They had a very fine day for Box Hill; and all the other outward circumstances of arrangement, accommodation, and punctuality, were in favour of a pleasant party. Mr. Weston directed the whole, officiating safely between Hartfield and the Vicarage, and every body was in good time. Emma and Harriet went together; Miss Bates and her niece, with the Eltons; the gentlemen on horseback. Mrs. Weston remained with Mr. Woodhouse. Nothing was wanting but to be happy when they got there. Seven miles were travelled in expectation of enjoyment1, and every body had a burst of admiration2 on first arriving; but in the general amount of the day there was deficiency. There was a languor3, a want of spirits, a want of union, which could not be got over. They separated too much into parties. The Eltons walked together; Mr. Knightley took charge of Miss Bates and Jane; and Emma and Harriet belonged to Frank Churchill. And Mr. Weston tried, in vain, to make them harmonise better. It seemed at first an accidental division, but it never materially varied4. Mr. and Mrs. Elton, indeed, shewed no unwillingness5 to mix, and be as agreeable as they could; but during the two whole hours that were spent on the hill, there seemed a principle of separation, between the other parties, too strong for any fine prospects6, or any cold collation8, or any cheerful Mr. Weston, to remove.
At first it was downright dulness to Emma. She had never seen Frank Churchill so silent and stupid. He said nothing worth hearing - looked without seeing - admired without intelligence - listened without knowing what she said. While he was so dull, it was no wonder that Harriet should be dull likewise; and they were both insufferable.
When they all sat down it was better; to her taste a great deal better, for Frank Churchill grew talkative and gay, making her his first object. Every distinguishing attention that could be paid, was paid to her. To amuse her, and be agreeable in her eyes, seemed all that he cared for - and Emma, glad to be enlivened, not sorry to be flattered, was gay and easy too, and gave him all the friendly encouragement, the admission to be gallant9, which she had ever given in the first and most animating10 period of their acquaintance; but which now, in her own estimation, meant nothing, though in the judgment11 of most people looking on it must have had such an appearance as no English word but flirtation12 could very well describe. `Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse flirted13 together excessively.' They were laying themselves open to that very phrase - and to having it sent off in a letter to Maple14 Grove15 by one lady, to Ireland by another. Not that Emma was gay and thoughtless from any real felicity; it was rather because she felt less happy than she had expected. She laughed because she was disappointed; and though she liked him for his attentions, and thought them all, whether in friendship, admiration, or playfulness, extremely judicious16, they were not winning back her heart. She still intended him for her friend.
`How much I am obliged to you,' said he, `for telling me to come to-day! - If it had not been for you, I should certainly have lost all the happiness of this party. I had quite determined17 to go away again.'
`Yes, you were very cross; and I do not know what about, except that you were too late for the best strawberries. I was a kinder friend than you deserved. But you were humble18. You begged hard to be commanded to come.'
`Don't say I was cross. I was fatigued19. The heat overcame me.'
`It is hotter to-day.'
`Not to my feelings. I am perfectly20 comfortable to-day.'
`You are comfortable because you are under command.'
`Your command? - Yes.'
`Perhaps I intended you to say so, but I meant self-command. You had, somehow or other, broken bounds yesterday, and run away from your own management; but to-day you are got back again - and as I cannot be always with you, it is best to believe your temper under your own command rather than mine.'
`It comes to the same thing. I can have no self-command without a motive21. You order me, whether you speak or not. And you can be always with me. You are always with me.'
`Dating from three o'clock yesterday. My perpetual influence could not begin earlier, or you would not have been so much out of humour before.'
`Three o'clock yesterday! That is your date. I thought I had seen you first in February.'
`Your gallantry is really unanswerable. But (lowering her voice) - nobody speaks except ourselves, and it is rather too much to be talking nonsense for the entertainment of seven silent people.'
`I say nothing of which I am ashamed,' replied he, with lively impudence22. `I saw you first in February. Let every body on the Hill hear me if they can. Let my accents swell23 to Mickleham on one side, and Dorking on the other. I saw you first in February.' And then whispering - `Our companions are excessively stupid. What shall we do to rouse them? Any nonsense will serve. They shall talk. Ladies and gentlemen, I am ordered by Miss Woodhouse (who, wherever she is, presides) to say, that she desires to know what you are all thinking of?'
