August 18, 2025 • 12 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Volume two, Chapter seven. Emma's very good opinion of Frank
Churchill was a little shaken the following day by hearing
that he was gone off to London merely to have
his hair cut. A sudden freak seemed to have seized
him at breakfast, and he had sent for a chaise
and set off, intending to return to dinner, but with
no more important view that appeared than having his hair cut.
(00:23):
There was certainly no harm in his traveling sixteen miles
twice over on such an errand, but there was an
air of foppery and nonsense in it which she could
not approve. It did not accord with the rationality of plan,
the moderation and expense, or even the unselfish warmth of
heart which she had believed herself to discern in him yesterday. Vanity, extravagance,
(00:43):
love of change, restlessness of temper, which must be doing
something good or bad, heedlessness as to the pleasure of
his father, and Missus Weston, indifferent as to how his
conduct might appear. In general, he became liable to all
these charges. His father only called him a Oxcombe and
thought it a very good story. But that Missus Weston
did not like. It was clear enough by her passing
(01:06):
it over as quickly as possible, and making no other
comment than that all young people would have their little whims.
With the exception of this little blot, Emma found that
his visit hitherto had given her friend only good ideas
of him. Missus Weston was very ready to say, how
attentive and pleasant a companion he made himself, how much
she sought alike in his disposition. Altogether, he appeared to
(01:29):
have a very open temper, certainly a very cheerful and
lively one. She could observe nothing wrong in his notions,
a great deal decidedly right. He spoke of his uncle
with warm regard, was fond of talking to him, said
that he would be the best man in the world
if he were left to himself. And though there was
no being attached to the aunt, he acknowledged her kindness
with gratitude, and seemed to mean always to speak of
(01:52):
her with respect. This was all very promising, And but
for such an unfortunate fancy for his having his hair cut,
there was nothing to denote him unworthy of the distinguished
honor which her imagination had given him. The honor if
not of being really in love with her, of being
at least very near it, and saved only by her
own indifference. For still her resolution held of never marrying
(02:14):
the honor in short of being marked out for her
by all their joint acquaintance. Mister Weston, on his side,
added a virtue to the account which must have some weight.
He gave her to understand that Frank admired her extremely,
thought her very beautiful and very charming, and with so
much to be said for him. Altogether, she found she
must not judge him harshly. As missus Western observed, all
(02:37):
young people would have the little whims. There was one
person among his new acquaintance in Surrey not so leniently disposed.
In general, he was judged throughout the parishes of Donwell
and Highbury with great candor. Liberal allowances were made for
the little excesses of such a handsome young man, one
who smiled so often and bowed so well. But there
(02:57):
was one spirit among them not to be softened from
its power of censure by bows or smiles. Mister Knightley.
The circumstance was told him at Hartfield. For the moment
he was silent, but Emma heard him. Almost immediately afterwards,
say to himself over a newspaper he held in his hand,
hump just the trifling silly fellow. I took him for.
(03:20):
She had half a mind to resent, but an instant's
observation convinced her that it was really said only to
relieve his own feelings and not meant to provoke, and
therefore she let it pass. Although in one instance the
bearers of not good tidings, mister and Missus Weston's visit
this morning was in another respect particularly opportune. Something occurred
while they were at Hartfield to make Emma want their advice,
(03:42):
and which was still more lucky, she wanted exactly the
advice they gave. This was the occurrence. The Coals had
been settled some years in Highbury and were very good
sort of people, friendly, liberal and unpretending. But on the
other hand they were of low origin in trade and
only utterly genteel. On their first coming into the country,
(04:03):
they had lived in proportion to their income, quietly, keeping
little company and that little unexpensively, but the last year
or two had brought them a considerable increase of means.
The house in town had yielded greater profits and fortune
in general had smiled on them. With their wealth, their
views increased, their want of a larger house, their inclination
(04:23):
for more company. They added to their house, to their
number of servants, to their expenses of every sort, and
by this time were in fortune and style of living
second only to the family at Hartfield. Their love of
society and their new dining room prepared everybody for their keeping. Dinner,
company and a few parties, chiefly among the single men,
had already taken place the regular and best families. Emma
(04:47):
could hardly suppose they would presume to invite neither Donwell,
nor Hartfield nor Randall's. Nothing should tempt her to go
if they did, and she regretted that her father's known
habits would be giving her refusal less meaning than she
could wish. The Coals were very respectable in their way,
but they ought to be taught that it was not
for them to arrange the terms on which the superior
families would visit them. This lesson, she very much feared
(05:10):
they would receive only from herself. She had little hope
of mister Knightley, none of mister Weston, but she had
made up her mind how to meet this presumption so
many weeks before, it appeared that when the insult came
at last, it found her very differently affected. Don Well
and Randalls had received their invitation, and none had come
for her father and herself, and Missus Weston's accounting for it,
(05:31):
with I suppose they will not take the liberty with you.
