No misfortune occurred, again to prevent the ball. The day approached, the day arrived; and after a morning of some anxious watching, Frank Churchill, in all the certainty of his own self, reached Randalls before dinner, and every thing was safe.
No second meeting had there yet been between him and Emma. The room at the Crown was to witness it; - but it would be better than a common meeting in a crowd. Mr. Weston had been so very earnest in his entreaties1 for her arriving there as soon as possible after themselves, for the purpose of taking her opinion as to the propriety2 and comfort of the rooms before any other persons came, that she could not refuse him, and must therefore spend some quiet interval3 in the young man's company. She was to convey Harriet, and they drove to the Crown in good time, the Randalls party just sufficiently4 before them.
Frank Churchill seemed to have been on the watch; and though he did not say much, his eyes declared that he meant to have a delightful5 evening. They all walked about together, to see that every thing was as it should be; and within a few minutes were joined by the contents of another carriage, which Emma could not hear the sound of at first, without great surprize. `So unreasonably6 early!' she was going to exclaim; but she presently found that it was a family of old friends, who were coming, like herself, by particular desire, to help Mr. Weston's judgment7; and they were so very closely followed by another carriage of cousins, who had been entreated8 to come early with the same distinguishing earnestness, on the same errand, that it seemed as if half the company might soon be collected together for the purpose of preparatory inspection9.
Emma perceived that her taste was not the only taste on which Mr. Weston depended, and felt, that to be the favourite and intimate of a man who had so many intimates and confidantes, was not the very first distinction in the scale of vanity. She liked his open manners, but a little less of open-heartedness would have made him a higher character. - General benevolence10, but not general friendship, made a man what he ought to be. - She could fancy such a man. The whole party walked about, and looked, and praised again; and then, having nothing else to do, formed a sort of half-circle round the fire, to observe in their various modes, till other subjects were started, that, though May, a fire in the evening was still very pleasant.
Emma found that it was not Mr. Weston's fault that the number of privy11 councillors was not yet larger. They had stopped at Mrs. Bates's door to offer the use of their carriage, but the aunt and niece were to be brought by the Eltons.
Frank was standing12 by her, but not steadily13; there was a restlessness, which shewed a mind not at ease. He was looking about, he was going to the door, he was watching for the sound of other carriages, - impatient to begin, or afraid of being always near her.
Mrs. Elton was spoken of. `I think she must be here soon,' said he. `I have a great curiosity to see Mrs. Elton, I have heard so much of her. It cannot be long, I think, before she comes.'
A carriage was heard. He was on the move immediately; but coming back, said,
`I am forgetting that I am not acquainted with her. I have never seen either Mr. or Mrs. Elton. I have no business to put myself forward.'
Mr. and Mrs. Elton appeared; and all the smiles and the proprieties15 passed.
`But Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax!' said Mr. Weston, looking about. `We thought you were to bring them.'
The mistake had been slight. The carriage was sent for them now. Emma longed to know what Frank's first opinion of Mrs. Elton might be; how he was affected16 by the studied elegance17 of her dress, and her smiles of graciousness. He was immediately qualifying himself to form an opinion, by giving her very proper attention, after the introduction had passed.
In a few minutes the carriage returned. - Somebody talked of rain. - `I will see that there are umbrellas, sir,' said Frank to his father: `Miss Bates must not be forgotten:' and away he went. Mr. Weston was following; but Mrs. Elton detained him, to gratify him by her opinion of his son; and so briskly did she begin, that the young man himself, though by no means moving slowly, could hardly be out of hearing.
`A very fine young man indeed, Mr. Weston. You know I candidly18 told you I should form my own opinion; and I am happy to say that I am extremely pleased with him. - You may believe me. I never compliment. I think him a very handsome young man, and his manners are precisely19 what I like and approve - so truly the gentleman, without the least conceit20 or puppyism. You must know I have a vast dislike to puppies - quite a horror of them. They were never tolerated at Maple21 Grove22. Neither Mr. Suckling nor me had ever any patience with them; and we used sometimes to say very cutting things! Selina, who is mild almost to a fault, bore with them much better.'
While she talked of his son, Mr. Weston's attention was chained; but when she got to Maple Grove, he could recollect23 that there were ladies just arriving to be attended to, and with happy smiles must hurry away.
Mrs. Elton turned to Mrs. Weston. `I have no doubt of its being our carriage with Miss Bates and Jane. Our coachman and horses are so extremely expeditious24! - I believe we drive faster than any body. - What a pleasure it is to send one's carriage for a friend! - I understand you were so kind as to offer, but another time it will be quite unnecessary. You may be very sure I shall always take care of them.'
Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax, escorted by the two gentlemen, walked into the room; and Mrs. Elton seemed to think it as much her duty as Mrs. Weston's to receive them. Her gestures and movements might be understood by any one who looked on like Emma; but her words, every body's words, were soon lost under the incessant25 flow of Miss Bates, who came in talking, and had not finished her speech under many minutes after her being admitted into the circle at the fire. As the door opened she was heard,
`So very obliging of you! - No rain at all. Nothing to signify. I do not care for myself. Quite thick shoes. And Jane declares - Well! - (as soon as she was within the door) Well! This is brilliant indeed! - This is admirable! - Excellently contrived26, upon my word. Nothing wanting. Could not have imagined it. - So well lighted up! - Jane, Jane, look! - did you ever see any thing? Oh! Mr. Weston, you must really have had Aladdin's lamp. Good Mrs. Stokes would not know her own room again. I saw her as I came in; she was standing in the entrance. ``Oh! Mrs. Stokes,'' said I - but I had not time for more.' She was now met by Mrs. Weston. - `Very well, I thank you, ma'am. I hope you are quite well. Very happy to hear it. So afraid you might have a headach! - seeing you pass by so often, and knowing how much trouble you must have. Delighted to hear it indeed. Ah! dear Mrs. Elton, so obliged to you for the carriage! - excellent time. Jane and I quite ready. Did not keep the horses a moment. Most comfortable carriage. - Oh! and I am sure our thanks are due to you, Mrs. Weston, on that score. Mrs. Elton had most kindly27 sent Jane a note, or we should have been. - But two such offers in one day! - Never were such neighbours. I said to my mother, ``Upon my word, ma'am - .'' Thank you, my mother is remarkably28 well. Gone to Mr. Woodhouse's. I made her take her shawl - for the evenings are not warm - her large new shawl - Mrs. Dixon's wedding-present. - So kind of her to think of my mother! Bought at Weymouth, you know - Mr. Dixon's choice. There were three others, Jane says, which they hesitated about some time. Colonel Campbell rather preferred an olive. My dear Jane, are you sure you did not wet your feet? - It was but a drop or two, but I am so afraid: - but Mr. Frank Churchill was so extremely - and there was a mat to step upon - I shall never forget his extreme politeness. - Oh! Mr. Frank Churchill, I must tell you my mother's spectacles have never been in fault since; the rivet29 never came out again. My mother often talks of your good-nature. Does not she, Jane? - Do not we often talk of Mr. Frank Churchill? - Ah! here's Miss Woodhouse. - Dear Miss Woodhouse, how do you do? - Very well I thank you, quite well. This is meeting quite in fairy-land! - Such a transformation30! - Must not compliment, I know (eyeing Emma most complacently) - that would be rude - but upon my word, Miss Woodhouse, you do look - how do you like Jane's hair? - You are a judge. - She did it all herself. Quite wonderful how she does her hair! - No hairdresser from London I think could. - Ah! Dr. Hughes I declare - and Mrs. Hughes. Must go and speak to Dr. and Mrs. Hughes for a moment. - How do you do? How do you do? - Very well, I thank you. This is delightful, is not it? - Where's dear Mr. Richard? - Oh! there he is. Don't disturb him. Much better employed talking to the young ladies. How do you do, Mr. Richard? - I saw you the other day as you rode through the town - Mrs. Otway, I protest! - and good Mr. Otway, and Miss Otway and Miss Caroline. - Such a host of friends! - and Mr. George and Mr. Arthur! - How do you do? How do you all do? - Quite well, I am much obliged to you. Never better. - Don't I hear another carriage? - Who can this be? - very likely the worthy31 Coles. - Upon my word, this is charming to be standing about among such friends! And such a noble fire! - I am quite roasted. No coffee, I thank you, for me - never take coffee. - A little tea if you please, sir, by and bye, - no hurry - Oh! here it comes. Every thing so good!'
Frank Churchill returned to his station by Emma; and as soon as Miss Bates was quiet, she found herself necessarily overhearing the discourse32 of Mrs. Elton and Miss Fairfax, who were standing a little way behind her. - He was thoughtful. Whether he were overhearing too, she could not determine. After a good many compliments to Jane on her dress and look, compliments very quietly and properly taken, Mrs. Elton was evidently wanting to be complimented herself - and it was, `How do you like my gown? - How do you like my trimming? - How has Wright done my hair?' - with many other relative questions, all answered with patient politeness. Mrs. Elton then said, `Nobody can think less of dress in general than I do - but upon such an occasion as this, when every body's eyes are so much upon me, and in compliment to the Westons - who I have no doubt are giving this ball chiefly to do me honour - I would not wish to be inferior to others. And I see very few pearls in the room except mine. - So Frank Churchill is a capital dancer, I understand. - We shall see if our styles suit. - A fine young man certainly is Frank Churchill. I like him very well.'
At this moment Frank began talking so vigorously, that Emma could not but imagine he had overheard his own praises, and did not want to hear more; - and the voices of the ladies were drowned for a while, till another suspension brought Mrs. Elton's tones again distinctly forward. - Mr. Elton had just joined them, and his wife was exclaiming,
`Oh! you have found us out at last, have you, in our seclusion33? - I was this moment telling Jane, I thought you would begin to be impatient for tidings of us.'
`Jane!' - repeated Frank Churchill, with a look of surprize and displeasure. - `That is easy - but Miss Fairfax does not disapprove34 it, I suppose.'
`How do you like Mrs. Elton?' said Emma in a whisper.
`Not at all.'
`You are ungrateful.'
`Ungrateful! - What do you mean?' Then changing from a frown to a smile - `No, do not tell me - I do not want to know what you mean. - Where is my father? - When are we to begin dancing?'
Emma could hardly understand him; he seemed in an odd humour. He walked off to find his father, but was quickly back again with both Mr. and Mrs. Weston. He had met with them in a little perplexity, which must be laid before Emma. It had just occurred to Mrs. Weston that Mrs. Elton must be asked to begin the ball; that she would expect it; which interfered35 with all their wishes of giving Emma that distinction. - Emma heard the sad truth with fortitude36.
`And what are we to do for a proper partner for her?' said Mr. Weston. `She will think Frank ought to ask her.'
