Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads the thirtieth chapter of Emma by Jane Austen
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Welcome to Byte At a Time Books.
Speaker:Where we read your favorite classics one.
Speaker:Bite at a time.
Speaker:My name is Brie Carlyle, and I.
Speaker:Love to read and wanted to share.
Speaker:My passion with listeners like you.
Speaker:All of the links for our show.
Speaker:Are in the Show Notes notes.
Speaker:Today we will be continuing Emma by Jane Austin, chapter Twelve One thing only.
Speaker:Was wanting to make the prospect of.
Speaker:The ball completely satisfactory to Emma.
Speaker:It's being fixed for a day within the grand term of Frank Churchill's day in Surrey.
Speaker:For in spite of Mr.
Speaker:Weston's confidence.
Speaker:She could not think it so very.
Speaker:Impossible that the Churchills might not allow.
Speaker:Their nephew to remain a day beyond his fortnight.
Speaker:But this was not judged feasible.
Speaker:The preparations must take their time.
Speaker:Nothing could be properly ready till the.
Speaker:Third week were entered on, and for.
Speaker:A few days they must be planning.
Speaker:Proceeding, and hoping in uncertainty at the risk, in her opinion, the great risk of it being all in vain.
Speaker:Enscombe, however, was gracious.
Speaker:Gracious, in fact, if not in word.
Speaker:His wish of staying longer evidently did.
Speaker:Not please, but it was not opposed.
Speaker:All was safe and prosperous, and as.
Speaker:The removal of one solicitude generally makes.
Speaker:Way for another, Emma, being now certain.
Speaker:Of her ball, began to adopt as.
Speaker:The next vexation Mr.
Speaker:Knightley's provoking indifference.
Speaker:About it, either because he did not dance himself or because the plan had been formed without his being consulted, he seemed resolved that it should not interest him.
Speaker:Determined against his exciting any present curiosity or affording him any future amusement to.
Speaker:Her voluntary communications, Emma could get no.
Speaker:More approving reply then.
Speaker:Very well.
Speaker:If the Westons think it worthwhile to.
Speaker:Be at all this trouble for a.
Speaker:Few hours of noisy entertainment, I have nothing to say against it but that they shall not choose pleasures for me.
Speaker:Oh, yes, I must be there.
Speaker:I could not refuse, and I will keep as much awake as I can.
Speaker:But I would rather be at home.
Speaker:Looking over William Larkins'week's account.
Speaker:Much rather, I confess, pleasure I see in dancing.
Speaker:Not I.
Speaker:Indeed, I never look at it.
Speaker:I do not know who does.
Speaker:Fine dancing, I believe, like virtue, must be its own reward.
Speaker:Those who are standing by are usually.
Speaker:Thinking of something very different.
Speaker:This, Emma felt, was aimed at her.
Speaker:And it made her quite angry.
Speaker:It was not in compliment to Jane.
Speaker:Fairfax, however, that he was so indifferent or so indignant.
Speaker:He was not guided by her feelings.
Speaker:In her probating the ball, for she enjoyed the thought of it to an extraordinary degree.
Speaker:It made her animated, open hearted.
Speaker:She voluntarily said, oh, Miss Woodhouse, I.
Speaker:Hope nothing may happen to prevent the ball.
Speaker:What a disappointment it would be.
Speaker:I do look forward to it.
Speaker:I own with very great pleasure.
Speaker:It was not to oblige Jane Fairfax.
Speaker:Therefore, that he would have preferred the.
Speaker:Society of William Larkins.
Speaker:No, she was more and more convinced.
Speaker:That Mrs.
Speaker:Weston was quite mistaken in that surmise.
Speaker:There was a great deal of friendly.
Speaker:And of compassionate attachment on his side, but no love.
Speaker:Alas, there was soon no leisure for quarrelling with Mr.
Speaker:Knightley.
Speaker:Two days of joyful security were immediately followed by the overthrow of everything.
Speaker:A letter arrived from Mr.
Speaker:Churchill to urge his nephew's instant return.
Speaker:Mrs.
Speaker:Churchill was unwell, far too unwell.
Speaker:To do without him.
Speaker:She had been in a very suffering state.
Speaker:So said her husband when writing to her nephew two days before, though from her usual unwillingness to give pain and constant habit of never thinking of herself.
Speaker:She had not mentioned it, but now.
Speaker:She was too ill to trifle, and.
Speaker:Must entreat him to set off for.
Speaker:Inc comb without delay.
Speaker:The substance of this letter was forwarded.
Speaker:To Emma, and a note from Mrs.
Speaker:Westin instantly as to his going.
Speaker:It was inevitable.
Speaker:He must be gone within a few.
Speaker:Hours, though without feeling any real alarm.
Speaker:For his aunt to lessen his repugnance.
Speaker:He knew her illnesses.
Speaker:They never occurred, but for her own.
Speaker:Convenience, Mrs.
Speaker:Weston added that he could.
