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

Come with us as we release one bite a day of one of your favorite classic novels, plays & short stories. Bree reads these classics like she reads to her daughter, one chapter a day. If you love books or audiobooks and want something to listen to as you're getting ready, driving to work, or as you're getting ready for bed, check out Bite at a Time Books!

Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our Patreon

We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!

If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story Tuesdays wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTok

Follow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

Welcome to Bite at a Time, Books, where we read you 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'll be continuing.

Emma by Jane Austin Chapter 16 It was a very great relief to Emma to find Harriet as desirous as herself.

To avoid a meeting.

Their intercourse was painful enough by letter.

How much worse had they been obliged to meet?

Harriet expressed herself very much as might.

Be supposed, without reproaches or apparent sense of ill usage.

And yet Emma fancied.

There was a something of resentment, something.

Bordering on it in her style, which.

Increased the desirableness of their being separate.

It might be only her own consciousness, but it seemed as if an angel only could have been quite without resentment under such a stroke.

She had no difficulty in procuring Isabella's invitation, and she was fortunate in having a sufficient reason for asking it without resorting to invention.

There was a toothemus Harriet really wished, and had wished some time to consult a dentist.

Mrs.

John Knightley was delighted to be of use.

Anything of ill health was a recommendation.

To her, and though not so fond.

Of a dentist as of a Mr.

Wingfield, she was quite eager to have Harriet under her care.

When it was thus settled on her.

Sister'S side, Emma proposed it to her friend and found her very persuadable.

Harriet was to go.

She was invited for at least a fortnight.

She was to be conveyed in Mr.

Woodhouse's carriage.

It was all arranged, it was all completed, and Harriet was safe in Brunswick Square.

Now Emma could indeed enjoy Mr.

Knightley's visits.

Now she could talk, and she could listen with true happiness, unchecked by that sense of injustice, of guilt, of something most painful which had haunted her when remembering how disappointed a heart was near her, how much might, at that moment and at a little distance, be enduring by the feelings of which she had let her stray herself.

The difference of Harriet at Mrs.

Goddards.

Or in London, made perhaps an unreasonable difference in Emma's sensations.

But she could not think of her.

In London without objects of curiosity and.

Employment which must be averting the past and carrying her out of herself.

She would not allow any other anxiety to succeed directly to the place in her mind which Harriet had occupied.

There was a communication before her, one.

Which she only could be competent to.

Make the confession of her engagement to her father, but she would have nothing to do with it at present.

She had resolved to defer the disclosure till Mrs.

Weston were safe and well.

No additional agitation should be thrown at.

This period amongst those she loved, and the evil should not act on herself by anticipation before the appointed time.

A fortnight at least of leisure and peace of mind to Crown every warmer but more agitating delight should be hers.

She soon resolved, equally as a duty and a pleasure, to employ half an hour of this holiday of spirits.

In calling on Ms.

Fairfax, she ought to go, and she was longing to see her, the resemblance of their present situations increasing every other motive of goodwill.

It would be a secret satisfaction, but.

The consciousness of a similarity of prospect would certainly add to the interest with which she should attend to anything Jane might communicate.

She went.

She had driven once unsuccessfully to the.

Door, but had not been in the house since the morning after Box Hill.

When poor Jane had been in such.

Distress as had filled her with compassion.

Though all the worst of her sufferings had been unsuspected.

The fear of being still unwelcome determined.

Her, though assured of their being at home to wait in the passage and send up her name.

She heard Patty announcing it, but no such bustle succeeded, as poor Miss Bates had before made so happily intelligible.

No, she heard nothing but the instant.

Reply of beg her to walk up, and a moment afterwards she was met on the stairs by Jane herself, coming eagerly forward, as if no other reception of her were felt sufficient.

Emma had never seen her look so.

Well, so lovely, so engaging.

There was consciousness, animation, and warmth.

There was everything which her countenance or manner could ever have wanted.

She came forward with an offered hand.

And said in a low but very feeling tone, this is most kind indeed, Miss Woodhouse.

It is impossible for me to express.

I hope you will believe, excuse me for being so entirely without words.

