Emma could not forgive her; - but as neither provocation1 nor resentment2 were discerned by Mr. Knightley, who had been of the party, and had seen only proper attention and pleasing behaviour on each side, he was expressing the next morning, being at Hartfield again on business with Mr. Woodhouse, his approbation3 of the whole; not so openly as he might have done had her father been out of the room, but speaking plain enough to be very intelligible4 to Emma. He had been used to think her unjust to Jane, and had now great pleasure in marking an improvement.
`A very pleasant evening,' he began, as soon as Mr. Woodhouse had been talked into what was necessary, told that he understood, and the papers swept away; - `particularly pleasant. You and Miss Fairfax gave us some very good music. I do not know a more luxurious5 state, sir, than sitting at one's ease to be entertained a whole evening by two such young women; sometimes with music and sometimes with conversation. I am sure Miss Fairfax must have found the evening pleasant, Emma. You left nothing undone6. I was glad you made her play so much, for having no instrument at her grandmother's, it must have been a real indulgence.'
`I am happy you approved,' said Emma, smiling; `but I hope I am not often deficient7 in what is due to guests at Hartfield.'
`No, my dear,' said her father instantly; `that I am sure you are not. There is nobody half so attentive8 and civil as you are. If any thing, you are too attentive. The muffin last night - if it had been handed round once, I think it would have been enough.'
`No,' said Mr. Knightley, nearly at the same time; `you are not often deficient; not often deficient either in manner or comprehension. I think you understand me, therefore.'
An arch look expressed - `I understand you well enough;' but she said only, `Miss Fairfax is reserved.'
`I always told you she was - a little; but you will soon overcome all that part of her reserve which ought to be overcome, all that has its foundation in diffidence. What arises from discretion9 must be honoured.'
`You think her diffident. I do not see it.'
`My dear Emma,' said he, moving from his chair into one close by her, `you are not going to tell me, I hope, that you had not a pleasant evening.'
`Oh! no; I was pleased with my own perseverance10 in asking questions; and amused to think how little information I obtained.'
`I am disappointed,' was his only answer.
`I hope every body had a pleasant evening,' said Mr. Woodhouse, in his quiet way. `I had. Once, I felt the fire rather too much; but then I moved back my chair a little, a very little, and it did not disturb me. Miss Bates was very chatty and good-humoured, as she always is, though she speaks rather too quick. However, she is very agreeable, and Mrs. Bates too, in a different way. I like old friends; and Miss Jane Fairfax is a very pretty sort of young lady, a very pretty and a very well-behaved young lady indeed. She must have found the evening agreeable, Mr. Knightley, because she had Emma.'
`True, sir; and Emma, because she had Miss Fairfax.'
Emma saw his anxiety, and wishing to appease11 it, at least for the present, said, and with a sincerity12 which no one could question -
`She is a sort of elegant creature that one cannot keep one's eyes from. I am always watching her to admire; and I do pity her from my heart.'
Mr. Knightley looked as if he were more gratified than he cared to express; and before he could make any reply, Mr. Woodhouse, whose thoughts were on the Bates's, said -
`It is a great pity that their circumstances should be so confined! a great pity indeed! and I have often wished - but it is so little one can venture to do - small, trifling13 presents, of any thing uncommon14 - Now we have killed a porker, and Emma thinks of sending them a loin or a leg; it is very small and delicate - Hartfield pork is not like any other pork - but still it is pork - and, my dear Emma, unless one could be sure of their making it into steaks, nicely fried, as ours are fried, without the smallest grease, and not roast it, for no stomach can bear roast pork - I think we had better send the leg - do not you think so, my dear?'
`My dear papa, I sent the whole hind-quarter. I knew you would wish it. There will be the leg to be salted, you know, which is so very nice, and the loin to be dressed directly in any manner they like.'
`That's right, my dear, very right. I had not thought of it before, but that is the best way. They must not over-salt the leg; and then, if it is not over-salted, and if it is very thoroughly15 boiled, just as Serle boils ours, and eaten very moderately of, with a boiled turnip16, and a little carrot or parsnip, I do not consider it unwholesome.'
`Emma,' said Mr. Knightley presently, `I have a piece of news for you. You like news - and I heard an article in my way hither that I think will interest you.'
`News! Oh! yes, I always like news. What is it? - why do you smile so? - where did you hear it? - at Randalls?'
He had time only to say,
`No, not at Randalls; I have not been near Randalls,' when the door was thrown open, and Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax walked into the room. Full of thanks, and full of news, Miss Bates knew not which to give quickest. Mr. Knightley soon saw that he had lost his moment, and that not another syllable17 of communication could rest with him.
`Oh! my dear sir, how are you this morning? My dear Miss Woodhouse - I come quite over-powered. Such a beautiful hind-quarter of pork! You are too bountiful! Have you heard the news? Mr. Elton is going to be married.'
Emma had not had time even to think of Mr. Elton, and she was so completely surprized that she could not avoid a little start, and a little blush, at the sound.
`There is my news: - I thought it would interest you,' said Mr. Knightley, with a smile which implied a conviction of some part of what had passed between them.