Some laughed, and answered good-humouredly. Miss Bates said a great deal; Mrs. Elton swelled24 at the idea of Miss Woodhouse's presiding; Mr. Knightley's answer was the most distinct.
`Is Miss Woodhouse sure that she would like to hear what we are all thinking of?'
`Oh! no, no' - cried Emma, laughing as carelessly as she could - `Upon no account in the world. It is the very last thing I would stand the brunt of just now. Let me hear any thing rather than what you are all thinking of. I will not say quite all. There are one or two, perhaps, (glancing at Mr. Weston and Harriet,) whose thoughts I might not be afraid of knowing.'
`It is a sort of thing,' cried Mrs. Elton emphatically, `which I should not have thought myself privileged to inquire into. Though, perhaps, as the Chaperon of the party - I never was in any circle - exploring parties - young ladies - married women - '
Her mutterings were chiefly to her husband; and he murmured, in reply,
`Very true, my love, very true. Exactly so, indeed - quite unheard of - but some ladies say any thing. Better pass it off as a joke. Every body knows what is due to you.'
`It will not do,' whispered Frank to Emma; `they are most of them affronted25. I will attack them with more address. Ladies and gentlemen - I am ordered by Miss Woodhouse to say, that she waives26 her right of knowing exactly what you may all be thinking of, and only requires something very entertaining from each of you, in a general way. Here are seven of you, besides myself, (who, she is pleased to say, am very entertaining already,) and she only demands from each of you either one thing very clever, be it prose or verse, original or repeated - or two things moderately clever - or three things very dull indeed, and she engages to laugh heartily27 at them all.'
`Oh! very well,' exclaimed Miss Bates, `then I need not be uneasy. ``Three things very dull indeed.'' That will just do for me, you know. I shall be sure to say three dull things as soon as ever I open my mouth, shan't I? (looking round with the most good-humoured dependence28 on every body's assent) - Do not you all think I shall?'
Emma could not resist.
`Ah! ma'am, but there may be a difficulty. Pardon me - but you will be limited as to number - only three at once.'
Miss Bates, deceived by the mock ceremony of her manner, did not immediately catch her meaning; but, when it burst on her, it could not anger, though a slight blush shewed that it could pain her.
`Ah! - well - to be sure. Yes, I see what she means, (turning to Mr. Knightley,) and I will try to hold my tongue. I must make myself very disagreeable, or she would not have said such a thing to an old friend.'
`I like your plan,' cried Mr. Weston. `Agreed, agreed. I will do my best. I am making a conundrum29. How will a conundrum reckon?'
`Low, I am afraid, sir, very low,' answered his son; - `but we shall be indulgent - especially to any one who leads the way.'
`No, no,' said Emma, `it will not reckon low. A conundrum of Mr. Weston's shall clear him and his next neighbour. Come, sir, pray let me hear it.'
`I doubt its being very clever myself,' said Mr. Weston. `It is too much a matter of fact, but here it is. - What two letters of the alphabet are there, that express perfection?'
`What two letters! - express perfection! I am sure I do not know.'
`Ah! you will never guess. You, (to Emma), I am certain, will never guess. - I will tell you. - M. and A. - Em-ma. - Do you understand?'
Understanding and gratification came together. It might be a very indifferent piece of wit, but Emma found a great deal to laugh at and enjoy in it - and so did Frank and Harriet. - It did not seem to touch the rest of the party equally; some looked very stupid about it, and Mr. Knightley gravely said,
`This explains the sort of clever thing that is wanted, and Mr. Weston has done very well for himself; but he must have knocked up every body else. Perfection should not have come quite so soon.'
`Oh! for myself, I protest I must be excused,' said Mrs. Elton; `I really cannot attempt - I am not at all fond of the sort of thing. I had an acrostic once sent to me upon my own name, which I was not at all pleased with. I knew who it came from. An abominable30 puppy! - You know who I mean (nodding to her husband). These kind of things are very well at Christmas, when one is sitting round the fire; but quite out of place, in my opinion, when one is exploring about the country in summer. Miss Woodhouse must excuse me. I am not one of those who have witty31 things at every body's service. I do not pretend to be a wit. I have a great deal of vivacity32 in my own way, but I really must be allowed to judge when to speak and when to hold my tongue. Pass us, if you please, Mr. Churchill. Pass Mr. E., Knightley, Jane, and myself. We have nothing clever to say - not one of us.
