6 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. The Wards are compromised in this regard, much to Emma's delight...

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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 6 Emma could not feel a doubt of having given Harriet's fancy a proper direction and raised the gratitude of her young vanity to a very good purpose. For she found her decidedly more sensible than before of Mr Elton's being a remarkably young, Handsome man with most agreeable manners. And as she had no hesitation in following up the assurance of his admiration by agreeable hints, She was very soon pretty confident of creating as much liking on Harriet's side as there could be any occasion for her. She was quite convinced Mr Elton's being in the fairest way of falling in love, If not in love already. She had no scruple with regard to him. He talked of Harriet and praised her so warmly, She could not suppose anything wanting which a little time would not add. His perception of the striking improvement of Harriet's manner since her introduction at Hartfield was not one of the least agreeable proofs of his growing attachment. You, Emma, Have given Miss Smith all she required, " said he. You have made her graceful and easy. She was a beautiful creature when she came to you. But in my opinion, The attractions you have added are infinitely superior to what she received from nature. I am glad you think I've been useful to her, " said Emma. But Harriet only wanted drawing out and receiving a few very few hints. She had all the natural grace of sweetness of temper and artlessness in herself. I have done very little. If it were admissible to contradict a lady. Said the gallant Mr Elton. I have perhaps given her a little more decision of character. I've taught her to think on points which had not fallen in her way before. Exactly so! That is what principally strikes me. So much super added decision of character. Skillful has been the hat. Great has been the pleasure, I am sure, " said Lucy. I never met with a disposition more truly amiable. I have no doubt of it. This was spoken with a sort of sighing animation which had a vast deal of the lover. Lucy was not less pleased another day with the manner in which she seconded a sudden wish of hers to have Harriet's picture. Did you ever have your likeness taken, Harriet? " she asked. Did you ever sit for your picture? Harriet was on the point of leaving the room and only stopped to say, With a very interesting naivety, Oh dear, No never! No sooner was she out of sight than Emma exclaimed, What an exquisite possession a good picture of her would be. I would give any money for it. I always longed to attempt her likeness myself. You do not know it, I dare say, But two or three years ago I had a great passion for taking likenesses and attempted several of my friends and was thought to have a tolerable eye in general. But from one course or another I gave it up in disgust. Really, I could almost venture if Harriet would sit next to me. It would be such a delight to have her picture. Let me entreat you, Cried Miss Dralton. It would indeed be a delight. Let me entreat you, Miss Woodhouse, To exercise so charming a talent in favour of your friend. I know what your drawings are! Is this room not rich in specimens of your landscapes and flowers? And has not Mrs. Weston some inimitable figure pieces in her drawing room at Randalls? Yes, Good man, Thought Emma, But what has all that to do with taking likenesses? You know nothing of drawing. Don't pretend to be rapturous about mine. Keep your raptures for Harriet's face. Well, If you give me such kind encouragement, Mr Elton, I believe I shall try what I can do. She said, Its features are very delicate, Which makes a likeness difficult. And yet there is a peculiarity in the shape of the eye and lines about the mouth which one ought to catch. Exactly so. The shape of the eye and lines about the mouth. I have not a doubt of your success, Emma. Prayer Tempted And as you will do it, It will indeed be, To use your own words, An exquisite possession. But I'm afraid Mr Elton Harriot will not like to sit. She thinks so little of her own beauty. Do you not observe her manner of answering me? How completely it meant, Why should my picture be drawn? Oh yes, I observed it. I assure you, It was not lost on me. But still, I cannot imagine she would not be persuaded. Harriet was soon back again, And the proposal almost immediately made, And she had no scruples which could stand many minutes against the earnest pressing of both the others. Emma wished to go to work directly and therefore produced the portfolio containing her various attempts at portraits, For not one of them had ever been finished that they might decide together on the best size for Harriet. How many beginnings were displayed? Miniatures, Half-lengths, Whole-lengths, Pencil, Crayon and watercolours had all been tried in turn. Emma had always wanted to do everything and made more progress both in drawing and musing than many might have done with so little labour as she would ever submit to. She played and sang and drew in almost every style. But steadiness had always been wanting, And in nothing had she approached the degree of excellence which she would have been glad to command and ought not to have failed of. She was not much deceived as to her own skill either as an artist or a musician. But Emma was not unwilling to have others deceived, Or sorry to know her reputation for accomplishment, Often higher than it deserved. The sitting was altogether very satisfactory. Emma was quite enough pleased with the first day's sketch to wish to go on. There was no want of likeness. She had been fortunate in the attitude, And as she meant to throw in a little improvement to the figure, To give a little more height and considerably more elegance, She had great confidence of it being in every way a pretty drawing at last. Credit to them both. A standing memorial of the beauty of one, The skill of the other, And the friendship of both. With as many other agreeable associations as Mr Elton's very promising attachment was likely to add. Harriet was again to sit the next day, And Mr Elton, Just as he ought, Entreated for the permission of attending and reading to them again. By all means, " said Emma, We shall be most happy to consider you as one of the party. The same civilities and courtesies, Success and satisfaction took place on the morrow, And accompanied the whole progress of the picture which was rapid and happy. Everyone who saw it was pleased. But Mr Elton was in continual raptures and defended it through every criticism. "'Miss Woodhouse has given her friend the only beauty she wanted, ' observed Mrs. Weston to him, Not in the least suspecting she was addressing a lover. The expression of the eye is most correct, But Miss Smith has not those eyebrows or eyelashes. It is the fault of her face that she has them not. Do you think so? Replied Mr Elton. I cannot agree with you. It appears to me a most perfect resemblance in every feature. I never saw such a likeness in my life. We must allow for the effect of shade, You know. You have made her too tall, Emma, " said Mr Knightley. Emma knew she had but would not own it and Mr Elton warmly added Certainly not too tall. Not in the least too tall. She's sitting down, Which naturally presents a different. . . Which in short gives exactly the idea. . . And the proportions must be preserved, You know. Proportions. For shortness. No, It gives one exactly the idea of such a height as Miss Smith's. Exactly so. It is very pretty, " said Mr. Woodhouse, So prettily done. Just as your drawings always are, My dear. I do not know anyone who draws so well as Emma does. The only thing I do not thoroughly like is Harriet seems to be sitting out of doors with only a little shawl over her shoulders. It makes one think she must catch cold. My dear Papa, It's supposed to be summer, A warm day in summer. Look at the tree. Emma insisted. But it's never safe to sit outdoors, My dear. You, Sir, May say anything, " cried Mr Elton, But I must confess I regard it as the most happy thought, The placing of Miss Smith out of doors and the tree is touched with such inimitable spirit. Any other situation would have been much less in character. The naivety of mis-manners and altogether it is most admirable. I cannot keep my eyes from it. I never saw such a likeness. Once completed, Mr Elton was to take the drawing to London, Choose the frame and give the directions. Emma thought she could pack it to ensure its safety without much incommoding him, While he seemed most fearful of not being incommoded enough. What a precious deposit, Said he with a tender sigh. This man is almost too gallant to be in love, Thought Emma. I should say so, But that I suppose there may be a hundred different ways of being in love. He is an excellent young man and will suit Harriet exactly. He does sigh and languish and study for compliments rather more than I could endure as a principal. I come in for a pretty good share as a second. But it is his gratitude on Harriet's account.