`But where could you hear it?' cried Miss Bates. `Where could you possibly hear it, Mr. Knightley? For it is not five minutes since I received Mrs. Cole's note - no, it cannot be more than five - or at least ten - for I had got my bonnet18 and spencer on, just ready to come out - I was only gone down to speak to Patty again about the pork - Jane was standing19 in the passage - were not you, Jane? - for my mother was so afraid that we had not any salting-pan large enough. So I said I would go down and see, and Jane said, ``Shall I go down instead? for I think you have a little cold, and Patty has been washing the kitchen.'' - ``Oh! my dear,'' said I - well, and just then came the note. A Miss Hawkins - that's all I know. A Miss Hawkins of Bath. But, Mr. Knightley, how could you possibly have heard it? for the very moment Mr. Cole told Mrs. Cole of it, she sat down and wrote to me. A Miss Hawkins - '
`I was with Mr. Cole on business an hour and a half ago. He had just read Elton's letter as I was shewn in, and handed it to me directly.'
`Well! that is quite - I suppose there never was a piece of news more generally interesting. My dear sir, you really are too bountiful. My mother desires her very best compliments and regards, and a thousand thanks, and says you really quite oppress her.'
`We consider our Hartfield pork,' replied Mr. Woodhouse - `indeed it certainly is, so very superior to all other pork, that Emma and I cannot have a greater pleasure than - -'
`Oh! my dear sir, as my mother says, our friends are only too good to us. If ever there were people who, without having great wealth themselves, had every thing they could wish for, I am sure it is us. We may well say that ``our lot is cast in a goodly heritage.'' Well, Mr. Knightley, and so you actually saw the letter; well - '
`It was short - merely to announce - but cheerful, exulting21, of course.' - Here was a sly glance at Emma. `He had been so fortunate as to - I forget the precise words - one has no business to remember them. The information was, as you state, that he was going to be married to a Miss Hawkins. By his style, I should imagine it just settled.'
`Mr. Elton going to be married!' said Emma, as soon as she could speak. `He will have every body's wishes for his happiness.'
`He is very young to settle,' was Mr. Woodhouse's observation. `He had better not be in a hurry. He seemed to me very well off as he was. We were always glad to see him at Hartfield.'
`A new neighbour for us all, Miss Woodhouse!' said Miss Bates, joyfully22; `my mother is so pleased! - she says she cannot bear to have the poor old Vicarage without a mistress. This is great news, indeed. Jane, you have never seen Mr. Elton! - no wonder that you have such a curiosity to see him.'
Jane's curiosity did not appear of that absorbing nature as wholly to occupy her.
`No - I have never seen Mr. Elton,' she replied, starting on this appeal; `is he - is he a tall man?'
`Who shall answer that question?' cried Emma. `My father would say ``yes,'' Mr. Knightley ``no;'' and Miss Bates and I that he is just the happy medium. When you have been here a little longer, Miss Fairfax, you will understand that Mr. Elton is the standard of perfection in Highbury, both in person and mind.'
`Very true, Miss Woodhouse, so she will. He is the very best young man - But, my dear Jane, if you remember, I told you yesterday he was precisely23 the height of Mr. Perry. Miss Hawkins, - I dare say, an excellent young woman. His extreme attention to my mother - wanting her to sit in the vicarage pew, that she might hear the better, for my mother is a little deaf, you know - it is not much, but she does not hear quite quick. Jane says that Colonel Campbell is a little deaf. He fancied bathing might be good for it - the warm bath - but she says it did him no lasting24 benefit. Colonel Campbell, you know, is quite our angel. And Mr. Dixon seems a very charming young man, quite worthy25 of him. It is such a happiness when good people get together - and they always do. Now, here will be Mr. Elton and Miss Hawkins; and there are the Coles, such very good people; and the Perrys - I suppose there never was a happier or a better couple than Mr. and Mrs. Perry. I say, sir,' turning to Mr. Woodhouse, `I think there are few places with such society as Highbury. I always say, we are quite blessed in our neighbours. - My dear sir, if there is one thing my mother loves better than another, it is pork - a roast loin of pork - '
`As to who, or what Miss Hawkins is, or how long he has been acquainted with her,' said Emma, `nothing I suppose can be known. One feels that it cannot be a very long acquaintance. He has been gone only four weeks.'
Nobody had any information to give; and, after a few more wonderings, Emma said,
`You are silent, Miss Fairfax - but I hope you mean to take an interest in this news. You, who have been hearing and seeing so much of late on these subjects, who must have been so deep in the business on Miss Campbell's account - we shall not excuse your being indifferent about Mr. Elton and Miss Hawkins.'
`When I have seen Mr. Elton,' replied Jane, ` I dare say I shall be interested - but I believe it requires that with me. And as it is some months since Miss Campbell married, the impression may be a little worn off.'
