It was a very great relief to Emma to find Harriet as desirous as herself to avoid a meeting. Their intercourse1 was painful enough by letter. How much worse, had they been obliged to meet!
Harriet expressed herself very much as might be supposed, without reproaches, or apparent sense of ill-usage; and yet Emma fancied there was a something of resentment2, a something bordering on it in her style, which increased the desirableness of their being separate. - It might be only her own consciousness; but it seemed as if an angel only could have been quite without resentment under such a stroke.
She had no difficulty in procuring3 Isabella's invitation; and she was fortunate in having a sufficient reason for asking it, without resorting to invention. - There was a tooth amiss. Harriet really wished, and had wished some time, to consult a dentist. Mrs. John Knightley was delighted to be of use; any thing of ill health was a recommendation to her - and though not so fond of a dentist as of a Mr. Wingfield, she was quite eager to have Harriet under her care. - When it was thus settled on her sister's side, Emma proposed it to her friend, and found her very persuadable. - Harriet was to go; she was invited for at least a fortnight; she was to be conveyed in Mr. Woodhouse's carriage. - It was all arranged, it was all completed, and Harriet was safe in Brunswick Square.
Now Emma could, indeed, enjoy Mr. Knightley's visits; now she could talk, and she could listen with true happiness, unchecked by that sense of injustice4, of guilt5, of something most painful, which had haunted her when remembering how disappointed a heart was near her, how much might at that moment, and at a little distance, be enduring by the feelings which she had led astray herself.
The difference of Harriet at Mrs. Goddard's, or in London, made perhaps an unreasonable6 difference in Emma's sensations; but she could not think of her in London without objects of curiosity and employment, which must be averting7 the past, and carrying her out of herself.
She would not allow any other anxiety to succeed directly to the place in her mind which Harriet had occupied. There was a communication before her, one which she only could be competent to make - the confession8 of her engagement to her father; but she would have nothing to do with it at present. - She had resolved to defer9 the disclosure till Mrs. Weston were safe and well. No additional agitation10 should be thrown at this period among those she loved - and the evil should not act on herself by anticipation11 before the appointed time. - A fortnight, at least, of leisure and peace of mind, to crown every warmer, but more agitating12, delight, should be hers.
She soon resolved, equally as a duty and a pleasure, to employ half an hour of this holiday of spirits in calling on Miss Fairfax. - She ought to go - and she was longing13 to see her; the resemblance of their present situations increasing every other motive14 of goodwill15. It would be a secret satisfaction; but the consciousness of a similarity of prospect16 would certainly add to the interest with which she should attend to any thing Jane might communicate.
She went - she had driven once unsuccessfully to the door, but had not been into the house since the morning after Box Hill, when poor Jane had been in such distress17 as had filled her with compassion18, though all the worst of her sufferings had been unsuspected. - The fear of being still unwelcome, determined19 her, though assured of their being at home, to wait in the passage, and send up her name. - She heard Patty announcing it; but no such bustle20 succeeded as poor Miss Bates had before made so happily intelligible21. - No; she heard nothing but the instant reply of, `Beg her to walk up;' - and a moment afterwards she was met on the stairs by Jane herself, coming eagerly forward, as if no other reception of her were felt sufficient. - Emma had never seen her look so well, so lovely, so engaging. There was consciousness, animation22, and warmth; there was every thing which her countenance23 or manner could ever have wanted. - She came forward with an offered hand; and said, in a low, but very feeling tone,
`This is most kind, indeed! - Miss Woodhouse, it is impossible for me to express - I hope you will believe - Excuse me for being so entirely24 without words.'
Emma was gratified, and would soon have shewn no want of words, if the sound of Mrs. Elton's voice from the sitting-room25 had not checked her, and made it expedient26 to compress all her friendly and all her congratulatory sensations into a very, very earnest shake of the hand.
Mrs. Bates and Mrs. Elton were together. Miss Bates was out, which accounted for the previous tranquillity27. Emma could have wished Mrs. Elton elsewhere; but she was in a humour to have patience with every body; and as Mrs. Elton met her with unusual graciousness, she hoped the rencontre would do them no harm.
