 Emma by Jane Austen, Volume 2, Chapter 14. Mrs. Elton was first seen at church, but though devotion might be interrupted, curiosity could not be satisfied by a bride in a pew, and it must be left for the visits in form which were then to be paid to settle whether she were very pretty indeed, or only rather pretty, or not pretty at all. Emma had feelings less of curiosity than of pride or propriety, to make her resolve on not being the last to pay her respects, and she made a point of Harriet's going with her that the worst of the business might be gone through as soon as possible. She could not enter the house again, could not be in the same room to which she had with such vain artifice retreated three months ago to lace up her boot without recollecting. A thousand vexatious thoughts would recur, compliments, charades, and horrible blunders, and it was not to be supposed that poor Harriet should not be recollecting, too, but she behaved very well and was only rather pale and silent. The visit was, of course, short, and there was so much embarrassment and occupation of mind to shorten it that Emma would not allow herself entirely to form an opinion of the lady, and on no account to give one, beyond the nothing-meaning terms of being elegantly dressed and very pleasing. She did not really like her. She would not be in a hurry to find fault, but she suspected that there was no elegance, ease, but not elegance. She was almost sure that for a young woman, a stranger, a bride, there was too much ease. Her person was rather good, her face not unpretty, but neither featured nor air, nor voice nor manner were elegant. Emma thought at least it would turn out so. As for Mr. Elton, his manners did not appear, but no, she would not permit a hasty or witty word from herself about his manners. It was an awkward ceremony at any time to be receiving wedding visits, and a man had need be all grace to acquit himself well through it. The woman was better off. She might have the assistance of fine clothes and the privilege of bashfulness, but the man had only his own good sense to depend on. And when she considered how peculiarly unlucky poor Mr. Elton was, in being in the same room at once, with the woman he had just married, the woman he had wanted to marry, and the woman whom he had been expected to marry, she must allow him to have the right to look as little wise and to be as much effectively and as little really easy as could be. Well, Miss Woodhouse, said Harriet, when they had quitted the house and after waiting in vain for her friend to begin. Well, Miss Woodhouse, with a gentle sigh, what do you think of her? Is not she very charming? There was a little hesitation in Emma's answer. Oh, yes, very, a very pleasing young woman. I think her beautiful, quite beautiful. Very nicely dressed indeed, a remarkably elegant gown. I am not at all surprised that he should have fallen in love. Oh, no, there is nothing to surprise one at all. A pretty fortune, and she came in his way. I daresay, returned Harriet, sighing again, I daresay she was very much a chatch to him. Perhaps she might, but it is not every man's fate to marry the woman who loves him best. Miss Hawkins perhaps wanted a home and thought this the best offer she was likely to have. Yes, said Harriet earnestly, and well she might. Nobody could ever have a better. Well, I wish them happy with all my heart. And now, Miss Woodhouse, I do not think I shall mind seeing them again. He is just as superior as ever, but being married, you know, it is quite a different thing. No indeed, Miss Woodhouse, you need not be afraid. I can sit and admire him now without any great misery. To know that he has not thrown himself away is such a comfort. She does seem a charming young woman, just what he deserves. Happy creature, he called her Augusta, how delightful. When the visit was returned Emma made up her mind. She could then see more and judge better. From Harriet's happening not to be at Hartfield, and her father's being present to engage Mr. Elton, she had a quarter of an hour of the lady's conversation to herself and could composedly attend to her, and the quarter of an hour quite convinced her that Mrs. Elton was a vain woman, extremely well satisfied with herself, and thinking much of her own importance. That she meant to shine and be very superior, but with manners which had been formed in a bad school, pert and familiar. That all her notions were drawn from one set of people and one style of living. That if not foolish she was ignorant, and that her society would certainly do Mr. Elton no good. Harriet would have been a better match. If not wise or refined herself, she would have connected him with those who were. But Miss Hawkins, it might be fairly supposed from her easy conceit, had been the best of her own set. The rich brother-in-law near Bristol was the pride of the alliance, and his place and his carriages were the pride of him. The very first subject after being seated was Maple Grove, my brother, Mr. Suckling's seat, a comparison of Hartfield to Maple Grove. The grounds of Hartfield were small, but neat and pretty, and the house was modern and well-built. Mrs. Elton seemed most favourably impressed by the size of the room, the entrance, and all that she could see or imagine. Very like Maple Grove, indeed. She was quite struck by the likeness. That room was the very shape and size of the morning room at Maple Grove, her sister's favourite room. Mr. Elton was appealed to. Was it not astonishingly like? She could really almost fancy herself at Maple Grove. And the staircase. You know, as I came in I observed how very like the staircase was, placed in exactly the same part of the house. I really could not help exclaiming. I assure you, Miss Woodhouse, it is very delightful to me to be reminded of a place I am so extremely partial to as Maple Grove. I have spent so many happy months there. With a little sigh of sentiment. A charming place, undoubtedly. Everybody who sees it is struck by its beauty. But to me it has been quite a home. Whenever you are transplanted like me, Miss Woodhouse, you can understand how very delightful it is to meet with anything at all like what one has left behind. I always say this is quite one of the evils of matrimony. Emma made as slight a reply as she could. But it was fully sufficient for Mrs. Elton, who only wanted to be talking herself. So extremely like Maple Grove. And it is not merely the house. The grounds, I assure you, as far as I could observe are strikingly like. The laurels at Maple Grove are in the same profusion as here and stand very much in the same way, just across the lawn. And I had a glimpse of a fine large tree with a bench rounded, which put me so exactly in mind. My brother and sister will be enchanted with this place. People who have extensive grounds themselves are always pleased with anything in the same style. Emma doubted the truth of this sentiment. She had a great idea that people who had extensive grounds themselves cared very little for the extensive grounds of anybody else. But it was not worthwhile to attack an error so double-died and therefore only set him reply. When you have seen more of this country, I am afraid you will think you have overrated Hartfield. Surrey is full of beauties. Oh, yes, I am quite aware of that. It is the Garden of England, you know. Surrey is the Garden of England. Yes, but we must not rest our claims on that distinction. Many counties, I believe, are called the Garden of England, as well as Surrey. No, I fancy not, replied Mrs. Elton, with a most satisfied smile. I never heard any county but Surrey called so. Emma was silenced. My brother and sister have promised us a visit in the spring or summer at farthest, continued Mrs. Elton. And that will be our time for exploring. While they are with us, we shall explore a great deal, I daresay. They will have their Baruch Landau, of course, which holds four perfectly, and therefore without saying anything of our carriage, we shall be able to explore the different beauties extremely well. They would hardly come in their shays, I think, at that season of the year. Indeed, when the time draws on, I shall decidedly recommend they're bringing the Baruch Landau. It will be so very much preferable. When people come into a beautiful country of this sort, you know, Miss Woodhouse, one naturally wishes them to see as much as possible, and Mr. Suckling is extremely fond of exploring. We explored to King's Weston twice last summer, in that way most delightfully, just after their first having the Baruch Landau. You have many parties of that kind here, I suppose, Miss Woodhouse, every summer? No, not immediately here. We are rather out of distance of the very striking beauties which attract the sort of parties you speak of, and we are a very quiet set of people, I believe, more disposed to stay at home than engage in schemes of pleasure. Ah, there is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. Nobody can be more devoted to home than I am. I was quite a proverb for it at Maple Grove. Many a time, as Selena said, when she has been going to Bristol, I really cannot get this girl to move from the house. I absolutely must go in by myself, though I hate being stuck up in the Baruch Landau without a companion. But, Augusta, I believe with her own good will would never stir beyond the park pailing. Many a time, as she said so, and yet I am no advocate for entire seclusion. I think on the contrary, when people shut themselves up entirely from society, it is a very bad thing, and that it is much more advisable to mix in the world in a proper degree without living in it either too much or too little. I perfectly understand your situation, however, Miss Woodhouse, looking towards Mr. Woodhouse. Your father's state of health must be a great drawback. Why does not he try Bath? Indeed he should. Let me recommend Bath to you. I assure you I have no doubt of its doing Mr. Woodhouse good. My father tried it more than once, formally, but without receiving any benefit, and Mr. Perry, whose name I dare say is not unknown to you, does not conceive it would be at all more likely to be useful now. Ah, that is a great pity, for I assure you, Miss Woodhouse, where the waters do agree, it is quite wonderful the relief they give. In my Bath life I have seen such instances of it, and it is so cheerful a place that it could not fail of being of use to Mr. Woodhouse's spirits, which I understand are sometimes much depressed. And, as to its recommendations to you, I fancy I need not take much pains to dwell on them. The advantages of Bath to the young are pretty generally understood. It would be a charming introduction for you, who have lived so secluded a life, and I could immediately secure you some of the best society in the place. A line from me would bring you a little host of acquaintance, and my