It may be possible to do without dancing entirely1. Instances have been known of young people passing many, many months successively, without being at any ball of any description, and no material injury accrue2 either to body or mind; - but when a beginning is made - when the felicities of rapid motion have once been, though slightly, felt - it must be a very heavy set that does not ask for more.
Frank Churchill had danced once at Highbury, and longed to dance again; and the last half-hour of an evening which Mr. Woodhouse was persuaded to spend with his daughter at Randalls, was passed by the two young people in schemes on the subject. Frank's was the first idea; and his the greatest zeal3 in pursuing it; for the lady was the best judge of the difficulties, and the most solicitous4 for accommodation and appearance. But still she had inclination5 enough for shewing people again how delightfully6 Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse danced - for doing that in which she need not blush to compare herself with Jane Fairfax - and even for simple dancing itself, without any of the wicked aids of vanity - to assist him first in pacing out the room they were in to see what it could be made to hold - and then in taking the dimensions of the other parlour, in the hope of discovering, in spite of all that Mr. Weston could say of their exactly equal size, that it was a little the largest.
His first proposition and request, that the dance begun at Mr. Cole's should be finished there - that the same party should be collected, and the same musician engaged, met with the readiest acquiescence9. Mr. Weston entered into the idea with thorough enjoyment10, and Mrs. Weston most willingly undertook to play as long as they could wish to dance; and the interesting employment had followed, of reckoning up exactly who there would be, and portioning out the indispensable division of space to every couple.
`You and Miss Smith, and Miss Fairfax, will be three, and the two Miss Coxes five,' had been repeated many times over. `And there will be the two Gilberts, young Cox, my father, and myself, besides Mr. Knightley. Yes, that will be quite enough for pleasure. You and Miss Smith, and Miss Fairfax, will be three, and the two Miss Coxes five; and for five couple there will be plenty of room.'
But soon it came to be on one side,
`But will there be good room for five couple? - I really do not think there will.'
On another,
`And after all, five couple are not enough to make it worth while to stand up. Five couple are nothing, when one thinks seriously about it. It will not do to invite five couple. It can be allowable only as the thought of the moment.'
Somebody said that Miss Gilbert was expected at her brother's, and must be invited with the rest. Somebody else believed Mrs. Gilbert would have danced the other evening, if she had been asked. A word was put in for a second young Cox; and at last, Mr. Weston naming one family of cousins who must be included, and another of very old acquaintance who could not be left out, it became a certainty that the five couple would be at least ten, and a very interesting speculation11 in what possible manner they could be disposed of.
The doors of the two rooms were just opposite each other. `Might not they use both rooms, and dance across the passage?' It seemed the best scheme; and yet it was not so good but that many of them wanted a better. Emma said it would be awkward; Mrs. Weston was in distress12 about the supper; and Mr. Woodhouse opposed it earnestly, on the score of health. It made him so very unhappy, indeed, that it could not be persevered13 in.
`Oh! no,' said he; `it would be the extreme of imprudence. I could not bear it for Emma! - Emma is not strong. She would catch a dreadful cold. So would poor little Harriet. So you would all. Mrs. Weston, you would be quite laid up; do not let them talk of such a wild thing. Pray do not let them talk of it. That young man (speaking lower) is very thoughtless. Do not tell his father, but that young man is not quite the thing. He has been opening the doors very often this evening, and keeping them open very inconsiderately. He does not think of the draught14. I do not mean to set you against him, but indeed he is not quite the thing!'
Mrs. Weston was sorry for such a charge. She knew the importance of it, and said every thing in her power to do it away. Every door was now closed, the passage plan given up, and the first scheme of dancing only in the room they were in resorted to again; and with such good-will on Frank Churchill's part, that the space which a quarter of an hour before had been deemed barely sufficient for five couple, was now endeavoured to be made out quite enough for ten.
`We were too magnificent,' said he. `We allowed unnecessary room. Ten couple may stand here very well.'
Emma demurred15. `It would be a crowd - a sad crowd; and what could be worse than dancing without space to turn in?'
`Very true,' he gravely replied; `it was very bad.' But still he went on measuring, and still he ended with,
`I think there will be very tolerable room for ten couple.'