She soon believed herself to penetrate28 Mrs. Elton's thoughts, and understand why she was, like herself, in happy spirits; it was being in Miss Fairfax's confidence, and fancying herself acquainted with what was still a secret to other people. Emma saw symptoms of it immediately in the expression of her face; and while paying her own compliments to Mrs. Bates, and appearing to attend to the good old lady's replies, she saw her with a sort of anxious parade of mystery fold up a letter which she had apparently29 been reading aloud to Miss Fairfax, and return it into the purple and gold reticule by her side, saying, with significant nods,
`We can finish this some other time, you know. You and I shall not want opportunities. And, in fact, you have heard all the essential already. I only wanted to prove to you that Mrs. S. admits our apology, and is not offended. You see how delightfully30 she writes. Oh! she is a sweet creature! You would have doated on her, had you gone. - But not a word more. Let us be discreet31 - quite on our good behaviour. - Hush32! - You remember those lines - I forget the poem at this moment:
`For when a lady's in the case, `You know all other things give place.'
Now I say, my dear, in our case, for lady, read - - mum! a word to the wise. - I am in a fine flow of spirits, an't I? But I want to set your heart at ease as to Mrs. S. - My representation, you see, has quite appeased33 her.'
And again, on Emma's merely turning her head to look at Mrs. Bates's knitting, she added, in a half whisper,
`I mentioned no names, you will observe. - Oh! no; cautious as a minister of state. I managed it extremely well.'
Emma could not doubt. It was a palpable display, repeated on every possible occasion. When they had all talked a little while in harmony of the weather and Mrs. Weston, she found herself abruptly35 addressed with,
`Do not you think, Miss Woodhouse, our saucy36 little friend here is charmingly recovered? - Do not you think her cure does Perry the highest credit? - (here was a side-glance of great meaning at Jane.) Upon my word, Perry has restored her in a wonderful short time! - Oh! if you had seen her, as I did, when she was at the worst!' - And when Mrs. Bates was saying something to Emma, whispered farther, `We do not say a word of any assistance that Perry might have; not a word of a certain young physician from Windsor. - Oh! no; Perry shall have all the credit.'
`I have scarce had the pleasure of seeing you, Miss Woodhouse,' she shortly afterwards began, `since the party to Box Hill. Very pleasant party. But yet I think there was something wanting. Things did not seem - that is, there seemed a little cloud upon the spirits of some. - So it appeared to me at least, but I might be mistaken. However, I think it answered so far as to tempt37 one to go again. What say you both to our collecting the same party, and exploring to Box Hill again, while the fine weather lasts? - It must be the same party, you know, quite the same party, not one exception.'
Soon after this Miss Bates came in, and Emma could not help being diverted by the perplexity of her first answer to herself, resulting, she supposed, from doubt of what might be said, and impatience38 to say every thing.
`Thank you, dear Miss Woodhouse, you are all kindness. - It is impossible to say - Yes, indeed, I quite understand - dearest Jane's prospects39 - that is, I do not mean. - But she is charmingly recovered. - How is Mr. Woodhouse? - I am so glad. - Quite out of my power. - Such a happy little circle as you find us here. - Yes, indeed. - Charming young man! - that is - so very friendly; I mean good Mr. Perry! - such attention to Jane!' - And from her great, her more than commonly thankful delight towards Mrs. Elton for being there, Emma guessed that there had been a little show of resentment towards Jane, from the vicarage quarter, which was now graciously overcome. - After a few whispers, indeed, which placed it beyond a guess, Mrs. Elton, speaking louder, said,
`Yes, here I am, my good friend; and here I have been so long, that anywhere else I should think it necessary to apologise; but, the truth is, that I am waiting for my lord and master. He promised to join me here, and pay his respects to you.'
`What! are we to have the pleasure of a call from Mr. Elton? - That will be a favour indeed! for I know gentlemen do not like morning visits, and Mr. Elton's time is so engaged.'
`Upon my word it is, Miss Bates. - He really is engaged from morning to night. - There is no end of people's coming to him, on some pretence40 or other. - The magistrates41, and overseers, and churchwardens, are always wanting his opinion. They seem not able to do any thing without him. - ``Upon my word, Mr. E.,'' I often say, ``rather you than I. - I do not know what would become of my crayons and my instrument, if I had half so many applicants42.'' - Bad enough as it is, for I absolutely neglect them both to an unpardonable degree. - I believe I have not played a bar this fortnight. - However, he is coming, I assure you: yes, indeed, on purpose to wait on you all.' And putting up her hand to screen her words from Emma - `A congratulatory visit, you know. - Oh! yes, quite indispensable.'