particular friend, Mrs. Partridge, the lady I have always resided with when in Bath, would be most happy to show you any attentions, and would be the very person for you to go into public with. It was as much as Emma could bear without being impolite. The idea of her being indebted to Mrs. Alton for what was called an introduction, of her going into public under the auspices of a friend of Mrs. Alton's, probably some vulgar dashing widow who, with the help of a boarder, just made a shift to live, the dignity of Miss Woodhouse of Hartfield was sunk indeed. She restrained herself, however, from any of the reproofs she could have given, and only thanked Mrs. Alton coolly. But there going to Bath was quite out of the question, and she was not perfectly convinced that the place might suit her better than her father. And then, to prevent father outrage and indignation, changed the subject directly. I do not ask whether you are musical, Mrs. Alton. Upon these occasions, a lady's character generally precedes her, and Highbury has long known that you are a superior performer. Oh, no indeed! I must protest against any such idea, a superior performer, very far from it, I assure you. Consider from how partial a quarter your information came. I am dotingly fond of music, passionately fond, and my friends say I am not entirely devoid of taste, but as to anything else, upon my honour, my performance is mediocre to the last degree. You, Miss Woodhouse, I well know, play delightfully. I assure you, it has been the greatest satisfaction, comfort and delight to me to hear what a musical society I am got into. I absolutely cannot do without music. It is a necessary of life to me, and having been always used to a very musical society, both at Maple Grove and at Bath, it would have been a most serious sacrifice. I honestly said as much to Mr. E. when he was speaking of my future home, and expressing his fears lest the retirement of it should be disagreeable, and the inferiority of the house too, knowing what I had been accustomed to. Of course, he was not wholly without apprehension. When he was speaking of it in that way, I honestly said that the world I could give up, parties, balls, plays, for I had no fear of retirement. Blessed with so many resources within myself, the world was not necessary to me. I could do very well without it. To those who had no resources, it was a different thing, but my resources may be quite independent. And as to smaller sized rooms than I had been used to, I really could not give it a thought. I hoped I was perfectly equal to any sacrifice of that description. Certainly I had been accustomed to every luxury at Maple Grove, but I did assure him that two carriages were not necessary to my happiness, nor were spacious apartments. But, said I, to be quite honest, I do not think I can live without something of a musical society. I conditioned for nothing else, but without music life would be a blank to me. We cannot suppose, said Emma Smiling, that Mr. Elton would hesitate to assure you of there being a very musical society in Highbury. And I hope you will not find he has outstepped the truth more than may be pardoned in consideration of the motive. Oh, indeed! I have no doubts at all on that head. I am delighted to find myself in such a circle. I hope we shall have many sweet little concerts together. I think Ms. Woodhouse, you and I, must establish a musical club and have regular weekly meetings at your house, or ours? Will not it be a good plan? If we exert ourselves, I think we shall not belong in want of allies. Something of that nature would be particularly desirable for me as an inducement to keep me in practice. For married women, you know, there is a sad story against them in general. They are but too apt to give up music. But you, who are so extremely fond of it, there can be no danger, surely? I should hope not, but really, when I look around among my acquaintance, I tremble. Selena has entirely given up music, she never touches the instrument, though she played sweetly, and the same may be said of Mrs. Jeffries, Clara Partridge that was, and of the two Millmans, now Mrs. Bird, and Mrs. James Cooper, and of more than I can enumerate. Upon my word it is enough to put one in a fright. I used to be quite angry with Selena, but really I begin now to comprehend that a married woman has many things to call her attention. I believe I was half an hour this morning and shut up with my housekeeper. But everything of that kind, said Emma, will soon be in so regular a train. Well, said Mrs. Elton, laughing, we shall see. Emma, finding her so determined upon neglecting her music, had nothing more to say, and, after a moment's pause, Mrs. Elton chose another subject. We have been calling at Randalls, said she, and found them both at home, and very pleasant people they seem to be. I like them extremely. Mr. Weston seems an excellent creature, quite a first-rate favourite with me already, I assure you. And she appears so truly good. There is something so motherly and kind-hearted about her that it wins upon one directly. She was your governess, I think. Emma was almost too astonished to answer, but Mrs. Elton hardly waited for the affirmative before she went on. Having understood as much, I was rather astonished to find her so very ladylike, but she is really quite the gentle woman. Mrs. Weston's manners, said Emma, were always particularly good. Their propriety, simplicity, and elegance would make them the safest model for any young woman. And who do you think came in while we were there? Emma was quite at a loss. The tone implied some old acquaintance. And how could she possibly guess? Nightly, continued Mrs. Elton. Nightly himself was not it lucky. For not being within when he called the other day, I had never seen him before. And of course, as so particular a friend of Mr. Ease, I had a great curiosity. My friend Nightly had been so often mentioned that I was really impatient to see him, and I must do my caro sposo the justice to say that he need not be ashamed of his friend. Nightly is quite the gentleman. I like him very much. Decidedly I think a very gentleman like man. Happily it was now time to be gone. They were off, and Emma could breathe. Insufferable woman, was her immediate exclamation. Worse than I had supposed. Absolutely insufferable. Nightly, I could not have believed it. Nightly, never seen him in her life before and call him Nightly, and discover that he is a gentleman. A little upstart vulgar being with her Mr. Ease and her caro sposo, and her resources, and all her heirs of per pretension and underbred finery. Actually to discover that Mr. Nightly is a gentleman. I doubt whether he will return the compliment and discover her to be a lady. I could not have believed it. And to propose that she and I should unite to deform a musical club? One would fancy we were bosom friends. And Mrs. Weston, astonished that the person who had brought me up should be a gentle woman? Worse and worse. I never met with her equal. Much beyond my hopes. Harriet is disgraced by any comparison. Oh, what would Frank Churchill say to her if he were here? How angry and how diverted he would be! Ah, there I am. Thinking of him directly. Always the first person to be thought of. How I catch myself out. Frank Churchill comes as regularly into my mind. All this ran so glibly through her thoughts that by the time her father had arranged himself after the bustle of the Elton's departure and was ready to speak, she was very tolerably capable of attending. Well, my dear, he deliberately began. Considering we never saw her before, she seems a very pretty sort of young lady. And I daresay she was very much pleased with you. She speaks a little too quick. A little quickness of voice there is which rather hurts the ear. But I believe I am nice. I do not like strange voices and nobody speaks like you and poor Miss Taylor. However, she seems a very obliging, pretty behaved young lady and no doubt will make him a very good wife. Though I think he had better not have married, I made the best excuses I could for not having been able to wait on him and Mrs. Elton on this happy occasion. I said that I hoped I should in the course of the summer. But I ought to have gone before. Not to wait upon a bride is very remiss. Ah, it shows what a sad invalid I am. But I do not like the corner into vicarage lane. I daresay your apologies were accepted, sir. Mr. Elton knows you. Yes, but a young lady, a bride. I ought to have paid my respects to her if possible. It was being very deficient. But, my dear papa, you are no friend to matrimony, and therefore why should you be so anxious to pay your respects to a bride? It ought to be no recommendation to you. It is encouraging people to marry if you make so much of them. No, my dear, I never encouraged anybody to marry, but I would always wish to pay every proper attention to a lady, and a bride especially is never to be neglected, more is avowedly due to her. A bride, you know, my dear, is always the first in company let the others be who they may. Well, papa, if this is not encouragement to marry, I do not know what is, and I should never have expected you to be lending your sanction to such vanity-baits for poor young ladies. My dear, you do not understand me. This is a matter of mere common politeness and good-breeding, and has nothing to do with any encouragement to people to marry. Emma had done. Her father was growing nervous and could not understand her. Her mind returned to Mrs. Elton's offences, and long, very long, did they occupy her. End of Chapter 14. Recorded in Toronto, Ontario by Moira Fogarty, November 2009. Emma by Jane Austen. Volume 2, Chapter 15. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information and to find out how you can volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Moira Fogarty. Emma by Jane Austen. Volume 2, Chapter 15. Emma was not required by any subsequent discovery to retract her ill-opinion of Mrs. Elton. Her observation had been pretty correct. Such as Mrs. Elton appeared to her on this second interview, such she appeared whenever they met again. Self-important, presuming, familiar, ignorant and ill-bred. She had a little beauty and a little accomplishment, but so little judgment that she thought herself coming with superior knowledge of the world to enliven and improve a country neighbourhood and conceived Miss Hawkins to have held such a place in society as Mrs. Elton's consequence only could surpass. There was no reason to suppose Mr. Elton thought it all differently from his wife. He seemed not merely happy with her, but proud. He had the air of congratulating himself on having brought such a woman to Highbury as not even Miss Woodhouse could equal, and the greater part of her new acquaintance disposed to commend or not in the habit of judging, following the lead of Miss Bates' goodwill or taking it for granted that the bride must be as clever and as agreeable as she professed herself, were very well satisfied. So that Mrs. Elton's praise passed from one mouth to another as it ought to do, unimpeded by Miss Woodhouse, who readily continued her first contribution and talked with a good grace of her being very pleasant and very elegantly dressed. In one respect Mrs. Elton grew even worse than she had appeared at first. Her feelings altered towards Emma. Offended probably by the little encouragement which her proposals of intimacy met with, she drew back in her turn and gradually became much more cold and distant. And though the effect was agreeable, the ill-will which produced it was necessarily increasing Emma's dislike. Her manners, too, and Mr. Elton's, were unpleasant towards Harriet. They were sneering and negligent. Emma hoped it must rapidly work Harriet's cure, but the sensations which could prompt such behaviour sunk them both very much. It was not to be doubted that poor Harriet's attachment had been an offering to conjugal unreserve and her own share in the story under a colouring the least favourable to her and the most soothing to him had in all likelihood been given also. She was, of course, the object of their joint dislike. When they had nothing else to say it must be always easy to begin abusing Miss Woodhouse and the enmity which they dared not show in open disrespect to her found a broad event in contemptuous treatment of Harriet. Mrs. Elton took a great fancy to Jane Fairfax and from the first. Not merely when a state of warfare with one young lady might be supposed to recommend the other, but from the very first and she was not satisfied with expressing a natural and reasonable admiration but without solicitation or plea or privilege she must be wanting to assist and befriend her. Before Emma had forfeited her confidence and about the third time of their meeting she heard all Mrs. Elton's night errantry on the subject. Jane Fairfax is absolutely charming, Miss Woodhouse. I quite rave about Jane Fairfax. A sweet, interesting creature. So mild and ladylike and with such talents. I assure you, I think she has very extraordinary talents. I do not scruple to say that she plays extremely well. I know enough of music to speak decidedly on that point. Oh, she is absolutely charming. You will laugh at my warmth, but upon my word I talk of nothing but Jane Fairfax. This situation is so calculated to affect one. Miss Woodhouse, we must exert ourselves and endeavour to do something for her. We must bring her forward. Such talent as hers must not be suffered to remain unknown. I dare say you have heard those charming lines of the poet. Full many a flower is born to blush unseen and waste its fragrance on the desert air. We must not allow them to be verified in sweet Jane Fairfax. I cannot think there is any danger of it, was Emma's calm answer. And when you are better acquainted with Miss Fairfax's situation and understand what her home has been with Colonel and Mrs. Campbell I have no idea that you will suppose her talents can be unknown. Oh, but dear Miss Woodhouse, she is now in such retirement, such obscurity, so thrown away. Whatever advantages she may have enjoyed with the Campbells are so palpably at an end. And I think she feels it. I am sure she does. She is very timid and silent. One can see that she feels the want of encouragement. I like her the better for it. I must confess it is a recommendation to me. I am a great advocate for timidity and I am sure one does not often meet with it. But in those who are at all inferior it is extremely prepossessing. Oh, I assure you, Jane Fairfax is a very delightful character and interests me more than I can express. You appear to feel a great deal. But I am not aware how you or any of Miss Fairfax's acquaintance here, any of those who have known her longer than yourself can show her any other attention than my dear Miss Woodhouse, a vast deal may be done by those who dare to act. You and I need not be afraid. If we set the example many will follow it as far as they can, though all have not our situations. We have carriages to fetch and convey her home and we live in a style which could not make the addition of Jane Fairfax at any time the least inconvenient. I should be extremely displeased if Wright were to send us up such a dinner as could make me regret having asked more than Jane Fairfax to partake of it. I have no idea of that sort of thing. It is not likely that I should considering what I have been used to. My greatest danger, perhaps in housekeeping, may be quite the other way in doing too much and being too careless of expense. Maple Grove will probably be my model more than it ought to be, for we do not at all affect to equal my brother, Mr. Suckling, in income. However, my resolution is taken as to noticing Jane Fairfax. I shall certainly have her very often at my house. She'll introduce her wherever I can. She'll have musical parties to draw out her talents and shall be constantly on the watch for an eligible situation. My acquaintance is so very extensive that I have little doubt of hearing of something to suit her shortly. I shall introduce her, of course, very particularly to my brother and sister when they come to us. I am sure they will like her extremely and when she gets a little acquainted with them her fears will completely wear off. For there really is nothing in the manners of either but what is highly conciliating. I shall have her very often indeed while they are with me and I dare say we shall sometimes find a seat for her in the Baruch Landau in some of her exploring parties. Poor Jane Fairfax, thought Emma, you have not deserved this. You may have done wrong with regard to Mr. Dixon, but this is a punishment beyond what you can have merited. The kindness and protection of Mrs. Elton. Jane Fairfax and Jane Fairfax. Heavens! Let me not suppose that she dares go about Emma Woodhousing me. But upon my honour there seems no limits to the licentiousness of that woman's tongue. Emma had not to listen to such parading's again to any so exclusively addressed to herself but disgustingly decorated with a dear Miss Woodhouse. The change on Mrs. Elton's side soon afterwards appeared and she was left in peace. Neither forced to be the very particular friend of Mrs. Elton nor under Mrs. Elton's guidance the very active patroness of Jane Fairfax and only sharing with others in a general way in knowing what was felt, what was meditated, what was done. She looked on with some amusement. Miss Bates's gratitude for Mrs. Elton's attentions to Jane was in the first style of guileless simplicity and warmth. She was quite one of her worthies the most amiable, affable, delightful woman just as accomplished and condescending as Mrs. Elton meant to be considered. Emma's only surprise was that Jane Fairfax should accept those attentions and tolerate Mrs. Elton as she seemed to do. She heard of her walking with the Elton's sitting with the Elton's, spending a day with the Elton's. This was astonishing. She could not have believed it possible that the taste or the pride of Miss Fairfax could endure such society and friendship as the vicarage had to offer. She is a riddle, quite a riddle, said she to choose to remain here month after month under privations of every sort and now to choose the mortification of Mrs. Elton's notice and the penury of her conversation rather than return to the superior companions who have always loved her with such real, generous affection. Jane had come to Highbury professedly for three months. The Campbells were gone to Ireland for three months but now the Campbells had promised their daughter to stay at least till mid-summer and fresh invitations had arrived for her to join them there. According to Miss Bates, it all came from her, Mrs. Dixon had written most pressingly. Would Jane but go means were to be found, servants sent, friends contrived, no travelling difficulty allowed to exist but still she had declined it. She must have some motive more powerful than appears for refusing this invitation was Emma's conclusion. She must be under some sort of penance inflicted either by the Campbells or herself. There is great fear, great caution, great resolution somewhere. She is not to be with the Dixons. The decree is issued by somebody. But why must she consent to be with the Elton's? Here is quite a separate puzzle. Upon her speaking her wonder allowed on that part of the subject, before the few who knew her opinion of Mrs. Elton, Mrs. Weston ventured this apology for Jane. We cannot suppose that she has any great enjoyment at the vicarage, my dear Emma, but it is better than being always at home. Her aunt is a good creature, but as a constant companion must be very tiresome. We must consider what Miss Fairfax quits before we condemn her taste for what she goes to. You are right, Mrs. Weston, said Mr. Knightley warmly. Miss Fairfax is as capable as any of us of forming a just opinion of Mrs. Elton. Could she have chosen with whom to associate? She would not have chosen her. But, with a reproachful smile at Emma, she receives attentions from Mrs. Elton which nobody else pays her. Emma felt that Mrs. Weston was giving her a momentary glance, and she was herself struck by his warmth. With a faint blush she presently replied, such attentions as Mrs. Elton's I should have imagined would rather disgust than gratify Miss Fairfax. Mrs. Elton's invitations I should have imagined anything but inviting. I should not wonder, said Mrs. Weston, if Miss Fairfax were to have been drawn on beyond her own inclination by her aunt's eagerness in accepting Mrs. Elton's civilities for her. Poor Miss Bates may very likely have committed her niece and hurried her into a greater appearance of intimacy than her own good sense would have dictated in spite of the very natural wish of a little change. Both felt rather anxious to hear him speak again, and after a few minutes' silence he said, Another thing must be taken into consideration too. Mrs. Elton does not talk to Miss Fairfax as she speaks of her. We all know the difference between the pronouns he or she and thou, the plainest spoken among us. We all feel the influence of a something beyond common civility in our personal intercourse with each other, a something more early implanted. We cannot give anybody the disagreeable hints that we may have been very full of the hour before. We feel things differently. And besides the operation of this, as a general principle, you may be sure that Miss Fairfax awes Mrs. Elton by her superiority both of mind and manner, and that, face to face, Mrs. Elton treats her with all the respect which she has acclaimed to. Such a woman as Jane Fairfax probably never fell in with Mrs. Elton's way before, and no degree of vanity can prevent her acknowledging her own comparative littleness