Kitabı oku: «Эмма. Уровень 3 / Emma», sayfa 11

“We think very differently on this point, Mr. Knightley. We shall only be making each other more angry. But as to my letting her marry Robert Martin, it is impossible; she has refused him. His appearance is so much against him, and his manner is so bad. I can imagine, that before she had seen anybody superior, she might like him. He was the brother of her friends, and while she was at Abbey-Mill, she found him nice. But the case is altered now. She knows now what gentlemen are; and nothing but a gentleman in education and manner has any chance with Harriet.”

“Nonsense, nonsense!” cried Mr. Knightley. “Robert Martin's manners have sense, sincerity, and good-humour to recommend them; and his mind has more true gentility than Harriet Smith could understand.”

Emma made no answer, and tried to look unconcerned, but was really feeling uncomfortable and wanting him very much to be gone. She did not regret what she had done; she had respect for his judgment in general. He was sitting just opposite to her in angry state, and that was very unpleasant. Some minutes passed in silence, with only one attempt on Emma's side to talk of the weather, but he made no answer. He was thinking. The result of his thoughts appeared at last in these words.

“Robert Martinhas no great loss⁴³; but you make no secret of your love of match-making, and as a friend I shall just hint to you that if Elton is the man, I think it will be all in vain.”

Emma laughed. He continued,

“Elton is a very good sort of man, and a very respectable vicar of Highbury, but not at all likely to make an imprudent match. He knows the value of a good income as well as anybody. Elton may talk sentimentally, but he will act rationally.”

“I am very much obliged to you,” said Emma. “but at present I only want to keep Harriet to myself.”

“Good morning to you,” said he, rising and walking off abruptly. Emma remained in a state of vexation too.

Harriet's cheerful look and manner calmed Emma: she came back, not to think of Mr. Martin, but to talk of Mr. Elton.

Chapter IX

Mr. Knightley might quarrel with her, but Emma could not quarrel with herself. He was so much displeased, that when they met again, his grave looks showed that she was not forgiven. She was sorry, but could not apologise for what she did not regret.

The picture, elegantly framed, came safely to hand soon after Mr. Elton's return, and was hung over the mantelpiece of the common sitting.

“You and Mr. Elton areby situation called together⁴⁴,” said Emma to Harriet; “you belong to one another by every circumstance of your respective homes. Your marrying will be equal to the match at Randalls.”

“That Mr. Elton should really be in love with me, me, of all people! And he, the most handsome man that ever was, and a man that everybody looks up to, quite like Mr. Knightley! And so excellent in the Church! Dear me! When I look back to the first time I saw him! How little did I think!”

“This is an alliance which, whoever-whatever your friends may be, must be agreeable to them, provided at least they have common sense. If they are anxious to see you happily married, here is a man whose amiable character gives every assurance of it.”

“Yes, very true. How nicely you talk; I love to hear you. You understand everything. You and Mr. Elton are one as clever as the other.”