Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads the thirty-second chapter of Emma by Jane Austen

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Welcome to Byte At a Time Books, where we read your favorite classics one bite at a time.

My name is Brie Carlyle, and I love to read and wanted to share my passion with listeners like you.

All of the links for our show are in the Show Notes today.

We will be continuing Emma by Jane Austen, Chapter 14 Mrs.

Elton was first seen at Church, but though devotion might be interpreted, curiosity could not be satisfied by a bride in a Pew, and it must be left for the visits in form which were then to be paid to settle whether she was very pretty indeed, or only rather pretty, or not pretty at all.

Emma had feelings less of curiosity than of pride or propriety to make her resolve on not being the last to pay her respects, and she made a point of Harriet going with her, that the worst of the business might be gone through as soon as possible.

She could not enter the house again, could not be in the same room to which she had, with such vain artifice, retreated three months ago to lace up her boot without recollecting.

A thousand vexatious thoughts would recur compliments, charades, and horrible blunders, and it was not to be supposed that poor Harriet should not be recollecting, too, but she behaved very well, and was only rather pale and silent.

The visit was of course, short, and there was so much embarrassment and occupation of mind to shorten it, that Emma would not allow herself entirely to form an opinion of the lady, and on no account to give one beyond the nothing meaning terms of being elegantly dressed and very pleasing.

She did not really like her.

She would not be in a hurry to find fault, but she suspected that there was no elegance.

Ease, but not elegance.

She was almost sure that for a young woman, a stranger, a bride, there was too much ease.

Her person was rather good, her face not unpretty, but neither feature nor air, nor voice nor manner were elegant, Emma thought at least it would turn out so.

As for Mr.

Elton, his manners did not appear, but no, she would not permit a hasty or a witty word from herself about his manners.

It was an awkward ceremony at any time to be receiving wedding visits, and the man had need be all Grace to acquit himself well through it.

The woman was better off.

She might have the assistance of fine clothes and the privilege of bashfulness, but the man had only his own good sense to depend on, and when she considered how peculiarly unlucky poor Mr.

Alton was in being in the same room at once with the woman he had just married, the woman he had wanted to marry, and the woman whom he had been expected to marry, she must allow him to have the right to look as little wise, and to be as much effectively and as little really easy as could be.

Well, Miss Woodhouse, said Harriet, when they had quitted the house, and after waiting in vain for her friend to begin.

Well, Miss Woodhouse, with a gentle sigh, what do you think of her?

Is she not very charming?

There was a little hesitation in Emma's answer.

Oh, yes, very, very pleasing young woman.

I think her beautiful.

Quite beautiful.

Very nicely dressed indeed.

A remarkably elegant gown.

I am not at all surprised that he should have fallen in love.

Oh, no, there's nothing to surprise.

One at all.

A pretty fortune.

And she came in his way, I dare say, returned Harriet, sighing again.

I dare say she was very much attached to him.

Perhaps she might.

But it is not every man's fate to marry the woman who loves him best.

Ms.

Hawkins perhaps wanted a home and thought this is the best offer she was likely to have.

Yes, said Harriet earnestly, and while she might, nobody could ever have a better.

Well, I wish them happy with all my heart.

And now, Miss Woodhouse, I do not think I shall mind seeing them again.

He is just as superior as ever.

But being married, you know, it is quite a different thing.

No, indeed, Miss Wood house.

You need not be afraid.

I can sit and admire him now without any great misery.

To know that he has not thrown himself away is such a happy comfort.

She does seem a charming young woman.

Just what he deserves.

Happy creature.

He called her Augusta.

How delightful.

When the visit was returned, Emma made up her mind.

She could then see more and judge better from Harriet's happening not to be at Hartfield, and her father's being present to engage Mr.

Elton.

She had a quarter of an hour of the lady's conversation to herself, and could composedly attend to her, and the quarter of an hour quite convinced her that Mrs.

Elton was a vain woman, extremely well satisfied with herself, and thinking much of her own importance, that she meant to shine and be very superior, but with manners which had been formed in a bad school, pert and familiar, that all her notions were drawn from one set of people and one style of living, that if not foolish, she was ignorant, and that her society would certainly do Mr.

Elton no good.

Harriet would have been a better match, if not wise or refined herself.

She would have connected him with those who were.

But Miss Hawkins, it might be fairly supposed, from her easy conceit had been the best of her own set.

The rich brotherinlaw near Bristol was the pride of the alliance, and his place and his carriages were the pride of him.

