_How to do her best by Harriet, was of more difficult decision;-how to spare her from any unnecessary pain; how to make her any possible atonement; how to appear least her enemy?-On these subjects, her perplexity and distress were very great-and her mind had to pass again and again through every bitter reproach and sorrowful regret that had ever surrounded it.-She could only resolve at last, that she would still avoid a meeting with her, and communicate all that need be told by letter; that it would be inexpressibly desirable to have her removed just now for a time from Highbury, and-indulging in one scheme more-nearly resolve, that it might be practicable to get an invitation for her to Brunswick Square.-Isabella had been pleased with Harriet; and a few weeks spent in London must give her some amusement.-She did not think it in Harriet’s nature to escape being benefited by novelty and variety, by the streets, the shops, and the children.-At any rate, it would be a proof of attention and kindness in herself, from whom every thing was due; a separation for the present; an averting of the evil day, when they must all be together again._ _She rose early, and wrote her letter to Harriet; an employment which left her so very serious, so nearly sad, that Mr. Knightley, in walking up to Hartfield to breakfast, did not arrive at all too soon; and half an hour stolen afterwards to go over the same ground again with him, literally and figuratively, was quite necessary to reinstate her in a proper share of the happiness of the evening before._ _..She would have been too happy but for poor Harriet; but every blessing of her own seemed to involve and advance the sufferings of her friend, who must now be even excluded from Hartfield. The delightful family party which Emma was securing for herself, poor Harriet must, in mere charitable caution, be kept at a distance from. She would be a loser in every way. Emma could not deplore her future absence as any deduction from her own enjoyment. In such a party, Harriet would be rather a dead weight than otherwise; but for the poor girl herself, it seemed a peculiarly cruel necessity that was to be placing her in such a state of unmerited punishment._ _In time, of course, Mr. Knightley would be forgotten, that is, supplanted; but this could not be expected to happen very early. Mr. Knightley himself would be doing nothing to assist the cure;-not like Mr. Elton. Mr. Knightley, always so kind, so feeling, so truly considerate for every body, would never deserve to be less worshipped than now; and it really was too much to hope even of Harriet, that she could be in love with more than three men in one year._ _..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, a 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 tooth amiss. Harriet really wished, and had wished some time, to consult a dentist. Mrs. John Knightley was delighted to be of use; any thing 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._ *_Emma, Vol III, Chapters 14,15,16_*
_Time passed on. A few more to-morrows, and the party from London would be arriving. It was an alarming change; and Emma was thinking of it one morning, as what must bring a great deal to agitate and grieve her, when Mr. Knightley came in, and distressing thoughts were put by. After the first chat of pleasure he was silent; and then, in a graver tone, began with,_ _“I have something to tell you, Emma; some news.”_ _“Good or bad?” said she, quickly, looking up in his face._ _“I do not know which it ought to be called.”_ _“Oh! good I am sure.-I see it in your countenance. You are trying not to smile.”_ _“I am afraid,” said he, composing his features, “I am very much afraid, my dear Emma, that you will not smile when you hear it.”_ _“Indeed! but why so?-I can hardly imagine that any thing which pleases or amuses you, should not please and amuse me too.”_ _“There is one subject,” he replied, “I hope but one, on which we do not think alike.” He paused a moment, again smiling, with his eyes fixed on her face. “Does nothing occur to you?-Do not you recollect?-Harriet Smith.”_ _Her cheeks flushed at the name, and she felt afraid of something, though she knew not what._ _“Have you heard from her yourself this morning?” cried he. “You have, I believe, and know the whole.”_ _“No, I have not; I know nothing; pray tell me.”_ _“You are prepared for the worst, I see-and very bad it is. Harriet Smith marries Robert Martin.”_ _Emma gave a start, which did not seem like being prepared-and her eyes, in eager gaze, said, “No, this is impossible!” but her lips were closed._ _“It is so, indeed,” continued Mr. Knightley; “I have it from Robert Martin himself. He left me not half an hour ago.”_ _She was still looking at him with the most speaking amazement._ _“You like it, my Emma, as little as I feared.-I wish our opinions were the same. But in time they will. Time, you may be sure, will make one or the other of us think differently; and, in the meanwhile, we need not talk much on the subject.”_ _“You mistake me, you quite mistake me,” she replied, exerting herself. “It is not that such a circumstance would now make me unhappy, but I cannot believe it. It seems an impossibility!