He was four-and-twenty the 8th of last June, and my birthday is the 23rd just two weeks and a day's difference-which is very odd.
Only four-and-twenty. That is too young to marry, I think. Six years after, if he could meet with a young woman in the same rank as his own, with a little money, it might be very desirable.
Six years after! Dear Miss Woodhouse, he would be thirty years old!
Well, and that is as early as most men can afford to marry. Mr. Martin, I imagine, is not rich at all.
To be sure, he is not. But they live very comfortably.
I wish you may not get into a scrape[32], Harriet, whenever he does marry; I mean, as to being acquainted with his wife. The misfortune of your birth ought to make you particularly careful as to your associates. There can be no doubt of your being a gentleman's daughter, and you must support your claim to that station by everything, or there will be plenty of people who would take pleasure in degrading you.
Yes, to be sure, I suppose there are. But while I visit at Hartfield, and you are so kind to me, Miss Woodhouse, I am not afraid of what anybody can do.
Dear Harriet, I would have you so firmly established in good society. I want to see you permanently well connected.
Emma saw no alarming symptoms of love. The young man had been the first admirer and no more, and that there would be no serious difficulty, on Harriet's side, to oppose any friendly arrangement of her own.
They met Mr. Martin the very next day, as they were walking on the Donwell road. He was on foot, and after looking very respectfully at her, looked with most unfeigned satisfaction at her companion. Robert Martin's appearance was very neat, and he looked like a sensible young man, but his person had no other advantage.
They remained but a few minutes together; and Harriet then came running to Emma with a smiling face.
How very odd! It was quite a chance, he said, that he had not gone round by Randalls. He did not think we ever walked this road. He thought we walked towards Randalls most days. He has not been able to get the Romance of the Forest yet. Well, Miss Woodhouse, what do you think of him?
He is very plain, undoubtedly-remarkably plain: but that is nothing compared with his entire want of gentility[33]. I did not expect much; but I had no idea that he could be so very clownish.
To be sure, said Harriet, he is not so genteel as real gentlemen.
I think, Harriet, at Hartfield, you have seen well educated, well bred[34] men. I should be surprised if, after seeing them, you could be in company with Mr. Martin again without understanding how inferior he is to you. I am sure you must have been struck by his awkward look and abrupt manner.
Certainly, he is not like Mr. Knightley. I see the difference plain enough.
Mr. Knightley's air is so remarkably good that it is not fair to compare Mr. Martin with him. But he is not the only gentleman you have been lately used to. What about Mr. Weston and Mr. Elton? Compare Mr. Martin with either of them. Compare their manner of carrying themselves; of walking; of speaking; of being silent. You must see the difference.
Oh yes! there is a great difference. But Mr. Weston is almost an old man. Mr. Weston must be between forty and fifty.
Which makes his good manners even more valuable. The older a person grows, Harriet, the more important it is that their manners should not be bad. What is passable in youth is detestable in later age. Mr. Martin is now awkward and abrupt; what will he be at Mr. Weston's time of life?
There is no saying, indeed, replied Harriet rather solemnly.
But there may be pretty good guessing. He will be a completely gross, vulgar farmer, totally inattentive to appearances, and thinking of nothing but profit and loss.
Will he, indeed? That will be very bad.
Now, let us think of Mr. Elton's manners. I think any young man might be very safely recommended to take Mr. Elton as a model. Mr. Elton is good-humoured, cheerful, obliging, and gentle. It strikes me that his manners are softer than they used to be. If he means anything, it must be to please you. Did not I tell you what he said of you the other day?
She then repeated some warm personal praise which she had drawn from Mr. Elton; and Harriet blushed and smiled, and said she had always thought Mr. Elton very agreeable.
Emma thought that Mr. Elton was the very person for driving the young farmer out of Harriet's head. She thought it would be an excellent match desirable, natural, and probable. The longer she considered it, the greater was her sense of its expediency. Mr. Elton's situation was most suitable, quite the gentleman himself, and without low connexions. He had a comfortable home and a very sufficient income; for though the vicarage of Highbury was not large, he was known to have some independent property; and she thought very highly of him as a good-humoured, well-meaning, respectable young man.
Chapter V
I do not know what your opinion may be, Mrs. Weston, said Mr. Knightley, of this great intimacy between Emma and Harriet Smith, but I think it a bad thing.
A bad thing! Do you really think it a bad thing? why so?
I think they will neither of them do the other any good.
You surprize me! Emma must do Harriet good, Harriet may be said to do Emma good. I have been seeing their intimacy with the greatest pleasure. This will certainly be the beginning of one of our quarrels about Emma, Mr. Knightley.
Perhaps you think I have come on purpose to quarrel with you.
Mr. Weston would undoubtedly support me, if he were here. We were speaking of it only yesterday, and agreeing how fortunate it was for Emma, that there should be such a girl in Highbury for her to associate with. Mr. Knightley, you are so much used to live alone, that you do not know the value of a companion. I can imagine your objection to Harriet Smith. She is not the superior young woman which Emma's friend ought to be. But on the other hand, Emma will undoubtedly read more. They will read together, I know.
Emma has been meaning to read more ever since she was twelve years old. So what? You never could persuade her to read half so much as you wished. You know you could not.
I dare say, replied Mrs. Weston, smiling, since we have parted, I can never remember Emma's refusing to do anything I wished.
Emma is spoiled by being the cleverest of her family. At ten years old, she had the misfortune of being able to answer questions which puzzled her sister at seventeen. She was always quick and assured: Isabella slow and uncertain. And ever since she was twelve, Emma has been mistress of the house. She inherits her mother's talents. As for you, you are very fit for a wife, but not at all for a governess. But you were preparing yourself to be an excellent wife all the time you were at Hartfield. You might not give Emma such a complete education as your powers would seem to promise; but you were receiving a very good education from her; and if Weston had asked me to recommend him a wife, I should certainly have named Miss Taylor. But about Harriet Smith. I think her the very worst sort of companion that Emma could possibly have. She knows nothing herself, and looks upon Emma as knowing everything. She is a flatterer. Her ignorance is flattery. And as for Harriet, I will venture to say that she cannot gain by the acquaintance. She will grow just refined enough to be uncomfortable with those among whom birth and circumstances have placed her home.
Mr. Knightley, with all dear Emma's little faults, she is an excellent creature. Where shall we see a better daughter, or a kinder sister, or a truer friend? No, no; she has qualities which may be trusted; she will never lead anyone really wrong.
Very well; I will not plague you any more. Emma shall be an angel. I will keep my concerns to myself until the Christmas visit to my brother.
I know that you all love her really too well to be unjust or unkind; but excuse me, Mr. Knightley, if I take the liberty of hinting, it's better not to speak about Harriet Smith's intimacy with them. It will not make Emma reconsider.
Yes, of course, it is very good advice, but I have a very sincere interest in Emma. There is an anxiety, a curiosity in what one feels for Emma. I wonder what will become of her!
So do I, said Mrs. Weston gently, very much.
She always declares she will never marry, which, of course, means nothing at all. But I have no idea that she has yet ever seen a man she cared for. It would not be a bad thing for her to be very much in love with a proper man. I should like to see Emma in love, and it would do her good. But there is nobody hereabouts to attach her; and she goes so seldom from home.
Chapter VI
Emma was quite convinced of Mr. Elton's being in love with Harriet. He talked of her and praised her warmly. His perception of the striking improvement of Harriet's manner, since her introduction at Hartfield, was one of the proofs of his growing attachment.
You have given Miss Smith all that she required, said he; you have made her graceful and easy. She was a beautiful creature when she came to you, but, in my opinion, the attractions you have added are infinitely superior to what she received from nature.
I am glad you think I have been useful to her; but Harriet had all the natural grace of sweetness, temper and artlessness in herself. I have done very little. I have perhaps given her a little more decision of character.
Exactly so; so much decision of character!
Emma was not less pleased another day with the manner in which he seconded a sudden wish of hers, to have Harriet's picture.
Did you ever sit for your picture, Harriet? said she.
Oh! dear, no, never, answered Harriet. Why should my picture be drawn?
No sooner was she out of sight, than Emma exclaimed,
What an excellent picture of her would be! I would give any money for it. You do not know it I dare say, but two or three years ago I had a great passion for painting. And I could try, if Harriet would sit to me. It would be such a delight to have her picture!
Oh, yes, cried Mr. Elton; it would indeed be a delight, Miss Woodhouse, to exercise so charming a talent in favour of your friend.
But I am afraid, Mr. Elton, Harriet will not like to sit. She thinks so little of her own beauty. Did not you observe her manner of answering me? 'Why should my picture be drawn?'
I observed it, I assure you. But still I am sure she would be persuaded.