Frank turned instantly to Emma, to claim her former promise; and boasted himself an engaged man, which his father looked his most perfect approbation37 of - and it then appeared that Mrs. Weston was wanting him to dance with Mrs. Elton himself, and that their business was to help to persuade him into it, which was done pretty soon. - Mr. Weston and Mrs. Elton led the way, Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse followed. Emma must submit to stand second to Mrs. Elton, though she had always considered the ball as peculiarly for her. It was almost enough to make her think of marrying. Mrs. Elton had undoubtedly38 the advantage, at this time, in vanity completely gratified; for though she had intended to begin with Frank Churchill, she could not lose by the change. Mr. Weston might be his son's superior. - In spite of this little rub, however, Emma was smiling with enjoyment39, delighted to see the respectable length of the set as it was forming, and to feel that she had so many hours of unusual festivity before her. - She was more disturbed by Mr. Knightley's not dancing than by any thing else. - There he was, among the standers-by, where he ought not to be; he ought to be dancing, - not classing himself with the husbands, and fathers, and whist-players, who were pretending to feel an interest in the dance till their rubbers were made up, - so young as he looked! - He could not have appeared to greater advantage perhaps anywhere, than where he had placed himself. His tall, firm, upright figure, among the bulky forms and stooping shoulders of the elderly men, was such as Emma felt must draw every body's eyes; and, excepting her own partner, there was not one among the whole row of young men who could be compared with him. - He moved a few steps nearer, and those few steps were enough to prove in how gentlemanlike a manner, with what natural grace, he must have danced, would he but take the trouble. - Whenever she caught his eye, she forced him to smile; but in general he was looking grave. She wished he could love a ballroom40 better, and could like Frank Churchill better. - He seemed often observing her. She must not flatter herself that he thought of her dancing, but if he were criticising her behaviour, she did not feel afraid. There was nothing like flirtation41 between her and her partner. They seemed more like cheerful, easy friends, than lovers. That Frank Churchill thought less of her than he had done, was indubitable.
The ball proceeded pleasantly. The anxious cares, the incessant attentions of Mrs. Weston, were not thrown away. Every body seemed happy; and the praise of being a delightful ball, which is seldom bestowed42 till after a ball has ceased to be, was repeatedly given in the very beginning of the existence of this. Of very important, very recordable events, it was not more productive than such meetings usually are. There was one, however, which Emma thought something of. - The two last dances before supper were begun, and Harriet had no partner; - the only young lady sitting down; - and so equal had been hitherto the number of dancers, that how there could be any one disengaged was the wonder! - But Emma's wonder lessened43 soon afterwards, on seeing Mr. Elton sauntering about. He would not ask Harriet to dance if it were possible to be avoided: she was sure he would not - and she was expecting him every moment to escape into the card-room.
Escape, however, was not his plan. He came to the part of the room where the sitters-by were collected, spoke14 to some, and walked about in front of them, as if to shew his liberty, and his resolution of maintaining it. He did not omit being sometimes directly before Miss Smith, or speaking to those who were close to her. - Emma saw it. She was not yet dancing; she was working her way up from the bottom, and had therefore leisure to look around, and by only turning her head a little she saw it all. When she was half-way up the set, the whole group were exactly behind her, and she would no longer allow her eyes to watch; but Mr. Elton was so near, that she heard every syllable44 of a dialogue which just then took place between him and Mrs. Weston; and she perceived that his wife, who was standing immediately above her, was not only listening also, but even encouraging him by significant glances. - The kind-hearted, gentle Mrs. Weston had left her seat to join him and say, `Do not you dance, Mr. Elton?' to which his prompt reply was, `Most readily, Mrs. Weston, if you will dance with me.'
`Me! - oh! no - I would get you a better partner than myself. I am no dancer.'
`If Mrs. Gilbert wishes to dance,' said he, `I shall have great pleasure, I am sure - for, though beginning to feel myself rather an old married man, and that my dancing days are over, it would give me very great pleasure at any time to stand up with an old friend like Mrs. Gilbert.'
`Mrs. Gilbert does not mean to dance, but there is a young lady disengaged whom I should be very glad to see dancing - Miss Smith.' `Miss Smith! - oh! - I had not observed. - You are extremely obliging - and if I were not an old married man. - But my dancing days are over, Mrs. Weston. You will excuse me. Any thing else I should be most happy to do, at your command - but my dancing days are over.'
Mrs. Weston said no more; and Emma could imagine with what surprize and mortification45 she must be returning to her seat. This was Mr. Elton! the amiable46, obliging, gentle Mr. Elton. - She looked round for a moment; he had joined Mr. Knightley at a little distance, and was arranging himself for settled conversation, while smiles of high glee passed between him and his wife.
She would not look again. Her heart was in a glow, and she feared her face might be as hot.
In another moment a happier sight caught her; - Mr. Knightley leading Harriet to the set! - Never had she been more surprized, seldom more delighted, than at that instant. She was all pleasure and gratitude47, both for Harriet and herself, and longed to be thanking him; and though too distant for speech, her countenance48 said much, as soon as she could catch his eye again.
His dancing proved to be just what she had believed it, extremely good; and Harriet would have seemed almost too lucky, if it had not been for the cruel state of things before, and for the very complete enjoyment and very high sense of the distinction which her happy features announced. It was not thrown away on her, she bounded higher than ever, flew farther down the middle, and was in a continual course of smiles.
Mr. Elton had retreated into the card-room, looking (Emma trusted) very foolish. She did not think he was quite so hardened as his wife, though growing very like her; - she spoke some of her feelings, by observing audibly to her partner,
`Knightley has taken pity on poor little Miss Smith! - Very goodnatured, I declare.'
Supper was announced. The move began; and Miss Bates might be heard from that moment, without interruption, till her being seated at table and taking up her spoon.