-You cannot mean to say, that Harriet Smith has accepted Robert Martin. You cannot mean that he has even proposed to her again-yet. You only mean, that he intends it.”_ _“I mean that he has done it,” answered Mr. Knightley, with smiling but determined decision, “and been accepted.”_ _“Good God!” she cried.-“Well!”-Then having recourse to her workbasket, in excuse for leaning down her face, and concealing all the exquisite feelings of delight and entertainment which she knew she must be expressing, she added, “Well, now tell me every thing; make this intelligible to me. How, where, when?-Let me know it all. I never was more surprized-but it does not make me unhappy, I assure you.-How-how has it been possible?”_ _“It is a very simple story. He went to town on business three days ago, and I got him to take charge of some papers which I was wanting to send to John.-He delivered these papers to John, at his chambers, and was asked by him to join their party the same evening to Astley’s. They were going to take the two eldest boys to Astley’s. The party was to be our brother and sister, Henry, John-and Miss Smith. My friend Robert could not resist. They called for him in their way; were all extremely amused; and my brother asked him to dine with them the next day-which he did-and in the course of that visit (as I understand) he found an opportunity of speaking to Harriet; and certainly did not speak in vain.-She made him, by her acceptance, as happy even as he is deserving. He came down by yesterday’s coach, and was with me this morning immediately after breakfast, to report his proceedings, first on my affairs, and then on his own. This is all that I can relate of the how, where, and when. Your friend Harriet will make a much longer history when you see her.-She will give you all the minute particulars, which only woman’s language can make interesting.-In our communications we deal only in the great.-However, I must say, that Robert Martin’s heart seemed for him, and to me, very overflowing; and that he did mention, without its being much to the purpose, that on quitting their box at Astley’s, my brother took charge of Mrs. John Knightley and little John, and he followed with Miss Smith and Henry; and that at one time they were in such a crowd, as to make Miss Smith rather uneasy.”_ _He stopped.-Emma dared not attempt any immediate reply. To speak, she was sure would be to betray a most unreasonable degree of happiness. She must wait a moment, or he would think her mad. Her silence disturbed him; and after observing her a little while, he added,_ _“Emma, my love, you said that this circumstance would not now make you unhappy; but I am afraid it gives you more pain than you expected. His situation is an evil-but you must consider it as what satisfies your friend; and I will answer for your thinking better and better of him as you know him more. His good sense and good principles would delight you.-As far as the man is concerned, you could not wish your friend in better hands. His rank in society I would alter if I could, which is saying a great deal I assure you, Emma.-You laugh at me about William Larkins; but I could quite as ill spare Robert Martin.”_ _He wanted her to look up and smile; and having now brought herself not to smile too broadly-she did-cheerfully answering,_ _“You need not be at any pains to reconcile me to the match. I think Harriet is doing extremely well. Her connexions may be worse than his. In respectability of character, there can be no doubt that they are. I have been silent from surprize merely, excessive surprize. You cannot imagine how suddenly it has come on me! how peculiarly unprepared I was!-for I had reason to believe her very lately more determined against him, much more, than she was before.”_ _“You ought to know your friend best,” replied Mr. Knightley; “but I should say she was a good-tempered, soft-hearted girl, not likely to be very, very determined against any young man who told her he loved her.”_ _Emma could not help laughing as she answered, “Upon my word, I believe you know her quite as well as I do.-But, Mr. Knightley, are you perfectly sure that she has absolutely and downright accepted him. I could suppose she might in time-but can she already?-Did not you misunderstand him?-You were both talking of other things; of business, shows of cattle, or new drills-and might not you, in the confusion of so many subjects, mistake him?-It was not Harriet’s hand that he was certain of-it was the dimensions of some famous ox.”_ _The contrast between the countenance and air of Mr. Knightley and Robert Martin was, at this moment, so strong to Emma’s feelings, and so strong was the recollection of all that had so recently passed on Harriet’s side, so fresh the sound of those words, spoken with such emphasis, “No, I hope I know better than to think of Robert Martin,” that she was really expecting the intelligence to prove, in some measure, premature. It could not be otherwise._ _“Do you dare say this?” cried Mr. Knightley. “Do you dare to suppose me so great a blockhead, as not to know what a man is talking of?