Mr. Woodhouse was soon ready for his tea; and when he had drank his tea he was quite ready to go home; and it was as much as his three companions could do, to entertain away his notice of the lateness of the hour, before the other gentlemen appeared. Mr. Weston was chatty and convivial1, and no friend to early separations of any sort; but at last the drawing-room party did receive an augmentation. Mr. Elton, in very good spirits, was one of the first to walk in. Mrs. Weston and Emma were sitting together on a sofa. He joined them immediately, and, with scarcely an invitation, seated himself between them.
Emma, in good spirits too, from the amusement afforded her mind by the expectation of Mr. Frank Churchill, was willing to forget his late improprieties, and be as well satisfied with him as before, and on his making Harriet his very first subject, was ready to listen with most friendly smiles.
He professed2 himself extremely anxious about her fair friend - her fair, lovely, amiable3 friend. `Did she know? - had she heard any thing about her, since their being at Randalls? - he felt much anxiety - he must confess that the nature of her complaint alarmed him considerably4.' And in this style he talked on for some time very properly, not much attending to any answer, but altogether sufficiently5 awake to the terror of a bad sore throat; and Emma was quite in charity with him.
But at last there seemed a perverse6 turn; it seemed all at once as if he were more afraid of its being a bad sore throat on her account, than on Harriet's - more anxious that she should escape the infection, than that there should be no infection in the complaint. He began with great earnestness to entreat7 her to refrain from visiting the sick-chamber again, for the present - to entreat her to promise him not to venture into such hazard till he had seen Mr. Perry and learnt his opinion; and though she tried to laugh it off and bring the subject back into its proper course, there was no putting an end to his extreme solicitude8 about her. She was vexed9. It did appear - there was no concealing10 it - exactly like the pretence11 of being in love with her, instead of Harriet; an inconstancy, if real, the most contemptible12 and abominable13! and she had difficulty in behaving with temper. He turned to Mrs. Weston to implore14 her assistance, `Would not she give him her support? - would not she add her persuasions15 to his, to induce Miss Woodhouse not to go to Mrs. Goddard's till it were certain that Miss Smith's disorder16 had no infection? He could not be satisfied without a promise - would not she give him her influence in procuring17 it?'
`So scrupulous18 for others,' he continued, `and yet so careless for herself! She wanted me to nurse my cold by staying at home to-day, and yet will not promise to avoid the danger of catching19 an ulcerated sore throat herself. Is this fair, Mrs. Weston? - Judge between us. Have not I some right to complain? I am sure of your kind support and aid.'
Emma saw Mrs. Weston's surprize, and felt that it must be great, at an address which, in words and manner, was assuming to himself the right of first interest in her; and as for herself, she was too much provoked and offended to have the power of directly saying any thing to the purpose. She could only give him a look; but it was such a look as she thought must restore him to his senses, and then left the sofa, removing to a seat by her sister, and giving her all her attention.
She had not time to know how Mr. Elton took the reproof20, so rapidly did another subject succeed; for Mr. John Knightley now came into the room from examining the weather, and opened on them all with the information of the ground being covered with snow, and of its still snowing fast, with a strong drifting wind; concluding with these words to Mr. Woodhouse:
`This will prove a spirited beginning of your winter engagements, sir. Something new for your coachman and horses to be making their way through a storm of snow.'
Poor Mr. Woodhouse was silent from consternation21; but every body else had something to say; every body was either surprized or not surprized, and had some question to ask, or some comfort to offer. Mrs. Weston and Emma tried earnestly to cheer him and turn his attention from his son-in-law, who was pursuing his triumph rather unfeelingly.
`I admired your resolution very much, sir,' said he, `in venturing out in such weather, for of course you saw there would be snow very soon. Every body must have seen the snow coming on. I admired your spirit; and I dare say we shall get home very well. Another hour or two's snow can hardly make the road impassable; and we are two carriages; if one is blown over in the bleak22 part of the common field there will be the other at hand. I dare say we shall be all safe at Hartfield before midnight.'
Mr. Weston, with triumph of a different sort, was confessing that he had known it to be snowing some time, but had not said a word, lest it should make Mr. Woodhouse uncomfortable, and be an excuse for his hurrying away. As to there being any quantity of snow fallen or likely to fall to impede23 their return, that was a mere24 joke; he was afraid they would find no difficulty. He wished the road might be impassable, that he might be able to keep them all at Randalls; and with the utmost good-will was sure that accommodation might be found for every body, calling on his wife to agree with him, that with a little contrivance, every body might be lodged25, which she hardly knew how to do, from the consciousness of there being but two spare rooms in the house.