`Yes, he has been gone just four weeks, as you observe, Miss Woodhouse,' said Miss Bates, `four weeks yesterday. - A Miss Hawkins! - Well, I had always rather fancied it would be some young lady hereabouts; not that I ever - Mrs. Cole once whispered to me - but I immediately said, ``No, Mr. Elton is a most worthy young man - but'' - In short, I do not think I am particularly quick at those sort of discoveries. I do not pretend to it. What is before me, I see. At the same time, nobody could wonder if Mr. Elton should have aspired26 - Miss Woodhouse lets me chatter27 on, so good-humouredly. She knows I would not offend for the world. How does Miss Smith do? She seems quite recovered now. Have you heard from Mrs. John Knightley lately? Oh! those dear little children. Jane, do you know I always fancy Mr. Dixon like Mr. John Knightley. I mean in person - tall, and with that sort of look - and not very talkative.'
`Quite wrong, my dear aunt; there is no likeness28 at all.'
`Very odd! but one never does form a just idea of any body beforehand. One takes up a notion, and runs away with it. Mr. Dixon, you say, is not, strictly29 speaking, handsome?'
`Handsome! Oh! no - far from it - certainly plain. I told you he was plain.'
`My dear, you said that Miss Campbell would not allow him to be plain, and that you yourself - '
`Oh! as for me, my judgment30 is worth nothing. Where I have a regard, I always think a person well-looking. But I gave what I believed the general opinion, when I called him plain.'
`Well, my dear Jane, I believe we must be running away. The weather does not look well, and grandmama will be uneasy. You are too obliging, my dear Miss Woodhouse; but we really must take leave. This has been a most agreeable piece of news indeed. I shall just go round by Mrs. Cole's; but I shall not stop three minutes: and, Jane, you had better go home directly - I would not have you out in a shower! - We think she is the better for Highbury already. Thank you, we do indeed. I shall not attempt calling on Mrs. Goddard, for I really do not think she cares for any thing but boiled pork: when we dress the leg it will be another thing. Good morning to you, my dear sir. Oh! Mr. Knightley is coming too. Well, that is so very! - I am sure if Jane is tired, you will be so kind as to give her your arm. - Mr. Elton, and Miss Hawkins! - Good morning to you.'
Emma, alone with her father, had half her attention wanted by him while he lamented31 that young people would be in such a hurry to marry - and to marry strangers too - and the other half she could give to her own view of the subject. It was to herself an amusing and a very welcome piece of news, as proving that Mr. Elton could not have suffered long; but she was sorry for Harriet: Harriet must feel it - and all that she could hope was, by giving the first information herself, to save her from hearing it abruptly32 from others. It was now about the time that she was likely to call. If she were to meet Miss Bates in her way! - and upon its beginning to rain, Emma was obliged to expect that the weather would be detaining her at Mrs. Goddard's, and that the intelligence would undoubtedly33 rush upon her without preparation.
The shower was heavy, but short; and it had not been over five minutes, when in came Harriet, with just the heated, agitated34 look which hurrying thither35 with a full heart was likely to give; and the `Oh! Miss Woodhouse, what do you think has happened!' which instantly burst forth36, had all the evidence of corresponding perturbation. As the blow was given, Emma felt that she could not now shew greater kindness than in listening; and Harriet, unchecked, ran eagerly through what she had to tell. `She had set out from Mrs. Goddard's half an hour ago - she had been afraid it would rain - she had been afraid it would pour down every moment - but she thought she might get to Hartfield first - she had hurried on as fast as possible; but then, as she was passing by the house where a young woman was making up a gown for her, she thought she would just step in and see how it went on; and though she did not seem to stay half a moment there, soon after she came out it began to rain, and she did not know what to do; so she ran on directly, as fast as she could, and took shelter at Ford's.' - Ford's was the principal woollen-draper, linen-draper, and haberdasher's shop united; the shop first in size and fashion in the place. - `And so, there she had set, without an idea of any thing in the world, full ten minutes, perhaps - when, all of a sudden, who should come in - to be sure it was so very odd! - but they always dealt at Ford's - who should come in, but Elizabeth Martin and her brother! - Dear Miss Woodhouse! only think. I thought I should have fainted. I did not know what to do. I was sitting near the door - Elizabeth saw me directly; but he did not; he was busy with the umbrella. I am sure she saw me, but she looked away directly, and took no notice; and they both went to quite the farther end of the shop; and I kept sitting near the door! - Oh! dear; I was so miserable37! I am sure I must have been as white as my gown. I could not go away you know, because of the rain; but I did so wish myself anywhere in the world but there. - Oh! dear, Miss Woodhouse - well, at last, I fancy, he looked round and saw me; for instead of going on with her buyings, they began whispering to one another. I am sure they were talking of me; and I could not help thinking that he was persuading her to speak to me - (do you think he was, Miss Woodhouse?) - for presently she came forward - came quite up to me, and asked me how I did, and seemed ready to shake hands, if I would. She did not do any of it in the same way that she used; I could see she was altered; but, however, she seemed to try to be very friendly, and we shook hands, and stood talking some time; but I know no more what I said - I was in such a tremble! - I remember she said she was sorry we never met now; which I thought almost too kind! Dear, Miss Woodhouse, I was absolutely miserable! By that time, it was beginning to hold up, and I was determined38 that nothing should stop me from getting away - and then - only think! - I found he was coming up towards me too - slowly you know, and as if he did not quite know what to do; and so he came and spoke39, and I answered - and I stood for a minute, feeling dreadfully, you know, one can't tell how; and then I took courage, and said it did not rain, and I must go; and so off I set; and I had not got three yards from the door, when he came after me, only to say, if I was going to Hartfield, he thought I had much better go round by Mr. Cole's stables, for I should find the near way quite floated by this rain. Oh! dear, I thought it would have been the death of me! So I said, I was very much obliged to him: you know I could not do less; and then he went back to Elizabeth, and I came round by the stables - I believe I did - but I hardly knew where I was, or any thing about it. Oh! Miss Woodhouse, I would rather done any thing than have it happen: and yet, you know, there was a sort of satisfaction in seeing him behave so pleasantly and so kindly40. And Elizabeth, too. Oh! Miss Woodhouse, do talk to me and make me comfortable again.'
