Эмма. Уровень 3 / Emma

“I know that you all love her really too well to be unjust or unkind; but excuse me, Mr. Knightley, if I take the liberty of hinting, it's better not to speak about Harriet Smith's intimacy with them. It will not make Emma reconsider.”

“Yes, of course, it is very good advice, but I have a very sincere interest in Emma. There is an anxiety, a curiosity in what one feels for Emma. I wonder what will become of her!”

“So do I,” said Mrs. Weston gently, “very much.”

“She always declares she will never marry, which, of course, means nothing at all. But I have no idea that she has yet ever seen a man she cared for. It would not be a bad thing for her to be very much in love with a proper man. I should like to see Emma in love, and it would do her good. But there is nobody hereabouts to attach her; and she goes so seldom from home.”

Chapter VI

Emma was quite convinced of Mr. Elton's being in love with Harriet. He talked of her and praised her warmly. His perception of the striking improvement of Harriet's manner, since her introduction at Hartfield, was one of the proofs of his growing attachment.

“You have given Miss Smith all that she required,” said he; “you have made her graceful and easy. She was a beautiful creature when she came to you, but, in my opinion, the attractions you have added are infinitely superior to what she received from nature.”

“I am glad you think I have been useful to her; but Harriet had all the natural grace of sweetness, temper and artlessness in herself. I have done very little. I have perhaps given her a little more decision of character.”

“Exactly so; so much decision of character!”

Emma was not less pleased another day with the manner in which he seconded a sudden wish of hers, to have Harriet's picture.

“Did you ever sit for your picture, Harriet?” said she.

“Oh! dear, no, never,” answered Harriet. “Why should my picture be drawn?”

No sooner was she out of sight, than Emma exclaimed,

“What an excellent picture of her would be! I would give any money for it. You do not know it I dare say, but two or three years ago I had a great passion for painting. And I could try, if Harriet would sit to me. It would be such a delight to have her picture!”

“Oh, yes,” cried Mr. Elton; “it would indeed be a delight, Miss Woodhouse, to exercise so charming a talent in favour of your friend.”

“But I am afraid, Mr. Elton, Harriet will not like to sit. She thinks so little of her own beauty. Did not you observe her manner of answering me? 'Why should my picture be drawn?'”

“I observed it, I assure you. But still I am sure she would be persuaded.”

Harriet was soon back again, and the proposal almost immediately made. Emma wished to go to work directly. She had soon decided on the size and sort of portrait. It was to be a whole-length in water-colours.

The sitting began; and Harriet, smiling and blushing, presented a very sweet mixture of youthful expression to the steady eyes of the artist. But Mr. Elton was fidgeting behind Emma and watching every touch. So Emma requested him to place himself elsewhere. It then occurred to her to ask him to read.

Mr. Elton was happy to read aloud. Harriet listened, and Emma drew in peace. The sitting was altogether very satisfactory; Emma was quite enough pleased with the first day's sketch to wish to go on. Harriet was to sit again the next day; and Mr. Elton asked for the permission of reading to them again.

“By all means[35]. We shall be most happy to consider you as one of the party.”

The whole progress of the picture was rapid and happy. Everybody who saw it was pleased.

“Miss Woodhouse has given her friend the only beauty she wanted,” observed Mrs. Weston. “The expression of the eye is most correct, but Miss Smith has not those eyebrows and eyelashes. It is the fault of her face that she has them not.”

“Do you think so?” replied Mr. Elton. “I cannot agree with you. It appears to me a most perfect resemblance in every feature. I never saw such a likeness in my life, you know.”

“You have made her too tall, Emma,” said Mr. Knightley.

Emma knew that she had, but Mr. Elton warmly added,

“Oh no! certainly not too tall; not in the least too tall. Consider, she is sitting down-which naturally presents a different-which in short gives exactly the idea-and the proportions, you know. Exactly so indeed!”

“It is very pretty,” said Mr. Woodhouse. “So prettily done! Just as your drawings always are, my dear. I do not know anybody who draws so well as you do. The only thing I do not like is, that she seems to be sitting out of doors, with only a little shawl over her shoulders-and it makes one think she must catch cold[36].”

“But, my dear papa, it is supposed to be summer; a warm day in summer. Look at the tree.”

