regret, pain and pleasure as to this fortune
a miss Hawkins, which could conduce to place the Martins
under proper subordination in her fancy. Emma learned to be
(21:51):
rather glad that there had been such a meeting. It
had been serviceable in deadening the first shock, without retaining
any influence to alarm. As Harriet now lived, the Martins
could not get at her without seeking her where hitherto
they had wanted either the courage or the condescension to
seek her, For since the refusal of the brother the
sisters never had been at Missus Goddard's, and a twelvemonth
(22:12):
might pass without their being thrown together again, with any
necessity or even any power of speech. End of Chapter
three
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