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Emma
by Jane Austen
VOLUME II
CHAPTER XIV
Mrs. Elton was first seen at church: but though devotion might
be interrupted, curiosity could not be satisfied by a bride in a
pew, and it must be left for the visits in form which were then
to be paid, to settle whether she were very pretty indeed, or only
rather pretty, or not pretty at all.
Emma had feelings, less of curiosity than of pride or propriety,
to make her resolve on not being the last to pay her respects; and
she made a point of Harriet's going with her, that the worst of
the business might be gone through as soon as possible.
She could not enter the house again, could not be in the same room
to which she had with such vain artifice retreated three months
ago, to lace up her boot, without recollecting. A thousand vexatious
thoughts would recur. Compliments, charades, and horrible blunders;
and it was not to be supposed that poor Harriet should not be recollecting
too; but she behaved very well, and was only rather pale and silent.
The visit was of course short; and there was so much embarrassment
and occupation of mind to shorten it, that Emma would not allow
herself entirely to form an opinion of the lady, and on no account
to give one, beyond the nothing-meaning terms of being "elegantly
dressed, and very pleasing."
She did not really like her. She would not be in a hurry to find
fault, but she suspected that there was no elegance;--ease, but
not elegance.-- She was almost sure that for a young woman, a stranger,
a bride, there was too much ease. Her person was rather good; her
face not unpretty; but neither feature, nor air, nor voice, nor
manner, were elegant. Emma thought at least it would turn out so.
As for Mr. Elton, his manners did not appear--but no, she would
not permit a hasty or a witty word from herself about his manners.
It was an awkward ceremony at any time to be receiving wedding visits,
and a man had need be all grace to acquit himself well through it.
The woman was better off; she might have the assistance of fine
clothes, and the privilege of bashfulness, but the man had only
his own good sense to depend on; and when she considered how peculiarly
unlucky poor Mr. Elton was in being in the same room at once with
the woman he had just married, the woman he had wanted to marry,
and the woman whom he had been expected to marry, she must allow
him to have the right to look as little wise, and to be as much
affectedly, and as little really easy as could be.
"Well, Miss Woodhouse," said Harriet, when they had quitted
the house, and after waiting in vain for her friend to begin; "Well,
Miss Woodhouse, (with a gentle sigh,) what do you think of her?--
Is not she very charming?"
There was a little hesitation in Emma's answer.
"Oh! yes--very--a very pleasing young woman."
"I think her beautiful, quite beautiful."
"Very nicely dressed, indeed; a remarkably elegant gown."
"I am not at all surprized that he should have fallen in love."
"Oh! no--there is nothing to surprize one at all.--A pretty
fortune; and she came in his way."
"I dare say," returned Harriet, sighing again, "I
dare say she was very much attached to him."
"Perhaps she might; but it is not every man's fate to marry
the woman who loves him best. Miss Hawkins perhaps wanted a home,
and thought this the best offer she was likely to have."
"Yes," said Harriet earnestly, "and well she might,
nobody could ever have a better. Well, I wish them happy with all
my heart. And now, Miss Woodhouse, I do not think I shall mind seeing
them again. He is just as superior as ever;--but being married,
you know, it is quite a different thing. No, indeed, Miss Woodhouse,
you need not be afraid; I can sit and admire him now without any
great misery. To know that he has not thrown himself away, is such
a comfort!-- She does seem a charming young woman, just what he
deserves. Happy creature! He called her `Augusta.' How delightful!"
When the visit was returned, Emma made up her mind. She could then
see more and judge better. From Harriet's happening not to be at
Hartfield, and her father's being present to engage Mr. Elton, she
had a quarter of an hour of the lady's conversation to herself,
and could composedly attend to her; and the quarter of an hour quite
convinced her that Mrs. Elton was a vain woman, extremely well satisfied
with herself, and thinking much of her own importance; that she
meant to shine and be very superior, but with manners which had
been formed in a bad school, pert and familiar; that all her notions
were drawn from one set of people, and one style of living; that
if not foolish she was ignorant, and that her society would certainly
do Mr. Elton no good.
Harriet would have been a better match. If not wise or refined
herself, she would have connected him with those who were; but Miss
Hawkins, it might be fairly supposed from her easy conceit, had
been the best of her own set. The rich brother-in-law near Bristol
was the pride of the alliance, and his place and his carriages were
the pride of him.