`What is to be done, my dear Emma? - what is to be done?' was Mr. Woodhouse's first exclamation26, and all that he could say for some time. To her he looked for comfort; and her assurances of safety, her representation of the excellence27 of the horses, and of James, and of their having so many friends about them, revived him a little.
His eldest28 daughter's alarm was equal to his own. The horror of being blocked up at Randalls, while her children were at Hartfield, was full in her imagination; and fancying the road to be now just passable for adventurous29 people, but in a state that admitted no delay, she was eager to have it settled, that her father and Emma should remain at Randalls, while she and her husband set forward instantly through all the possible accumulations of drifted snow that might impede them.
`You had better order the carriage directly, my love,' said she; `I dare say we shall be able to get along, if we set off directly; and if we do come to any thing very bad, I can get out and walk. I am not at all afraid. I should not mind walking half the way. I could change my shoes, you know, the moment I got home; and it is not the sort of thing that gives me cold.'
`Indeed!' replied he. `Then, my dear Isabella, it is the most extraordinary sort of thing in the world, for in general every thing does give you cold. Walk home! - you are prettily30 shod for walking home, I dare say. It will be bad enough for the horses.'
Isabella turned to Mrs. Weston for her approbation31 of the plan. Mrs. Weston could only approve. Isabella then went to Emma; but Emma could not so entirely32 give up the hope of their being all able to get away; and they were still discussing the point, when Mr. Knightley, who had left the room immediately after his brother's first report of the snow, came back again, and told them that he had been out of doors to examine, and could answer for there not being the smallest difficulty in their getting home, whenever they liked it, either now or an hour hence. He had gone beyond the sweep - some way along the Highbury road - the snow was nowhere above half an inch deep - in many places hardly enough to whiten the ground; a very few flakes33 were falling at present, but the clouds were parting, and there was every appearance of its being soon over. He had seen the coachmen, and they both agreed with him in there being nothing to apprehend34.
To Isabella, the relief of such tidings was very great, and they were scarcely less acceptable to Emma on her father's account, who was immediately set as much at ease on the subject as his nervous constitution allowed; but the alarm that had been raised could not be appeased35 so as to admit of any comfort for him while he continued at Randalls. He was satisfied of there being no present danger in returning home, but no assurances could convince him that it was safe to stay; and while the others were variously urging and recommending, Mr. Knightley and Emma settled it in a few brief sentences: thus -
`Your father will not be easy; why do not you go?'
`I am ready, if the others are.'
`Shall I ring the bell?'
`Yes, do.'
And the bell was rung, and the carriages spoken for. A few minutes more, and Emma hoped to see one troublesome companion deposited in his own house, to get sober and cool, and the other recover his temper and happiness when this visit of hardship were over.
The carriage came: and Mr. Woodhouse, always the first object on such occasions, was carefully attended to his own by Mr. Knightley and Mr. Weston; but not all that either could say could prevent some renewal36 of alarm at the sight of the snow which had actually fallen, and the discovery of a much darker night than he had been prepared for. `He was afraid they should have a very bad drive. He was afraid poor Isabella would not like it. And there would be poor Emma in the carriage behind. He did not know what they had best do. They must keep as much together as they could;' and James was talked to, and given a charge to go very slow and wait for the other carriage.
Isabella stept in after her father; John Knightley, forgetting that he did not belong to their party, stept in after his wife very naturally; so that Emma found, on being escorted and followed into the second carriage by Mr. Elton, that the door was to be lawfully37 shut on them, and that they were to have a tete-a-tete drive. It would not have been the awkwardness of a moment, it would have been rather a pleasure, previous to the suspicions of this very day; she could have talked to him of Harriet, and the three-quarters of a mile would have seemed but one. But now, she would rather it had not happened. She believed he had been drinking too much of Mr. Weston's good wine, and felt sure that he would want to be talking nonsense.
To restrain him as much as might be, by her own manners, she was immediately preparing to speak with exquisite38 calmness and gravity of the weather and the night; but scarcely had she begun, scarcely had they passed the sweep-gate and joined the other carriage, than she found her subject cut up - her hand seized - her attention demanded, and Mr. Elton actually making violent love to her: availing himself of the precious opportunity, declaring sentiments which must be already well known, hoping - fearing - adoring - ready to die if she refused him; but flattering himself that his ardent39 attachment40 and unequalled love and unexampled passion could not fail of having some effect, and in short, very much resolved on being seriously accepted as soon as possible. It really was so. Without scruple41 - without apology - without much apparent diffidence, Mr. Elton, the lover of Harriet, was professing42 himself her lover. She tried to stop him; but vainly; he would go on, and say it all. Angry as she was, the thought of the moment made her resolve to restrain herself when she did speak. She felt that half this folly43 must be drunkenness, and therefore could hope that it might belong only to the passing hour. Accordingly, with a mixture of the serious and the playful, which she hoped would best suit his half and half state, she replied,
`I am very much astonished, Mr. Elton. This to me! you forget yourself - you take me for my friend - any message to Miss Smith I shall be happy to deliver; but no more of this to me, if you please.'