`Yes, yes, pray pass me,' added her husband, with a sort of sneering33 consciousness; `I have nothing to say that can entertain Miss Woodhouse, or any other young lady. An old married man - quite good for nothing. Shall we walk, Augusta?'
`With all my heart. I am really tired of exploring so long on one spot. Come, Jane, take my other arm.'
Jane declined it, however, and the husband and wife walked off. `Happy couple!' said Frank Churchill, as soon as they were out of hearing: - `How well they suit one another! - Very lucky - marrying as they did, upon an acquaintance formed only in a public place! - They only knew each other, I think, a few weeks in Bath! Peculiarly lucky! - for as to any real knowledge of a person's disposition34 that Bath, or any public place, can give - it is all nothing; there can be no knowledge. It is only by seeing women in their own homes, among their own set, just as they always are, that you can form any just judgment. Short of that, it is all guess and luck - and will generally be ill-luck. How many a man has committed himself on a short acquaintance, and rued35 it all the rest of his life!'
Miss Fairfax, who had seldom spoken before, except among her own confederates, spoke36 now.
`Such things do occur, undoubtedly37.' - She was stopped by a cough. Frank Churchill turned towards her to listen.
`You were speaking,' said he, gravely. She recovered her voice.
`I was only going to observe, that though such unfortunate circumstances do sometimes occur both to men and women, I cannot imagine them to be very frequent. A hasty and imprudent attachment38 may arise - but there is generally time to recover from it afterwards. I would be understood to mean, that it can be only weak, irresolute39 characters, (whose happiness must be always at the mercy of chance,) who will suffer an unfortunate acquaintance to be an inconvenience, an oppression for ever.'
He made no answer; merely looked, and bowed in submission40; and soon afterwards said, in a lively tone,
`Well, I have so little confidence in my own judgment, that whenever I marry, I hope some body will chuse my wife for me. Will you? (turning to Emma.) Will you chuse a wife for me? - I am sure I should like any body fixed41 on by you. You provide for the family, you know, (with a smile at his father). Find some body for me. I am in no hurry. Adopt her, educate her.'
`And make her like myself.'
`By all means, if you can.'
`Very well. I undertake the commission. You shall have a charming wife.'
`She must be very lively, and have hazle eyes. I care for nothing else. I shall go abroad for a couple of years - and when I return, I shall come to you for my wife. Remember.'
Emma was in no danger of forgetting. It was a commission to touch every favourite feeling. Would not Harriet be the very creature described? Hazle eyes excepted, two years more might make her all that he wished. He might even have Harriet in his thoughts at the moment; who could say? Referring the education to her seemed to imply it.
`Now, ma'am,' said Jane to her aunt, `shall we join Mrs. Elton?'
`If you please, my dear. With all my heart. I am quite ready. I was ready to have gone with her, but this will do just as well. We shall soon overtake her. There she is - no, that's somebody else. That's one of the ladies in the Irish car party, not at all like her. - Well, I declare - '
They walked off, followed in half a minute by Mr. Knightley. Mr. Weston, his son, Emma, and Harriet, only remained; and the young man's spirits now rose to a pitch almost unpleasant. Even Emma grew tired at last of flattery and merriment, and wished herself rather walking quietly about with any of the others, or sitting almost alone, and quite unattended to, in tranquil42 observation of the beautiful views beneath her. The appearance of the servants looking out for them to give notice of the carriages was a joyful43 sight; and even the bustle44 of collecting and preparing to depart, and the solicitude45 of Mrs. Elton to have her carriage first, were gladly endured, in the prospect7 of the quiet drive home which was to close the very questionable46 enjoyments47 of this day of pleasure. Such another scheme, composed of so many ill-assorted people, she hoped never to be betrayed into again.
While waiting for the carriage, she found Mr. Knightley by her side. He looked around, as if to see that no one were near, and then said,
`Emma, I must once more speak to you as I have been used to do: a privilege rather endured than allowed, perhaps, but I must still use it. I cannot see you acting48 wrong, without a remonstrance49. How could you be so unfeeling to Miss Bates? How could you be so insolent50 in your wit to a woman of her character, age, and situation? - Emma, I had not thought it possible.'
Emma recollected51, blushed, was sorry, but tried to laugh it off.
`Nay, how could I help saying what I did? - Nobody could have helped it. It was not so very bad. I dare say she did not understand me.'
