CHAPTER V
關燈
小
中
大
ycourseofsteadyreadingfromEmma.Shewillneversubmittoanythingrequiringindustryandpatience,andasubjectionofthefancytotheunderstanding.WhereMissTaylorfailedtostimulate,ImaysafelyaffirmthatHarrietSmithwilldonothing.—Younevercouldpersuadehertoreadhalfsomuchasyouwished.—Youknowyoucouldnot.”
“Idaresay,”repliedMrs.Weston,smiling,“thatIthoughtsothen—butsincewehaveparted,IcanneverrememberEmma’somittingtodoanythingIwished.”
“Thereishardlyanydesiringtorefreshsuchamemoryasthat,”—saidMr.Knightley,feelinglyandforamomentortwohehaddone.“ButI,”hesoonadded,“whohavehadnosuchcharmthrownovermysenses,muststillsee,hear,andremember.Emmaisspoiledbybeingthecleverestofherfamily.Attenyearsold,shehadthemisfortuneofbeingabletoanswerquestionswhichpuzzledhersisteratseventeen.Shewasalwaysquickandassured:Isabellaslowanddiffident.Andeversinceshewastwelve,Emmahasbeenmistressofthehouseandofyouall.Inhermothershelosttheonlypersonabletocopewithher.Sheinheritshermother’stalents,andmusthavebeenundersubjectiontoher.”
“Ishouldhavebeensorry,Mr.Knightley,tobedependentonyourrecommendation,hadIquittedMr.Woodhouse’sfamilyandwantedanothersituationIdonotthinkyouwouldhavespokenagoodwordformetoanybody.IamsureyoualwaysthoughtmeunfitfortheofficeIheld.”
“Yes,”saidhe,smiling.“Youarebetterplacedhereveryfitforawife,butnotatallforagoverness.ButyouwerepreparingyourselftobeanexcellentwifeallthetimeyouwereatHartfield.YoumightnotgiveEmmasuchacompleteeducationasyourpowerswouldseemtopromisebutyouwerereceivingaverygoodeducationfromher,ontheverymaterialmatrimonialpointofsubmittingyourownwill,anddoingasyouwerebidandifWestonhadaskedmetorecommendhimawife,IshouldcertainlyhavenamedMissTaylor.”
“Thankyou.TherewillbeverylittlemeritinmakingagoodwifetosuchamanasMr
