爱玛 08~10

CHAPTER EIGHT
That night, Harriet spent the night at the Woodhouses‘，as she often did. The next morning, she had to return to the school to speak with Mrs. Goddard, but would return to see Emma in the afternoon. Soon after Harriet left, Mr. George Knightley came for a visit.
“ I believe Harriet will soon have an offer of marriage, from Robert Martin, who is completely in love with her,” Mr. Knightley said with a smile-
"Is Mr. Martin sure that Harriet wants to marry him?” Emma responded.
"I believe he does. He came to speak to me about this matter two nights ago. I told him he should propose marriage to Harriet. Mr. Martin is an honest, hard-working^ and intelligent man. Harriet is lucky to have such a man in love with her. Perhaps he is at the school proposing to her now''
“He wrote Harriet a letter yesterday, and was refused."
 That cannot be, Harriet Smith would never refuse Robert Martin."
"It is true, I saw her answer.''
"You saw her answer! You wrote her answer, too. Emma, you persuaded her to refuse him, didn't you?"
"Harriet is far above him. She can find a better husband than Mr. Martin."
“my only problem in advising Mr- Martin was that he could find a better wife than Harriet. I thought you would agree to this marriage. Harriet would be fortunate to marry Robert Martin.”
"She is superior to Mr Martin in society. She has grown up as a lady; he has grown up as a farmer. They should not marry.”
"Harriet did not want to improve her position in society before she met you. She was content with her simple education. Her friends approved of her and Mr. Martin together. Harriet was always happy with the Martins before she met you, and Robert Martin knew Harriet was interested.
Harriet is a young girl. She does not have to marry the first man who proposes marriage. Let her choose a husband.
"let her marry Robert Martin, and then she will be safe, respectable, and happy for ever. If you insist that she marry a wealthy man, she will never marry.”
“We think so very differently, Mr. Knightley. She was inierested in Mr, Martin only because he was the first man to fall in love with her. He has bad manners and no education. Harriet now knows what a gentleman is, and Mr. Martin is not a gentleman .Emma declared.
"That's not true," cried Mr. Knighlley, "Robert Martin is sincere and shows better manners than Harriet"
Emma did not respond, but tried to look cheerful, though she felt uncomfortable that Mr. Knightley was so upset that Harriet refused Mr. Martin, Nonetheless, she believed she was correct. She usually agreed with Mr. Knightley on most things, so she was upset that he disagreed with her.
Mr. Knightley then said, “ I know you love to find husbands for your friends, but if Elton is the man you want Harriet to marry, you are wrong. I have heard him speak about a family of wealthy young ladies that his sisters know well."
"I do not plan to find Harriet a husband; I just want her to remain a close friend.
Mr. Knightley then left the Woodhouae home, looking rather disappointed- Emma began to worry that Mr. Martin may return to Mrs. Goddard's school to ask Harriet again to marry him. Mr. Knightley's comments about Mr. Elton also upset Emma, but she believed he spoke in anger because Emma did not agree with him.
Soon after, Harriet returned with news about Mr. Elton. While Harriet was at Mrs. Goddard's school, the local doctor, Mr. Perry, was visiting a sick child there- He told Harriet that he saw Mr. Elton on his way to London. Mr. Perry asked him why he was going. Mr Elton told him he had an important matter, but he would not explain more. Mr. Perry said his long journey must be for a lady; and Mr Elton only smiled and rode off. Mr. Perry had no idea which lady this important journey was for, however.


CHAPTER NINE
George Knightley was upset with Emma's plans for Harriet- He did not return to Hartfield to visit for quite a long time. Although Emma felt sorry that she and Mr. Knightley fought, she knew she was right in persuading Harriet not to marry Mr. Martin.
Mr. Elton soon returned with the framed portrait of Harriet, which stayed in the Woodhouse home. Mr. Elton often admired the portrait, and spoke of it often.
Emma knew that Harriet was still upset about Mr. Martin. She suggested that Harriet arrange a book of famous poems to distract her from thinking of Robert Martin. The two girls requested many in Highbury to remember poems to use in Harriet's book- Mr, Elton was quite interested in the project, and Emma suggested that he write a poem for the book. He eagerly agreed.
The very next day, he came to Hartfield just to leave a piece of paper on the table. On the paper was a poem, written by Mr. Elton himself.
"I do not offer it for Miss Smith's collection,” said he, *but perhaps you may like to look at it."
He was speaking to Emma more than Harriet, which Emma could understand. He seemed nervous about giving her the paper. Emma knew that it would explain his feelings toward Harriet. He was gone the next moment.
“Take it," said Emma, smiling, "it is for you."
But Harriet could not touch it, so Emma read the letter herself.
To Miss
CHARADE
My first displays the wealth of kings, 
Lords of the earth, their fortune and ease.
Another view of man my second brings
Behold hint there, the king of the seas!
But ah! United, what reverse we have!
Man's power and freedom,all are shown:
 Lord of the earth and sea, he bends a slave,
 And woman, lovefy woman, rules alone.
Thy ready wit the word will soon supply,
May its approval shown in that soft eye!