-What do you deserve?”_ _“Oh! I always deserve the best treatment, because I never put up with any other; and, therefore, you must give me a plain, direct answer. Are you quite sure that you understand the terms on which Mr. Martin and Harriet now are?”_ _“I am quite sure,” he replied, speaking very distinctly, “that he told me she had accepted him; and that there was no obscurity, nothing doubtful, in the words he used; and I think I can give you a proof that it must be so. He asked my opinion as to what he was now to do. He knew of no one but Mrs. Goddard to whom he could apply for information of her relations or friends. Could I mention any thing more fit to be done, than to go to Mrs. Goddard? I assured him that I could not. Then, he said, he would endeavour to see her in the course of this day.”_ _“I am perfectly satisfied,” replied Emma, with the brightest smiles, “and most sincerely wish them happy.”_ _“You are materially changed since we talked on this subject before.”_ _“I hope so-for at that time I was a fool.”_ _“And I am changed also; for I am now very willing to grant you all Harriet’s good qualities. I have taken some pains for your sake, and for Robert Martin’s sake, (whom I have always had reason to believe as much in love with her as ever,) to get acquainted with her. I have often talked to her a good deal. You must have seen that I did. Sometimes, indeed, I have thought you were half suspecting me of pleading poor Martin’s cause, which was never the case; but, from all my observations, I am convinced of her being an artless, amiable girl, with very good notions, very seriously good principles, and placing her happiness in the affections and utility of domestic life.-Much of this, I have no doubt, she may thank you for.”_ _“Me!” cried Emma, shaking her head.-“Ah! poor Harriet!”_ _She checked herself, however, and submitted quietly to a little more praise than she deserved._ *_Emma, Vol III, Chapter 18_*
_Their conversation was soon afterwards closed by the entrance of her father. She was not sorry. She wanted to be alone. Her mind was in a state of flutter and wonder, which made it impossible for her to be collected. She was in dancing, singing, exclaiming spirits; and till she had moved about, and talked to herself, and laughed and reflected, she could be fit for nothing rational._ _Her father’s business was to announce James’s being gone out to put the horses to, preparatory to their now daily drive to Randalls; and she had, therefore, an immediate excuse for disappearing._ _The joy, the gratitude, the exquisite delight of her sensations may be imagined. The sole grievance and alloy thus removed in the prospect of Harriet’s welfare, she was really in danger of becoming too happy for security.-What had she to wish for? Nothing, but to grow more worthy of him, whose intentions and judgment had been ever so superior to her own. Nothing, but that the lessons of her past folly might teach her humility and circumspection in future._ _Serious she was, very serious in her thankfulness, and in her resolutions; and yet there was no preventing a laugh, sometimes in the very midst of them. She must laugh at such a close! Such an end of the doleful disappointment of five weeks back! Such a heart-such a Harriet!_ _Now there would be pleasure in her returning-Every thing would be a pleasure. It would be a great pleasure to know Robert Martin._ _..If Emma had still, at intervals, an anxious feeling for Harriet, a momentary doubt of its being possible for her to be really cured of her attachment to Mr. Knightley, and really able to accept another man from unbiased inclination, it was not long that she had to suffer from the recurrence of any such uncertainty. A very few days brought the party from London, and she had no sooner an opportunity of being one hour alone with Harriet, than she became perfectly satisfied-unaccountable as it was!-that Robert Martin had thoroughly supplanted Mr. Knightley, and was now forming all her views of happiness._ _Harriet was a little distressed-did look a little foolish at first: but having once owned that she had been presumptuous and silly, and self-deceived, before, her pain and confusion seemed to die away with the words, and leave her without a care for the past, and with the fullest exultation in the present and future; for, as to her friend’s approbation, Emma had instantly removed every fear of that nature, by meeting her with the most unqualified congratulations.-Harriet was most happy to give every particular of the evening at Astley’s, and the dinner the next day; she could dwell on it all with the utmost delight. But what did such particulars explain?-The fact was, as Emma could now acknowledge, that Harriet had always liked Robert Martin; and that his continuing to love her had been irresistible.-Beyond this, it must ever be unintelligible to Emma._ _The event, however, was most joyful; and every day was giving her fresh reason for thinking so.-Harriet’s parentage became known. She proved to be the daughter of a tradesman, rich enough to afford her the comfortable maintenance which had ever been hers, and decent enough to have always wished for concealment.