`Miss Smith! - message to Miss Smith! - What could she possibly mean!' - And he repeated her words with such assurance of accent, such boastful pretence of amazement44, that she could not help replying with quickness,
`Mr. Elton, this is the most extraordinary conduct! and I can account for it only in one way; you are not yourself, or you could not speak either to me, or of Harriet, in such a manner. Command yourself enough to say no more, and I will endeavour to forget it.'
But Mr. Elton had only drunk wine enough to elevate his spirits, not at all to confuse his intellects. He perfectly45 knew his own meaning; and having warmly protested against her suspicion as most injurious, and slightly touched upon his respect for Miss Smith as her friend, - but acknowledging his wonder that Miss Smith should be mentioned at all, - he resumed the subject of his own passion, and was very urgent for a favourable46 answer.
As she thought less of his inebriety47, she thought more of his inconstancy and presumption48; and with fewer struggles for politeness, replied,
`It is impossible for me to doubt any longer. You have made yourself too clear. Mr. Elton, my astonishment49 is much beyond any thing I can express. After such behaviour, as I have witnessed during the last month, to Miss Smith - such attentions as I have been in the daily habit of observing - to be addressing me in this manner - this is an unsteadiness of character, indeed, which I had not supposed possible! Believe me, sir, I am far, very far, from gratified in being the object of such professions.'
`Good Heaven!' cried Mr. Elton, `what can be the meaning of this? - Miss Smith! - I never thought of Miss Smith in the whole course of my existence - never paid her any attentions, but as your friend: never cared whether she were dead or alive, but as your friend. If she has fancied otherwise, her own wishes have misled her, and I am very sorry - extremely sorry - But, Miss Smith, indeed! - Oh! Miss Woodhouse! who can think of Miss Smith, when Miss Woodhouse is near! No, upon my honour, there is no unsteadiness of character. I have thought only of you. I protest against having paid the smallest attention to any one else. Every thing that I have said or done, for many weeks past, has been with the sole view of marking my adoration50 of yourself. You cannot really, seriously, doubt it. No! - (in an accent meant to be insinuating) - I am sure you have seen and understood me.'
It would be impossible to say what Emma felt, on hearing this - which of all her unpleasant sensations was uppermost. She was too completely overpowered to be immediately able to reply: and two moments of silence being ample encouragement for Mr. Elton's sanguine51 state of mind, he tried to take her hand again, as he joyously52 exclaimed -
`Charming Miss Woodhouse! allow me to interpret this interesting silence. It confesses that you have long understood me.'
`No, sir,' cried Emma, `it confesses no such thing. So far from having long understood you, I have been in a most complete error with respect to your views, till this moment. As to myself, I am very sorry that you should have been giving way to any feelings - Nothing could be farther from my wishes - your attachment to my friend Harriet - your pursuit of her, (pursuit, it appeared,) gave me great pleasure, and I have been very earnestly wishing you success: but had I supposed that she were not your attraction to Hartfield, I should certainly have thought you judged ill in making your visits so frequent. Am I to believe that you have never sought to recommend yourself particularly to Miss Smith? - that you have never thought seriously of her?'
`Never, madam,' cried he, affronted53 in his turn: `never, I assure you. I think seriously of Miss Smith! - Miss Smith is a very good sort of girl; and I should be happy to see her respectably settled. I wish her extremely well: and, no doubt, there are men who might not object to - Every body has their level: but as for myself, I am not, I think, quite so much at a loss. I need not so totally despair of an equal alliance, as to be addressing myself to Miss Smith! - No, madam, my visits to Hartfield have been for yourself only; and the encouragement I received - '
`Encouragement! - I give you encouragement! - Sir, you have been entirely mistaken in supposing it. I have seen you only as the admirer of my friend. In no other light could you have been more to me than a common acquaintance. I am exceedingly sorry: but it is well that the mistake ends where it does. Had the same behaviour continued, Miss Smith might have been led into a misconception of your views; not being aware, probably, any more than myself, of the very great inequality which you are so sensible of. But, as it is, the disappointment is single, and, I trust, will not be lasting54. I have no thoughts of matrimony at present.'