in action, if not in consciousness. I know how highly you think of Jane Fairfax, said Emma. Little Henry was in her thoughts, and a mixture of alarm and delicacy made her irresolute what else to say. Yes, he replied, anybody may know how highly I think of her. And yet, said Emma, beginning hastily and with an arch-look, but soon stopping. It was better, however, to know the worst at once. She hurried on, and yet, perhaps, you may hardly be aware yourself how highly it is. The extent of your admiration may take you by surprise some day or other. Mr. Knightley was hard at work upon the lower buttons of his thick leather-gaters, and either the exertion of getting them together, or some other cause brought the colour into his face as he answered, oh, are you there? But you are miserably behind hand. Mr. Cole gave me a hint of it six weeks ago. He stopped. Emma felt her foot pressed by Mrs. Weston, and did not herself know what to think. In a moment he went on, that will never be, however, I can assure you. Miss Fairfax, I dare say, would not have me if I were to ask her, and I am very sure I shall never ask her. Emma returned her friend's pressure with interest, and was pleased enough to exclaim, you are not vain, Mr. Knightley, I will say that for you. He seemed hardly to hear her. He was thoughtful, and in a manner which showed him not pleased, soon afterward said, so you have been settling that I should marry Jane Fairfax. No indeed I have not. You have scolded me too much for matchmaking, for me to presume to take such a liberty with you. What I said just now meant nothing. One says those sort of things, of course, without any idea of a serious meaning. Oh no, upon my word I have not the smallest wish for you marrying Jane Fairfax, or Jane anybody. You would not come in and sit with us in this comfortable way until you were married. Mr. Knightley was thoughtful again. The result of his reverie was, no, Emma, I do not think the extent of my admiration for her will ever take me by surprise. I never had a thought of her in that way, I assure you. And soon afterwards, Jane Fairfax is a very charming young woman, but not even Jane Fairfax is perfect. She has a fault. She has not the open temper which a man would wish for in a wife. Emma could not but rejoice to hear that she had a fault. Well, said she, and you soon silenced Mr. Cole, I suppose? Yes, very soon. He gave me a quiet hint. I told him he was mistaken. He asked my pardon and said no more. Cole does not want to be wiser or wittier than his neighbours. In that respect how unlike dear Mrs. Elton, who wants to be wiser and wittier than all the world, I wonder how she speaks of the Cole's, what she calls them. How can she find any appellation for them deep enough in familiar vulgarity? She calls you Knightley. What can she do for Mr. Cole? And so I am not to be surprised that Jane Fairfax accepts her civilities and consents to be with her. Mrs. Weston, your argument weighs most with me. I can much more readily enter into the temptation of getting away from Miss Bates than I can believe in the triumph of Miss Fairfax's mind over Mrs. Elton. I have no faith in Mrs. Elton's acknowledging herself the inferior in thought, word or deed, or in her being under any restraint beyond her own scanty rule of good-breeding. I cannot imagine that she will not be continually insulting her visitor with praise, encouragement and offers of service, that she will not be continually detailing her magnificent intentions from the procuring her a permanent situation to the including her in those delightful exploring parties which are to take place in the barouche landow. Jane Fairfax has feeling, said Mr. Knightley. I do not accuse her of want of feeling. Her sensibilities, I suspect, are strong and her temper excellent in its power of forbearance, patience, self-control, but it wants openness. She is reserved, more reserved, I think, than she used to be. And I love an open temper. No. Toe Cole alluded to my supposed attachment. It had never entered my head. I saw Jane Fairfax and conversed with her with admiration and pleasure always, but with no thought beyond. Well, Mrs. Weston, said Emma triumphantly when he left them. What do you say now to Mr. Knightley's marrying Jane Fairfax? Why, really, dear Emma, I say that he is so very much occupied by the idea of not being in love with her that I should not wonder if it were to end in his being so at last. Do not beat me. End of Chapter 15. Recorded in Toronto, Ontario by Moira Fogarty, November 2009 Emma by Jane Austen Volume 2, Chapter 16 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information and to find out how you can volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Moira Fogarty. Emma by Jane Austen Volume 2, Chapter 16 Everybody in and about Libri, who had ever visited Mr. Elton, was disposed to pay him attention on his marriage. Dinner parties and evening parties were made for him and his lady, and invitations flowed in so fast that she had soon the pleasure of apprehending they were never to have a disengaged day. I see how it is, said she, I see what a life I am to lead among you. Upon my word we shall be absolutely dissipated. We really seem quite the fashion. If this is living in the country, it is nothing very formidable. For Monday next Saturday I assure you we have not a disengaged day. A woman with fewer resources than I have need not have been at a loss. No invitation came amiss to her. Her bath habits made evening parties perfectly natural to her, and the noble grove had given her a taste for dinners. She was a little shocked at the want of two drawing rooms at the poor attempt at route cakes and there being no ice in the hybrid card parties. Mrs. Bates, Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Goddard and others were a good deal behind hand in knowledge of the world, but she would soon show them how everything ought to be arranged. In the course of the spring she must return their civilities to a very superior party, in which her card tables should be set out with their separate candles and unbroken packs in the true style, and more waiters engaged for the evening than their own establishment could furnish to carry round the refreshments at exactly the proper hour and in the proper order. Emma in the meanwhile could not be satisfied without a dinner at Hartfield for the Eltens. They must not do less than others or she should be exposed to suspicions and imagined capable of pitiful resentment. A dinner there must be. After Emma had talked about it for ten minutes, Mr. Woodhouse felt no unwillingness and only made the usual stipulation of not sitting at the bottom of the table himself with the usual regular difficulty of deciding who should do it for him. The persons to be invited required little thought. Besides the Eltens and Mr. Knightley, so far it was all of course. And it was hardly less inevitable that poor little Harriet must be asked to make the eighth. But this invitation was not given with equal satisfaction and on many accounts Emma was particularly pleased by Harriet's begging to be allowed to decline it. She would rather not be in his company more than she could help. She was not yet quite able to see him and his charming happy wife together without feeling uncomfortable. If Mrs. Woodhouse would not be displeased she would rather stay at home. It was precisely what Emma would have wished had she deemed it possible enough for wishing. She was delighted with the fortitude of her little friend, for fortitude she knew it was in her to give up being in company and stay at home. And she could now invite the very person whom she really wanted to make the eighth, Jane Fairfax. Since her last conversation with Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley she was more conscious-stricken about Jane Fairfax than she had often been. Mr. Knightley's words dwelt with her. He had said that Jane Fairfax received attentions from Mrs. Elton which nobody else paid her. This is very true said she, at least as far as relates to me which was all that was meant and it is very shameful of the same age and always knowing her I ought to have been more her friend. She will never like me now I have neglected her too long but I will show her greater attention than I have done. Every invitation was successful they were all disengaged and all happy. The preparatory interest of this dinner however was not yet over. A circumstance rather unlucky occurred. The two eldest little Knightleys were engaged to pay their grand-papa and aunt a visit of some weeks in the spring and their papa now proposed bringing them and staying one whole day at Hartfield which one day would be the very day of this party. His professional engagements did not allow of his being put off but both father and daughter were disturbed by its happening so. Mr. Woodhouse considered eight persons at dinner together as the utmost that his nerves could bear and here would be a ninth and Emma apprehended that it would be a ninth very much out of humour at not being able to come even to Hartfield for forty-eight hours without falling in with a dinner party. She comforted her father better than she could comfort herself by representing that though he would certainly make them nine yet he always said so little that the increase of noise would be very immaterial. She thought it in reality a sad exchange for herself to have him with his grave looks and reluctant conversation opposed to her instead of his brother. The event was more favourable to Mr. Woodhouse than to Emma. John Knightley came but Mr. Weston was unexpectedly summoned to town and must be absent on the very day. He might be able to join them in the evening but certainly not to dinner. Mr. Woodhouse was quite at ease and the seeing him so with the arrival of the little boys and the philosophic composure of her brother on hearing his fate removed the chief of even Emma's vexation. The day came the party were punctually assembled and Mr. John Knightley seemed early to devote himself to the business of being agreeable. Instead of drawing his brother off to a window while they waited for dinner he was talking to Miss Fairfax. Mrs. Elton as elegant as lace and pearls could make her he looked at in silence wanting only to observe enough for Isabella's information but Miss Fairfax was an old acquaintance and a quiet girl and he could talk to her. He had met her before breakfast as he was returning from a walk with his little boys when it had been just beginning to rain. It was natural to have some civil hopes on the subject and he said I hope you did not venture far of Miss Fairfax this morning you must have been wet we scarcely got home in time I hope you turned directly I went only to the post office said she and reached home before the rain was much it is my daily errand I always fetch the letters when I am here it