`I assure you she did. She felt your full meaning. She has talked of it since. I wish you could have heard how she talked of it - with what candour and generosity52. I wish you could have heard her honouring your forbearance, in being able to pay her such attentions, as she was for ever receiving from yourself and your father, when her society must be so irksome.'
`Oh!' cried Emma, `I know there is not a better creature in the world: but you must allow, that what is good and what is ridiculous are most unfortunately blended in her.'
`They are blended,' said he, `I acknowledge; and, were she prosperous, I could allow much for the occasional prevalence of the ridiculous over the good. Were she a woman of fortune, I would leave every harmless absurdity53 to take its chance, I would not quarrel with you for any liberties of manner. Were she your equal in situation - but, Emma, consider how far this is from being the case. She is poor; she has sunk from the comforts she was born to; and, if she live to old age, must probably sink more. Her situation should secure your compassion54. It was badly done, indeed! You, whom she had known from an infant, whom she had seen grow up from a period when her notice was an honour, to have you now, in thoughtless spirits, and the pride of the moment, laugh at her, humble her - and before her niece, too - and before others, many of whom (certainly some,) would be entirely55 guided by your treatment of her. - This is not pleasant to you, Emma - and it is very far from pleasant to me; but I must, I will, - I will tell you truths while I can; satisfied with proving myself your friend by very faithful counsel, and trusting that you will some time or other do me greater justice than you can do now.'
While they talked, they were advancing towards the carriage; it was ready; and, before she could speak again, he had handed her in. He had misinterpreted the feelings which had kept her face averted56, and her tongue motionless. They were combined only of anger against herself, mortification57, and deep concern. She had not been able to speak; and, on entering the carriage, sunk back for a moment overcome - then reproaching herself for having taken no leave, making no acknowledgment, parting in apparent sullenness58, she looked out with voice and hand eager to shew a difference; but it was just too late. He had turned away, and the horses were in motion. She continued to look back, but in vain; and soon, with what appeared unusual speed, they were half way down the hill, and every thing left far behind. She was vexed59 beyond what could have been expressed - almost beyond what she could conceal60. Never had she felt so agitated61, mortified62, grieved, at any circumstance in her life. She was most forcibly struck. The truth of this representation there was no denying. She felt it at her heart. How could she have been so brutal63, so cruel to Miss Bates! How could she have exposed herself to such ill opinion in any one she valued! And how suffer him to leave her without saying one word of gratitude64, of concurrence65, of common kindness!