Very sincerely did Emma wish to do so; but it was not immediately in her power. She was obliged to stop and think. She was not thoroughly comfortable herself. The young man's conduct, and his sister's, seemed the result of real feeling, and she could not but pity them. As Harriet described it, there had been an interesting mixture of wounded affection and genuine delicacy41 in their behaviour. But she had believed them to be well-meaning, worthy people before; and what difference did this make in the evils of the connexion? It was folly42 to be disturbed by it. Of course, he must be sorry to lose her - they must be all sorry. Ambition, as well as love, had probably been mortified43. They might all have hoped to rise by Harriet's acquaintance: and besides, what was the value of Harriet's description? - So easily pleased - so little discerning; - what signified her praise?
She exerted herself, and did try to make her comfortable, by considering all that had passed as a mere20 trifle, and quite unworthy of being dwelt on,
`It might be distressing44, for the moment,' said she; `but you seem to have behaved extremely well; and it is over - and may never - can never, as a first meeting, occur again, and therefore you need not think about it.'
Harriet said, `very true,' and she `would not think about it;' but still she talked of it - still she could talk of nothing else; and Emma, at last, in order to put the Martins out of her head, was obliged to hurry on the news, which she had meant to give with so much tender caution; hardly knowing herself whether to rejoice or be angry, ashamed or only amused, at such a state of mind in poor Harriet - such a conclusion of Mr. Elton's importance with her!
Mr. Elton's rights, however, gradually revived. Though she did not feel the first intelligence as she might have done the day before, or an hour before, its interest soon increased; and before their first conversation was over, she had talked herself into all the sensations of curiosity, wonder and regret, pain and pleasure, as to this fortunate Miss Hawkins, which could conduce to place the Martins under proper subordination in her fancy.
