Frank Churchill came back again; and if he kept his father's dinner waiting, it was not known at Hartfield; for Mrs. Weston was too anxious for his being a favourite with Mr. Woodhouse, to betray any imperfection which could be concealed2.
He came back, had had his hair cut, and laughed at himself with a very good grace, but without seeming really at all ashamed of what he had done. He had no reason to wish his hair longer, to conceal1 any confusion of face; no reason to wish the money unspent, to improve his spirits. He was quite as undaunted and as lively as ever; and, after seeing him, Emma thus moralised to herself: -
`I do not know whether it ought to be so, but certainly silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent3 way. Wickedness is always wickedness, but folly4 is not always folly. - It depends upon the character of those who handle it. Mr. Knightley, he is not a trifling5, silly young man. If he were, he would have done this differently. He would either have gloried in the achievement, or been ashamed of it. There would have been either the ostentation6 of a coxcomb7, or the evasions8 of a mind too weak to defend its own vanities. - No, I am perfectly9 sure that he is not trifling or silly.'
With Tuesday came the agreeable prospect10 of seeing him again, and for a longer time than hitherto; of judging of his general manners, and by inference, of the meaning of his manners towards herself; of guessing how soon it might be necessary for her to throw coldness into her air; and of fancying what the observations of all those might be, who were now seeing them together for the first time.
She meant to be very happy, in spite of the scene being laid at Mr. Cole's; and without being able to forget that among the failings of Mr. Elton, even in the days of his favour, none had disturbed her more than his propensity11 to dine with Mr. Cole.
Her father's comfort was amply secured, Mrs. Bates as well as Mrs. Goddard being able to come; and her last pleasing duty, before she left the house, was to pay her respects to them as they sat together after dinner; and while her father was fondly noticing the beauty of her dress, to make the two ladies all the amends12 in her power, by helping13 them to large slices of cake and full glasses of wine, for whatever unwilling14 self-denial his care of their constitution might have obliged them to practise during the meal. - She had provided a plentiful15 dinner for them; she wished she could know that they had been allowed to eat it.
She followed another carriage to Mr. Cole's door; and was pleased to see that it was Mr. Knightley's; for Mr. Knightley keeping no horses, having little spare money and a great deal of health, activity, and independence, was too apt, in Emma's opinion, to get about as he could, and not use his carriage so often as became the owner of Donwell Abbey. She had an opportunity now of speaking her approbation16 while warm from her heart, for he stopped to hand her out.
`This is coming as you should do,' said she; `like a gentleman. - I am quite glad to see you.'
He thanked her, observing, `How lucky that we should arrive at the same moment! for, if we had met first in the drawing-room, I doubt whether you would have discerned me to be more of a gentleman than usual. - You might not have distinguished17 how I came, by my look or manner.'
`Yes I should, I am sure I should. There is always a look of consciousness or bustle18 when people come in a way which they know to be beneath them. You think you carry it off very well, I dare say, but with you it is a sort of bravado19, an air of affected20 unconcern; I always observe it whenever I meet you under those circumstances. Now you have nothing to try for. You are not afraid of being supposed ashamed. You are not striving to look taller than any body else. Now I shall really be very happy to walk into the same room with you.'
`Nonsensical girl!' was his reply, but not at all in anger.
Emma had as much reason to be satisfied with the rest of the party as with Mr. Knightley. She was received with a cordial respect which could not but please, and given all the consequence she could wish for. When the Westons arrived, the kindest looks of love, the strongest of admiration21 were for her, from both husband and wife; the son approached her with a cheerful eagerness which marked her as his peculiar22 object, and at dinner she found him seated by her - and, as she firmly believed, not without some dexterity23 on his side.
The party was rather large, as it included one other family, a proper unobjectionable country family, whom the Coles had the advantage of naming among their acquaintance, and the male part of Mr. Cox's family, the lawyer of Highbury. The less worthy24 females were to come in the evening, with Miss Bates, Miss Fairfax, and Miss Smith; but already, at dinner, they were too numerous for any subject of conversation to be general; and, while politics and Mr. Elton were talked over, Emma could fairly surrender all her attention to the pleasantness of her neighbour. The first remote sound to which she felt herself obliged to attend, was the name of Jane Fairfax. Mrs. Cole seemed to be relating something of her that was expected to be very interesting. She listened, and found it well worth listening to. That very dear part of Emma, her fancy, received an amusing supply. Mrs. Cole was telling that she had been calling on Miss Bates, and as soon as she entered the room had been struck by the sight of a pianoforte - a very elegant looking instrument - not a grand, but a large-sized square pianoforte; and the substance of the story, the end of all the dialogue which ensued of surprize, and inquiry25, and congratulations on her side, and explanations on Miss Bates's, was, that this pianoforte had arrived from Broadwood's the day before, to the great astonishment26 of both aunt and niece - entirely27 unexpected; that at first, by Miss Bates's account, Jane herself was quite at a loss, quite bewildered to think who could possibly have ordered it - but now, they were both perfectly satisfied that it could be from only one quarter; - of course it must be from Colonel Campbell.
`One can suppose nothing else,' added Mrs. Cole, `and I was only surprized that there could ever have been a doubt. But Jane, it seems, had a letter from them very lately, and not a word was said about it. She knows their ways best; but I should not consider their silence as any reason for their not meaning to make the present. They might chuse to surprize her.'
Mrs. Cole had many to agree with her; every body who spoke28 on the subject was equally convinced that it must come from Colonel Campbell, and equally rejoiced that such a present had been made; and there were enough ready to speak to allow Emma to think her own way, and still listen to Mrs. Cole.
`I declare, I do not know when I have heard any thing that has given me more satisfaction! - It always has quite hurt me that Jane Fairfax, who plays so delightfully30, should not have an instrument. It seemed quite a shame, especially considering how many houses there are where fine instruments are absolutely thrown away. This is like giving ourselves a slap, to be sure! and it was but yesterday I was telling Mr. Cole, I really was ashamed to look at our new grand pianoforte in the drawing-room, while I do not know one note from another, and our little girls, who are but just beginning, perhaps may never make any thing of it; and there is poor Jane Fairfax, who is mistress of music, has not any thing of the nature of an instrument, not even the pitifullest old spinet31 in the world, to amuse herself with. - I was saying this to Mr. Cole but yesterday, and he quite agreed with me; only he is so particularly fond of music that he could not help indulging himself in the purchase, hoping that some of our good neighbours might be so obliging occasionally to put it to a better use than we can; and that really is the reason why the instrument was bought - or else I am sure we ought to be ashamed of it. - We are in great hopes that Miss Woodhouse may be prevailed with to try it this evening.'
Miss Woodhouse made the proper acquiescence32; and finding that nothing more was to be entrapped33 from any communication of Mrs. Cole's, turned to Frank Churchill.
`Why do you smile?' said she.
`Nay, why do you?'
`Me! - I suppose I smile for pleasure at Colonel Campbell's being so rich and so liberal. - It is a handsome present.'
`Very.'
`I rather wonder that it was never made before.'
`Perhaps Miss Fairfax has never been staying here so long before.'
`Or that he did not give her the use of their own instrument - which must now be shut up in London, untouched by any body.'
