13 Emma By Jane Austen

This guided reading is of Emma, the fourth major novel penned by Jane Austen. In this episode, we meet Miss Ward. The Woodhouses’ inner circle consists of people who share either comparable levels of wealth and familial prestige or who have long-standing ties of affection.
In this episode, Mr Knightley has his say.
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Transcript

By Jane Austen. This story set in the village of Highbury. Follows Emma Woodhouse, A privileged young woman. Who fancies herself a matchmaker. Meddling in the romantic lives of those around her. Particularly her new friend Harriet Smith. Emma finds her misguided interventions. Lead to hurt feelings. And unexpected revelations. Happy listening. Chapter 13 There could hardly be a happier creature in the world than Mrs. John Knightley. In this short visit to Hartfield, Going about every morning amongst her old acquaintance with her five children and talking over what she had done every evening with her father and sister. She had nothing to wish otherwise. But that the days did not pass so swiftly. It was a delightful visit. Perfect in being much too short. In general, Their evenings were less engaged with friends than their mornings, But one complete dinner engagement and out of the house too, There was no avoiding, Though at Christmas. Mr Weston would take no denial. They must all dine at Randalls one day. Even Mr Woodhouse was persuaded to think it a possible thing in preference to a division of the party. How they were all to be conveyed, He would have made a difficulty if he could. But as his son and daughter's carriage and horses were actually at Hartfield, He was not able to make more than a simple question on that head. It hardly amounted to a doubt. Nor did it occupy Emma long enough to convince him they might in one of the carriages find room for Harriet also. Harriet, Mr. Elton and Mr. Knightley, Their own special set, Were the only persons invited to meet them. The hours were to be early, As well as the numbers few. Mr. Woodhouse's habits and inclination being consulted in everything. The evening before this great event, For it was a very great event that Mr. Woodhouse should dine out on the 24th of December. Had been spent by Harriet at Hartfield. And she had gone home so much indisposed with a cold that, But for her own earnest wish of being nursed by Mrs Goddard, Emma could not have allowed her to leave the house. Emma called on her the very next day and found her doom already signed with regard to Randall's. She was very feverish and had a bad sore throat. Mrs. Goddard was full of care and attention, Mr. Perry was talked of, And Harriet herself was too ill and low to resist the authority which excluded her from this delightful engagement. Though she could not speak of her loss without many tears. Emma sat with her as long as she could to attend her and Mrs Goddard's unavoidable absences and raise her spirits by representing how much Mr Elton's would be depressed when he knew her state. She had not advanced many yards from Mrs. Goddard's door when she was met by Mr. Elton himself, Evidently coming towards it. And as they walked on slowly together in conversation about the invalid of whom he, On the rumour of considerable illness, Had been going to enquire, They were overtaken by Mr John Knightley returning from the daily visit to Donne with his two eldest boys, Whose healthy glowing faces showed all the benefit of a country run. They joined company and proceeded together. Emma was just describing the nature of her friend's complaint. A throat very much inflamed with a great deal of heat about her, And a quick, Low pulse. She was sorry to find for Mrs Goddard, Harriet was liable to very sore throats and had often alarmed her with them. Mr Elton looked all alarm on the occasion. A sore throat? I hope not infectious. I hope not of a putrid infectious sort. Has Perry seen her? Indeed, You should take care of yourself as well as your friend. Let me entreat you to run no risks. Why does not Perry see her? Emma, Who was not really at all frightened herself, Tranquilised this excess of apprehension by assurances of Mrs Goddard's experience and care. But as there must still remain a degree of uneasiness which he could not wish to reason away, Which she would rather feed and assist than not. She added soon afterwards, As if quite another subject It is so cold, So very cold, And looks and feels so much like snow. That if it were to any other place or with any other party I should really try not to go out today and dissuade my father from venturing. But as he has made up his mind and does not seem to feel the cold himself, I do not like to interfere. Upon my word, Mr. Elton, In your case, I should certainly excuse myself. You, To me, Appear a little hoarse already. And when you consider what demand of voice and fatigues tomorrow will bring, I think it would be no more than common prudence to stay at home and take care of yourself tonight. Mr Elton looked as if he did not very well know what answer to make. Which was exactly the case. For though very much gratified by the kind care of such a fair lady. And not liking to resist any advice of hers. He had not really the least inclination to give up the visit. But Emma, Too eager and busy in her own previous conceptions and views to hear him impartially or see him with clear vision, Was very well satisfied with his muttering acknowledgement of its being Very cold, Certainly very cold. She walked on rejoicing in having extricated him from Randalls and secured him the power of sending to inquire after Harriet every hour of the evening. You do quite right, Said she. We will make your apologies to Mr and Mrs Weston. But hardly had Emma so spoken when she found her brother was civilly offering a seat in his carriage. If the weather were Mr Elton's only objection. Mr Elton accepted the offer with much prompt satisfaction. It was a done thing. He was to go and never had his broad, Handsome face expressed more pleasure than at this moment. Well, Said Emma to herself, This is most strange. After I'd got him off so well to choose to go into company and leave Harriet ill behind Most strange indeed! But there is, I believe, In many men, Especially single men, Such a passion for dining out. A dinner engagement is so high in the class of their pleasures. That anything gives way to it. This must be the case with Mr Elton. A most valuable, Amiable, Pleasing young man undoubtedly and very much in love with Harriet. But still he cannot refuse an invitation. He must dine out wherever he is asked. What a strange thing love is. He can see Reddy waiting Harriet, But will not dine alone for her. Soon afterwards Mr Elton quitted them, And she could not but do him the justice of feeling. There was a great deal of sentiment in his manner of naming Harriet at parting. In the tone of his voice, While assuring her, He should call at Mrs