`No, no,' said she, `you are quite unreasonable16. It would be dreadful to be standing17 so close! Nothing can be farther from pleasure than to be dancing in a crowd - and a crowd in a little room!'
`There is no denying it,' he replied. `I agree with you exactly. A crowd in a little room - Miss Woodhouse, you have the art of giving pictures in a few words. Exquisite18, quite exquisite! - Still, however, having proceeded so far, one is unwilling19 to give the matter up. It would be a disappointment to my father - and altogether - I do not know that - I am rather of opinion that ten couple might stand here very well.'
Emma perceived that the nature of his gallantry was a little self-willed, and that he would rather oppose than lose the pleasure of dancing with her; but she took the compliment, and forgave the rest. Had she intended ever to marry him, it might have been worth while to pause and consider, and try to understand the value of his preference, and the character of his temper; but for all the purposes of their acquaintance, he was quite amiable20 enough.
Before the middle of the next day, he was at Hartfield; and he entered the room with such an agreeable smile as certified21 the continuance of the scheme. It soon appeared that he came to announce an improvement.
`Well, Miss Woodhouse,' he almost immediately began, `your inclination for dancing has not been quite frightened away, I hope, by the terrors of my father's little rooms. I bring a new proposal on the subject: - a thought of my father's, which waits only your approbation22 to be acted upon. May I hope for the honour of your hand for the two first dances of this little projected ball, to be given, not at Randalls, but at the Crown Inn?'
`The Crown!'
`Yes; if you and Mr. Woodhouse see no objection, and I trust you cannot, my father hopes his friends will be so kind as to visit him there. Better accommodations, he can promise them, and not a less grateful welcome than at Randalls. It is his own idea. Mrs. Weston sees no objection to it, provided you are satisfied. This is what we all feel. Oh! you were perfectly23 right! Ten couple, in either of the Randalls rooms, would have been insufferable! - Dreadful! - I felt how right you were the whole time, but was too anxious for securing any thing to like to yield. Is not it a good exchange? - You consent - I hope you consent?'
`It appears to me a plan that nobody can object to, if Mr. and Mrs. Weston do not. I think it admirable; and, as far as I can answer for myself, shall be most happy - It seems the only improvement that could be. Papa, do you not think it an excellent improvement?'
She was obliged to repeat and explain it, before it was fully8 comprehended; and then, being quite new, farther representations were necessary to make it acceptable.
`No; he thought it very far from an improvement - a very bad plan - much worse than the other. A room at an inn was always damp and dangerous; never properly aired, or fit to be inhabited. If they must dance, they had better dance at Randalls. He had never been in the room at the Crown in his life - did not know the people who kept it by sight. - Oh! no - a very bad plan. They would catch worse colds at the Crown than anywhere.'
`I was going to observe, sir,' said Frank Churchill, `that one of the great recommendations of this change would be the very little danger of any body's catching24 cold - so much less danger at the Crown than at Randalls! Mr. Perry might have reason to regret the alteration25, but nobody else could.'
`Sir,' said Mr. Woodhouse, rather warmly, `you are very much mistaken if you suppose Mr. Perry to be that sort of character. Mr. Perry is extremely concerned when any of us are ill. But I do not understand how the room at the Crown can be safer for you than your father's house.'
`From the very circumstance of its being larger, sir. We shall have no occasion to open the windows at all - not once the whole evening; and it is that dreadful habit of opening the windows, letting in cold air upon heated bodies, which (as you well know, sir) does the mischief26.'
`Open the windows! - but surely, Mr. Churchill, nobody would think of opening the windows at Randalls. Nobody could be so imprudent! I never heard of such a thing. Dancing with open windows! - I am sure, neither your father nor Mrs. Weston (poor Miss Taylor that was) would suffer it.'
`Ah! sir - but a thoughtless young person will sometimes step behind a window-curtain, and throw up a sash, without its being suspected. I have often known it done myself.'
`Have you indeed, sir? - Bless me! I never could have supposed it. But I live out of the world, and am often astonished at what I hear. However, this does make a difference; and, perhaps, when we come to talk it over - but these sort of things require a good deal of consideration. One cannot resolve upon them in a hurry. If Mr. and Mrs. Weston will be so obliging as to call here one morning, we may talk it over, and see what can be done.'