saves trouble and is a something to get me out a walk before breakfast does me good not a walk in the rain I should imagine no but it did not absolutely rain when I set out Mr. John Knightley smiled and replied that is to say you chose to have your walk for you were not six yards from your own door when I had the pleasure of meeting you and Henry and John had seen more drops than they could count long before the post office has a great charm at one period of our lives when you have lived to my age you will begin to think letters are never worth going through the rain for a little blush and then this answer I must not hope to be ever situated as you are in the midst of every dearest connection and therefore I cannot expect that simply growing older should make me indifferent about letters indifferent oh no I never conceived you could become indifferent letters are no matter of indifference they are generally a very positive curse you are speaking of letters of business minor letters of friendship I have often thought them the worst of the two replied he coolly business you know may bring money but friendship hardly ever does ah you are not serious now I know Mr. John Knightley too well I am very sure he understands the value of friendship as well as anybody I can easily believe that letters are very little to you much less than to me but it is not your being ten years older than myself which makes the difference it is not age but situation you have everybody dearest to you always at hand I probably never shall again and therefore till I have outlived all my affections a post office I think must always have power to draw me out in worse weather than today when I talked of your being altered by time by the progress of years Mr. Knightley I meant to imply the change of situation which time usually brings I consider one as including the other time will generally lessen the interest of every attachment not within the daily circle but that is not the change I had in view for you as an old friend you will allow me to hope Mr. Fairfax the ten years hence you may have as many concentrated objects as I have it was kindly said and very far from giving offence a pleasant thank you seemed meant to laugh it off but a blush a quivering lip a tear in the eyes showed that it was felt beyond a laugh her attention was now claimed by Mr. Woodhouse who being according to his custom on such occasions making the circle of his guests and paying his particular compliments to the ladies was ending with her and with all his mildest urbanity said I am very sorry to hear Ms. Fairfax of your being out this morning in the rain young ladies should take care of themselves young ladies are delicate plants they should take care of their health and their complexion my dear did you change your stockings yes sir I did indeed and I am very much obliged by your kind solicitude about me my dear Ms. Fairfax young ladies are very sure to be cared for I hope your good grand-mama and aunt are well they are some of my very old friends I wish my health allowed me to be a better neighbour you do us a great deal of honour today I am sure my daughter and I are both highly sensible of your goodness and have the greatest satisfaction in seeing you at Hartfield the kind-hearted, polite old man might then sit down and feel that he had done his duty and made every fair lady welcome and easy by this time the walk in the rain had reached Mrs. Elton and her remonstrances now opened upon Jane my dear Jane what is this I hear going to the post office in the rain this must not be I assure you you sad girl how could you do such a thing it is a sign I was not there to take care of you Jane very patiently assured her that she had not caught any cold oh do not tell me you really are very sad girl and do not know how to take care of yourself to the post office indeed Mrs. Weston did you ever hear the like you and I must positively exert our authority my advice said Mrs. Weston kindly and persuasively I certainly do feel tempted to give you must not run such risks liable as you have been to severe colds indeed you ought to be particularly careful especially at this time of the year the spring I always think requires more than common care better wait an hour or two or even half a day for your letters than run the risk of bringing on your cough again now do you not feel that you had yes I am sure you are much too reasonable you look as if you would not do such a thing again oh she shall not do such a thing again eagerly rejoined Mrs. Elton we will not allow her to do such a thing again and nodding significantly there must be some arrangement made there must indeed I shall speak to Mr. E the man who fetches our letters every morning one of our men I forget his name shall inquire for yours too and bring them to you that will obviate all difficulties you know and from us I really think my dear Jane you can have no scruple to accept such an accommodation you are extremely kind said Jane but I cannot give up my early walk I am advised to be out of doors as much as I can I must walk somewhere and the post office is an object and upon my word I have scarcely ever had a bad morning before my dear Jane say no more about it the thing is determined that is laughing effectively as far as I can presume to determine anything without the concurrence of my lord and master you know Mrs. Weston you and I must be cautious how we express ourselves but I do flatter myself my dear Jane that my influence is not entirely worn out if I meet with no insuperable difficulties therefore consider that point as settled excuse me said Jane earnestly I cannot by any means consent to such an arrangement so needlessly troublesome to your servant if the errand were not a pleasure to me it could be done as it always is when I am not here by my grandma's oh my dear but so much as Paddy has to do and it is a kindness to employ our men Jane looked as if she did not mean to be conquered but instead of answering she began speaking again to Mr. John Knightley the post office is a wonderful establishment said she the regularity and despatch of it if one thinks of all that it has to do and all that it does so well it is really astonishing it is certainly very well regulated so seldom that any negligence or blunder appears so seldom that a letter among the thousands that are constantly passing about the kingdom is even carried wrong and not one in a million I suppose actually lost and when one considers the variety of hands and of bad hands too that are to be deciphered it increases the wonder the clerks grow expert from habit they must begin with some quickness of sight and hand and exercise improves them if you want any father explanation continued he smiling they are paid for it that is the key to a great deal of capacity the public pays and must be served well the varieties of handwriting were farther talked of and the usual observations made I have heard it asserted said John Knightley that the same sort of handwriting often prevails in a family and the same master teaches it is natural enough but for that reason I should imagine the likeness must be chiefly confined to the females for boys have very little teaching after an early age and scramble into any hand they can get Isabella and Emma I think do write very much alike I have not always known their writing apart yes said his brother hesitatingly but Emma's hand is the strongest Isabella and Emma both write beautifully said Mr. Woodhouse and always did and so does poor Mrs. Weston with half a sigh and half a smile at her I never saw any gentlemen's handwriting Emma began looking also at Mrs. Weston but stopped unperceiving that Mrs. Weston was attending to someone else and gave her time to reflect now how am I going to introduce him am I unequal to speaking his name at once before all these people is it necessary for me to use any round about phrase your Yorkshire friend your correspondent in Yorkshire that would be the way I suppose if I were very bad no I can pronounce his name without the smallest distress I certainly get better and better for it Mrs. Weston was disengaged and Emma began again Mr. Frank Churchill writes one of the best gentlemen's hands I ever saw I do not admire it said Mr. Knightley it is too small want strength it is like a woman's writing this was not submitted to by either lady they vindicated him against the base dispersion no by no means wanted strength it was not a large hand but very clear and certainly strong had not Mrs. Weston any letter about her to produce no she had heard from him very lately but having answered the letter had put it away if we were in the other room said Emma if I had my writing desk I am sure I could produce a specimen I have a note of his do not you remember Mrs. Weston did you for one day he chose to say he was employed well well I have that note and can show it after dinner to convince Mr. Knightley oh when a gallant young man like Mr. Frank Churchill said Mr. Knightley dryly writes to a fair lady like Miss Woodhouse he will of course put forth his best dinner was on table Mrs. Elton before she could be spoken to was ready and before Mr. Woodhouse had reached her with his request to be allowed to hand her into the dining parlor was saying must I go first I really am ashamed of always leading the way Jane solicitude about fetching her own letters had not escaped Emma she had heard and seen it all and felt some curiosity to know whether the wet walk of this morning had produced any she suspected that it had that it would not have been so resolutely encountered but in full expectation of hearing from someone very dear and that it had not been in vain she thought there was an air of greater happiness than usual a glow both of complexion and spirits she could have made an enquiry or two as to the expedition and the expense of the Irish males it was at her tongue's end but she abstained she was quite determined not to utter a word that should hurt Jane Fairfax's feelings and they followed the other ladies out of the room, arm in arm with an appearance of goodwill highly becoming to the beauty and grace of each End of Chapter 16 Recorded in Toronto, Ontario by Moira Fogarty November 2009 Emma by Jane Austen Volume 2, Chapter 17 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information and to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Moira Fogarty Emma by Jane Austen Volume 2, Chapter 17 When the ladies returned to the drawing room after dinner Emma found it hardly possible to prevent their making two distinct parties with so much perseverance and judging and behaving ill did Mrs. Elton engross Jane Fairfax and slight herself She and Mrs. Weston were obliged to be almost always either talking together or silent together Mrs. Elton left them no choice If Jane repressed her for a little time she soon began again and though much that passed