He was too angry to say another word; her manner too decided55 to invite supplication56; and in this state of swelling57 resentment58, and mutually deep mortification59, they had to continue together a few minutes longer, for the fears of Mr. Woodhouse had confined them to a foot-pace. If there had not been so much anger, there would have been desperate awkwardness; but their straightforward60 emotions left no room for the little zigzags61 of embarrassment62. Without knowing when the carriage turned into Vicarage Lane, or when it stopped, they found themselves, all at once, at the door of his house; and he was out before another syllable63 passed. - Emma then felt it indispensable to wish him a good night. The compliment was just returned, coldly and proudly; and, under indescribable irritation64 of spirits, she was then conveyed to Hartfield.
There she was welcomed, with the utmost delight, by her father, who had been trembling for the dangers of a solitary65 drive from Vicarage Lane - turning a corner which he could never bear to think of - and in strange hands - a mere common coachman - no James; and there it seemed as if her return only were wanted to make every thing go well: for Mr. John Knightley, ashamed of his ill-humour, was now all kindness and attention; and so particularly solicitous66 for the comfort of her father, as to seem - if not quite ready to join him in a basin of gruel67 - perfectly sensible of its being exceedingly wholesome68; and the day was concluding in peace and comfort to all their little party, except herself. - But her mind had never been in such perturbation; and it needed a very strong effort to appear attentive69 and cheerful till the usual hour of separating allowed her the relief of quiet reflection.
没过多久,伍德豪斯先生就想要喝茶了。等喝完了茶,他又一心想要回家。还有些男士没有出来,他的三个伙伴只能尽力给他逗趣,不让他觉得时间已经很晚。韦斯顿先生又健谈,又爱交际,聚会无论怎样早散,他都不喜欢。不过,客厅里终于又来了一些人。埃尔顿先生喜气洋洋的,是最早进来的几个人之一。韦斯顿太太和爱玛一起坐在一张沙发上。他当即走到她们跟前,也不等她们邀请,就坐在了她们中间。
爱玛因为盼着弗兰克·邱吉尔先生要来,也变得兴高采烈,便欣然忘记了埃尔顿先生的不当行为,仍像以前一样觉得他还不错。他一开口就谈起了哈丽特,爱玛笑容可掬地倾听着。
埃尔顿先生说他为他那位漂亮的朋友——他那位漂亮、可爱、和蔼的朋友极为担忧。“你知道吗?我们来到兰多尔斯以后,你有没有听到她有什么消息?我很担心——说实话,她的病情使我大为惊恐。”他就这样十分得体地谈论了一番,也不大理会别人怎样回答,一心只为严重咽炎感到惊惧。爱玛觉得他还真不错。
然而,后来事情似乎发生了异变。好像突然间,他所以担心哈丽特得了严重咽炎,与其说是为哈丽特担心,不如说是为爱玛担心——与其说是关心这种病不要传染,不如说是关心爱玛不要传染上这种病。他情恳意切地求她暂时不要再去探望病人——求她答应他不冒这个险,等他去探问过佩里先生的意见再说。尽管爱玛想一笑置之,把话题扯回到正轨上来,可他还是为她忧煎个没完。爱玛有些恼火了。看起来——他也没法掩饰——他爱的显然是她爱玛,而不是哈丽特。如果当真如此,那就是朝三暮四,真是可鄙至极,可恶至极!爱玛很难捺住性子了。埃尔顿先生转向韦斯顿太太,求她帮助。“难道你不支持我吗?难道你不肯帮我劝一劝伍德豪斯小姐,叫她在拿不准史密斯小姐的病是否传染之前,先不要去戈达德太太家吗?她不答应我,我就不罢休——难道你不肯施加点影响,劝她答应我吗?”
