August 19, 2025 • 35 mins
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Volume two, Chapter eight. Frank Churchill came back again, and
if he kept his father's dinner waiting, it was not
known at Hartfield, for Missus Weston was too anxious for
his being a favorite with mister Woodhouse to betray any
imperfection which could be concealed. He came back, had had
his hair cut, and laughed at himself with a very
(00:22):
good grace, but without seeming really at all ashamed of
what he had done. He had no reason to wish
his hair longer to conceal any confusion of face, no
reason to wish the money unspent to improve his spirits.
He was quite as undaunted and as lively as ever,
And after seeing him, Emma thus moralized herself. I do
(00:44):
not know whether it ought to be so, but certainly
silly things do cease to be silly if they are
done by sensible people in an impudent way. Wickedness is
always wickedness, but folly is not always folly. It depends
upon the character of those who handle it. Mister Knightley,
he is not a trifling, silly young man. If he were,
(01:07):
he would have done this differently. He would either have
gloried in the achievement or been ashamed of it. There
would have been either the ostentation of a coxcomb or
the evasions of a mind too weak to defend its
own vanities. No, I am perfectly sure he is not
trifling or silly. With Tuesday came the agreeable prospect of
(01:29):
seeing him again, and for a longer time than hitherto,
of judging of his general manners, and by inference of
the meaning of his manners towards herself, of guessing how
soon it might be necessary for her to throw coldness
into her air, and of fancying what the observations of
all those might be who were now seeing them together
for the first time. She meant to be very happy
(01:51):
in spite of the scene being laid at mister Cole's,
and without being able to forget that among the failings
of mister Elton, even in the days of his favor,
none had disturbed her more than his propensity to dine
with mister Cole. Her father's comfort was amply secured, Missus Bates,
as well as Missus Goddard being able to come, and
her last pleasing duty before she left the house was
(02:13):
to pay her respects to them as they sat together
after dinner, and while her father was fondly noticing the
beauty of her dress, to make the two ladies all
the amends in her power by helping them to large
slices of cake and full glasses of wine, for whatever
unwilling self denial his care of their constitution might have
obliged them to practice. During the meal, she had provided
(02:35):
a plentiful dinner for them. She wished she could know
that they had been allowed to eat it. She followed
another carriage to mister Cole's door, and was pleased to
see that it was mister Knightley's. For mister Knightley, keeping
no horses, having little spare money, and a great deal
of health, activity and independence, was too apt, in Emma's opinion,
to get about as he could and not use his
(02:56):
carriage so often. As became the owner of Donwell Abbey,
she had an opportunity now of speaking her approbation while
warm from her heart, for he stopped to hand her out.
This is coming as you should do, said she, like
a gentleman. I am quite glad to see you, He
thanked her, observing how lucky that we should arrive at
(03:17):
the same moment, For if we had met first in
the drawing room, I doubt whether you would have discerned
me to be more of a gentleman than usual. You
might not have distinguished how I came by my look
or manner. Yes I should, I am sure I should.
There is always a look of consciousness or bustle when
people come in a way which they know to be
beneath them. You think you carry it off very well,
(03:39):
I dare say, But with you it is a sort
of bravado, an air of affected unconcern. I always observe
it whenever I meet you under those circumstances. Now you
have nothing to try for. You are not at all
afraid of being supposed ashamed. You are not striving to
look taller than anybody else. Now I shall really be
very happy be to walk into the same room with you.
(04:03):
Nonsensible girl, was his reply, But not at all in anger.
Emma had as much reason to be satisfied with the
rest of the party as with mister Knightley. She was
received with a cordial respect which could not but please,
and given all the consequence she could wish for. When
the Westons arrived, the kindest looks of love, the strongest
(04:24):
of admiration were for her from both husband and wife.
The son approached her with a cheerful eagerness which marked
her as his peculiar object, and at dinner she found
him seated by her, and, as she firmly believed, not
without some dexterity on his side. The party was rather large,
as it included one other family, a proper unobjectionable country
(04:45):
family whom the Coals had the advantage of naming among
their acquaintance, and the male part of mister Coxe's family,
the lawyer of Harbury. The less worthy females were to
come in the evening with Miss Bates, Miss Fairfax and
Miss Smith, but already at dinner they were too numerous
for any subject of conversation to be general, and while
(05:05):
politics and mister Elton were talked over, Emma could fairly
surrender all her attention to the pleasantness of her neighbor.
The first remote sound to which she felt herself obliged
to attend was the name of Jane Fairfax. Missus Cole
seemed to be relating something of her that was expected
to be very interesting. She listened and found it well
worth listening to that very dear part of Emma her
(05:28):
fancy received an amusing supply. Missus Cole was telling that
she had been calling on Miss Bates, and as soon
as she entered the room had been struck by the
sight of a pianoforte, a very elegant looking instrument, not
a grand but a large size square pianoforte. And the
substance of the story, the end of all the dialog, which,
in short of surprise and inquiry and congratulations on her
(05:51):
side and explanation on Miss Bates's, was that this pianoforte
had arrived from Broadwood's the day before, to the great
astonishment of both aunt and entirely unexpected that at first,
by Miss Bates's account, Jane herself was quite at a loss,
quite bewildered to think who could possibly have ordered it.
But now they were both perfectly satisfied that it could
(06:13):
be from only one quarter. Of course, it must be
from Colonel Campbell. One can suppose nothing else, added missus Cole,
and I was only surprised that there could ever have
been a doubt. But Jane, it seems, had a letter
from them very lately, and not a word was said
about it. She knows their ways best. But I should
not consider their silence as any reason for their not
(06:35):
meaning to make the present they might choose to surprise her.
Missus Cole had many to agree with her. Everybody who
spoke on the subject was equally convinced that it must
come from Colonel Campbell, and equally rejoiced that such a
present had been made. And they are enough ready to
speak to allow Emma to think her own way. And
still listen to Missus Cole, I declare, I do not
(06:57):
know when I have heard anything that has given me
more satisfaction. It has always hurt me that Jane Fairfax,
who plays so delightfully, should not have an instrument. It
seemed quite a shame, especially considering how many houses there
are where fine instruments are absolutely thrown away. This is
like giving ourselves a slap, to be sure, and it was.
But yesterday I was telling mister Cole, I really was
(07:18):
ashamed to look at our new grand pianoforte in the
drawing room. Well, I do not know one note from another,
and our little girls, who are but just beginning perhaps
may never make anything of it. And there is poor
Jane Fairfax, who is mistress of music, has not anything
of the nature of an instrument, not even the pitifulest
old spinnet in the world, to amuse herself with. I
(07:39):
was saying this to mister Cole but yesterday, and he
quite agreed with me. Only he is so particularly fond
of music that he could not help indulging himself in
the purchase, hoping that some of our good neighbors might
be so obliging occasionally to put it to better use
than we can. And that really is the reason why
the instrument was bought, or else, I am sure we
ought to be ashamed of it. We are in great
(08:01):
hopes that Miss Woodhouse may be prevailed with to try it.
This evening, Miss Woodhouse made the proper acquiescence, and, finding
that nothing more was to be entrapped from any communication
of missus Cole's, turned to Frank Churchill. Why do you smile?
Said she? Nay, Why do you me? I suppose I
(08:22):
smile for pleasure at Colonel Campbell's being so rich and
so liberal. It is a handsome present. Very I rather
wonder that it was never made before. Perhaps Miss Fairfax
has never been staying here so long before, or that
he did not give her the use of their own instrument,
which must now be shut up in London, untouched by
(08:45):
anybody that is a grand pianoforte, and he might think
it too large for Missus Bates's house. You may say
what you choose, but your countenance testifies that your thoughts
on this subject are very much like mine. I do
not know. I rather believe you are giving me more
credit for acuteness than I deserve. I smile because you smile,
(09:08):
and shall probably suspect whatever I find you suspect. But
at present I do not see what there is to question.
If Colonel Campbell is not the person who can be,
what do you say to missus Dixon, Missus Dixon? Very true? Indeed,
I had not thought of Missus Dixon. She must know
as well as her father how acceptable an instrument would be,
(09:30):
and perhaps the mode of it the mystery, the surprise
is more like a young woman's scheme than an elderly man's.
It is, Missus Dixon. I daresay I told you that
your suspicions would guide mine. If so, you must extend
your suspicions and comprehend mister Dixon in them. Mister Dixon,
(09:50):
very well, yes, I immediately perceive that it must be
the joint present of mister and missus Dixon. We were
speaking the other day, you know of his being so
warm and admires of her performance. Yes, and what you
told me on that head confirmed an idea which I
had entertained before. I do not mean to reflect upon
the good intentions of either mister Dixon or miss Fairfax,
(10:13):
but I cannot help suspecting either that after making his
proposals to her friend, he had the misfortune to fall
in love with her, or that he became conscious of
a little attachment on her side. One might guess twenty
things without guessing exactly the right. But I am sure
there must be a particular cause for her choosing to
come to Highbury instead of going with the Campbells to Ireland.
(10:35):
Here she must be leading a life of privation and
penance there. It would have been all enjoyment. As to
the pretense of trying her native air, I look upon
that as a mere excuse. In the summer, it might
have passed. But what can anybody's native air do for them?
In the months of January, February and March, good fires
and carriages would be much more to the purpose in
(10:56):
most cases of delicate health, and I dare say in hers,
I do not require you to adopt all my suspicions,
though you make so noble a profession of doing it.
But I honestly tell you what they are, and upon
my word, they have an air of great probability. Mister
Dixon's preference of her music to her friends I can
(11:16):
answer for being very decided. And then he saved her life.
Did you ever hear of that? A water party, and
by some accident she was falling overboard? He caught her,
he did. I was there one of the party. Were
you really well? But you observed nothing, of course, for
(11:38):
it seems to be a new idea to you. If
I had been there, I think I should have rather
made some discoveries. I daresay you would. But I simple
I saw nothing but the fact that Miss Fairfax was
very nearly dashed from the vessel, and mister Dixon caught her.
It was the work of a moment. And though the
consequent shock and alarm was very great and much more durable, Indeed,
(12:00):
I believe it was half an hour before any of
us we countable again. Yet that was too general a
sensation for anything of peculiar anxiety to be observable. I
do not mean to say, however, that you might not
have made discoveries. The conversation was here interrupted. They were
called on to share in the awkwardness of a rather
long interval between the courses, and obliged to be as
(12:20):
formal and as orderly as the others. But when the
table was again safely covered, when every corner dish was
placed exactly right, and occupation and ease were generally restored,
Emma said, the arrival of this pianoforte is decisive with me.
I wanted to know a little more, and this tells
me quite enough. Depend upon it. We shall soon hear
(12:42):
that it is a present from mister and missus Dixon.
And if the Dixon should absolutely deny all knowledge of it,
we must conclude it to come from the Campbells. No,
I am sure it is not from the Campbells. Miss
Fairfax knows it is not from the Campbells, or they
would have been at guest at first. She would not
have been puzzled had she dared fix on them. I
(13:03):
may not have convinced you, perhaps, but I am perfectly
convinced myself that mister Dixon is a principle in the business. Indeed,
you injure me. If you suppose me unconvinced, your reasonings
carry my judgment along with them entirely. At first, while
I supposed you satisfied that Colonel Campbell was the giver,
I saw it only as paternal kindness, and thought it
(13:24):
the most natural thing in the world. But when you
mentioned missus Dixon, I felt how much more probable that
it should be the tribute of warm female friendship. And
now I can see it in no other light than
as an offering of love. There was no occasion to
press the matter farther. The conviction seemed real. He looked
as if he felt it. She said no more. Other
(13:44):
subjects took their turn, and the rest of the dinner
passed away. The dessert succeeded. The children came in and
were talked to and admired. Amid the usual rate of conversation,
a few clever things said, a few downright silly, but
by much the larger purpose ortion neither the one nor
the other. Nothing worse than every day remarks, dull repetitions,
(14:05):
old news and heavy jokes. The ladies had not been
long in the drawing room before the other ladies in
their different divisions arrived. Emma watched the entree of her
own particular little friend, and if she could not exult
in her dignity and grace, she could not only love
the blooming sweetness and the artless manner, but could most
heartily rejoice in that light, cheerful, unsentimental disposition which allowed
(14:30):
her so many alleviations of pleasure in the midst of
the pangs of disappointed affection. There she sat, and who
would have guessed how many tears she had lately been shedding.
To be in company nicely dressed herself, and seeing others
nicely dressed, to sit and smile and look pretty and
say nothing was enough for the happiness of the present hour.
(14:50):
Jane Fairfax did look and move superior, But Emma suspected
she might have been glad to change feelings with Harriet,
very glad to have purchased the mortification of having loved, yes,
of having loved even mister Elton in vain, by the
surrender of all the dangerous pleasure of knowing herself beloved
by the husband of her friend in so large a party.
(15:11):
It was not necessary that Emma should approach her. She
did not wish to speak of the piano forte. She
felt too much in the secret herself to think the
appearance of curiosity or interest fair, and therefore purposely kept
at a distance. But by the others the subject was
almost immediately introduced, and she saw the blush of consciousness
with which congratulations were received, the blush of guilt which
(15:32):
accompanied the name of my excellent friend, Colonel Campbell. Missus Weston,
kind hearted and musical, was particularly interested by the circumstance,
and Emma could not help being amused at her perseverance
and dwelling on the subject, and having so much to
ask and to say, as to tone, touch and pedal,
wholly unsuspicious of that wish of saying as little about
(15:54):
it as possible, which she plainly read in the fair
heroine's countenance. They were soon joined by some of the gentlemen,
and the very first of the early was Frank Churchill.
In he walked the first and the handsomest, and after
paying his compliments on passant to Miss Bates and her niece,
made his way directly to the opposite side of the circle,
where sat Miss Woodhouse, and till he could find a
(16:16):
seat by her, would not sit at all. Emma divined
what everybody present must be, thinking she was his object
and everybody must perceive it. She introduced him to her friend,
Miss Smith, and at convenient moments afterwards heard what each
thought of the other. He had never seen so lovely
a face, and was delighted with her naivete and she
(16:38):
only to be sure it was paying him too great
a compliment. But she did think there was some looks
a little like mister Elton. Emma restrained her indignation and
only turned from her in silence. Smiles of intelligence passed
between her and the gentleman on first glancing towards Miss Fairfax,
but it was most prudent to avoid speech. He told
(16:59):
her that he had been in pay to leave the
dining room. Hated sitting long, was always the first to
move when he could that his father, mister Knightley, mister
Coxe and mister Cole were left very busy over parish business.
That as long as he had stayed. However, it had
been pleasant enough as he had found them in general
a set of gentlemenlike sensible men, and spoke so handsomely
(17:19):
of Highbury altogether, thought it so abundant and agreeable families
that Emma began to feel she had been used to
despise the place rather too much. She questioned him as
to the society in Yorkshire, the extent of the neighborhood,
about Enscombe and the sort, and could make out from
his answers that as far as Enscombe was concerned, there
was very little going on, that their visitings were among
(17:41):
a range of great families, none very near, and that
even when days were fixed and invitations accepted, it was
an even chance that missus Churchill was not in health
and spirits for going, that they made a point of
visiting no fresh person, and that though he had his
separate engagements, it was not without difficulty, without can considerable
address at times that he could get away or introduced
(18:03):
an acquaintance for a night. She saw that Enscombe could
not satisfy, and that Highbury, taken at its best, might
reasonably please a young man who had more retirement at
home than he liked. His importance at Enscombe was very evident.
He did not boast, but it naturally betrayed itself that
he had persuaded his aunt where his uncle could do nothing,
and on her laughing and noticing it, he owned that
(18:26):
he believed, excepting one or two points, he could with
time persuade her to anything. One of those points on
which his influence failed. He then mentioned he had wanted
very much to go abroad, had been very eager, indeed
to be allowed to travel, but she would not hear
of it. This had happened the year before. Now, he said,
he was beginning to have no longer the same wish.
(18:48):
The unpersuadable point, which he did not mention, Emma guessed
to be good behavior to his father. I have made
a most wretched discovery, said he, after a short pause.
I have been here a week to morrow, half my time.
I never knew days fly so fast a week to morrow,
and I have hardly begun to enjoy myself, but just
(19:09):
got acquainted with missus Weston and others. I hate the recollection.
Perhaps you may now begin to regret that you spent
one whole day out of so few in having your
hair cut. No, said he, smiling, that is no subject
of regret at all. I have no pleasure in seeing
my friends unless I can believe myself fit to be seen.
(19:31):
The rest of the gentlemen being now in the room,
Emma found herself obliged to turn from him for a
few minutes and listen to mister Cole. When mister Cole
had turned away and her attention could be restored as before,
she saw Frank Churchill looking intently across the room at
Miss Fairfax, who was sitting exactly opposite What is the matter,
said she? He started, Thank you for rousing me, he replied,
(19:57):
I believe I have been very rude. But really Miss
Fairfax has done her hair in so odd a way,
so very odd a way, that I cannot keep my
eyes from her. I never saw anything so oou trey
those curls. This must be a fancy of her own.
I see nobody else looking like her. I must go
and ask her whether it is an Irish fashion? Shall I? Yes?
(20:20):
I will, I declare, I will, and you shall see
how she takes it, whether she colors. He was gone immediately,
and Emma soon saw him standing before Miss Fairfax and
talking to her. But as to its effect on the
young lady, as he had improvidently placed himself exactly between them,
exactly in front of Miss Fairfax, she could absolutely distinguish nothing.
(20:43):
Before he could return to his chair, it was taken
by missus Weston. This is the luxury of a large party,
said she. One can get near everybody and say everything.
My dear Emma, I am longing to talk to you.
I have been making discoveries and forming plans, just like yourself,
and I must tell them while the idea is fresh.
(21:04):
Do you know how miss Bates and her niece came here?
How they were invited? Were not they? Oh? Yes? But
how they were conveyed? Hither the manner of their coming?
They walked? I conclude, how else could they come? Very true? Well,
a little while ago it occurred to me how very
sad it would be to have Jane Fairfax walking home
(21:27):
again late at night and cold as the nights are now.
And as I looked at her, though I never saw
her appear to more advantage, it struck me that she
was heated and would therefore be particularly liable to take
cold poor girl. I could not bear the idea of it.
So as soon as mister Western came into the room
and I could get at him, I spoke to him
about the carriage. You may guess how readily he came
(21:50):
into my wishes, and having his approbation, I made my
way directly to Miss Bates to assure her that the
carriage would be at her service before it took us home,
for I thought it would be making her comfortableas once
good soul. She was as grateful as possible. You may
be sure nobody was ever so fortunate as herself, But
with many, many thanks, there was no occasion to trouble us,
(22:11):
for mister Knightley's carriage had brought and was to take
them home again. I was very surprised, very glad, I
am sure, but really quite surprised, such a very kind attention,
and so thoughtful an attention, the sort of thing that
so few men would think of, And in short, from
knowing his usual ways, I am very much inclined to
(22:31):
think that it was for their accommodation the carriage was
used at all. I do suspect he would not have
had a pair of horses for himself, and that it
was only an excuse for assisting them. Very likely, said Emma.
Nothing more likely. I know no man more likely than
mister Knightley to do the sort of thing, to do
anything really good natured, useful, considerate or benevolent. He is
(22:53):
not a gallant man, but he is a very humane one,
and this, considering Jane Fairfax's ill health, apear a case
of humanity to him, and for an act of honostentatious kindness.
There is nobody whom I would fix on more than
mister Knightley. I know he had horses to day, for
we arrived together, and I laughed at him about it,
(23:14):
But he said not a word that could betray well,
said Missus Western, smiling. You give him credit for more simple,
disinterested benevolence in this instance than I do. For while
Miss Bates was speaking, a suspicion darted into my head,
and I have never been able to get it out again.
The more I think of it, the more probable it appears.
(23:35):
In short, I have made a match between mister Knightley
and Jane Fairfax. See the consequence of keeping you company.
What do you say to it, mister Knightley and Jane Fairfax,
exclaimed Emma, Dear Missus Weston, how could you think of
such a thing, mister Knightley. Mister Knightley must not marry.
(23:58):
He would not have little Henry cut out from Donwell. Oh, no, No,
Henry must have donwell. I cannot at all consent to
mister Knightley's marrying, and I am sure it is not
at all likely. I am amazed that you should think
of such a thing, My dear Emma, I have told
you what led me to think of it. I do
not want the match. I do not want to injure
(24:20):
little Henry. But the idea has been given me by circumstances.
And if mister Knightley really wished to marry, you would
not have a refrain on Henry's account, a boy of
six years old who knows nothing of the matter. Yes,
I would. I could not bear to have Henry supplanted
mister Knightley marry. No. I have never had such an idea,
(24:40):
and I cannot adopt it now. And Jane Fairfax too,
of all women, nay, she has always been a first
favorite with him, as you very well know. But the
imprudence of such a match, I am not speaking of
its prudence, merely its probability. I see no probability in
it unless you have any better foundation than what you mention.
(25:04):
His good nature, his humanity, as I tell you, would
be quite enough to account for the horses. He has
a great regard for the Bates, as you know, independent
of Jane Fairfax, and is always glad to show them attention.
My dear missus Weston, do not take to match making.
You do it very ill Jane Fairfax, mistress of the abbey.
(25:25):
Oh no, No, every feeling revolts for his own sake.
I would not have him do so. Mad a thing, imprudent,
if you please, but not mad. Excepting in equality of
fortune and perhaps a little disparity of age, I can
see nothing unsuitable. But mister Knightley does not want to marry.
(25:46):
I am sure he is not the least idea of it.
Do not put it into his head. Why should he marry?
He is as happy as possible by himself, with his
farm and his sheep in his library, and all the
parish to manage, and he is extremely fond of his
brother's children. He has no occasion to marry, either to
fill up his time or his heart, My dear Emma,
(26:08):
As long as he thinks so, it is so. But
if he really loves Jane Fairfax, nonsense. He does not
care about Jane Fairfax in the way of love. I
am sure he does not he would do any good
to her or her family. But well said missus Western, laughing,
perhaps the greatest good he could do them would be
to give Jane such a respectable home. If it would
(26:31):
be good to her, I am sure to be evil
to himself, a very shameful and degrading connection. How would
he bear to have Miss Bates belonging to him, to
have her haunting the abbey and thanking him all day
long for his great kindness in marrying Jane, so very
kind and obliging, but he has always been such a
(26:52):
very kind neighbor. And then fly off through half a
sentence to her mother's old petticoat, Not that it was
such a very old petticoat either, for still it would
last a great while. And indeed she must say thankfully
that their petticoats were all very strong. For shame, Emma,
do not mimic her. You divert me against my conscience,
(27:13):
and upon my word, I do not think mister Knightley
would be much disturbed by Miss Bates. Little things do
not irritate him. She might talk on, and if he
wanted to say anything himself, he would only talk louder
and drown her voice. But the question is not whether
it be a bad connection for him, but whether he
wishes it. And I think he does. I have heard
(27:33):
him speak, and so must you, so very highly of
Jane Fairfax, the interest he's taken in her, his anxiety
about her health, his concern that she should have no
happier prospect. I have heard him express himself so warmly
on those points, such an admirer of her performance on
the pianoforte and of her voice. I have heard him
(27:53):
say that he could listen to her for ever. Oh,
and I had almost forgotten one idea that occurred to me.
This pianoforte that has been sent here by somebody, though
we have all been so well satisfied to consider it
a present from the Campbells, may it not be from
mister Knightley. I cannot help suspecting him. I think he
is just the person to do it, even without being
(28:15):
in love. Then it can be no argument to prove
that he is in love. But I do not think
it is at all a likely thing for him to do.
Mister Knightley does nothing mysteriously. I have heard him lamenting
her having no instrument repeatedly. Oftener than I should suppose
such a circumstance would, in the common course of things,
occur to him very well, and if he had intended
(28:38):
to give her one, he would have told her so
there might be scruples of delicacy, My dear Emma, I
have a very strong notion that it comes from him.
I am sure he was particularly silent when Missus Cole
told us of it at dinner. You take up an idea,
Missus Weston, and run away with it, as you have
many a time reproached me with doing. I see no
(28:59):
sign of attachment. I believe nothing of the pianoforte, and
proof shall only convince me that mister Knightley has any
thought of marrying Jane Fairfax. They combatd the point some
time longer in the same way, Emma rather gaining ground
over the mind of her friend, for Missus Weston was
the most used of the two to yield till a
little bustle in the room showed them that tea was
(29:21):
over and the instrument in preparation. And at the same
moment mister Cole, approaching to entreat miss Woodhouse, would do
them the honor of trying it. Frank Churchill of whom,
in the eagerness of her conversation with missus Weston she
had been seeing nothing except that he had found a
seat by Miss Fairfax followed mister Cole to add his
very pressing entreaties, and as in every respect it suited
(29:42):
Emma best to lead, she gave a very proper compliance.
She knew the limitations of her own powers too well
to attempt more than she could perform with credit. She
wanted neither taste nor spirit in the little things which
are generally acceptable and could accompany her own voice well.
One accompaniment to her song to her agreeably by surprise,
a second slightly but correctly taken by Frank Churchill. Her
(30:06):
pardon was duly begged at the close of the song,
and everything usual followed. He was accused of having a
delightful voice and a perfect knowledge of music, which was
properly denied, and that he knew nothing of the matter
and had no voice at all, roundly asserted. They sang
together once more, and Emma would then resign her place
to Miss Fairfax, whose performance, both vocal and instrumental, she
(30:28):
never could attempt to conceal from herself, was infinitely superior
to her. Own with mixed feelings. She seated herself at
a little distance from the numbers round the instrument to listen.
Frank Churchill sang again. They had sung together once or twice,
it appeared at Weymouth. But the sight of mister Knightley,
among the most attentive, soon drew away half Emma's mind,
and she fell into a train of thinking on the
(30:49):
subject of Missus Weston's suspicions, to which the sweet sounds
of the United Voices gave only momentary interruptions. Her objections
to mister Knightley's marrying did not in the least subside.
She could see nothing but evil in it. It would
be a great disappointment to mister John Knightley, consequently to Isabella,
a real injury to the children, a most mortifying change
(31:11):
and material loss to them all, a very great deduction
from her father's daily comfort. And as to herself, she
could not at all endure the idea of Jane Fairfax
at Donwell Abbey, a Missus Knightley for them all to
give way to. No, mister Knightley must never marry Little
Henry must remain the heir of Donwell. Presently, mister Knightley
(31:32):
looked back and came and sat down by her. They
talked at first only of the performance. His admiration certainly
was very warm, Yet she thought, but for missus Weston,
it would not have struck her as a sort of
touch stone. However, she began to speak of his kindness
in conveying the aunt and niece, and though his answer
was in the spirit of cutting the matter short, she
believed it to indicate only his disinclination to dwell on
(31:54):
any kindness of his own. I often feel concerned, said she,
that I dared not make our carriage more useful on
such occasions. It is not that I am without the wish.
But you know how impossible my father would deem it
that James should put to for such a purpose. Quite
out of the question, Quite out of the question, he replied,
But you must often wish it, I am sure, And
(32:17):
he smiled with such seeming pleasure at the conviction that
she must proceed another step. This present from the campbells,
said she. This pianoforte is very kindly given. Yes, he replied,
and without the smallest apparent embarrassment. But they would have
done better had they given her notice. Of it surprises
of foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the
(32:39):
inconvenience is often inconsiderable. I should have expected better judgment
in Colonel Campbell. From that moment, Emma could have taken
her oath that mister Knightley had had no concern in
giving the instrument, But whether he were entirely free from
peculiar attachment, whether there were no actual preference, remained a
little longer doubtful. Toward the end of jane second song,
(33:01):
her voice grew thick. That will do, said he, when
it was finished, thinking aloud, you have sung quite enough
for one evening. Now be quiet. Another song, however, was
soon begged for one more. They would not fatigue Miss Fairfax,
on any account, would only ask for one more, and
Frank Churchill was heard to say, I think you could
(33:21):
manage this without effort. The first part is so very trifling.
The strength of the song falls on the second. Mister
Knightley grew angry that fellow said he indignantly thinks of
nothing but showing off his own voice. This must not
be and touching Miss Bates, who at that moment passed
near Miss Bates, are you mad? Let your niece sing
(33:44):
herself hoarse in this manner, go in inter fear they
have no mercy on her, Miss Bates and her real anxiety.
For Jane could hardly stay even to be grateful before
she stepped forward and put an end to all farther
singing here ceased the concert part of the evening, for
Miss Woodhouse and Miss Fairfax were the only young lady performers.
But soon within five minutes the proposal of dancing, originating
(34:06):
nobody knew exactly where, was so effectually promoted by mister
and missus Cole that everything was rapidly clearing away to
give proper space. Missus Weston Capital in her country dances,
was seated and beginning an irresistible waltz, and Frank Churchill
coming up with most becoming gallantry to Emma had secured
her hand and led her to the top. While waiting
(34:27):
till the other young people could pare themselves off, Emma
found time, in spite of the compliment she was receiving
on her voice and her taste, to look about and
see what became of mister Knightley. This would be a trial.
He was no dancer in general. If he were to
be very alert in engaging Jane Fairfax. Now it might
augur something. There was no immediate appearance. No, he was
(34:48):
talking to missus Cole. He was looking on unconcerned. Jane
was asked by somebody else, and he was still talking
to missus Cole. Emma had no longer an alarm for Henry.
His interest was yet safe, and she led off the
dance with genuine spirit and enjoyment. Not more than five
couple could be mustered, but the rarity and the suddenness
(35:08):
of it made it very delightful, and she found herself
well matched in a partner. They were a couple worth
looking at. Two dances, unfortunately, were all that could be allowed.
It was growing late, and Miss Bates became anxious to
get home on her mother's account. After some attempts, therefore,
to be permitted to begin again, they were obliged to
thank Missus Weston look sorrowful and have done. Perhaps it
(35:32):
is as well, said Frank Churchill, as he attended Emma
to her carriage. I must have asked Miss Fairfax, and
her languid dancing would not have agreed with me after yours.
End of Chapter eight
Volume two, Chapter eight. Frank Churchill came back again, and
if he kept his father's dinner waiting, it was not
known at Hartfield, for Missus Weston was too anxious for
his being a favorite with mister Woodhouse to betray any
imperfection which could be concealed. He came back, had had
his hair cut, and laughed at himself with a very
(00:22):
good grace, but without seeming really at all ashamed of
what he had done. He had no reason to wish
his hair longer to conceal any confusion of face, no
reason to wish the money unspent to improve his spirits.
He was quite as undaunted and as lively as ever,
And after seeing him, Emma thus moralized herself. I do
(00:44):
not know whether it ought to be so, but certainly
silly things do cease to be silly if they are
done by sensible people in an impudent way. Wickedness is
always wickedness, but folly is not always folly. It depends
upon the character of those who handle it. Mister Knightley,
he is not a trifling, silly young man. If he were,
(01:07):
he would have done this differently. He would either have
gloried in the achievement or been ashamed of it. There
would have been either the ostentation of a coxcomb or
the evasions of a mind too weak to defend its
own vanities. No, I am perfectly sure he is not
trifling or silly. With Tuesday came the agreeable prospect of
(01:29):
seeing him again, and for a longer time than hitherto,
of judging of his general manners, and by inference of
the meaning of his manners towards herself, of guessing how
soon it might be necessary for her to throw coldness
into her air, and of fancying what the observations of
all those might be who were now seeing them together
for the first time. She meant to be very happy
(01:51):
in spite of the scene being laid at mister Cole's,
and without being able to forget that among the failings
of mister Elton, even in the days of his favor,
none had disturbed her more than his propensity to dine
with mister Cole. Her father's comfort was amply secured, Missus Bates,
as well as Missus Goddard being able to come, and
her last pleasing duty before she left the house was
(02:13):
to pay her respects to them as they sat together
after dinner, and while her father was fondly noticing the
beauty of her dress, to make the two ladies all
the amends in her power by helping them to large
slices of cake and full glasses of wine, for whatever
unwilling self denial his care of their constitution might have
obliged them to practice. During the meal, she had provided
(02:35):
a plentiful dinner for them. She wished she could know
that they had been allowed to eat it. She followed
another carriage to mister Cole's door, and was pleased to
see that it was mister Knightley's. For mister Knightley, keeping
no horses, having little spare money, and a great deal
of health, activity and independence, was too apt, in Emma's opinion,
to get about as he could and not use his
(02:56):
carriage so often. As became the owner of Donwell Abbey,
she had an opportunity now of speaking her approbation while
warm from her heart, for he stopped to hand her out.
This is coming as you should do, said she, like
a gentleman. I am quite glad to see you, He
thanked her, observing how lucky that we should arrive at
(03:17):
the same moment, For if we had met first in
the drawing room, I doubt whether you would have discerned
me to be more of a gentleman than usual. You
might not have distinguished how I came by my look
or manner. Yes I should, I am sure I should.
There is always a look of consciousness or bustle when
people come in a way which they know to be
beneath them. You think you carry it off very well,
(03:39):
I dare say, But with you it is a sort
of bravado, an air of affected unconcern. I always observe
it whenever I meet you under those circumstances. Now you
have nothing to try for. You are not at all
afraid of being supposed ashamed. You are not striving to
look taller than anybody else. Now I shall really be
very happy be to walk into the same room with you.
(04:03):
Nonsensible girl, was his reply, But not at all in anger.
Emma had as much reason to be satisfied with the
rest of the party as with mister Knightley. She was
received with a cordial respect which could not but please,
and given all the consequence she could wish for. When
the Westons arrived, the kindest looks of love, the strongest
(04:24):
of admiration were for her from both husband and wife.
The son approached her with a cheerful eagerness which marked
her as his peculiar object, and at dinner she found
him seated by her, and, as she firmly believed, not
without some dexterity on his side. The party was rather large,
as it included one other family, a proper unobjectionable country
(04:45):
family whom the Coals had the advantage of naming among
their acquaintance, and the male part of mister Coxe's family,
the lawyer of Harbury. The less worthy females were to
come in the evening with Miss Bates, Miss Fairfax and
Miss Smith, but already at dinner they were too numerous
for any subject of conversation to be general, and while
(05:05):
politics and mister Elton were talked over, Emma could fairly
surrender all her attention to the pleasantness of her neighbor.
The first remote sound to which she felt herself obliged
to attend was the name of Jane Fairfax. Missus Cole
seemed to be relating something of her that was expected
to be very interesting. She listened and found it well
worth listening to that very dear part of Emma her
(05:28):
fancy received an amusing supply. Missus Cole was telling that
she had been calling on Miss Bates, and as soon
as she entered the room had been struck by the
sight of a pianoforte, a very elegant looking instrument, not
a grand but a large size square pianoforte. And the
substance of the story, the end of all the dialog, which,
in short of surprise and inquiry and congratulations on her
(05:51):
side and explanation on Miss Bates's, was that this pianoforte
had arrived from Broadwood's the day before, to the great
astonishment of both aunt and entirely unexpected that at first,
by Miss Bates's account, Jane herself was quite at a loss,
quite bewildered to think who could possibly have ordered it.
But now they were both perfectly satisfied that it could
(06:13):
be from only one quarter. Of course, it must be
from Colonel Campbell. One can suppose nothing else, added missus Cole,
and I was only surprised that there could ever have
been a doubt. But Jane, it seems, had a letter
from them very lately, and not a word was said
about it. She knows their ways best. But I should
not consider their silence as any reason for their not
(06:35):
meaning to make the present they might choose to surprise her.
Missus Cole had many to agree with her. Everybody who
spoke on the subject was equally convinced that it must
come from Colonel Campbell, and equally rejoiced that such a
present had been made. And they are enough ready to
speak to allow Emma to think her own way. And
still listen to Missus Cole, I declare, I do not
(06:57):
know when I have heard anything that has given me
more satisfaction. It has always hurt me that Jane Fairfax,
who plays so delightfully, should not have an instrument. It
seemed quite a shame, especially considering how many houses there
are where fine instruments are absolutely thrown away. This is
like giving ourselves a slap, to be sure, and it was.
But yesterday I was telling mister Cole, I really was
(07:18):
ashamed to look at our new grand pianoforte in the
drawing room. Well, I do not know one note from another,
and our little girls, who are but just beginning perhaps
may never make anything of it. And there is poor
Jane Fairfax, who is mistress of music, has not anything
of the nature of an instrument, not even the pitifulest
old spinnet in the world, to amuse herself with. I
(07:39):
was saying this to mister Cole but yesterday, and he
quite agreed with me. Only he is so particularly fond
of music that he could not help indulging himself in
the purchase, hoping that some of our good neighbors might
be so obliging occasionally to put it to better use
than we can. And that really is the reason why
the instrument was bought, or else, I am sure we
ought to be ashamed of it. We are in great
(08:01):
hopes that Miss Woodhouse may be prevailed with to try it.
This evening, Miss Woodhouse made the proper acquiescence, and, finding
that nothing more was to be entrapped from any communication
of missus Cole's, turned to Frank Churchill. Why do you smile?
Said she? Nay, Why do you me? I suppose I
(08:22):
smile for pleasure at Colonel Campbell's being so rich and
so liberal. It is a handsome present. Very I rather
wonder that it was never made before. Perhaps Miss Fairfax
has never been staying here so long before, or that
he did not give her the use of their own instrument,
which must now be shut up in London, untouched by
(08:45):
anybody that is a grand pianoforte, and he might think
it too large for Missus Bates's house. You may say
what you choose, but your countenance testifies that your thoughts
on this subject are very much like mine. I do
not know. I rather believe you are giving me more
credit for acuteness than I deserve. I smile because you smile,
(09:08):
and shall probably suspect whatever I find you suspect. But
at present I do not see what there is to question.
If Colonel Campbell is not the person who can be,
what do you say to missus Dixon, Missus Dixon? Very true? Indeed,
I had not thought of Missus Dixon. She must know
as well as her father how acceptable an instrument would be,
(09:30):
and perhaps the mode of it the mystery, the surprise
is more like a young woman's scheme than an elderly man's.
It is, Missus Dixon. I daresay I told you that
your suspicions would guide mine. If so, you must extend
your suspicions and comprehend mister Dixon in them. Mister Dixon,
(09:50):
very well, yes, I immediately perceive that it must be
the joint present of mister and missus Dixon. We were
speaking the other day, you know of his being so
warm and admires of her performance. Yes, and what you
told me on that head confirmed an idea which I
had entertained before. I do not mean to reflect upon
the good intentions of either mister Dixon or miss Fairfax,
(10:13):
but I cannot help suspecting either that after making his
proposals to her friend, he had the misfortune to fall
in love with her, or that he became conscious of
a little attachment on her side. One might guess twenty
things without guessing exactly the right. But I am sure
there must be a particular cause for her choosing to
come to Highbury instead of going with the Campbells to Ireland.
(10:35):
Here she must be leading a life of privation and
penance there. It would have been all enjoyment. As to
the pretense of trying her native air, I look upon
that as a mere excuse. In the summer, it might
have passed. But what can anybody's native air do for them?
In the months of January, February and March, good fires
and carriages would be much more to the purpose in
(10:56):
most cases of delicate health, and I dare say in hers,
I do not require you to adopt all my suspicions,
though you make so noble a profession of doing it.
But I honestly tell you what they are, and upon
my word, they have an air of great probability. Mister
Dixon's preference of her music to her friends I can
(11:16):
answer for being very decided. And then he saved her life.
Did you ever hear of that? A water party, and
by some accident she was falling overboard? He caught her,
he did. I was there one of the party. Were
you really well? But you observed nothing, of course, for
(11:38):
it seems to be a new idea to you. If
I had been there, I think I should have rather
made some discoveries. I daresay you would. But I simple
I saw nothing but the fact that Miss Fairfax was
very nearly dashed from the vessel, and mister Dixon caught her.
It was the work of a moment. And though the
consequent shock and alarm was very great and much more durable, Indeed,
(12:00):
I believe it was half an hour before any of
us we countable again. Yet that was too general a
sensation for anything of peculiar anxiety to be observable. I
do not mean to say, however, that you might not
have made discoveries. The conversation was here interrupted. They were
called on to share in the awkwardness of a rather
long interval between the courses, and obliged to be as
(12:20):
formal and as orderly as the others. But when the
table was again safely covered, when every corner dish was
placed exactly right, and occupation and ease were generally restored,
Emma said, the arrival of this pianoforte is decisive with me.
I wanted to know a little more, and this tells
me quite enough. Depend upon it. We shall soon hear
(12:42):
that it is a present from mister and missus Dixon.
And if the Dixon should absolutely deny all knowledge of it,
we must conclude it to come from the Campbells. No,
I am sure it is not from the Campbells. Miss
Fairfax knows it is not from the Campbells, or they
would have been at guest at first. She would not
have been puzzled had she dared fix on them. I
(13:03):
may not have convinced you, perhaps, but I am perfectly
convinced myself that mister Dixon is a principle in the business. Indeed,
you injure me. If you suppose me unconvinced, your reasonings
carry my judgment along with them entirely. At first, while
I supposed you satisfied that Colonel Campbell was the giver,
I saw it only as paternal kindness, and thought it
(13:24):
the most natural thing in the world. But when you
mentioned missus Dixon, I felt how much more probable that
it should be the tribute of warm female friendship. And
now I can see it in no other light than
as an offering of love. There was no occasion to
press the matter farther. The conviction seemed real. He looked
as if he felt it. She said no more. Other
(13:44):
subjects took their turn, and the rest of the dinner
passed away. The dessert succeeded. The children came in and
were talked to and admired. Amid the usual rate of conversation,
a few clever things said, a few downright silly, but
by much the larger purpose ortion neither the one nor
the other. Nothing worse than every day remarks, dull repetitions,
(14:05):
old news and heavy jokes. The ladies had not been
long in the drawing room before the other ladies in
their different divisions arrived. Emma watched the entree of her
own particular little friend, and if she could not exult
in her dignity and grace, she could not only love
the blooming sweetness and the artless manner, but could most
heartily rejoice in that light, cheerful, unsentimental disposition which allowed
(14:30):
her so many alleviations of pleasure in the midst of
the pangs of disappointed affection. There she sat, and who
would have guessed how many tears she had lately been shedding.
To be in company nicely dressed herself, and seeing others
nicely dressed, to sit and smile and look pretty and
say nothing was enough for the happiness of the present hour.
(14:50):
Jane Fairfax did look and move superior, But Emma suspected
she might have been glad to change feelings with Harriet,
very glad to have purchased the mortification of having loved, yes,
of having loved even mister Elton in vain, by the
surrender of all the dangerous pleasure of knowing herself beloved
by the husband of her friend in so large a party.
(15:11):
It was not necessary that Emma should approach her. She
did not wish to speak of the piano forte. She
felt too much in the secret herself to think the
appearance of curiosity or interest fair, and therefore purposely kept
at a distance. But by the others the subject was
almost immediately introduced, and she saw the blush of consciousness
with which congratulations were received, the blush of guilt which
(15:32):
accompanied the name of my excellent friend, Colonel Campbell. Missus Weston,
kind hearted and musical, was particularly interested by the circumstance,
and Emma could not help being amused at her perseverance
and dwelling on the subject, and having so much to
ask and to say, as to tone, touch and pedal,
wholly unsuspicious of that wish of saying as little about
(15:54):
it as possible, which she plainly read in the fair
heroine's countenance. They were soon joined by some of the gentlemen,
and the very first of the early was Frank Churchill.
In he walked the first and the handsomest, and after
paying his compliments on passant to Miss Bates and her niece,
made his way directly to the opposite side of the circle,
where sat Miss Woodhouse, and till he could find a
(16:16):
seat by her, would not sit at all. Emma divined
what everybody present must be, thinking she was his object
and everybody must perceive it. She introduced him to her friend,
Miss Smith, and at convenient moments afterwards heard what each
thought of the other. He had never seen so lovely
a face, and was delighted with her naivete and she
(16:38):
only to be sure it was paying him too great
a compliment. But she did think there was some looks
a little like mister Elton. Emma restrained her indignation and
only turned from her in silence. Smiles of intelligence passed
between her and the gentleman on first glancing towards Miss Fairfax,
but it was most prudent to avoid speech. He told
(16:59):
her that he had been in pay to leave the
dining room. Hated sitting long, was always the first to
move when he could that his father, mister Knightley, mister
Coxe and mister Cole were left very busy over parish business.
That as long as he had stayed. However, it had
been pleasant enough as he had found them in general
a set of gentlemenlike sensible men, and spoke so handsomely
(17:19):
of Highbury altogether, thought it so abundant and agreeable families
that Emma began to feel she had been used to
despise the place rather too much. She questioned him as
to the society in Yorkshire, the extent of the neighborhood,
about Enscombe and the sort, and could make out from
his answers that as far as Enscombe was concerned, there
was very little going on, that their visitings were among
(17:41):
a range of great families, none very near, and that
even when days were fixed and invitations accepted, it was
an even chance that missus Churchill was not in health
and spirits for going, that they made a point of
visiting no fresh person, and that though he had his
separate engagements, it was not without difficulty, without can considerable
address at times that he could get away or introduced
(18:03):
an acquaintance for a night. She saw that Enscombe could
not satisfy, and that Highbury, taken at its best, might
reasonably please a young man who had more retirement at
home than he liked. His importance at Enscombe was very evident.
He did not boast, but it naturally betrayed itself that
he had persuaded his aunt where his uncle could do nothing,
and on her laughing and noticing it, he owned that
(18:26):
he believed, excepting one or two points, he could with
time persuade her to anything. One of those points on
which his influence failed. He then mentioned he had wanted
very much to go abroad, had been very eager, indeed
to be allowed to travel, but she would not hear
of it. This had happened the year before. Now, he said,
he was beginning to have no longer the same wish.
(18:48):
The unpersuadable point, which he did not mention, Emma guessed
to be good behavior to his father. I have made
a most wretched discovery, said he, after a short pause.
I have been here a week to morrow, half my time.
I never knew days fly so fast a week to morrow,
and I have hardly begun to enjoy myself, but just
(19:09):
got acquainted with missus Weston and others. I hate the recollection.
Perhaps you may now begin to regret that you spent
one whole day out of so few in having your
hair cut. No, said he, smiling, that is no subject
of regret at all. I have no pleasure in seeing
my friends unless I can believe myself fit to be seen.
(19:31):
The rest of the gentlemen being now in the room,
Emma found herself obliged to turn from him for a
few minutes and listen to mister Cole. When mister Cole
had turned away and her attention could be restored as before,
she saw Frank Churchill looking intently across the room at
Miss Fairfax, who was sitting exactly opposite What is the matter,
said she? He started, Thank you for rousing me, he replied,
(19:57):
I believe I have been very rude. But really Miss
Fairfax has done her hair in so odd a way,
so very odd a way, that I cannot keep my
eyes from her. I never saw anything so oou trey
those curls. This must be a fancy of her own.
I see nobody else looking like her. I must go
and ask her whether it is an Irish fashion? Shall I? Yes?
(20:20):
I will, I declare, I will, and you shall see
how she takes it, whether she colors. He was gone immediately,
and Emma soon saw him standing before Miss Fairfax and
talking to her. But as to its effect on the
young lady, as he had improvidently placed himself exactly between them,
exactly in front of Miss Fairfax, she could absolutely distinguish nothing.
(20:43):
Before he could return to his chair, it was taken
by missus Weston. This is the luxury of a large party,
said she. One can get near everybody and say everything.
My dear Emma, I am longing to talk to you.
I have been making discoveries and forming plans, just like yourself,
and I must tell them while the idea is fresh.
(21:04):
Do you know how miss Bates and her niece came here?
How they were invited? Were not they? Oh? Yes? But
how they were conveyed? Hither the manner of their coming?
They walked? I conclude, how else could they come? Very true? Well,
a little while ago it occurred to me how very
sad it would be to have Jane Fairfax walking home
(21:27):
again late at night and cold as the nights are now.
And as I looked at her, though I never saw
her appear to more advantage, it struck me that she
was heated and would therefore be particularly liable to take
cold poor girl. I could not bear the idea of it.
So as soon as mister Western came into the room
and I could get at him, I spoke to him
about the carriage. You may guess how readily he came
(21:50):
into my wishes, and having his approbation, I made my
way directly to Miss Bates to assure her that the
carriage would be at her service before it took us home,
for I thought it would be making her comfortableas once
good soul. She was as grateful as possible. You may
be sure nobody was ever so fortunate as herself, But
with many, many thanks, there was no occasion to trouble us,
(22:11):
for mister Knightley's carriage had brought and was to take
them home again. I was very surprised, very glad, I
am sure, but really quite surprised, such a very kind attention,
and so thoughtful an attention, the sort of thing that
so few men would think of, And in short, from
knowing his usual ways, I am very much inclined to
(22:31):
think that it was for their accommodation the carriage was
used at all. I do suspect he would not have
had a pair of horses for himself, and that it
was only an excuse for assisting them. Very likely, said Emma.
Nothing more likely. I know no man more likely than
mister Knightley to do the sort of thing, to do
anything really good natured, useful, considerate or benevolent. He is
(22:53):
not a gallant man, but he is a very humane one,
and this, considering Jane Fairfax's ill health, apear a case
of humanity to him, and for an act of honostentatious kindness.
There is nobody whom I would fix on more than
mister Knightley. I know he had horses to day, for
we arrived together, and I laughed at him about it,
(23:14):
But he said not a word that could betray well,
said Missus Western, smiling. You give him credit for more simple,
disinterested benevolence in this instance than I do. For while
Miss Bates was speaking, a suspicion darted into my head,
and I have never been able to get it out again.
The more I think of it, the more probable it appears.
(23:35):
In short, I have made a match between mister Knightley
and Jane Fairfax. See the consequence of keeping you company.
What do you say to it, mister Knightley and Jane Fairfax,
exclaimed Emma, Dear Missus Weston, how could you think of
such a thing, mister Knightley. Mister Knightley must not marry.
(23:58):
He would not have little Henry cut out from Donwell. Oh, no, No,
Henry must have donwell. I cannot at all consent to
mister Knightley's marrying, and I am sure it is not
at all likely. I am amazed that you should think
of such a thing, My dear Emma, I have told
you what led me to think of it. I do
not want the match. I do not want to injure
(24:20):
little Henry. But the idea has been given me by circumstances.
And if mister Knightley really wished to marry, you would
not have a refrain on Henry's account, a boy of
six years old who knows nothing of the matter. Yes,
I would. I could not bear to have Henry supplanted
mister Knightley marry. No. I have never had such an idea,
(24:40):
and I cannot adopt it now. And Jane Fairfax too,
of all women, nay, she has always been a first
favorite with him, as you very well know. But the
imprudence of such a match, I am not speaking of
its prudence, merely its probability. I see no probability in
it unless you have any better foundation than what you mention.
(25:04):
His good nature, his humanity, as I tell you, would
be quite enough to account for the horses. He has
a great regard for the Bates, as you know, independent
of Jane Fairfax, and is always glad to show them attention.
My dear missus Weston, do not take to match making.
You do it very ill Jane Fairfax, mistress of the abbey.
(25:25):
Oh no, No, every feeling revolts for his own sake.
I would not have him do so. Mad a thing, imprudent,
if you please, but not mad. Excepting in equality of
fortune and perhaps a little disparity of age, I can
see nothing unsuitable. But mister Knightley does not want to marry.
(25:46):
I am sure he is not the least idea of it.
Do not put it into his head. Why should he marry?
He is as happy as possible by himself, with his
farm and his sheep in his library, and all the
parish to manage, and he is extremely fond of his
brother's children. He has no occasion to marry, either to
fill up his time or his heart, My dear Emma,
(26:08):
As long as he thinks so, it is so. But
if he really loves Jane Fairfax, nonsense. He does not
care about Jane Fairfax in the way of love. I
am sure he does not he would do any good
to her or her family. But well said missus Western, laughing,
perhaps the greatest good he could do them would be
to give Jane such a respectable home. If it would
(26:31):
be good to her, I am sure to be evil
to himself, a very shameful and degrading connection. How would
he bear to have Miss Bates belonging to him, to
have her haunting the abbey and thanking him all day
long for his great kindness in marrying Jane, so very
kind and obliging, but he has always been such a
(26:52):
very kind neighbor. And then fly off through half a
sentence to her mother's old petticoat, Not that it was
such a very old petticoat either, for still it would
last a great while. And indeed she must say thankfully
that their petticoats were all very strong. For shame, Emma,
do not mimic her. You divert me against my conscience,
(27:13):
and upon my word, I do not think mister Knightley
would be much disturbed by Miss Bates. Little things do
not irritate him. She might talk on, and if he
wanted to say anything himself, he would only talk louder
and drown her voice. But the question is not whether
it be a bad connection for him, but whether he
wishes it. And I think he does. I have heard
(27:33):
him speak, and so must you, so very highly of
Jane Fairfax, the interest he's taken in her, his anxiety
about her health, his concern that she should have no
happier prospect. I have heard him express himself so warmly
on those points, such an admirer of her performance on
the pianoforte and of her voice. I have heard him
(27:53):
say that he could listen to her for ever. Oh,
and I had almost forgotten one idea that occurred to me.