between them was in a half whisper especially on Mrs. Elton's side there was no avoiding a knowledge of multiple subjects The post office, catching cold fetching letters and friendship were long under discussion and to them succeeded one which must be at least equally unpleasant to Jane inquiries whether she had yet heard of any situation likely to suit her and professions of Mrs. Elton's mediated activity Here's April come said she I get quite anxious about you soon be here but I have never fixed on June or any other month merely looked forward to the summer in general but have you really heard of nothing I have not even made any inquiry I do not wish to make any yet oh my dear we cannot begin too early you are not aware of the difficulty of procuring exactly the desirable thing I not aware said Jane, shaking her head dear Mrs. Elton who can have thought of it as I have done but you have not seen so much of the world as I have you do not know how many candidates there always are for the first situations I saw a vast deal of that in the neighbourhood round Maple Grove a cousin of Mr. Suckling Mrs. Bragg had such an infinity of applications everybody was anxious to be in her family for she moves in the first circle wax candles in the school room you may imagine how desirable of all houses in the kingdom Mrs. Braggs is the one I would most wish to see you in Colonel and Mrs. Campbell are to be in town again by mid-summer said Jane I must spend some time with them I am sure they will want it afterwards I may probably be glad to dispose of myself but I would not wish you to take the trouble of making any inquiries at present trouble I, I know your scruples you are afraid of giving me trouble but I assure you my dear Jane the Campbells can hardly be more interested about you than I am I shall write to Mrs. Partridge in a day or two and she'll give her a strict charge to be on the lookout for anything eligible thank you but I would rather you did not mention the subject to her till the time draws nearer I do not wish to be giving anybody trouble but my dear child the time is drawing near here is April and June or say even July is very near with such business to accomplish before us your inexperience really amuses me a situation such as you deserve and your friends would require for you is no everyday occurrence is not obtained at a moment's notice indeed indeed we must begin inquiring directly excuse me mom but this is by no means my intention I make no inquiry myself and should be sorry to have any made by my friends when I am quite determined as to the time I am not at all afraid of being long unemployed there are places in town offices where inquiry would soon produce something offices for the sale not quite of human flesh but of human intellect oh my dear human flesh you quite shock me if you mean a fling at the slave trade I assure you Mr. Suckling was always rather a friend to the abolition I did not mean I was not thinking of the slave trade replied Jane governess trade I assure you was all that I had in view widely different certainly as to the guilt of those who carry it on but as to the greater misery of the victims I do not know where it lies but I only mean to say that there are advertising offices and that by applying to them I should have no doubt of very soon meeting with something that would do something that would do repeated Mrs. Elton I that may suit your humble ideas of yourself I know what a modest creature you are but it will not satisfy your friends to have you taking up with anything that may offer any inferior common place situation in a family not moving in a certain circle or able to command the elegancies of life you are very obliging but as to all that I am very indifferent it would be no object to me to be with the rich my mortifications I think would only be the greater I should suffer more from comparison a gentleman's family is all that I should condition for I know you I know you you would take up with anything but I shall be a little more nice and I am sure the good Campbells will be quite on my side with your superior talents you have a right to move in the first circle your musical knowledge alone would entitle you to name your own terms have as many rooms as you like and mix in the family as much as you chose that is I do not know if you knew the harp you might do all that I am very sure but you sing as well as play yes I really believe you might even without the harp stipulate for what you chose and you must and shall be delightfully, honorably and comfortably settled before the Campbells or I have any rest you may well class the delight the honor and the comfort of such a situation together said Jane they are pretty sure to be equal however I am very serious in not wishing anything to be attempted at present for me I am exceedingly obliged to you Mrs. Elton I am obliged to anybody who feels for me but I am quite serious in wishing nothing to be done till this summer for two or three months longer I shall remain where I am and as I am and I am quite serious too I assure you replied Mrs. Elton gaily in resolving to be always on the watch and employing my friends to watch also that nothing really unexceptionable may pass us in this style she ran on never thoroughly stopped by anything till Mr. Woodhouse came into the room her vanity had then a change of object and Emma heard her saying in the same half whisper to Jane here comes this his dear old bow of mine I protest only think of his gallantry in coming away before the other men what a dear creature he is I assure you I like him excessively I admire all that quaint old fashioned politeness it is much more to my taste than modern ease modern ease often disgusts me but this good old Mr. Woodhouse I wish you had heard his gallant speeches to me at dinner oh I assure you I began to think my caro sposo would be absolutely jealous I fancy I am rather a favourite he took notice of my gown how do you like it Selina's choice hats my think but I do not know whether it is not over trimmed I have the greatest dislike to the idea of being over trimmed quite a horror of finery I must put on a few ornaments now because it is expected of me a bride you know must appear like a bride but my natural taste is all for simplicity a simple style of dress is so infinitely preferable to finery but I am quite in the minority I believe few people seem to value simplicity of dress show and finery are everything I have some notion of putting such a trimming as this to my white and silver poplin do you think it will look well the whole party were but just in the drawing room when Mr. Weston made his appearance among them he had returned to a late dinner and walked to Hartfield as soon as it was over he had been too much expected by the best judges for surprise but there was great joy Mr. Woodhouse was almost as glad to see him now as he would have been sorry to see him before John Knightley only was in mute astonishment that a man who might have spent his evening quietly at home after a day of business in London should set off again and walk half a mile to another man's house for the sake of being a mixed company till bedtime of finishing his day in the efforts of civility and the noise of numbers was a circumstance to strike him deeply a man who had been in motion since eight o'clock in the morning and might now have been still who had been long talking and might have been silent who had been in more than one crowd and might have been alone such a man to quit the tranquility and independence of his own fireside and on the evening of a cold sleety April day rush out again into the world could he by a touch of his finger have instantly taken back his wife there would have been a motive but his coming would probably prolong rather than break up the party John Knightley looked at him with amazement then shrugged his shoulders and said I would have believed it even of him Mr. Weston meanwhile perfectly unsuspicious of the indignation he was exciting happy and cheerful as usual and with all the right of being principle talker which a day spent anywhere from home confers was making himself agreeable among the rest and having satisfied the inquiries of his wife as to his dinner convincing her that none of all her careful directions to the servants had been forgotten and spread was proceeding to a family communication which though principally addressed to Mrs. Weston he had not the smallest doubt of being highly interesting to everybody in the room he gave her a letter it was from Frank and to herself he had met with it in his way and had taken the liberty of opening it read it, read it said he it will give you pleasure only a few lines will not take you long read it to Emma the two ladies looked over it together and he sat smiling and talking to them the whole time in a voice a little subdued but very audible to everybody well he is coming you see good news I think well what do you say to it I always told you he would be here again soon did not I and my dear did not I always tell you so and you would not believe me in town next week you see at the latest I dare say is as impatient as the black gentleman when anything is to be done most likely they will be there tomorrow or Saturday as to her illness all nothing of course but it is an excellent thing to have Frank among us again so near as town they will stay a good while when they do come and he will be half his time with us this is precisely what I wanted well pretty good news is not it have you finished it has Emma read it all put it up put it up we will have a good talk about it some other time but it will not do now I shall only just mention the circumstance to the others in a common way Mrs. Weston was most comfortably pleased on the occasion her looks and words had nothing to restrain them she was happy she knew she was happy and knew she ought to be happy her congratulations were warm and open but Emma could not speak so fluently she was a little occupied and weighing her own feelings and trying to understand the degree of her agitation which she rather thought was considerable Mr. Weston however too eager to be very observant too communicative to want others to talk was very well satisfied with what she did say and soon moved away to make the rest of his friends happy by a partial communication of what the whole room must have overheard already it was well that he took everybody's joy for granted or he might not have thought either Mr. Woodhouse or Mr. Knightley particularly delighted they were the first entitled after Mrs. Weston and Emma to be made happy from them he would have proceeded to miss Fairfax but she was so deep in conversation with John Knightley that it would have been too positive an interruption and finding himself close to Mrs. Elton and her attention disengaged he necessarily began with her End of Chapter 17 Recorded in