They know you do not dine out was not quite sufficient.
She felt that she should like to have had the
power of refusal, And afterwards, as the idea of the
party to be assembled there, consisting precisely of those whose
society was dearest to her, occurred again and again, she
did not know that she might not have been tempted
(05:51):
to accept. Harriet was to be there in the evening,
and the Bateses They had been speaking of it as
they walked about Highbury the day before, and Frank Churchill
most earnestly lamented her absence. Might not the evening end
in a dance had been a question of his, The
bare possibility of it acted as a farther irritation on
her spirits, and her being left in solitary grandeur. Even
(06:12):
supposing the omission to be intended as a compliment was
but poor comfort. It was the arrival of this very
invitation while the Westons were at Hartfield, which made their
presence so acceptable, For though her first remark on reading
it was that, of course it must be declined, she
so very soon proceeded to ask them what they advised
her to do, that their advice for her going was
(06:33):
most prompt and successful. She owned that, considering everything, she
was not absolutely without inclination for the party. The Coals
expressed themselves so properly. There was so much real attention
in the manner of it, so much consideration for her father.
They would have solicited the honor earlier, but had been
waiting upon the arrival of a folding screen from London,
(06:54):
which they hoped might keep mister Woodhouse from any draft
of air, and therefore induce him the more readily to
give them the honor of his company. Upon the whole
she was very persuadable, and it being briefly settled among
themselves how it might be done without neglecting his comfort.
How certainly Missus Goddard, if not Missus Bates, might be
depended on for bearing him company. Mister Woodhouse was to
(07:14):
be talked into an acquiescence of his daughter's going out
to dinner on a day now near at hand, and
spending the whole evening away from him. As for his going,
Emma did not wish him to think it possible. The
hours would be too late and the party too numerous.
He was soon pretty well resigned. I am not fond
of dinner visiting, said he. I never was no more
(07:35):
is Emma late hours do not agree with us. I
am sorry mister and missus Cole should have done it.
I think it would be much better if they would
come in one afternoon next summer and take their tea
with us, take us in their afternoon walk, which they
might do as our hours are so reasonable, and yet
get home without being out in the damp of the evening.
The dews of a summer evening are what I would
(07:57):
not expose anybody to. However, as they are so very
desirous to have dear Emma dine with them, and as
you will both be there, and mister Knightley too to
take care of her, I cannot wish to prevent it,
provided the weather be what it taught, neither damp nor
cold nor windy. Then turning to missus Weston with a
look of gentle reproach, ah, miss Taylor. If you had
(08:20):
not married, you would have stayed at home with me. Well, sir,
cried mister Weston, as I took miss Taylor away. It
is incumbent on me to supply her place if I can,
And I will step to Missus Goddard's in a moment,
if you wish it. But the idea of anything to
be done in a moment was increasing, not lessening mister
Woodhouse's agitation. The ladies knew better how to allay it.
(08:43):
Mister Weston must be quiet, and everything deliberately arranged. With
this treatment, mister Woodhouse was soon composed enough for talking
as usual. He should be happy to see Missus Goddard.
He had a great regard for Missus Goddard, and Emma
should write a line and invite her. James could take
the note. But first of all there must be an
answer written to missus Cole. You will make excuses, my dear,
(09:07):
as civilly as possible. You will say that I am
quite an invalid and go nowhere, and therefore must decline
their obliging invitation, beginning with my compliments, of course, But
you will do everything right. I need not tell you
what is to be done. We must remember to let
James know that the carriage will be wanted on Tuesday.
I shall have no fears for you with him. We
(09:28):
have never been there above once since the new approach
was made. But still I have no doubt that James
will take you very safely. And when you get there,
you must tell him at what time you would have
him come for you again, And you had better name
an early hour. You will not like staying late. You
will get very tired when tear is over. But you
would not wish me to come away before I am tired, Papa,
(09:51):
Oh no, my love, but you will soon be tired.