The very first subject after being seated with Maple Grove, my brother, Mr.

Suckling seat a comparison of Hartfield to Maple Grove.

The grounds of Hartfield were small but neat and pretty, and the house was modern and well built.

Mrs.

Elton seemed most favorably impressed by the size of the room, the entrance, and all that she could see or imagine.

Very like Maplegrove indeed.

She was quite struck by the likeness.

That room was the very shape and size of the morning room at Maple Grove, her sister's favorite room, Mr.

Elton was appealed to.

Wasn't it astonishingly like she could really almost fancy herself at Maple Grove and the staircase.

You know, as I came in, I observed how very like the staircase was placed exactly in the same part of the house.

I really could not help exclaiming.

I assure you, Miss Woodhouse, it is very delightful to me to be reminded of a place I am so extremely partial to as Maple Grove.

I have spent so many happy months there with a little sigh of sentiment.

A charming place.

Undoubtedly everyone who sees it is struck by its beauty, but to me it has been quite a home.

Whenever you are transplanted like me, Miss Woodhouse, you will understand how very delightful it is to meet with anything at all like what one is left behind.

I always say this is quite one of the evils of matrimony.

Emma made a slighter reply as she could, but it was fully sufficient for Mrs.

Elton, who only wanted to be talking herself so extremely like Maple Grove.

And it is not merely the house.

The grounds, I assure you, as far as I could observe, are strikingly like the laurels at Maple Grove, are in the same profusion as here, and stand very much in the same way just across the lawn.

And I had a glimpse of a fine large tree with a bench round it, which put me so exactly in mind.

My brother and sister will be enchanted with this place.

People who have extensive grounds themselves are always pleased with anything in the same style.

Emma doubted the truth of this sentiment.

She had a great idea that people who had extensive grounds themselves carried very little for the extensive grounds of anybody else.

But it was not worthwhile to attack an error.

So double died and therefore only said in reply, when you have seen more of this country, I am afraid you will think you have overrated Hartfield.

Surrey is full of beauties.

Oh, yes, I am quite aware of that.

It is the Garden of England, you know.

Surrey is the Garden of England.

Yes, but we must not rest our claims on that distinction.

Many countries, I believe, are called the Garden of England as well as Surrey.

No, I fancy not, replied Mrs.

Elton with a most satisfied smile.

I never heard any country but Surrey called So.

Emma was silenced.

My brother and sister have promised us a visit in the spring or summer at Farthest, continued Mrs.

Elton, and that will be our time for exploring.

While they are with us, we shall explore a great deal.

I daresay they will have their baroque Ladau of course which holds four perfectly and therefore, without saying anything of our carriage, we should be able to explore the different beauties extremely well they would hardly come in their chase, I think, at that season of the year.

Indeed, when time draws on, I shall decidedly recommend they're bringing the Baroque Landa it will be so very much preferable when people come into a beautiful country of this sort, you know, Miss Woodhouse, one naturally wishes them to see as much as possible and Mr Suckling is extremely fond of exploring.

We explored to Kings Weston twice last summer in that way most delightfully just after their first having the Baroque Linda.

You have many parties of that kind here, I suppose, Miss Woodhouse, every summer?

No, not immediately here we are rather out of a distance of the very striking beauties which attract the sort of parties you speak of and we are a very quiet set of people, I believe more disposed to stay at home than engage in schemes of pleasure There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort nobody can be more devoted to home than I am I was quite a proverb for it at Maple Grove many a time, as Selena said when she has been going to Bristol, I really cannot get this girl to move from the house I absolutely must go in by myself, though I hate being stuck up in the Baroque Landaw without a companion but Augusta, I believe, with her own goodwill, would never stir beyond the park paling many a time has she said so and yet I am no advocate for entire seclusion I think, on the contrary, when people shut themselves up entirely from society, it is a very bad thing and that it is much more advisable to mix in the world in a proper degree without living in it either too much or too little I perfectly understand your situation however, Miss Woodhouse, looking towards Mr Woodhouse, your father's state of health must be a great drawback why does he not try Bath?

Indeed he should let me recommend Bath to you, I assure you I have no doubt if it's doing Mr Woodhouse good my father tried it more than once formerly, but without receiving any benefit and Mr Perry, whose name I dare say is not unknown to you, does not conceive it would be at all more likely to be useful now that's a great pity for I assure you Miss Wood house where the waters do agree it is quite wonderful the relief they give in my Bath time I have seen such instances of it and it is so cheerful a place that it could not fail of being of use to Mr Woodhouse's spirits which I understand are sometimes much depressed and as to its recommendations to you, I fancy I need not take much pains to dwell on them the advantages of Bath to the young are pretty generally understood it would be a charming introduction for you.