Emma learned to be rather glad that there had been such a meeting. It had been serviceable in deadening the first shock, without retaining any influence to alarm. As Harriet now lived, the Martins could not get at her, without seeking her, where hitherto they had wanted either the courage or the condescension45 to seek her; for since her refusal of the brother, the sisters never had been at Mrs. Goddard's; and a twelvemonth might pass without their being thrown together again, with any necessity, or even any power of speech.
爱玛无法宽恕简。可是，当时在场的奈特利先生并未发现任何恼怒或怨恨的迹象，看到的只是两人礼貌周到，行为得体，所以第二天早上有事再来哈特菲尔德找伍德豪斯先生时，对一切都表示很满意，虽然没有伍德豪斯先生不在家时那么坦率，但话说得明明白白，爱玛完全能够领会。奈特利先生以前一直认为爱玛对简不公正，现在看到她有了进步，觉得十分高兴。
“昨天晚上过得非常愉快，”他刚跟伍德豪斯先生谈完了该谈的事，伍德豪斯先生也表示听明白了他的意思，就把文件推到一旁，开始说道。“愉快极了。你和费尔法克斯小姐给我们演奏了非常优美的乐曲。整个晚上都怡然自得地坐在那里，由这样两位年轻小姐陪着，时而听她们演奏乐曲，时而跟她们交谈，伍德豪斯先生，我觉得再惬意不过了。爱玛，我想费尔法克斯小姐一定觉得这一晚过得很愉快。你处处想得很周到。我很高兴，你让她演奏了那么多曲子，因为她外婆家没有钢琴，她一定弹得很痛快。”
“我很高兴，能听到你的赞许，”爱玛微笑地说。“不过我想，我对哈特菲尔德的客人，并不大有什么欠缺吧。”
“是没有，亲爱的，”她父亲连忙说道。“我相信你决没有什么欠缺。谁也没有你这么周到，这么客气。如果说你还有什么缺点的话，那就是你太周到了。昨天晚上的松饼——要是只给大家递一次，我看就足够了。”
“是呀，”奈特利先生几乎在同一时间说道，“你是不大有什么欠缺。无论在言谈举止上，还是在知人知心上，你都不大有什么欠缺。因此，我想你是明白我的意思的。”
爱玛调皮地看了他一眼，仿佛表示：“我很明白你的意思。”不过，她嘴里只说了一句：“费尔法克斯小姐太沉默寡言。”
“我早就跟你说过她沉默寡言——有一点。不过，凡是她不该沉默寡言的地方，凡是出于羞怯的行为，你很快就会帮她克服掉的。凡是出于谨慎的沉默，必须受到尊敬。”
“你认为她羞怯。我可看不出来。”
“亲爱的爱玛，”奈特利先生说着，从自己的椅子上移到靠近爱玛的一张椅子上，“但愿你不要告诉我说，你过了一个不大愉快的夜晚。”
“哦！不会的。我坚持不懈地问问题，感到很高兴；而一想到她不肯回答，又觉得挺有趣。”
“我感到失望，”奈特利先生只回答了这么一句。
“我希望每个人都过了一个愉快的夜晚，”伍德豪斯先生像往常那样从容不迫地说道。“我就过得很愉快。有一次，我觉得炉火太热丁，后来就把椅子往后移了移，只移了一点点，就不觉得不舒服了。贝茨小姐很爱说话，脾气也挺好，她总是这样，只不过话讲得太快。不过，她很讨人喜欢，贝茨太太也很讨人喜欢，就是特点不一样。我喜欢老朋友。简·费尔法克斯小姐是个非常漂亮的年轻小姐，的确是个非常漂亮、非常文静的年轻小姐。奈特利先生，她一定觉得这一晚过得很愉快，因为她和爱玛在一起。”
“一点不错，先生。爱玛也觉得很愉快，因为她和费尔法克斯小姐在一起。”
爱玛见奈特利先生有些担忧，便想让他放心，至少暂时放心，于是带着谁也无法怀疑的真诚口吻说道：
“她是个文雅端庄的人，谁都忍不住要多看她几眼。我总是盯着她，赞赏她。可我确实打心眼里可怜她。”
奈特利先生好像满意得不知说什么好。这时，伍德豪斯先生一心想着贝茨家母女俩，他还没等奈特利先生作出回答，便说：
“她们的家境这么窘迫，真是太可怜了！实在是太可怜了！我常想——可惜一个人的能力总是有限的——送一点小小的、而又非同寻常的薄礼去——我们刚刚宰了一头小猪，爱玛想送她们一块肋肉或一条猪腿，小小的，嫩嫩的——哈特菲尔德的猪肉跟别处的猪肉不一样——不过它还是猪肉——亲爱的爱玛，你还得确保她们把它做成可口的炸猪排，就像我们炸的那样，没有一点油腻，可不要去烤它，谁也没有胃口吃烤猪肉——我看还是送猪腿好——你说呢，亲爱的？”
“亲爱的爸爸，我把整个后腿都送去了。我早就知道你会愿意这样送的。你知道腿要腌起来，那是很可口的，而肋肉可以马上做成菜，随便她们怎样做。”
“说得对，亲爱的，说得对。我起先没想到，不过那是最好的办法，她们可不能把腿腌得太咸。只要不要腌得太咸，而且煮得烂熟，就像塞尔给我们煮的那样，吃的时候要有节制，还要搭上一些煮熟的萝卜，再加一点胡萝卜或者防风根，我看不会对身体有害的。”
