Эмма. Уровень 3 / Emma

Frank Churchill was one of the boasts[19 - boast – предмет гордости] of Highbury. His coming to visit his father had been often talked of but never achieved. Now, upon his father's marriage, it was very generally proposed, that the visit should take place.

Chapter III

Mr. Woodhouse was fond of society in his own way. He liked to command the visits of his own little circle, in a great measure, as he liked. He had not much intercourse with any families beyond that circle.

The Westons and Mr. Knightley were the closest family friends; after these came Mrs. and Miss Bates[20 - Bates – Бэйтс], and Mrs. Goddard[21 - Goddard – Годдард]. Mrs. Bates, the widow of a former vicar of Highbury, was a very old lady, she lived with her single daughter in a very small way[22 - in a very small way – крайне скромно]. Her daughter was neither young, handsome, clever, nor married. And yet she was a happy woman. She loved everybody, was interested in everybody's happiness. The simplicity and cheerfulness of her nature, her contented and grateful spirit, were a recommendation to everybody.

These were the ladies whom Emma found herself very frequently able to collect; but it was no remedy for the absence of Mrs. Weston. As she sat one morning, a note was brought from Mrs. Goddard, requesting, in most respectful terms, to be allowed to bring Miss Smith with her; a most welcome request: for Miss Smith was a girl of seventeen, whom Emma knew very well by sight[23 - by sight – в лицо].

Harriet Smith[24 - Harriet Smith – Гарриет Смит] was the natural daughter[25 - natural daughter – побочная дочь] of somebody. Somebody had placed her, several years back, at Mrs. Goddard's school. This was all that was generally known of her history. She had no visible friends, and was now just returned from a long visit in the country to some young ladies who had been at school there with her.

She was a very pretty girl, and Emma admired her beauty. She was short, plump, and fair, with a fine bloom, blue eyes, light hair, regular features, and a look of great sweetness, and Emma was much pleased with her manners. And the acquaintance she had already formed were unworthy of her. The friends from whom she had just parted, though very good sort of people, must be doing her harm.