Emma Page #7

MRS COLE:

Jane has just had a letter from them and not a word was said of it.

FRANK:

Well, perhaps it's a surprise.

EMMA:

Why do you smile?

FRANK:

I'm smiling because I'm wondering if there's anyone else whom we should

suspect of being Miss Fairfax's musical patron. Do you know her?

EMMA:

Yes, she's very...elegant...yes...

FRANK:

Colonel Campbell's daughter Mrs Dickson was Miss Fairfax's dearest friend,

so perhaps Mrs Dickson sent the piano.

EMMA:

Mrs Dickson? That makes sense.

FRANK:

But not as much sense do you think as Mr Dickson. I cannot help suspecting

that after his proposal to Miss Campbell, a sweet, but rather a plain girl,

Mr Dickson fell in love with Miss Fairfax, who is after all...

EMMA:

Very elegant, yes, but what makes you say that?

FRANK:

Well, she must think so too! That is why she did not go on the holiday with

the Cambells. Instead she came here...Do you see? Now that Mr Dickson has

married into the Cambells he would have been there. I think, by coming

here, Miss Fairfax was telling Mr Dickson that she wanted to forget him,

and I think, with the pianoforte, Mr Dickson wasn't allowing it! Of course

it's just a theory, let us see how she reacts if we say the name 'Mr

Dickson'.

(later)

MRS WESTON:

My dear, do you know how Miss Bates and Jane Fairfax came here tonight? Mr

Knightley sent his carriage!

EMMA:

Yes, he's very kind!

MRS WESTON:

You give him credit for more disinterested benevolence than I. A suspicion

has started into my head which I simply cannot get rid of! Mr Knightley and

Jane Fairfax are a couple!

EMMA:

Mrs Weston, do not take to matchmaking, you do it ill! Jane Fairfax and Mr

Knightley? Every feeling revolts!

MRS WESTON:

Oh, my goodness! What if the pianoforte is from Mr Knightley?

EMMA:

You have taken up an idea and run wild with it. He is not even with her!

She is with Frank, poor man.

MRS WESTON:

Perhaps they stay apart publicly to keep it a secret!

EMMA:

Hush friend. Here comes--Mr Cole!

MR COLE:

Miss Woodhouse, would you do us the honor of trying our pianoforte?

EMMA:

Oh, I fear I lack the talent.

MR COLE:

Oh, perhaps I should ask Miss Fairfax.

(later)

EMMA (singing)

Did you not hear my lady

Go down the garden singing

Blackbird and thrush lie silent

To hear the alleys ringing

Oh saw you not my lady

Out in the garden there

Shaming the rose and lilies

For she is twice as fair

Though-

FRANK (taking over)

Though I am nothing to her

Though she must rarely look at me

And though I could never woo her

I love her 'til I die

FRANK AND EMMA (singing)

Surely you heard my lady

Go down the garden singing

Silencing all the songbirds

And setting the alleys ringing

But surely you see my lady

Out in the garden there

Rivaling the glittering sunshine

With her glory of golden hair

FRANK:

Excuse me. Do you know that piece?

JANE:

Oh, yes.

(Jane and Frank sing together)

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Doesn't she play marvelously?

EMMA:

Yes. How sweet to have lent your carriage so that her fingers would be warm

enough for the performance.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Your playing was lovely!

EMMA:

Much less than the effect of Miss Fairfax's?

MR KNIGHTLEY:

No! It was ...very...elegant.

EMMA:

Was that not sweet of the Cambells to give her so generous a gift?

MR KNIGHTLEY:

I never approve of surprises. The pleasure is never enhanced, and the

inconvenience is considerable. Bad judgement on the Campbell's part.

FRANK:

Miss Fairfax, shall we sing another?

MR KNIGHTLEY:

That fellow thinks of nothing but showing off. Jane will sing herself

hoarse. Miss Bates!

MISS BATES:

Yes, Mr Knightley?

MR KNIGHTLEY:

You must put a stop to this! She'll make herself ill!

MISS BATES:

Oh, do you think so? Oh, well I shall!

SCENE 30-HARTFIELD

FRANK:

Miss Woodhouse, you must forgive my intrusion, but my aunt has become

ill-it is nothing serious, but my presence might bring her solace,

therefore I must return, and although I expect my father at any moment, I

could not leave without stopping here.

EMMA:

Oh! Not even five minutes to spare for your friends Miss Fairfax and Miss

Bates, how unlucky!

FRANK:

Oh, no, I stopped there on my way here! After all their kindness, I don't

wish to slight them! But it is not the Bates, nor my aunt that occupies my

thoughts as I prepare to leave. There is something much more personal that

I must say to you. I think that you can hardly be without suspicion that I

have developed certain feelings for someone of a most tender and devoted

nature, which so far I have striven to hide. Yet you have always made me

feel so wonderfully at ease, such a friend, since very arrival that in no

longer seems honorable to keep them from you. In short, Miss Woodhouse, I--

BUTLER:

Mr Weston.

FRANK:

Mrs Weston has promised to correspond, the blessings of a female

correspondent when one wants news. In her letters I shall be at Highbury,

and here again, with you.

SCENE 31-HARTFIELD, EMMA'S ROOM

EMMA:

Well, he loves me! He was on the verge of telling me when his father burst

in. I felt listless after he left and had some sort of headache, so I must

be in love as well. I must confess I expected love to feel something

different than this. I may determine how deep a love I feel through his

absence. How I wish he would be here tomorrow, for there is a grim job to

be done. Mr Elton is bringing his new wife to tea.

SCENE 32-HARTFIELD

MRS ELTON:

You know, your home reminds me of Maple Grove, which is the seed of my

brother, Mr Sutling.

MR ELTON:

Sutling.

MRS ELTON:

The hall, the size of the room, I'm really quite struck by it! I almost

fancy myself here!

EMMA:

I'm glad you can feel so at ease.

MRS ELTON (cutting off Mr Elton's mumbling)

Oh, my brother and sister will be enchanted with this place. People who

have extensive grounds are always pleased to meet other people with

extensive grounds.

EMMA:

I'm afraid you overrate Hartfield. Soria is full of beauties.

MRS ELTON (cutting off Mr Elton's mumbling)

Don't tell me about Soria! I always say it is the garden of England!

EMMA:

Yes, but many counties are called that.

MRS ELTON:

Oh? I fancy not. I never heard any county but Soria called so.

EMMA:

Well, I know little of other places. We're a quiet set of people, more

disposed to stay at home.

MRS ELTON:

Yes, your father's health must be a great drawback to your seeing the

country. Why does he not try bath? It would do him the world of good!

EMMA:

He has tried it before without any benefit.

MRS ELTON:

No! It will do him good, if only to improve his spirits, which, I

understand, are sometimes much depressed! You must take him! A line from

me, and you will have some of the best society in the place! A particular

friend there, Mrs Paltry, --

EMMA:

I'm afraid going to Bath would be out of the question

(later)

EMMA:

Mrs Elton! I did not ask if you were musical and that is because your

reputation has preceded you. All the town knows that you are a superior

performer.

MRS ELTON (cutting off Mr Elton's mumbling)

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