“对别人关怀备至,”埃尔顿先生接着说道,“对自己却这样漫不经心!她要我今天待在家里,治好感冒,可她自己面临染上溃疡性咽炎的危险,也不答应避一避!韦斯顿太太,这公平吗?你给我们两个评评理。难道我没有权利抱怨吗?我想我一定会得到你的好心支持和援助。”
他说这番话时,从措辞到神态都显得他有资格异乎寻常地关心爱玛,因而爱玛发觉韦斯顿太太吃了一惊,而且觉得准是大吃一惊。而她本人因为又气又恼,一时不知说什么是好。她只能瞪他一眼,可是她心想,这一眼准能叫他清醒过来。随后她离开了沙发,坐到了她姐姐身边,把注意力都集中到她身上。
她还没来得及弄清埃尔顿先生如何对待她的这一责难,马上就冒出了另一个话题。原来,约翰·奈特利先生出去察看天气,这时刚回到屋里,向大家报告说外面已是遍地白雪,而且大雪还在纷飞,风也刮得正猛。最后,他又对伍德豪斯先生这样说道:
“先生,这将是你们冬季活动的一个有力的开端。让你的马车夫和马匹在暴风雪中赶路,这可是新鲜事儿啊。”
可怜的伍德豪斯先生吓得说不出话来,而别人却七嘴八舌,有的表示吃惊,有的并不感到奇怪,有的提出疑问,有的安慰两句。韦斯顿太太和爱玛苦口婆心地劝解他,叫他不要理会他女婿。他那个女婿真是冷酷无情,还要得意地乘胜追击。
“这样的天气还要冒险出门,”他说,“我很敬佩你的勇气,先生,因为你出门前肯定看出就要下雪了。谁都能看出就要下雪了。我钦佩你的勇气。我们也许能平平安安地回到家里。雪再下一两个小时,也不会把路封得无法通行。我们有两辆马车,就是一辆在荒野上让风吹翻了,还可以用那另一辆。也许在午夜之前,我们都能平平安安地回到哈特菲尔德。”
韦斯顿先生以另一种得意的口吻,说他早就知道在下雪了,但他没有吭声,免得引起伍德豪斯先生心焦,借口急着回家。至于说下了多大的雪,或者说要下多大的雪,搞得大家回不了家,那不过是说着玩的,他还就怕遇不到什么困难。他巴不得路不好走,他可以把客人全留在兰多尔斯。他满腔热情,保证能把每个人安顿好,还叫他太太同意他的说法:只要稍微想点办法,就能给每个人安排好住处。可韦斯顿太太真不知如何是好,因为她心里有数:家里只有两个空房间。
“怎么办,亲爱的爱玛?怎么办?”这是伍德豪斯先生发出的第一声惊叫,而且他有半晌没再做声。他向爱玛寻求安慰。爱玛保证不会有问题,说那几匹马都很精良,詹姆斯也很精干,再说周围还有那么多朋友,这才使他情绪好了一点。
他的大女儿和他一样惊慌。伊莎贝拉想来想去,就怕自己给困在兰多尔斯,而孩子们却待在哈特菲尔德。她心想,对于肯冒险的人来说,那条路现在还能通行,但是不能再拖延了,因此她急于要说定,让父亲和爱玛留在兰多尔斯,而她和丈夫立即出发,也许积雪会阻碍他们行进,他们还是要往回赶。
“亲爱的,你最好马上吩咐备车,”她说。“我们要是马上动身,也许还赶得回去。要是遇到很糟糕的情况,我可以下车走。我一点也不怕。就是走一半的路程,我也不在乎。你知道,我一到家就可以换鞋,这种事儿是不会使我着凉的。”
“真的呀!”她丈夫答道。“亲爱的伊莎贝拉,这倒是天下最奇特的事情了,因为平常什么事都能使你着凉。走回家去!也许你穿了一双很棒的鞋子,是可以走回家。可是那几匹马却受不了。”
伊莎贝拉转向韦斯顿太太,希望她能赞成她这个办法。韦斯顿太太只能表示赞成。伊莎贝拉接着走到爱玛跟前,可是爱玛还没有完全放弃大家一道走的希望。几个人正议论的时候,奈特利先生回来了。原来,他刚才听他弟弟说下雪了,便立即走出屋去,回来告诉大家说,他到外面察看过了,诸位不论什么时候想回去,现在也好,再过一个小时也好,管保没有丝毫困难。他走过了拐弯处——在去海伯里的路上走了一程——哪里的积雪也没超过半英寸厚——许多地方几乎连地面还没变白。眼下只是稀稀拉拉地飘着几片雪花,而云彩却在散开,看来雪就快停了。他见过了两个马车夫,他们都同意他的看法,认为没什么可担心的。
一听这话,伊莎贝拉不禁松了一大口气,爱玛为了父亲的缘故,也觉得很高兴。伍德豪斯先生虽然神经脆弱,心里也马上宽慰了些。不过,刚才引起那样一场虚惊,只要还待在兰多尔斯,他就不会感到自在。他感到高兴的是,现在回家没有什么危险了,但是不管别人怎么说,他都不相信待下去会安然无事。就在众人七嘴八舌出主意、提建议的时候,奈特利先生和爱玛三言两语就把这个问题解决了:
“你父亲安不下心来,你们为什么不走呢?”
“如果别人想走,我也不成问题。”
“要我拉铃吗?”