`Jane, Jane, my dear Jane, where are you? - Here is your tippet. Mrs. Weston begs you to put on your tippet. She says she is afraid there will be draughts50 in the passage, though every thing has been done - One door nailed up - Quantities of matting - My dear Jane, indeed you must. Mr. Churchill, oh! you are too obliging! How well you put it on! - so gratified! Excellent dancing indeed! - Yes, my dear, I ran home, as I said I should, to help grandmama to bed, and got back again, and nobody missed me. - I set off without saying a word, just as I told you. Grandmama was quite well, had a charming evening with Mr. Woodhouse, a vast deal of chat, and backgammon. - Tea was made downstairs, biscuits and baked apples and wine before she came away: amazing luck in some of her throws: and she inquired a great deal about you, how you were amused, and who were your partners. ``Oh!'' said I, ``I shall not forestall51 Jane; I left her dancing with Mr. George Otway; she will love to tell you all about it herself to-morrow: her first partner was Mr. Elton, I do not know who will ask her next, perhaps Mr. William Cox.'' My dear sir, you are too obliging. - Is there nobody you would not rather? - I am not helpless. Sir, you are most kind. Upon my word, Jane on one arm, and me on the other! - Stop, stop, let us stand a little back, Mrs. Elton is going; dear Mrs. Elton, how elegant she looks! - Beautiful lace! - Now we all follow in her train. Quite the queen of the evening! - Well, here we are at the passage. Two steps, Jane, take care of the two steps. Oh! no, there is but one. Well, I was persuaded there were two. How very odd! I was convinced there were two, and there is but one. I never saw any thing equal to the comfort and style - Candles everywhere. - I was telling you of your grandmama, Jane, - There was a little disappointment. - The baked apples and biscuits, excellent in their way, you know; but there was a delicate fricassee of sweetbread and some asparagus brought in at first, and good Mr. Woodhouse, not thinking the asparagus quite boiled enough, sent it all out again. Now there is nothing grandmama loves better than sweetbread and asparagus - so she was rather disappointed, but we agreed we would not speak of it to any body, for fear of its getting round to dear Miss Woodhouse, who would be so very much concerned! - Well, this is brilliant! I am all amazement52! could not have supposed any thing! - Such elegance and profusion53! - I have seen nothing like it since - Well, where shall we sit? where shall we sit? Anywhere, so that Jane is not in a draught49. Where I sit is of no consequence. Oh! do you recommend this side? - Well, I am sure, Mr. Churchill - only it seems too good - but just as you please. What you direct in this house cannot be wrong. Dear Jane, how shall we ever recollect half the dishes for grandmama? Soup too! Bless me! I should not be helped so soon, but it smells most excellent, and I cannot help beginning.'
Emma had no opportunity of speaking to Mr. Knightley till after supper; but, when they were all in the ballroom again, her eyes invited him irresistibly54 to come to her and be thanked. He was warm in his reprobation55 of Mr. Elton's conduct; it had been unpardonable rudeness; and Mrs. Elton's looks also received the due share of censure56.
`They aimed at wounding more than Harriet,' said he. `Emma, why is it that they are your enemies?'
He looked with smiling penetration57; and, on receiving no answer, added, `She ought not to be angry with you, I suspect, whatever he may be. - To that surmise58, you say nothing, of course; but confess, Emma, that you did want him to marry Harriet.'
`I did,' replied Emma, `and they cannot forgive me.'
He shook his head; but there was a smile of indulgence with it, and he only said,