-Such was the blood of gentility which Emma had formerly been so ready to vouch for!-It was likely to be as untainted, perhaps, as the blood of many a gentleman: but what a connexion had she been preparing for Mr. Knightley-or for the Churchills-or even for Mr. Elton!-The stain of illegitimacy, unbleached by nobility or wealth, would have been a stain indeed._ _No objection was raised on the father’s side; the young man was treated liberally; it was all as it should be: and as Emma became acquainted with Robert Martin, who was now introduced at Hartfield, she fully acknowledged in him all the appearance of sense and worth which could bid fairest for her little friend. She had no doubt of Harriet’s happiness with any good-tempered man; but with him, and in the home he offered, there would be the hope of more, of security, stability, and improvement. She would be placed in the midst of those who loved her, and who had better sense than herself; retired enough for safety, and occupied enough for cheerfulness. She would be never led into temptation, nor left for it to find her out. She would be respectable and happy; and Emma admitted her to be the luckiest creature in the world, to have created so steady and persevering an affection in such a man;-or, if not quite the luckiest, to yield only to herself._ _Harriet, necessarily drawn away by her engagements with the Martins, was less and less at Hartfield; which was not to be regretted.-The intimacy between her and Emma must sink; their friendship must change into a calmer sort of goodwill; and, fortunately, what ought to be, and must be, seemed already beginning, and in the most gradual, natural manner._ _Before the end of September, Emma attended Harriet to church, and saw her hand bestowed on Robert Martin with so complete a satisfaction, as no remembrances, even connected with Mr. Elton as he stood before them, could impair.-Perhaps, indeed, at that time she scarcely saw Mr. Elton, but as the clergyman whose blessing at the altar might next fall on herself.-Robert Martin and Harriet Smith, the latest couple engaged of the three, were the first to be married._ *_Emma, Vol III, Chapters 18 & 19_*
Harriet & Mr. Martin at the end: adorable!! 🥰 Emma remaining friends with them even though their social status is so beneath hers will actually become easier once her and Mr. Knightly marry. It will be a landowner, and his charges/workers situation...
_How to do her best by Harriet, was of more difficult decision;-how to spare her from any unnecessary pain; how to make her any possible atonement; how to appear least her enemy?-On these subjects, her perplexity and distress were very great-and her mind had to pass again and again through every bitter reproach and sorrowful regret that had ever surrounded it.-She could only resolve at last, that she would still avoid a meeting with her, and communicate all that need be told by letter; that it would be inexpressibly desirable to have her removed just now for a time from Highbury, and-indulging in one scheme more-nearly resolve, that it might be practicable to get an invitation for her to Brunswick Square.-Isabella had been pleased with Harriet; and a few weeks spent in London must give her some amusement.-She did not think it in Harriet’s nature to escape being benefited by novelty and variety, by the streets, the shops, and the children.-At any rate, it would be a proof of attention and kindness in herself, from whom every thing was due; a separation for the present; an averting of the evil day, when they must all be together again._
_She rose early, and wrote her letter to Harriet; an employment which left her so very serious, so nearly sad, that Mr. Knightley, in walking up to Hartfield to breakfast, did not arrive at all too soon; and half an hour stolen afterwards to go over the same ground again with him, literally and figuratively, was quite necessary to reinstate her in a proper share of the happiness of the evening before._
_..She would have been too happy but for poor Harriet; but every blessing of her own seemed to involve and advance the sufferings of her friend, who must now be even excluded from Hartfield. The delightful family party which Emma was securing for herself, poor Harriet must, in mere charitable caution, be kept at a distance from. She would be a loser in every way. Emma could not deplore her future absence as any deduction from her own enjoyment. In such a party, Harriet would be rather a dead weight than otherwise; but for the poor girl herself, it seemed a peculiarly cruel necessity that was to be placing her in such a state of unmerited punishment._
_In time, of course, Mr. Knightley would be forgotten, that is, supplanted; but this could not be expected to happen very early. Mr. Knightley himself would be doing nothing to assist the cure;-not like Mr. Elton. Mr. Knightley, always so kind, so feeling, so truly considerate for every body, would never deserve to be less worshipped than now; and it really was too much to hope even of Harriet, that she could be in love with more than three men in one year._
_..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, a 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 tooth amiss. Harriet really wished, and had wished some time, to consult a dentist. Mrs. John Knightley was delighted to be of use; any thing 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._
*_Emma, Vol III, Chapters 14,15,16_*
_Time passed on. A few more to-morrows, and the party from London would be arriving. It was an alarming change; and Emma was thinking of it one morning, as what must bring a great deal to agitate and grieve her, when Mr. Knightley came in, and distressing thoughts were put by. After the first chat of pleasure he was silent; and then, in a graver tone, began with,_
_“I have something to tell you, Emma; some news.”_
_“Good or bad?” said she, quickly, looking up in his face._
_“I do not know which it ought to be called.”_
_“Oh! good I am sure.-I see it in your countenance. You are trying not to smile.”_
_“I am afraid,” said he, composing his features, “I am very much afraid, my dear Emma, that you will not smile when you hear it.”_
_“Indeed! but why so?-I can hardly imagine that any thing which pleases or amuses you, should not please and amuse me too.”_
_“There is one subject,” he replied, “I hope but one, on which we do not think alike.” He paused a moment, again smiling, with his eyes fixed on her face. “Does nothing occur to you?-Do not you recollect?-Harriet Smith.”_
_Her cheeks flushed at the name, and she felt afraid of something, though she knew not what._
_“Have you heard from her yourself this morning?” cried he. “You have, I believe, and know the whole.”_
_“No, I have not; I know nothing; pray tell me.”_
_“You are prepared for the worst, I see-and very bad it is. Harriet Smith marries Robert Martin.”_
_Emma gave a start, which did not seem like being prepared-and her eyes, in eager gaze, said, “No, this is impossible!” but her lips were closed._
_“It is so, indeed,” continued Mr. Knightley; “I have it from Robert Martin himself. He left me not half an hour ago.”_
_She was still looking at him with the most speaking amazement._
_“You like it, my Emma, as little as I feared.-I wish our opinions were the same. But in time they will. Time, you may be sure, will make one or the other of us think differently; and, in the meanwhile, we need not talk much on the subject.”_
_“You mistake me, you quite mistake me,” she replied, exerting herself. “It is not that such a circumstance would now make me unhappy, but I cannot believe it. It seems an impossibility!-You cannot mean to say, that Harriet Smith has accepted Robert Martin. You cannot mean that he has even proposed to her again-yet. You only mean, that he intends it.”_
_“I mean that he has done it,” answered Mr. Knightley, with smiling but determined decision, “and been accepted.”_
_“Good God!” she cried.-“Well!”-Then having recourse to her workbasket, in excuse for leaning down her face, and concealing all the exquisite feelings of delight and entertainment which she knew she must be expressing, she added, “Well, now tell me every thing; make this intelligible to me. How, where, when?-Let me know it all. I never was more surprized-but it does not make me unhappy, I assure you.-How-how has it been possible?”_
_“It is a very simple story. He went to town on business three days ago, and I got him to take charge of some papers which I was wanting to send to John.-He delivered these papers to John, at his chambers, and was asked by him to join their party the same evening to Astley’s. They were going to take the two eldest boys to Astley’s. The party was to be our brother and sister, Henry, John-and Miss Smith. My friend Robert could not resist. They called for him in their way; were all extremely amused; and my brother asked him to dine with them the next day-which he did-and in the course of that visit (as I understand) he found an opportunity of speaking to Harriet; and certainly did not speak in vain.-She made him, by her acceptance, as happy even as he is deserving. He came down by yesterday’s coach, and was with me this morning immediately after breakfast, to report his proceedings, first on my affairs, and then on his own. This is all that I can relate of the how, where, and when. Your friend Harriet will make a much longer history when you see her.-She will give you all the minute particulars, which only woman’s language can make interesting.-In our communications we deal only in the great.-However, I must say, that Robert Martin’s heart seemed for him, and to me, very overflowing; and that he did mention, without its being much to the purpose, that on quitting their box at Astley’s, my brother took charge of Mrs. John Knightley and little John, and he followed with Miss Smith and Henry; and that at one time they were in such a crowd, as to make Miss Smith rather uneasy.”_
_He stopped.-Emma dared not attempt any immediate reply. To speak, she was sure would be to betray a most unreasonable degree of happiness. She must wait a moment, or he would think her mad. Her silence disturbed him; and after observing her a little while, he added,_
_“Emma, my love, you said that this circumstance would not now make you unhappy; but I am afraid it gives you more pain than you expected. His situation is an evil-but you must consider it as what satisfies your friend; and I will answer for your thinking better and better of him as you know him more. His good sense and good principles would delight you.-As far as the man is concerned, you could not wish your friend in better hands. His rank in society I would alter if I could, which is saying a great deal I assure you, Emma.-You laugh at me about William Larkins; but I could quite as ill spare Robert Martin.”_
_He wanted her to look up and smile; and having now brought herself not to smile too broadly-she did-cheerfully answering,_
_“You need not be at any pains to reconcile me to the match. I think Harriet is doing extremely well. Her connexions may be worse than his. In respectability of character, there can be no doubt that they are. I have been silent from surprize merely, excessive surprize. You cannot imagine how suddenly it has come on me! how peculiarly unprepared I was!-for I had reason to believe her very lately more determined against him, much more, than she was before.”_
_“You ought to know your friend best,” replied Mr. Knightley; “but I should say she was a good-tempered, soft-hearted girl, not likely to be very, very determined against any young man who told her he loved her.”_
_Emma could not help laughing as she answered, “Upon my word, I believe you know her quite as well as I do.-But, Mr. Knightley, are you perfectly sure that she has absolutely and downright accepted him. I could suppose she might in time-but can she already?-Did not you misunderstand him?-You were both talking of other things; of business, shows of cattle, or new drills-and might not you, in the confusion of so many subjects, mistake him?-It was not Harriet’s hand that he was certain of-it was the dimensions of some famous ox.”_
_The contrast between the countenance and air of Mr. Knightley and Robert Martin was, at this moment, so strong to Emma’s feelings, and so strong was the recollection of all that had so recently passed on Harriet’s side, so fresh the sound of those words, spoken with such emphasis, “No, I hope I know better than to think of Robert Martin,” that she was really expecting the intelligence to prove, in some measure, premature. It could not be otherwise._
_“Do you dare say this?” cried Mr. Knightley. “Do you dare to suppose me so great a blockhead, as not to know what a man is talking of?-What do you deserve?”_
_“Oh! I always deserve the best treatment, because I never put up with any other; and, therefore, you must give me a plain, direct answer. Are you quite sure that you understand the terms on which Mr. Martin and Harriet now are?”_
_“I am quite sure,” he replied, speaking very distinctly, “that he told me she had accepted him; and that there was no obscurity, nothing doubtful, in the words he used; and I think I can give you a proof that it must be so. He asked my opinion as to what he was now to do. He knew of no one but Mrs. Goddard to whom he could apply for information of her relations or friends. Could I mention any thing more fit to be done, than to go to Mrs. Goddard? I assured him that I could not. Then, he said, he would endeavour to see her in the course of this day.”_
_“I am perfectly satisfied,” replied Emma, with the brightest smiles, “and most sincerely wish them happy.”_
_“You are materially changed since we talked on this subject before.”_
_“I hope so-for at that time I was a fool.”_
_“And I am changed also; for I am now very willing to grant you all Harriet’s good qualities. I have taken some pains for your sake, and for Robert Martin’s sake, (whom I have always had reason to believe as much in love with her as ever,) to get acquainted with her. I have often talked to her a good deal. You must have seen that I did. Sometimes, indeed, I have thought you were half suspecting me of pleading poor Martin’s cause, which was never the case; but, from all my observations, I am convinced of her being an artless, amiable girl, with very good notions, very seriously good principles, and placing her happiness in the affections and utility of domestic life.-Much of this, I have no doubt, she may thank you for.”_
_“Me!” cried Emma, shaking her head.-“Ah! poor Harriet!”_
_She checked herself, however, and submitted quietly to a little more praise than she deserved._
*_Emma, Vol III, Chapter 18_*
_Their conversation was soon afterwards closed by the entrance of her father. She was not sorry. She wanted to be alone. Her mind was in a state of flutter and wonder, which made it impossible for her to be collected. She was in dancing, singing, exclaiming spirits; and till she had moved about, and talked to herself, and laughed and reflected, she could be fit for nothing rational._
_Her father’s business was to announce James’s being gone out to put the horses to, preparatory to their now daily drive to Randalls; and she had, therefore, an immediate excuse for disappearing._