The very first subject after being seated was Maple Grove, "My
brother Mr. Suckling's seat;"--a comparison of Hartfield to
Maple Grove. The grounds of Hartfield were small, but neat and pretty;
and the house was modern and well-built. Mrs. Elton seemed most
favourably impressed by the size of the room, the entrance, and
all that she could see or imagine. "Very like Maple Grove indeed!--She
was quite struck by the likeness!--That room was the very shape
and size of the morning-room at Maple Grove; her sister's favourite
room."-- Mr. Elton was appealed to.--"Was not it astonishingly
like?-- She could really almost fancy herself at Maple Grove."
"And the staircase--You know, as I came in, I observed how
very like the staircase was; placed exactly in the same part of
the house. I really could not help exclaiming! I assure you, Miss
Woodhouse, it is very delightful to me, to be reminded of a place
I am so extremely partial to as Maple Grove. I have spent so many
happy months there! (with a little sigh of sentiment). A charming
place, undoubtedly. Every body who sees it is struck by its beauty;
but to me, it has been quite a home. Whenever you are transplanted,
like me, Miss Woodhouse, you will understand how very delightful
it is to meet with any thing at all like what one has left behind.
I always say this is quite one of the evils of matrimony."
Emma made as slight a reply as she could; but it was fully sufficient
for Mrs. Elton, who only wanted to be talking herself.
"So extremely like Maple Grove! And it is not merely the house--
the grounds, I assure you, as far as I could observe, are strikingly
like. The laurels at Maple Grove are in the same profusion as here,
and stand very much in the same way--just across the lawn; and I
had a glimpse of a fine large tree, with a bench round it, which
put me so exactly in mind! My brother and sister will be enchanted
with this place. People who have extensive grounds themselves are
always pleased with any thing in the same style."
Emma doubted the truth of this sentiment. She had a great idea
that people who had extensive grounds themselves cared very little
for the extensive grounds of any body else; but it was not worth
while to attack an error so double-dyed, and therefore only said
in reply,
"When you have seen more of this country, I am afraid you
will think you have overrated Hartfield. Surry is full of beauties."
"Oh! yes, I am quite aware of that. It is the garden of England,
you know. Surry is the garden of England."
"Yes; but we must not rest our claims on that distinction.
Many counties, I believe, are called the garden of England, as well
as Surry."
"No, I fancy not," replied Mrs. Elton, with a most satisfied
smile." I never heard any county but Surry called so."
Emma was silenced.
"My brother and sister have promised us a visit in the spring,
or summer at farthest," continued Mrs. Elton; "and that
will be our time for exploring. While they are with us, we shall
explore a great deal, I dare say. They will have their barouche-landau,
of course, which holds four perfectly; and therefore, without saying
any thing of our carriage, we should be able to explore the different
beauties extremely well. They would hardly come in their chaise,
I think, at that season of the year. Indeed, when the time draws
on, I shall decidedly recommend their bringing the barouche-landau;
it will be so very much preferable. When people come into a beautiful
country of this sort, you know, Miss Woodhouse, one naturally wishes
them to see as much as possible; and Mr. Suckling is extremely fond
of exploring. We explored to King's-Weston twice last summer, in
that way, most delightfully, just after their first having the barouche-landau.
You have many parties of that kind here, I suppose, Miss Woodhouse,
every summer?"
"No; not immediately here. We are rather out of distance of
the very striking beauties which attract the sort of parties you
speak of; and we are a very quiet set of people, I believe; more
disposed to stay at home than engage in schemes of pleasure."
"Ah! there is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.
Nobody can be more devoted to home than I am. I was quite a proverb
for it at Maple Grove. Many a time has Selina said, when she has
been going to Bristol, `I really cannot get this girl to move from
the house. I absolutely must go in by myself, though I hate being
stuck up in the barouche-landau without a companion; but Augusta,
I believe, with her own good-will, would never stir beyond the park
paling.' Many a time has she said so; and yet I am no advocate for
entire seclusion. I think, on the contrary, when people shut themselves
up entirely from society, it is a very bad thing; and that it is
much more advisable to mix in the world in a proper degree, without
living in it either too much or too little. I perfectly understand
your situation, however, Miss Woodhouse-- (looking towards Mr. Woodhouse),
Your father's state of health must be a great drawback. Why does
not he try Bath?--Indeed he should. Let me recommend Bath to you.
I assure you I have no doubt of its doing Mr. Woodhouse good."
"My father tried it more than once, formerly; but without
receiving any benefit; and Mr. Perry, whose name, I dare say, is
not unknown to you, does not conceive it would be at all more likely
to be useful now."