“But it is never safe to sit out of doors, my dear.”

“You, sir, may say anything,” cried Mr. Elton, “but I must confess that I regard it as a most happy thought, the placing of Miss Smith out of doors! The naïveté[37] of Miss Smith's manners-and altogether-Oh, it is most admirable! I cannot keep my eyes from it. I never saw such a likeness.”

The next thing was to get the picture framed; and here were a few difficulties. It must be done directly; it must be done in London. But Mr. Elton's gallantry was always on the alert. He could ride to London at any time.

Mr. Elton was supposed to take the drawing to London, choose the frame, and give the directions.

“What a precious deposit![38]” said he with a sigh, as he received it.

“This man is almost too gallant to be in love,” thought Emma. “I should say so, but that I suppose there may be a hundred different ways of being in love.”

Chapter VII

The very day of Mr. Elton's going to London produced a fresh occasion for Emma's services towards her friend. Harriet had been at Hartfield, as usual, soon after breakfast; and, after a time, had gone home to return again to dinner. She returned, and with an agitated, hurried look, announced that something extraordinary had happened. She had heard, as soon as she got back to Mrs. Goddard's, that Mr. Martin had been there an hour before, and finding she was not at home, had left a little parcel for her from one of his sisters, and gone away; and on opening this parcel, she had actually found, besides the two songs which she had lent Elizabeth to copy, a letter to herself; and this letter was from him, from Mr. Martin. In this letter he asked her to marry him!

Who could have thought it? She was so surprised she did not know what to do. Yes, quite a proposal of marriage; and a very good letter, at least she thought so. And he wrote as if he really loved her very much-but she did not know-and so, she arrived as fast as she could to ask Miss Woodhouse what she should do.

“Will you read the letter?” cried Harriet. “Pray do.”

Emma read, and was surprised. The style of the letter was much above her expectation. It was a letter written by a gentleman. There were no grammatical errors; the language, though plain, was expressive, yet exquisite. She paused over it, while Harriet stood anxiously watching for her opinion, with a “Well, well,” and at last asked, “Is it a good letter? or is it too short?”

“Yes, indeed, a very good letter,” replied Emma rather slowly, “so good a letter, Harriet, that I think one of his sisters must have helped him. I can hardly imagine the young man whom I saw talking with you the other day could express himself so well. No doubt he is a sensible man, and no doubt it is easier for him to talk with his pen rather than his tongue. It is so with some men. A better written letter, Harriet (returning it,) than I had expected.”

“Well,” said the still waiting Harriet; “well-and-and what shall I do?”

“But what are you in doubt of? You must answer it of course-and speedily.”

“Yes. But what shall I say? Dear Miss Woodhouse, do advise me.”

“Oh no, no! the letter had much better be all your own. You will express yourself very properly, I am sure, you need not pretend to be sorry to disappoint him.”

“You think I ought to refuse him then,” said Harriet, looking down.

“Ought to refuse him! My dear Harriet, what do you mean? Are you in any doubt as to that? I thought-but I beg your pardon, perhaps I have been under a mistake. I certainly have been misunderstanding you. I had imagined you were consulting me only as to the wording of it[39].”

Harriet was silent. Emma continued:

“You want to marry him. Am I right?”

“No, I do not; that is, I do not mean-What shall I do? What would you advise me to do? Pray, dear Miss Woodhouse, tell me what I ought to do.”

“I shall not give you any advice, Harriet. I will have nothing to do with it.”

“I did not think that he liked me so very much,” said Harriet, contemplating the letter.

Emma said,

“I am sure, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him. If she can hesitate as to 'Yes,' she ought to say 'No' directly. I thought it my duty as a friend, and older than yourself, to say this to you. But I do not want to influence you.”

“Oh! no, I am sure you are very kind to me-but if you would… It is a very serious thing. It will be safer to say 'No,' perhaps. Do you think I had better say 'No?'”

“Dear Harriet,” said Emma, smiling graciously, “you must be the best judge of your own happiness. If you prefer Mr. Martin to every other person; if you think him the most agreeable man you have ever been in company with, why should you hesitate? You blush, Harriet. Harriet, Harriet, do not deceive yourself. At this moment whom are you thinking of?”