`But, unfortunately, sir, my time is so limited - '
`Oh!' interrupted Emma, `there will be plenty of time for talking every thing over. There is no hurry at all. If it can be contrived27 to be at the Crown, papa, it will be very convenient for the horses. They will be so near their own stable.'
`So they will, my dear. That is a great thing. Not that James ever complains; but it is right to spare our horses when we can. If I could be sure of the rooms being thoroughly28 aired - but is Mrs. Stokes to be trusted? I doubt it. I do not know her, even by sight.'
`I can answer for every thing of that nature, sir, because it will be under Mrs. Weston's care. Mrs. Weston undertakes to direct the whole.'
`There, papa! - Now you must be satisfied - Our own dear Mrs. Weston, who is carefulness itself. Do not you remember what Mr. Perry said, so many years ago, when I had the measles29? ``If Miss Taylor undertakes to wrap Miss Emma up, you need not have any fears, sir.'' How often have I heard you speak of it as such a compliment to her!'
`Aye, very true. Mr. Perry did say so. I shall never forget it. Poor little Emma! You were very bad with the measles; that is, you would have been very bad, but for Perry's great attention. He came four times a day for a week. He said, from the first, it was a very good sort - which was our great comfort; but the measles are a dreadful complaint. I hope whenever poor Isabella's little ones have the measles, she will send for Perry.'
`My father and Mrs. Weston are at the Crown at this moment,' said Frank Churchill, `examining the capabilities30 of the house. I left them there and came on to Hartfield, impatient for your opinion, and hoping you might be persuaded to join them and give your advice on the spot. I was desired to say so from both. It would be the greatest pleasure to them, if you could allow me to attend you there. They can do nothing satisfactorily without you.'
Emma was most happy to be called to such a council; and her father, engaging to think it all over while she was gone, the two young people set off together without delay for the Crown. There were Mr. and Mrs. Weston; delighted to see her and receive her approbation, very busy and very happy in their different way; she, in some little distress; and he, finding every thing perfect.
`Emma,' said she, `this paper is worse than I expected. Look! in places you see it is dreadfully dirty; and the wainscot is more yellow and forlorn than any thing I could have imagined.'
`My dear, you are too particular,' said her husband. `What does all that signify? You will see nothing of it by candlelight. It will be as clean as Randalls by candlelight. We never see any thing of it on our club-nights.'
The ladies here probably exchanged looks which meant, `Men never know when things are dirty or not;' and the gentlemen perhaps thought each to himself, `Women will have their little nonsenses and needless cares.'
One perplexity, however, arose, which the gentlemen did not disdain31. It regarded a supper-room. At the time of the ballroom's being built, suppers had not been in question; and a small card-room adjoining, was the only addition. What was to be done? This card-room would be wanted as a card-room now; or, if cards were conveniently voted unnecessary by their four selves, still was it not too small for any comfortable supper? Another room of much better size might be secured for the purpose; but it was at the other end of the house, and a long awkward passage must be gone through to get at it. This made a difficulty. Mrs. Weston was afraid of draughts32 for the young people in that passage; and neither Emma nor the gentlemen could tolerate the prospect33 of being miserably34 crowded at supper.
Mrs. Weston proposed having no regular supper; merely sandwiches, &c., set out in the little room; but that was scouted36 as a wretched suggestion. A private dance, without sitting down to supper, was pronounced an infamous37 fraud upon the rights of men and women; and Mrs. Weston must not speak of it again. She then took another line of expediency38, and looking into the doubtful room, observed,
`I do not think it is so very small. We shall not be many, you know.'
And Mr. Weston at the same time, walking briskly with long steps through the passage, was calling out,
`You talk a great deal of the length of this passage, my dear. It is a mere35 nothing after all; and not the least draught from the stairs.'
`I wish,' said Mrs. Weston, `one could know which arrangement our guests in general would like best. To do what would be most generally pleasing must be our object - if one could but tell what that would be.'