Speaker:Only allow himself to hurry to Highbury.
Speaker:After breakfast and take leave of the few friends there whom he could supposed.
Speaker:To feel any interest in him, and.
Speaker:That he might be expected at Hartfield very soon.
Speaker:This wretched note was the finale of Emma's breakfast.
Speaker:When once it had been read, there was no doing anything but lament and exclaim the loss of the ball, the.
Speaker:Loss of the young man, and all.
Speaker:That the young man might be feeling.
Speaker:It was too wretched.
Speaker:Such a delightful evening as it would have been, everyone's so happy, and she.
Speaker:And her partner, the happiest I said.
Speaker:It would be so was the only consolation.
Speaker:Her father's feelings were quite distinct.
Speaker:He thought principally of Mrs.
Speaker:Churchill's illness.
Speaker:And wanted to know how she was treated.
Speaker:And as for the ball, it was.
Speaker:Shocking to have dear Emma disappointed, but.
Speaker:They would all be safer at home.
Speaker:Emma was ready for her visitors some.
Speaker:Time before he appeared, but if this reflected at all upon his impatience, his.
Speaker:Sorrowful look and total want of spirits when he did come might redeem him.
Speaker:He felt the going away almost too.
Speaker:Much to speak of it.
Speaker:His dejection was most evident.
Speaker:He sat really lost in thought for.
Speaker:The first few minutes, and when rousing.
Speaker:Himself, it was only to say, of.
Speaker:All horrid things, leave taking is the worst.
Speaker:But you will come again, said Emma.
Speaker:This will not be your only visit.
Speaker:To Randall's, shaking his head the uncertainty of when I may be able to.
Speaker:Return, I shall try for it with a zeal.
Speaker:It will be the object of all my thoughts and cares, and if my uncle and aunt go to town this spring.
Speaker:But I am afraid they did not stir last spring.
Speaker:I am afraid it is a custom gone forever.
Speaker:Our poor ball must be quite given up, that ball.
Speaker:Why did we wait for anything?
Speaker:Why not seize the pleasure at once?
Speaker:How often is happiness destroyed by preparation?
Speaker:Foolish preparation.
Speaker:You told us it would be so.
Speaker:Oh, Miss Woodhouse, why are you always so right?
Speaker:Indeed, I am very sorry to be right in this instance.
Speaker:I would much rather have been married than wise.
Speaker:If I can come again, we are.
Speaker:Still to have our ball.
Speaker:My father depends on it.
Speaker:Do not forget your engagement.
Speaker:Emma looked graciously.
Speaker:Such a fortnight as it has been, he continued.
Speaker:Every day more precious and more delightful than the day before.
Speaker:Every day making me less fit to bear any other place happy.
Speaker:Those who can remain at Highbury as you do us such ample justice.
Speaker:Now, said Emma, laughing, I will venture to ask whether you did not come.
Speaker:A little doubtfully at first.
Speaker:Do not we rather surpass your expectations?
Speaker:I am sure we do.
Speaker:I am sure you did not much expect to like us.
Speaker:You would not have been so long in coming if you had had a.
Speaker:Pleasant idea of Highbury.
Speaker:He laughed rather consciously, and though denying.
Speaker:The sentiment, Emma was convinced that it had been so.
Speaker:And you must be off this very morning?
Speaker:Yes.
Speaker:My father is to join me here.
Speaker:We shall walk back together.
Speaker:And I must be off immediately.
Speaker:I am almost afraid that every moment will bring him not five minutes to spare.
Speaker:Even for your friends, Ms.
Speaker:Fairfax and Ms.
Speaker:Bates.
Speaker:How unlucky.
Speaker:Ms.
Speaker:Bates powerful argumentative mind might have straightened yours.
Speaker:Yes, I have called there, passing the door.
Speaker:I thought it better.
Speaker:It was the right thing to do.
Speaker:I went in for three minutes and was detained by Miss Bates'being absent.
Speaker:She was out, and I felt it.
Speaker:Impossible not to wait till she came in.
Speaker:She is a woman that one must.
Speaker:Laugh at, but that one would not wish to slight.
Speaker:It was better to pay my visit then.
Speaker:He hesitated, got up, walked to a window.
Speaker:In short, said he, perhaps, Miss Woodhouse.
Speaker:I think you can hardly be quite without suspicion.
Speaker:He looked at her as if wanting.
Speaker:To read her thoughts.
Speaker:She hardly knew what to say.
Speaker:It seemed like the forerunner of something.
Speaker:Absolutely serious, which she did not wish.
Speaker:Forcing herself to speak, therefore, in the.
Speaker:Hope of putting it by, she calmly.
Speaker:Said, you are quite in the right.
Speaker:It was most natural to pay your visit.
Speaker:Then he was silent.
Speaker:She believed he was looking at her properly, reflecting on what she had said and trying to understand the manner.
Speaker:She heard him sigh.
Speaker:It was natural for him to feel that he had caused to sigh.