Goddard's for news of her fair friend. The last thing before he prepared for the happiness of meeting her again when he hoped to be able to give a better report. And he sighed and smiled himself off in a way that left the balance of approbation much in his favour. After a few minutes of silence between them, John Knightley began. I never in my life saw a man more intent on being agreeable than Mr Elton. It is downright labour to him where ladies are concerned. With men he can be rational and unaffected. But when he has ladies to please, Every feature works. Mr Elton's manners are not perfect. Play demo. But where there is a wish to please, One ought to overlook. And one does overlook a great deal. Where a man does his best with only moderate powers, He will have the advantage over negligent superiority. There is such perfect good temper and good will in Mr Elton as one cannot but value. "'Yes, ' said Mr John Knightley presently with some slyness. He seems to have a great deal of goodwill towards you. Emma replied with a smile of astonishment. Are you imagining me to be Mr Elton's object? Such an imagination has crossed me, I own Emma. And if it never occurred to you before, You may as well take it into consideration now. Mr Elton in love with me! What an idea! I do not say it is so. But you will do well to consider whether it is not. And to regulate your behaviour accordingly. I think you'll manage to hear him encouraging. I speak as a friend, Emma. You had better look about you and ascertain what you do. And what you mean to do. I thank you, But I assure you you're quite mistaken. Mr. Elton and I are very good friends, Nothing more. Emma walked on, Amusing herself in the consideration of the blunders which often arise from a partial knowledge of circumstances. Of the mistakes which people of high pretensions to judgment are forever falling into, And not very well pleased with her brother for imagining her blind and ignorant and in want of counsel. Mr. Woodhouse had so completely made up his mind to the visit, That in spite of the increasing coldness, He seemed to have no idea of shrinking from it, And set forward at last most punctually with his eldest daughter in his own carriage. With less apparent consciousness of the weather than either of the others. Too full of the wonder of his own going, And the pleasure it was to afford at Randalls to see that it was called and too well wrapped up to feel it. Emma soon saw her companion was not in the happiest humour. Preparing and going abroad in such weather. Mr John Knightley did not by any means like. A man, Said he, Must have a very good opinion of himself when he asks people to leave their own fireside and encounter such a day as this for the sake of coming to see him. Emma did not find herself equal to giving the pleased assent, Which no doubt he was in the habit of receiving. To emulate the very true my love, Which must have been usually administered by his travelling companion. But she had resolution enough to refrain from making any answer at all. They arrived. The carriage turned, The step was let down, And Mr Elton, Spruce, Black and smiling, Was with them instantly. And the thought with pleasure of some change of subject. Mr Elton was all obligation and cheerfulness, So very cheerful in his civilities indeed, She began to think he must have received a different account of Harriet from what had reached her. She had sent while dressing and the answer had been, Much the same, Not better. My report from Mrs Goddard, She said presently, Was not so pleasant as I had hoped. Not better was my answer. Mr Elton's face lengthened. I am grieved to find I was on the point of telling you when I called at Mrs. Goddard's door. Miss Smith was not better by no means, Rather worse. Very much grieved and concerned. I'd flattered myself she must be better after such a cordial as I knew I'd given her in the morning. Emma smiled and answered. My visit was of use to the nervous part of her complaint, I hope. But not even I can charm away a sore throat. Mr. Perry has been with her, As you've probably heard. Yes, I imagined. That is, I did not. He has been used to her in these complaints. And I hope tomorrow morning will bring us both a comfortable report. But it's impossible not to feel uneasiness. Such a sad loss to our party today. Dreadful, Exactly so. This was very proper. The sigh he gave which accompanied it was really estimable. But it should have lasted longer. Emma was rather in dismay when only half a minute afterwards, Mr. Alton began to speak of other things. And in a voice of the greatest alacrity and enjoyment. What an excellent device, Said he, The use of sheepskin for carriages. How very comfortable they make it. One is so fenced and guarded from the weather not a breath of air can find its way unpermitted. The contrivances of modern days indeed have rendered a gentleman's carriage perfectly complete. A little snow, I think I see. Yes, Said John Knightley, I think we shall have a good deal of it. Christmas weather, Observed Mr Elton, Quite seasonable and extremely fortunate. We may think ourselves it did not begin yesterday and prevent this day's party, Which it might very possibly have done. For Mr. Woodhouse would hardly have endured to venture out had there been much snow on the ground. But now it is of no consequence. This is quite the season indeed for friendly meetings. At Christmas everybody invites their friends about them and people think little of even the worse weather. I was snowed up in a friend's house once for a week. Nothing could be pleasanter. I went for only one night and could not get away till that very day's night. Mr John Knightley looked as if he did not comprehend the pleasure. But said coolly. I cannot wish to be snowed up a week at Randall's. At another time, Emma might have been amused, But she was much too astonished at Mr Elton's spirits for other feelings. Harriet seemed quite forgotten in the expectation of a pleasant party. We are sure of excellent fires, Continued he, And everything in the greatest comfort. Mr. And Mrs. Weston. Mrs. Weston indeed is beyond much praise, And Mr. Weston's dining room does not accommodate more than ten comfortably. For my part, I would rather, Under such circumstances, Fall short than exceed by two. I think you will agree with me. Turning with a soft air to Emma. I shall certainly have your approbation, Though Mr Knightley, Perhaps, From being used to the large parties of London, May not quite enter into our feelings. I know nothing of the large parties of London, Sir. I never dine with anybody. Indeed, Said Mr Elton, In a tone of wonder and pity. I had no idea the law had been so great as slavery. Well, Sir, The time must come when you will be paid for all this, When you will have a little labour and great enjoyment. My first enjoyment, Replied John Knightley as they passed through the sweet gates. Will be to find myself at Hartfield again.