Time did not compose her. As she reflected more, she seemed but to feel it more. She never had been so depressed66. Happily it was not necessary to speak. There was only Harriet, who seemed not in spirits herself, fagged, and very willing to be silent; and Emma felt the tears running down her cheeks almost all the way home, without being at any trouble to check them, extraordinary as they were.
去博克斯山那天，天气非常好，加上在安排、装备、守时等环节上都做得不错，可以确保大家愉愉快快地出游。韦斯顿先生担任总指挥，奔走于哈特菲尔德和牧师住宅之间，稳妥地行使职责，人人都准时赶到。爱玛和哈丽特共一辆车，贝茨小姐、她外甥女与埃尔顿夫妇共一辆车，男士们则骑马。韦斯顿太太与伍德豪斯先生留在家里。真是一切俱备，只须到那儿快快活活地玩了。大家在欢乐的期盼中走完了七英里的路程，刚到目的地，人人都惊叹不已。但是总的说来，这一天还是有所欠缺的。一个个懒洋洋的，既没兴致，也不融洽，一直克服不了。队伍分得过于零散，埃尔顿夫妇走在一起，奈特利先生照料贝茨小姐和简，爱玛和哈丽特却跟着弗兰克·邱吉尔。韦斯顿先生试图让大家融洽一些，可是无济于事。起初似乎是偶然分散的，可后来一直没怎么变。其实，埃尔顿夫妇并非不愿意跟大家在一起，也并非不愿意尽量随和些，但是在山上的两个小时中，其他几群人之间似乎有一个原则，非要分开不可，而且这原则还很强烈，任凭有多美的景色，多好的冷点，任凭韦斯顿先生有多活跃，都无法改变。
爱玛从一开始就意兴索然。她从未见过弗兰克·邱吉尔如此沉闷，如此迟钝，他说的话没有一句值得一听——两眼视而不见——赞叹起来不知所云——听人说话又不知对方说些什么。他如此沉闷，也就难怪哈丽特会同样沉闷。他们两人真叫爱玛难以忍受。
等大家都坐下后，情况有了好转。在爱玛看来，情况好多了，因为弗兰克·邱吉尔变得健谈了，来了兴致，把她作为首要目标。他竭力把心思都花在她身上，似乎一心就想逗她高兴，讨她喜欢——而爱玛正想活跃一下，听一听对她的奉承，于是也变得快活、随和起来，给了他友好的鼓励，听任他献殷勤。在最初交往的日子里，两人关系最热烈的时候，她曾鼓励过他、听任过他。可是现在，她认为她这样做已经毫无意义，不过在大多数旁观者看来，他们的所作所为最好用“调情”两字来形容。“弗兰克·邱吉尔先生和伍德豪斯小姐调情调过头了。”他们受到了这样的非议——一位女士写信把这事传到了枫园，另一位女士写信把这事传到了爱尔兰。其实，爱玛并不是真的快活得忘乎所以，恰恰相反，她觉得自己并不快活。她因为失望而放声大笑。虽说她喜欢他献殷勤，认为这种殷勤不管是出于友谊、爱慕还是逢场作戏，都是十分妥当的，但是已经无法赢回她那颗心了。她仍然希望他做她的朋友。
“你叫我今天来，”弗兰克说，“我多感激你啊！要不是你劝说，我肯定要错过这次出游的乐趣。我当时已经打定主意要走了。”
“是呀，你当时情绪很不好。我也不知道是为什么，大概是来晚了，没采到最好的草莓。我对你太宽厚了。不过你倒挺谦恭的，一个劲儿地央求我命令你来。”
“别说我情绪不好。我是累了，热得受不了。”
“今天更热。”
“我倒不觉得。我今天非常舒服。”
“你因为接受了命令，所以才舒服的。”
“你的命令吧？是的。”
“也许我是想让你说这句话，但我的意思是你自己的命令。你昨天不知怎么越轨了，控制不住自己了，不过今天又控制住了——我不能总跟你在一起，你还是要相信，你的脾气受你自己的控制，而不是受我的控制。”
“那是一回事。我没有动机也就谈不到自我控制。不管你说不说话，我都听你的命令。你可以一直和我在一起。你就是一直和我在一起。”
“从昨天下午三点钟吧。我的永恒影响不可能比这来得更早，要不然，你在那之前不会闹情绪的。”
“昨天下午三点钟！那是你的说法。我想我第一次见到你是在二月。”
“你这样奉承人，真叫人无法应答。不过，”爱玛压低了声音，“除了我们俩以外，没有别人在说话。说些无聊的话为七个沉默不语的人解闷，这也太不像话了。”
“我可没说什么让我害臊的话，”弗兰克嬉皮笑脸、没羞没臊地答道。“我第一次见到你是在二月。山上的人要是能听见我说话，就让他们听好啦。我要扯高嗓门，让声音往这边传到密克尔汉姆，往那边传到多金。我第一次见到你是在二月。”随即小声说道：“我们的伙伴一个个呆头呆脑的，我们有什么办法让他们活跃起来呢？再怎么胡闹都可以。非叫他们说话不可。女士们，先生们，我奉伍德豪斯小姐之命（她到了哪儿就是哪儿的主宰），对你们说一声：她希望知道你们都在想些什么。”
有人笑了，快快活活地作了回答。贝茨小姐又喋喋不休了一番。埃尔顿太太听说伍德豪斯小姐是主宰，不禁气得鼓鼓的。奈特利先生的回答最独特。
“伍德豪斯小姐真想知道我们都在想些什么吗？”
“哦！不，不，”爱玛乐哈哈地大声嚷道。“绝没有的事。现在，我决不想因为这件事而讨个没趣。让我听什么都可以，就是不要让我听你们大家在想什么。我不是说都不要听。也许有一两位，”她瞟了韦斯顿先生和哈丽特一眼，“我听听他们的想法也无妨。”
“这种事情，”埃尔顿太太起劲地嚷道，“我就不认为自己有权过问。虽说我作为这次活动的监护人，也许——我从没加入过什么圈子——游览活动——年轻小姐——结了婚的女人——”
她嘟嘟哝哝的主要是说给她丈夫听的，她丈夫也嘟嘟哝哝地答道：
“说得对，亲爱的，说得对。千真万确——从没听到过——可是有些小姐信口开河什么话都说。就当作是开玩笑，别去理会。人人都知道你应受的尊重。”
“这可不行，”弗兰克对爱玛小声说道，“我们把大多数人都给得罪了。我要给他们点厉害瞧瞧。女士们，先生们——我奉伍德豪斯小姐之命对你们说，她放弃要知道你们大家都在想什么的权利，只是要求你们每个人说·一段有趣的话。大家一共是七个人，我要除外（她很高兴地说，我说的话已经很有趣了）。她只要求你们每个人，要么来一段绝妙的话，可以是散文，也可以是韵文，可以是自己编的，也可以是借月别人的——要么说两段还算巧妙的话——要么说三段着实笨拙的话，她听了一定会开怀大笑。”
“啊！那好，”贝茨小姐大声嚷道，“那我就不必担心了。‘三段着实笨拙的话。’你们知道，这正对我的口味。我一开口就能说三段笨拙的话，是吧？”她乐滋滋地四下望了一圈，相信人人都会表示赞同。“难道你们认为我不行吗？”
爱玛忍不住了。
“啊！小姐，那可有点难。对不起——数目上有个限制——一次只能讲三段。”
贝茨小姐被她那假装的客气神态蒙住了，没有马上领会她的意思。可是一旦醒悟过来，虽然不好发火，脸上却微微一红，可见她心里很难受。
“啊！是呀——那当然。是的，我领会她的意思了，”她转身对奈特利先生说，“我就尽量闭口不语。我一定非常惹人讨厌，不然她不会对一个老朋友说这样的话。”
“我赞成你的办法，”韦斯顿先生嚷道。“同意，同意。我将尽力而为。我现在出一个谜语。一个谜语怎么样？”
“怕是低级了吧，爸爸，太低级了，”他儿子答道。“不过我们要包涵一些——特别是对带头的人。”
“不，不，”爱玛说，“不算低级。韦斯顿先生出一个谜，他和他邻座的人就算过去了。来吧，先生，请说给我听听。”
“我自己也拿不准是不是绝妙，”韦斯顿先生说。“太切合实际了。不过是这样一个谜：字母表里哪两个字母表示完美？”
“哪两个字母！表示完美！我还真猜不出。”
“啊！你绝对猜不出。你吗，”韦斯顿先生对爱玛说，“我看也绝对猜不出。我告诉你吧。是M和A。Em-ma（这个所谓的谜语，旨在奉承爱玛，因为M和A这两个字母连读起来很像“爱玛”Emma）。明白了吗？”
爱玛明白了，也很得意。这是个很平常的谜语，可是爱玛却觉得很好笑，很有趣——弗兰克和哈丽特也这样认为。其他人似乎并没有同感。有人看上去大惑不解，奈特利先生一本正经地说：
“这说明我们缺的正是这种绝妙的东西，韦斯顿先生表现得很出色，但他把别人都难倒了。完美不该这么快就说出来。”
“哦！至于我吗，我要说你们一定得免了我，”埃尔顿太太说。“我可真的不能猜啊——我压根儿不喜欢这种东西。有一次，有人用我的名字拆写成一首离合诗送给我，我就一点也不喜欢。我知道是谁送给我的。一个令人讨厌的傻瓜！你知道我是说谁——”她对丈夫点点头。“这种东西在圣诞节那天，坐在炉边玩一玩倒还挺不错，但是在夏天郊游的时候，我觉得就不合适了。伍德豪斯小姐一定得把我免了。我这个人可不是谁一吩咐就能说出什么妙语来。我并不自命为妙语连珠的人。我非常活跃，有自己的活跃方式，但什么时候该开口说话，什么时候该闭口不语，你们的确应当让我自己来决定。请放过我们吧，邱吉尔先生。放过埃先生、奈特利、简和我。我们说不出什么巧妙的话——我们谁也说不出。”
“是呀，是呀，请放过我吧，”她丈夫带着自我解嘲的口吻接着说道。“我可说不出什么妙语来，供伍德豪斯小姐或其他年轻小姐逗趣。一个结了婚的老头儿——完全不中用了。我们去走走吧，奥古斯塔？”
“我完全赞成。在一个地方玩这么久，真叫人腻烦。来吧，简，挽住我另一只胳膊。”
然而简没有依从，他们夫妇俩便自己走了。“幸福的一对呀！”等他们走远了，弗兰克·邱吉尔说道。“天造地设的一对！太幸运了——只是在公共场合认识的，居然结婚了！我想他们只是在巴思认识了几个星期吧！幸运得出奇！要说在巴思这样的公共场合对人的品性能有什么真正的了解——那是不可能的。那是不可能了解的。你只有看见女人像平常那样待在自己家里，待在自己人中间，才能作出正确的判断。做不到这一点，一切都是猜测，都是碰运气——而ft一般都是坏运气。有多少人没认识多久就结婚，然后抱恨终身！”
费尔法克斯小姐先前除了跟知己朋友以外，跟别人很少说话，这时却开口了。
“的确有这种事。”她的话被一阵咳嗽打断了。弗兰克·邱吉尔转过脸来听她说说。
“你还没说完吧，”他说。简的嗓子又恢复了正常。
“我只是想说，虽然男人和女人有时候都会遇到这种倒霉的事，但是我想并不是很多。可能会出现仓促而轻率的恋情——但事后一般还来得及弥补。我的意思是说，只有意志薄弱、优柔寡断的人（他们的幸福总是取决于运气），才会让不幸的恋情酿成终身的烦恼和痛苦。”
弗兰克没有回答，只是望着她，谦恭地鞠了个躬，然后用轻快的语调说：
“唉，我太不相信自己的眼力了，我要是结婚的话，希望有个人为我选个妻子。你愿意吗？”他转身对爱玛说。“你愿意为我选个妻子吗？不管你选中谁，我一定会喜欢的。你知道，你善于给我们家撮合妻子，”他朝他父亲笑笑。“给我找一个吧。我不急。收养她，教育她。”
“把她教育成我这样的人。”
“能这样当然最好。”
“那好。我接受这个任务，一定给你找一个迷人的妻子。”
“她一定要非常活泼，有一双淡褐色的眼睛。我不喜欢别的。我要去国外两年——回来的时候就找你要妻子。记住啦。”
爱玛是不会忘记的。这件事正合她的心意。哈丽特不正是他所形容的那种妻子吗？只有淡褐色的眼睛除外，再过两年也许就完全中他的意了。甚至就在现在，他心里想的也许就是哈丽特，谁说得准呢？他向她提起教育的事，似乎就是一个暗示。
“姨妈，”简对她姨妈说，“我们到埃尔顿太太那儿去好吗？”
“好吧，亲爱的。我完全赞成。我刚才就想跟她去的，不过这样也好。我们很快就能赶上她。她在那儿——不，那是另一个人。那是乘爱尔兰马车游览的一位小姐，一点都不像她。嗯，我敢说——”
她们走了，奈特利先生也当即跟着去了，剩下的只有韦斯顿先生、他儿子、爱玛和哈丽特。那位年轻人的情绪这时变得几乎令人不快了。甚至爱玛也终于对奉承和说笑感到厌倦了，只希望能有个人陪她安静地四处溜达溜达，或者一个人坐着，不要什么人陪伴，静心观赏一下下面的景色。仆人来找他们，告知马车准备好了，这倒是件令人高兴的事。就连收拾东西和准备动身的忙碌情景，以及埃尔顿太太急着要让她自己的马车先走，她都高高兴兴地没有介意，因为马上就可以安安安静静地回家了，结束这本是寻求快乐却无什么快乐可言的一天的活动。她希望以后再也不要上当，卷入由这么多相互格格不入的人参与的活动了。
等马车的时候，她发现奈特利先生就在她身边。他向四下瞅了瞅，仿佛要看看附近有没有人，然后说：
“我要像过去那样，再跟你谈一次：也许这一特权不是要你容许，而是要你容忍，我是一定要使用这一特权的。我眼见着你做错事，不能不劝劝你。你对贝茨小姐怎么能那么冷酷无情呢？你是聪明人，怎么能对一个像她那种性格、那个年龄、那般处境的女人那么傲慢无礼呢？爱玛，我没想到你会这样。”
爱玛想了想，脸红了起来，心里感到愧疚，但又想一笑置之。
“不过，我怎么忍得住不那么说呢？谁也忍不住呀。事情没那么严重。我看她还不懂我的意思呢。”
“我敢说她懂。她完全懂得你的意思。她事后一直在谈这件事。我倒希望你能听听她是怎么说的——多么坦率，多么宽厚。我希望你能听听她多么敬重你的涵养，她说她是个令人讨厌的人，可是你和你父亲却能这样关心她。”
“哦！”爱玛大声说道，“我知道天下没有比她更好的人了，可你得承认，在她身上，善良的成分与可笑的成分极其不幸地混合在一起了。”