There will be a great many people talking at once.
You will not like the noise. But my dear sir,
cried mister Western. If Emma comes away too early, it
will be breaking up the party, and no great harm
if it does, said mister Woodhouse. The sooner every party
breaks up, the better. But you do not consider how
(10:15):
it may appear to the coals. Emma's going away directly
after tea might be giving offense. They are good natured
people and think little of their own claims, but still
they must feel that anybody's hurrying away is no great compliment,
and miss Woodhouse is doing it would be more thought
of than any other persons in the room. He would
not wish to disappoint and mortify the coals. I am sure, sir,
(10:35):
friendly good sort of people has ever lived, and who
have been your neighbors these ten years. Oh, no, upon
no account in the world, mister Weston, I am much
obliged to you for reminding me. I should be extremely
sorry to be giving them any pain. I know what
worthy people they are. Perry tells me that mister Cole
never touches walt liquor. You would not think it to
(10:56):
look at him, but he is bilious. Mister Cole is
very bilious. No, I would not be the means of
giving them any pain, My dear Emma, we must consider this.
I am sure, rather than run the risk of hurting
mister and missus Cole, you would stay a little longer
than you might wish. You will not regard being tired.
You will be perfectly safe, you know among your friends.
(11:18):
Oh yes, Papa, I have no fears at all for myself,
and I should have no scruples of staying as late
as missus Weston. But on your account, I am only
afraid of your sitting up for me. I am not
afraid of your being extremely comfortable with Missus Goddard. She
loves Piquet, you know. But when she is gone home,
I am afraid you'll be sitting up by yourself instead
of going to bed at your usual time, and the
(11:40):
idea of that would entirely destroy my comfort. He must
promise me not to sit up. He did, on the
condition of some promises on her side, such as that
if she came home cold, she would be sure to
warm herself thoroughly. If hungry, that she would take something
to eat, that her own maid should sit up for her,
and that Sarl and the butler should see that everything
(12:00):
was safe in the house as usual. End of chapter
seven
Volume two, Chapter seven. Emma's very good opinion of Frank
Churchill was a little shaken the following day by hearing
that he was gone off to London merely to have
his hair cut. A sudden freak seemed to have seized
him at breakfast, and he had sent for a chaise
and set off, intending to return to dinner, but with
no more important view that appeared than having his hair cut.
(00:23):
There was certainly no harm in his traveling sixteen miles
twice over on such an errand, but there was an
air of foppery and nonsense in it which she could
not approve. It did not accord with the rationality of plan,
the moderation and expense, or even the unselfish warmth of
heart which she had believed herself to discern in him yesterday. Vanity, extravagance,
(00:43):
love of change, restlessness of temper, which must be doing
something good or bad, heedlessness as to the pleasure of
his father, and Missus Weston, indifferent as to how his
conduct might appear. In general, he became liable to all
these charges. His father only called him a Oxcombe and
thought it a very good story. But that Missus Weston
did not like. It was clear enough by her passing
(01:06):
it over as quickly as possible, and making no other
comment than that all young people would have their little whims.
With the exception of this little blot, Emma found that
his visit hitherto had given her friend only good ideas
of him. Missus Weston was very ready to say, how
attentive and pleasant a companion he made himself, how much
she sought alike in his disposition. Altogether, he appeared to
(01:29):
have a very open temper, certainly a very cheerful and
lively one. She could observe nothing wrong in his notions,
a great deal decidedly right. He spoke of his uncle
with warm regard, was fond of talking to him, said
that he would be the best man in the world
if he were left to himself. And though there was
no being attached to the aunt, he acknowledged her kindness
with gratitude, and seemed to mean always to speak of
(01:52):
her with respect. This was all very promising, And but
for such an unfortunate fancy for his having his hair cut,
there was nothing to denote him unworthy of the distinguished
honor which her imagination had given him. The honor if
not of being really in love with her, of being
at least very near it, and saved only by her
own indifference. For still her resolution held of never marrying
(02:14):
the honor in short of being marked out for her
by all their joint acquaintance. Mister Weston, on his side,
added a virtue to the account which must have some weight.