“爱玛，”过了不一会，奈特利先生说道，“我要告诉你一条消息。你喜欢听消息——我在来这儿的路上听到一条消息，我想你一定会感兴趣。”
“消息！哦！是的，我一向喜欢听消息。什么消息？你干吗这么笑嘻嘻的？你是在哪儿听来的？在兰多尔斯吗？”
奈特利先生刚来得及说一声：
“不，不是在兰多尔斯，我没去兰多尔斯。”门给一把推开了，贝茨小姐和费尔法克斯小姐走进屋来。贝茨小姐装了一肚子的话，既要表示感谢，又要报告消息，不知道先说哪一桩是好。奈特利先生马上意识到他失去了报告消息的机会，连插一句嘴的余地也没有了。
“哦！亲爱的先生，你今天早上好吗？亲爱的伍德豪斯小姐——我简直不知道说什么好了。那么棒的猪后腿！你真是太慷慨啦！你听到消息了吗？埃尔顿先生要结婚啦。”
爱玛还来不及去琢磨埃尔顿先生，一听她那话，感到十分意外，禁不住微微一惊，脸上也有点发红。
“这就是我要报告的消息——我想你会感兴趣的，”奈特利先生说道，脸上微微一笑，似乎表示贝茨小姐的话是可信的。
“你是从哪儿听来的？”贝茨小姐大声问道。“你能从哪儿听来的呢，奈特利先生？我接到科尔太太的信还不到五分钟——不，不会超过五分钟——也许至少不超过十分钟——因为我已经戴上了帽子，穿上了外衣，准备出门了——我只是为了猪肉的事下楼再关照一下帕蒂——简就站在走廊里——是不是呀，简？因为我妈妈担心我们家的腌肉盆子不够大。所以我说，我要下去看看。这时简说：‘我替你下去好吗？我看你有点感冒，帕蒂在洗刷厨房。一哦！亲爱的，’我说——恰在这时，来了那封信。跟一位霍金斯小姐结婚——我就知道这么一点。巴思的霍金斯小姐。可是，奈特利先生，你怎么会听到这个消息的呢？科尔先生一把这事告诉科尔太太，科尔太太就坐下来给我写信。一位霍金斯小姐——”
“一个半小时以前，我有事去找科尔先生。我进去的时候，他刚看完埃尔顿先生的信，马上把信递给了我。”
“啊！真是太——我想从来没有这么令人感兴趣的消息。亲爱的先生，你真是太慷慨啦。我妈妈要我代她致以最诚挚的问候和敬意，还要表示千谢万谢，说你真让她承受不起呀。”
“我们觉得哈特菲尔德的猪肉，”伍德豪斯先生回答说，“真比别处的猪肉强得多，的确强得多，所以爱玛和我都很高兴——”
“哦！亲爱的先生，我妈妈说得对，我们的朋友们待我们太好了。如果说有人自己没有多少家产，却能想要什么有什么，那肯定就是我们了。我们还真可以说：‘我们命中注定要继承一份丰厚的财产。’（译注：贝茨小姐在引用《圣经》里的话，但有出入。《旧约·诗篇》第十六章第七节说：“我的地界坐落在佳美之处，我有一份丰厚的财产。”）奈特利先生，这么说你还真看到那封信了。呃——”
“信很短，只是宣布——不过，当然是充满喜悦，令人欢欣鼓舞啦。”说到这里，奈特利先生诡秘地瞥了爱玛一眼。“他真幸运，竟然——我记不住确切的字眼了——也用不着去记那些字眼。那消息，就像你说的，他要和一位霍金斯小姐结婚了。从信里的口气来看，我想这事刚刚定下来。”
“埃尔顿先生要结婚了！”爱玛终于能开口说话了。“大家都会祝他幸福的。”
“他现在就成家，还太年轻了，”伍德豪斯先生说。“他最好不要匆忙行事。依我看，他原来就过得挺好嘛。我们总是欢迎他来哈特菲尔德的。”
“我们大家要有一位新邻居了，伍德豪斯小姐！”贝茨小姐欢天喜地地说道。“我妈妈可高兴啦！她说她不忍心眼见那古老的牧师住宅连个女主人都没有。这真是个大喜讯。简，你可从没见过埃尔顿先生啊！难怪你那么好奇，一心就想见见他。”
简似乎并没好奇到急不可耐的地步。
“是的——我从没见过埃尔顿先生，”她接过贝茨小姐的话题，回答说。“他是不是——是不是个高个儿？”
“准来回答这个问题呢？”爱玛大声说道。“我父亲会说‘是高个儿’，奈特利先生会说‘不是高个儿’，而贝茨小姐和我会说不高不矮恰好适中。费尔法克斯小姐，你要是在这儿稍微待久一些，你就会发现，埃尔顿先生无论看相貌还是看才智，在海伯里都是一个标准的尽善尽美的人物。”
“一点不错，伍德豪斯小姐，她会发现的。埃尔顿先生是最棒的小伙子——不过，亲爱的简，你要是记得的话，我昨天告诉过你，他正好跟佩里先生一样高。霍金斯小姐，也许是一位出色的姑娘吧。埃尔顿先生对我妈关心极了——让她坐在教区牧师的专座上，好听得清楚些，因为你知道，我妈有一点耳聋——不是很严重，但听起来有些迟钝。简说坎贝尔上校也有点耳聋。他以为洗澡对耳朵有好处——洗温水澡——可简说没给他带来持久的效果。你知道，坎贝尔上校真是我们心目中的天使。迪克逊先生似乎是个非常可爱的年轻人，很配做他的女婿。好人跟好人结亲，该是多么幸福——而好人总是跟好人结亲。如今，埃尔顿先生和霍金斯小姐要成亲丁。再看科尔夫妇，多么善良的人。还有佩里夫妇——我看没有哪对夫妇比佩里夫妇过得更幸福、更美满了。我说，先生，”说着把脸转向伍德豪斯先生，“我看没有什么地方能比得上海伯里，有这么多的好人。我总是说，我们真是福气，有这样的好邻居。亲爱的先生，要是我妈妈有什么特别喜爱的东西，那就是猪肉——烤猪肉——”
“关于霍金斯小姐是何许人，是怎样一个人，埃尔顿先生跟她认识多久了，”爱玛说道，“我想谁也无法知道。只是感觉他们不会认识多久。埃尔顿先生才走了四个星期。”
谁也说不出什么情况。爱玛又寻思了一番，说道：
“费尔法克斯小姐，你一声不吭——可是我想，你对这条消息也该感点兴趣吧。你最近对这些事听得多，看得多，一定还为坎贝尔小姐操了不少心——现在却对埃尔顿先生和霍金斯小姐漠不关心，这我们可不能原谅了。”
