Summary
Mr. Elton comes back to Highbury with renewed spirits
as he is to be married. Harriet starts mourning his marriage and Emma decides
that Harriet should accept an invitation from the Martins to visit them.
Harriet has a friendly and emotional visit with Mr. Martin’s mother and sister,
but when the visit is cut short, it is clear the Martins understand that they
have been slighted. On their way back to Hartfield they stop at Randalls to
visit the Westons and learn that they had had a letter from Frank saying that
he would be there the next day. Frank Churchill and Mrs. Weston visit Hartfield
next morning, and Emma is pleased by Frank’s warmth toward his stepmother.
Emma's good opinion of Frank Churchill is shaken when she hears that he has
gone to London simply to get a haircut. The Coles, a family of low origin,
invite the better families of Highbury to dine with them. It turns out that
everyone is invited to a party at the Coles except the Woodhouses, and Emma is
hurt. The invitation does finally arrive though, and Emma decides to accept
it after all. At the Coles’ party it is revealed that Jane Fairfax has received
the mysterious gift of a piano. People assume the piano is from Colonel
Campbell, but Emma tells Frank she suspects that it is a gift from Mr. Dixon.
When Jane arrives later, she blushes when questioned about the piano. During
the party, Emma and Jane sing and play the piano for the company, with Frank
accompanying. Before the party breaks up, there is time for only two dances. Next
morning, Harriet Smith visits Emma and tells her that she suspects Robert
Martin to be involved with Anne Cox. They shop at Ford's together, and Emma
sees Mrs. Weston and Frank Churchill going to visit Miss Bates. While Emma and
Harriet continue to shop, Miss Bates invites them to hear Jane Fairfax play at
her new piano. Mr. Knightley stops by the Bates' while Emma and Frank are
there, but because of the numerous visitors he promises to call another time. After
their little bit of dancing at the Coles, the young people soon want a ball and
begin planning. Although initially planned for Randalls, the lack of acceptable
space for dancing leads Frank to plan it instead for the Crown Inn. Emma is
quite excited about the upcoming ball, but Frank gets a letter from Mr.
Churchill urging him to come home, as Mrs. Churchill is ill. He stops by
quickly to say goodbye to Emma, trying to tell her something serious, but she
does not encourage it and when he
leaves, she realizes that he is more in
love with her than she had thought. Mr. Elton returns with his bride, and Emma
decides that she and Harriet should visit the newlyweds early on in order to
reestablish normal social relations. Emma finds that Mrs. Elton has no elegance
and maintains that Harriet would have been a better wife for Mr. Elton. Mrs.
Elton, offended by the little encouragement given by Emma, becomes cold and
distant to her. Emma is puzzled that Jane accepts Mrs. Elton’s attentions, and
she discusses Jane’s actions with Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley.
Good!
ОтветитьУдалитьSLIPS:
the better - the comparative form to be used when exactly two things are being considered
Emma tells Frank she suspects....Harriet Smith visits Emma and tells her that she suspects....
- try to avoid verbs of speaking in summaries.