`I shall not scold you. I leave you to your own reflections.'
`Can you trust me with such flatterers? - Does my vain spirit ever tell me I am wrong?'
`Not your vain spirit, but your serious spirit. - If one leads you wrong, I am sure the other tells you of it.'
`I do own myself to have been completely mistaken in Mr. Elton. There is a littleness about him which you discovered, and which I did not: and I was fully59 convinced of his being in love with Harriet. It was through a series of strange blunders!'
`And, in return for your acknowledging so much, I will do you the justice to say, that you would have chosen for him better than he has chosen for himself. - Harriet Smith has some first-rate qualities, which Mrs. Elton is totally without. An unpretending, single-minded, artless girl - infinitely60 to be preferred by any man of sense and taste to such a woman as Mrs. Elton. I found Harriet more conversable than I expected.'
Emma was extremely gratified. - They were interrupted by the bustle61 of Mr. Weston calling on every body to begin dancing again.
`Come Miss Woodhouse, Miss Otway, Miss Fairfax, what are you all doing? - Come Emma, set your companions the example. Every body is lazy! Every body is asleep!'
`I am ready,' said Emma, `whenever I am wanted.'
`Whom are you going to dance with?' asked Mr. Knightley.
She hesitated a moment, and then replied, `With you, if you will ask me.'
`Will you?' said he, offering his hand.
`Indeed I will. You have shewn that you can dance, and you know we are not really so much brother and sister as to make it at all improper62.'
`Brother and sister! no, indeed.'
没有出什么事再来阻碍这次舞会。那一天临近了，来到了。大家心焦地等了一上午之后，弗兰克·邱吉尔终于在宴会前赶到了兰多尔斯，于是一切都平安无事。
他与爱玛上次见面后没再见过第二次。这一次虽然要在克朗旅店的舞厅里见面，但是要比在大庭广众中的普通相会来得好。韦斯顿先生一再恳求爱玛，等他们到后也能尽快赶到，以便趁客人未到之前，先征求一下她的意见，看看房间布置得是否得体、舒适，话说得十分恳切，爱玛不便推却，只好跟这个青年在一起默默地待了一阵。她去接哈丽特，等坐车来到克朗旅店的时候，兰多尔斯的那伙人恰好比她们早到一步。
弗兰克·邱吉尔似乎已经在等候了，虽然嘴上没怎么说，但是一看眼神就知道，他打算痛痛快快地玩一个晚上。他们一起到各处走走，看看是否一切都安排妥当。过了不久，又来了一辆马车，车上的人也来到他们中间。爱玛刚一听到马车的声音，不由得大吃一惊。“到得这么早啊！”她刚想嚷叫，却立即发现，那家人家是老朋友，跟她一样，也是特意请来给韦斯顿先生做参谋的。紧跟着又来了一辆马车，是韦斯顿先生的亲戚，也受到同样热诚的恳求，早早地来执行同样的使命。看样子，也许马上会有半数客人赶来查看准备工作。
爱玛意识到，韦斯顿先生并非只相信她一个人的鉴赏力，觉得作为一个有这么多好友和知己的人的好友和知己，并不是最光荣的事。她喜欢他的坦率，但他若是略微少坦率一点，品格就会更高尚一些。普遍与人为善，而不是普遍与人为友，他应该是这样一个人。她就喜欢这样的人。
大家走走看看，还要夸奖一番。后来没事可做了，就在壁炉跟前围成半个圆圈，以各自的口吻说，尽管已是五月了，晚上生个火还是很舒适的，直说到扯起别的话题为止。
爱玛发现，没有请来更多的私人顾问，这并不怪韦斯顿先生。那些人曾在贝茨太太家门口停下车，请贝茨小姐和费尔法克斯小姐坐他们的马车走，可是她们已经说好由埃尔顿夫妇来接。
弗兰克就站在爱玛旁边，但是不沉稳。他有点神情不安，表明心里不自在。他一边东张西望，朝门口走去，一边留心听有没有马车的声音。他不是心急地等待舞会开始，就是害怕老待在她身边。
他们说起了埃尔顿太太。“我想她该快到了，”他说。“我很想见见埃尔顿太太，我常听人说起她。我想她不一会儿就会到的。”
外面传来了马车声。他赶忙往外跑，随即又转回身，说道：
“我忘了，我还不认识她呢。我从没见过埃尔顿夫妇，用不着我去迎接。”
埃尔顿夫妇出现了，笑容满面，礼仪周全。
“贝茨小姐和费尔法克斯小姐呢？”韦斯顿先生说着向四下望了望。“我们还以为你们会把她们带来呢。”
这不是什么大不了的错误，马上又打发马车去接她们了。爱玛很想知道弗兰克对埃尔顿太太会有什么样的初次印象，对她那精美考究的服装、那笑容可掬的模样有何反应。介绍过后，弗兰克比较注意她，因而很快就有了自己的看法。
不一会工夫，马车就回来了。有人说在下雨。“我要叫他们备几把伞，爸爸，”弗兰克对父亲说，“可不能把贝茨小姐忘了。”说罢转身就走。韦斯顿先生跟在后面，不想被埃尔顿太太拉住了，她要跟他讲讲她对他儿子的看法，让他高兴高兴。她伶牙俐齿地讲得很快，那年轻人虽说动作不慢，还能听到她说的话。
“真是个好帅的小伙子呀，韦斯顿先生。你知道，我曾坦率地告诉过你，我会有自己的看法的。现在我可以高兴地告诉你，我太喜欢他了。你相信我好啦，我从不恭维人。我认为他是个非常英俊的小伙子，言谈举止也是我所欣赏的那一种——真有绅士风度，毫不自大，也不自负。你要知道，我很讨厌自负的年轻人——对他们厌恶极了。枫园容不了这种人。萨克林先生和我对他们一向没有耐心。我们有时候说话可尖刻啦！塞丽娜有些过于温和了，比我们能容忍多了。”
埃尔顿太太夸弗兰克的时候，韦斯顿先生专心致志地听着。可是等她一谈到枫园，他就想起有些女宾刚到，得去迎接一下，便笑嘻嘻地匆匆走开了。
埃尔顿太太转向韦斯顿太太。“我看一定是我们的马车把贝茨小姐和简接来了。我们的马车夫、我们的马速度快极啦！我相信我们的车子比谁家的都快。打发车子去接朋友，真是件乐事呀！我知道你好心提出要去接她们，可是下一次就完全没有必要了。你放心好啦，我会随时关照她们的。”
贝茨小姐和费尔法克斯小姐由两位男士陪同，走进屋来。埃尔顿太太似乎觉得自己跟韦斯顿太太一样，也有责任迎接她们俩。她的种种手势和动作，像爱玛这样的旁观者一看就明白，可是她说的话，以及别人说的话，却立即淹没在贝茨小姐的滔滔不绝之中。贝茨小姐进来时就在说话，直至在炉前的半圆中坐定好一阵还没说完。开门的时候，只听她说：
