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Campbell, I have no idea that you will suppose her talents can be unknown."
"Oh! but dear Miss Woodhouse, she is now in such retirement, such obscurity, so thrown
away.--Whatever advantages she may have enjoyed with the Campbells are so palpably at an end! And
I think she feels it. I am sure she does. She is very timid and silent. One can see that she feels the want of
encouragement. I like her the better for it. I must confess it is a recommendation to me. I am a great
advocate for timidity--and I am sure one does not often meet with it.--But in those who are at all inferior,
it is extremely prepossessing. Oh! I assure you, Jane Fairfax is a very delightful character, and interests
me more than I can express."
"You appear to feel a great deal--but I am not aware how you or any of Miss Fairfax's acquaintance
here, any of those who have known her longer than yourself, can shew her any other attention than"--
"My dear Miss Woodhouse, a vast deal may be done by those who dare to act. You and I need not
be afraid. If we set the example, many will follow it as far as they can; though all have not our situations.
We have carriages to fetch and convey her home, and we live in a style which could not make the
addition of Jane Fairfax, at any time, the least inconvenient.--I should be extremely displeased if Wright
were to send us up such a dinner, as could make me regret having asked more than Jane Fairfax to
partake of it. I have no idea of that sort of thing. It is not likely that I should, considering what I have
been used to. My greatest danger, perhaps, in housekeeping, may be quite the other way, in doing too
much, and being too careless of expense. Maple Grove will probably be my model more than it ought to
be-- for we do not at all affect to equal my brother, Mr. Suckling, in income.--However, my resolution is
taken as to noticing Jane Fairfax.-- I shall certainly have her very often at my house, shall introduce her
wherever I can, shall have musical parties to draw out her talents, and shall be constantly on the watch
for an eligible situation. My acquaintance is so very extensive, that I have little doubt of hearing of
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something to suit her shortly.--I shall introduce her, of course, very particularly to my brother and sister
when they come to us. I am sure they will like her extremely; and when she gets a little acquainted with
them, her fears will completely wear off, for there really is nothing in the manners of either but what is
highly conciliating.--I shall have her very often indeed while they are with me, and I dare say we shall
sometimes find a seat for her in the barouche-landau in some of our exploring parties."
"Poor Jane Fairfax!"--thought Emma.--"You have not deserved this. You may have done wrong with
regard to Mr. Dixon, but this is a punishment beyond what you can have merited!--The kindness and
protection of Mrs. Elton!--`Jane Fairfax and Jane Fairfax.' Heavens! Let me not suppose that she dares
go about, Emma Woodhouse-ing me!-- But upon my honour, there seems no limits to the licentiousness
of that woman's tongue!"
Emma had not to listen to such paradings again--to any so exclusively addressed to herself--so
disgustingly decorated with a "dear Miss Woodhouse." The change on Mrs. Elton's side soon afterwards
appeared, and she was left in peace--neither forced to be the very particular friend of Mrs. Elton, nor,
under Mrs. Elton's guidance, the very active patroness of Jane Fairfax, and only sharing with others in a
general way, in knowing what was felt, what was meditated, what was done.
She looked on with some amusement.--Miss Bates's gratitude for Mrs. Elton's attentions to Jane was
in the first style of guileless simplicity and warmth. She was quite one of her worthies-- the most amiable,
affable, delightful woman--just as accomplished and condescending as Mrs. Elton meant to be
considered. Emma's only surprize was that Jane Fairfax should accept those attentions and tolerate Mrs.
Elton as she seemed to do. She heard of her walking with the Eltons, sitting with the Eltons, spending a
day with the Eltons! This was astonishing!--She could not have believed it possible that the taste or the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]