Emma Page #8

Well, I am dotingly fond of music, and my friends say I'm not entirely

devoid of taste! In fact, I told Mr E., when he asked me to marry, I told

him that I did not have to have two carriages, as I did before, and I could

even accept a smaller house! My house was a good deal roomier, I assure

you. But no! The world is not necessary to me because I am blessed with so

many resources in here! But, said I, without music, my life would be a

blank. In fact, you and I must establish a musical club, and we could have

regular meetings at your house or ours, because I don't want to give up my

talent, do I?

EMMA:

Mrs Elton, I'm sure it would take something more dramatic as a change of

town to dislodge as great as your talent.

MRS ELTON:

Oh, well, I myself don't call it great! I just know that my friends think

so. (pause) Oh! We met the Westons. He is already a favorite with me! And I

was astonished that she was so ladylike! Was she not your governess?

EMMA:

Mrs Weston's modest propriety makes her a model for any woman.

MRS ELTON (cutting off Mr Elton's mumbling)

And do you know who came in while we were there?

EMMA:

I cannot imagine!

MRS ELTON:

Knightley.

EMMA:

Knightley?

MRS ELTON:

Knightley! Ah, Mr E's friend! Well, there's one friend with whom you need

not be ashamed! Quite the gentleman!

EMMA (thinking)

Knightley?

SCENE 33-HIGHBURY

EMMA:

Never seen him before and she called him Knightley!

HARRIET:

I saw her at church and she seemed-

EMMA:

Vulgar? Base? Conceited? Crass? How do you do Mrs Star?

MRS STAR:

Good Morning, Miss Woodhouse!

EMMA:

She actually seemed pleased to discover that Mr Knightley was gentleman! I

doubt he'll return the compliment and find her a lady! Mr Simons!

MR SIMONS:

Good Morning, Miss Woodhouse.

EMMA:

Good morning! She proposed that we formed a musical club! Is it possible

that Mr Elton met her while doing charitable work in a mental infirmary?

There is only one thing to do with a person as impossible as she.

HARRIET:

What?

EMMA:

I must throw a party for her! Otherwise everyone will feel at once how much

I dislike her.

SCENE 34-HIGHBURY CHAPEL

MRS ELTON:

We're so excited about the party! Do you know who I just adore, who I want

to wrap up and put in my pocket?

EMMA:

Knightley?

MRS ELTON:

Jane Fairfax! I rave about her! Do you know what I admire most about her?

She's timid. I'm a great advocate of timidity. But I daresay you know the

lines of the poet.

For many a flower

Is born to blush unseen.

We cannot allow them to be verified by sweet Jane!

EMMA:

There is no danger of that! The Cambells take great care of her.

MRS ELTON:

Whatever advantage she got from the Cambells have palpably come to an end,

but if you and I set an example, many will follow. We live in a style which

could not make the addition of Jane Fairfax the least inconvenient. I am

simply going to adopt her, and I think that you should do it with me.

SCENE 35-RANDALL

EMMA:

For the first time in my life, I felt sorry for Jane Fairfax. Whatever she

may have done, she does not deserve Mrs Elton.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Jane may be glad of Mrs Elton's attentions since they are available to no

one else.

EMMA:

She seems to receive ample attention from you.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Anyone may know my regard for her.

EMMA:

Oh? Do you know her higheties?

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Oh, so you two have been settling that I should marry Jane Fairfax?

EMMA:

No! You could not come and sit with us if you were married.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Jane Fairfax is a very charming young woman, but she lacks an open temper

which a man wishes for in a wife. I have admiration for her, but no thought

beyond. Not at all. None. No. Ah, I see Mr Weston is at home. I'll go and

see him.

EMMA:

Well, Mrs Weston, what do you say about your suspicions now?

MRS WESTON:

He seemed very occupied with his not being in love with her. It seems

certain that he is!

