[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
fortune.--But Harriet Smith--I have not half done about Harriet Smith. I think her the very worst sort of
companion that Emma could possibly have. She knows nothing herself, and looks upon Emma as
knowing every thing. She is a flatterer in all her ways; and so much the worse, because undesigned. Her
ignorance is hourly flattery. How can Emma imagine she has any thing to learn herself, while Harriet is
presenting such a delightful inferiority? And as for Harriet, I will venture to say that she cannot gain by the
acquaintance. Hartfield will only put her out of conceit with all the other places she belongs to. She will
grow just refined enough to be uncomfortable with those among whom birth and circumstances have
placed her home. I am much mistaken if Emma's doctrines give any strength of mind, or tend at all to
make a girl adapt herself rationally to the varieties of her situation in life.--They only give a little polish."
"I either depend more upon Emma's good sense than you do, or am more anxious for her present
Page 197
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
comfort; for I cannot lament the acquaintance. How well she looked last night!"
"Oh! you would rather talk of her person than her mind, would you? Very well; I shall not attempt to
deny Emma's being pretty."
"Pretty! say beautiful rather. Can you imagine any thing nearer perfect beauty than Emma altogether--
face and figure?"
"I do not know what I could imagine, but I confess that I have seldom seen a face or figure more
pleasing to me than hers. But I am a partial old friend."
"Such an eye!--the true hazle eye--and so brilliant! regular features, open countenance, with a
complexion! oh! what a bloom of full health, and such a pretty height and size; such a firm and upright
figure! There is health, not merely in her bloom, but in her air, her head, her glance. One hears sometimes
of a child being `the picture of health;' now, Emma always gives me the idea of being the complete picture
of grown-up health. She is loveliness itself. Mr. Knightley, is not she?"
"I have not a fault to find with her person," he replied. "I think her all you describe. I love to look at
her; and I will add this praise, that I do not think her personally vain. Considering how very handsome
she is, she appears to be little occupied with it; her vanity lies another way. Mrs. Weston, I am not to be
talked out of my dislike of Harriet Smith, or my dread of its doing them both harm."
"And I, Mr. Knightley, am equally stout in my confidence of its not doing them any harm. With all
dear Emma's little faults, she is an excellent creature. Where shall we see a better daughter, or a kinder
sister, or a truer friend? No, no; she has qualities which may be trusted; she will never lead any one really
wrong; she will make no lasting blunder; where Emma errs once, she is in the right a hundred times."
"Very well; I will not plague you any more. Emma shall be an angel, and I will keep my spleen to
myself till Christmas brings John and Isabella. John loves Emma with a reasonable and therefore not a
blind affection, and Isabella always thinks as he does; except when he is not quite frightened enough
about the children. I am sure of having their opinions with me."
"I know that you all love her really too well to be unjust or unkind; but excuse me, Mr. Knightley, if I
take the liberty (I consider myself, you know, as having somewhat of the privilege of speech that Emma's
mother might have had) the liberty of hinting that I do not think any possible good can arise from Harriet
Smith's intimacy being made a matter of much discussion among you. Pray excuse me; but supposing any
little inconvenience may be apprehended from the intimacy, it cannot be expected that Emma,
accountable to nobody but her father, who perfectly approves the acquaintance, should put an end to it,
so long as it is a source of pleasure to herself. It has been so many years my province to give advice, that
you cannot be surprized, Mr. Knightley, at this little remains of office."
"Not at all," cried he; "I am much obliged to you for it. It is very good advice, and it shall have a
better fate than your advice has often found; for it shall be attended to."
"Mrs. John Knightley is easily alarmed, and might be made unhappy about her sister." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl aikidobyd.xlx.pl
fortune.--But Harriet Smith--I have not half done about Harriet Smith. I think her the very worst sort of
companion that Emma could possibly have. She knows nothing herself, and looks upon Emma as
knowing every thing. She is a flatterer in all her ways; and so much the worse, because undesigned. Her
ignorance is hourly flattery. How can Emma imagine she has any thing to learn herself, while Harriet is
presenting such a delightful inferiority? And as for Harriet, I will venture to say that she cannot gain by the
acquaintance. Hartfield will only put her out of conceit with all the other places she belongs to. She will
grow just refined enough to be uncomfortable with those among whom birth and circumstances have
placed her home. I am much mistaken if Emma's doctrines give any strength of mind, or tend at all to
make a girl adapt herself rationally to the varieties of her situation in life.--They only give a little polish."
"I either depend more upon Emma's good sense than you do, or am more anxious for her present
Page 197
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
comfort; for I cannot lament the acquaintance. How well she looked last night!"
"Oh! you would rather talk of her person than her mind, would you? Very well; I shall not attempt to
deny Emma's being pretty."
"Pretty! say beautiful rather. Can you imagine any thing nearer perfect beauty than Emma altogether--
face and figure?"
"I do not know what I could imagine, but I confess that I have seldom seen a face or figure more
pleasing to me than hers. But I am a partial old friend."
"Such an eye!--the true hazle eye--and so brilliant! regular features, open countenance, with a
complexion! oh! what a bloom of full health, and such a pretty height and size; such a firm and upright
figure! There is health, not merely in her bloom, but in her air, her head, her glance. One hears sometimes
of a child being `the picture of health;' now, Emma always gives me the idea of being the complete picture
of grown-up health. She is loveliness itself. Mr. Knightley, is not she?"
"I have not a fault to find with her person," he replied. "I think her all you describe. I love to look at
her; and I will add this praise, that I do not think her personally vain. Considering how very handsome
she is, she appears to be little occupied with it; her vanity lies another way. Mrs. Weston, I am not to be
talked out of my dislike of Harriet Smith, or my dread of its doing them both harm."
"And I, Mr. Knightley, am equally stout in my confidence of its not doing them any harm. With all
dear Emma's little faults, she is an excellent creature. Where shall we see a better daughter, or a kinder
sister, or a truer friend? No, no; she has qualities which may be trusted; she will never lead any one really
wrong; she will make no lasting blunder; where Emma errs once, she is in the right a hundred times."
"Very well; I will not plague you any more. Emma shall be an angel, and I will keep my spleen to
myself till Christmas brings John and Isabella. John loves Emma with a reasonable and therefore not a
blind affection, and Isabella always thinks as he does; except when he is not quite frightened enough
about the children. I am sure of having their opinions with me."
"I know that you all love her really too well to be unjust or unkind; but excuse me, Mr. Knightley, if I
take the liberty (I consider myself, you know, as having somewhat of the privilege of speech that Emma's
mother might have had) the liberty of hinting that I do not think any possible good can arise from Harriet
Smith's intimacy being made a matter of much discussion among you. Pray excuse me; but supposing any
little inconvenience may be apprehended from the intimacy, it cannot be expected that Emma,
accountable to nobody but her father, who perfectly approves the acquaintance, should put an end to it,
so long as it is a source of pleasure to herself. It has been so many years my province to give advice, that
you cannot be surprized, Mr. Knightley, at this little remains of office."
"Not at all," cried he; "I am much obliged to you for it. It is very good advice, and it shall have a
better fate than your advice has often found; for it shall be attended to."
"Mrs. John Knightley is easily alarmed, and might be made unhappy about her sister." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]