`That is a grand pianoforte, and he might think it too large for Mrs. Bates's house.'
`You may say what you chuse - but your countenance34 testifies that your thoughts on this subject are very much like mine.'
`I do not know. I rather believe you are giving me more credit for acuteness than I deserve. I smile because you smile, and shall probably suspect whatever I find you suspect; but at present I do not see what there is to question. If Colonel Campbell is not the person, who can be?'
`What do you say to Mrs. Dixon?'
`Mrs. Dixon! very true indeed. I had not thought of Mrs. Dixon. She must know as well as her father, how acceptable an instrument would be; and perhaps the mode of it, the mystery, the surprize, is more like a young woman's scheme than an elderly man's. It is Mrs. Dixon, I dare say. I told you that your suspicions would guide mine.'
`If so, you must extend your suspicions and comprehend Mr. Dixon in them.'
`Mr. Dixon. - Very well. Yes, I immediately perceive that it must be the joint36 present of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon. We were speaking the other day, you know, of his being so warm an admirer of her performance.'
`Yes, and what you told me on that head, confirmed an idea which I had entertained before. - I do not mean to reflect upon the good intentions of either Mr. Dixon or Miss Fairfax, but I cannot help suspecting either that, after making his proposals to her friend, he had the misfortune to fall in love with her, or that he became conscious of a little attachment37 on her side. One might guess twenty things without guessing exactly the right; but I am sure there must be a particular cause for her chusing to come to Highbury instead of going with the Campbells to Ireland. Here, she must be leading a life of privation and penance38; there it would have been all enjoyment39. As to the pretence40 of trying her native air, I look upon that as a mere41 excuse. - In the summer it might have passed; but what can any body's native air do for them in the months of January, February, and March? Good fires and carriages would be much more to the purpose in most cases of delicate health, and I dare say in her's. I do not require you to adopt all my suspicions, though you make so noble a profession of doing it, but I honestly tell you what they are.'
`And, upon my word, they have an air of great probability. Mr. Dixon's preference of her music to her friend's, I can answer for being very decided42.'
`And then, he saved her life. Did you ever hear of that? - A water party; and by some accident she was falling overboard. He caught her.'
`He did. I was there - one of the party.'
`Were you really? - Well! - But you observed nothing of course, for it seems to be a new idea to you. - If I had been there, I think I should have made some discoveries.'
`I dare say you would; but I, simple I, saw nothing but the fact, that Miss Fairfax was nearly dashed from the vessel43 and that Mr. Dixon caught her. - It was the work of a moment. And though the consequent shock and alarm was very great and much more durable44 - indeed I believe it was half an hour before any of us were comfortable again - yet that was too general a sensation for any thing of peculiar anxiety to be observable. I do not mean to say, however, that you might not have made discoveries.'
The conversation was here interrupted. They were called on to share in the awkwardness of a rather long interval45 between the courses, and obliged to be as formal and as orderly as the others; but when the table was again safely covered, when every corner dish was placed exactly right, and occupation and ease were generally restored, Emma said,
`The arrival of this pianoforte is decisive with me. I wanted to know a little more, and this tells me quite enough. Depend upon it, we shall soon hear that it is a present from Mr. and Mrs. Dixon.'
`And if the Dixons should absolutely deny all knowledge of it we must conclude it to come from the Campbells.'
`No, I am sure it is not from the Campbells. Miss Fairfax knows it is not from the Campbells, or they would have been guessed at first. She would not have been puzzled, had she dared fix on them. I may not have convinced you perhaps, but I am perfectly convinced myself that Mr. Dixon is a principal in the business.'
`Indeed you injure me if you suppose me unconvinced. Your reasonings carry my judgment46 along with them entirely. At first, while I supposed you satisfied that Colonel Campbell was the giver, I saw it only as paternal47 kindness, and thought it the most natural thing in the world. But when you mentioned Mrs. Dixon, I felt how much more probable that it should be the tribute of warm female friendship. And now I can see it in no other light than as an offering of love.'
There was no occasion to press the matter farther. The conviction seemed real; he looked as if he felt it. She said no more, other subjects took their turn; and the rest of the dinner passed away; the dessert succeeded, the children came in, and were talked to and admired amid the usual rate of conversation; a few clever things said, a few downright silly, but by much the larger proportion neither the one nor the other - nothing worse than everyday remarks, dull repetitions, old news, and heavy jokes.
The ladies had not been long in the drawing-room, before the other ladies, in their different divisions, arrived. Emma watched the entree48 of her own particular little friend; and if she could not exult49 in her dignity and grace, she could not only love the blooming sweetness and the artless manner, but could most heartily50 rejoice in that light, cheerful, unsentimental disposition51 which allowed her so many alleviations of pleasure, in the midst of the pangs52 of disappointed affection. There she sat - and who would have guessed how many tears she had been lately shedding? To be in company, nicely dressed herself and seeing others nicely dressed, to sit and smile and look pretty, and say nothing, was enough for the happiness of the present hour. Jane Fairfax did look and move superior; but Emma suspected she might have been glad to change feelings with Harriet, very glad to have purchased the mortification53 of having loved - yes, of having loved even Mr. Elton in vain - by the surrender of all the dangerous pleasure of knowing herself beloved by the husband of her friend.
In so large a party it was not necessary that Emma should approach her. She did not wish to speak of the pianoforte, she felt too much in the secret herself, to think the appearance of curiosity or interest fair, and therefore purposely kept at a distance; but by the others, the subject was almost immediately introduced, and she saw the blush of consciousness with which congratulations were received, the blush of guilt54 which accompanied the name of `my excellent friend Colonel Campbell.'
Mrs. Weston, kind-hearted and musical, was particularly interested by the circumstance, and Emma could not help being amused at her perseverance55 in dwelling56 on the subject; and having so much to ask and to say as to tone, touch, and pedal, totally unsuspicious of that wish of saying as little about it as possible, which she plainly read in the fair heroine's countenance.
They were soon joined by some of the gentlemen; and the very first of the early was Frank Churchill. In he walked, the first and the handsomest; and after paying his compliments en passant to Miss Bates and her niece, made his way directly to the opposite side of the circle, where sat Miss Woodhouse; and till he could find a seat by her, would not sit at all. Emma divined what every body present must be thinking. She was his object, and every body must perceive it. She introduced him to her friend, Miss Smith, and, at convenient moments afterwards, heard what each thought of the other. `He had never seen so lovely a face, and was delighted with her naivete.' And she, `Only to be sure it was paying him too great a compliment, but she did think there were some looks a little like Mr. Elton.' Emma restrained her indignation, and only turned from her in silence.