Who have lived so secluded a life.

And I could immediately secure you some of the best society in the place.

A line for me would bring you a little host of acquaintance.

And my particular friend, Mrs.

Partridge.

The Lady I have always resided with when in Bath.

Would be most happy to show you any attentions.

And would be the very person for you to go into public with.

It was as much as Emma could bear without being impolite.

The idea of her being indebted to Mrs.

Elton.

For what was called an introduction of her going into public.

Under the auspices of a friend of Mrs.

Alton's.

Probably some vulgar, dashing widow.

Who, with the help of a border.

Just made a shift to live.

The dignity of Miss Woodhouse of Hartfield was sunk.

Indeed.

She restrained herself, however, from any of the reproofs she could have given.

And only thanked Mrs.

Elton coolly.

But their going to Bath was quite out of the question.

And she was not perfectly convinced that the place might suit her better than her father.

And then, to prevent further outrage and indignation.

Change the subject directly.

I do not ask whether you are musical, Mrs.

Elton.

Upon these occasions.

A lady's character generally precedes her.

And Highbury has long known that you are a superior performer.

Oh, no, indeed.

I must protest against any such idea.

A superior performer.

Very far from it, I assure you.

Consider from how partial a quarter your information came.

I am dotingly fond of music.

Passionately fond.

And my friends say I am not entirely devoid of taste.

But as to anything else, upon my honor.

My performance is mediocre to the last degree.

You, Miss Woodhouse, I well know played delightfully.

I assure you.

It has been the greatest satisfaction, comfort and delight to me.

To hear what a musical society I have got into.

I absolutely cannot do without music.

It is a necessary of life to me.

And having always been used to a very musical society.

Both at Maple Grove and in Bath.

It would have been a most serious sacrifice.

I honestly said as much to Mr.

E.

When he was speaking of my future home.

And expressing his fears led the retirement of it should be disagreeable.

And the inferiority of the house too, knowing what I had been accustomed to.

Of course, he was not wholly without apprehension when he was speaking of it in that way.

I honestly said that the world I could give up parties, balls, plays for.

I had no fear of retirement.

Blessed with so many resources within myself.

The world was not necessary to me.

I could do very well without it.

To those who had no resources, it was a different thing.

But my resources made me quite independent.

And as to smaller sized rooms than I have been used to.

I really could not give it a thought.

I hoped I was perfectly equal to any sacrifice of that description.

Certainly I had been accustomed to every luxury at Maple Grove.

But I did assure him that two carriages were not necessary to my happiness, nor were spacious apartments.

But, said I, to be quite honest, I do not think I can live without something of a musical society I conditioned for nothing else.

But without music, life would be a blank to me.

We cannot.

Suppose, said Emma, smiling, that Mr.

Elton would hesitate to assure you of there being a very musical society in Highbury.

And I hope you will not find he has outstepped the truth more than may be pardoned in consideration of the motive.

No, indeed, I have no doubts at all on that head.

I am delighted to find myself in such a circle.

I hope we shall have many sweet little concerts together.

I think, Miss Woodhouse, you and I must establish a musical club and have regular weekly meetings at your house, or ours.

Will not it be a good plan if we exert ourselves?

I think we shall not be long in want of allies.

Something of that nature would be particularly desirable for me as an inducement to keep me in practice.

For married women, you know, there is a sad story against them.

In general they are but too apt to give up music.

But you, who are so extremely fond of it, there can be no danger.

Surely I should hope not.

But really, when I look around amongst my acquaintance, I tremble.

Selena has entirely given up music.

Never touches the instrument, though she played sweetly.

And the same may be said of Mrs.

Jeffries, Clara Partridge, that was and the two Millman's now, Mrs.

Bird and Mrs.

James Cooper.

And if more than I can enumerate upon my word, it is enough to put one in a fright.

I used to be quite angry with Selina, but really I begin now to comprehend that a married woman has many things to call her attention.

I believe I was half an hour this morning shut up with my housekeeper.

But everything of that kind, said Emma, will soon be in so regular a train.

Well, said Mrs.

Elton, laughing.

We shall see.