Instead of answering, Harriet turned away confused, and stood thoughtfully by the fire; and though the letter was still in her hand, it was now mechanically twisted about without a thought. Emma waited the result with impatience. At last, with some hesitation, Harriet said-

“Miss Woodhouse, I have now quite determined, and really almost made up my mind-to refuse Mr. Martin. Do you think I am right?”

“Perfectly, perfectly right, my dearest Harriet; you are doing just what you ought. Dear Harriet, I am so glad. It would have grieved me to say goodbye to you, which must have been the consequence of your marrying Mr. Martin. I could not have visited Mrs. Robert Martin, of Abbey-Mill Farm[40].”

The idea of it struck Harriet forcibly.

“You could not have visited me!” she cried. “No, to be sure you could not; but I never thought of that before. That would have been too dreadful! – What an escape! – Dear Miss Woodhouse, I would not give up the pleasure and honour of being intimate with you for anything in the world.”

“Indeed, Harriet, you would have thrown yourself out of all good society.”

“Dear me! It would have killed me never to come to Hartfield again! I shall always feel much obliged to Mr. Martin, and have a great regard for-but that is quite a different thing from-and you know, though he may like me, it does not follow that I should-and if one comes to compare them, there is no comparison at all, one is so very handsome and agreeable… However, I do really think Mr. Martin a very amiable young man, and have a great opinion of him.”

“Thank you, thank you, my own sweet little friend. We will not be separated. A woman is not to marry a man merely because she is asked, or because he is attached to her, and can write a tolerable letter.”

“Oh no; and it is but a short letter too.”

Emma felt the bad taste of her friend, but let it pass.

“Oh! yes, very. Nobody cares for a letter[41]; the thing is, to be always happy with pleasant companions. I am quite determined to refuse him. But how shall I do? What shall I say?”

Emma assured her there would be no difficulty in the answer, and advised to write it directly. This letter was written, and sealed, and sent. The business was finished, and Harriet safe.

“I shall never be invited to Abbey-Mill again,” said Harriet in a sorrowful tone.

Chapter VIII

Harriet slept at Hartfield that night. She had been spending more than half her time there, and Emma judged it best in every respect, safest and kindest, to keep her with them as much as possible just at present. She had to go the next morning for an hour or two to Mrs. Goddard's, but it was then to be settled that she should return to Hartfield.

While she was gone, Mr. Knightley came, and sat some time with Emma. He began speaking of Harriet, and speaking of her with more voluntary praise than Emma had ever heard before.

“I cannot rate her beauty as you do,” said he; “but she is a pretty little creature. Her character depends upon those she is with; but in good hands she will turn out a valuable woman.”

“I am glad you think so.”

“You are anxious for a compliment, so I will tell you that you have improved her. You have cured her of her school-girl's giggle. You are expecting her again, you say, this morning?”

“Almost every moment. She has been gone longer already than she intended.”

“Something has happened to delay her; some visitors perhaps. I must tell you that I have good reason to believe your little friend will soon hear of something to her advantage,” Mr. Knightley said with a smile.

“Indeed! how so? of what sort?”

“A very serious sort, I assure you;” still smiling.

“Very serious! I can think of but one thing-Who is in love with her?

“I have reason to think, that Harriet Smith will soon have an offer of marriage, Robert Martin is the man. He is desperately in love and means to marry her.”

“Is he sure,” said Emma; “that Harriet means to marry him?”

“Well, well, means to make her an offer then. Robert Martin came to the Abbey two evenings ago, on purpose to consult me about it. He came to ask me whether I approved his choice. I was very much pleased with all that he said. He told me everything; his circumstances and plans, and what they all proposed doing in the event of his marriage. He is an excellent young man, both as son and brother. I had no hesitation in advising him to marry.”

“Pray, Mr. Knightley,” said Emma, who had been smiling to herself through a great part of this speech, “he wrote a letter, and was refused.”

Mr. Knightley looked red with surprise and displeasure. He stood up and said,

“Then she is more stupid than I ever believed her. What does the foolish girl think about?”

“Oh!” cried Emma, “A man always imagines a woman to be ready for anybody who asks her.”