Smiles of intelligence passed between her and the gentleman on first glancing towards Miss Fairfax; but it was most prudent57 to avoid speech. He told her that he had been impatient to leave the dining-room - hated sitting long - was always the first to move when he could - that his father, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Cox, and Mr. Cole, were left very busy over parish business - that as long as he had staid, however, it had been pleasant enough, as he had found them in general a set of gentlemanlike, sensible men; and spoke so handsomely of Highbury altogether - thought it so abundant in agreeable families - that Emma began to feel she had been used to despise the place rather too much. She questioned him as to the society in Yorkshire - the extent of the neighbourhood about Enscombe, and the sort; and could make out from his answers that, as far as Enscombe was concerned, there was very little going on, that their visitings were among a range of great families, none very near; and that even when days were fixed58, and invitations accepted, it was an even chance that Mrs. Churchill were not in health and spirits for going; that they made a point of visiting no fresh person; and that, though he had his separate engagements, it was not without difficulty, without considerable address at times, that he could get away, or introduce an acquaintance for a night.
She saw that Enscombe could not satisfy, and that Highbury, taken at its best, might reasonably please a young man who had more retirement59 at home than he liked. His importance at Enscombe was very evident. He did not boast, but it naturally betrayed itself, that he had persuaded his aunt where his uncle could do nothing, and on her laughing and noticing it, he owned that he believed (excepting one or two points) he could with time persuade her to any thing. One of those points on which his influence failed, he then mentioned. He had wanted very much to go abroad - had been very eager indeed to be allowed to travel - but she would not hear of it. This had happened the year before. Now, he said, he was beginning to have no longer the same wish.
The unpersuadable point, which he did not mention, Emma guessed to be good behaviour to his father.
`I have made a most wretched discovery,' said he, after a short pause. - `I have been here a week to-morrow - half my time. I never knew days fly so fast. A week to-morrow! - And I have hardly begun to enjoy myself. But just got acquainted with Mrs. Weston, and others! - I hate the recollection.'
`Perhaps you may now begin to regret that you spent one whole day, out of so few, in having your hair cut.'
`No,' said he, smiling, `that is no subject of regret at all. I have no pleasure in seeing my friends, unless I can believe myself fit to be seen.'
The rest of the gentlemen being now in the room, Emma found herself obliged to turn from him for a few minutes, and listen to Mr. Cole. When Mr. Cole had moved away, and her attention could be restored as before, she saw Frank Churchill looking intently across the room at Miss Fairfax, who was sitting exactly opposite.
`What is the matter?' said she.
He started. `Thank you for rousing me,' he replied. `I believe I have been very rude; but really Miss Fairfax has done her hair in so odd a way - so very odd a way - that I cannot keep my eyes from her. I never saw any thing so outree! - Those curls! - This must be a fancy of her own. I see nobody else looking like her! - I must go and ask her whether it is an Irish fashion. Shall I? - Yes, I will - I declare I will - and you shall see how she takes it; - whether she colours.'
He was gone immediately; and Emma soon saw him standing60 before Miss Fairfax, and talking to her; but as to its effect on the young lady, as he had improvidently61 placed himself exactly between them, exactly in front of Miss Fairfax, she could absolutely distinguish nothing.
Before he could return to his chair, it was taken by Mrs. Weston.
`This is the luxury of a large party,' said she: - `one can get near every body, and say every thing. My dear Emma, I am longing62 to talk to you. I have been making discoveries and forming plans, just like yourself, and I must tell them while the idea is fresh. Do you know how Miss Bates and her niece came here?'
`How? - They were invited, were not they?'
`Oh! yes - but how they were conveyed hither? - the manner of their coming?'
`They walked, I conclude. How else could they come?'
`Very true. - Well, a little while ago it occurred to me how very sad it would be to have Jane Fairfax walking home again, late at night, and cold as the nights are now. And as I looked at her, though I never saw her appear to more advantage, it struck me that she was heated, and would therefore be particularly liable to take cold. Poor girl! I could not bear the idea of it; so, as soon as Mr. Weston came into the room, and I could get at him, I spoke to him about the carriage. You may guess how readily he came into my wishes; and having his approbation, I made my way directly to Miss Bates, to assure her that the carriage would be at her service before it took us home; for I thought it would be making her comfortable at once. Good soul! she was as grateful as possible, you may be sure. ``Nobody was ever so fortunate as herself!'' - but with many, many thanks - ``there was no occasion to trouble us, for Mr. Knightley's carriage had brought, and was to take them home again.'' I was quite surprized; - very glad, I am sure; but really quite surprized. Such a very kind attention - and so thoughtful an attention! - the sort of thing that so few men would think of. And, in short, from knowing his usual ways, I am very much inclined to think that it was for their accommodation the carriage was used at all. I do suspect he would not have had a pair of horses for himself, and that it was only as an excuse for assisting them.'
`Very likely,' said Emma - `nothing more likely. I know no man more likely than Mr. Knightley to do the sort of thing - to do any thing really good-natured, useful, considerate, or benevolent63. He is not a gallant64 man, but he is a very humane65 one; and this, considering Jane Fairfax's ill-health, would appear a case of humanity to him; - and for an act of unostentatious kindness, there is nobody whom I would fix on more than on Mr. Knightley. I know he had horses to-day - for we arrived together; and I laughed at him about it, but he said not a word that could betray.'
`Well,' said Mrs. Weston, smiling, `you give him credit for more simple, disinterested66 benevolence67 in this instance than I do; for while Miss Bates was speaking, a suspicion darted68 into my head, and I have never been able to get it out again. The more I think of it, the more probable it appears. In short, I have made a match between Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax. See the consequence of keeping you company! - What do you say to it?'
`Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax!' exclaimed Emma. `Dear Mrs. Weston, how could you think of such a thing? - Mr. Knightley! - Mr. Knightley must not marry! - You would not have little Henry cut out from Donwell? - Oh! no, no, Henry must have Donwell. I cannot at all consent to Mr. Knightley's marrying; and I am sure it is not at all likely. I am amazed that you should think of such a thing.'
`My dear Emma, I have told you what led me to think of it. I do not want the match - I do not want to injure dear little Henry - but the idea has been given me by circumstances; and if Mr. Knightley really wished to marry, you would not have him refrain on Henry's account, a boy of six years old, who knows nothing of the matter?'
`Yes, I would. I could not bear to have Henry supplanted69. - Mr. Knightley marry! - No, I have never had such an idea, and I cannot adopt it now. And Jane Fairfax, too, of all women!'
`Nay, she has always been a first favourite with him, as you very well know.'
`But the imprudence of such a match!'
`I am not speaking of its prudence70; merely its probability.'
`I see no probability in it, unless you have any better foundation than what you mention. His good-nature, his humanity, as I tell you, would be quite enough to account for the horses. He has a great regard for the Bateses, you know, independent of Jane Fairfax - and is always glad to shew them attention. My dear Mrs. Weston, do not take to match-making. You do it very ill. Jane Fairfax mistress of the Abbey! - Oh! no, no; - every feeling revolts. For his own sake, I would not have him do so mad a thing.'
`Imprudent, if you please - but not mad. Excepting inequality of fortune, and perhaps a little disparity of age, I can see nothing unsuitable.'
`But Mr. Knightley does not want to marry. I am sure he has not the least idea of it. Do not put it into his head. Why should he marry? - He is as happy as possible by himself; with his farm, and his sheep, and his library, and all the parish to manage; and he is extremely fond of his brother's children. He has no occasion to marry, either to fill up his time or his heart.'