Toronto, Ontario by Moira Fogarty November 2009 Emma by Jane Austen Volume 2 Chapter 18 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information and to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Moira Fogarty Emma by Jane Austen Volume 2 Chapter 18 I hope I shall soon have the pleasure of introducing my son to you said Mr. Weston Mrs. Elton very willing to suppose a particular compliment intended her by such a hope smiled most graciously You have heard of a certain Frank Churchill I presume he continued and know him to be my son so he does not bear my name Oh yes and I shall be very happy in his acquaintance I am sure Mr. Elton will lose no time in calling on him and we shall both have great pleasure in seeing him at the vicarage You are very obliging Frank will be extremely happy I am sure He is to be in town next week if not sooner We have notice of it in the letter today I met the letters in my way this morning my son's hand presumed to open it though it was not directed to me it was to Mrs. Weston She is his principal correspondent I assure you I hardly ever get a letter and so you absolutely opened what was directed to her Oh Mr. Weston laughing effectively I must protest against that a most dangerous precedent indeed I beg you will not let your neighbors follow your example On my word, if this is what I am to expect we married women must begin to exert ourselves Oh Mr. Weston, I could not have believed it of you Aye, we men are sad fellows You must take care of yourself Mrs. Elton This letter tells us it is a short letter written in a hurry merely to give us notice It tells us that they are all coming up to town directly on Mrs. Churchill's account She has not been well the whole winter and thinks Enscombe is too cold for her so they are all to move southward without loss of time Indeed from Yorkshire I think Enscombe is in Yorkshire Yes, they are about 190 miles from London a considerable journey Yes, upon my word very considerable 65 miles farther than from Maple Grove to London But what is distance Mr. Weston to people of large fortune who care how my brother Mr. Suckling sometimes flies about You will hardly believe me but twice in one week he and Mr. Bragg went to London and back again with four horses The evil of the distance from Enscombe said Mr. Weston is that Mrs. Churchill as we understand has not been able to leave the sofa for a week together In Frank's last letter she complained he said of being too weak to get into her conservatory without having both his arm and his uncle's this you know speaks a great degree of weakness but now she is so impatient to be in town that she means to sleep only two nights on the road so Frank writes word Certainly delicate ladies have very extraordinary constitutions Mrs. Elton you must grant me that No indeed I shall grant you nothing I always take the part of my own sex I do indeed I give you notice you will find me a formidable antagonist on that point I always stand up for women and I assure you if you knew how Selena feels with respect to sleeping at an inn you would not wonder at Mrs. Churchill's making incredible exertions to avoid it Selena says it is quite horror to her and I believe I have caught a little of her nicety She always travels with her own sheets an excellent precaution does Mrs. Churchill do the same? depend upon it Mrs. Churchill does everything that any other fine lady ever did Mrs. Churchill will not be second to any lady in the land for Mrs. Elton eagerly interposed with oh Mr. Weston do not mistake me Selena is no fine lady I assure you do not run away with such an idea is not she then she has no rule for Mrs. Churchill who is as thorough a fine lady ever beheld Mrs. Elton began to think she had been wrong and disclaiming so warmly it was by no means her object to have it believed that her sister was not a fine lady perhaps there was want of spirit in the pretense of it and she was considering in what way she had best retract when Mr. Weston went on Mrs. Churchill is not much in my good graces as you may suspect but this is quite between ourselves she is very fond of Frank and therefore I would not speak ill of her besides she is out of health now but that indeed by her own account she has always been I would not say so to everybody Mrs. Elton but I have not much faith in Mrs. Churchill's illness if she is really ill why not go to Bath Mr. Weston to Bath or to Clifton she has taken it into her head that Enscombe is too cold for her the fact is I suppose she is tired of Enscombe she has now been a longer time stationary there than she ever was before and she begins to want change it is a retired place a fine place but very retired I like Maple Grove I dare say nothing can stand more retired from the road than Maple Grove such an immense plantation all round it you seem shut out from everything in the most complete retirement and Mrs. Churchill probably has not health or spirits like Selena to enjoy that sort of seclusion or perhaps she may not have resources enough in herself to be qualified for a country life I always say a woman cannot have too many resources and I feel very thankful that I have so many myself as to be quite independent of society Frank was here in February for a fortnight so I remember to have heard he will find an addition to the Society of Hybrid when he comes again that is, if I may presume to call myself an addition but perhaps he may never have heard of there being such a creature in the world this was too loud a call for compliment to be passed by and Mr. Weston with a very good grace immediately exclaimed my dear madam nobody but yourself could imagine such a thing possible not heard of you I believe Mrs. Weston's letters lately have been full of very little else than Mrs. Elton he had done his duty and could return to his son when Frank left us continued he it was quite uncertain when we might see him again which makes this day's news doubly welcome it has been completely unexpected that is I always had a strong persuasion he would be here again soon I was sure something favourable would turn up but nobody believed me he and Mrs. Weston were both dreadfully desponding how could he contrive to come and how could it be supposed that his uncle and aunt would spare him again and so forth I always felt that something would happen in our favour and so it has you see I have observed Mrs. Elton in the course of my life that if things are going untowardly one month they are sure to mend the next very true Mr. Weston perfectly true it is just what I used to say to a certain gentleman in company in the days of courtship when, because things did not go quite right did not proceed with all the rapidity which suited his feelings he was apt to be in despair and exclaim that he was sure at this rate it would be May before Hyman's saffron robe would be put on for us oh, the pains I have been at to dispel those gloomy ideas and give him cheerful reviews the carriage and disappointments about the carriage one morning I remember he came to me quite in despair she was stopped by a slight fit of coughing and Mr. Weston instantly seized the opportunity of going on you were mentioning May May is the very month Mrs. Churchill has ordered or has ordered herself to spend in some warmer place than Enscombe in short, to spend in London so that we have the agreeable prospect of frequent visits from Frank the whole spring precisely the season of the year which one should have chosen for it days almost at the longest weather genial and pleasant always inviting one out and never too hot for exercise when he was here before we made the best of it but there was a good deal of wet, damp, cheerless weather there always is in February, you know and we could not do half that we intended now will be the time this will be complete enjoyment I do not know Mrs. Elton whether the uncertainty of our meetings the sort of constant expectation there will be of his coming in today or tomorrow and at any hour may not be more friendly to happiness than having him actually in the house I think it is so I think it is the state of mind which gives most spirit and delight I hope you will be pleased with my son but you must not expect a prodigy he is generally thought a fine young man but do not expect a prodigy Mrs. Weston's partiality for him is very great and as you may suppose most gratifying to me she thinks nobody equal to him and I assure you Mr. Weston I have very little doubt that my opinion will be decidedly in his favor I have heard so much in praise of Mr. Frank Churchill at the same time it is fair to observe that I am one of those who always judge for themselves and are by no means implicitly guided by others I give you notice that as I find your son so shall I judge of him I am no flatterer Mr. Weston was musing I hope, said he presently I have not been severe upon poor Mrs. Churchill if she is ill I should be sorry to do her injustice but there are some traits in her character which make it difficult for me to speak of her with the forbearance I could wish you cannot be ignorant Mrs. Elton there is no connection with the family nor of the treatment I have met with and between ourselves the whole blame of it is to be laid to her she was the instigator Frank's mother would never have been slighted as she was but for her Mr. Churchill has pride but his pride is nothing to his wife's his is a quiet indolent gentleman like sort of pride that would harm nobody and only make himself a little helpless and tiresome and insolence and what inclines one less to bear she has no fair pretense of family or blood she was nobody when he married her barely the daughter of the gentleman but ever since her being turned into a Churchill she has out-churched them all in high and mighty claims but in herself I assure you she is an upstart only think well that must be infinitely provoking I have quite a horror of upstarts Maple Grove has given me a thorough disgust to people of that sort for there is a family in that neighbourhood who are such an annoyance to my brother and sister from the heirs they give themselves your description of Mrs. Churchill made me think of them directly people of the name of Topman very lately settled there and encumbered with many low connections but giving themselves immense heirs and expecting to be on a footing with the old established families a year and a half is the very utmost that they can have lived at West Hall and how they got their fortune nobody knows they came from Birmingham which is not a place to promise much you know Mr. Weston one has not great hopes from Birmingham I always say there is something direful in the sound but nothing more is positively known of the Topmans though a good many things I assure you are suspected in their manners they evidently think themselves equal even to my brother Mr. Suckling who happens to be one of their