“Nonsense! a man does not imagine any such thing. But what is the meaning of this? Harriet Smith refused Robert Martin? Madness, if it is so; but I hope you are mistaken.”

“I saw her answer! – nothing could be clearer.”

“You saw her answer! – you wrote her answer too. Emma, this is your doing. You persuaded her to refuse him.”

“And if I did, I should not feel that I had done wrong. Mr. Martin is a very respectable young man, but I cannot admit him to be Harriet's equal; and am rather surprised indeed that he should have had enough courage to ask her.”

“Not Harriet's equal!” exclaimed Mr. Knightley loudly and warmly; and added, a few moments afterwards, “No, he is not her equal indeed, for he is as much her superior in sense as in situation. Emma, your infatuation about that girl blinds you. What are Harriet Smith's claims, either of birth, nature or education, to any connexion higher than Robert Martin? She is the natural daughter of nobody knows whom, with probably no settled income at all, and certainly no respectable relations. She has been taught nothing useful, and is too young and too simple. At her age she can have no experience, and with her little wit, is not very likely ever to have any that can help her. She is pretty, and she is good tempered, and that is all. I remember saying to myself, 'Even Emma, with all her love for Harriet, will think this a good match.'”

“I cannot help wondering at your knowing so little of Emma. What! think a farmer, (and with all his sense and all his merit Mr. Martin is nothing more) a good match for my intimate friend! She would leave Highbury for the sake of marrying a man whom I could never admit as an acquaintance of my own!”

“She could be married to a respectable, intelligent gentleman-farmer!”

“As to the circumstances of her birth, there can scarcely be a doubt that her father is a gentleman. Her allowance is very liberal. That she is a gentleman's daughter, is obvious to me; that she associates with gentlemen's daughters, no one, I apprehend, will deny. She is superior to Mr. Robert Martin.”

“Whoever might be her parents,” said Mr. Knightley, “whoever may have had the charge of her, they do not want to introduce her into what you would call good society. After receiving a very indifferent education[42] she is left in Mrs. Goddard's hands. She desired nothing better herself. Till you chose to turn her into a friend, her mind had no dislike for her own company. She was as happy as possible with the Martins in the summer. She had no sense of superiority then. If she has it now, you have given it. You have been no friend to Harriet Smith, Emma.”

“You are a very warm friend to Mr. Martin; but, as I said before, are unjust to Harriet. She is not a clever girl, but she does not deserve to be spoken of so slightingly. And she, at seventeen, just entering into life, does not accept the first offer she receives. Let her have time to look about her.”

“I have always thought it a very foolish intimacy,” said Mr. Knightley, “though I have kept my thoughts to myself; but I now understand that it will be a very unfortunate one for Harriet. You feed her such ideas of her own beauty, and of what she must demand, that, in a little while, nobody will be good enough for her. Let her marry Robert Martin, and she is safe, respectable, and happy for ever.”

“We think very differently on this point, Mr. Knightley. We shall only be making each other more angry. But as to my letting her marry Robert Martin, it is impossible; she has refused him. His appearance is so much against him, and his manner is so bad. I can imagine, that before she had seen anybody superior, she might like him. He was the brother of her friends, and while she was at Abbey-Mill, she found him nice. But the case is altered now. She knows now what gentlemen are; and nothing but a gentleman in education and manner has any chance with Harriet.”

“Nonsense, nonsense!” cried Mr. Knightley. “Robert Martin's manners have sense, sincerity, and good-humour to recommend them; and his mind has more true gentility than Harriet Smith could understand.”

Emma made no answer, and tried to look unconcerned, but was really feeling uncomfortable and wanting him very much to be gone. She did not regret what she had done; she had respect for his judgment in general. He was sitting just opposite to her in angry state, and that was very unpleasant. Some minutes passed in silence, with only one attempt on Emma's side to talk of the weather, but he made no answer. He was thinking. The result of his thoughts appeared at last in these words.

“Robert Martin has no great loss[43]; but you make no secret of your love of match-making, and as a friend I shall just hint to you that if Elton is the man, I think it will be all in vain.”

Emma laughed. He continued,

“Elton is a very good sort of man, and a very respectable vicar of Highbury, but not at all likely to make an imprudent match. He knows the value of a good income as well as anybody. Elton may talk sentimentally, but he will act rationally.”

