Эмма. Уровень 3 / Emma

What are Harriet Smith's claims, either of birth, nature or education, to any connexion higher than Robert Martin? She is the natural daughter of nobody knows whom, with probably no settled income at all, and certainly no respectable relations. She has been taught nothing useful, and is too young and too simple. At her age she can have no experience, and with her little wit, is not very likely ever to have any that can help her. She is pretty, and she is good tempered, and that is all. I remember saying to myself, 'Even Emma, with all her love for Harriet, will think this a good match.

'”

“I cannot help wondering at your knowing so little of Emma. What! think a farmer, (and with all his sense and all his merit Mr. Martin is nothing more) a good match for my intimate friend! She would leave Highbury for the sake of marrying a man whom I could never admit as an acquaintance of my own!”

“She could be married to a respectable, intelligent gentleman-farmer!”

“As to the circumstances of her birth, there can scarcely be a doubt that her father is a gentleman.

Her allowance is very liberal. That she is a gentleman's daughter, is obvious to me; that she associates with gentlemen's daughters, no one, I apprehend, will deny. She is superior to Mr. Robert Martin.”

“Whoever might be her parents,” said Mr. Knightley, “whoever may have had the charge of her, they do not want to introduce her into what you would call good society. After receiving a very indifferent education[42 - a very indifferent education – весьма посредственное образование] she is left in Mrs.

Goddard's hands. She desired nothing better herself. Till you chose to turn her into a friend, her mind had no dislike for her own company. She was as happy as possible with the Martins in the summer. She had no sense of superiority then. If she has it now, you have given it. You have been no friend to Harriet Smith, Emma.”

“You are a very warm friend to Mr.

Martin; but, as I said before, are unjust to Harriet. She is not a clever girl, but she does not deserve to be spoken of so slightingly. And she, at seventeen, just entering into life, does not accept the first offer she receives. Let her have time to look about her.”

“I have always thought it a very foolish intimacy,” said Mr. Knightley, “though I have kept my thoughts to myself; but I now understand that it will be a very unfortunate one for Harriet.