Speaker:He could not believe her to be encouraging him.
Speaker:A few awkward moments passed, and he sat down again, and in a more.
Speaker:Determined manner said it was something to.
Speaker:Feel that all the rest of my time might be given to Hartfield.
Speaker:My regard for Hartfield is most warm.
Speaker:He stopped again, rose again, and seemed quite embarrassed.
Speaker:He was more in love with her.
Speaker:Than Emma had supposed, and who can say how it might have ended if.
Speaker:His father had not made his appearance?
Speaker:Mr.
Speaker:Woodhouse soon followed, and the necessity of exertion made him composed.
Speaker:A few minutes more, however, completed the present trial.
Speaker:Mr.
Speaker:Weston, always alert when business was.
Speaker:To be done, and as incapable of procrastinating any evil that was inevitable as.
Speaker:Of foreseeing any that was doubtful, said.
Speaker:It was time to go, and the.
Speaker:Young man, though he might and did.
Speaker:Sigh, could not but agree to take leave.
Speaker:I shall hear about you all, said he.
Speaker:That is my chief consolation.
Speaker:I shall hear of everything that is.
Speaker:Going on among you.
Speaker:I have engaged Mrs.
Speaker:Weston to correspond with me.
Speaker:She has been so kind as to promise it.
Speaker:Oh, the blessing of a female correspondent.
Speaker:When one is really interested in the absent.
Speaker:She will tell me everything in her letters.
Speaker:I shall be at Deer Highbury again.
Speaker:A very friendly shake of the hand.
Speaker:A very earnest goodbye.
Speaker:Closed the speech, and the door had soon shut out.
Speaker:Frank Churchill short had been the notice short their meeting.
Speaker:He was gone, and Emma felt so.
Speaker:Sorry to part and foresaw so great.
Speaker:A loss to their little society from his absence as to begin to be afraid of being too sorry and feeling it too much.
Speaker:It was a sad change.
Speaker:They had been meeting almost every day since his arrival.
Speaker:Certainly his being at Randalls had given.
Speaker:Great spirit to the last two weeks.
Speaker:Indescribable spirit.
Speaker:The idea, the expectation of seeing him.
Speaker:Which every morning had brought the assurance of his attentions, his liveliness, his manners.
Speaker:It had been a very happy fortnight.
Speaker:And forlorn must be the sinking from it into the common course of Hartfield days to complete every other recommendation.
Speaker:He had almost told her that he loved her.
Speaker:What strength or what constancy of affection he might be subject to, was another point.
Speaker:But at present she could not doubt.
Speaker:His having a decidedly warm admiration.
Speaker:A conscience preference of herself.
Speaker:And this persuasion, joined to all the.
Speaker:Rest, made her think that she must.
Speaker:Be a little in love with him, in spite of every previous determination against it.
Speaker:I certainly must, said she.
Speaker:This sensation of listlessness, weariness stupidity, this.
Speaker:Disinclination to sit down and employ myself.
Speaker:This feeling of everything's being dull and.
Speaker:Insipid about the house.
Speaker:I must be in love.
Speaker:I should be the oddest creature in the world if I were not for a few weeks at least.
Speaker:Well, evil to some is always good to others.
Speaker:I shall have many fellow mourners for.
Speaker:The ball, if not for Frank Churchill.
Speaker:But Mr.
Speaker:Knightley will be happy.
Speaker:He may spend the evening with his dear William Larkins.
Speaker:Now, if he likes.
Speaker:Mr.
Speaker:Knightley, however, showed no triumphant happiness.
Speaker:He could not say that he was sorry on his own account.
Speaker:His very cheerful look would have contradicted.
Speaker:Him if he had.
Speaker:But he said and very steadily that.
Speaker:He was sorry for the disappointment of the others.
Speaker:And with considerable kindness added, you, Emma.
Speaker:Who have so few opportunities of dancing.
Speaker:You'Re really out of luck.
Speaker:You are very much out of luck.
Speaker:It was some days before she saw.
Speaker:Jane Fairfax to judge of her honest.
Speaker:Regret in this woeful change.
Speaker:But when they did meet, her composure was odious.
Speaker:She had been particularly unwell, however, suffering.
Speaker:From headache to a degree which made.
Speaker:Her aunt declare that had the ball.
Speaker:Taking place, she did not think Jane.
Speaker:Could have attended it.
Speaker:And it was charity to impute some.
Speaker:Of her unbecoming indifference to the languor of ill health.
Speaker:Thank you for joining Bite At A.
Speaker:Time books today while we read A.
Speaker:Bite of one of your favorite classics, all of the links for our show.
Speaker:Are in the show notes.
Speaker:We are part of the Bite At A Time Books Productions Network.
Speaker:If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or.
Speaker:The world at the time, check out Bite At A Time books behind the.
Speaker:Story Tuesdays wherever you listen to podcasts.
Speaker:My name is Brie Carlyle and I hope you come back tomorrow while we.