He gave her to understand that Frank admired her extremely,
thought her very beautiful and very charming, and with so
much to be said for him. Altogether, she found she
must not judge him harshly. As missus Western observed, all
(02:37):
young people would have the little whims. There was one
person among his new acquaintance in Surrey not so leniently disposed.
In general, he was judged throughout the parishes of Donwell
and Highbury with great candor. Liberal allowances were made for
the little excesses of such a handsome young man, one
who smiled so often and bowed so well. But there
(02:57):
was one spirit among them not to be softened from
its power of censure by bows or smiles. Mister Knightley.
The circumstance was told him at Hartfield. For the moment
he was silent, but Emma heard him. Almost immediately afterwards,
say to himself over a newspaper he held in his hand,
hump just the trifling silly fellow. I took him for.
(03:20):
She had half a mind to resent, but an instant's
observation convinced her that it was really said only to
relieve his own feelings and not meant to provoke, and
therefore she let it pass. Although in one instance the
bearers of not good tidings, mister and Missus Weston's visit
this morning was in another respect particularly opportune. Something occurred
while they were at Hartfield to make Emma want their advice,
(03:42):
and which was still more lucky, she wanted exactly the
advice they gave. This was the occurrence. The Coals had
been settled some years in Highbury and were very good
sort of people, friendly, liberal and unpretending. But on the
other hand they were of low origin in trade and
only utterly genteel. On their first coming into the country,
(04:03):
they had lived in proportion to their income, quietly, keeping
little company and that little unexpensively, but the last year
or two had brought them a considerable increase of means.
The house in town had yielded greater profits and fortune
in general had smiled on them. With their wealth, their
views increased, their want of a larger house, their inclination
(04:23):
for more company. They added to their house, to their
number of servants, to their expenses of every sort, and
by this time were in fortune and style of living
second only to the family at Hartfield. Their love of
society and their new dining room prepared everybody for their keeping. Dinner,
company and a few parties, chiefly among the single men,
had already taken place the regular and best families. Emma
(04:47):
could hardly suppose they would presume to invite neither Donwell,
nor Hartfield nor Randall's. Nothing should tempt her to go
if they did, and she regretted that her father's known
habits would be giving her refusal less meaning than she
could wish. The Coals were very respectable in their way,
but they ought to be taught that it was not
for them to arrange the terms on which the superior
families would visit them. This lesson, she very much feared
(05:10):
they would receive only from herself. She had little hope
of mister Knightley, none of mister Weston, but she had
made up her mind how to meet this presumption so
many weeks before, it appeared that when the insult came
at last, it found her very differently affected. Don Well
and Randalls had received their invitation, and none had come
for her father and herself, and Missus Weston's accounting for it,
(05:31):
with I suppose they will not take the liberty with you.
They know you do not dine out was not quite sufficient.
She felt that she should like to have had the
power of refusal, And afterwards, as the idea of the
party to be assembled there, consisting precisely of those whose
society was dearest to her, occurred again and again, she
did not know that she might not have been tempted
(05:51):
to accept. Harriet was to be there in the evening,
and the Bateses They had been speaking of it as
they walked about Highbury the day before, and Frank Churchill
most earnestly lamented her absence. Might not the evening end
in a dance had been a question of his, The
bare possibility of it acted as a farther irritation on
her spirits, and her being left in solitary grandeur. Even
(06:12):
supposing the omission to be intended as a compliment was
but poor comfort. It was the arrival of this very
invitation while the Westons were at Hartfield, which made their
presence so acceptable, For though her first remark on reading
it was that, of course it must be declined, she
so very soon proceeded to ask them what they advised
her to do, that their advice for her going was
(06:33):
most prompt and successful. She owned that, considering everything, she
was not absolutely without inclination for the party. The Coals
expressed themselves so properly. There was so much real attention
in the manner of it, so much consideration for her father.
They would have solicited the honor earlier, but had been
waiting upon the arrival of a folding screen from London,
(06:54):
which they hoped might keep mister Woodhouse from any draft
of air, and therefore induce him the more readily to
give them the honor of his company. Upon the whole
she was very persuadable, and it being briefly settled among
themselves how it might be done without neglecting his comfort.