`Yes, very true,' cried Frank, `very true. You want your neighbours' opinions. I do not wonder at you. If one could ascertain39 what the chief of them - the Coles, for instance. They are not far off. Shall I call upon them? Or Miss Bates? She is still nearer. - And I do not know whether Miss Bates is not as likely to understand the inclinations40 of the rest of the people as any body. I think we do want a larger council. Suppose I go and invite Miss Bates to join us?'
`Well - if you please,' said Mrs. Weston rather hesitating, `if you think she will be of any use.'
`You will get nothing to the purpose from Miss Bates,' said Emma. `She will be all delight and gratitude41, but she will tell you nothing. She will not even listen to your questions. I see no advantage in consulting Miss Bates.'
`But she is so amusing, so extremely amusing! I am very fond of hearing Miss Bates talk. And I need not bring the whole family, you know.'
Here Mr. Weston joined them, and on hearing what was proposed, gave it his decided42 approbation.
`Aye, do, Frank. - Go and fetch Miss Bates, and let us end the matter at once. She will enjoy the scheme, I am sure; and I do not know a properer person for shewing us how to do away difficulties. Fetch Miss Bates. We are growing a little too nice. She is a standing lesson of how to be happy. But fetch them both. Invite them both.'
`Both sir! Can the old lady?' . . .
`The old lady! No, the young lady, to be sure. I shall think you a great blockhead, Frank, if you bring the aunt without the niece.'
`Oh! I beg your pardon, sir. I did not immediately recollect43. Undoubtedly44 if you wish it, I will endeavour to persuade them both.' And away he ran.
Long before he reappeared, attending the short, neat, brisk-moving aunt, and her elegant niece, - Mrs. Weston, like a sweet-tempered woman and a good wife, had examined the passage again, and found the evils of it much less than she had supposed before - indeed very trifling45; and here ended the difficulties of decision. All the rest, in speculation at least, was perfectly smooth. All the minor46 arrangements of table and chair, lights and music, tea and supper, made themselves; or were left as mere trifles to be settled at any time between Mrs. Weston and Mrs. Stokes. - Every body invited, was certainly to come; Frank had already written to Enscombe to propose staying a few days beyond his fortnight, which could not possibly be refused. And a delightful7 dance it was to be.
Most cordially, when Miss Bates arrived, did she agree that it must. As a counsellor she was not wanted; but as an approver, (a much safer character,) she was truly welcome. Her approbation, at once general and minute, warm and incessant47, could not but please; and for another half-hour they were all walking to and fro, between the different rooms, some suggesting, some attending, and all in happy enjoyment of the future. The party did not break up without Emma's being positively48 secured for the two first dances by the hero of the evening, nor without her overhearing Mr. Weston whisper to his wife, `He has asked her, my dear. That's right. I knew he would!'
人还是可以做到完全不跳舞的。年轻人常年累月不参加任何形式的舞会，而身心并未受到多大损害，这样的事例屡见不鲜。但是，一旦开了头——一旦领略了快速旋转的快乐，即便是稍微领略一点——那只有傻瓜才不想继续跳下去。
弗兰克·邱吉尔曾在海伯里跳过一回舞，因而一心巴望能再跳。那天伍德豪斯先生被说动了心，跟女儿来兰多尔斯玩了一个晚上，而那一晚的最后半个小时里，两位年轻人一直在筹划另开一次舞会的事。弗兰克首先想出了这个主意，并且在满腔热情地促成这件事；而那位年轻小姐最懂得这里面的难处，也最关注场地和请什么人的问题。不过，她还是很想让大家再看看弗兰克·邱吉尔先生和伍德豪斯小姐跳起舞来多么令人赏心悦目——这样一来，拿她和简·费尔法克斯相比较，她也就用不着脸红了——即便只是为了跳跳舞，没有图谋虚荣的念头在作怪，她也会这么做的。她先帮他用步子量出他们所在的那间屋子的大小，看看能容纳多少人——然后又量了量另一间客厅的大小，尽管韦斯顿先生说过这两间屋子一样大，他们还是希望这另一间略大一些。
弗兰克的第一个建议和要求，是舞会在科尔家开始，也在科尔家借书——还请上那次那些人参加，也请上次那位乐师演奏——大家欣然接受了他的这个建议。韦斯顿先生兴致勃勃地赞成这个主意，韦斯顿太太则痛痛快快地承诺，大家想跳多久她就跳多久。接着就做那有趣的事：琢磨该请哪些人，合计每对舞伴至少要占多少地方。
“你，史密斯小姐，费尔法克斯小姐，这就是三个了，加上考克斯家的两位小姐，就是五个，”这话反复讲了好多遍。“除了奈特利先生以外，还有吉尔伯特家的两个人，小考克斯，我父亲，我自己。是的，这就可以欢欢畅畅地玩一场了。你，史密斯小姐，费尔法克斯小姐，这就是三个了，加上考克斯家的两位小姐，就是五个。五对舞伴跳舞，还是有足够的场地的。”
可是，马上有人提出异议：
“不过，五对舞伴跳舞，那场地够吗？我倒真觉得不够。”
又有人说：
“不管怎么说，五对舞伴还是太少了，不值得开舞会。仔细想一想，五对舞伴太少了。只邀请五对可不行。要是一时心血来潮生出这个念头，那还说得过去。”
有人说吉尔伯特小姐可能在她哥哥家，也得把她一起请来。还有个人认为，那天晚上要是请上吉尔伯特太太的话，她也会跳舞的。不知什么人为考克斯家的小儿子说了句话。最后，韦斯顿太太又提到一家表亲，说这家人一定要请上，还提到一位老朋友，说他们家也不能落掉。这样一来，五对舞伴至少要变成十对，他们兴趣盎然地猜测怎样才能安排得下。
两个房间正好门对门。“可不可以两间都用上，穿过走廊来回跳呢？”这似乎是个最好的主意，然而好几个人又不大满意，还想找个更好的办法。爱玛说这太不方便了。韦斯顿太太为晚饭发愁。伍德豪斯先生从健康的角度考虑，坚决表示反对。他心里老大不高兴，别人也不便再坚持了。
“哦！那不行，”他说。“那样做太轻率了。我不能让爱玛去！爱玛身体不结实，会得重感冒的。可怜的小哈丽特也会着凉的。你们大家都会着凉。韦斯顿太太，你会病倒起不了床，可别让他们谈论这样的荒唐事啦。求你别让他们再谈啦。这位年轻人，”他压低了声音，“一点都不为别人着想。别告诉他父亲，不过这年轻人有点不怎么样。今天晚上他一次次地打开门，也不考虑别人，让门敞开着。他就不想想有穿堂风。我倒不是有意让你跟他作对，不过他的确不怎么样啊！”
韦斯顿太太听到这一指责，不免有些遗憾。她知道那话的分量，便竭力加以劝解。这时，每扇门都关上了，穿过走廊跳舞的计划打消了，大家又谈起了起初议论的就在这个房间跳的念头。承蒙弗兰克·邱吉尔的一片好意，一刻钟以前还认为容纳不下五对舞伴的房间，现在容纳十对都绰绰有余了。
“我们也太讲究了，”弗兰克说。“我们把场地算得过宽了。这儿完全容得下十对舞伴。”
爱玛表示反对。“那太拥挤了——太拥挤不堪了。跳起舞来连转身的地方都没有，还有什么比这更糟糕的呢？”
“一点不错，”弗兰克一本正经地答道。“是太糟糕了。”但他继续测量房间的大小，最后还是说：
“我看差不多容得下十对舞伴。”
“不，不，”爱玛说，“你也太不近情理了。大家靠得那么紧，那有多难受啊！最没有意思的事，就是挤在一起跳舞——特别是挤在一间小屋里跳舞！”