"Ah! that's a great pity; for I assure you, Miss Woodhouse,
where the waters do agree, it is quite wonderful the relief they
give. In my Bath life, I have seen such instances of it! And it
is so cheerful a place, that it could not fail of being of use to
Mr. Woodhouse's spirits, which, I understand, are sometimes much
depressed. And as to its recommendations to you, I fancy I need
not take much pains to dwell on them. The advantages of Bath to
the young are pretty generally understood. It would be a charming
introduction for you, who have lived so secluded a life; and I could
immediately secure you some of the best society in the place. A
line from me would bring you a little host of acquaintance; and
my particular friend, Mrs. Partridge, the lady I have always resided
with when in Bath, would be most happy to shew you any attentions,
and would be the very person for you to go into public with."
It was as much as Emma could bear, without being impolite. The
idea of her being indebted to Mrs. Elton for what was called an
introduction--of her going into public under the auspices of a friend
of Mrs. Elton's--probably some vulgar, dashing widow, who, with
the help of a boarder, just made a shift to live!-- The dignity
of Miss Woodhouse, of Hartfield, was sunk indeed!
She restrained herself, however, from any of the reproofs she could
have given, and only thanked Mrs. Elton coolly; "but their
going to Bath was quite out of the question; and she was not perfectly
convinced that the place might suit her better than her father."
And then, to prevent farther outrage and indignation, changed the
subject directly.
"I do not ask whether you are musical, Mrs. Elton. Upon these
occasions, a lady's character generally precedes her; and Highbury
has long known that you are a superior performer."
"Oh! no, indeed; I must protest against any such idea. A superior
performer!--very far from it, I assure you. Consider from how partial
a quarter your information came. I am doatingly fond of music--passionately
fond;--and my friends say I am not entirely devoid of taste; but
as to any thing else, upon my honour my performance is mediocre
to the last degree. You, Miss Woodhouse, I well know, play delightfully.
I assure you it has been the greatest satisfaction, comfort, and
delight to me, to hear what a musical society I am got into. I absolutely
cannot do without music. It is a necessary of life to me; and having
always been used to a very musical society, both at Maple Grove
and in Bath, it would have been a most serious sacrifice. I honestly
said as much to Mr. E. when he was speaking of my future home, and
expressing his fears lest the retirement of it should be disagreeable;
and the inferiority of the house too--knowing what I had been accustomed
to--of course he was not wholly without apprehension.
When he was speaking of it in that way, I honestly said that the
world I could give up--parties, balls, plays--for I had no fear
of retirement. Blessed with so many resources within myself, the
world was not necessary to me. I could do very well without it.
To those who had no resources it was a different thing; but my resources
made me quite independent. And as to smaller-sized rooms than I
had been used to, I really could not give it a thought. I hoped
I was perfectly equal to any sacrifice of that description. Certainly
I had been accustomed to every luxury at Maple Grove; but I did
assure him that two carriages were not necessary to my happiness,nor
were spacious apartments. `But,' said I, `to be quite honest, I
do not think I can live without something of a musical society.
I condition for nothing else; but without music, life would be a
blank to me.'"
"We cannot suppose," said Emma, smiling, "that Mr.
Elton would hesitate to assure you of there being a very musical
society in Highbury; and I hope you will not find he has outstepped
the truth more than may be pardoned, in consideration of the motive."
"No, indeed, I have no doubts at all on that head. I am delighted
to find myself in such a circle. I hope we shall have many sweet
little concerts together. I think, Miss Woodhouse, you and I must
establish a musical club, and have regular weekly meetings at your
house, or ours. Will not it be a good plan? If we exert ourselves,
I think we shall not be long in want of allies. Something of that
nature would be particularly desirable for me, as an inducement
to keep me in practice; for married women, you know-- there is a
sad story against them, in general. They are but too apt to give
up music."
"But you, who are so extremely fond of it--there can be no
danger, surely?"
"I should hope not; but really when I look around among my
acquaintance, I tremble. Selina has entirely given up music--never
touches the instrument--though she played sweetly. And the same
may be said of Mrs. Jeffereys--Clara Partridge, that was--and of
the two Milmans, now Mrs. Bird and Mrs. James Cooper; and of more
than I can enumerate. Upon my word it is enough to put one in a
fright. I used to be quite angry with Selina; but really I begin
now to comprehend that a married woman has many things to call her
attention. I believe I was half an hour this morning shut up with
my housekeeper."
"But every thing of that kind," said Emma, "will
soon be in so regular a train--"
"Well," said Mrs. Elton, laughing, "we shall see."