How certainly Missus Goddard, if not Missus Bates, might be
depended on for bearing him company. Mister Woodhouse was to
(07:14):
be talked into an acquiescence of his daughter's going out
to dinner on a day now near at hand, and
spending the whole evening away from him. As for his going,
Emma did not wish him to think it possible. The
hours would be too late and the party too numerous.
He was soon pretty well resigned. I am not fond
of dinner visiting, said he. I never was no more
(07:35):
is Emma late hours do not agree with us. I
am sorry mister and missus Cole should have done it.
I think it would be much better if they would
come in one afternoon next summer and take their tea
with us, take us in their afternoon walk, which they
might do as our hours are so reasonable, and yet
get home without being out in the damp of the evening.
The dews of a summer evening are what I would
(07:57):
not expose anybody to. However, as they are so very
desirous to have dear Emma dine with them, and as
you will both be there, and mister Knightley too to
take care of her, I cannot wish to prevent it,
provided the weather be what it taught, neither damp nor
cold nor windy. Then turning to missus Weston with a
look of gentle reproach, ah, miss Taylor. If you had
(08:20):
not married, you would have stayed at home with me. Well, sir,
cried mister Weston, as I took miss Taylor away. It
is incumbent on me to supply her place if I can,
And I will step to Missus Goddard's in a moment,
if you wish it. But the idea of anything to
be done in a moment was increasing, not lessening mister
Woodhouse's agitation. The ladies knew better how to allay it.
(08:43):
Mister Weston must be quiet, and everything deliberately arranged. With
this treatment, mister Woodhouse was soon composed enough for talking
as usual. He should be happy to see Missus Goddard.
He had a great regard for Missus Goddard, and Emma
should write a line and invite her. James could take
the note. But first of all there must be an
answer written to missus Cole. You will make excuses, my dear,
(09:07):
as civilly as possible. You will say that I am
quite an invalid and go nowhere, and therefore must decline
their obliging invitation, beginning with my compliments, of course, But
you will do everything right. I need not tell you
what is to be done. We must remember to let
James know that the carriage will be wanted on Tuesday.
I shall have no fears for you with him. We
(09:28):
have never been there above once since the new approach
was made. But still I have no doubt that James
will take you very safely. And when you get there,
you must tell him at what time you would have
him come for you again, And you had better name
an early hour. You will not like staying late. You
will get very tired when tear is over. But you
would not wish me to come away before I am tired, Papa,
(09:51):
Oh no, my love, but you will soon be tired.
There will be a great many people talking at once.
You will not like the noise. But my dear sir,
cried mister Western. If Emma comes away too early, it
will be breaking up the party, and no great harm
if it does, said mister Woodhouse. The sooner every party
breaks up, the better. But you do not consider how
(10:15):
it may appear to the coals. Emma's going away directly
after tea might be giving offense. They are good natured
people and think little of their own claims, but still
they must feel that anybody's hurrying away is no great compliment,
and miss Woodhouse is doing it would be more thought
of than any other persons in the room. He would
not wish to disappoint and mortify the coals. I am sure, sir,
(10:35):
friendly good sort of people has ever lived, and who
have been your neighbors these ten years. Oh, no, upon
no account in the world, mister Weston, I am much
obliged to you for reminding me. I should be extremely
sorry to be giving them any pain. I know what
worthy people they are. Perry tells me that mister Cole
never touches walt liquor. You would not think it to
(10:56):
look at him, but he is bilious. Mister Cole is
very bilious. No, I would not be the means of
giving them any pain, My dear Emma, we must consider this.
I am sure, rather than run the risk of hurting
mister and missus Cole, you would stay a little longer
than you might wish. You will not regard being tired.
You will be perfectly safe, you know among your friends.
(11:18):
Oh yes, Papa, I have no fears at all for myself,
and I should have no scruples of staying as late
as missus Weston. But on your account, I am only
afraid of your sitting up for me. I am not
afraid of your being extremely comfortable with Missus Goddard. She
loves Piquet, you know. But when she is gone home,
I am afraid you'll be sitting up by yourself instead
of going to bed at your usual time, and the
(11:40):
idea of that would entirely destroy my comfort. He must
promise me not to sit up. He did, on the
condition of some promises on her side, such as that
if she came home cold, she would be sure to
warm herself thoroughly. If hungry, that she would take something
to eat, that her own maid should sit up for her,
and that Sarl and the butler should see that everything
(12:00):
was safe in the house as usual. End of chapter
seven
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