“这倒是无可否认，”弗兰克回道。“我完全赞成你的看法。挤在一间小屋里跳舞——伍德豪斯小姐，你真有本领，寥寥几个字就把事情说得那么形象。说得精妙，真是精妙绝伦啊！不过，已经谈到这一步了，谁也不愿意就此罢休。我父亲会感到失望的——总的说来——我也说不准——我还是认为这儿完全容得下十对舞伴。”
爱玛意识到，他的殷勤已经有点固执的味道，他宁可提出异议，也小愿失去与她跳舞的欢乐。不过，爱玛还是接受了他的恭维，而对别的给以谅解。如果她想过要嫁给他的话，那兴许还值得停下来考虑考虑，琢磨一下他那钟爱的价值，他那脾气的特点。但是，不管他们是出于什么目的结识的，他还是十分逗人喜欢的。
第二天没到中午，他就来到了哈特菲尔德。他笑容可掬地走进屋来，看来是想继续谈论那项计划。事情马上就明确了，原来他是来宣布一项改进措施的。
“我说，伍德豪斯小姐，”他直截了当地说，“我希望，我父亲的小房间没有把你的跳舞兴致吓跑了。对于这项计划，我带来了一个新的建议，是我父亲出的主意，只要你同意，就可以付诸实施。这个计划中的小小的舞会，不在兰多尔斯举行，而在克朗旅店举行，我能有幸跟你跳头两曲舞吗？”
“克朗旅店！”
“是的。如果你和伍德豪斯先生不反对的话（我相信你们也不会反对），我父亲希望朋友们能赏光到那儿去。他可以保证那儿的条件更好些，大家会像在兰多尔斯一样受到热烈的欢迎。这是他自己的主意。只要你满意，韦斯顿太太就不会表示反对。我们都有这个感觉。哦！你昨天说得一点不错！让十对舞伴挤在兰多尔斯的哪间屋里都不行，叫人无法忍受啊！好可怕呀！我觉得你自始至终都是正确的，只是急于想找到个什么办法，不肯退让罢了。难道换个地方有什么不好吗？你会同意的——我想你会同意吧？”
“这项计划只要韦斯顿夫妇不反对，我看谁也不会反对。我认为这是个好主意。就我自己而言，我非常乐意——看来也只能采取这个改进措施。爸爸，难道你不认为这是个绝妙的办法吗？”
爱玛不得不说了一遍又一遍，还做了解释，她父亲才听懂她的意思。再说这是个全新的主意，她还得费一番口舌，才能让父亲接受。
“不，我认为这绝不是个改进措施——而是个很糟糕的计划——比原来的计划糟糕得多。旅店里的房间又潮湿又危险，向来不怎么通风，也不宜于住人。如果一定要跳舞，最好还是在兰多尔斯跳。我这一辈子还从未进过克朗旅店的房间呢——也不认识开旅店的人。哦！不行——一个很糟糕的计划。在克朗旅店比在哪儿都更容易得重感冒。”
“我本来想说，先生，”弗兰克·邱吉尔说，“换个地方的一个主要好处，就是谁也不大容易感冒——在克朗旅店的危险性比在兰多尔斯的危险性少得多！对于这一改变，也许只有佩里先生会感到遗憾，可别人谁也不会。”
“先生，”伍德豪斯先生相当激愤地说，“你要是认为佩里先生是那种人，那你就大错特错了。不管我们谁生了病，佩里先生都十分关心。不过我不明白，克朗旅店的房间怎么会比你父亲家里还保险。”
“就因为那地方大呀，先生。我们根本不用开窗——整个晚上一次也不用开。先生，你也很清楚，正是那开窗的坏习惯，让冷空气往热乎乎的身上一吹，才叫人感冒的。”
“开窗！可是邱吉尔先生，想必不会有人想在兰多尔斯开窗吧。谁也不会这么鲁莽！我从没听说过这种事。开着窗子跳舞！我敢肯定，不管是你父亲，还是韦斯顿太太（也就是可怜的泰勒小姐），都不会允许这样做。”
“啊！先生——可是有时候，就有哪个愣头愣脑的年轻人溜到窗帘后面，神不知鬼不觉地把窗格推上去。我自己就常遇到这样的事。”
“真的吗，先生？天哪！我怎么也想象不到。不过我不大出门，听到什么事常常感到惊讶。可是，这的确有些不一样，我们要是好好谈一谈，也许——不过这种事需要仔细考虑，不能匆匆地做决定。如果韦斯顿夫妇哪天早上肯光临的话，我们可以仔细谈谈，看看怎么办好。”
“可不巧的是，先生，我的时间很有限——”
“哦！”爱玛打断了他的话，“会有充足的时间谈论每件事的，用不着着急。要是能在克朗旅店开舞会，爸爸，那马就很好安顿了，那儿离马厩很近。”
“是很近，亲爱的。这一点很重要。倒不是怕詹姆斯抱怨什么，而是应该尽量让马省些力气。如果我能肯定那儿的房间通风情况良好——可是斯托克斯太太靠得住吗？我怀疑。我不认识她，连面都没见过。”
“这一类的事我敢担保没问题，先生，因为有韦斯顿太太关照。韦斯顿太太负责掌管一切。”
“瞧，爸爸！你现在该满意了吧——韦斯顿太太跟我们那么亲，她再仔细不过了。好多年前我出疹子的时候，佩里先生说的话你还记得吗？‘要是让泰勒小姐把爱玛小姐裹起来，你就用不着担心了，先生。’我有多少次听你用这话称赞她呀！”
“是呀，一点不错。佩里先生的确是这么说的。我一辈子也忘不了。可怜的小爱玛！你那场疹子出得可不轻啊；就是说，要不是佩里悉心诊治，还不知要严重到什么地步。有一周的时间，他每天要来四次。他起初说情况还挺好——我们感到非常欣慰，可是麻疹毕竟是一种可怕的病。我希望，可怜的伊莎贝拉的孩子出麻疹的时候，一定要去请佩里。”
“我父亲和韦斯顿太太眼下都在克朗旅店，”弗兰克·邱吉尔说，“看看房子能容纳多少人。我从他们那儿来到哈特菲尔德，急着要听听你的意见，希望能劝说你去给他们当场出出主意。他们俩都让我说明这个意思。你要是肯让我陪你去，他们会觉得不胜高兴。没有你，他们做什么事都不会满意。”
听说要找她商量这样的事，爱玛觉得很高兴。她父亲则表示，等她走后再好好考虑一下这件事。于是，两个年轻人便立即动身往克朗旅店去。韦斯顿夫妇都等在那儿，看见她来了，并得到她的赞同，心里十分快活。他们俩都很忙，也都很高兴，只是方式不同：妻子有点不满意，丈夫觉得一切完美无缺。
“爱玛，”韦斯顿太太说，“这墙纸比我预料的还差。瞧！有些地方脏极啦。那护壁板又黄又破，真让我难以想象。”
“亲爱的，你太挑剔了，”做丈夫的说。“那有什么关系呢？烛光下根本看不出来。在烛光下，那会像兰多尔斯一样干净。我们俱乐部晚上搞活动时，什么也看不出来。”