Harriet was soon back again, and the proposal almost immediately made. Emma wished to go to work directly. She had soon decided on the size and sort of portrait. It was to be a whole-length in water-colours.
The sitting began; and Harriet, smiling and blushing, presented a very sweet mixture of youthful expression to the steady eyes of the artist. But Mr. Elton was fidgeting behind Emma and watching every touch. So Emma requested him to place himself elsewhere. It then occurred to her to ask him to read.
Mr. Elton was happy to read aloud. Harriet listened, and Emma drew in peace. The sitting was altogether very satisfactory; Emma was quite enough pleased with the first day's sketch to wish to go on. Harriet was to sit again the next day; and Mr. Elton asked for the permission of reading to them again.
By all means[35]. We shall be most happy to consider you as one of the party.
The whole progress of the picture was rapid and happy. Everybody who saw it was pleased.
Miss Woodhouse has given her friend the only beauty she wanted, observed Mrs. Weston. The expression of the eye is most correct, but Miss Smith has not those eyebrows and eyelashes. It is the fault of her face that she has them not.
Do you think so? replied Mr. Elton. I cannot agree with you. It appears to me a most perfect resemblance in every feature. I never saw such a likeness in my life, you know.
You have made her too tall, Emma, said Mr. Knightley.
Emma knew that she had, but Mr. Elton warmly added,
Oh no! certainly not too tall; not in the least too tall. Consider, she is sitting down-which naturally presents a different-which in short gives exactly the idea-and the proportions, you know. Exactly so indeed!
It is very pretty, said Mr. Woodhouse. So prettily done! Just as your drawings always are, my dear. I do not know anybody who draws so well as you do. The only thing I do not like is, that she seems to be sitting out of doors, with only a little shawl over her shoulders-and it makes one think she must catch cold[36].
But, my dear papa, it is supposed to be summer; a warm day in summer. Look at the tree.
But it is never safe to sit out of doors, my dear.
You, sir, may say anything, cried Mr. Elton, but I must confess that I regard it as a most happy thought, the placing of Miss Smith out of doors! The naïveté[37] of Miss Smith's manners-and altogether-Oh, it is most admirable! I cannot keep my eyes from it. I never saw such a likeness.
The next thing was to get the picture framed; and here were a few difficulties. It must be done directly; it must be done in London. But Mr. Elton's gallantry was always on the alert. He could ride to London at any time.
Mr. Elton was supposed to take the drawing to London, choose the frame, and give the directions.
What a precious deposit![38] said he with a sigh, as he received it.
This man is almost too gallant to be in love, thought Emma. I should say so, but that I suppose there may be a hundred different ways of being in love.
Chapter VII
The very day of Mr. Elton's going to London produced a fresh occasion for Emma's services towards her friend. Harriet had been at Hartfield, as usual, soon after breakfast; and, after a time, had gone home to return again to dinner. She returned, and with an agitated, hurried look, announced that something extraordinary had happened. She had heard, as soon as she got back to Mrs. Goddard's, that Mr. Martin had been there an hour before, and finding she was not at home, had left a little parcel for her from one of his sisters, and gone away; and on opening this parcel, she had actually found, besides the two songs which she had lent Elizabeth to copy, a letter to herself; and this letter was from him, from Mr. Martin. In this letter he asked her to marry him!
Who could have thought it? She was so surprised she did not know what to do. Yes, quite a proposal of marriage; and a very good letter, at least she thought so. And he wrote as if he really loved her very much-but she did not know-and so, she arrived as fast as she could to ask Miss Woodhouse what she should do.
Will you read the letter? cried Harriet. Pray do.
Emma read, and was surprised. The style of the letter was much above her expectation. It was a letter written by a gentleman. There were no grammatical errors; the language, though plain, was expressive, yet exquisite. She paused over it, while Harriet stood anxiously watching for her opinion, with a Well, well, and at last asked, Is it a good letter? or is it too short?
Yes, indeed, a very good letter, replied Emma rather slowly, so good a letter, Harriet, that I think one of his sisters must have helped him. I can hardly imagine the young man whom I saw talking with you the other day could express himself so well. No doubt he is a sensible man, and no doubt it is easier for him to talk with his pen rather than his tongue. It is so with some men. A better written letter, Harriet (returning it,) than I had expected.
Well, said the still waiting Harriet; well-and-and what shall I do?
But what are you in doubt of? You must answer it of course-and speedily.