“等我见到了埃尔顿先生，”简回答说，“也许我会感兴趣的——不过我倒觉得，我还真要这样才行。坎贝尔小姐已经结婚几个月了，有些事情印象不深了。”
“是的，伍德豪斯小姐，正像你说的，埃尔顿先生正好走了四个星期，”贝茨小姐说，“到昨天正好四个星期。一位霍金斯小姐。唉，我原先一直以为他会看上这附近一带的哪位年轻小姐。倒不是我原先——科尔太太有一次悄悄对我说过——可我马上就说：‘不，埃尔顿先生是个很优秀的青年——不过——’总之，我觉得我不大敏感，不善于察觉这类事情。我也不想假装很敏感。摆在眼皮底下的，我才看得见。尽管如此，谁也不会感到奇怪，如果埃尔顿先生有心于——伍德豪斯小姐真是好性子，让我不停地唠叨。她知道我是绝对不会惹人生厌的。史密斯小姐怎么样了？她好像完全康复了。你最近有没有收到约翰·奈特利太太的信？啊！那些可爱的小宝贝。简．你知道吧，我总以为迪克逊先生很像约翰·奈特利先生？我说的是长得像——高高的个子，还有他那样的神态——而且不怎么爱讲话。”
“完全搞错了，亲爱的姨妈。一点也不像。”
“好怪呀！不管什么人，只要没见过面，你就说不准是个什么模样。你总是有了一个想法，就抱住不放。照你的意思，严格说来，迪克逊先生并不漂亮。”
“漂亮！哦！不——一点也不漂亮——的确不好看。我告诉过你，他其貌不扬。”
“亲爱的，你说过坎贝尔小姐不承认他其貌不扬，而你自己却——”
“哦！说到我嘛，我的看法是无足轻重的。凡是我敬重的人，我总认为很好看。不过，我所以说他其貌不扬，是因为我相信这是一般人的看法。”
“好吧，亲爱的简，我想我们得赶紧走了。天气看来不怎么好，外婆会担心的。你真是太好了，亲爱的伍德豪斯小姐。不过，我们真得告辞了。这的确是个令人万分高兴的好消息。我要顺便去一趟科尔太太家，不过待不上三分钟。简，你最好直接回家——我可不想让你挨雨淋！我们觉得她来海伯里已经好些了。谢谢你——我们真是感谢你。我不想去看望戈达德太太，因为我真觉得她除了煮猪肉之外，什么都不放在心上。现在我们要烧猪腿，那就是另一码事了。再见，亲爱的先生。啊！奈特利先生也要走了。嗬，这真是太——！我想要是简累了，你一定会让她挽着你的胳臂的。埃尔顿先生要娶霍金斯小姐。再见。”
只剩下爱玛和父亲两个人。爱玛一边在听父亲哀叹年轻人非要这么急于结婚——而且还要跟素不相识的人结婚——一边在用心思考这件事。对她来说，这是一个很有趣、也是很可喜的消息，因为它证明埃尔顿先生没有苦恼多久。然而，她为哈丽特感到难过。哈丽特一定会觉得不好受——她只希望由她来首先告诉她这一消息，免得她从别人那里听到感到突然。现在这时候，她就很可能来访。如果她在路上遇到贝茨小姐，那可就糟啦！天开始下雨了，爱玛还得估计到哈丽特可能待在戈达德太太家出不来，无疑会毫无准备地听到这条消息。
雨下得很大，但时间不长。雨停了不到五分钟，哈丽特就噔噔地走进来了，只见她满脸通红，神情激动，像是有什么急事匆匆赶来的；而且一进门就嚷道：“嗨！伍德豪斯小姐，你猜出了什么事啊！”足以表明她正心烦意乱。既然她已遭到了打击，爱玛觉得现在表示关心的最好办法，就是老老实实听着。哈丽特没有受到阻拦，急火火地一口气把要说的话全说出来了。“我是半小时前从戈达德太太家出来的——我怕天要下雨——我怕随时都会下大雨——不过我又想，也许我能在下雨前赶到哈特菲尔德——我就拼命地赶来了。等走过给我做衣服的那个年轻女人的家门口时，我想还是进去看看衣服做得怎么样了。尽管我进去好像没怎么停留，可是刚出门不久就下起雨来了，我不知道怎么办是好。所以，我就使劲往前奔，跑到福德商店去躲雨。”福德商店是一家兼营毛料、亚麻布和服饰用品的综合商店，也是当地最大、最时髦的商店。“我就坐在店里，什么也不想，也许足有十分钟——就在这时，突然间，你猜谁进来啦——真是好奇怪呀！不过他们倒总是去福德买东西——进来的不是别人，正是伊丽莎白·马丁和她哥哥！亲爱的伍德豪斯小姐啊！你想想看吧。我心想我可要晕倒了。我不知道该怎么办。我就坐在门口——伊丽莎白一眼就看见了我。可她哥哥却没看见我，他正忙着收伞。伊丽莎白肯定看见我了，不过她立即把脸扭开了，压根儿不理睬我。他们两人都朝店铺里头走去，我还是一动不动地坐在门口！天哪，我真是难受极啦！我的脸色肯定像我的衣服一样白。你知道我想走也走不了，因为天在下雨。不过我真想待在哪儿都可以，就是别在那儿。天哪！伍德豪斯小姐——后来，我想那位哥哥还是回过头来，看见了我，因为那兄妹俩不再买东西了，而是悄声嘀咕起来。他们肯定在谈论我。我禁不住在想，那哥哥一定在劝妹妹跟我说话——（你看他是不是这样，伍德豪斯小姐？）——因为伊丽莎白立即走过来——走到我跟前，向我问好，似乎只要我愿意，就想跟我握手。她这次的整个举动，跟以往不一样。我看得出来，她变了。不过，她似乎很想表示亲热，我们就握了手，站在那儿谈了一会儿。可是我已经记不得当时说了些什么——我抖得好厉害呀！我记得她说真遗憾，我们总见不着面，我觉得这话简直太亲切了！亲爱的伍德豪斯小姐，我心里实在太难受了！就在这时，雨快要停了，我便打定主意，无论如何也得走了——这时候——你想想看吧！我居然看见那位哥哥也朝我走来——你要知道，是慢吞吞的，好像不知道该怎么办才好。就这样，他走了过来，还说了话，我也回答了——在那儿站了一会儿，觉得很难受，你知道，说不出是什么滋味。接着，我鼓起勇气，说雨不下了，我该走了。于是我拔腿就走。刚出门走了不到三码，他就追了上来，说是如果我要去哈特菲尔德，他认为我最好绕道打科尔先生的马厩那儿去，因为我会发现，这场雨一下，那条近路上尽是水。天哪，我心想那不是要我的命嘛！于是我说，我非常感激他。你知道我不能不这么说。随即，他就回到伊丽莎白那儿，我就绕道打马厩那儿过来——我想我是打那儿走过来的——可我简直辨不清位置了，什么都辨不清。哦！伍德豪斯小姐，叫我干什么都可以，我可不愿碰上刚才这种事。不过，你知道，见他那样和蔼，那样亲切，我也觉得挺高兴。伊丽莎白也一样。哦！伍德豪斯小姐，你跟我说说话，让我觉得好受一点。”
