Kitabı oku: «Эмма. Уровень 3 / Emma», sayfa 9
“Dear Harriet,” said Emma, smiling graciously, “you must be the best judge of your own happiness. If you prefer Mr. Martin to every other person; if you think him the most agreeable man you have ever been in company with, why should you hesitate? You blush, Harriet. Harriet, Harriet, do not deceive yourself. At this moment whom are you thinking of?”
Instead of answering, Harriet turned away confused, and stood thoughtfully by the fire; and though the letter was still in her hand, it was now mechanically twisted about without a thought. Emma waited the result with impatience. At last, with some hesitation, Harriet said-
“Miss Woodhouse, I have now quite determined, and really almost made up my mind-to refuse Mr. Martin. Do you think I am right?”
“Perfectly, perfectly right, my dearest Harriet; you are doing just what you ought. Dear Harriet, I am so glad. It would have grieved me to say goodbye to you, which must have been the consequence of your marrying Mr. Martin. I could not have visited Mrs. Robert Martin, ofAbbey-Mill Farm40.”
The idea of it struck Harriet forcibly.
“You could not have visited me!” she cried. “No, to be sure you could not; but I never thought of that before. That would have been too dreadful! – What an escape! – Dear Miss Woodhouse, I would not give up the pleasure and honour of being intimate with you for anything in the world.”
“Indeed, Harriet, you would have thrown yourself out of all good society.”
“Dear me! It would have killed me never to come to Hartfield again! I shall always feel much obliged to Mr. Martin, and have a great regard for-but that is quite a different thing from-and you know, though he may like me, it does not follow that I should-and if one comes to compare them, there is no comparison at all, one is so very handsome and agreeable… However, I do really think Mr. Martin a very amiable young man, and have a great opinion of him.”
“Thank you, thank you, my own sweet little friend. We will not be separated. A woman is not to marry a man merely because she is asked, or because he is attached to her, and can write a tolerable letter.”
“Oh no; and it is but a short letter too.”
Emma felt the bad taste of her friend, but let it pass.
“Oh! yes, very.Nobody cares for a letter41; the thing is, to be always happy with pleasant companions. I am quite determined to refuse him. But how shall I do? What shall I say?”
Emma assured her there would be no difficulty in the answer, and advised to write it directly. This letter was written, and sealed, and sent. The business was finished, and Harriet safe.
“I shall never be invited to Abbey-Mill again,” said Harriet in a sorrowful tone.
Chapter VIII
Harriet slept at Hartfield that night. She had been spending more than half her time there, and Emma judged it best in every respect, safest and kindest, to keep her with them as much as possible just at present. She had to go the next morning for an hour or two to Mrs. Goddard's, but it was then to be settled that she should return to Hartfield.
While she was gone, Mr. Knightley came, and sat some time with Emma. He began speaking of Harriet, and speaking of her with more voluntary praise than Emma had ever heard before.
“I cannot rate her beauty as you do,” said he; “but she is a pretty little creature. Her character depends upon those she is with; but in good hands she will turn out a valuable woman.”
“I am glad you think so.”
“You are anxious for a compliment, so I will tell you that you have improved her. You have cured her of her school-girl's giggle. You are expecting her again, you say, this morning?”
“Almost every moment. She has been gone longer already than she intended.”
“Something has happened to delay her; some visitors perhaps. I must tell you that I have good reason to believe your little friend will soon hear of something to her advantage,” Mr. Knightley said with a smile.
“Indeed! how so? of what sort?”
“A very serious sort, I assure you;” still smiling.
“Very serious! I can think of but one thing-Who is in love with her?
“I have reason to think, that Harriet Smith will soon have an offer of marriage, Robert Martin is the man. He is desperately in love and means to marry her.”
