at the same time, not of any family that could fairly
object to the doubtful birth of Harriet. He had
a comfortable home for her, and Emma imagined a very
sufficient income; for though the vicarage of Highbury
was not large, he was known to have some independent
property; and she thought very highly of him as a
good-humoured, well-meaning, respectable young man,
without any deficiency of useful understanding or knowledge
of the world.
She had already satisfied herself that he thought
Harriet a beautiful girl, which she trusted, with
such frequent meetings at Hartfield, was foundation
enough on his side; and on Harriet’s there could
be little doubt that the idea of being preferred by
him would have all the usual weight and efficacy.
And he was really a very pleasing young man, a young
man whom any woman not fastidious might like.
He was reckoned very handsome; his person much admired
in general, though not by her, there being a want
of elegance of feature which she could not dispense
with:—but the girl who could be gratified
by a Robert Martin’s riding about the country
to get walnuts for her might very well be conquered
by Mr. Elton’s admiration.
“I do not know what your opinion may be, Mrs.
Weston,” said Mr. Knightley, “of this
great intimacy between Emma and Harriet Smith, but
I think it a bad thing.”
“A bad thing! Do you really think it a
bad thing?—why so?”
“I think they will neither of them do the other
any good.”
“You surprize me! Emma must do Harriet
good: and by supplying her with a new object
of interest, Harriet may be said to do Emma good.
I have been seeing their intimacy with the greatest
pleasure. How very differently we feel!—Not
think they will do each other any good! This
will certainly be the beginning of one of our quarrels
about Emma, Mr. Knightley.”
“Perhaps you think I am come on purpose to quarrel
with you, knowing Weston to be out, and that you must
still fight your own battle.”
“Mr. Weston would undoubtedly support me, if
he were here, for he thinks exactly as I do on the
subject. We were speaking of it only yesterday,
and agreeing how fortunate it was for Emma, that there
should be such a girl in Highbury for her to associate
with. Mr. Knightley, I shall not allow you to
be a fair judge in this case. You are so much
used to live alone, that you do not know the value
of a companion; and, perhaps no man can be a good judge
of the comfort a woman feels in the society of one
of her own sex, after being used to it all her life.
I can imagine your objection to Harriet Smith.
She is not the superior young woman which Emma’s
friend ought to be. But on the other hand, as
Emma wants to see her better informed, it will be
an inducement to her to read more herself. They
will read together. She means it, I know.”