“是混合在一起，”奈特利先生说，“这我承认。如果她很有钱，我可以容许偶尔多看看她的可笑之处，而少看重她的善良之处。如果她是个有钱的女人，我可以听任无伤大雅的荒唐行为，不会为了你的冒昧举动同你争论。假如她跟你的境况一样——可是，爱玛，你想想实际情况远非如此。她家境贫困，她出生时家里还挺宽裕，后来就败落下来了，到了晚年也许还会更加潦倒。她的处境应该引起你的同情。你这件事做得真不像话！你还是个娃娃的时候，她就认识你；她看着你从小长大的，而那时候，受到她的关怀还被视为一种光荣呢。而现在却好，你愣头愣脑，凭着一时的傲气，嘲笑她，奚落她——还当着她外甥女的面——当着别人的面，而在这些人中，有许多人（当然是几个）会完全学着你的样子来对待她。这话你不会喜欢听，爱玛，我也决不喜欢讲，可是，在我办得到的时候，我必须，我要——我要对你讲实话，通过以诚相告来证明我是你的朋友，并且相信，我的好意你即使现在不理解，以后总有一天会理解的。”
他们一边谈一边朝马车走去。马车已经准备好了。没等爱玛再开口，奈特利先生就把她扶上了车。见爱玛总是背着个脸，嘴里一声不吭，奈特利先生误解了她心里的想法。她只不过是对自己生气，感到又羞愧又懊悔罢了。她说不出话来，一上车就将身子往后一靠，心里难过极了——随即便责怪自己没有告别，没有道谢，显然是在怏怏不乐中离开的。她连忙往窗外看去，又要跟他说话，又是向他挥手，急于想表露出另一副心态。可惜太晚了。奈特利先生已经转身走了，马已经跑起来了。她不停地往后看，但是没有用。马车似乎跑得特别快，不一会工夫就下到了半山腰，把一切都远远地抛在了后面。她苦恼得无法形容——几乎也无法掩饰。她长了这么大，还从来没有因为什么事而如此激动、如此懊恼、如此伤心过。她受到了极大的打击。他那一席话说得非常中肯，那是无可否认的，她打心眼里接受。她对贝茨小姐怎么能那么粗鲁、那么冷酷啊！她怎么能给一个她所敬重的人留下这样的不良印象啊！她怎么能不说一句表示感激、认错或一般礼节性的话，就让他走了呢！
时间也没让她平静下来。她似乎越想越难受。她从来没有这样沮丧过。幸好用不着说话。身边只有哈丽特，而哈丽特好像也不快活，觉得很累，懒得说话。一路上爱玛感到泪水在顺着脸颊往下淌，尽管很奇怪，她并没有试图去抑制。
收听单词发音 |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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unwillingness
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| n. 不愿意，不情愿 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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collation
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| n.便餐；整理 | |
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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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animating
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| v.使有生气( animate的现在分词 )；驱动；使栩栩如生地动作；赋予…以生命 | |
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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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flirtation
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| n.调情，调戏，挑逗 | |
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flirted
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| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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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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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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affronted
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| adj.被侮辱的，被冒犯的v.勇敢地面对( affront的过去式和过去分词 )；相遇 | |
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waives
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| v.宣布放弃( waive的第三人称单数 )；搁置；推迟；放弃（权利、要求等） | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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dependence
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| n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属 | |
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conundrum
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| n.谜语；难题 | |
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abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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sneering
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| 嘲笑的，轻蔑的 | |
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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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rued
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| v.对…感到后悔( rue的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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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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tranquil
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| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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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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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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questionable
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| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
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enjoyments
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| 愉快( enjoyment的名词复数 )； 令人愉快的事物； 享有； 享受 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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recollected
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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53
absurdity
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| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
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54
compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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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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56
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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57
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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58
sullenness
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| n. 愠怒, 沉闷, 情绪消沉 | |
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vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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60
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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63
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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concurrence
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| n.同意；并发 | |
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depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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