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Chapter 1: What is the significance of Mr. Elton's engagement news?
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Emma could not forgive her, but as neither provocation nor resentment were discerned by Mr. Knightley, who had been of the party, and had seen only proper attention and pleasing behavior on each side, he was expressing the next morning, being at Hartfield again on business with Mr. Woodhouse, his approbation of the whole.
Not so openly as he might have done had her father been out of the room, but speaking plain enough to be very intelligible to Emma. He had been used to think her unjust to Jane, and had now great pleasure in marking an improvement. A very pleasant evening, he began, as soon as Mr. Woodhouse had been talked into what was necessary, told that he understood, and the papers swept away.
Particularly pleasant. You and Miss Fairfax gave us some very good music. I do not know a more luxurious state, sir, than sitting at one's ease to be entertained a whole evening by two such young women, sometimes with music and sometimes with conversation. I am sure Miss Fairfax must have found the evening pleasant, Emma. You left nothing undone.
I was glad you made her play so much, for having no instrument at her grandmother's, it must have been a real indulgence. I am happy you approved, said Emma smiling, but I hope I am not often deficient in what is due to guests at Hartfield. No, my dear, said her father instantly. "'that I am sure you are not. "'There is nobody half so attentive and civil as you are.
"'If anything, you are too attentive. "'The muffin last night, if it had been handed round once, "'I think it would have been enough.' "'No,' said Mr Knightley nearly at the same time, "'you are not often deficient.' not often deficient either in manner or comprehension. I think you understand me, therefore. An arch look expressed, I understand you well enough.
But she said only, Miss Fairfax is reserved. I always told you she was a little... But you will soon overcome all that part of her reserve which ought to be overcome, all that has its foundation in diffidence. What arises from discretion must be honored. You think her diffident. I do not see it.
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Chapter 2: How does Emma react to Mr. Elton's engagement?
They must not over-salt the leg, and then, if it is not over-salted, and if it is very thoroughly boiled, just as Searle boils ours, and eaten very moderately of with a boiled turnip and a little carrot or parsnip, I do not consider it unwholesome. Emma, said Mr Knightley presently, I have a piece of news for you.
You like news, and I heard an article in my way hither that I think will interest you. News? Oh yes, I always like news. What is it? Why do you smile so? Where did you hear it? At Randall's. He had time only to say, No, not at Randalls, I have not been near Randalls, when the door was thrown open, and Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax walked into the room.
Full of thanks and full of news, Miss Bates knew not which to give quickest. Mr. Knightley soon saw that he had lost his moment and that not another syllable of communication could rest with him. Oh, my dear sir, how are you this morning? My dear Miss Woodhouse, I come quite overpowered. Such a beautiful hind quarter of pork. You are too bountiful. Have you heard the news?
Mr. Elton is going to be married. Emma had not had time even to think of Mr Elton, and she was so completely surprised that she could not avoid a little start and a little blush at the sound. There is my news. I thought it would interest you, said Mr Knightley, with a smile which implied a conviction of some part of what had passed between them. ''But where could you hear it?'' cried Miss Bates.
''Where could you possibly hear it, Mr. Knightley? For it is not five minutes since I received Mrs. Cole's note. No, it cannot be more than five, or at least ten, for I had got my bonnet and Spencer on, just ready to come out.'' I was only gone down to speak to Patty again about the pork. Jane was standing in the passage.
were not you jane for my mother was so afraid that we had not any salting pan large enough so i said i would go down and see and jane said shall i go down instead for i think you have a little cold and patty has been washing the kitchen oh my dear said i well and just then came the note
a miss hawkins that's all i know a miss hawkins of bath but mr knightley how could you possibly have heard it for the very moment mr cole told mrs cole of it she sat down and wrote to me a miss hawkins i was with mr cole on business an hour and a half ago He had just read Elton's letter as I was shown in and handed it to me directly. Well, that is quite.
I suppose there never was a piece of news more generally interesting. My dear sir, you really are too bountiful. My mother desires her very best compliments and regards, and a thousand thanks, and says you really quite oppress her.
We consider our Hartfield pork, replied Mr. Woodhouse, indeed it certainly is, so very superior to all other pork, that Emma and I cannot have a greater pleasure than eating it. Oh, my dear sir, as my mother says, our friends are only too good to us. If ever there were people who, without having great wealth themselves, had everything they could wish for, I am sure it is us.
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Chapter 3: What role does Miss Bates play in sharing the news?
We were always glad to see him at Hartfield. A new neighbor for us all, Miss Woodhouse, said Miss Bates joyfully. My mother is so pleased. She says she cannot bear to have the poor old vicarage without a mistress. This is great news indeed. Jane, you have never seen Mr. Elton. No wonder that you have such a curiosity to see him.
Jane's curiosity did not appear of that absorbing nature as holy to occupy her. No, I have never seen Mr. Elton, she replied, starting on this appeal. Is he, is he a tall man? Who shall answer that question, cried Emma. My father would say, yes, Mr. Knightley, no, and Miss Bates and I that he is just the happy medium.