_The joy, the gratitude, the exquisite delight of her sensations may be imagined. The sole grievance and alloy thus removed in the prospect of Harriet’s welfare, she was really in danger of becoming too happy for security.-What had she to wish for? Nothing, but to grow more worthy of him, whose intentions and judgment had been ever so superior to her own. Nothing, but that the lessons of her past folly might teach her humility and circumspection in future._
_Serious she was, very serious in her thankfulness, and in her resolutions; and yet there was no preventing a laugh, sometimes in the very midst of them. She must laugh at such a close! Such an end of the doleful disappointment of five weeks back! Such a heart-such a Harriet!_
_Now there would be pleasure in her returning-Every thing would be a pleasure. It would be a great pleasure to know Robert Martin._
_..If Emma had still, at intervals, an anxious feeling for Harriet, a momentary doubt of its being possible for her to be really cured of her attachment to Mr. Knightley, and really able to accept another man from unbiased inclination, it was not long that she had to suffer from the recurrence of any such uncertainty. A very few days brought the party from London, and she had no sooner an opportunity of being one hour alone with Harriet, than she became perfectly satisfied-unaccountable as it was!-that Robert Martin had thoroughly supplanted Mr. Knightley, and was now forming all her views of happiness._
_Harriet was a little distressed-did look a little foolish at first: but having once owned that she had been presumptuous and silly, and self-deceived, before, her pain and confusion seemed to die away with the words, and leave her without a care for the past, and with the fullest exultation in the present and future; for, as to her friend’s approbation, Emma had instantly removed every fear of that nature, by meeting her with the most unqualified congratulations.-Harriet was most happy to give every particular of the evening at Astley’s, and the dinner the next day; she could dwell on it all with the utmost delight. But what did such particulars explain?-The fact was, as Emma could now acknowledge, that Harriet had always liked Robert Martin; and that his continuing to love her had been irresistible.-Beyond this, it must ever be unintelligible to Emma._
_The event, however, was most joyful; and every day was giving her fresh reason for thinking so.-Harriet’s parentage became known. She proved to be the daughter of a tradesman, rich enough to afford her the comfortable maintenance which had ever been hers, and decent enough to have always wished for concealment.-Such was the blood of gentility which Emma had formerly been so ready to vouch for!-It was likely to be as untainted, perhaps, as the blood of many a gentleman: but what a connexion had she been preparing for Mr. Knightley-or for the Churchills-or even for Mr. Elton!-The stain of illegitimacy, unbleached by nobility or wealth, would have been a stain indeed._
_No objection was raised on the father’s side; the young man was treated liberally; it was all as it should be: and as Emma became acquainted with Robert Martin, who was now introduced at Hartfield, she fully acknowledged in him all the appearance of sense and worth which could bid fairest for her little friend. She had no doubt of Harriet’s happiness with any good-tempered man; but with him, and in the home he offered, there would be the hope of more, of security, stability, and improvement. She would be placed in the midst of those who loved her, and who had better sense than herself; retired enough for safety, and occupied enough for cheerfulness. She would be never led into temptation, nor left for it to find her out. She would be respectable and happy; and Emma admitted her to be the luckiest creature in the world, to have created so steady and persevering an affection in such a man;-or, if not quite the luckiest, to yield only to herself._
_Harriet, necessarily drawn away by her engagements with the Martins, was less and less at Hartfield; which was not to be regretted.-The intimacy between her and Emma must sink; their friendship must change into a calmer sort of goodwill; and, fortunately, what ought to be, and must be, seemed already beginning, and in the most gradual, natural manner._
_Before the end of September, Emma attended Harriet to church, and saw her hand bestowed on Robert Martin with so complete a satisfaction, as no remembrances, even connected with Mr. Elton as he stood before them, could impair.-Perhaps, indeed, at that time she scarcely saw Mr. Elton, but as the clergyman whose blessing at the altar might next fall on herself.-Robert Martin and Harriet Smith, the latest couple engaged of the three, were the first to be married._
*_Emma, Vol III, Chapters 18 & 19_*
The true friendship between Emma and Harriet in this movie version is so beautiful. ❤
Harriet & Mr. Martin at the end: adorable!! 🥰
Emma remaining friends with them even though their social status is so beneath hers will actually become easier once her and Mr. Knightly marry. It will be a landowner, and his charges/workers situation...