"Emma" by Jane Austen. Part 4

Summary

Emma plans a dinner party for the Eltons for reasons of propriety. Besides the Eltons, Emma invites Mr. Knightley, the Westons, and Jane Fairfax. Mr. Weston discusses Frank Churchill and his aunt with Mrs. Elton and reveals more about the Churchill family. Emma's concern for Frank Churchill distresses her because she believes that he must be in love with her even though she does not share his feelings. Because of Frank’s  aunt  demands, he is kept away for ten days after his first visit. Mrs. Churchill eventually determines that her family must move from London to Richmond, which places Frank closer to Highbury. Mr. Weston is delighted to have his son nearer, and a date is set for the long-postponed ball. The day of the ball arrives. Emma is invited by Mr. Weston to come early and give her opinion on the arrangements. Mr. and Mrs. Weston suddenly realize that Mrs. Elton expects to be asked to lead the dance and that they cannot give Emma that honor, as they had hoped. During the first dance, Emma and Frank dance second to Mr. Weston and Mrs. Elton, and Mrs. Elton is completely gratified by this. During one dance, Harriet is left without a partner, and Mr. Knightley soothes Harriet’s embarrassment by asking her to dance, and Emma is very pleased with him. Frank Churchill and Harriet arrive at Hartfield the day after the ball. When revived, Harriet tells the story of how she was walking with a friend, Miss Bickerton, when a Gypsy child approached to beg from them. Miss Bickerton, frightened, ran away, but Harriet was unable to follow because of a cramp she had gotten at the ball. Harriet visits Emma several days later to make a confession. She has a parcel with items that reminder of Mr. Elton, including a small box with a court plaster that was used to cover a small cut that Mr. Elton had. Mr. Knightley only grows to dislike Frank Churchill more, as he suspects double-dealing in Frank’s pursuit of Emma. Mr. Knightley tells Emma about his suspicions about Frank and Jane, but she thinks that there is no romance between them. Mr. Knightley is irritated by the entire situation and when Mrs. Elton plans a picnic, Mr. Knightley offers Donwell Abbey as the location. At Donwell Abbey, walking through the garden, Emma finds Harriet and Knightley looking out over the Martin family home and but is nevertheless convinced that Harriet is in good hands. Jane Fairfax leaves early while Frank Churchill arrives late, primarily due to delays from Mrs. Churchill. The next day, the party goes to Box Hill for a picnic. Later on, Emma, Jane and Frank discuss marriage. Jane speaks about how quick marriages can be salvaged, while Frank tells Emma to choose a wife for him and mold her. Emma returns to the idea of Frank and Harriet.

"Emma" by Jane Austen. Part 4