按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Elizabeth was the usual object of both。 Margaret had just respect
enough for her Brother and Sister’s opinion； to behave properly
by them； but Elizabeth and the maids could never do anything
right—and Emma； whom she seemed no longer to think about；
found the continuance of the gentle voice beyond her calculation
short。 Eager to be as little among them as possible； Emma was
delighted with the alternative of sitting above； with her father； and
warmly entreated to be his constant Companion each Evening—
and as Elizabeth loved company of any kind too well； not to prefer
being below； at all risks； as she had rather talk of Croydon to Jane；
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 55…
Jane Austen： The Watsons 55
with every interruption of Margaret’s perverseness； than sit with
only her father； who frequently could not endure Talking at all；
the affair was so settled； as soon as she could be persuaded to
believe it no sacrifice on her Sister’s part。—To Emma； the
exchange was most acceptable； and delightful。 Her father； if ill；
required little more than gentleness and silence； and； being a Man
of Sense and Education； was if able to converse； a welcome
companion。
In his chamber； Emma was at peace from the dreadful
mortifications of unequal Society； and family Discord—from the
immediate endurance of Hard…hearted prosperity； low…minded
Conceit； and wrong…headed folly； engrafted on an untoward
Disposition。—She still suffered from them in the Contemplation of
their existence； in memory and in prospect； but for the moment；
she ceased to be tortured by their effects。—She was at leisure； she
could read and think；—tho’ her situation was hardly such as to
make reflection very soothing。 The Evils arising from the loss of
her Uncle； were neither trifling； nor likely to lessen； and when
Thought had been freely indulged； in contrasting the past and the
present； the employment of mind； the dissipation of unpleasant
ideas which only reading could produce； made her thankfully turn
to a book。—The change in her home society； and stile of Life in
consequence of the death of one friend and the imprudence of
another had indeed been striking。—From being the first object of
Hope and Solicitude of an Uncle who had formed her mind with
the care of a Parent； and of Tenderness to an Aunt whose amiable
temper had delighted to give her every indulgence； from being the
Life and Spirit of a House； where all had been comfort and
Elegance； and the expected Heiress of an easy Independance； she
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
… Page 56…
Jane Austen： The Watsons 56
was become of importance to no one； a burden on those； whose
affection she could not expect； an addition in an House； already
overstocked； surrounded by inferior minds with little chance of
domestic comfort； and as little hope of future support。—It was well
for her that she was naturally chearful；—for the Change had been
such as might have plunged weak spirits in Despondence。
She was very much pressed by Robert and Jane to return with
them to Croydon； and had some difficulty in getting a refusal
accepted； as they thought too highly of their own kindness and
situation； to suppose the offer could appear in a less advantageous
light to anybody else。—Elizabeth gave them her interest； tho’
evidently against her own； in privately urging Emma to go—‘You
do not know what you refuse Emma’—said she—‘nor what you
have to bear at home。—I would advise you by all means to accept
the invitation； there is always something lively going on at
Croydon； you will be in company almost every day； and Robert
and Jane will be very kind to you。—As for me； I shall be no worse
off without you； than I have been used to be； but poor Margaret’s
disagreable ways are new to you； and they would vex you more
than you think for； if you stay at home。’ Emma was of course
uninfluenced； except to greater esteem for Elizabeth； by such
representations—and the Visitors departed without her。
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook