爱玛 19~22

CHAPTER NINETEEN
Emma and Harriet were walking together one morning, and had been talking about Mr. Elton when Emma decided they should discuss another topic. She thought it would help Harriet if they spoke of something else. Discussing Mr. Elton also reminded herself of her error in introducing the two. Emma began speaking about how the poor must suffer in the winter.
"Mr. Elton is so good to the poor!" Harriet responded-
They were walking by the house of Mrs. and Miss Bates at that time. Emma decided they should visit them to distract Harriet from thinking of Mr. Elton. Mrs. and Miss Bates loved visitors, particular] y Emma Woodhouse. Emma still felt rather guilty about Harriets sadness, and needed the Bates to compliment her. Mr. George Knightley often reminded her of her imperfections and misguided ideas, but Emma needed to feel better that day.
The Bates did not often receive visitors, but were rather excited when others，came to visit. The younger Miss Bates, talkative and in her late forties, had never been married, she chose instead to live with her mother.
“Mr. Elton is still away from Highbury. He is so charming/' Miss Bales began.
Emma knew this conversation would upset her young friend, Harriet, so she began asking Miss Bates about her beloved niece, Jane Fairfax. Mrs. and Miss Bates' favourite topic is their young niece. Whenever they receive a letter from the girl, it would be discussed for the next month. There was not another subject they spoke of more often.
"Have you heard from Miss Fairfax lately? I hope she is well/* began Emma.
Miss Bates then eagerly searched for the most recent letter from Jane. "Oh here it is. Jane will be coming next week, what a pleasure that will be,” responded Miss Bates.
Emma and Harriet stayed at the Bates' home for a short time, listening to Miss Bates praise her niece, rather excited that Jane chose to visit her aunts, instead of a trip to Ireland. Soon, the girls left the Bates' home; Emma was pleased with herself for escaping before Miss Bates read the letter.


CHAPTER TWENTY
Jane Fairfax was the only child of Mrs. Bates' youngest daughter. Her father died while serving in the mili¬tary when she was a young child. Jane's mother was shocked when her husband died, and could not live without him. Soon after, when Jane was three years old, her mother died, as well. She was then sent to live with her grandmother, Mrs. Bates. She received a limited education there, with little opportunity,
Jane's father had saved a man's life while in the military. This man, Colonel Campbell, wanted to repay Lieutenant Fair¬fax for his help. At the age of nine, Jane went to live with the Campbell family. The Campbells' only child was a daughter, also nine years old. The Campbells regarded Jane as a daughter, offering her an excellent education.
Jane was to study education, and then one day would look for work as a teacher. At the age of eighteen or nineteen, her education was complete, but the Campbells loved her too much to let her leave their home at that lime. Her future as a teacher was delayed. She continued to live with the Campbells, enjoying high society, although she knew one day she would have to leave to earn a living.
The family continued to live together until Miss Campbell married a young, wealthy man, named Mr. Dixon. By this time, Jane was twenty-one years old- She had promised herself that at that age, she would leave the Campbells to make a living for herself, leaving high society. The Campbells were rather upset about her leaving, but they knew she had to begin working.
Still, she had been ill since their daughter's marriage, so they agreed that Jane must first recover before leaving them.
The Campbells, along with their daughter and her new husband, Mr. Dixon, were leaving for Ireland, where the Dixons planned to live, Jane was asked to go along, but she decided to visit Mrs. and Miss Bates insteed, although she was greatly missed by the Campbells, particularly their daughter¬
jane would be in Highbury for three months with her aunt. Emma was sorry to have to visit someone she did not like- Mr. George Knightley believed Emma disliked her because Jane was a talented young woman, completing many things Emma has attempted, but never finished. Emma strongly disagreed with Mr. Knightley, but at times, she could understand his reason. Emma felt Jane was cold and silent. Although, everyone in Highbury thought the two girls, Emma and Jane, would become great friends.
Soon after Jane arrived in Highbury, Emma and Mr Knightley went for a visit. Jane had not visited in over two years, and when Emma saw her during this visit, she was surprised at Jane Fairfax's elegance. She was attractive, with a delicate face. Emma greatly admired elegance; therefore, she now admired the graceful Jane Fairfax. Emma decided that she no longer disliked Jane; she now felt kindness and respect for the girl. She was curious about Jane's reasons for not joining the Campbells in Ireland, since after this trip to Highbury, she would have to leave them to look for work. Emma believed Jane's reason was Mr. Dixon; perhaps Jane envied Mrs. Dixon.
Emma asked about Mr. Dixon, but Jane said little about the Dixons. Emma also inquired about Mr. Frank Churchill, who Jane had met on a trip to Weymouth. Jane said little about this, as well. "Was he handsome?" "He was a fine young man.” "Was he agreeable?" "He was thought so." Emma could not forgive her for her unwillingness to speak.


CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Emma could not forgive Jane, On the walk home, however, Mr. Knightley did not realize Emma was upset.
"A very pleasant evening/* began Mr, George Knightley.
Yes, quite a pleasant evening. I was pleased with the many questions I asked Miss Fairfax, and amused at how little information I received/' Emma replied.
The next morning, Mr. Knightley arrived at the Wood¬house home with news for Emma. Miss Bates arrived just as Mr. Knightley was going to tell Emma the news. Miss Bates interrupted, however.
Have you heard the news? she asked. "Mr. Elton is going to be married."
Emma had not had time to think of Mr, Elton, and was surprised, and felt embarrassed at hearing the news.
"There is my news.I thought it would interest you, Emma. He is going to be married to a Miss Hawkins；said Mr. Knightley with a smile, knowing there was a secret between them.
"I wish them happiness!" Emma exclaimed.
“ He is very young to get married," Mr. Woodhouse observed.
“ A new neighbour for us all, Miss Woodhouse! ” said Miss Bates joyfully. "Jane, you have never seen Mr. Elton?'
"No, I have never seen Mr. Elton, she responded without emotion. 
“Mr. Elton has only been gone four weeks, he must have met Miss Hawkins recently," Emma said. "You are silent, Miss Fairfax, but I hope you are interested. in this news.”
When I have seen Mr. Elton/' replied Jane, “I shall be interested, but I must first meet him."
Emma then realized she must tell Harriet the news before she finds out from others. A few moments later, Harriet arrived, looking rather upset.
"Oh, Miss Woodhouse, I must speak with you at once," were Harries first words.
Harriet had been walking to the Woodhouse home when it started to rain. She slopped at Ford's, a clothing shop in Highbury, to wait for the rain to stop. As she sat down, she saw Elizabeth Martin and her brother come in!
"I was sitting near the door when Elizabeth saw me, but Mr. Martin did not. She looked away, but soon he looked around the store and saw me. They began whispering. I think he was asking her to speak to me because she then came to greet me. She was very friendly. She said she was sorry we never see each other. Dear Miss Woodhouse, I was absolutely miserable! I wanted to leave, but it was raining outside. Then, he came to speak to me for a minute. Then, the rain stopped, so I said goodbye. As I was leaving, he followed me to say I should take the road near Mr. Cole's home because it is safer. He was so pleasant and kind, and Elizabeth, too. Oh, Miss Woodhouse, I am so upset. Please make me feel comfortable again.”
This upset Emma because she knew she had to tell Harriet the news about Mr. Elton's marriage, which would not comfort her dear friend. She pitied the Martins. They honestly cared about Harriet, although she hurt Mr. Martin deeply. Then, Emma told Harriet the news of Mr. Elton's marriage. Poor Harriet soon forgot about her seeing the Martins, She was curious and hurt after hearing the news of Mr, Elton and his Miss Hawkina.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
A week had not passed since Miss Hawkins' name was mentioned in Highbury, When Mr. Elton arrived, most people in town already knew her history and appearance. He returned, a very happy man. He left Highbury rejected and hurt, but came back satisfied with himself. He no longer cared for Miss Woodhouse, and ignored Miss Smith.
Miss Augusta Hawkins was charming and beautiful, and had a fortune of ten thousand pounds. They fell in love immediately after meeting, and were soon engaged. He returned to Highbury a confident man, speaking of his wedding plans often. The wedding was to be soon, and he announced that on his next return to Highbury, he would bring his future bride- Emma was happy for the new couple, but it pained her to see him. She assumed that after the marriage, she would rarely see Mr. Elton, which satisfied her,
Emma thought little of Miss Hawkins. She was good enough for Mr. Elton, but was plain compared to Harriets beauty and her family was not of high society. Aside from her fortune of ten thousand pounds, she was not better than Harriet.
Emma still felt quite guilty about Harriet's broken heart. She had talked Harriet into love, but could not talk her out of it. She feared that nothing could calm Harriets mind, she would forever be in love with Mr. Elton. Since his arrival, Harriet had become more upset with the situation. Emma saw Mr. Elton only once, but everyday Harriet would hear his voice or see him pass by or hear his name in a conversation, there was always a reminder of his presence.
A few days after Harriet spoke with the Martins, Elizabeth Martin requested that Harriet come for a visit. Emma thought a visit to the Martins' farm would be respectful to the family, although the visit should be quite short. Emma took her there in her carriage, and would return for her soon. Emma feared that Harriet would again fall in love with Mr, Martin during this meeting- "This cannot be allowed, Harriet is not to be a farmers wife," Emma thought to herself.