Emma finding her so determined upon neglecting her music had nothing more to say, and after a moment's pause, Mrs.

Elton chose another subject.

We've been calling at Randalls, said she, and found them both at home.

And very pleasant people they seem to be.

I like them extremely.

Mr.

Weston seems an excellent creature.

Quite a firstrate favorite with me already, I assure you.

And she appears so truly good.

There is something so motherly and kindhearted about her that it winds upon one directly.

She was your governess, I think.

Emma was almost too much astonished to answer.

But Mrs.

Elton hardly waited for the affirmative before she went on, having understood as much.

I was rather astonished to find her so very ladylike.

But she is really quite the gentle woman.

Mrs.

Weston's manners, said Emma, were always particularly good.

Their propriety, simplicity and elegance would make them the safest model for any young woman.

And who do you think came in while we were there?

Emma was quite at a loss.

The tone implied some old acquaintance.

And how could she possibly guess?

Knightley continued, Mrs.

Alton Knightley himself.

Was it not lucky for not being within when he called the other day?

I had never seen him before, and of course, as so particular a friend of Mr.

E's.

I had a great curiosity.

My friend Knightley had been so often mentioned that I was really impatient to see him, and I must do my carousepous the justice to say that he need not be ashamed of his friend.

Knightley is quite the gentleman.

I like him very much.

Decidedly, I think, a very gentleman like man.

Happily, it was now time to be gone.

They were off and Emma could breathe.

Insufferable woman was her immediate exclamation worse than I had supposed?

Absolutely insufferable.

Nightly.

I could not have believed it nightly.

Never seen him in her life before, and called him nightly.

And to discover that he is a gentleman, a little upstart vulgar, being with her Mr.

E and her career spouses and her resources and all her heirs of pert pretension and underbred finery.

Actually, to discover that Mr.

Knightley is a gentleman, I doubt whether he will return the compliment and discover her to be a lady.

I could not have believed it.

And to propose that she and I should unite to form a musical club, one would fancy we were bosom friends, and Mrs.

Weston astonished that the person who had brought me up should be a gentle woman.

Worse and worse.

I never met with her equal much beyond my hopes.

Harriet is disgraced by any comparison.

Oh, what would Frank Churchill say to her if he were here?

How angry and how diverted he would be there I am thinking of him directly, always the first person to be thought of how I catch myself out.

Frank Churchill comes as regularly into my mind.

All this ran so glibly through her thoughts that by the time her father had arranged himself after the bustle of the Elton's departure and was ready to speak, she was very tolerably capable of attending.

Well, my dear, he deliberately began, considering.

We never saw her before.

She seems a very pretty sort of young lady, and I dare say she was very much pleased with you.

She speaks a little too quick, a little quickness of voice there is, which rather hurts the ear.

But I believe I am nice.

I do not like strange voices, and nobody speaks like you.

And poor Miss Taylor.

However, she seems a very obliging, pretty, behaved young lady, and no doubt will make him a very good wife.

Though I think he had better not have married.

I made the best excuses I could for not having been able to wait on him and Mrs.

Elton on this happy occasion.

I said that I hoped I should in the course of the summer.

But I ought to have gone before.

Not to wait upon a bride is very remiss.

It shows what a sad Invalid I am.

But I do not like the corner into Vikridge Lane.

I daresay your apologies were accepted, sir.

Mr.

Elton knows you.

Yes, but a young lady, a bride.

I ought to have paid my respects to her if possible.

It was being very deficient.

But my dear Papa, you are no friend to matrimony.

And therefore, why should you be so anxious to pay your respects to a bride?

It ought to be no recommendation to you.

It is encouraging people to marry if you make so much of them.

No, my dear.

I never encouraged anybody to marry.

But I would always wish to pay every proper attention to a lady.

And a bride especially, is never to be neglected more is a validly due to her.

A bride.

You know, my dear, is always the first in company.

Let the others be who they may.

Well, Papa, if this is not encouragement to marry.

I do not know what is.

And I should never have expected you to be lending your sanction to such vanity baits for poor young ladies.

My dear, you do not understand me.

This is a matter of mere common politeness and good breeding.

And has nothing to do with any encouragement to people to marry.

Emma had done.

Her father was growing nervous and could not understand her.

Her mind returned to Mrs.

Elton's offenses.

And long, very long did they occupy her.

Thank you for joining Bite At A Time Books today while we read A Bite of one of your favorite classics, all of the links for our show are in the Show notes.

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My name is Brie Carlyle.