Emma, finding her so determined upon neglecting her music, had
nothing more to say; and, after a moment's pause, Mrs. Elton chose
another subject.
"We have been calling at Randalls," said she, "and
found them both at home; and very pleasant people they seem to be.
I like them extremely. Mr. Weston seems an excellent creature--
quite a first-rate favourite with me already, I assure you. And
she appears so truly good--there is something so motherly and kind-hearted
about her, that it wins upon one directly. She was your governess,
I think?"
Emma was almost too much astonished to answer; but Mrs. Elton hardly
waited for the affirmative before she went on.
"Having understood as much, I was rather astonished to find
her so very lady-like! But she is really quite the gentlewoman."
"Mrs. Weston's manners," said Emma, "were always
particularly good. Their propriety, simplicity, and elegance, would
make them the safest model for any young woman."
"And who do you think came in while we were there?"
Emma was quite at a loss. The tone implied some old acquaintance--
and how could she possibly guess?
"Knightley!" continued Mrs. Elton; "Knightley himself!--Was
not it lucky?--for, not being within when he called the other day,
I had never seen him before; and of course, as so particular a friend
of Mr. E.'s, I had a great curiosity. `My friend Knightley' had
been so often mentioned, that I was really impatient to see him;
and I must do my caro sposo the justice to say that he need not
be ashamed of his friend. Knightley is quite the gentleman. I like
him very much. Decidedly, I think, a very gentleman-like man."
Happily, it was now time to be gone. They were off; and Emma could
breathe.
"Insufferable woman!" was her immediate exclamation.
"Worse than I had supposed. Absolutely insufferable! Knightley!--I
could not have believed it. Knightley!--never seen him in her life
before, and call him Knightley!--and discover that he is a gentleman!
A little upstart, vulgar being, with her Mr. E., and her caro sposo,
and her resources, and all her airs of pert pretension and underbred
finery. Actually to discover that Mr. Knightley is a gentleman!
I doubt whether he will return the compliment, and discover her
to be a lady. I could not have believed it! And to propose that
she and I should unite to form a musical club! One would fancy we
were bosom friends! And Mrs. Weston!-- Astonished that the person
who had brought me up should be a gentlewoman! Worse and worse.
I never met with her equal. Much beyond my hopes. Harriet is disgraced
by any comparison. Oh! what would Frank Churchill say to her, if
he were here? How angry and how diverted he would be! Ah! there
I am-- thinking of him directly. Always the first person to be thought
of! How I catch myself out! Frank Churchill comes as regularly into
my mind!"--
All this ran so glibly through her thoughts, that by the time her
father had arranged himself, after the bustle of the Eltons' departure,
and was ready to speak, she was very tolerably capable of attending.
"Well, my dear," he deliberately began, "considering
we never saw her before, she seems a very pretty sort of young lady;
and I dare say she was very much pleased with you. She speaks a
little too quick. A little quickness of voice there is which rather
hurts the ear. But I believe I am nice; I do not like strange voices;
and nobody speaks like you and poor Miss Taylor. However, she seems
a very obliging, pretty-behaved young lady, and no doubt will make
him a very good wife. Though I think he had better not have married.
I made the best excuses I could for not having been able to wait
on him and Mrs. Elton on this happy occasion; I said that I hoped
I should in the course of the summer. But I ought to have gone before.
Not to wait upon a bride is very remiss. Ah! it shews what a sad
invalid I am! But I do not like the corner into Vicarage Lane."
"I dare say your apologies were accepted, sir. Mr. Elton knows
you."
"Yes: but a young lady--a bride--I ought to have paid my respects
to her if possible. It was being very deficient."
"But, my dear papa, you are no friend to matrimony; and therefore
why should you be so anxious to pay your respects to a bride? It
ought to be no recommendation to you. It is encouraging people to
marry if you make so much of them."
"No, my dear, I never encouraged any body to marry, but I
would always wish to pay every proper attention to a lady--and a
bride, especially, is never to be neglected. More is avowedly due
to her. A bride, you know, my dear, is always the first in company,
let the others be who they may."
"Well, papa, if this is not encouragement to marry, I do not
know what is. And I should never have expected you to be lending
your sanction to such vanity-baits for poor young ladies."
"My dear, you do not understand me. This is a matter of mere
common politeness and good-breeding, and has nothing to do with
any encouragement to people to marry."
Emma had done. Her father was growing nervous, and could not understand
her. Her mind returned to Mrs. Elton's offences, and long, very
long, did they occupy her.
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