Emma was gratified, and would soon have.

Shown no want of words if the sound of Mrs.

Elton's voice from the sitting room had not checked her, and made it expedient to compress all her friendly and all her congratulatory sensations into a very, very earnest shake of the hand.

Mrs.

Bates and Mrs.

Elton were together.

Ms.

Bates was out, which accounted for the previous tranquillity.

Emma could have wished Mrs.

Elton elsewhere.

But she was in a humor to have patience with everybody, and as Mrs.

Elton met her with unusual graciousness, she hoped the Recon tree would do them no harm.

She soon believed herself to penetrate Mrs.

Elton's thoughts and understand why she was like herself, in happy spirits.

It was being in Miss Fairfax's confidence.

And fancying herself acquainted with what was still a secret to other people.

Emma saw symptoms of it immediately in.

The expression of her face, and while paying her own compliments to Mrs.

Bates and appearing to attend to the good old lady's replies, she saw her, with a sort of anxious parade of mystery, fold up a letter, which she had apparently been reading aloud to Miss Fairfax.

And return it into the purple and.

Gold ridicule by her side saying with significant nods, we can finish this some other time.

You know, you and I shall not want opportunities.

And in fact, you have heard all the essential already.

I only want to prove to you that Mrs.

S.

Admits our apology and is not offended.

You see how delightfully she writes.

Oh, she is a sweet creature.

You would have doted on her had you gone, but not a word more.

Let us be discreet quiet on our good behavior.

Hush.

You remember those lines.

I forget the poem at this moment, for when a lady is in the case, you know how other things give place.

Now I say, my dear, in our.

Case for lady, read mom, a word to the wise.

I am in a fine flow of spirits, ain't I?

But I want to set your heart at ease.

As to Mrs.

S.

My representation, you see, has quite appeased her.

And again on Emma's.

Merely turning her head to look at.

Mrs.

Bates'knitting, she added in a half whisper, I mentioned no names.

You will observe.

Oh, no.

Cautious.

As a Minister of state, I managed it extremely well.

Emma could not doubt.

It was a palpable display repeated on every possible occasion.

When they had all talked a little.

While in harmony of the weather and.

Mrs.

Weston, she found herself abruptly addressed with.

Do you not think Miss Woodhouse are saucy little frontiers charmingly recovered?

Do not you think her cure does Perry?

The highest credit here was a side glance of great meaning at Jane.

Upon my word, Perry has restored her in a wonderful short time.

Or if you had seen her, as I did when she was at the worst, and when Mrs.

Bates was saying.

Something to Emma, whispered further, we do not say a word of any assistance that Perry might have.

Not a word of a certain young physician from Windsor.

Oh, no.

Perry shall have all the credit.

I have scarce had the pleasure of seeing you, Miss Woodhouse.

She shortly afterwards began since the party to Box Hill.

Very pleasant party, but yet I think there was something wanting.

Things do not seem, that is, there seemed a little cloud upon the spirits of some.

So it appeared to me at least.

But I might be mistaken.

However, I think it answered so far.

As to tempt one to go again.

What say you both to are collecting the same party and exploring the Box Hill again while the fine weather lasts.

It must be the same party, you know.

Quite the same party.

Not one exception.

Soon after this, Miss Bates came in.

And Emma could not help being diverted by the perplexity of her first answer to herself, resulting, she supposed, from doubt of what might be said and impatience to say everything.

Thank you, dear Miss Woodhouse, you are all kindness.

It is impossible to say.

Yes, indeed, I quite understand.

Dearest Jane's prospects, that is.

I do not mean but she is charmingly recovered.

How is Mr.

Woodhouse?

I am so glad, quite out of my power.

Such a happy little circle as you find us here.

Yes, indeed.

Charming young man, that is so friendly.

I mean, good Mr.

Perry.

Such attention to Jane and from her great her more than commonly thankful delight.

Towards Mrs.

Elton for being there.

Emma guessed that there had been a little show of resentment towards Jane from.

The Vike Ridge Quarter, which was now graciously overcome after a few whispers indeed, which placed it beyond a guess.