SCENE 36-HARTFIELD

MR KNIGHTLEY:

It was most kind of you to invite Jane Fairfax this evening.

EMMA:

Your words the other day shamed me. I have not tried as I should have.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

You are capable of great kindness.

EMMA:

I fall short so often, and I highly doubt she will find this a kindness.

MRS ELTON:

Jane! You're a very, very fragile creature! You pay no regard of the

delicacies of you constitution! Jane...Knightley! Help us! Knightley! Jane

went to the post office today in the rain! A great peril to her health!

This was a sign that I was not there to take care of you! Knightley, tell

her! Tell her!

MR KNIGHTLEY:

I'm sure she knows what she can endure, Mrs Elton! But of course. Do take

care of yourself.

JANE:

Thank you.

(later, at dinner)

BUTLER:

Mr Weston

MR WOODHOUSE:

Ah! We had quite given you up! I'm afraid we had to start without you!

MR WESTON:

Oh, forgive me, Mr Woodhouse, Emma, no please. The journey was especially

slow, or perhaps it just seemed so, as I have some good news that I was

eager to share. Frank's aunt is on the mend, and Frank is taking a house in

Highbury!

MR WOODHOUSE:

Good news indeed!

MRS ELTON:

Well, well, well, I shall have to do something with Mr E to welcome him,

hey, Mr E? (cutting off Mr Elton) Highbury's a little different since he

left. There's been an addition, if I may presume to call myself an

addition. Personally I wouldn't, as you know I'm just quoting other people,

but I think Mr Frank Churchill will find one or two small changes in the

vicinity since he last came to visit his dear father!

SCENE 37-HARTFIELD, EMMA'S ROOM

EMMA (writing in her diary w/ voiceover)

Frank Churchill. I must own that I am not in love with Frank. I have not

thought of him at all except for the mention Harriet made of him the other

day.

EMMA (speaking)

Harriet! And Frank! Oh, wouldn't that be charming!

EMMA (thinking)

It would so relieve me to know that Harriet was well taken care of. Perhaps

I could bring them together at the ball! Lucky the man who exchanges Emma

for Harriet!

SCENE 38-DONWELL ABBEY

MR KNIGHTLEY:

I can think of nothing less appealing than an evening of watching other

people dance. Go on.

EMMA:

Well, then you shall have do dance yourself!

MR KNIGHTLEY:

I have no taste for it. I'd rather fetch that stick.

EMMA:

I'll try to remember to bring it to the ball.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

I just want to stay here where it's cozy.

SCENE 39-WESTON BALL

FRANK:

Miss Woodhouse!

EMMA:

Mr Churchill! I came early to see if I could be of service to your father.

FRANK:

Actually, you're late! The whole party is here to help my father prepare

for the party.

EMMA:

Are you waiting for someone?

FRANK:

Oh, Mrs Elton!

EMMA:

Mrs Elton? Why ever for?

FRANK:

I hear much of her. She is bringing Jane Fairfax in her carriage, so

perhaps we may finally ask Jane Fairfax about Mr Dickson. Or have you

acquired the courage in my absence? Oh, is that they? Do excuse me

EMMA:

Frank just told me the most fascinating thing.

MRS WESTON:

Tell me.

EMMA:

He's heard about Mrs Elton and he still wants to meet her!

MISS BATES:

I always say, always, that there is no place where the people are as nice

as in Highbury. We were not two steps out of the carriage, not two, well,

it was possibly less, when Frank Churchill came bounding up! He was

bounding, I tell you, to see if we needed any assistance! He is so

obliging! Oh, Mr Churchill! I was just telling Miss Woodhouse and Mrs

Weston how obliging you are! I shall never forget your kindness, not as

long as I live. Nor to mother, since you replaced the rivet in her

spectacles, not only have they been as good as new, they have been better.

Oh, isn't this room just like a fairyland? How do you like Jane's hair? She

did it herself! Oh, look, there are the Hearses! I must go and say hello!

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