Эмма. Уровень 3 / Emma

You feed her such ideas of her own beauty, and of what she must demand, that, in a little while, nobody will be good enough for her. Let her marry Robert Martin, and she is safe, respectable, and happy for ever.”

“We think very differently on this point, Mr. Knightley. We shall only be making each other more angry. But as to my letting her marry Robert Martin, it is impossible; she has refused him. His appearance is so much against him, and his manner is so bad. I can imagine, that before she had seen anybody superior, she might like him.

He was the brother of her friends, and while she was at Abbey-Mill, she found him nice. But the case is altered now. She knows now what gentlemen are; and nothing but a gentleman in education and manner has any chance with Harriet.”

“Nonsense, nonsense!” cried Mr. Knightley. “Robert Martin's manners have sense, sincerity, and good-humour to recommend them; and his mind has more true gentility than Harriet Smith could understand.”

Emma made no answer, and tried to look unconcerned, but was really feeling uncomfortable and wanting him very much to be gone.

She did not regret what she had done; she had respect for his judgment in general. He was sitting just opposite to her in angry state, and that was very unpleasant. Some minutes passed in silence, with only one attempt on Emma's side to talk of the weather, but he made no answer. He was thinking. The result of his thoughts appeared at last in these words.

“Robert Martin has no great loss[43 - has no great loss – не много потерял]; but you make no secret of your love of match-making, and as a friend I shall just hint to you that if Elton is the man, I think it will be all in vain.

”

Emma laughed. He continued,

“Elton is a very good sort of man, and a very respectable vicar of Highbury, but not at all likely to make an imprudent match. He knows the value of a good income as well as anybody. Elton may talk sentimentally, but he will act rationally.

”

“I am very much obliged to you,” said Emma. “but at present I only want to keep Harriet to myself.”

“Good morning to you,” said he, rising and walking off abruptly. Emma remained in a state of vexation too.

Harriet's cheerful look and manner calmed Emma: she came back, not to think of Mr. Martin, but to talk of Mr. Elton.

Chapter IX

Mr. Knightley might quarrel with her, but Emma could not quarrel with herself.