Mrs.

Elton, speaking louder, said, yes, here I am, my good friend, and here I have been so long that anywhere else I should think it necessary to apologize.

But the truth is that I am.

Waiting for my Lord and master.

He promised to join me here and.

Pay his respects to you.

What are we to have the pleasure of a call from Mr.

Elton?

That will be a favor indeed, for I know gentlemen do not like morning visits and Mr.

Elton's time is so.

Engaged upon my words.

It is Miss Bates.

He really is engaged from morning to night.

There is no end of people's coming.

To him on some pretense or other.

The Magistrates and overseers and Church wardens.

Are always wanting his opinion.

They seem not able to do anything without him.

Upon my word, Mr.

E, I often say rather you than I.

I do not know what would become of my crowns and my instrument if I had half so many applicants bad enough as it is, for I absolutely neglect them both to an unpardonable degree, I believe I have not played a bar this fortnight.

However, he is coming, I assure you.

Yes, indeed, on purpose to wait on.

You all and putting up her hand to screen her words from Emma.

A congratulatory visit, you know.

Oh, yes, quite indispensable.

Ms.

Bates looked about her so happily.

He promised to come to me as soon as he could disengage himself from nightly, but he and Knightley are shut up together in deep consultation.

Mr.

E is Knightley's right hand.

Emma would not have smiled for the.

World and only said, Is Mr.

Elton.

Gone on foot to Don?

Well, he will have a hot walk.

Oh no.

It is a meeting at the Crown, a regular meeting.

Weston and Cole will be there too, but one is apt to speak only of those who lead.

I fancy Mr.

E and Knightley have.

Everything their own way.

Have you not mistaken the day, said Emma.

I am almost certain that the meeting.

At the Crown is not till tomorrow.

Mr.

Knightley was at Hartfield yesterday and spoke of it.

As for Saturday.

Oh no, the meeting is certainly today.

Was the abrupt answer which denoted the.

Impossibility of any blunder on Mrs.

Elton side.

I do believe, she continued, this is the most troublesome Parish that ever was.

We never heard of such things.

At Maplegrove, your Parish there was small, said Jane.

Upon my word, my dear, I do.

Not know, for I never heard the subject talked of.

But it is proved by the smallness of the school which I have heard.

You speak of, as under the patronage of your sister and Mrs.

Bragg, the only school and not more than five and 20 children.

Oh, you clever creature.

That's very true.

What a thinking brain you have.

I say, Jane, what a perfect character you and I should make.

If we could be shaken together, my liveliness and your solidity would produce perfection.

Not that I presume to insinuate, however, that some people may not think you perfection already, but hush.

Not a word, if you please.

It seemed an unnecessary caution.

Jane was wanting to give her words not to Mrs.

Elton, but to Miss Woodhouse.

As the latter plainly saw.

The wish of distinguishing her as far.

As civility permitted was very evident, though it could not often proceed beyond the.

Look Mr.

Elton made his appearance.

His lady greeted him with some of her sparkling vivacity.

Very pretty, sir, upon my word to send me on here to be an encumbrance to my friends so long before you vouchsafe to come.

But you knew what a beautiful creature you had to deal with.

You knew I should not stir till my Lord and master appeared here.

I have been sitting this hour giving.

These young ladies a sample of true.

Conjugal obedience, for who can say?

You know how soon it may be wanted.

Mr.

Elton was so hot and tired.

That all this wit seemed thrown away.

His civilities to the other ladies must be paid, but his subsequent object was to lament over himself for the heat he was suffering and the walk he had had for nothing.

When I got to Don well, said he nightly could not be found.

Very odd, very unaccountable.

After the note I sent him this.

Morning and the message he returned that.

He should certainly be at home till.

One dawnwell, cried his wife.

My dear Mr.

E, you have not been to Don?

Well.

You mean the Crown you come from the meeting at the Crown?

No, that's tomorrow.

And I particularly wanted to see Knightly.

Today on that very account.

Such a dreadful broiling morning I went over the fields too, speaking in a.

Tone of great ill usage which made it so much the worse, and then.

Not to find him at home.

I assure you, I am not at all pleased.

And no apology left no message for me.

The housekeeper declared she knew nothing of my being expected.

Very extraordinary.

And nobody knew at all which way he was gone.

Perhaps to Hartfield, perhaps to the Abbey Mill, perhaps into his woods.

Miss Woodhouse, that is not like our friend Knightley.

Can you explain it?

Emma amused herself by protesting that it.

Was very extraordinary indeed, and that she had not a syllable to say for him.

I cannot imagine, said Mrs.

Elton, feeling the indignity as a wife ought to do.

I cannot imagine how he could do.

Such a thing by you, of all.

The people in the world, the very last person whom one should expect to be forgotten.

My dear Mr.

E, he must have left a message for you.

I am sure he must not.

Even Knightley could be so very eccentric.

And his servants forgot it.

Depend upon it.

That was the case, and very likely to happen with the Donvale servants who are all I have often observed, extremely awkward and remiss.

I am sure I would not have.

Such a creature as his.

Harry stand at our sideboard for any consideration.

And as for Mrs.

Hodges, Wright holds her very cheap indeed.

She promised Wright a receipt and never sent it.

I met William Larkins, continued Mr.

Elton.

As I got near the house, and.

He told me I should not find.

His master at home, but I did not believe him.

William seemed rather out of humor.

He did not know what was coming.

To his master lately, he said, but he could hardly ever get the speech of him.

I have nothing to do with William's wants.

But it really is of very great importance that I should see nightly today.

And it becomes a matter, therefore a very serious inconvenience that I should have.

Had this hot walk to no purpose.

Emma felt that she could not do.

Better than go home directly.

In all probability she was at this very time waited for there, and Mr.

Knightley might be preserved from sinking deeper.

In aggression towards Mr.

Elton, if not towards William Larkins.

She was pleased on taking leave to.

Find Ms.

Fairfax determined to attend her out of the room to go with her even downstairs.

It gave her an opportunity which she.

Immediately made use of, to say it is as well, perhaps, that I have not had the possibility, had you not been surrounded by other friends, I might have been tempted to introduce a subject.

To ask questions, to speak more openly than I might have been strictly correct.

I feel that I should certainly have been impertinent.

Oh, cried Jane with a blush and.

A hesitation, which Emma thought infinitely more becoming to her than all the elegance of all her usual composure.

There would have been no danger.

The danger would have been of my warying you.

You could not have gratified me more than by expressing an interest.

Indeed, Miss Woodhouse, speaking more collectively with.

The consciousness which I have of misconduct, it is particularly consoling to me to note that those of my friends whose good opinion is most worth preserving are not disgusted to such a degree as to I have not had time for half that I could wish to say.

I longed to make apologies, excuses, to urge something for myself.

I feel it so very due, but unfortunately, in short, if your compassion does not stand my friend oh, you are too scrupulous Indeed you are, cried Emma warmly and taking her hand you owe me no apologies and everybody to whom you might be supposed to owe them Is so perfectly satisfied So delighted Even you are very kind But I know what my manners were to you So cold and artificial I had always a part to Act It was a life of deceit I know that I must have disgusted you Pray say no more I feel that all the apology should be on my side Let us forgive each other at once we must do whatever is to be done quickest And I think our feelings will lose no time there I hope you have pleasant accounts from Windsor very and the next news I suppose Will be that we are to lose you Just as I begin to know you oh, as to all that of course nothing can be thought of yet I am here till claimed by Colonel and Mrs.

Campbell Nothing.

Can be actually settled yet Perhaps, replied.

Emma smiling but excuse me it must.

Be thought of the smile was returned.

As Jane answered you are very right It has been thought of And I.

Will own to you I am sure.

It will be safe that so far as our living with Mr Churchill at Innscombe It is settled There must be.

Three months at least of deep mourning.

But when they are over I imagine there will be nothing more to wait for thank you thank you this is.

Just what I wanted to be assured.

Of oh if you knew how much I love everything that is decided and open Goodbye Goodbye 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 again.