This pianoforte that has been sent here by somebody, though
we have all been so well satisfied to consider it
a present from the Campbells, may it not be from
mister Knightley. I cannot help suspecting him. I think he
is just the person to do it, even without being
(28:15):
in love. Then it can be no argument to prove
that he is in love. But I do not think
it is at all a likely thing for him to do.
Mister Knightley does nothing mysteriously. I have heard him lamenting
her having no instrument repeatedly. Oftener than I should suppose
such a circumstance would, in the common course of things,
occur to him very well, and if he had intended
(28:38):
to give her one, he would have told her so
there might be scruples of delicacy, My dear Emma, I
have a very strong notion that it comes from him.
I am sure he was particularly silent when Missus Cole
told us of it at dinner. You take up an idea,
Missus Weston, and run away with it, as you have
many a time reproached me with doing. I see no
(28:59):
sign of attachment. I believe nothing of the pianoforte, and
proof shall only convince me that mister Knightley has any
thought of marrying Jane Fairfax. They combatd the point some
time longer in the same way, Emma rather gaining ground
over the mind of her friend, for Missus Weston was
the most used of the two to yield till a
little bustle in the room showed them that tea was
(29:21):
over and the instrument in preparation. And at the same
moment mister Cole, approaching to entreat miss Woodhouse, would do
them the honor of trying it. Frank Churchill of whom,
in the eagerness of her conversation with missus Weston she
had been seeing nothing except that he had found a
seat by Miss Fairfax followed mister Cole to add his
very pressing entreaties, and as in every respect it suited
(29:42):
Emma best to lead, she gave a very proper compliance.
She knew the limitations of her own powers too well
to attempt more than she could perform with credit. She
wanted neither taste nor spirit in the little things which
are generally acceptable and could accompany her own voice well.
One accompaniment to her song to her agreeably by surprise,
a second slightly but correctly taken by Frank Churchill. Her
(30:06):
pardon was duly begged at the close of the song,
and everything usual followed. He was accused of having a
delightful voice and a perfect knowledge of music, which was
properly denied, and that he knew nothing of the matter
and had no voice at all, roundly asserted. They sang
together once more, and Emma would then resign her place
to Miss Fairfax, whose performance, both vocal and instrumental, she
(30:28):
never could attempt to conceal from herself, was infinitely superior
to her. Own with mixed feelings. She seated herself at
a little distance from the numbers round the instrument to listen.
Frank Churchill sang again. They had sung together once or twice,
it appeared at Weymouth. But the sight of mister Knightley,
among the most attentive, soon drew away half Emma's mind,
and she fell into a train of thinking on the
(30:49):
subject of Missus Weston's suspicions, to which the sweet sounds
of the United Voices gave only momentary interruptions. Her objections
to mister Knightley's marrying did not in the least subside.
She could see nothing but evil in it. It would
be a great disappointment to mister John Knightley, consequently to Isabella,
a real injury to the children, a most mortifying change
(31:11):
and material loss to them all, a very great deduction
from her father's daily comfort. And as to herself, she
could not at all endure the idea of Jane Fairfax
at Donwell Abbey, a Missus Knightley for them all to
give way to. No, mister Knightley must never marry Little
Henry must remain the heir of Donwell. Presently, mister Knightley
(31:32):
looked back and came and sat down by her. They
talked at first only of the performance. His admiration certainly
was very warm, Yet she thought, but for missus Weston,
it would not have struck her as a sort of
touch stone. However, she began to speak of his kindness
in conveying the aunt and niece, and though his answer
was in the spirit of cutting the matter short, she
believed it to indicate only his disinclination to dwell on
(31:54):
any kindness of his own. I often feel concerned, said she,
that I dared not make our carriage more useful on
such occasions. It is not that I am without the wish.
But you know how impossible my father would deem it
that James should put to for such a purpose. Quite
out of the question, Quite out of the question, he replied,
But you must often wish it, I am sure, And
(32:17):
he smiled with such seeming pleasure at the conviction that
she must proceed another step. This present from the campbells,
said she. This pianoforte is very kindly given. Yes, he replied,
and without the smallest apparent embarrassment. But they would have
done better had they given her notice. Of it surprises
of foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the
(32:39):
inconvenience is often inconsiderable. I should have expected better judgment
in Colonel Campbell. From that moment, Emma could have taken
her oath that mister Knightley had had no concern in
giving the instrument, But whether he were entirely free from
peculiar attachment, whether there were no actual preference, remained a
little longer doubtful. Toward the end of jane second song,
(33:01):
her voice grew thick. That will do, said he, when
it was finished, thinking aloud, you have sung quite enough
for one evening. Now be quiet. Another song, however, was
soon begged for one more. They would not fatigue Miss Fairfax,
on any account, would only ask for one more, and
Frank Churchill was heard to say, I think you could
(33:21):
manage this without effort. The first part is so very trifling.
The strength of the song falls on the second. Mister
Knightley grew angry that fellow said he indignantly thinks of
nothing but showing off his own voice. This must not
be and touching Miss Bates, who at that moment passed
near Miss Bates, are you mad? Let your niece sing
(33:44):
herself hoarse in this manner, go in inter fear they
have no mercy on her, Miss Bates and her real anxiety.
For Jane could hardly stay even to be grateful before
she stepped forward and put an end to all farther
singing here ceased the concert part of the evening, for
Miss Woodhouse and Miss Fairfax were the only young lady performers.
But soon within five minutes the proposal of dancing, originating
(34:06):
nobody knew exactly where, was so effectually promoted by mister
and missus Cole that everything was rapidly clearing away to
give proper space. Missus Weston Capital in her country dances,
was seated and beginning an irresistible waltz, and Frank Churchill
coming up with most becoming gallantry to Emma had secured
her hand and led her to the top. While waiting
(34:27):
till the other young people could pare themselves off, Emma
found time, in spite of the compliment she was receiving
on her voice and her taste, to look about and
see what became of mister Knightley. This would be a trial.
He was no dancer in general. If he were to
be very alert in engaging Jane Fairfax. Now it might
augur something. There was no immediate appearance. No, he was
(34:48):
talking to missus Cole. He was looking on unconcerned. Jane
was asked by somebody else, and he was still talking
to missus Cole. Emma had no longer an alarm for Henry.
His interest was yet safe, and she led off the
dance with genuine spirit and enjoyment. Not more than five
couple could be mustered, but the rarity and the suddenness
(35:08):
of it made it very delightful, and she found herself
well matched in a partner. They were a couple worth
looking at. Two dances, unfortunately, were all that could be allowed.
It was growing late, and Miss Bates became anxious to
get home on her mother's account. After some attempts, therefore,
to be permitted to begin again, they were obliged to
thank Missus Weston look sorrowful and have done. Perhaps it
(35:32):
is as well, said Frank Churchill, as he attended Emma
to her carriage. I must have asked Miss Fairfax, and
her languid dancing would not have agreed with me after yours.
End of Chapter eight
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