Miss Bates looked about her, so happily! -
`He promised to come to me as soon as he could disengage himself from Knightley; but he and Knightley are shut up together in deep consultation43. - Mr. E. is Knightley's right hand.'
Emma would not have smiled for the world, and only said, `Is Mr. Elton gone on foot to Donwell? - He will have a hot walk.'
`Oh! no, it is a meeting at the Crown, a regular meeting. Weston and Cole will be there too; but one is apt to speak only of those who lead. - I fancy Mr. E. and Knightley have every thing their own way.'
`Have not you mistaken the day?' said Emma. `I am almost certain that the meeting at the Crown is not till to-morrow. - Mr. Knightley was at Hartfield yesterday, and spoke44 of it as for Saturday.'
`Oh! no, the meeting is certainly to-day,' was the abrupt34 answer, which denoted the impossibility of any blunder on Mrs. Elton's side. - `I do believe,' she continued, `this is the most troublesome parish that ever was. We never heard of such things at Maple45 Grove46.'
`Your parish there was small,' said Jane.
`Upon my word, my dear, I do not know, for I never heard the subject talked of.'
`But it is proved by the smallness of the school, which I have heard you speak of, as under the patronage47 of your sister and Mrs. Bragge; the only school, and not more than five-and-twenty children.'
`Ah! you clever creature, that's very true. What a thinking brain you have! I say, Jane, what a perfect character you and I should make, if we could be shaken together. My liveliness and your solidity would produce perfection. - Not that I presume to insinuate48, however, that some people may not think you perfection already. - But hush! - not a word, if you please.'
It seemed an unnecessary caution; Jane was wanting to give her words, not to Mrs. Elton, but to Miss Woodhouse, as the latter plainly saw. The wish of distinguishing her, as far as civility permitted, was very evident, though it could not often proceed beyond a look.
Mr. Elton made his appearance. His lady greeted him with some of her sparkling vivacity49.
`Very pretty, sir, upon my word; to send me on here, to be an encumbrance50 to my friends, so long before you vouchsafe51 to come! - But you knew what a dutiful creature you had to deal with. You knew I should not stir till my lord and master appeared. - Here have I been sitting this hour, giving these young ladies a sample of true conjugal52 obedience53 - for who can say, you know, how soon it may be wanted?'
Mr. Elton was so hot and tired, that all this wit seemed thrown away. His civilities to the other ladies must be paid; but his subsequent object was to lament54 over himself for the heat he was suffering, and the walk he had had for nothing.
`When I got to Donwell,' said he, `Knightley could not be found. Very odd! very unaccountable! after the note I sent him this morning, and the message he returned, that he should certainly be at home till one.'
`Donwell!' cried his wife. - `My dear Mr. E., you have not been to Donwell! - You mean the Crown; you come from the meeting at the Crown.'
`No, no, that's to-morrow; and I particularly wanted to see Knightley to-day on that very account. - Such a dreadful broiling55 morning! - I went over the fields too - (speaking in a tone of great ill-usage,) which made it so much the worse. And then not to find him at home! I assure you I am not at all pleased. And no apology left, no message for me. The housekeeper56 declared she knew nothing of my being expected. - Very extraordinary! - And nobody knew at all which way he was gone. Perhaps to Hartfield, perhaps to the Abbey Mill, perhaps into his woods. - Miss Woodhouse, this is not like our friend Knightley! - Can you explain it?'
Emma amused herself by protesting that it was very extraordinary, indeed, and that she had not a syllable57 to say for him.
`I cannot imagine,' said Mrs. Elton, (feeling the indignity58 as a wife ought to do,) `I cannot imagine how he could do such a thing by you, of all people in the world! The very last person whom one should expect to be forgotten! - My dear Mr. E., he must have left a message for you, I am sure he must. - Not even Knightley could be so very eccentric; - and his servants forgot it. Depend upon it, that was the case: and very likely to happen with the Donwell servants, who are all, I have often observed, extremely awkward and remiss59. - I am sure I would not have such a creature as his Harry60 stand at our sideboard for any consideration. And as for Mrs. Hodges, Wright holds her very cheap indeed. - She promised Wright a receipt, and never sent it.'