`My dear Emma, as long as he thinks so, it is so; but if he really loves Jane Fairfax - '
`Nonsense! He does not care about Jane Fairfax. In the way of love, I am sure he does not. He would do any good to her, or her family; but - '
`Well,' said Mrs. Weston, laughing, `perhaps the greatest good he could do them, would be to give Jane such a respectable home.'
`If it would be good to her, I am sure it would be evil to himself; a very shameful71 and degrading connexion. How would he bear to have Miss Bates belonging to him? - To have her haunting the Abbey, and thanking him all day long for his great kindness in marrying Jane? - ``So very kind and obliging! - But he always had been such a very kind neighbour!'' And then fly off, through half a sentence, to her mother's old petticoat. ``Not that it was such a very old petticoat either - for still it would last a great while - and, indeed, she must thankfully say that their petticoats were all very strong.'''
`For shame, Emma! Do not mimic72 her. You divert me against my conscience. And, upon my word, I do not think Mr. Knightley would be much disturbed by Miss Bates. Little things do not irritate him. She might talk on; and if he wanted to say any thing himself, he would only talk louder, and drown her voice. But the question is not, whether it would be a bad connexion for him, but whether he wishes it; and I think he does. I have heard him speak, and so must you, so very highly of Jane Fairfax! The interest he takes in her - his anxiety about her health - his concern that she should have no happier prospect! I have heard him express himself so warmly on those points! - Such an admirer of her performance on the pianoforte, and of her voice! I have heard him say that he could listen to her for ever. Oh! and I had almost forgotten one idea that occurred to me - this pianoforte that has been sent here by somebody - though we have all been so well satisfied to consider it a present from the Campbells, may it not be from Mr. Knightley? I cannot help suspecting him. I think he is just the person to do it, even without being in love.'
`Then it can be no argument to prove that he is in love. But I do not think it is at all a likely thing for him to do. Mr. Knightley does nothing mysteriously.'
`I have heard him lamenting73 her having no instrument repeatedly; oftener than I should suppose such a circumstance would, in the common course of things, occur to him.'
`Very well; and if he had intended to give her one, he would have told her so.'
`There might be scruples74 of delicacy75, my dear Emma. I have a very strong notion that it comes from him. I am sure he was particularly silent when Mrs. Cole told us of it at dinner.'
`You take up an idea, Mrs. Weston, and run away with it; as you have many a time reproached me with doing. I see no sign of attachment - I believe nothing of the pianoforte - and proof only shall convince me that Mr. Knightley has any thought of marrying Jane Fairfax.'
They combated the point some time longer in the same way; Emma rather gaining ground over the mind of her friend; for Mrs. Weston was the most used of the two to yield; till a little bustle in the room shewed them that tea was over, and the instrument in preparation; - and at the same moment Mr. Cole approaching to entreat76 Miss Woodhouse would do them the honour of trying it. Frank Churchill, of whom, in the eagerness of her conversation with Mrs. Weston, she had been seeing nothing, except that he had found a seat by Miss Fairfax, followed Mr. Cole, to add his very pressing entreaties77; and as, in every respect, it suited Emma best to lead, she gave a very proper compliance78.
She knew the limitations of her own powers too well to attempt more than she could perform with credit; she wanted neither taste nor spirit in the little things which are generally acceptable, and could accompany her own voice well. One accompaniment to her song took her agreeably by surprize - a second, slightly but correctly taken by Frank Churchill. Her pardon was duly begged at the close of the song, and every thing usual followed. He was accused of having a delightful29 voice, and a perfect knowledge of music; which was properly denied; and that he knew nothing of the matter, and had no voice at all, roundly asserted. They sang together once more; and Emma would then resign her place to Miss Fairfax, whose performance, both vocal79 and instrumental, she never could attempt to conceal from herself, was infinitely80 superior to her own.
With mixed feelings, she seated herself at a little distance from the numbers round the instrument, to listen. Frank Churchill sang again. They had sung together once or twice, it appeared, at Weymouth. But the sight of Mr. Knightley among the most attentive81, soon drew away half Emma's mind; and she fell into a train of thinking on the subject of Mrs. Weston's suspicions, to which the sweet sounds of the united voices gave only momentary82 interruptions. Her objections to Mr. Knightley's marrying did not in the least subside83. She could see nothing but evil in it. It would be a great disappointment to Mr. John Knightley; consequently to Isabella. A real injury to the children - a most mortifying84 change, and material loss to them all; - a very great deduction85 from her father's daily comfort - and, as to herself, she could not at all endure the idea of Jane Fairfax at Donwell Abbey. A Mrs. Knightley for them all to give way to! - No - Mr. Knightley must never marry. Little Henry must remain the heir of Donwell.
Presently Mr. Knightley looked back, and came and sat down by her. They talked at first only of the performance. His admiration was certainly very warm; yet she thought, but for Mrs. Weston, it would not have struck her. As a sort of touchstone, however, she began to speak of his kindness in conveying the aunt and niece; and though his answer was in the spirit of cutting the matter short, she believed it to indicate only his disinclination to dwell on any kindness of his own.
`I often feel concern,' said she, `that I dare not make our carriage more useful on such occasions. It is not that I am without the wish; but you know how impossible my father would deem it that James should put-to for such a purpose.'
`Quite out of the question, quite out of the question,' he replied; - `but you must often wish it, I am sure.' And he smiled with such seeming pleasure at the conviction, that she must proceed another step.
`This present from the Campbells,' said she - `this pianoforte is very kindly86 given.'
`Yes,' he replied, and without the smallest apparent embarrassment87. - `But they would have done better had they given her notice of it. Surprizes are foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable. I should have expected better judgment in Colonel Campbell.'
From that moment, Emma could have taken her oath that Mr. Knightley had had no concern in giving the instrument. But whether he were entirely free from peculiar attachment - whether there were no actual preference - remained a little longer doubtful. Towards the end of Jane's second song, her voice grew thick.
`That will do,' said he, when it was finished, thinking aloud - `you have sung quite enough for one evening - now be quiet.'
Another song, however, was soon begged for. `One more; - they would not fatigue88 Miss Fairfax on any account, and would only ask for one more.' And Frank Churchill was heard to say, `I think you could manage this without effort; the first part is so very trifling. The strength of the song falls on the second.'
Mr. Knightley grew angry.
`That fellow,' said he, indignantly, `thinks of nothing but shewing off his own voice. This must not be.' And touching89 Miss Bates, who at that moment passed near - `Miss Bates, are you mad, to let your niece sing herself hoarse90 in this manner? Go, and interfere91. They have no mercy on her.'
Miss Bates, in her real anxiety for Jane, could hardly stay even to be grateful, before she stept forward and put an end to all farther singing. Here ceased the concert part of the evening, for Miss Woodhouse and Miss Fairfax were the only young lady performers; but soon (within five minutes) the proposal of dancing - originating nobody exactly knew where - was so effectually promoted by Mr. and Mrs. Cole, that every thing was rapidly clearing away, to give proper space. Mrs. Weston, capital in her country-dances, was seated, and beginning an irresistible92 waltz; and Frank Churchill, coming up with most becoming gallantry to Emma, had secured her hand, and led her up to the top.