这时，两位女士也许交换了一下眼色，意思是说：“男人从来就不知道脏不脏的。”而两位男士也许在各自思忖：“女人就喜欢吹毛求疵，无端操心。”
然而有一件棘手的事，是两位男士轻视不得的。这就是饭厅的问题。当初建造舞厅的时候，并没有把吃晚饭考虑在内，只在隔壁加了个小小的牌室。怎么办呢？这间牌室现在还要用来打牌；即使他们四人决定不必打牌，那是不是还是太小了，没法在里面舒舒服服地吃晚饭呢？还有一个大得多的房间，也许可以用作饭厅，不过在房子的另一头，去那儿要穿过一条又长又难走的走廊。这是个难题。韦斯顿太太担心年轻人经不起走廊里的冷风，而两位男士一想到挤在一起吃晚饭，就觉得难以忍受。
韦斯顿太太建议不吃晚饭，只在那间小屋里摆一些三明治什么的，可是别人认为这太寒酸。举行私人舞会而不请人家吃饭，这是对男女客人应有权利的欺骗行为，实在太丢人了。韦斯顿太太可不能再提了。她要再想一个权宜之计，于是朝那间小屋看了看，说道：
“我看那间小屋并不算很小啊。你知道，我们不会有多少人呀。”
这时，韦斯顿先生正轻快地迈着大步穿过走廊，一面大声嚷道：
“你总说这条走廊太长，亲爱的。其实根本算不了什么，楼梯那儿也根本没有什么风。”
“但愿能知道，”韦斯顿太太说，“我们的客人们一般最喜欢什么样的安排。我们的目标应该是尽量让大家都满意——我们要是能知道就好了。”
“是呀，一点不错，”弗兰克嚷道，“一点不错。你想听听邻居们的意见。我并不感到奇怪。如果你能搞清楚他们中的主要人物——比如说科尔夫妇。他们离这儿不远。要我去请他们吗？或者贝茨小姐？她离这儿更近。我说不准贝茨小姐是不是像别人一样了解大家的喜好。我看我们确实需要广泛征求一下意见。我去把贝茨小姐请来怎么样？”
“嗯——如果你愿意的话，”韦斯顿太太颇为犹豫地说，“如果你认为她有用的话。”
“你从贝茨小姐那儿听不到你想听的意见，”爱玛说。“她只会高兴不已，感激不尽，但是什么也不会跟你说。甚至你问她话，她都不会听。我看跟贝茨小姐商量没有什么用。”
“可她很逗人，逗人极啦！我很喜欢听贝茨小姐说话。你要知道，我不必把她全家都请来。”
这时候，韦斯顿先生走了过来，听说要请贝茨小姐，坚决表示赞同。
“对呀，请去吧，弗兰克。去把贝茨小姐请来，马上把这件事定下来。我想她一定会喜欢这项计划的。要找个人告诉我们如何解决困难，我觉得她是再合适不过了。去把贝茨小姐请来。我们有点太挑剔了。她永远都是个快快活活的榜样。不过，还是把她们两个都叫来。把她们两个都请来。”
“两个都请，爸爸！那位老太太能……”
“那位老太太！不，当然是那位年轻小姐啦。弗兰克，你要是只请来了姨妈，而没请来外甥女，那我就会把你看成个大傻瓜。”
“哦！请你原谅，爸爸。我没有当即领会你的意思。当然，既然你有这个意思，我一定尽力劝她们两个都来。”说罢，拔腿就跑去了。
还没等他把那位矮小整洁、动作敏捷的姨妈和那位优雅动人的外甥女请来，韦斯顿太太早就以温和女性和贤惠妻子的姿态，把走廊又查看了一番，发现其缺陷比她以前想象的少多了——真是微不足道。于是，犹豫不决的难题解决了。剩下的问题就会迎刃而解了，至少想来如此。所有的小问题，像桌子和椅子，灯光和音乐，茶点和晚饭，也都做了安排，或者作为细节问题，留待韦斯顿太太和斯托克斯太太随便什么时候去解决。凡是受到邀请的人，肯定个个都会来。弗兰克已写信给恩斯库姆，要求在两周的期限之后再多待几天，这是不可能遭到拒绝的。那将是一次令人愉快的舞会。
贝茨小姐来了以后，竭诚表示赞成，说一定要这么办。她这个人，作为参谋是用不着的；但是作为赞同者（一个稳妥得多的角色），她还是受到了真诚的欢迎。她那赞同的话说得既全面又具体，既热烈又滔滔不绝，让人听了只会高兴。随后半个小时里，大家在一个个房间里走来走去，有的在出主意，有的在留心听，全都沉浸在未来的欢乐之中。临分手前，爱玛已明确答应了这次晚会的主角，要同他跳头两曲舞。她还听到韦斯顿先生对太太小声说：“他邀请她了，亲爱的。他做得对。我早就知道他会的！”
收听单词发音 |
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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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accrue
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| v.(利息等)增大，增多 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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solicitous
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| adj.热切的，挂念的 | |
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inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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delightfully
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| 大喜，欣然 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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persevered
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| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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demurred
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| v.表示异议，反对( demur的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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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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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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certified
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| a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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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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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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measles
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| n.麻疹，风疹，包虫病，痧子 | |
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capabilities
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| n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力 | |
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disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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scouted
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| 寻找，侦察( scout的过去式和过去分词 )； 物色（优秀运动员、演员、音乐家等） | |
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infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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expediency
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| n.适宜；方便；合算；利己 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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inclinations
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| 倾向( inclination的名词复数 )； 倾斜； 爱好； 斜坡 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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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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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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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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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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