“你们真是太好了！根本没有雨。没什么大不了的。我自己倒不在乎。鞋子厚得很。简说——哇！”她一进门就嚷道。“哇！真是灯火辉煌啊！太好啦！我敢说，设计得好棒。应有尽有，真想不到。灯光这么亮。简，简，你看——你以前看见过吗？哦！韦斯顿先生，你一定是搞到了阿拉丁的神灯（译注：阿拉丁是阿拉伯民间故事集《一千零一夜》中的人物，他想要什么，他的神灯就能给什么）。斯托克斯太太都要认不出自己的房间了。我进来的时候看见她了，她就站在门口。‘哦！斯托克斯太太，’我说——可我没工夫再说下去了。”这时，韦斯顿太太过来问候她。“很好，谢谢你，太太。我想你身体挺好吧。我听了很高兴。我还担心你会头痛呢！经常看见你路过，知道你一定有不少麻烦事。听说你身体挺好，我真的很高兴。啊！亲爱的埃尔顿太太，谢谢你的马车！来得正是时候，简和我正准备走呢。一刻也没让马等候。好舒适的马车呀。哦！我敢说，韦斯顿太太，我们得为此感谢你。埃尔顿太太十分亲切地给简写了封信，不然我们就坐你的车了。一天里两次有人提出用车送我们呀！从没见过这么好的邻居。我跟我妈妈说：‘说实在话，妈妈——’谢谢，我妈妈身体非常好，上伍德豪斯先生家去了。我让她带上了披巾——晚上可不暖和呀——她那条新的大披巾——是迪克逊太太结婚时送的礼物。她太好了，还想到了我妈妈！你知道，是在韦默斯买的——迪克逊先生挑选的。简说还有另外三条，他们犹豫了一阵。坎贝尔上校喜欢橄榄色的。亲爱的简，你肯定你的鞋子没湿吗？只下了一两滴雨，可我还是担心。弗兰克·邱吉尔先生真是太——还找了块席子让你踩着走——他太客气了，我一辈子也忘不了。哦！弗兰克·邱吉尔先生，我要告诉你，我妈妈的眼镜后来再也没出过毛病，那个铆钉再也没脱落过。我妈妈时常夸你脾气好，对吧，简？我们不是时常谈起弗兰克·邱吉尔先生吗？啊！伍德豪斯小姐来了。亲爱的伍德豪斯小姐，你好。我很好，谢谢，很好。这是相聚在仙境里呀！多大的变化啊！我知道，不能恭维，”一边得意洋洋地瞅着爱玛，“那样是很鲁莽的——不过，说实在的，伍德豪斯小姐，你看上去真——你看简的头发怎么样？你最有眼力。全是她自己梳的。她梳得多好啊！我想伦敦的理发师也梳不了这么好。啊！我敢说是休斯大夫——还有休斯太太。我要去跟休斯大夫夫妇聊一聊。你好。你好。我很好，谢谢。好快活呀，是吧？亲爱的理查德先生呢？哦！在那儿。别打扰他。跟年轻小姐们聊天要好得多。你好吗，理查德先生？那天我看见你骑着马打城里走过——我敢说，这是奥特维太太！还有善良的奥特维先生，奥特维小姐，卡罗琳小姐。这么多朋友！还有乔治先生和阿瑟先生！你们好。各位都好。我很好，非常感谢。从没这样好过。我是不是听见又来了一辆马车？能是谁呢？可能是尊贵的科尔一家吧。说真的，跟这样的朋友在一块儿，多有意思啊！多旺的火啊！我快热死了。不，谢谢，我不喝咖啡——从不喝咖啡。可以给我来杯茶，先生，过一会儿吧，不着急——哦！送来了。一切都这么棒！”
弗兰克-邱吉尔回到爱玛身边。贝茨小姐一静下来，爱玛就不由自主地听到了埃尔顿太太和费尔法克斯小姐之间的谈话，因为她们就站在她身后不远的地方。弗兰克在沉思，是否也在听她俩说话，她就说不准了。埃尔顿太太先是对简的衣服和容貌大加恭维，简也悄然得体地接受了他的恭维。随后，埃尔顿太太显然要简也恭维恭维她——便这样说道：“你看我的长裙怎么样？你觉得上面的花饰怎么样？赖特给我梳的头好吗？”还问了许多其他的有关问题，简都耐心而客气地作了回答。埃尔顿太太接着又说：
“在一般情况下，谁也不会比我更不讲究衣着了——但是在这样一个场合，人人都拿眼睛盯着我，为了韦斯顿夫妇的体面——我毫不怀疑，他们主要是为了我才举行这个舞会的——我不想显得比别人寒酸。在这屋里，除了我的以外，就见不到还有什么珍珠。听说弗兰克·邱吉尔舞艺高超。我们要瞧瞧我们的风格是否协调。弗兰克·邱吉尔真是个好帅的小伙子。我好喜欢他。”
就在这当儿，弗兰克兴致勃勃地讲话了，爱玛不由得猜想他听到了人家赞美他，不想再听下去。两位女士的说话声给盖住了一会，后来弗兰克停住了，才又听见埃尔顿太太的说话声。当时，埃尔顿先生刚来到两位女士身边，他太太嚷道：
“哦！我们躲在这儿，终于让你找到了，是吧？我刚才还对简说，我想你一定迫不及待地找我们呢。”
“简！”弗兰克-邱吉尔重复了一声，脸上露出惊异不快的神情。“这样称呼也太随便了——不过，我想费尔法克斯小姐并不介意吧。”
“你喜欢埃尔顿太太吗？”爱玛小声问道。
“一点也不喜欢。”
“你真忘恩负义。”
“忘恩负义！你这是什么意思？”接着，皱着的眉头舒展开了，脸上露出了笑容。“别，别告诉我——我不想知道你是什么意思。我父亲在哪儿？我们什么时候开始跳舞？”
爱玛简直琢磨不透他。他的心绪似乎很古怪。他走开去找他父亲，可是不一会工夫，他又跟韦斯顿夫妇一起回来了。原来，他碰到他们俩时，他们遇到了一个小小的难题，必须跟爱玛说说。韦斯顿太太刚刚想到，这场舞会应该请埃尔顿太太开头，她自己也盼望这样。可是这样又违背了他们的心意，他们本想给爱玛这个殊荣的。爱玛听到这令人啼笑皆非的事情时，表现得很坚忍。
“我们叫谁给她当舞伴好呢？”韦斯顿先生说。“她会觉得弗兰克应该请她跳舞。”
弗兰克赶忙转向爱玛，要她履行以前的诺言。他声称他已有约在先，他父亲露出一副称心如意的神情——这时候，韦斯顿太太似乎就要这位父亲亲自跟埃尔顿太太跳舞，于是他们两个便帮着劝说，那做父亲的很快就被说服了。韦斯顿先生与埃尔顿太太领头，弗兰克·邱吉尔先生与伍德豪斯小姐跟在后面。爱玛虽然一直认为这次舞会是特地为她举行的，但现在不得不屈居埃尔顿太太之后。这样一来，她几乎想要结婚了。
这一次，埃尔顿太太无疑占了上风，虚荣心得到了尽情的满足。虽说她原想先跟弗兰克·邱吉尔跳，但是换了个舞伴并无什么损失。韦斯顿先生也许比他儿子强。爱玛尽管受了点小小的挫折，但是看到跳舞的人排成长得可观的舞队，而且觉得可以非同寻常地快活几个小时，不禁十分高兴，喜笑颜开。而最使她感觉不安的是，奈特利先生没有跳舞。他就站在旁观者当中；其实，他不应该待在那儿，而应该跳舞——不该去跟那些做丈夫的、做父亲的和打惠斯特牌的人混在一起，尽管那几个人在打牌以前还装出对跳舞很感兴趣的样子。奈特利先生看上去有多年轻啊！他待在那伙人中间，也许比待在任何别的地方都显得更出众。他高高的个子，长得又结实又挺拔，待在那些身宽体胖、弯腰曲背的上了年纪的人中间，爱玛觉得准能为人人所瞩目。在那一长列年轻人中，除了她自己的舞伴以外，谁也没法跟他比。他往前走了几步，可这几步就足以表明，只要他肯尽心跳舞的话，跳起来一定很有绅士风度，而且显现出与生俱来的优雅。爱玛每次触到他的目光，总能引得他嫣然一笑。不过，总的说来，他的神情比较严肃。爱玛希望他能对舞厅喜欢一点，也能对弗兰克·邱吉尔喜欢一点。他似乎常常在注视她。她不能自鸣得意地认为他在琢磨她的跳舞，不过他若是在责怪她的行为，她也不害怕。她和她的舞伴之间没有任何轻佻的举动。他们俩不像是情人，而像是快活、融洽的朋友。弗兰克·邱吉尔不像以前那样思恋她，这是毋庸置疑的。
舞会欢快地进行着。韦斯顿太太费尽心机，不断张罗，终于没有白费，看来人人都很快活。本来舞会不结束难得会有人说好的，但这次从一开始，大家就一再夸奖这是一场令人愉快的舞会。跟平常的舞会比起来，这次舞会也没出现更多重要的、值得记载的事情。不过，有一件事爱玛比较看重。宴会前的最后两曲舞开始了，哈丽特却没有舞伴，年轻小姐中只有她一人干坐着。迄今为止，跳舞的人一直是男女人数相等，要找到一个闲着的人那才怪呢！但是，一看见埃尔顿先生在悠闲地走来走去，爱玛也就不那么见怪了。只要能避免，他是不会邀请哈丽特跳舞的。爱玛知道他不会——她料想他随时都会溜进牌室里。
然而他并不想溜，却来到看热闹人多的地方，跟这个说说话，在那个面前走走，仿佛要显显他的自由自在，而且决心自由自在下去。他有时候难免走到史密斯小姐跟前，或者跟她身边的人聊上几句。爱玛都看见了。她还没有跳舞，正从舞队的末尾往前走，因此有空四下张望，只把头稍微一转，就能把一切全都看在眼里。她走到舞队当中的地方，那伙人恰好都在她后面，她也就不再去张望了。不过埃尔顿先生离她很近，他和韦斯顿太太之间的谈话，她一字一句都听得清清楚楚。她还发现，就在她前面的埃尔顿太太这时不仅也在听，而且还在使眼色鼓励丈夫。心地善良、和蔼可亲的韦斯顿太太已离开座位，走到埃尔顿先生跟前，说：“埃尔顿先生，你不跳舞吗？”埃尔顿先生赶忙回答说：“韦斯顿太太，如果你肯跟我跳，我很乐意奉陪。”
“我！哦！不——我给你找一个比我好的舞伴。我可不会跳。”
“如果吉尔伯特太太想跳的话，”埃尔顿先生说，“我一定非常乐意——虽说我开始感觉自己是个结过婚的老家伙了，跳舞的日子已经一去不复返了，可是不管什么时候，能跟吉尔伯特太太这样的老朋友跳舞，我会感到不胜荣幸的。”
“吉尔伯特太太不想跳舞，倒是有一位年轻小姐没有舞伴，我很愿意看着她跳舞——就是史密斯小姐。”
“史密斯小姐！哦！我没注意。你真是太好了——我要不是个结过婚的老家伙——不过，我跳舞的日子已经一去不复返了，韦斯顿太太。请原谅我。换了别的事，我都会欣然从命——可我跳舞的日子一去不复返了。”
韦斯顿太太没再说什么。爱玛可以想象，她回到自己座位上的时候，一定感到十分惊异，没有脸面。这就是埃尔顿先生啊！那个和蔼可亲、温文尔雅的埃尔顿先生。她又朝四下望了望，只见埃尔顿先生走到奈特利先生跟前，准备跟他好好谈一谈，一边又喜滋滋地跟他太太对笑着。
爱玛不想再看下去了。她心里热辣辣的，害怕自己的脸也发起烧来。
过了不久，她见到了一个令人高兴的情景：奈特利先生领着哈丽特朝舞池走去！在这当儿，她从来没有这么惊奇过，也很少这么高兴过。她满怀喜悦和感激之情，既为了哈丽特，也为了她自己，真想向奈特利先生表示感谢。虽然离得太远，没法说话，可是一触到他的目光时，她的神情充分表达了她的心意。
结果正如她所料，奈特利先生的舞跳得极其出色。要不是刚才出现了那么糟糕的情况，要不是哈丽特那喜笑颜开的样子表明她极其开心，深感荣幸，那她还真会像是很幸运呢。她对此并不是毫无反应的，她跳得比往常更起劲，快步旋到了舞池中间，而且一直笑容满面。
埃尔顿先生又躲进牌室去了，爱玛觉得他的样子很可笑。在爱玛看来，他虽然越来越像他太太，但他不像他太太那么冷酷无情。他那位太太对她的舞伴大声说出了自己的心情：
“奈特利对可怜的小史密斯怜悯起来了！我敢说，真厚道啊。”
宣布进晚餐了。大家开始动作了。从这时起，你能听到贝茨小姐又滔滔不绝地絮叨起来了，直至她在餐桌前坐下，拿起汤匙为止。
“简，简，我亲爱的简，你在哪儿呀？这是你的披肩。韦斯顿太太要你披上披肩。她说走廊里恐怕有风，尽管采取了种种措施——有一扇门给钉上了——还用了不少席子——亲爱的简，你真得披上披肩。邱吉尔先生，哦！你真是太好了！你给她披上了！多让人高兴啊！舞也跳得棒极了！是呀，亲爱的，我是跑回家去了，我说过的，把外婆送上床，再跑回来，谁也没发现。就像我告诉你的，我没说一声就走了。外婆挺好，一晚上跟伍德豪斯先生过得好快活，说了好多话，还下了十五子棋。她走之前楼下准备了茶点、饼干和烤苹果，还有酒。她有几次掷骰子运气好极了。她还问了好多你的情况：玩得高兴不高兴，都有哪些舞伴。‘哦！’我说，‘我不会抢在简之前告诉你的。我走的时候她在跟乔治·奥特维先生跳舞。明天，她一定愿意一五一十地告诉你的。她的第一个舞伴是埃尔顿先生，我不知道谁会请她跳下一轮，也许是威廉·考克斯先生吧。’亲爱的先生，你太好了。有谁你不肯的呀？我还不是走不动。先生，你太好了。真是一手扶着简，一手扶着我。等一等，等一等，我们退后一点，让埃尔顿太太先走。亲爱的埃尔顿太太，她看上去多高雅呀！多美的花边呀！现在，我们都跟在她后面。真是今晚的皇后啊！注意，到走廊了。有两级台阶，简，当心这两级台阶。哦！不，只有一级。啊，我听说是两级。多么奇怪呀！我还以为是两级，原来只有一级。我从没见过这么舒适、这么气派的——到处是蜡烛。我刚才跟你讲起你外婆，简。有一件消失不是很如意。你知道，烤苹果和饼干其实是很好的，但是先端上来的是一盘鲜美的杂碎炖芦笋，好心的伍德豪斯先生认为芦笋没煮烂，叫人原样不动地端了回去。外婆最爱吃这杂碎炖芦笋——因此她感到很失望。不过我们都说定了，不对任何人提起这件事，怕传到亲爱的伍德豪斯小姐的耳朵里，让她过意不去！嗬，真是灯火辉煌啊！我都惊呆了！真想象不到啊！这么讲究、这么豪华！我从没见过这样的场面——喂，我们坐哪儿呢？我们坐哪儿呢？坐哪儿都行，只要简吹不到风。我坐哪儿没关系。哦！你说坐这边吗？嗯，我敢肯定，邱吉尔先生——只是看来太好了——不过随你便。在这屋里，有你指挥错不了。亲爱的简，这么多的菜，我们怎么向外婆说得出一半呀？还有汤！天哪！我不该这么早就吃饭，可是闻起来香极了，我忍不住要吃了。”
直到吃完饭，爱玛才有机会跟奈特利先生说上话。不过，等大家又回到舞厅时，爱玛使了个很有魅力的眼色，请他到她跟前，好向他道谢。他猛烈地谴责了埃尔顿先生的行为，粗暴得简直不可饶恕。埃尔顿太太的神态也受到了应有的批评。
“他们不仅仅是想伤害哈丽特，”奈特利先生说。“爱玛，他们干吗要跟你作对呢？”
他以敏锐的目光，笑吟吟地看着爱玛。见爱玛没有回答，便接着说道：“我想，不管埃尔顿先生怎么样，她埃尔顿太太不该生你的气呀。人家有个猜疑，你当然是什么也不说啦。不过说实话吧，爱玛，你确实曾经想要他娶哈丽特。”
“是的，”爱玛答道，“因此他们不肯原谅我。”
奈特利先生摇摇头，但又露出体谅的微笑，只说道：
“我不责怪你，让你自己去琢磨吧。”
“你能放心让我自己去琢磨这些爱奉承人的人吗？我生性自负，难道会承认自己做错了吗？”
“不是你的自负生性，而是你的认真精神。如果你的前一种生性把你引入歧途，那你的后一种精神就会为你指明方向。”
“我承认我把埃尔顿先生完全看错了。他有点心胸狭小，你发现了，我却没有。我还一心以为他爱上了哈丽特。那都是一连串的荒唐错误造成的！”
“你既然这样坦诚地承认了错误，我倒要说一句公道话：你给他选的人比他自己选的强。哈丽特·史密斯有一些一流的品质，那是埃尔顿太太完全没有的。一个朴实无华、天真单纯的姑娘——任何一个有头脑、有品位的男人都宁可要她，也不要埃尔顿太太那样的女人。我发现哈丽特比我料想的要健谈。”
爱玛高兴极了。这时韦斯顿先生嚷嚷着催大家再跳舞，打断了他们的谈话。
“来，伍德豪斯小姐，奥特维小姐，费尔法克斯小姐，你们都在干什么呀？来，爱玛，给你的伙伴带个头。个个都懒洋洋的！个个都像睡着了似的！”
“什么时候要我跳，”爱玛说，“我都乐意从命。”
“你准备跟谁跳？”奈特利先生问。
爱玛迟疑了一下，随后答道：“你要是邀我的话，就跟你跳。”
“是吗？”奈特利先生说罢，伸出了手。
“当然啦。你已经证明你能跳舞，再说你也知道我们并不是亲兄妹，在一起跳舞没什么不合适的。”
“兄妹！当然不是。”
收听单词发音 |
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entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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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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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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unreasonably
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| adv. 不合理地 | |
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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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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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privy
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| adj.私用的；隐密的 | |
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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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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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14
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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15
proprieties
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| n.礼仪，礼节；礼貌( propriety的名词复数 )；规矩；正当；合适 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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candidly
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| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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maple
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| n.槭树，枫树，槭木 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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23
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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expeditious
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| adj.迅速的，敏捷的 | |
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incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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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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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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rivet
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| n.铆钉；vt.铆接，铆牢；集中(目光或注意力) | |
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transformation
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| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
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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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32
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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33
seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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34
disapprove
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| v.不赞成，不同意，不批准 | |
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35
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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ballroom
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| n.舞厅 | |
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41
flirtation
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| n.调情，调戏，挑逗 | |
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42
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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44
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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45
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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46
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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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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49
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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50
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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51
forestall
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| vt.抢在…之前采取行动；预先阻止 | |
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52
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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53
profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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55
reprobation
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| n.斥责 | |
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56
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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57
penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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58
surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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59
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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60
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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61
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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62
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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