While waiting till the other young people could pair themselves off, Emma found time, in spite of the compliments she was receiving on her voice and her taste, to look about, and see what became of Mr. Knightley. This would be a trial. He was no dancer in general. If he were to be very alert in engaging Jane Fairfax now, it might augur93 something. There was no immediate35 appearance. No; he was talking to Mrs. Cole - he was looking on unconcerned; Jane was asked by somebody else, and he was still talking to Mrs. Cole.
Emma had no longer an alarm for Henry; his interest was yet safe; and she led off the dance with genuine spirit and enjoyment. Not more than five couple could be mustered94; but the rarity and the suddenness of it made it very delightful, and she found herself well matched in a partner. They were a couple worth looking at.
Two dances, unfortunately, were all that could be allowed. It was growing late, and Miss Bates became anxious to get home, on her mother's account. After some attempts, therefore, to be permitted to begin again, they were obliged to thank Mrs. Weston, look sorrowful, and have done.
`Perhaps it is as well,' said Frank Churchill, as he attended Emma to her carriage. `I must have asked Miss Fairfax, and her languid dancing would not have agreed with me, after your's.'
弗兰克·邱吉尔又回来了。如果说他害得他父亲等他吃晚饭，那也不会让哈特菲尔德的人知道。韦斯顿太太一心想让他博得伍德豪斯先生的欢心，他纵使有什么不足之处，但凡能隐瞒的，她就决不会泄露。
他回来了，理了发，怡然自得地嘲笑了自己一番，但似乎一点也不为自己的行为感到羞愧。他没有理由要把头发留长一些，来遮掩脸上的局促不安；也没有理由要省下那笔钱，好使心里高兴一些。他还像以前一样神气，一样活跃。爱玛看到他以后，就自言自语地嘀咕起来了：
“我不知道是否可以理应如此，不过聪明人冒冒失失做了傻事，那傻事也就不成其傻事了。坏事总归是坏事，但傻事却不一定总是傻事。那要看当事人是什么样的人。奈特利先生，他不是一个轻浮、愚蠢的青年。如果是的话，他就不会这么做了。他要么会为这一举动而洋洋得意，要么为之感到羞愧。要么像纨绔子弟那样大肆炫耀，要么像性格懦弱、不敢护卫自己的虚荣心的人那样畏畏缩缩。不，我认为他一点都不轻浮，一点都不愚蠢。”
随着星期二的来临，她又可以惬意地再次见到他了，而且见面的时间比以往要长，可以趁机审视一下他的整个态度，推断一下他对她的态度有什么含义，猜测她必须在什么时候摆出冷漠的神情，想象那些第一次看见他们俩在一起的人会有什么想法。
这次是在科尔家聚会，她心里总忘不了埃尔顿先生即使跟她要好的时候，最惹她不快的一个缺点就是喜欢跟科尔先生一起吃饭。尽管如此，她还是打算高高兴兴地去。
她父亲的舒适可以得到充分的保证了，不仅戈达德太太能来，贝茨太太也能来。她离家之前要尽的最后一项欣忭的义务，是等他们吃过饭坐定以后，向他们道别一声；并且趁她父亲满怀深情地欣赏她那身漂亮衣服时，给两位太太斟满酒杯，夹上大块的蛋糕，尽力补偿她们的损失，因为刚才吃饭时，她父亲出于对她们身体的关心，让她们不大情愿地少吃了一些。她为她们准备了一顿丰盛的午餐，希望能眼见她们无拘无束地吃个痛快。
她来到科尔先生家门口时，有一辆马车比她先到了一步。一看是奈特利先生的马车，她不由得高兴起来。奈特利先生没有养马，也没有多少闲钱，只是仗着身体好、好活动、有主见，爱玛觉得他太爱走来走去，很少坐马车，跟当维尔寺主人的身分不大相称。这时，奈特利先生停下来，扶她走下马车，她心里感到热乎乎的，便趁机向他表示赞许。
“你这样做才像个绅士的样子，”她说。“看到你很高兴。”
奈特利先生谢了她，说：“我们居然同时到达了，好巧啊！要是我们先在客厅里见面，我看你不见得会发现我比平常更有绅士风度。你不见得能从我的神情和举止看出我是怎么来的。”
“不对，我看得出来，肯定看得出来。谁要是知道自己以屈尊的方式来到什么地方，脸上总有一副不好意思或心慌息乱的神情。你也许以为自己装得不露声色，可你那只是一种虚张声势，一副故作镇静的样子。我每次在这种情况下遇见你，都能看出你这副样子。现在，你不用装模作样了。你也不怕人家以为你难为情。你也不想装得比别人都高一些。现在，我真愿意跟你一起走进同一间屋子。”
“没有正经的姑娘！”奈特利先生答道，可是丝毫没有生气。
爱玛不仅有充分的理由对奈特利先生感到满意，而且有充分的理由对其他人感到满意。她受到了热情的接待和应有的尊敬，她不禁为之感到高兴。大家都像她所希望的那样敬重她。韦斯顿一家到达后，那夫妇俩便向她投来了最亲切的目光，最热烈的爱慕之情。那位儿子乐滋滋、急匆匆地朝她走来，表明他对她有着特别的兴趣。吃饭的时候，她发现他就坐在她旁边——她心想，他一定耍了点心计才坐在她旁边的。
客人相当多，因为还请来了另一家人，这是个正正派派、无可非议的乡下人家，是科尔夫妇特别器重的朋友。此外，还请上了科尔家男系的亲属，海伯里的律师。那些不怎么尊贵的女宾，将跟贝茨小姐、费尔法克斯小姐、史密斯小姐一起，到晚上才来。可吃饭时，由于人太多，很难找到大家都感兴趣的话题。等谈过了政局和埃尔顿先生之后，爱玛可以全神贯注地听她的邻座讲些令人愉快的话。她听见从远处传来而又觉得不能不听的第一个声音，是有人提起了简·费尔法克斯的名字。科尔太太似乎在讲一件有关她的事，像是很有趣。她听了听，发现很值得一听。爱玛那富于幻想的可贵特点，这下可就有了颇为有趣的发挥余地了。科尔太太说她去看望了贝茨小姐，一进屋就见到了一架钢琴——一架非常漂亮的钢琴——不算很高级，而是一架很大的方形钢琴。爱玛又是惊讶，又是询问，又是祝贺，贝茨小姐在一旁做解释，到头来，这故事的主要意思，是想说明这架钢琴是头一天从布罗德伍德琴行运来的，使姨妈和外甥女大吃一惊，全然没有料到。据贝茨小姐说，起初简自己也莫名其妙，困惑不解，想不出会是谁定购的——不过，她们现在可是确信无疑了，认为这东西只能来自一个人：不用说，一准是坎贝尔上校送的。
“谁也不会料想是别人送的，”科尔太太接着说道。“我只是感到惊奇，怎么还会产生怀疑。不过，简好像最近才接到他们的一封信，只字没提这件事。她最了解他们的习性，可我倒觉得，不能因为只字不提，就断定礼物不是他们送的。他们也许是想给她来个出其不意。”
许多人都同意科尔太太的看法。凡是对此事发表意见的人，个个都认为一定是坎贝尔上校送的，而且个个都为他送了这份厚礼感到高兴。还有一些人也有话要说，让爱玛可以一边按自己的思路去想，一边仍然听科尔太太讲下去。
“我敢说，我从没听过这么令人高兴的事！简·费尔法克斯琴弹得那么好，却没有一架钢琴，真叫我气不过。尤其考虑到，许多人家放着很好的钢琴没人弹，真是太不像话了。这真像给了我们一记耳光啊！昨天我还跟科尔先生说，我一看见客厅里那架崭新的大钢琴还真感到脸红。我自己连音符都分辨不清，而那几个姑娘才刚刚开始学，也许一辈子也不会有出息。而简·费尔法克斯可真够可怜的，那么有音乐天赋，却没有一样乐器供她消遣，连一件最简单的旧古钢琴都没有。我昨天还跟科尔先生说过这话，他完全同意我的看法。不过，他太喜欢音乐了，禁不住把钢琴买下来了，希望哪位好邻居肯赏赏光，偶尔来我们家弹一弹。我们正是出于这一考虑，才买下这架钢琴的——不然的话，我们准会感到羞愧的。我们非常希望今晚能劳驾伍德豪斯小姐试试这架钢琴。”
伍德豪斯小姐得体地表示默认了。她发觉从科尔太太嘴里再也听不到什么消息了，便把脸转向弗兰克·邱吉尔。
“你笑什么？”她问道。
“没有啊，你笑什么？”
“我！我想坎贝尔上校又有钱又慷慨，我是因为高兴而笑的。这可是一件丰厚的礼物啊。”
“非常丰厚。”
“我觉得很奇怪，怎么以前没送。”
“也许是因为费尔法克斯小姐以前从没在这儿待得这么久。”
“或者是因为他不让她用他们自己的琴，那架琴现在一定锁在伦敦，没有人去碰它。”
“那是一架大钢琴，他可能觉得太大了，贝茨太太家放不下。”
“你爱怎么说就怎么说吧——不过你脸上的神情却表明，你对这件事的想法跟我是一样的。”
“我搞不清楚。我看你是过奖了，我没有那么敏锐。我是因为你笑我才笑的，也许还会看你猜疑什么也跟着猜疑。不过，眼下我看是不会有什么问题的。如果不是坎贝尔上校送的，那还会是谁呢？”
“你看会不会是迪克逊夫人呢？”
“迪克逊夫人！真有可能啊。我没想到迪克逊夫人。她一定像她父亲一样，知道送钢琴是十分受欢迎的。这事做得又神秘又突然，也许更像是一位年轻女士筹划的，而不像是上了年纪的人干的。我敢说就是迪克逊夫人。我跟你说过，你猜疑什么我也会跟着猜疑。”
“要是这样的话，你得把猜疑面再扩大一点，把迪克逊先生也包括进去。”
“迪克逊先生。言之有理。是的，我马上意识到，这一定是迪克逊夫妇联合送的。你知道，我们那天还说起过，迪克逊先生非常热烈地赞赏费尔法克斯小姐的演奏。”
“是呀，你跟我讲的这个情况，证实了我原先的一个看法。我倒并非想怀疑迪克逊先生或费尔法克斯小姐的好意，而是情不自禁地在猜疑，要么是他向她的朋友求婚后，不幸地爱上了她，要么是他察觉到她对他有点意思。人们进行猜测，可能猜二十次也猜不对一次。不过我敢肯定，她不跟坎贝尔夫妇去爱尔兰，却宁可到海伯里来，其中必有特别原因。在这儿，她必须过着清贫、苦修的生活；在那儿，本可以尽情享乐。至于说想呼吸一下家乡的空气，我看那仅仅是个借口而已。要是夏天，那倒还说得过去。可是在一月、二月、三月，家乡的空气能给人带来什么好处呢？身体娇弱的人往往更需要熊熊的炉火和舒适的马车，我敢说她的情况正是如此。我并不要求你全盘接受我的猜疑，尽管你慨然宣称你是这么做的。不过，我老实告诉你我猜疑的是什么。”
“说真的，你的猜疑是有充分根据的。迪克逊先生喜欢听她弹琴，不喜欢听她的朋友弹琴，我看这再明显不过了。”
“还有，他救过她的命。你听说过这件事吗？一次到海上去玩，出现了意外情况，她差一点从船上跌下去，迪克逊一把抓住了她。”
“他是抓住了她。我也在场——跟那些人在一起。”
“真的吗？嗨！可你当然什么也没看出来，因为你好像刚刚明白过来。我要是在场的话，一定会发现一些奥秘的。”
“你也许会吧。可我是个头脑简单的人，只是看见费尔法克斯小姐险些从船上摔下去，多亏迪克逊先生抓住了她。那是一瞬间的事。尽管引起了很大的震惊，而且持续了很长时间——我想足足过了半个钟头，我们才又定下心来——可是大家都很惊慌，也就看不出有什么人特别焦急。不过，我并不是想说，你就不可能发现什么奥秘。”
讲到这里，他们的谈话被打断了。因为两道菜之间的间歇比较长，他们不得不跟着一起忍受这尴尬的局面，不得不跟别人一样一本正经，沉默不语。可是，等餐桌上又摆满了菜肴，角上的菜盘也都放好以后，大家又变得无拘无束，重新吃起来、谈起来；这时，爱玛说道：
“送这架钢琴来，我看是大有文章的。我本想多了解一点情况，这下可就足够了。请相信好了，我们马上就会听说，这是迪克逊先生送的礼物．”
“如果迪克逊夫妇矢口否认，说他们对此一无所知，那我们就只好断定是坎贝尔夫妇送的。”
“不，我敢肯定不是坎贝尔夫妇送的。费尔法克斯小姐知道不是坎贝尔夫妇送的，不然她一开始就会猜到他们。她要是敢断定是他们，就不会那么迷惑不解了。我的话你不一定相信，可我却百分之百地相信，迪克逊先生是这件事的主谋。”
“你要是说我不一定信你的话，那你真是冤枉我了。我的看法完全是受你的推理左右的。起初，我以为你认准是坎贝尔上校送的钢琴，便把这事视为父亲般的慈爱，觉得这是再自然不过的事。后来你提到迪克逊夫人，我又觉得这更可能是女友之间出于热烈的友情赠送的礼物。现在，我只能把它看作一件表示钟情的礼物。”
这个问题没有必要再深究了。弗兰克似乎真的相信她，看上去好像真是这么想的。爱玛没再说下去，话题转到了别的事情上。晚饭吃完了，甜食端上来，孩子们也进来了，大家像往常一样交谈着，对孩子们也问问话，夸奖几句；有的话说得倒挺聪明，有的话说得极其愚蠢，但绝大多数的话说得既不聪明也不愚蠢——仅仅是些平常议论、老调重弹、陈旧的消息、乏味的笑话。
女士们在客厅里没坐多久，其他女宾便三三两两地来到了。爱玛看着她那特别要好的小朋友走进来。如果说她无法为她的端庄优雅而欢欣鼓舞，那她也不能仅仅只喜欢她那花一般的娇媚和朴实的仪态，而且还要竭诚地喜欢她那轻松愉快、并不伤感的性格，正是这种性格，使她在忍受失恋的极度折磨中，能多方寻求欢乐来解除自己的痛苦。她就坐在那儿——谁能猜想她最近流了多少泪呀？能和大家待在一起，自己打扮得漂漂亮亮，看见别人也打扮得漂漂亮亮，坐在那里笑吟吟的，模样十分俏丽，嘴里什么也不说，这在眼下已经够愉快的了。简·费尔法克斯显得更加漂亮，也更有风度。不过爱玛心想，她说不定乐意和哈丽特交交心，乐意用自己明知被朋友的丈夫爱上的那种危险乐趣，去换取哈丽特爱上别人，甚至是爱上埃尔顿先生的失恋痛苦。
当着这么多人，爱玛用不着去接近她。她不愿意谈那钢琴的事，她已经完全掌握了这个秘密，觉得没有必要流露出好奇或感兴趣的样子，因此故意跟她保持了一段距离。可是别人又马上扯起了这件事，她发现简接受祝贺时脸都涨红了，这是她嘴里说“我的好朋友坎贝尔上校”时，因为心虚而脸红。
韦斯顿太太是个好心人，又喜欢音乐，对这件事分外感兴趣，一个劲儿地谈个不休，爱玛不禁觉得好笑。这位太太对音色、弹性和踏板，有那么多话要问要说，全然没有察觉对方只想尽量少谈这件事，而爱玛却从美丽的女主人公的脸上清楚地看出了这一愿望。
过不多久，几位男宾走了进来；而在这早来的几位当中，第一个就是弗兰克·邱吉尔。他第一个走进来，也数他最英俊。他从贝茨小姐和她外甥女旁边走过，向她们问了好，然后就径直朝另一边走去，伍德豪斯小姐就坐在这里。他开始一直站着，后来找到了个座位才坐下。爱玛猜得出来，在场的人一定在想什么。她是他的目标，谁都看得出来。她把他介绍给她的朋友史密斯小姐，后来到了便利的时刻，听到他们谈起了对彼此的看法。“我从没看见过这么漂亮的面孔，还很喜欢她那么天真。”而哈丽特却说：“毫无疑问，大家把他捧得太高了，不过我看他那样子有点像埃尔顿先生。”爱玛抑制住了心中的火气，一声不吭地转过脸去。
她和弗兰克向费尔法克斯小姐瞥了一眼之后，都会心地笑了笑，不过十分谨慎，避免讲话。弗兰克告诉爱玛，他刚才迫不及待地想离开饭厅——不喜欢坐得太久——只要可能，每次都是第一个走开——他父亲、奈特利先生、考克斯先生和科尔先生还待在那儿忙于谈论教区的事务——不过，他待在那儿也很快活，因为他发现他们是一伙既有绅士风度、又挺通情达理的人。他还对海伯里倍加赞扬——觉得这里有许多很好的人家——一听这话，爱玛觉得自己以前太瞧不起这地方了。她向他问起约克郡社交界的情况，恩斯库姆的邻居多不多，以及诸如此类的问题。从他的答话可以看出，恩斯库姆与邻居往来不多，那家人只跟些大户人家交往，没有一家是很近的。而且，即使日期定好了，邀请也接受了，邱吉尔太太还会因为身体不爽，或情绪欠佳，而不能前去赴约。他们家是从不去看望新来的人的。弗兰克虽然有他自己的约会，但是真要想去赴约，或者留个熟人住一宿，事情并非那么容易，有时候还得费不少口舌呢。
爱玛觉得，对于一个不愿老待在家里的青年来说，恩斯库姆是不会令他满意的，而海伯里从最好的方面看，倒是会使他感到称心的。他在恩斯库姆的重要性是显而易见的。他并不自夸，但却自然而然地流露出来了：有的事他舅父无能为力，他可以说服他舅妈。等舅妈笑哈哈地加以关照时，他又说：他相信，只要有足够的时间，他可以说服舅妈做任何事情，只有一两件事例外。接着，他就提到了说服不了舅妈的一件事。他一心想出国——还真渴望能去旅行——可舅妈就是不同意。这是去年的事。现在吗，他说，他渐渐打消了这个念头。
另一件说服不了舅妈的事，他没有说起，爱玛猜想是要好好对待他父亲。
“我发现真是不幸，”他稍微踌躇了一下，说道，“到明天我已经在这儿待了一个星期了——刚好是一半时间。我从没觉得日子过得这样快过。明天就一个星期啦！而我还没来得及好好地玩呢。只是刚刚认识了韦斯顿太太和其他各位。我真不愿意往这上面想。”
“也许你会感到后悔，总共就那么几天，你却花了整整一天去理发。”
“不，”他笑吟吟地说，“那件事根本没有什么后悔的。如果我觉得自己不能有模有样地见人的话，我是不喜欢跟朋友见面的。”
这时其他几位男士也来到了客厅，爱玛不得不离开他一会儿，听科尔先生说话。等科尔先生走开，她又可以把注意力转向弗兰克·邱吉尔时，她发现他两眼紧盯着屋子那头的费尔法克斯小姐，她就坐在正对面。
“怎么啦？”她问。
弗兰克一惊。“谢谢你叫醒了我，”他答道。“我想我刚才太无礼了。不过说真的，费尔法克斯小姐把头发做得那么奇特——真是太奇特了——我禁不住要盯着她看。我从没见过那么奇特的发型！那一绺绺的鬈发！一定是她自己别出心裁想出来的。我见不到有谁像她那副样子！我得去问问她，那是不是爱尔兰发式。可以吗？是的，我要去——非去不可。你等着看她有何反应，会不会脸红。”
他说罢就去了。爱玛马上就看见他站在费尔法克斯小姐跟前，在跟她说话。可是，至于那位年轻小姐有何反应，无奈弗兰克太不小心，恰好立于她们两人中间，恰好挡在费尔法克斯小姐面前，搞得爱玛什么也看不见。
他还没回到原座上，韦斯顿太太就坐到了他的椅子上。