nearest neighbours it is infinitely too bad Mr. Suckling who has been eleven years a resident at Maple Grove and whose father had it before him I believe at least I am almost sure that old Mr. Suckling had completed the purchase before his death they were interrupted T was carrying round Weston having said all that he wanted soon took the opportunity of walking away after T Mr. and Mrs. Weston and Mr. Elton sat down with Mr. Woodhouse to cards the remaining five were left to their own powers and Emma doubted they are getting on very well for Mr. Knightley seemed little disposed for conversation Mrs. Elton was wanting notice which nobody had any inclination to pay and she was herself in a worry of spirits which would have made her prefer being silent Mr. John Knightley proved more talkative than his brother he was to leave them early the next day and he soon began with well Emma I do not believe I have anything more to say about the boys but you have your sister's letter and everything is down at full length there we may be sure my charge would be much more concise than hers and probably not much in the same spirit all that I have to recommend being comprised in do not spoil them and do not physics them I rather hope to satisfy you both said Emma for I shall do all in my power to make them happy which will be enough for Isabella and happiness must preclude false indulgence and physics and if you find them troublesome you must send them home again that is very likely you think so do not you I hope I am aware that they may be too noisy for your father or even maybe some encumbrance to you if your visiting engagements continue to increase as much as they have done lately increase certainly you must be sensible that the last half year has made a great difference in your way of life difference no indeed I am not there can be no doubt of your being much more engaged with company than you used to be witness this very time here am I come down for only one day and you are engaged with the dinner party when did it happen before or anything like it your neighbourhood is increasing and you mix more with it a little while ago every letter to Isabella brought an account of fresh gayities dinners at Mr Coles or balls at the crown the difference which randles randles alone makes in your goings on is very great yes said his brother quickly it is randles that does it all very well and as randles I suppose is not likely to have less influence than here too for it strikes me as a possible thing Emma that Henry and John may be sometimes in the way and if they are I only beg you to send them home no cried Mr Knightley that need not be the consequence let them be sent to Donwell I shall certainly be at leisure upon my word exclaimed Emma you amuse me I should like to know how many of all my numerous engagements take place without your being of the party and why I am to be supposed in danger of wanting leisure to attend to the little boys these amazing engagements of mine what have they been dining once with the Coles and having a ball talked of which never took place I can understand you nodding at Mr John Knightley your good fortune in meeting with so many of your friends at once here delights you too much to pass unnoticed but you turning to Mr Knightley who know how very very seldom I am ever two hours from Hartfield why you should foresee such a series of dissipation for me I cannot imagine and as to my dear little boys I must say that if Aunt Emma has not time for them I do not think they would fare much better with Uncle Knightley who is absent from home about five hours where she is absent one and who when he is at home is either reading to himself or settling his accounts Mr Knightley seemed to be trying not to smile and succeeded without difficulty upon Mrs Elton's beginning to talk to him End of Chapter 18 Recorded in Toronto, Ontario by Moira Fogarty November 2008 End of Volume 2 Emma by Jane Austen Volume 3 Chapter 1 This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Moira Fogarty Emma by Jane Austen Volume 3 Chapter 1 A very little quiet reflection was enough to satisfy Emma as to the nature of her agitation during this news of Frank Churchill She was soon convinced that it was not for herself she was feeling at all apprehensive or embarrassed it was for him Her own attachment had really subsided into a mere nothing it was not worth thinking of but if he, who had undoubtedly been always so much the most in love of the two were to be returning with the same warmth of sentiment which he had taken away it would be very distressing if a separation of two months should not have cooled him there were dangers and evils before her caution for him and for herself would be necessary she did not mean to have her own affections entangled again and it would be incumbent on her to avoid any encouragement of his she wished she might be able to keep him from an absolute declaration that would be so very painful a conclusion of their present acquaintance and yet she could not help rather anticipating something decisive she felt as if the spring would not pass without bringing a crisis an event a something to alter her present composed and tranquil state it was not very long though rather longer than Mr. Weston had foreseen before she had the power of forming some opinion of Frank Churchill's feelings the Enscombe family were not in town quite so soon as had been imagined but he was at Highbury very soon afterwards he rode down for a couple of hours he could not yet do more but as he came from Randall's immediately to Hartfield she could then exercise all her quick observation and speedily determine how he was influenced and how she must act they met with the utmost friendliness there could be no doubt of his great pleasure in seeing her but she had an almost instant doubt of his caring for her as he had done of his feeling the same tenderness in the same degree she watched him well it was a clear thing he was less in love than he had been absence with the conviction probably of her indifference had produced this very natural and very desirable effect he was in high spirits as ready to talk and laugh as ever and seemed delighted to speak of his former visit and recur to old stories but not without agitation it was not in his calmness that she read his comparative difference he was not calm his spirits were evidently fluttered there was a restlessness about him lively as he was it seemed a liveliness that did not satisfy himself but what decided her belief on the subject was his staying only a quarter of an hour and hurrying away to make other calls in Highbury he had seen a group of old acquaintance in the street as he passed he had not stopped he would not stop for more than a word but he had the vanity to think they would be disappointed if he did not call and much as he wished to stay longer at Hartfield he must hurry off she had no doubt as to his being less in love but neither his agitated spirits nor his hurrying away seemed like a perfect cure and she was rather inclined to think it implied a dread of her returning power and a discreet resolution of not trusting himself with her long this was the only visit from Frank Churchill in the course of ten days he was often hoping, intending to come but was always prevented his aunt could not bear to have him leave her such was his own account at Randalls if he were quite sincere if he really tried to come it was to be inferred that Mrs. Churchill's removal to London had been of no service to the willful or nervous part of her disorder that she was really ill was very certain he had declared himself convinced of it at Randalls though much might be fancy he could not doubt when he looked back that she was in a weaker state of health than she had been half a year ago he did not believe it to proceed from anything that care and medicine might not remove or at least that she might not have many years of existence before her she was told on by all his father's doubts to say that her complaints were merely imaginary or that she was as strong as ever it soon appeared that London was not the place for her she could not endure its noise her nerves were under continual irritation and suffering and by the ten days end her nephews letter to Randalls communicated a change of plan they were going to remove immediately to Richmond Mrs. Churchill had been recommended the skill of an eminent person there and had otherwise a fancy for the place a ready furnished house in a favourite spot was engaged and much benefit expected from the change Emma heard that Frank wrote in the highest spirits of this arrangement and seemed most fully to appreciate the blessing of having two months before him of such near neighbourhood to many dear friends for the house was taken for May and June she was told that now he wrote with the greatest confidence of being often with them almost as often as he could even wish Emma saw how Mr. Weston understood these joyous prospects he was considering her as the source of all the happiness they offered she hoped it was not so two months must bring it to the proof Mr. Weston's own happiness was indisputable he was quite delighted it was the very circumstance he could have wished for now it would be really having Frank in their neighbourhood what were nine miles to a young man an hours ride he would be always coming over the difference in that respect of Richmond and London was enough to make the whole difference of seeing him always and seeing him never sixteen miles, nay, eighteen it must be full eighteen to Manchester Street was a serious obstacle were he ever able to get away the day would be spent in coming and returning there was no comfort in having him in London he might as well be at Enscombe but Richmond was the very distance for easy intercourse better than nearer one good thing was immediately brought to a certainty by this removal the ball at the crown it had not been forgotten before but it had been soon acknowledged vain to attempt to fix a day now however it was absolutely to be every preparation was resumed and very soon after the Churchels had removed to Richmond a few lines from Frank to say that his aunt felt already much better for the change and that he had no doubt of being able to join them for twenty four hours at any given time induce them to name as early a day as possible Mr. Weston's ball was to be a real thing a very few tomorrows stood between the young people of Highbury and happiness Mr. Woodhouse was resigned the time of year lightened the evil to him May was better for everything than February Mrs. Bates was engaged to spend the evening at Hartfield James had due notice and he sanguinly hoped that neither dear little Henry nor dear little John would have anything the matter with them while dear Emma were gone End of Chapter 1 Recorded in Toronto, Ontario by Moira Fogarty January 2010