爱玛倒真心诚意地想这么做，可惜一时又无能为力。她不得不停下来想一想。她自己心里也不是很舒畅呀。那小伙子和他妹妹的举动，似乎都是真情实感所致，她只能同情他们。照哈丽特的说法，他们的举动流露出一种有趣的感情，既有受了创伤的痴情，又有真心实意的体贴。她以前也认为他们是心地善良、值得尊敬的人。但是，既然双方不相匹配，那又有什么用呢？为这件事烦恼，真是愚蠢。当然，马丁先生失去她，一定感到很难过——他们都会感到很难过。爱情落空了，奢望也落空了。他们也许希望跟哈丽特拉关系，自己可以往上爬。除此之外，哈丽特的话还有什么价值呢？那么容易高兴，那么没有眼力，她的称赞又有什么意义呢？
爱玛振作了一下，而且的确在尽力安慰她，要她把遇到的事看成一桩区区小事，不必挂在心上。’
“也许当时令人觉得不大好受，”她说，“不过你好像表现得极为得体。事情已经过去了——也许再也不会——再也不会出像第一次见面那样的事了，所以你就不必再想了。”
哈丽特说了一声“一点不错”，然后就“不再想了”。可她还是在谈这件事——她仍然无法谈论别的事。后来，为了不让她再想马丁家的人，爱玛只得把原先准备小心翼翼地告诉她的消息，赶紧一股脑地讲出来。看到可怜的哈丽特处于这种心态——认定埃尔顿先生对她还这么举足轻重，爱玛自己简直搞不清究竟该喜、该怒、该羞，还是仅仅为之一乐！
然而，埃尔顿先生渐渐恢复了他应有的地位。尽管哈丽特一听到这消息并没作出强烈的反应（她若是在一天前或一个小时前听到这消息，准会觉得很痛苦），不过她对这事的兴趣又马上浓了起来。她们这第一次交谈还没结束，她就一个劲地谈着那位幸运的霍金斯小姐，心里又好奇，又惊异，又懊悔，又痛苦，又高兴，真是百感交集，终于在脑海里将马丁兄妹俩摆在了恰当的次要位置。
他们有了这次相遇，爱玛反倒感到高兴。这可以打消最初的震惊，而不至于余悸未消引起惊慌。像哈丽特这样生活，马丁家的人不去找她是看不到她的，而要去找她，他们既缺乏勇气，又放不下架子。自从哈丽特拒绝了马丁之后，他的两个妹妹还从没去过戈达德太太家。也许再过一年，也不会有什么必要再把他们撮合在一起，即使别人再怎么劝说也无济于事。
收听单词发音 |
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provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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intelligible
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| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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turnip
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| n.萝卜，芜菁 | |
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syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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exulting
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| vi. 欢欣鼓舞，狂喜 | |
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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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aspired
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| v.渴望，追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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