“行,你拉吧。”
奈特利先生拉了铃,也吩咐了备马车。又过了一会,爱玛心里浮起了这样的希望:等这次艰苦的做客结束之后,能看到一个烦人的伙伴回到自己家里,变得清醒和冷静下来,另一个伙伴重新平静和高兴起来。
马车来了。遇到这种场合,伍德豪斯先生总是首先受到关照,奈特利先生和韦斯顿先生小心翼翼地把他送上了他自己的马车。不过,他一看到下了那么多的雪,发现夜色比他预想的暗得多,不由得又惊恐起来,他们两个再怎么安慰,也无济于事。“我担心这一路很难走。恐怕可怜的伊莎贝拉不会觉得好受。可怜的爱玛要坐在第二辆车上。我不知道怎么办才好。两辆车要尽量靠近些。”于是他吩咐詹姆斯,叫他赶慢一些,等候另一辆车。
伊莎贝拉紧跟着父亲上了车,约翰·奈特利忘了他不该跟他们坐同一辆车,便理所当然地跟着妻子上去了。于是,爱玛由埃尔顿先生陪伴上了第二辆车时,就发现车门理所当然地关上了,他们可以坐在车上促膝谈心了。如果这事发生在她没起疑心之前,那她就一刻也不会感到尴尬,反倒会觉得十分快乐。她可以跟他谈论哈丽特,四分之三英里的路像是只有四分之一英里长。可是现在,她倒宁愿不要出现这种情况。她心想,韦斯顿先生的佳酿他喝了不少,肯定要胡言乱语了。
她想借助自己的仪态,来尽量约束他,便立即准备用十分平静而又十分严肃的口吻,谈谈天气和夜晚。可是她刚一开口,他们的马车刚走出大门,刚跟上另一辆马车,她的话题便被打断了——她的手被抓住了——她不得不听埃尔顿先生讲话了,他竟然狂热地向她求起爱来。他抓住这个宝贵的机会,倾诉他那早已众所周知的情感——又是希望——又是忧虑——又是倾慕——如果遭到拒绝,他宁愿去死。不过,他自信他的爱是热烈的、无与伦比的、绝无仅有的,必定会收到一定的效果。总之,他下定决心,非要她尽快郑重接受不可。情况确实如此。埃尔顿先生本来爱着哈丽特,现在却声称他爱她爱玛,居然无所顾忌——不作辩解——也见不到羞怯之色。爱玛想制止他,可是徒劳无益,他偏要讲下去,把话统统讲出来。爱玛尽管很气愤,但是由于当时的一个念头,到说话时又决计克制住自己。她觉得他做出这种蠢事,在相当程度上是酒后失态,因此很可能是一时的现象。于是,针对他的半醉半醒,她认为最好采取半认真半开玩笑的办法,说道:
“我感到非常惊讶,埃尔顿先生。居然对我说这些话!你忘乎所以了——你把我误当成我的朋友了。你有什么口信要带给史密斯小姐,我愿意代劳,可是请你别再向我说这种话了。”
“史密斯小姐!带口信给史密斯小姐!她算得了什么?”埃尔顿先生重复着她的话,口气那样坚定,装出一副不胜惊讶的神态,爱玛禁不住急忙答道:
“埃尔顿先生,你这行为太令人惊奇了!对此我只能作出一种解释:你神志不清了,不然你不会以这种方式跟我说话,也不会以这种方式谈论哈丽特。你清醒一些,不要胡说了,我尽量忘记今天的事。”
可是埃尔顿先生喝下的酒,只足以使他鼓起勇气,还不足以使他神志不清。他完全明白他的意图。他提出强烈的抗议,说她这样猜疑太让他伤心。他还顺便提起史密斯小姐作为爱玛的朋友,自然受到他的尊重,但是他感到奇怪,爱玛居然会提起她。他又重新说起了他的倾慕之情,急切地希望得到一个有利的回答。
爱玛认识到他的问题不是酒后失态,而是朝三暮四,肆无忌惮,便不顾什么礼貌了,回答道:
“我再也不用怀疑了。你已经表露得太清楚了。埃尔顿先生,我的惊讶是远远不能用言语来表达的。这一个月来,我亲眼看见你那样厚待史密斯小姐——我天天看见你向她献殷勤——现在却如此这般地向我求起爱来——这真是朝三暮四,我万万想不到会有这种事!请相信我,先生,你向我表白钟情,我一点也不感到高兴,丝毫也不感到高兴。”
“天哪!”埃尔顿先生嚷道,“这是什么意思呀?史密斯小姐!我有生以来从没想到过史密斯小姐——除了把她看做你的朋友以外,从没向她献过殷勤,从不管她是死是活。如果她想到别的地方了,那是她自己一厢情愿引起的错觉,我感到非常抱歉——万分抱歉——不过,史密斯小姐,怎么会呀!哦!伍德豪斯小姐!有伍德豪斯小姐在身边,谁还会看得上史密斯小姐啊!不,我以名誉担保,这谈不上朝三暮四。我心里只有你。我决不承认对别人动过丝毫的念头。好几个星期以来,我说的每句话,做的每件事,都只有一个意图,就是表白我对你的倾慕。你不可能当真怀疑我的真情。不可能!”——(他用讨好的口气说)——“我想你一定看出来了,明白我的意思。”
爱玛听了这话心里作何感想——在她的种种不快心情中,哪一种来得最为强烈,这是不可能讲清楚的。她气得一时答不上话来。埃尔顿先生本来就挺自信,现在见她沉默了一阵.心里越发受到鼓舞,便再次抓住她的手,兴冲冲地嚷道:
“迷人的伍德豪斯小姐!请允许我来解释这意味深长的沉默吧。这是承认你早就明白我的意思了。”
“不,先生,”爱玛嚷嚷道,“决没有这样的事。在这之前,我不仅一点也不明白你的意思,而且完全误解了你的意思。我感到很遗憾,你居然会动起感情来——我最不希望看到这样的事——你喜爱我的朋友哈丽特——你追求她(看来像是追求),使我感到十分高兴,我一直真心诚意地祝你成功。不过,我要是知道你去哈特菲尔德不是为了她,那我一定会认为你常来常往是打错了主意。难道我会相信你从来没有想过要讨好史密斯小姐?你从来没有认真地考虑过她?”
。从来没有,小姐,”埃尔顿先生觉得自己受到了侮辱,便大声嚷道:“我向你保证,从来没有。我会认真考虑史密斯小姐!史密斯小姐是个很好的姑娘,我真希望她能有个体面的归宿。但愿她非常幸福。毫无疑问,有些男人不会反对——各人有各人的标准。不过,就我而言,我想我还没有可怜到那个地步。我可不是没有希望找到一个门当户对的人,而只好去向史密斯小姐求婚!不,小姐,我去哈特菲尔德只是为了你,而你给我的鼓励——”
“鼓励,我给你鼓励!先生,你这样想可就大错特错了。我只是以为你爱上了我的朋友。若不是由于这个缘故,我只会把你看成一个一般的相识。我感到万分抱歉。不过,这样也好,误会到此为止。你要是还像以前那样,史密斯小姐兴许也会误解你的意思。你觉得你们之间门第悬殊,她可能跟我一样没有意识到。不过,实际上,这失望只是单方面的,而且我相信也不会持久。目前我还不打算结婚。”
埃尔顿先生气得没再做声。爱玛态度坚决,他没法再恳求。他们就这样越来越气愤,彼此羞愧不已,却不得不在一起再熬一阵,因为伍德豪斯先生害怕出危险.他们的马车只得慢慢地走。两人若不是怒气冲冲,定会感到尴尬至极。不过,直截了当地把情绪发泄出来,也就省得拐弯抹角地闹别扭了。他们也不知道马车什么时候拐进了牧师住宅巷,什么时候停了下来,却突然发现来到了牧师住宅门口。埃尔顿先生也没吭一声,就下了车。爱玛觉得有必要跟他道声晚安,对方同样回了声晚安,语气冷漠而高傲。接着,她带着无法形容的恼怒,回到了哈特菲尔德。
她父亲怀着万分喜悦的心情,欢迎她归来。他刚才一直在胆战心惊,唯恐她一个人坐车从牧师住宅回来,会遇到什么危险——车子要拐一个他想都不敢想的弯弯——赶车的是个陌生人——一个很一般的马车夫——而不是詹姆斯。看来,只要她平安归来,家里就会万事大吉,约翰.奈特利先生因为发过脾气,心里感到惭愧,现在显得非常亲切.非常体贴人,而且特别关心她父亲的安康,看样子——即使不大乐意陪他喝一钵粥——也深知喝粥对身体极有好处。对于这一家人来说,这一天在平静和舒适中结束了,只有爱玛例外。她从来没有这样心烦意乱过,好不容易装出了一副专心致志、高高兴兴的样子,直到量后各自回房休息的时候,她才松了一口气,能静下心来思索一番。
1 convivial | |
adj.狂欢的,欢乐的 | |
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2 professed | |
公开声称的,伪称的,已立誓信教的 | |
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3 amiable | |
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