“I am very much obliged to you,” said Emma. “but at present I only want to keep Harriet to myself.”

“Good morning to you,” said he, rising and walking off abruptly. Emma remained in a state of vexation too.

Harriet's cheerful look and manner calmed Emma: she came back, not to think of Mr. Martin, but to talk of Mr. Elton.

Chapter IX

Mr. Knightley might quarrel with her, but Emma could not quarrel with herself. He was so much displeased, that when they met again, his grave looks showed that she was not forgiven. She was sorry, but could not apologise for what she did not regret.

The picture, elegantly framed, came safely to hand soon after Mr. Elton's return, and was hung over the mantelpiece of the common sitting.

“You and Mr. Elton are by situation called together[44],” said Emma to Harriet; “you belong to one another by every circumstance of your respective homes. Your marrying will be equal to the match at Randalls.”

“That Mr. Elton should really be in love with me, me, of all people! And he, the most handsome man that ever was, and a man that everybody looks up to, quite like Mr. Knightley! And so excellent in the Church! Dear me! When I look back to the first time I saw him! How little did I think!”

“This is an alliance which, whoever-whatever your friends may be, must be agreeable to them, provided at least they have common sense. If they are anxious to see you happily married, here is a man whose amiable character gives every assurance of it.”

“Yes, very true. How nicely you talk; I love to hear you. You understand everything. You and Mr. Elton are one as clever as the other.”

Chapter X

Though now the middle of December, there had yet been no weather to prevent the young ladies from tolerably regular exercise; and Emma had a charitable visit to pay to a poor sick family, who lived a little way out of Highbury.

Their road was down Vicarage Lane[45], containing the blessed abode of Mr. Elton. Emma's remark was-

“There it is. There you will go some day.”

Harriet's was-

“Oh, what a sweet house! – How beautiful! – There are the yellow curtains that Miss Nash admires so much.”

“I do not often walk this way now,” said Emma, as they went further, “but then there will be a reason to.”

Harriet said,

“I do so wonder, Miss Woodhouse, that you should not be married, or going to be married! so charming as you are!”

Emma laughed, and replied,

“If I am charming, Harriet, it is not quite enough to marry; I must find other people charming-one other person at least. And I am not only not going to be married, at present, but have very little intention of ever marrying at all.”

“Ah! – so you say; but I cannot believe it.”

“I must see somebody very superior to anyone I have seen yet, to be tempted; Mr. Elton, you know, is out of the question: and I do not wish to see any such person. I would rather not be tempted. If I were to marry, I must expect to regret it.”

“Dear me! – it is so odd to hear a woman talk so!”

“I have none of the usual inducements[46] of women to marry. Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing! but I never have been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall. And, without love, I am sure I should be a fool to change such a situation as mine. Fortune I do not want; employment I do not want; consequence I do not want: I believe few married women are half as much mistress of their husband's house as I am of Hartfield; and never, never could I expect to be so truly beloved and important in any man's eyes as I am in my father's.”

“But then, to be an old maid at last, like Miss Bates!”

“That is a terrible image, Harriet; and if I thought I should ever be like Miss Bates! so silly-so satisfied-so smiling-I would marry tomorrow.”

“But still, you will be an old maid! and that's so dreadful!”

“Never mind, Harriet, I shall not be a poor old maid! A single woman, with a very narrow income, must be a ridiculous, disagreeable old maid! But a single woman, of good fortune, is always respectable, and may be as sensible and pleasant as anybody else. This does not apply, however, to Miss Bates; she is only too good natured and too silly to suit me; but, in general, she is very much to the taste of everybody, though single and though poor. Poverty certainly has not affected her mind.”

“Dear me! but what shall you do? how shall you employ yourself when you grow old?”

“If I know myself, Harriet, mine is an active, busy mind, with a great many independent resources; and I do not perceive why I should be more in want of employment at forty or fifty than one-and-twenty. Woman's usual occupations will be as open to me then as they are now. If I draw less, I shall read more; if I give up music, I shall take to carpet-work. I shall be very well off, with all the children of a sister I love so much, to care about. My nephews and nieces! – I shall often have a niece with me.”