When you have been here a little longer, Miss Fairfax, you will understand that Mr. Elton is the standard of perfection in Highbury, both in person and mind. Very true, Miss Woodhouse, so she will. He is the very best young man. But my dear Jane, if you remember, I told you yesterday he was precisely the height of Mr. Perry. Miss Hawkins, I dare say, an excellent young woman.
His extreme attention to my mother, wanting her to sit in the vicarage pew that she might hear the better, for my mother is a little deaf, you know. It is not much, but she does not hear quite quick. Jane says that Colonel Campbell is a little deaf. He fancied bathing might be good for it, the warm bath. But she says it did him no lasting benefit. Colonel Campbell, you know, is quite our angel.
And Mr. Dixon seems a very charming young man, quite worthy of him. It is such a happiness when good people get together, and they always do. Now, here will be Mr. Elton and Miss Hawkins, and there are the Coles, such very good people, and the Perrys. I suppose there never was a happier or a better couple than Mr. and Mrs. Perry. I say, sir, turning to Mr. Woodhouse.
I think there are few places with such society as Highbury. I always say we are quite blessed in our neighbours. My dear sir, if there is one thing my mother loves better than another, it is pork, a roast loin of pork. As to who or what Miss Hawkins is, or how long he has been acquainted with her, said Emma, nothing I suppose can be known. One feels that it cannot be a very long acquaintance.
He has been gone only four weeks. Nobody had any information to give, and, after a few more wonderings, Emma said, You are silent, Miss Fairfax, but I hope you mean to take an interest in this news.
You who have been hearing and seeing so much of late on these subjects, who must have been so deep in the business on Miss Campbell's account, we shall not excuse your being indifferent about Mr. Elton and Miss Hawkins." When I have seen Mr. Elton, replied Jane, I dare say I shall be interested, but I believe it requires that with me.
And as it is some months since Miss Campbell married, the impression may be a little worn off. Yes, he has been gone just four weeks, as you observe, Miss Woodhouse, said Miss Bates. Four weeks yesterday? A Miss Hawkins? Well, I had always rather fancied it would be some young lady hereabouts. Not that I ever, Mrs. Cole once whispered to me, but I immediately said... No.
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Chapter 4: How does Harriet feel about Mr. Elton's engagement?
Good morning to you, my dear sir. Oh, Mr. Knightley is coming too. Well, that is so very. I am sure if Jane is tired, you will be so kind as to give her your arm. Mr. Elton and Miss Hawkins, good morning to you.
Emma, alone with her father, had half her attention wanted by him while he lamented that young people would be in such a hurry to marry and to marry strangers too, and the other half she could give to her own view of the subject. It was to herself an amusing and a very welcome piece of news, as proving that Mr. Elton could not have suffered long. But she was sorry for Harriet.
Harriet must feel it. And all that she could hope was, by giving the first information herself, to save her from hearing it abruptly from others. It was now about the time that she was likely to call.
If she were to meet Miss Bates in her way, and upon its beginning to rain, Emma was obliged to expect that the weather would be detaining her at Mrs. Goddard's, and that the intelligence would undoubtedly rush upon her without preparation.
The shower was heavy but short, and it had not been over five minutes, when in came Harriet, with just the heated, agitated look which hurrying thither with a full heart was likely to give, and the, Oh, Miss Woodhouse, what do you think has happened? which instantly burst forth, had all the evidence of corresponding perturbation.
As the blow was given, Emma felt that she could not now show greater kindness than in listening, and Harriet, unchecked, ran eagerly through what she had to tell. She had set out from Mrs. Goddard's half an hour ago. She had been afraid it would rain. She had been afraid it would pour down every moment. But she thought she might get to Hartfield first. She had hurried on as fast as possible.
But then, as she was passing by the house where a young woman was making up a gown for her, she thought she would just step in and see how it went on. And though she did not seem to stay half a moment there, soon after she came out, it began to rain, and she did not know what to do. So she ran on directly as fast as she could and took shelter at Ford's.
Ford's was the principal woolen draper, linen draper, and haberdasher shop united, the shop first in size and fashion in the place. And so, there she had sat, without an idea of anything in the world, full ten minutes perhaps, when all of a sudden, who should come in? To be sure it was so very odd. But they always dealt at Fords. Who should come in but Elizabeth Martin and her brother?
Dear Miss Woodhouse, only think. I thought I should have fainted. I did not know what to do. I was sitting near the door. Elizabeth saw me directly, but he did not. He was busy with the umbrella. I am sure she saw me, but she looked away directly and took no notice. And they both went to quite the farther end of the shop, and I kept sitting near the door. Oh dear, I was so miserable.
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Chapter 5: What are Mr. Woodhouse's thoughts on Mr. Elton's marriage?
you ¶¶ Thank you. so so you so so you Thank you.