Emma Page #11

MRS WESTON:

Oh, my dearest child!

EMMA:

I did not know it until poor Harriet said that she had the hope of his

returning her affection that I felt ill that I could lose him, and I knew

that noone must marry Mr Knightley but me!

MRS WESTON:

Oh, heavenly!

EMMA:

But I am too late. Just before left town, he said:

MR KNIGHTLEY:

There is a delicate and perplexing matter I must discuss with my brother.

EMMA:

I hope this brother advises him to be careful! After all, we know nothing

about his parents! They could be pirates!

MRS WESTON:

My dear, I like Harriet very much, as I might remind you, do you! But

remember, her feelings are evidence of her feelings only. Nothing can be

known until Mr Knightley returns.

EMMA:

I long for it and fear it at the same time. I shall not know how to behave

when I see him!

MRS WESTON:

Let his behavior be your guide.

EMMA:

But oh, dear! If he seems happy than I know that he has decided to marry

Harriet, and I will not, I know I will not be able to let him tell me, I

could not bear to hear the words. But if he seems sad then I shall know

that John has advised him not to marry Harriet. I love John! Or, he may

seem sad because he fears telling me that he is going to marry my friend!

How could John let him do that? I hate John!

MRS WESTON:

My dear, nothing can be done until he returns, and until he does, you must

try to put him out of your mind. Can you do that?

EMMA:

Certainly I can. I may have lost my heart, but not my self-control.

SCENE 49-HARTFIELD

EMMA (writing in her diary)

Dear diary, Today I tried not to think about Mr Knightley. I tried not to

think about him when I spoke about the menu with cook.

COOK:

Oh, is Mr Knightley coming?

EMMA:

Why do you say that?

COOK:

Lamb stew's his favorite.

EMMA (writing)

I tried not to think about him in the garden where I thrice plucked the

petals off a daisy trying to ascertain his feelings for Harriet. I don't

think we should keep daisies in the garden. They really are drab little

flowers. And I tried not to think about him when I went to bed, but

something had to be done.

SCENE 50-HIGHBURY CHURCH

EMMA (praying)

Dear Lord, if he cannot share a life with me, is it wrong to ask that he

not share it with anyone? That we go on as we go on now, him stopping by at

any hour, always the brightest part of our lives, a natural and easy member

of the family. I would be content if he just stayed single Lord. That's it!

If he would just stay single, that would be enough to make me perfectly

satisfied.

EMMA (aloud)

Almost. Amen.

SCENE 51-ROAD TO HARTFIELD

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Emma! Forgive me, I was lost in my thoughts.

EMMA:

And how are you? Happy?

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Well, happy to see you, as always.

EMMA:

I didn't know that you were back.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Just. Yes, just.

EMMA:

Ah. I am on my way home.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

I was just there. May I join you?

EMMA:

Of course. Oh, dear...

MR KNIGHTLEY:

What?

EMMA:

What? Oh! Something about the deer that we need for the venison stew.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Uh-huh. Emma, there's something I have to ask.

EMMA:

Oh, wait, now that you are back, there is some news that will surprise you.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Of what nature is this news?

EMMA:

The very best. It is a wedding between two--

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Oh, yes! Between Jane and Mr Churchill. Mr Weston wrote to me.

EMMA:

Undoubtedly you are not surprised. I seemed doomed to blindness.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Time will heal your wound.

EMMA:

My wound?

MR KNIGHTLEY:

I know you must have been cruelly disappointed by his secret. He's a

scoundrel.

EMMA:

You are kind, but I must tell you that I quickly saw qualities, honesty

being one, which are essential to me in any kind of friend.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Emma, is that true?

EMMA:

He imposed on me, but he has not injured me.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Yes, he got everything he wanted at great expense to others, and at no cost

to himself. He offends me, deeply. Yet there is something in his situation

that I envy.

EMMA:

Did I mention we are having a new drain installed?

MR KNIGHTLEY:

You will not ask me the point of my envy. Well, perhaps you are wise. But,

I cannot be wise. Emma, I must tell you what you will not ask, though I may

wish it unsaid the next moment.

EMMA:

Then do not speak it. Do not commit yourself to something that will injure

us both to have said.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Very well. Very well. Good day.

EMMA:

Mr Knightley! Mr Knightley. I stopped you ungraciously just now and gave

you pain. If you have any wish to speak to me about anything you have in

contemplation, as your friend I cannot refuse you. Indeed, as your old

friend, I will hear whatever it is you wish to tell me.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Emma! You want our friendship to remain the same as it has always been, but

I cannot desire that.

EMMA:

But why? I know I make mistakes, but had you been here the last few days

you would have seen how I have tried to change! Please tell me I am your

friend.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

I do not wish to call you my friend, because I hoped to call you something

infinitely more dear. Did you never wonder why I never befriended Frank

Churchill. It was because I knew he was intended for you. Indeed, when you

insulted Miss Bates at the picnic, I thought that evidence of his influence

over you. And I couldn't bear to see it, so I went away, but I went to the

wrong place. My brother's house is usually a place of comfort to me, but

seeing your sister there kept you fresh in my mind. And the torture, I

assure you, was acute. I only felt hope again when I heard of Mr

Churchill's engagement, and I rushed back, anxious for your feelings, keen

to be near you. I rode through the rain, but I'd ride through worse if I

could just hear your voice telling me that I might at least have some

chance to win you.

EMMA:

Mr Knightley, if I have not spoken, it is because I am afraid I will awaken

myself from this dream! It cannot be true! But I feel so full of error, so

mistaken in my make-up to deserve you!

MR KNIGHLTY:

What of my flaws? I've humbled you, and I've lectured you and you have

borne it as noone could have born it. Maybe it is our imperfections that

make us so perfect for one another. Marry me? Oh, marry me, my wonderful,

darling friend! Let's go to your father.

EMMA:

Oh, dear!

MR KNIGHTLEY:

What?

EMMA:

I cannot marry you!

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Whyever not?

EMMA:

My father! First my sister, then Mrs Weston, I don't think he could bear my

leaving even for a man he regards as highly as you, I cannot marry you! I

cannot abandon him, I cannot!

MR KNIGHTLEY:

I could not secure your happiness by attacking your father's. As long as

his joy requires your being at Hartfield, let it be my home, too.

EMMA:

Thank you! Thank you! Now, I need not call you Mr Knightley! I may call you

my Mr Knightley.

SCENE 52-HARTFIELD

THE NARRATOR:

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