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4 considerably | |
adv.极大地;相当大地;在很大程度上 | |
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5 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
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6 perverse | |
adj.刚愎的;坚持错误的,行为反常的 | |
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7 entreat | |
v.恳求,恳请 | |
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8 solicitude | |
n.焦虑 | |
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9 vexed | |
adj.争论不休的;(指问题等)棘手的;争论不休的问题;烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 );使苦恼;使生气;详细讨论 | |
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10 concealing | |
v.隐藏,隐瞒,遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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11 pretence | |
n.假装,作假;借口,口实;虚伪;虚饰 | |
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12 contemptible | |
adj.可鄙的,可轻视的,卑劣的 | |
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13 abominable | |
adj.可厌的,令人憎恶的 | |
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14 implore | |
vt.乞求,恳求,哀求 | |
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15 persuasions | |
n.劝说,说服(力)( persuasion的名词复数 );信仰 | |
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16 disorder | |
n.紊乱,混乱;骚动,骚乱;疾病,失调 | |
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17 procuring | |
v.(努力)取得, (设法)获得( procure的现在分词 );拉皮条 | |
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18 scrupulous | |
adj.审慎的,小心翼翼的,完全的,纯粹的 | |
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19 catching | |
adj.易传染的,有魅力的,迷人的,接住 | |
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20 reproof | |
n.斥责,责备 | |
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21 consternation | |
n.大为吃惊,惊骇 | |
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22 bleak | |
adj.(天气)阴冷的;凄凉的;暗淡的 | |
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23 impede | |
v.妨碍,阻碍,阻止 | |
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24 mere | |
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过 | |
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25 lodged | |
v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 );暂住;埋入;(权利、权威等)归属 | |
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26 exclamation | |
n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词 | |
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27 excellence | |
n.优秀,杰出,(pl.)优点,美德 | |
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28 eldest | |
adj.最年长的,最年老的 | |
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29 adventurous | |
adj.爱冒险的;惊心动魄的,惊险的,刺激的 | |
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30 prettily | |
adv.优美地;可爱地 | |
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31 approbation | |
n.称赞;认可 | |
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32 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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33 flakes | |
小薄片( flake的名词复数 ); (尤指)碎片; 雪花; 古怪的人 | |
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34 apprehend | |
vt.理解,领悟,逮捕,拘捕,忧虑 | |
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35 appeased | |
安抚,抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 ); 绥靖(满足另一国的要求以避免战争) | |
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36 renewal | |
adj.(契约)延期,续订,更新,复活,重来 | |
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37 lawfully | |
adv.守法地,合法地;合理地 | |
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38 exquisite | |
adj.精美的;敏锐的;剧烈的,感觉强烈的 | |
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39 ardent | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,强烈的,烈性的 | |
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40 attachment | |
n.附属物,附件;依恋;依附 | |
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41 scruple | |
n./v.顾忌,迟疑 | |
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42 professing | |
声称( profess的现在分词 ); 宣称; 公开表明; 信奉 | |
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43 folly | |
n.愚笨,愚蠢,蠢事,蠢行,傻话 | |
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44 amazement | |
n.惊奇,惊讶 | |
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45 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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46 favourable | |
adj.赞成的,称赞的,有利的,良好的,顺利的 | |
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47 inebriety | |
n.醉,陶醉 | |
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48 presumption | |
n.推测,可能性,冒昧,放肆,[法律]推定 | |
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49 astonishment | |
n.惊奇,惊异 | |
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50 adoration | |
n.爱慕,崇拜 | |
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51 sanguine | |
adj.充满希望的,乐观的,血红色的 | |
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52 joyously | |
ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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53 affronted | |
adj.被侮辱的,被冒犯的v.勇敢地面对( affront的过去式和过去分词 );相遇 | |
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54 lasting | |
adj.永久的,永恒的;vbl.持续,维持 | |
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55 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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56 supplication | |
n.恳求,祈愿,哀求 | |
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57 swelling | |
n.肿胀 | |
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58 resentment | |
n.怨愤,忿恨 | |
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59 mortification | |
n.耻辱,屈辱 | |
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60 straightforward | |
adj.正直的,坦率的;易懂的,简单的 | |
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61 zigzags | |
n.锯齿形的线条、小径等( zigzag的名词复数 )v.弯弯曲曲地走路,曲折地前进( zigzag的第三人称单数 ) | |
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62 embarrassment | |
n.尴尬;使人为难的人(事物);障碍;窘迫 | |
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63 syllable | |
n.音节;vt.分音节 | |
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64 irritation | |
n.激怒,恼怒,生气 | |
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65 solitary | |
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士 | |
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66 solicitous | |
adj.热切的,挂念的 | |
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67 gruel | |
n.稀饭,粥 | |
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68 wholesome | |
adj.适合;卫生的;有益健康的;显示身心健康的 | |
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69 attentive | |
adj.注意的,专心的;关心(别人)的,殷勤的 | |
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