`I met William Larkins,' continued Mr. Elton, `as I got near the house, and he told me I should not find his master at home, but I did not believe him. - William seemed rather out of humour. He did not know what was come to his master lately, he said, but he could hardly ever get the speech of him. I have nothing to do with William's wants, but it really is of very great importance that I should see Knightley to-day; and it becomes a matter, therefore, of very serious inconvenience that I should have had this hot walk to no purpose.'
Emma felt that she could not do better than go home directly. In all probability she was at this very time waited for there; and Mr. Knightley might be preserved from sinking deeper in aggression61 towards Mr. Elton, if not towards William Larkins.
She was pleased, on taking leave, to find Miss Fairfax determined to attend her out of the room, to go with her even downstairs; it gave her an opportunity which she immediately made use of, to say,
`It is as well, perhaps, that I have not had the possibility. Had you not been surrounded by other friends, I might have been tempted62 to introduce a subject, to ask questions, to speak more openly than might have been strictly63 correct. - I feel that I should certainly have been impertinent.'
`Oh!' cried Jane, with a blush and an hesitation64 which Emma thought infinitely65 more becoming to her than all the elegance66 of all her usual composure - `there would have been no danger. The danger would have been of my wearying you. You could not have gratified me more than by expressing an interest - . Indeed, Miss Woodhouse, (speaking more collectedly,) with the consciousness which I have of misconduct, very great misconduct, it is particularly consoling to me to know that those of my friends, whose good opinion is most worth preserving, are not disgusted to such a degree as to - I have not time for half that I could wish to say. I long to make apologies, excuses, to urge something for myself. I feel it so very due. But, unfortunately - in short, if your compassion does not stand my friend - '
`Oh! you are too scrupulous67, indeed you are,' cried Emma warmly, and taking her hand. `You owe me no apologies; and every body to whom you might be supposed to owe them, is so perfectly68 satisfied, so delighted even - '
`You are very kind, but I know what my manners were to you. - So cold and artificial! - I had always a part to act. - It was a life of deceit! - I know that I must have disgusted you.'
`Pray say no more. I feel that all the apologies should be on my side. Let us forgive each other at once. We must do whatever is to be done quickest, and I think our feelings will lose no time there. I hope you have pleasant accounts from Windsor?'
