Эмма. Уровень 3 / Emma

He had a comfortable home and a very sufficient income; for though the vicarage of Highbury was not large, he was known to have some independent property; and she thought very highly of him as a good-humoured, well-meaning, respectable young man.

Chapter V

“I do not know what your opinion may be, Mrs. Weston,” said Mr. Knightley, “of this great intimacy between Emma and Harriet Smith, but I think it a bad thing.”

“A bad thing! Do you really think it a bad thing? – why so?”

“I think they will neither of them do the other any good.

”

“You surprize me! Emma must do Harriet good, Harriet may be said to do Emma good. I have been seeing their intimacy with the greatest pleasure. This will certainly be the beginning of one of our quarrels about Emma, Mr. Knightley.”

“Perhaps you think I have come on purpose to quarrel with you.”

“Mr. Weston would undoubtedly support me, if he were here. We were speaking of it only yesterday, and agreeing how fortunate it was for Emma, that there should be such a girl in Highbury for her to associate with.

Mr. Knightley, you are so much used to live alone, that you do not know the value of a companion. I can imagine your objection to Harriet Smith. She is not the superior young woman which Emma's friend ought to be. But on the other hand, Emma will undoubtedly read more. They will read together, I know.”

“Emma has been meaning to read more ever since she was twelve years old. So what? You never could persuade her to read half so much as you wished.

You know you could not.”

“I dare say,” replied Mrs. Weston, smiling, “since we have parted, I can never remember Emma's refusing to do anything I wished.”

“Emma is spoiled by being the cleverest of her family. At ten years old, she had the misfortune of being able to answer questions which puzzled her sister at seventeen. She was always quick and assured: Isabella slow and uncertain. And ever since she was twelve, Emma has been mistress of the house.

She inherits her mother's talents. As for you, you are very fit for a wife, but not at all for a governess. But you were preparing yourself to be an excellent wife all the time you were at Hartfield. You might not give Emma such a complete education as your powers would seem to promise; but you were receiving a very good education from her; and if Weston had asked me to recommend him a wife, I should certainly have named Miss Taylor. But about Harriet Smith.