"In a London bonnet?" I asked her.
"In a London gown."
"And have you nothing more to say?" I asked in surprise.
"One visit is hardly enough to judge of someone’s character," said Emma, "but she seemed to be very pleasing."
She would say no more, but perhaps she might be ready to commit herself when Mrs. Elton has returned the call.
I did not meet the lady myself until later in the day, when I came across her at the Westons. I had called to speak to Weston about some hay, but as soon as the Eltons entered the room, everything of that kind was naturally postponed.
I had not been in company with Mrs. Elton for more than five minutes when I realized that she was not destined to become a regular guest at the Abbey. Between telling me how fine her brother-in-law’s house is; calling Elton by turns her caro sposo and Mr. E; informing me of her many resources - which, however, she seems determined to ignore now that she is a married woman - and saying that Emma was already a favourite with her; she managed to disgust me in as many ways as she spent minutes talking. How Elton could bear it I do not know, but he simpered and smiled as though he had brought home a jewel.
I was polite, however, and welcomed her to Highbury society.
"I would love to stay all day, but my caro sposo insists I return Miss Woodhouse’s visit," said she.
"I am looking forward to seeing Hartfield. Mr. E tells me it is very like Maple Grove. Did I mention Maple Grove? My brother-in-law, Mr. Suckling’s place?"
Mrs. Weston assured her she had, and Weston bowed her out of the room.
"A very elegantly dressed woman," said Mrs. Weston.
"Hah!"
She looked at me in surprise.
"That is exactly what Emma said!" I told her.
Mrs. Weston had the goodness to smile, and I knew our views of Mrs. Elton coincided.
Wednesday 31 March
I was eager to find out about Mrs. Elton’s visit to Hartfield, and I had an opportunity this evening when I dined with Emma and her father. Whilst Mr. Woodhouse fretted that he had not paid Mrs. Elton a visit - "A bride, you know" - Emma reassured him that his health would be his excuse.
I could get very little from her concerning Mrs. Elton, and she said no more than yesterday, but that in itself told me everything I needed to know.
"You do not like Mrs. Elton," I remarked. "So you have been subjected to her talk about her caro sposo and Mr. E as well, have you?"
"I have, though I think it is very unfair of you to ridicule her for demonstrating her knowledge of Italian - and the alphabet," she said to me saucily.
"I have no objection to her knowledge of either, but I have a lively dread of her displaying such knowledge in the most vulgar way possible. How Elton can stand it I do not know."
"He is in love. Allowances must be made," she said.
"Hah!"
She does not think that Elton is in love any more than I do.
"I am glad to see that your taste, which erred in singling out Harriet, and again in rejecting Miss Fairfax, and yet again in singling out that puppy Frank Churchill - yes, well - your taste, in this case, was not at fault," I told her. "Mrs. Elton is a vainglorious woman with a small mind who thinks she is bringing refinement to a quiet corner of the country, when she is bringing only change."
"At last, we think the same on something!" said Emma. "No, pray do not spoil it," she said, when I opened my mouth to speak again. "Let me savour the moment."
Impossible girl! But out of the goodness of my heart, I let her have her own way.
April
Friday 2 April
I was glad to find that Miss Fairfax had extended her visit, and would not be returning to London so soon as was expected.
"We are so glad, Mr. Knightley," said Miss Bates. "We are to have her for a full three months. She still does not look well. No, Jane, my love, you do not, though you protest you are very well indeed. When you were altering my gloves for me - such wonderful gloves, Mr. Knightley, quite the warmest I have ever worn, and bought from Ford’s, but just a little big around the wrist, and Jane kindly offered to take them in for me, as she was mending Mother’s petticoat anyway, and who should walk in but Mr. Longridge. A very kind gentleman, Mother is quite besotted with him - yes, you are, Mother, you know you are, for he comes and sits here for an hour or two together, and we are always glad of company, Mr. Knightley. He has asked me to give him my opinion on another house, Whitestones, you will know it Mr. Knightley, the Dodds have been renting it out but their tenants have left and they have decided to sell it. It seems a fine house to me but it is perhaps a little large for a single gentlemen. And then there is another house I have promised to see next week, Southdean, a pretty house with a stream, you know. I have always liked that house. It is not so grand as Whitestones, but I often used to think, when I was a girl, if I could choose a house to live in, that would be it. I painted it once, though not as well as Jane, she sketched it when she was eleven years old, do you remember, Jane? I believe I still have the picture somewhere, though I cannot remember where. I remember Mother saying to me…."
She paused for breath, and evidently did not remember what she had been saying, which gave me an opportunity to ask Miss Fairfax: "Will you be joining the Campbells again when your stay in Highbury is finished?"
"Yes for a little while. But I would rather not think of that," she remarked.
I said no more, as I did not wish to distress her. I wish I could offer her a home at the Abbey, but it is impossible.
"Oh, Jane, I know what I forgot to say. I meant to mention it but Mr. Knightley’s visit put it out of my mind - so kind of you, Mr. Knightley! So obliging! - I sent a reply to Mrs. Elton for you, you were out when her message arrived. She asks you to tea. Such an elegant woman! Such refinement! I am sure I never saw a better woman in my life, and it is always good to have a bride in the neighbourhood, is it not, Mr. Knightley? Jane must want to be with younger people, and not always shut up with her grandmother and her aunt, though I am sure her grandmother is the best woman in the world..."
"And so is her aunt," said Miss Fairfax with an affectionate smile.
"Oh, Jane, my love, I am sure I do not know - well - have you finished your sewing?"
And so she went on, spreading goodwill with every word but saying very little. Despite Miss
Fairfax’s affectionate smile, I could tell that her aunt’s constant chatter wearied her.
I did not envy her. A choice of spending an hour with Mrs. Elton, or an hour with her relations, was not a happy one.
I only wish Emma would take more notice of her. An afternoon at Hartfield would be far more enjoyable for Miss Fairfax than an afternoon at the vicarage or at home.
Saturday 3 April
There has been a heartening piece of news, one to gladden everybody in Highbury, and one to make me forget my own problems for a while. It is as I suspected. Mrs. Weston is expecting a child! The Westons have known for some time, but have told no one. Now, however, they have broken their silence, knowing it could not be disguised for much longer.
Emma was smiling as I met her just outside Randalls. I was coming out of the gate as she, accompanied by Harriet, was going in.
"This is good news!" I said.
"Very good news," she agreed.
"You will have to make some more caps."
"I have started one already, and so has Harriet!"
"Very well done," I said.
Harriet blushed and murmured something I did not catch.
We parted, I to go on business, and Emma to go in to see her friend.
Monday 5 April
Today was like spring, warm and sunny. I rode round the estate with William Larkins and we made sure that everything was in order. The farms were flourishing, and it did my heart good to see them. There is nothing like being in England in the spring.