`Very.'
`And the next news, I suppose, will be, that we are to lose you - just as I begin to know you.'
`Oh! as to all that, of course nothing can be thought of yet. I am here till claimed by Colonel and Mrs. Campbell.'
`Nothing can be actually settled yet, perhaps,' replied Emma, smiling - `but, excuse me, it must be thought of.'
The smile was returned as Jane answered,
`You are very right; it has been thought of. And I will own to you, (I am sure it will be safe), that so far as our living with Mr. Churchill at Enscombe, it is settled. There must be three months, at least, of deep mourning; but when they are over, I imagine there will be nothing more to wait for.'
`Thank you, thank you. - This is just what I wanted to be assured of. - Oh! if you knew how much I love every thing that is decided69 and open! - Good-bye, good-bye.'
爱玛发现哈丽特跟她一样，也想避免与她见面，这才大大松了一口气。她们的书信来往已经够令人痛苦了，假如不得不见见面，那该有多糟糕啊！
哈丽特正如人们可以猜想的那样表达了自己的思想，没有什么责备的话，也没有明显的受愚弄的感觉。不过，爱玛总感觉她有几分怨气，笔调上有点近乎怨气的味道，因此越发觉得两人分开好。这也许只是她自己神经过敏，但是看起来，只有天使才会受到这样的打击而毫无怨气。
她轻而易举地为哈丽特弄到了伊莎贝拉的邀请。她凑巧有个充分的理由提出这一要求，而不需要编造什么借口。哈丽特有一颗牙齿出了毛病，真想找个牙医看看，而且早就有这个愿望。约翰·奈特利太太就乐于帮忙，不管谁有什么病，她都愿意出力——虽说她喜欢温菲尔德先生胜过喜欢牙医，但她还是非常热心地要来照料哈丽特。姐姐作了这样的安排之后，爱玛便向她的朋友提出了这一建议，发现朋友倒挺容易说通的。哈丽特决定要去。伊莎贝拉邀请她至少住上两个星期。她将坐伍德豪斯先生的马车去。一切都安排好了，也都完成了，哈丽特平平安安地住到了布伦斯威尔广场。
现在，爱玛可以真正享受奈特利先生来访的乐趣了。现在，她可以满心欢喜地谈，满心欢喜地听，不用感到亏待了别人，不用感到问心有愧，不用感到痛苦不堪。以前，一想起身边有个心灰意冷的人，想起那个被她爱玛引入歧途的人正在不远的地方忍受着多大的痛苦，她就心绪不宁。
哈丽特在戈达德太太家和在伦敦会有所不同，而这不同也许在爱玛心里引起了不合情理的差异。她认为她到了伦敦定会有新奇的东西吸引她，使她有事可做，从而不再去想过去，从内心的痛苦中解脱儿出来。
心头释去哈丽特这个重负之后，她不想马上再招致任何其他烦恼。接下来有一件事，只有她才能办得到，那就是向父亲承认自己订了婚。但她眼下还不想这样做——她已经打定主意，要等韦斯顿太太平安分娩后再宣布。在这期间，不能再给她心爱的人增添激动了——也不能没到时候就过早地自找麻烦。经历了种种惬意的、甚至令人激动的快乐之后，她至少应该平平静静、悠然自得地过上两个星期。
不久她就决定，她要在心理调整的这段时间里，抽出半个小时去看看费尔法克斯小姐，这既是一种责任，又是一种乐趣。她应该去——她渴望去看她。她们目前的处境颇为相似，这就越发激起了要交好的动机。这只是一种秘而不宣的得意。不过，由于意识到两人前景相似，简无论说什么话，她自然会兴致勃勃地听下去。
她去了——她有一次曾坐车到过她家门口，但却吃了闭门羹。自从去博克斯山游玩以来，她还没去过她们家。那天早上，可怜的简忍受着很大的痛苦，爱玛虽说没猜到什么事惹她最痛苦，但还是对她满怀同情。她唯恐这次还不受欢迎，因此，尽管料定她们都在家，还是决定在走廊里等候，只是报了姓名。她听见帕蒂通报她的名字，可是并没有可怜的贝茨小姐以前跟她所说的那种忙乱，没有。她当即听见一声回答：“请她上来。”转眼工夫，简亲自匆匆地跑下楼梯来接她，仿佛不这样就算不上欢迎似的。爱玛从未见她气色这么好，这么可爱，这么迷人。她有点难为情，但却充满活力，热情洋溢，仪容举止中以前可能缺少的东西，现在倒是一应俱备。她伸出手迎上前来，用低微而动情的语调说道：
“你真是太好了！伍德豪斯小姐，我没法表达——我希望你相信——请原谅我都讲不出话了。”
爱玛非常高兴，若不是从起坐间传来埃尔顿太太的声音，使她欲言又止，只好把满肚子的友好情谊和良好祝愿凝聚在一阵非常热诚的握手之中，那她马上就会表明她并非没话可说。
贝茨太太陪着埃尔顿太太，贝茨小姐出去了，难怪刚才屋里那么安静。爱玛本来希望埃尔顿太太不在这里，可她现在处于这样的心情，对谁都有耐心。见埃尔顿太太异常客气地迎接她，她心想见见面对她们俩不会有什么坏处。
过了不久，她就觉得自己看透了埃尔顿太太的心思，明白她为什么像她自己一样兴高采烈：因为费尔法克斯小姐向她吐露了真情，她自以为知道了别人还不知道的秘密。爱玛当即从她的面部表情看出了这一迹象。她一边向贝茨太太问好，一边显出在聆听这位善良的老太太的答话，只见埃尔顿太太露出急切而神秘的神情，把她显然在念给费尔法克斯小姐听的一封信叠起来，放回身边那个金紫两色的网袋，意味深长地点点头说：
“我们改天再把它念完吧。我跟你有的是机会。其实，主要的内容你已经都听到了。我只是想向你证明，斯太太接受了我们的道歉，没有生气。你瞧，她信里写得多么中听。哦！她真是个可爱的人儿！你要是去了，一定会喜欢她的。不过，这事别再提了。我们要小心些——处处得小心行事。嘘！你记得那几行——这当儿，我把那首诗给忘了：‘因为在关系到一位女士的情况下，你知道，其他的一切都得让位。’（译注：引自英国诗人、剧作家约翰·盖伊（1685-1732）所著《寓言》中的《野兔和朋友》）
我说，亲爱的，在我们的情况下，对女士来说，读吧——别出声！对聪明人说的话。我兴致很高，是吧？可是，我要让你别为斯太太的事着急。你瞧，我的话已经使她心平气和了。”
趁爱玛回头去看贝茨太太织东西的当儿，她又小声补充说：
“你会注意到，我没有指名道姓。哦！没有。像大臣一样谨慎。我处理得极其稳妥。”
爱玛无法怀疑。这显然是炫耀，一有机会就要重复一次。几个人一起谈了一会天气和韦斯顿太太之后，只听埃尔顿太太突然对她说：
“伍德豪斯小姐，你看我们这位漂亮的小朋友不是完全复原了吗？她的病给治好了，难道你不觉得佩里先生非常了不起吗？”说到这里，她意味深长地瞟了简一眼。“我敢说，佩里先生把她治好了，快得真是惊人啊！哦！你要是像我这样，在她病得最重的时候看到过她就好了！”贝茨太太跟爱玛说什么事的时候，她又小声说道：“我们只字木提佩里得到什么帮助，只字不提从温莎来的一位年轻医生。哦！不，全要归功于佩里先生。”
“自从游博克斯山以后，伍德豪斯小姐，”她随即又说，“我几乎不曾有幸与你见面。那次玩得很快活，不过我觉得还有点欠缺。看起来似乎并不——就是说，有人似乎情绪不怎么高。至少我是这么看的，但我也许会看错。不过，我想还是挺有意思的，能诱人再去游览。趁天气好，我们集结原班人马再去游一次博克斯山，你们看怎么样？一定要原班人马，你要知道，完全是原班人马，一个也不例外。”
过了不久，贝茨小姐进来了。爱玛见她回答她的第一句话时有点困惑不安，不由得感到很有趣。她心想，那也许是因为不知道说什么好，而又急于什么都想说。
“谢谓t你，亲爱的伍德豪斯小姐，你真是太好了。真不知怎么说——是呀，我心里真的很清楚——最亲爱的简的前途——就是说，我不是那个意思。不过她完全复原了。伍德豪斯先生好吗？我真高兴。我真是没有办法。你看我们几个人有多么快活。是呀，一点不假。多可爱的年轻人！就是说——那么友善。我说的是好心的佩里先生。对简关怀备至！”埃尔顿太太这次能来，贝茨小姐感到非常高兴，非常欣慰，爱玛猜想牧师家对简一定有过不满，现在和好了。两人又小声嘟哝了几句，但别人猜不着说的是什么，然后埃尔顿太太抬高嗓门说道：
“是呀，我来了，我的好朋友。我来了很久了，要是换个别的地方，我看非要告辞不可了。不过，事实上我在等我丈夫。他答应到这儿来找我，也看看你们。”
”什么！埃尔顿先生要光临？真是赏脸啊！我知道男士们不喜欢早上到人家家去，而埃尔顿先生又那么忙。”
“他的确很忙，贝茨小姐。他真是从早忙到晚，找他的人络绎不绝，不是为这件事就是为那件事。地方长官、管救济的人、教会执事总要向他讨教。离开了他，他们好像什么事也办不成。、‘说真的，埃先生生，’我常说，‘幸好是你．而不是我。要是有一半人来找我，那我的画画和弹琴不知会怎么样了。’其实也够糟糕的了，因为我两样事都荒疏了，简直到了不可原谅的地步。我想这两个星期我连一小节都没弹过。不过，你们放心好了，他会来的。是的，的确是特意来看看你们大家。”她抬起收遮住嘴，不让爱玛听见她的话。“来道喜的，你知道。哦！是呀，小能不来啊。”
贝茨小姐向四下看看，心里乐滋滋的！
“他答应从奈特利先生那儿一脱身，马上就来找我。不过，他正在跟奈特利先生关在屋里深入商谈事情呢。埃先生可是奈特利的得力助手啊。”
爱玛说什么也不想笑，只是说：“埃尔顿先生是走着去当维尔的吗？那走起来可够热的了。”
“啊！不对，是在克朗旅店开会，一次例会。韦斯顿和科尔也去，不过人们只说那些带头儿的。依我看，埃先生和奈特利做什么事都是想怎么办就怎么办。”
“你没把日子搞错吧？”爱玛说。“我几乎可以肯定，克朗旅店的会要到明天才开。奈特利先生昨天还在哈特菲尔德，说是星期六开会。”
“啊！不对，肯定是今天开会，”埃尔顿太太一口咬定说，表示她不可能搞错。“依我看，”她接着说，“就数这个教区麻烦事儿最多。我们枫园可从没听说过这种事儿。”
“你们那个教区很小，”简说。
“说真的，亲爱的，我也说不准，我从没听人说过这话。”
“不过这可以从学校小看得出来。我听你说起过，这学校是你姐姐和布雷格太太办的，就这么一所学校，总共才二十五个孩子。”
“啊！你这个机灵鬼，说得一点不错。你真会动脑子！我说简，我们俩要是能拧到一起，那会构成一个多么完美的人啊。我的活泼加上你的稳重，就会十全十美。不过，我的意思并不是说，有人或许认为你还不够完美。可是，嘘！请别说了。”
这似乎是个不必要的告诫，简不是想跟埃尔顿太太说话，而是想跟伍德豪斯小姐说话，这一点伍德豪斯小姐看得很清楚。简想要在礼貌允许的范围内，尽量对她敬重有加，这个意图十分明显，虽说往往只能用眼神来表达。
埃尔顿先生来了，他太太用一番欢快的俏皮话来招呼他。
“先生，你真会干好事，把我打发到这儿，来拖累我的朋友，你自己却姗姗来迟！不过你知道你摆布的是个多么听话的人。你知道我要等丈夫来了才肯走。我一直坐到现在，给两位年轻小姐树立了一个对丈夫服服帖帖的榜样——因为你知道，谁说得清她们几时会用得着这样的涵养功夫？”
埃尔顿先生又热又累，似乎全然没有理会这通俏皮话。他得向另外几位太太小姐客套一番，接下来就是抱怨自己热得难受，白跑了一趟路。
“我到了当维尔，”他说，“却找不到奈特利。真奇怪！真莫名其妙！今天早上我给他送了封信，他也回了信，他理所当然应该在家等到一点。”
“当维尔！”他妻子嚷了起来。“亲爱的埃先生，你没去当维尔吧！你说的是克朗旅店。你是在克朗旅店开完了会赶来的。”
“不，不，那是明天的事，我今天正是为此才特地去找奈特利的。今天上午热极啦！我还打地里穿过去——”他以苦不堪言的语调说，“因此就更受罪了。到头来竟然发现他不在家！跟你说实话，我心里很不高兴。没留下一句道歉的话，也没给我留个言。管家的说不知道我要去。真是奇怪！谁也不知道他去哪儿了。也许是去了哈特菲尔德，也许是去了阿比一米尔，也许是跑进他的树林里去了。伍德豪斯小姐，我们的朋友奈特利可不是这样的人啊。你能解释吗？”
爱玛觉得很好笑，也说的确很奇怪，没什么要为他说的。
“我无法想象，”埃尔顿太太说，身为作妻子的，理所当然觉得没有脸面，“我无法想象，他怎么偏偏对你干出这样的事来！你是最不应该受人怠慢的！亲爱的埃先生，他一定给你留言了，我敢肯定他留了。哪怕是奈特利，也不可能这样古怪，准是他的用人忘了。没错，准是这么回事。当维尔的佣人很可能做出这种事来，我常常发觉，他们一个个都笨手笨脚、丢三落四。我敢说，我说什么也不愿意要一个像他家哈里那样的人来做司膳总管。至于霍奇斯太太，赖特还真瞧不起她。她答应给赖特一张收条，可一直没送去。”
“快到奈特利家的时候，”埃尔顿先生接着又说，“我遇见了威廉·拉金斯，他跟我说主人不在家，可是我不相信。威廉好像很不高兴。他说他不知道他的主人最近是怎么回事，他简直没法让他说话。威廉急什么不关我事，但是我今天非要见到奈特利不可，这是至关重要的。因此，这么大热天让我白跑了一趟，真叫人没办法。”
爱玛觉得她最好马上回家。此时此刻，奈特利先生很可能在家里等着她。也许她可以确保奈特利先生不要进一步引起埃尔顿先生的不满，即使不是引起威廉·拉金斯的不满。
告辞的时候，费尔法克斯小姐决意要把她送出屋．甚至送她下楼，她觉得很高兴，便立即抓住这个机会说：
“我刚才没有机会说话，或许倒也好。如果你身边没有别的朋友，我会忍不住谈起一件事，问一些问题，信口开河说些没有分寸的话。我觉得我肯定会失礼的。”
“哦！”简大声嚷道，脸上一红，又迟疑了一下，爱玛觉得，她这副神态比平常的沉静和优雅不知要动人多少倍。“那倒不会。只怕是我惹你厌烦了。你最让我高兴的是，你表示关心——真的，伍德豪斯小姐，”她较为镇定地说，“我意识到我表现得不好，非常不好，但特别令我欣慰的是，我有些朋友，我最看重他们对我的好感，他们并不觉得事情可恶到——我心里想说的话连一半也没来得及说。我想道歉，赔不是，为自己作点开脱。我觉得应该这样做。但是很可惜——总之，如果你不原谅我的朋友——”
“啊！你过虑了，的确过虑了，”爱玛诚挚地说道，一边抓住了她的手。“你没什么可向我道歉的，你觉得应该接受你道歉的人都很满意，甚至都很高兴——”
“你真好，可我知道我是怎么对待你的。那么冷淡，那么虚假！我总是像在演戏。那是一种骗人的生活！我知道我一定让你觉得讨厌。”
“请别说了。我觉得该道歉的是我。让我们马上互相谅解吧。最紧迫的事情是非做不可的，我想我们的心情也是刻不容缓的。但愿温莎那儿有好消息吧？”
“很好的消息。”
“我想下一个消息将是我们要失去你——恰好在我开始了解你的时候。”
“啊！这一步现在还没能考虑呢。我要在这儿一直待到坎贝尔上校夫妇叫我去。”
“也许现在事情还定不下来，”爱玛笑吟吟地答道。“可是，对不起，事情总得考虑吧。”
简也笑吟吟地回道：
“你说的一点不错，是考虑过了。老实跟你说（我想这样稳妥些），我们要跟邱吉尔先生一起住在恩斯库姆，这算是定下来了。至少要服三个月的重丧（译注：按英国的习惯，重丧期间，服丧者要传全黑丧服，不能举行诸如婚礼之类的喜庆活动），可是服完丧以后，我污染没有什么好等的了。”
“谢谢，谢谢。这正是我想了解的。哦！我什么事都喜欢干脆明确，你要是知道就好了！再见吧．再见。”
收听单词发音 |
1
intercourse
|
|
| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
resentment
|
|
| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
procuring
|
|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
injustice
|
|
| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
unreasonable
|
|
| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
averting
|
|
| 防止，避免( avert的现在分词 )； 转移 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
confession
|
|
| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
defer
|
|
| vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
anticipation
|
|
| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
agitating
|
|
| 搅动( agitate的现在分词 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
longing
|
|
| n.（for）渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
motive
|
|
| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
goodwill
|
|
| n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
distress
|
|
| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
compassion
|
|
| n.同情，怜悯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
bustle
|
|
| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
intelligible
|
|
| adj.可理解的，明白易懂的，清楚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
animation
|
|
| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
sitting-room
|
|
| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
expedient
|
|
| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
tranquillity
|
|