“这就是大型聚会的好处了，”她说。“你想接近谁就接近谁，爱说什么就说什么。亲爱的爱玛，我真想跟你谈谈。就跟你一样，我的眼睛也看出了些情况，脑子也有些想法，我要趁想法还新鲜的时候，讲给你听听。你知道贝茨小姐和她外甥女是怎样上这儿来的吗？”
“怎样来的！她们是被邀请来的，是吧？”
“哦！是的——可她们是怎么到这儿来的？以什么方式来的？”
“我敢断定是走来的。还能是怎么来的呢？”
“一点不错。嗯，刚才我在想，到了深夜，加上如今夜里又那么冷，要叫简·费尔法克斯小姐走回家，那有多令人可怜啊。我两眼望着她，虽然从未见她这么好看过，心想她现在身上热起来了，那就特别容易着凉。可怜的孩子！我不忍心让她走回去，所以等韦斯顿先生走进客厅，我能跟他说话的时候，就向他提起了马车的事。你可以料想得到，他非常痛快地依了我的心愿。我得到他的同意之后，就立即走到贝茨小姐跟前，叫她尽管放心，马车送我们回家之前，先把她送回家。我想她一听这话，准会马上放下心来。好心的人儿！你会以为她一定感激不尽。‘我真是太幸运了！’可是千谢万谢之后，她又说：‘不必麻烦你们了，因为奈特利先生的马车把我们接了来，还要把我们送回去。’我感到大为惊讶。我实在非常高兴，可又的确大为惊讶。真是一片好心——真是关怀备至呀！这种事男人是很少想得到的。总而言之，凭我对他一贯作风的了解，我倒觉得他是为了方便她们，才动用马车的。我还真有点怀疑，他若只是为了自己坐，就用不着租两匹马了，那只是想要帮助她们的一个借口罢了。”
“很可能，”爱玛说道，“完全可能。据我所知，奈特利先生最可能做这种事了——做出任何真正好心的、有益的、周到的、仁慈的事情。他不是个爱向女人献殷勤的人，但却是个很讲人道的人。鉴于简·费尔法克斯身体不大好，他会觉得这是一种人道的行为。不声不响地做好事，我看除了奈特利先生不会有别人了。我知道他今天租了马，因为我们是一起到达的。我为此还取笑了他几句，可他却没透露一点口风。”
“嗯，”韦斯顿太太笑着说道，“在这件事上，你把他看得又单纯又无私，出于一片善心，我可不像你这样。贝茨小姐说话的时候，我就起了疑心，一直没能打消。我越往这上面想，就越觉得有这可能。简而言之，我把奈特利先生和简·费尔法克斯配成了一对。瞧，这就是跟你交谈引出的结果！你有什么要说的？”
“奈特利先生和简·费尔法克斯！”爱玛惊叫道。“亲爱的韦斯顿太太，你怎么想得出这样的事？奈特利先生！奈特利先生可不能结婚！你总不会让小亨利给赶出当维尔吧？哦！不，不，亨利一定继承当维尔。我绝不赞成奈特利先生结婚，而且我相信这决不可能。你居然能想出这种事来，真让我吃惊。”
“亲爱的爱玛，我是怎么想到这上面的，这我已经跟你说过了。我并不想让他们结婚——我可不想损害亲爱的小亨利——不过，当时的情况促使我这样想的。如果奈特利先生真想结婚的话，你总不见得让他为了亨利就不结婚吧？亨利只是个六岁的孩子，根本不懂这种事。”
“是的，我还真想让他那样做呢。我可不忍心让小亨利被人赶出去。奈特利先生结婚！不，我从没有过这样的想法，现在也不能这样想。再说，那么多女人，却偏要看中简·费尔法克斯！”
“不仅如此，他一向最喜欢她，这你是很清楚的。”
“可是这门亲事太轻率啦！”
“我不在说轻率不轻率，而只是说可能不可能。”
“我可看不出有什么可能性，除非你能说出更充分的根据。我跟你说过了，他心眼好，为人厚道，这可以充分说明他为什么要备马了。你知道，撇开简·费尔法克斯不谈，他对贝茨一家人也很尊重——而且总是很乐意关心她们。亲爱的韦斯顿太太，别给人家乱做媒啦。你这媒做得很不成体统。让简·费尔法克斯做当维尔寺的女主人！哦，不，不，万万使不得。为他自己着想，我也不能让他做出这种疯狂的事情。”
“要说轻率倒差不多——可不能说疯狂。除了财产多寡不均，也许年龄也有点悬殊以外，我看不出有什么不匹配的。”
“可是奈特利先生并不想结婚呀。我敢说他丝毫也没有这个打算。不要给他灌输这个念头。他干吗要结婚呢？他一个人再快活不过了；他有他的农场，他的羊群，他的书房，还得管理整个教区；他还十分喜欢他弟弟的孩子。无论是为了消磨时间，还是为了寻求精神安慰，他都没有必要结婚。”
“亲爱的爱玛，只要他是这么想的，那就是这么回事。不过，如果他真爱上了简·费尔法克斯——”
“胡说八道！他才不喜欢简·费尔法克斯呢。要说恋爱，我敢肯定他没这回事。为了简，或她家里的人，他是什么好事都乐意做的，可是——”
“得啦，”韦斯顿太太笑呵呵地说道，“也许，他能为她们做的最大的好事，就是给简安置一个体面的家。”
“如果这对简是好事的话，我看对奈特利先生自己可就是坏事了，一门又丢脸面又失身份的婚事。贝茨小姐跟他攀上亲戚，他怎么受得了啊？让她三天两头地跑到当维尔寺，从早到晚感谢他大发善心娶了简吗？‘真是一片好心，帮了大忙啊！不过你一向是个和蔼可亲的好邻居呀！’话刚说了一半，就一下扯到她母亲的那条旧裙子上。‘倒不是说那条裙子很旧——其实还能穿好久呢——我还真得谢天谢地地说一声：我们的裙子都挺经久耐穿的。”’
“真不像话呀，爱玛！别学她了。我本不想笑，你却逗我笑。说真的，我并不觉得奈特利先生会很讨厌贝茨小姐，他不会为些小事心烦。贝茨小姐可以喋喋不休地讲下去。奈特利先生如果要讲什么话，他只消讲得响一点，盖过她的声音就行了。然而，问题不在于这门亲事对他好不好，而在于他愿不愿意。我看他是愿意的。我听他说过，你也一定听他说过，他非常赞赏简·费尔法克斯！他对她可感兴趣——关心她的身体——担心她将来不会很幸福！我听他说起这些话时，说得好动情啊！他还赞扬她琴弹得有多好，嗓音有多动听呢！我听他说过，他永远也听不厌。哦！我差一点忘记我心里冒出了一个念头——就是人家送她的那架钢琴——尽管我们大家都满心以为是坎贝尔家送的礼物，但会不会是奈特利先生送的呢？
收听单词发音 |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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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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ostentation
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| n.夸耀，卖弄 | |
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coxcomb
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| n.花花公子 | |
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evasions
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| 逃避( evasion的名词复数 )； 回避； 遁辞； 借口 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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propensity
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| n.倾向；习性 | |
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amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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bravado
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| n.虚张声势，故作勇敢，逞能 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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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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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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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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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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delightfully
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| 大喜，欣然 | |
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spinet
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| n.小型立式钢琴 | |
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acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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entrapped
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| v.使陷入圈套，使入陷阱( entrap的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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penance
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| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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durable
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| adj.持久的，耐久的 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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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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paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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entree
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| n.入场权，进入权 | |
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exult
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| v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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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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improvidently
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| adv.improvident（目光短浅的）的变形 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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supplanted
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| 把…排挤掉，取代( supplant的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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mimic
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| v.模仿，戏弄；n.模仿他人言行的人 | |
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lamenting
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| adj.悲伤的，悲哀的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的现在分词 ) | |
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scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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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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entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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vocal
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| adj.直言不讳的；嗓音的；n.[pl.]声乐节目 | |
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infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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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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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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subside
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| vi.平静，平息；下沉，塌陷，沉降 | |
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mortifying
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| adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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deduction
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| n.减除，扣除，减除额；推论，推理，演绎 | |
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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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embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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augur
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| n.占卦师；v.占卦 | |
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mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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