Emma read the poem and realized the meaning, and passed the paper to Harriet. Emma smiled to herself, while Harriet read it in confusion.
“What can it be, Miss Woodhouse? Do help me,” Harriet asked. Emma then explained the meaning to her dear little friend.


May its approval shown in that soft eye!
Harriet exactly. Her eyes are the softest、
Thy ready wit the word will soon supply.
Emma thought to herself,  Mr- Elton must be quite in love with Harriet to say she has wit. Harriet does have soft eyes, but cleverness and wit, perhaps not."


For Miss     read miss smith


My first displays the wealth of kings, 
Lords of the earth, their fortune and ease.


He is speaking of a king's court.


Another view of man my second brings,
Behold him there .  the king of the seas!


He means a ship on the sea.


But ah! United (courtship, you know) , what reverse we have!


Man's power and freedom, all are shown:
 Lord of the earth and sea, he bends a slave,
, And woman, lovely woman, rules alone.

A courtship, a romance, between himself and Miss Harriet Smith, the lovely woman who rules alone as his queen.
“ Dear Miss Woodhouse! ” and " Dear Miss Wood¬house J" was all that Harriet could say.
“ It is a certainty. You and Mr. Elton belong to one another, Emma declared.
"Mr Elton is in love with me, I cannot believe it! Oh,


Miss Woodhouse, you understand everything! You and Mr Elton are both so clever. This charade! I could never understand this!"
Later that evening, Mr. Elton came to speak with Mr. Woodhouse. Harriet could not look at him, but Emma gave him a friendly smile, and carefully placed his poem in his hand.
Oh, here is the charade you left us. Thank you for allowing us to read. I hope you do not mind that Miss Smith will write it into her book.”
Mr. Elton did not know what to say, he looked rather confused. He left shortly with a look of confusion and annoyance.


CHAPTER TEN
one December morning, Emma and Harriet took a walk to visit a sick family, who lived nearby. This family's home, on Vicarage Lane, was on the same road as Mr. Elton's cottage.
There it is. You will go there soon, Harriet," Emma told her friend.
"How very beautiful!" replied Harriet.
"I do not often walk this way, but if you were to live here, I would certainly walk down this road often."
I do wonder, Miss Woodhouse, why you are not married. You're so charming, you know."
"Well, Harriet, if I am to marry, I must think my husband is charming, as well. I haven't found any man charming enough, so I don’t want to marry."
"I don't believe you," replied Harriet.
“If I will ever change my mind, I must find a man better than any men I now know."
It is quite strange to hear a woman say that!"
“ Most women marry so their husbands will take care of them, but my father takes care of me. My father believes I cannot do wrong, but a husband may not agree, so why should I marry:、
"But, what will you do?” asked Harriet.
I  have my fortune and my activities. If I give up playing music, I read more books. If I give up reading books, I'll draw more- Besides, I will always have my sister's children to keep me busy.”


As they came close to the cottage, the two girls walked slower. Soon, they saw Mr. Elton standing in front of the house. The three spoke about the sick family, as Mr. Elton had been visiting the family, as well. Then, the three walked together. Emma stopped to tie her shoe, so that Harriet and Mr. Elton would walk alone together. She then continued on, behind the two. However, they soon stopped to wait for her. As the three came back to Mr. Elton's cottage, Emma stopped again. She broke her shoelace to provide an excuse for the two girls to be invited into the cottage.
Part of my lace is gone. said she, "Mr. Elton, please ask your housekeeper for a string to keep my boot on.'
Mr. Elton looked delighted, Emma was taken with the housekeeper to a room, while Harriet and Mr. Elton were left alone in the sitting room to talk. When Emma returned to join them, they were standing together near a window. ML Elton had told Harriet that he saw the two girls walking and followed them. Emma decided that Mr. Elton was interested in Harriet, but was rather careful and shy.