| n. 平静, 安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
penetrate
|
|
| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
delightfully
|
|
| 大喜，欣然 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
discreet
|
|
| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
hush
|
|
| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
appeased
|
|
| 安抚，抚慰( appease的过去式和过去分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
abrupt
|
|
| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
saucy
|
|
| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
tempt
|
|
| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
prospects
|
|
| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
pretence
|
|
| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
magistrates
|
|
| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
applicants
|
|
| 申请人，求职人( applicant的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
consultation
|
|
| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
maple
|
|
| n.槭树，枫树，槭木 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
grove
|
|
| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
patronage
|
|
| n.赞助，支援，援助；光顾，捧场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
insinuate
|
|
| vt.含沙射影地说，暗示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
vivacity
|
|
| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
encumbrance
|
|
| n.妨碍物，累赘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
vouchsafe
|
|
| v.惠予，准许 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
conjugal
|
|
| adj.婚姻的，婚姻性的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
obedience
|
|
| n.服从，顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
lament
|
|
| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
broiling
|
|
| adj.酷热的，炽热的，似烧的v.（用火）烤（焙、炙等）( broil的现在分词 )；使卷入争吵；使混乱；被烤（或炙） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
housekeeper
|
|
| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
syllable
|
|
| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
indignity
|
|
| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
remiss
|
|
| adj.不小心的，马虎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
harry
|
|
| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
aggression
|
|
| n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
tempted
|
|
| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
strictly
|
|
| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
hesitation
|
|
| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
infinitely
|
|
| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
elegance
|
|
| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
scrupulous
|
|
| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |