Emma SCENE 1 -HIGHBURY NARRATOR In a time when one's town was one's town was one's world...and the actions at a dance excited greater interest than the movement of armies, there lived a young woman, who knew how this world should be runned. EMMA The most beautiful thing in the world is a match well made, and a happy marriage to you both. MRS WESTON Oh, thank you Emma. Your painting grows more accomplished every day. EMMA You are very kind, but it would be all the better if I had practiced my drawing more, as you urged me. MRS WESTON It's very beautiful. MR ELTON I should never take sides against you, Miss Woodhouse, but your friend is right. It is indeed a job well done. EMMA The job well done, Mr Elton was yours in performing the ceremony. MR WOODHOUSE Must the church be so drafty, Mr Elton? It is very difficult to surrender the soul when one is worried about one's throat. MR ELTON Perhaps some tea and cake would revive you, Mr Woodhouse. MR WOODHOUSE Miss Taylor! Surely you are not serving cake at your wedding! Far too rich! You put us all at peril. And I am not alone in feeling so. Where is Mr Penning, the apothecary, he will support me. MRS WESTON He's over there, Mr Woodhouse, having some cake. MR WOODHOUSE What?! EMMA I have to take father home, but dear Miss Taylor-Oh, no! You are dear Miss Taylor no more! You are dear Mrs Weston now! And how happy this must make you. Such happiness this brings to all of us. MRS WESTON My dear Emma! SCENE 2-HARTFIELD MR WOODHOUSE Poor Miss Taylor! She was so happy here. Why should she give up being your governess, only to be married? EMMA I am grown now. She cannot put up with my ill humors forever. She must wish for children of her own. MR WOODHOUSE You have no ill humors. Your own mother, God rest her, could be no more real than Miss Taylor. Can she truly wish to give life to a mewling infant who will import disease each time it enters the house? No, I say poor Miss Taylor, and poor indeed she is. MR KNIGHTLEY As an old friend of the family, I had to ask as soon as I got back: Who cried the most at the wedding? (later) EMMA And how is my sister? Is your brother giving her the respect we Woodhouse ladies deserve? MR WOODHOUSE Poor Isabella. She was the first to leave me. No doubt that is where Miss Taylor got the notion to go. MR KNIGHTLEY Don't be too hard on Miss Taylor. It must be easier for her to have only one to please than two. EMMA Especially when one of us is such a troublesome creature. MR WOODHOUSE Yes, I am. Most troublesome. EMMA Dear papa, I could never mean you! Mr Knightley loves to find fault with me, that's all. It's his idea of a joke. MR KNIGHTLEY I am practically a brother to you Emma. It is not a brother's job to find fault with his sister? MR WOODHOUSE But where is the fault with you? Emma bears it well, but she is most sorry to lose Miss Taylor. MR KNIGHTLEY We would not like Emma so well if she did not miss her friend. MR WOODHOUSE Thank you. EMMA I shall miss her so. I do not know what I shall do without her. MR KNIGHTLEY She's not far. MR WOODHOUSE Almost half a mile. EMMA Her obligations are there now. She cannot sit and talk with me in the old way, or walk with me, or urge me to better myself. MR KNIGHTLEY Well, that should not matter, as you always did just as you pleased. EMMA Yes, but I shall miss her urging me. She was a selfless a friend as I have ever had, and I hope to say someday that I have done half so much for someone as Mrs Weston did for me. MR KNIGHTLEY You must be happy that she settled so well. EMMA Indeed! One matter of joy in this is that I made the match myself. People said Mr Weston would never marry again, and what a triumph! MR KNIGHTLEY Triumph! You made a lucky guess! EMMA Have you never known a triumph from a lucky guess? Had I not promoted Mr Weston's visits, and given encouragement where encouragement was needed, we might not have had a wedding today. MR WOODHOUSE Then please, my dear, encourage nowhere else. Marriage is so disrupting to one's social circle. EMMA Only one more, papa. When Mr Elton joined their hands today, he looked very much like he would like the same kind of office performed for him. MR KNIGHTLEY *sigh* MR WOODHOUSE Invite him for dinner. That is kindness enough. MR KNIGHTLEY Mr Elton is a man of twenty-six. He knows how to take care of himself. EMMA One does not like to generalize about so many people all at once, Mr Knightley, but you may be sure that men know nothing of their hearts, whether they be six and twenty, or six and eighty. Except you, of course, father. No, Mr Elton will be the next person to benefit from my help. MR KNIGHTLEY Poor Miss Taylor indeed! 'Tis Mr Elton which deserves our pity. SCENE 3-PARTY AT HARTFIELD EMMA Mr Elton! Welcome to our party! MR ELTON Yes, Miss Woodhouse, thank you indeed for including me. A party is a party, but a party on a summers eve... EMMA It relieves my mind very much that you are here, for there is someone new in our group. Her name is Harriet Smith, and she is a former pupil of Mrs Goddard. I had never met Miss Smith before this evening, and am already struck by her charm. I wonder if I might ask you to make certain she is at ease throughout the evening. MR ELTON If helping Miss Smith would help Miss Woodhouse, then I am happy to be of service. EMMA Come, I shall make the introduction. MISS BATES Miss Woodhouse! We've come quite overpowered! EMMA Oh, Mrs Bates, Miss Bates, so happy you could co- MISS BATES No, we are the happy ones- well, ho do you do Mr Elton? We are the happy ones. Not only to be here tonight, but also for the beautiful hindquarter of pork you sent us. It has been heaven itself. What a happy porker it must have come from! {laugh} We are so obliged for you sending it to us. (To Mrs Bates) PORK!. (To Emma and Mr Elton) And we're so obliged for you having us tonight, very much indeed. I was just saying to mother, 'we should be invited' and indeed we are. Oh, doesn't your hair look pretty? Just like an angel. (To Mrs Bates) ANGEL, mother. (to Emma and Mr Elton) Oh, speaking of angels, Mr Elton, your sermon on Daniel in the Lion's Den was so inspiring, so powerful in all it's particulars, it left us speechless. Quite speechless, I tell you, and we have not stopped talking of it since. Oh, isn't this a lovely party? Lovely, lovely, lovely! (another part of the party) MR KNIGHTLEY Where will you live, now that you have completed your education? HARRIET Mrs Goddard is being kind enough to let me stay on with her. MRS GODDARD She's a great help to me. If you'll excuse me. EMMA Mr Knightley! MR KNIGHTLEY Ah, Emma. I wondered where you were. Now I see you've been hard at work. -Making Mr Elton comfortable. EMMA Yes, Mr Knightley but I have been remiss in doing the one thing that should give him the greatest of entitlement. Mr Elton! May I present Miss Smith. MR ELTON Any friend of Miss Woodhouse's... (later) EMMA Mr Weston, have you had any news of your son? MR WESTON Oh, indeed! Miss Smith. I was married many years ago to a woman whose life was lost to illness just three years after the birth of our son, Frank. As I could not see to my buisness and care for the infant, I allowed him to be brought up by my wife's brother, and his wife, the Churchills. He lives in London, now a young man, and has never been here. His aunt is not well, and she does not care to be without him. MRS WESTON His coming would be the final blessing for our marriage. HARRIET How lucky to have been twice blessed in marriage! It has been my belief that one loves only once. I am happy to be wrong. MR WESTON Not so happy as I, Miss Smith. MRS WESTON I had the most pleasing letter from him on the occasion of our marriage. I have it here if anyone would care to see it. (later, as the letter filters through the party members) MISS BATES A most charming and kindly letter. Don't you think so, mother? (to Mr Knightley) Have you ever read such a letter, Mr Knightley? Do you know, this reminds me of Jane's style, somewhat more delicate style. Which is more usual in a woman, but a good sign in a man, I think. MR WOODHOUSE Nicely expressed. But it sounds as though he eats a worrisome amount of custard! MRS GODDARD It's not merely the feeling in it. The penmanship is so confident. (later) EMMA Isn't Miss Smith delightful? I watched her throughout the evening with continuous pleasure. She is uncertain of her surroundings, yet I though perhaps I could be of service to her and undertake her introduction into Highbury society. I could never presume to guide her as you did me, but perhaps I might share a little of what I know. MRS WESTON She could ask for nothing better. Come, Mr Weston, I must write to your son. Good night, Mr Woodhouse! MR WESTON Good night, Mr Woodhouse! Good night, Emma! Thank you for a wonderful dinner! MR WOODHOUSE Good night Miss Taylor! EMMA Good night, Mrs Weston! Mr Weston! MR WESTON Good night! MR WOODHOUSE Poor Miss Taylor. She so obviously wanted to stay. SCENE 4-HIGHBURY EMMA How interesting, Miss Smith. And what kind of people are your parents. HARRIET I do not know. Mrs Goddard has said that I cannot know them, and so I have left it at that. Because of her attentions over the years, Mrs Goddard has been my true guardian. EMMA Hurry along, dear. It's Miss Bates coming. As it is Tuesday, she will have a letter from her niece Jane Fairfax, and she will want to read us every word about her. HARRIET Oh, I do not know Miss Fairfax! EMMA There's not much to be said for her. When pressed, I say she is elegant. SCENE 5-HIGHBURY HARRIET Besides you, and Mrs Goddard, hmm...The only other people I know here are the Martins, at Abbymill Farm. Mrs Martin had TWO parlors, an oven maid, and EIGHT cows! Mr Martin used to cut fresh flowers every day. EMMA How lucky for Mrs Martin to have such an agreeable husband! HARRIET Oh, Miss Woodhouse, Mr Martin is not her husband, he is her son! EMMA Ah! I see. Then he is...unmarried. HARRIET Mmm, but I cannot understand why. He seems perfect in every particular. He brought me walnuts once, and went three miles to get them just because he heard me say I liked them. Wasn't that kind? OH! (later) EMMA Tell me more about Mr Martin. Is he a man of information? HARRIET Oh, yes! He reads the agricultural reports, and I recommended he read The Romance of the Forest, and he said he would. EMMA And what sort of looking man is he? HARRIET I thought him very plain at first, but I do not think so now. Have you never seen him when he is in town? EMMA Only the Martins are the sort of people with whom I have nothing to do with. A degree or two lower, and I might be useful to their families. But a farmer needs none of my help, and is therefore as much above my notice as he is below it. In fact, whenever- HARRIET Miss Woodhouse! There he is now! How do I look? EMMA Fine, dear. Good enough I'm sure for Mr Martin. MR MARTIN Good day! Well, this is a bit of a chance, isn't it? HARRIET Good day, Mr Martin. Miss Woodhouse, may I present Mr Martin? This is Miss Woodhouse. MR MARTIN Good day-How do you do? HARRIET Were you able to find The Romance of the Forest? MR MARTIN Oh, blast! I forgot, but I'll go again tomorrow, and I will make every effort to get that thought into my head. HARRIET How is your mother? EMMA (thinking) Really, Harriet, you can do better than this. SCENE 6-SEWING AT HARTFIELD EMMA If you pull this way, dear, you'll find it makes a neater stitch. HARRIET Oh, of course! May I ask what you thought of my friend, Robert Martin? EMMA Well, dear, I imagined him a degree nearer gentility. HARRIET True, he's not so genteel as Mr Knightley, but- EMMA No, there are not one in a hundred men with 'gentleman' written so plainly across him as Mr Knightley. But let us judge him next to another man, oh, say...Mr Elton! Mr Elton is a fine man, thoughtful in ways Mr Martin can never be. HARRIET Miss Woodhouse, whatever his faults, Mr Martin is thoughtful. EMMA I see. Did he take your advice, and get the book you asked him to read? HARRIET Well, no. EMMA Yes. HARRIET Yes. I wonder that he did not remember it. EMMA Oh, well. Mr Elton said something very kind about you the other day. HARRIET Can you not tell me what it was? EMMA Oh! It's not my place to intrude upon personal matters. But as your friend, I could make an exception, if you wish. I heard him.... SCENE 7-HIGHBURY CHAPEL MR ELTON Miss Smith was always a beautiful creature, but the attractions you have added are far superior. EMMA Oh, I have done very little. MR ELTON Were it permissible to contradict a lady. EMMA I cannot take credit for her beauty, nor her sweetness, or- MR ELTON An idea has just dropped into my head, surely from heaven itself. What if you were to exercise your artistic talents and draw a portrait of Miss Smith? Oh, I would love to watch you draw her. EMMA Mr Elton, my skills are slender indeed, and we must not forget how shy Miss Smith is. MR ELTON Do you think it would help if I asked her to pose? SCENE 8-HIGHBURY MR ELTON Oh, Miss Woodhouse, may I look, please? I cannot wait another second. Incredible! You have expressed her completely! EMMA Mr Elton, really! You exaggerate! MR ELTON Indeed, I do not! Nor cannot! EMMA The reason that I have not done a portrait in so long is the spouse of the subject always complains. As there are no husbands or wives here, I trust I may proceed safely. MR ELTON No husbands or wives at present, Miss Woodhouse. MR KNIGHTLEY You've made her too tall. MR ELTON It may not be Miss Smith's height in terms of measurement, but it's surely the height of her character. (later) MR WOODHOUSE My dear, I would paint a shawl on her, as one can't help feeling that she will catch cold! Otherwise, it is quite splendid. It only wants a suitable frame. We will have to get it to London. MR ELTON Might I be entrusted with such an admission? I would be gratified more than words can express. SCENE 9-TOWN OF HIGHBURY HARRIET He wants to marry me! Would you mind reading it? EMMA Certainly not! I cannot believe Mr Elton proposed! Surely, he is- HARRIET No, not Mr Elton, Mr Martin, my friend! Is it a good letter, or too...short? EMMA It is a good letter. One of his sisters must have helped him, yet it is not in the style of a woman. Well, it is a good letter. You must answer it immediately. He must have his disappointment, and move on. HARRIET Then you think I should refuse him? EMMA You did not plan to return an answer favorable to this claim? HARRIET No, I did not! That is...I mean...Um...Well, I was not sure, that is why I came to you! EMMA Oh, it's not my place to intrude! HARRIET But I depend so on what you think! EMMA I would not advise you for the world! If you prefer Mr Martin to every other person you know or may ever know, if you think him the most agreeable man you have ever been or ever will be in company with, then why should you hesitate? HARRIET If you will not influence me, then I must do as well as I can by myself. I am determined to, and I really have almost made up my mind to...refuse...Mr Martin...? Oh, do you think that's right? Or wrong? Is it wrong? EMMA Now that you have decided, I shall share the feelings which I kept you in suspense of. I think you are perfectly right. HARRIET Yes. But-Oh, dear! It will make his mother and sisters most unhappy! EMMA Let us think of other mothers and sisters who may be more cheerfully employed at this moment. I believe Mr Elton is showing your picture to his mother and sisters, telling them that the subject is more beautiful than the portrait. HARRIET Well, if he shows it, then I'm sure it is only to praise your artistry. EMMA If you are sure, then you are surely wrong! By showing it to them, he is revealing his deeper intentions, which may produce a letter of his own. SCENE 10-DONWELL ABBEY MR KNIGHTLEY Very well, I admit it. You have improved Harriet Smith. EMMA I hope you're not the only man to have noticed. MR KNIGHLTY I'm not. I believe your friend will soon hear something serious. Something to her advantage. EMMA Who makes you his confidant? MR KNIGHTLEY I have reason to believe Harriet Smith will receive an offer of marriage to a man desperately in love with her. Robert Martin. He came here two evenings ago to consult about it. He's a tenant, you know, and a good friend. He asked whether it would be imprudent of him to settle too early, whether she was too young, or whether he was beneath her. EMMA Better question to Mr Martin, I could not have chosen myself. MR KNIGHTLEY I never hear better sense from anyone than from Robert Martin. He proved he can afford to marry, and I say he could not do better. EMMA No indeed, he could not. Come, I will tell you something in return. He wrote to Harriet yesterday. MR KNIGHTLEY Oh, yes? EMMA Yes. He was refused. MR KNIGHTLEY I'm not sure I understand. EMMA He asked, and she refused. MR KNIGHTLEY Then she is a greater simpleton than I believed. EMMA The most incomprehensible thing in the world to a man is a woman who rejects his offer of marriage. MR KNIGHTLEY I do not comprehend it because it is madness. I hope you are wrong. EMMA I could not be. I saw her answer. MR KNIGHTLEY You saw her answer. Emma, you wrote her answer, didn't you? EMMA If I did, then I would have done no wrong. He is not Harriet's equal. MR KNIGHTLEY I agree, he is not her equal. EMMA Good. MR KNIGHTLEY He is her superior in sense and situation. What are Harriet Smith's claims of birth or education which make her higher than Robert Martin? She is the natural daughter of nobody-knows-who. The advantage of the match was entirely on her side. EMMA What! A farmer? Even with all his merit and match for my dear friend, it would be a degradation for her to marry a person whom I could not even admit as my own acquaintance! MR KNIGHTLEY A degradation for illegitimacy and ignorance to marry to a respected, intelligent farmer? EMMA She is a gentleman's daughter. MR KNIGHTLEY Whoever her parents, they made no plans to introduce her into good society. She was left with Mrs Goddard for an indifferent education. Her friends evidently thought this was good enough for her, and it was, and she thought so too until you began to puff her up! Vanity working on a weak mind produces every kind of mischief. EMMA Hmm, you dismiss her beauty and good nature, yet I would be very much mistaken if your sex in general did not think those claims the highest a woman could possess. MR KNIGHTLEY Men of sense, whatever you may say, do not want silly wives! Mark my word, Emma. Better be without sense than misapply it as you do. Try not to kill my dogs. EMMA We see so differently on this point there can be no use canvassing it, we shall only make each other angry. Ah! I see the tea is ready. Let's stop and have some. MR KNIGHTLEY Clearly, Emma, you have someone have someone else in mind for your friend, but if the gentleman you dream of is Mr Elton, your labor is in vain. As vigor, Elton is unlikely to make an imprudent match, especially to a girl of obscurity and will bring him disgrace. In unreserved moments, when only men are present, I have heard him speak of a large family of young ladies from Bath, who all have twenty thousand pounds apiece. Believe me when I say he may talk sentimentally, but he will act rationally. EMMA If I had my heart set on Mr Elton, then your 'opening my eyes' would have been a kind service, but I care only to watch her grow, and- MR KNIGHTLEY No more, please. No more. SCENE 11-HARTFIELD MR ELTON Bravo (later) EMMA Thank you, Charles. Mr Elton. Harriet is collecting riddles for a book, and we knew you would come up with something cunning. MR ELTON Oh, no, no, no. I'm not nearly clever enough. MR KNIGHTLEY Emma, you didn't ask me to contribute a riddle. EMMA Your entire personality is a riddle, Mr Knightley. I thought you were overqualified. SCENE 12-HIGHBURY EMMA Woah, stand. Morning, Peter! This just came from Mr Elton. He claims it is a riddle for your collection, but I think it is much better! HARRIET Is it about sharks? EMMA For heaven's sake, why would he write a riddle about sharks? HARRIET Please, I'm in a tremor, tell me what it means! EMMA We may read it aloud so that we may decipher it. "For Miss" I think we can safely put in 'Smith'. "Line 1: My first displays the wealth and pomp of kings, lords of the earth, their luxury and ease." That can be displayed as...pomp in (prompting Harriet)...court. HARRIET Court, yes. EMMA "Next Line: Another view of man, my second brings, behold him there, the monarch of the seas." That is...? HARRIET A mermaid! A trident? Oh, do you think we shall ever know? EMMA Ship, dear, the thing that brings...Ship. HARRIET Ship...! EMMA Now for the cream. "But are united." The two terms should be united! HARRIET Yes...It's ship and court, court and-...Courtship! He writes to me about courtship! Oh! EMMA Harriet! There can be no doubt of Mr Elton's intentions! You are his desire! The only thing remaining is for him to find the perfect opportunity to offer proof! We must find a way for the two of you to be alone! HARRIET Oh, let's read it again and again! EMMA I only wish Mr Knightley would walk by so that he could read it. SCENE 13-CLARK'S EMMA Good afternoon! MRS CLARK Good day, Miss Woodhouse EMMA Mrs Clark, how are you? MRS CLARK Mustn't grumble. SCENE 14-ROAD TO HIGHBURY HARRIET I'm sorry I was not more help. I'm always afraid I will somehow make a sick person worse. EMMA Not at all! Look, Harriet! Mr Elton's house. Pity I cannot contrive a reason for us to go in. HARRIET I do so wonder, Miss Woodhouse, that you are not married. EMMA I have no inducements to marry. I lack neither fortune, nor position, and never could I be so important in a man's eyes as I am in my father's. HARRIET But to be an old maid, like Miss Bates... EMMA She is a poor old maid, and it is only poverty which makes celibacy contemptible. A single woman of good fortune is always respectable. Mr Elton! MR ELTON Miss Woodhouse! Miss Smith! How fortunate! I was just on my way to visit the Clarks'. EMMA Ah! We were just there. Harriet was kind enough to let me join her. HARRIET Miss Woodhouse- MR ELTON Um, may I escort you home? EMMA Indeed! Harriet, tell Mr Elton what we did at the Clarks'. HARRIET Oh, um...She seemed to have the chills, so Miss Woodhouse- EMMA -watched. As Harriet tucked that poor lady in, warmed her with a blanket in her kind nature. Tell her about the soup, dear. HARRIET The soup? I couldn't really say... MR ELTON Don't be so modest. HARRIET Well, I heated some, uh... MR ELTON Soup? HARRIET Yes, soup...- EMMA Oh, dear! Oh! My lace. Please have the goodness to go on, and I will rejoin you as soon as I can. HARRIET After heating the soup, I put her by the...um... MR ELTON Chair? HARRIET The fire. MR ELTON The fire. EMMA Hello! Where are you off to? BOY To get my mom some broth. EMMA Would you let me walk with you? Dear, must we walk so quickly? BOY Mom said I should hurry. EMMA Would you like to play a game? HARRIET Do you mean it? MR ELTON I do. I swear I do. HARRIET Oh, that's too wonderful! MR ELTON I love- EMMA (thinking) Could this be? The declaration? MR ELTON I simply love celery root. And what should they be serving but- MR ELTON AND HARRIET Celery root! SCENE 15-HARTFIELD MR WOODHOUSE Emma! Be careful! The baby-it might have an infection... MR KNIGHTLEY John, this may be the finest Knightley yet. You and Isabella should have brought her sooner. She looks so fetching in the arms of her aunt! MR JOHN KNIGHTLEY Yes, don't they make a splendid pair? MR KNIGHTLEY If you accepted adults with as little whim as you do these children, we might always agree! EMMA How fascinating that any discordancy between us must always arise from my being wrong. MR KNIGHTLEY Not fascinating, but true. Perhaps it has something to do with the gap in our ages. I was sixteen years old when you were born. EMMA Undoubtedly you were my superior then, but hasn't the lapse of 21 years closed the gap? MR KNIGHTLEY Narrowed it. Come, dear, let us be friends and quarrel no more. EMMA Very well. And might I say that we were both right as far as good intentions went. I only hope Mr Martin was not too disappointed. MR KNIGHTLEY No man could be more so. EMMA I am very sorry. Come, shake hands with me. BUTLER Dinner is served. MR WOODHOUSE Good. John? ISABELLA Sister, dear? When shall we meet your new friend? EMMA She will be with us on Friday at the Weston's Christmas Eve Party. It looks as though to be a very rewarding holiday for her. SCENE 16-CARRIAGE RIDE TOWARDS RANDALL MR ELTON I am so looking forward to this evening. A party is a party, but a Christmas Party! Where is Miss Smith? EMMA I have some sad news. Miss Smith is ill and cannot be with us this evening. MR ELTON A sad loss to our party. She will be missed at every moment. However, I feel, and I hope you will concur, that small parties are the best. I would rather fall short by two than exceed by two. And how fortunate that the snow comes now instead of yesterday, when it would have made our party impossible! Now, THAT would have been a real cause for sadness, would it not? SCENE 17-CHRISTMAS PARTY AT RANDALL MRS WESTON Would you like some punch? MR ELTON No, no, not right now. MR WOODHOUSE Oh, thank you, thank you, yes. Weather of this severity is no friend of mine. MRS WESTON I know that too well, Mr Woodhouse. MR WESTON My son Frank has written and told us something most exciting. MR ELTON Miss Woodhouse, are you warm enough? EMMA Yes, thank you. MR WESTON The letter arrived today, and on the opening, we had the most wonderful surprise. Frank said- MR ELTON Some of the other ladies were saying they were not warm enough. EMMA I am quite comfortable, yes. MR ELTON Then I saw how close you were to the fire, and thought you might be too warm, and- EMMA Mr Elton! I am in the perfect state of warmness. MR WESTON At first I did not believe it, so I asked Mrs Weston to read the letter herself, to make sure I was not dreaming. But indeed Frank said- MR ELTON Miss Woodhouse, is there any effort I might make on behalf of your father's comfort? EMMA You are very kind, but I can only imagine that he's quite comfortable. Thank you for being so thoughtful. MR ELTON No, thank you for thinking I am thoughtful. EMMA I wondered if perhaps you might be so kind as to bring me some punch. MR ELTON I only hope I can complete the task quickly enough- EMMA Please! I could not enjoy it if I knew that you hurried! ISABELLA Thrilling! Simply thrilling news! MR WESTON And that was the end of the letter. (later, at dinner) MR WESTON Emma! I wasn't sure I had your attention earlier, but I wanted to tell you that Frank is coming at last! EMMA I so look forward to meeting him! That is if you can bear to share him. MRS WESTON That is if his aunt will share him with us. That's what this depends on. She has said yes, but has not given a date. MR WOODHOUSE Very good. This weather is by no means pleasant for the traveler abroad. (later, around the fire) MR ELTON I hope I'm not intruding. MR KNIGHTLEY No, no. MR ELTON But I cannot stop thinking of Miss Smith's condition. EMMA She will be happy to know of your concern. MR ELTON How could I not be concerned? The whole situation is most alarming! There is nothing worse than a sore throat. Its effects are exceedingly bleak. And that is why I must, in the presence of your friend, ask you to stop visiting her! EMMA What? MR ELTON You are putting yourself at risk, and we cannot allow that, can we Knightley? I mean, is this fair? ISABELLA Father! MR ELTON Have I not some right to complain? MR JOHN KNIGHTLEY Emma, the weather's distressing your father and he wants to leave. Isabella and I will take him home now in our carriage. Will you...? MR ELTON Not to worry, sir. I will ensure that your sister is safe. MRS WESTON Come Mr Woodhouse. Let's wrap you up warmly. SCENE 18-CARRIAGE TO HARTFIELD EMMA Certainly the weather- MR ELTON Miss Woodhouse, please! Fate has left us alone for a reason! EMMA What? What are you...? Release my hand! MR ELTON I do not so much as seize your hand so much as the opportunity to- EMMA Good heavens. Go back! MR ELTON Please! I am hoping...fearing...ready to die if you refuse me. Surely my odd and attachment to you, my love and passion cannot help to make an impression EMMA Mr Elton! This is I, Miss Woodhouse! The party spirit has confused you! I'll be happy to deliver your message to Miss Smith, but you must direct no more of it to me. MR ELTON Miss Smith? What sort of message would I want to send to her? Miss Smith?! EMMA Mr Elton, the wine has weakened you, for you to-- MR ELTON If the wine has had any effect, it has only strengthened my will to tell you that I love you! And- EMMA My astonishment is beyond anything I can express. For you to address me in this manner, after your behaviour to Miss Smith, is-- MR ELTON I never cared whether Miss Smith were dead or alive except she was your friend. Who can think of Miss Smith when Miss Woodhouse is near? EMMA Oh, no! MR ELTON Everything I have ever done was to prove my adoration for you. Why else would I go to London to have your picture framed? EMMA Oh, no... MR ELTON Allow me to--! Allow me to interpret the silence. You have long understood me. EMMA I said back, and kindly refrain from the intimacy of whispering. Am I to understand that you never sought to recommend yourself to Miss Smith? MR ELTON How can you be surprised? Did you not understand the riddle I wrote? EMMA That was for Harriet! MR ELTON I most obviously did not address it to her and left it at your home! EMMA But--oh...But-- MR ELTON She's a very good sort of girl, and I'm sure there are men who would not object to...Everybody has their level. But I am need so totally despair of an equal alliance as to address myself to Miss Smith... EMMA Sir! MR ELTON No! I sought to recommend myself to YOU with those visits. EMMA Sir...I have seen you only as the admirer of my friend. MR ELTON I cannot believe that! EMMA It is well to the mistake-- MR ELTON It is her mistake EMMA It is mine as well. MR ELTON She will manage her disappointment, leave her out of it. How do you feel about what I've said? EMMA Mr Elton, any hopes I had with regard to you were for Harriet and Harriet alone. SCENE 19-RANDALL MRS WESTON My dear child! What is it? EMMA Miss Taylor! ...Mrs Weston! There has been an overthrow of everything I have been wishing for for Harriet and Mr Elton, a development most unwelcome, most painful. Oh, dear. You will not believe it, but, Mr Elton, now prepare yourself, but, Mr Elton is-- MRS WESTON Mr Elton is in love with you...? EMMA You knew? MRS WESTON I had my suspicions, but the party confirmed it. EMMA The worst of it is that I persuaded her to care for him! Had I not done that, I could bear anything, but it was I and I alone! Even Mr Knightley warned me. MRS WESTON Mr Knightley? EMMA He was very cross because I had urged Harriet to reject a proposal from Robert Martin. MRS WESTON That nice farmer? EMMA At least there I was right! Well done, Emma! But otherwise I have made a dreadful mistake. I sought to bring two people together, and I shall never do it again! Never! That poor girl... MRS WESTON She'll recover. She's young. EMMA I wish I could ease the pain of this fall, but I have no idea who might be right for her. William Cox? MRS WESTON Emma! EMMA Too pert? MRS WESTON My dear, you said you would never try to match anyone again. EMMA Yes. Indeed. I just wish there was some way to soften the news when I tell her. MRS WESTON I'm afraid the best way is always the most straightforward. EMMA Yes. I suppose I will just say, 'Harriet!'-- SCENE 20-HARTFIELD EMMA I have some news about Mr Elton. He has had to leave town. HARRIET Why? EMMA In his letter to father, he wrote that he was going to Bath to relax and to meet new people. And this brings me to something most unpleasant. HARRIET Oh, Miss Woodhouse, nothing you say could ever be unpleasant. EMMA This is full. I must acknowledge myself grossly mistaken on the one subject that has occupied us for some time past. HARRIET Mr Elton? EMMA While expressing his fervent admiration for you as a person, it is unhappily I who have captured his fancy. Naturally I do not return his feelings, but that does not make it any less of an embarrassment and I place the responsibility for this directly on my own shoulders. HARRIET Oh, no! I have always felt that I did not deserve Mr Elton's affections. So I cannot blame him for believing the same. I could never blame you, who have been so kind a friend that I could never dream it possible. EMMA Harriet, I had always hoped that I might have something to teach you. Now I see that I shall be lucky to resemble you in any small way. SCENE 21-PUPPY FARM EMMA They have just been weaned! I thought that you might enjoy them. They cannot help but lift the spirits. HARRIET Do you suppose that Mr Elton is meeting young ladies while he's away? EMMA I do not know. Feel her paws. HARRIET I would not blame him. I wonder when he will return. EMMA Dear, you must try to empty your mind of Mr Elton. Really. HARRIET Oh, I'm sorry. It was kind of you to invite me! EMMA Look at her eyes! HARRIET Mr Elton had brown eyes too! EMMA Oh! Harriet, there is only one place that I can think of where you will not be able to speak of Mr Elton. Indeed you may not be able to speak at all! SCENE 22-BATES' HOUSE MISS BATES Oh, Miss Woodhouse, what a special, special treat! It was so lovely to you to come and visit us. Isn't it mother! TREAT! And the best of it is, the best of i-i-it is that we were just speaking of a topic that would interest you both. EMMA (thinking) Please, do not let it be a letter from that ninny Jane Fairfax! MISS BATES Yes, here it is. It is a letter from Mrs Cole, who has news of Mr Elton! Yes, here we are. 'He has been the toast of every young ladies eye!' Well of course, that can be no surprise to any of us! Oh, dear. Miss Smith, you look pale! You must be hungry! Let me get you some cake! Wasn't it nice for them to visit us mother? The most amazing thing just happened. Mother was asking about Jane Fairfax, asking if there was any news from her, even though she knew it was not Jane's day for writing. Remember, mother, not, JANE'S DAY! Oh, napkins, sorry. You see, we always have a letter from Jane on Tuesday, and today as you must know is Thursday! So I said, 'Mother we have had a letter from Jane this very morning!' And she said, 'But it's Thursday! For you see Jane writes on Tuesday and this is Thursday! And I said, 'Upon my honor!' Here you are, Miss Smi--oh, napkins, sorry! Here you are. EMMA And might you summarize the letter in your own delightful words? MISS BATES Oh, would you like the pleasure of hearing it, Miss Woodhouse, as only Jane can put things, upon my honor I would not. Um, where's that letter, yes here it. Yes, the bad news is she has a cold. EMMA Oh, no! MISS BATES Oh, yes, but the good news far outweighs it, far far far! She is coming to visit and you must be here to help us with here Miss Woodhouse, because it wouldn't be a proper visit otherwise. You must sit right where you are, and you must say-- SCENE 23-BATES' HOUSE EMMA We are so glad to have you with us! How were you able to get away? JANE Well the Cambells have gone to Ireland on a holiday, so I've come here, which is better than any holiday. EMMA (thinking) Hmm. She is more giving than I expected. MISS BATES Tell Miss Woodhouse whom you saw in Wayworth! Frank Churchill, that's who, Mr Frank Churchill! EMMA Oh, I hear much of him, but have never seen him! Was he handsome? JANE Many say he is. EMMA Was he agreeable? JANE He was in no way disagreeable. EMMA Was he a man of information? JANE All his statements seem correct. EMMA (thinking) I take it back. She is-- SCENE 24-HARTFIELD EMMA --absolutely impossible! She wouldn't tell me anything about Frank Churchill! MR KNIGHTLEY Why should you care so much about Frank Churchill? EMMA I was merely being sociable, that's all, and she was not. MR KNIGHTLEY Perhaps you dislike her because divides our attentions from you! EMMA Ha! Really, Mr Knightley, you are so comical, you ought to perform in the Town Square. MR KNIGHTLEY Oh, I have some news! And I know how much you like news. EMMA Ah, yes, I always like news. MR KNIGHTLEY Mr Elton is going to marry. EMMA I don't know what to say, except that I'm...-- SCENE 25-HARTFIELD AND FORDS' HARRIET --in a state of complete shock! EMMA You've heard? HARRIET About what? EMMA Oh! Never mind. HARRIET (narrating) I was on my way here for our visit. It started raining, so I ducked into Fords to wait it out. HARRIET (speaking) Good day, Mr Ford, Mr Ford. HARRIET (narrating) As I admired some fabric, who should come in but Elizabeth Martin, and her brother! Oh, I thought I should have fainted! They saw me, and began whispering, then, oh, Miss Woodhouse, I could not believe this, she came up to me and spoke! She said: ELIZABETH MARTIN I'm sorry we never meet now. HARRIET (narrating) And I said: HARRIET (speaking) Oh, you're too kind. HARRIET (narrating) Then, I saw that Mr Martin, my Mr Martin was coming toward me! HARRIET AND MR MARTIN TOGETHER Good day, (Mr Martin/Miss Smith) MR MARTIN I managed to read The Romance of the Forest. It was very good. HARRIET (narrating) Finally I said that I had to go, but then he followed me! I was not three steps outside, and he said: MR MARTIN Miss Smith! You'd better go by Mr Cole's Stable. The near way's flooded. HARRIET (speaking) Thank you. HARRIET Oh, Miss Woodhouse, do talk and make me comfortable again! EMMA (thinking) I suppose this would not be the right time to mention that Mr Elton was engaged. EMMA This was awkward because it was the first time you've seen Mr Martin since rejecting his proposal. You, and I must say he, behaved very well. Now, the kindest thing you can do for yourself is to put Mr Martin out of your head for good. HARRIET Yes. I will. I will do so immediately. He's behind me now. EMMA Wonderful! I thought I might sketch the puppies, would you join me? HARRIET Oh, yes please! It was awfully kind of him to warn me about the flooding. EMMA Yes, dear. HARRIET He got his coat wet to tell me. That's the coat Mrs Martin gave him for his birthday! I do hope he does not catch cold! SCENE 26-ROAD TO RANDALL EMMA OH! Oh, good heavens! FRANK Is your horse just washing his feet, or are the darker forces at work here? EMMA The latter, I'm afraid. Something has happened to the wheel and I cannot move. FRANK Well, you'll just have to live here then. Bye. I suppose that won't do. I'll help you home. EMMA Thank you so much, Mr...? FRANK Churchill. Frank Churchill. EMMA A name I know as well as my own, so long I have heard it spoken. Your father's wife was my governess. FRANK Then you are Miss Woodhouse! How delightful! I hear of nothing but you! EMMA The last I heard is from Mrs Weston is that you were not due until tomorrow. FRANK It is always a pleasure to come in on one's friends before the lookout begins. I would not presume to do so in most cases, but I felt in coming home I might be forgiven. EMMA Then you have not seen them? We shall have to go there first. They will be overjoyed. FRANK Overjoyed, I think, that we are both there together. As I am. SCENE 27-HIGHBURY MISS BATES Oh, Miss Woodhouse! Have you heard? Frank Churchill is here! EMMA Yes! In fact, I met him yesterday! MISS BATES NO! EMMA Yes! MISS BATES Oh! EMMA He did me quite a service when my horse-- MISS BATES Is he handsome? Is he everything everyone says he is? I have not seen him myself, though Jane saw him, and she said that he was not at all 'unpleasant to look at'. I suppose I shan't see him until the Coles' party, but that seems like such an age from now. But I'm sure, simply sure that we'll be upon his wall. Well, we are sufficiently prepared! SCENE 28-HARTFIELD EMMA Has an invitation arrived for a party at the Coles? MR WOODHOUSE No, thank heaven! The Coles are nice people, but we should have to go outside to get there! EMMA Of course we would have to decline as they ask...but I don't wish them to outthwart me... (later) MR WOODHOUSE Has James brought the letters? EMMA I don't know, I don't pay any attention to the mail. (later) EMMA Why do they not write? Perhaps they must know I must reject them. Still as close friends of the Westons they should have the courtesy to extend the invitation. Unless they don't want me! But I cannot-- SCENE 29--COLES' PARTY EMMA --tell you how delighted I am to have been invited, Mrs Cole! FRANK Isn't it handsome? MRS COLE Thank you. But as of today, there's a much prettier one in town. It has been sent to Jane Fairfax. FRANK Really? And who sent it to her? MRS COLE That's the exciting part! There was no identification of the donor. MR WESTON Must be from Colonel Campbell! MRS COLE Jane's parents died, and the Bates of course are quite without the resources to...And Colonel Campbell was a great friend of her fathers, so he and his family have raised her. FRANK Well, then they must have sent it. MRS COLE Jane has just had a letter from them and not a word was said of it. FRANK Well, perhaps it's a surprise. EMMA Why do you smile? FRANK I'm smiling because I'm wondering if there's anyone else whom we should suspect of being Miss Fairfax's musical patron. Do you know her? EMMA Yes, she's very...elegant...yes... FRANK Colonel Campbell's daughter Mrs Dickson was Miss Fairfax's dearest friend, so perhaps Mrs Dickson sent the piano. EMMA Mrs Dickson? That makes sense. FRANK But not as much sense do you think as Mr Dickson. I cannot help suspecting that after his proposal to Miss Campbell, a sweet, but rather a plain girl, Mr Dickson fell in love with Miss Fairfax, who is after all... EMMA Very elegant, yes, but what makes you say that? FRANK Well, she must think so too! That is why she did not go on the holiday with the Cambells. Instead she came here...Do you see? Now that Mr Dickson has married into the Cambells he would have been there. I think, by coming here, Miss Fairfax was telling Mr Dickson that she wanted to forget him, and I think, with the pianoforte, Mr Dickson wasn't allowing it! Of course it's just a theory, let us see how she reacts if we say the name 'Mr Dickson'. (later) MRS WESTON My dear, do you know how Miss Bates and Jane Fairfax came here tonight? Mr Knightley sent his carriage! EMMA Yes, he's very kind! MRS WESTON You give him credit for more disinterested benevolence than I. A suspicion has started into my head which I simply cannot get rid of! Mr Knightley and Jane Fairfax are a couple! EMMA Mrs Weston, do not take to matchmaking, you do it ill! Jane Fairfax and Mr Knightley? Every feeling revolts! MRS WESTON Oh, my goodness! What if the pianoforte is from Mr Knightley? EMMA You have taken up an idea and run wild with it. He is not even with her! She is with Frank, poor man. MRS WESTON Perhaps they stay apart publicly to keep it a secret! EMMA Hush friend. Here comes--Mr Cole! MR COLE Miss Woodhouse, would you do us the honor of trying our pianoforte? EMMA Oh, I fear I lack the talent. MR COLE Oh, perhaps I should ask Miss Fairfax. (later) EMMA (singing) Did you not hear my lady Go down the garden singing Blackbird and thrush lie silent To hear the alleys ringing Oh saw you not my lady Out in the garden there Shaming the rose and lilies For she is twice as fair Though- FRANK (taking over) Though I am nothing to her Though she must rarely look at me And though I could never woo her I love her 'til I die FRANK AND EMMA (singing) Surely you heard my lady Go down the garden singing Silencing all the songbirds And setting the alleys ringing But surely you see my lady Out in the garden there Rivaling the glittering sunshine With her glory of golden hair FRANK Excuse me. Do you know that piece? JANE Oh, yes. (Jane and Frank sing together) MR KNIGHTLEY Doesn't she play marvelously? EMMA Yes. How sweet to have lent your carriage so that her fingers would be warm enough for the performance. MR KNIGHTLEY Your playing was lovely! EMMA Much less than the effect of Miss Fairfax's? MR KNIGHTLEY No! It was ...very...elegant. EMMA Was that not sweet of the Cambells to give her so generous a gift? MR KNIGHTLEY I never approve of surprises. The pleasure is never enhanced, and the inconvenience is considerable. Bad judgement on the Campbell's part. FRANK Miss Fairfax, shall we sing another? MR KNIGHTLEY That fellow thinks of nothing but showing off. Jane will sing herself hoarse. Miss Bates! MISS BATES Yes, Mr Knightley? MR KNIGHTLEY You must put a stop to this! She'll make herself ill! MISS BATES Oh, do you think so? Oh, well I shall! SCENE 30-HARTFIELD FRANK Miss Woodhouse, you must forgive my intrusion, but my aunt has become ill-it is nothing serious, but my presence might bring her solace, therefore I must return, and although I expect my father at any moment, I could not leave without stopping here. EMMA Oh! Not even five minutes to spare for your friends Miss Fairfax and Miss Bates, how unlucky! FRANK Oh, no, I stopped there on my way here! After all their kindness, I don't wish to slight them! But it is not the Bates, nor my aunt that occupies my thoughts as I prepare to leave. There is something much more personal that I must say to you. I think that you can hardly be without suspicion that I have developed certain feelings for someone of a most tender and devoted nature, which so far I have striven to hide. Yet you have always made me feel so wonderfully at ease, such a friend, since very arrival that in no longer seems honorable to keep them from you. In short, Miss Woodhouse, I-- BUTLER Mr Weston. FRANK Mrs Weston has promised to correspond, the blessings of a female correspondent when one wants news. In her letters I shall be at Highbury, and here again, with you. SCENE 31-HARTFIELD, EMMA'S ROOM EMMA Well, he loves me! He was on the verge of telling me when his father burst in. I felt listless after he left and had some sort of headache, so I must be in love as well. I must confess I expected love to feel something different than this. I may determine how deep a love I feel through his absence. How I wish he would be here tomorrow, for there is a grim job to be done. Mr Elton is bringing his new wife to tea. SCENE 32-HARTFIELD MRS ELTON You know, your home reminds me of Maple Grove, which is the seed of my brother, Mr Sutling. MR ELTON Sutling. MRS ELTON The hall, the size of the room, I'm really quite struck by it! I almost fancy myself here! EMMA I'm glad you can feel so at ease. MRS ELTON (cutting off Mr Elton's mumbling) Oh, my brother and sister will be enchanted with this place. People who have extensive grounds are always pleased to meet other people with extensive grounds. EMMA I'm afraid you overrate Hartfield. Soria is full of beauties. MRS ELTON (cutting off Mr Elton's mumbling) Don't tell me about Soria! I always say it is the garden of England! EMMA Yes, but many counties are called that. MRS ELTON Oh? I fancy not. I never heard any county but Soria called so. EMMA Well, I know little of other places. We're a quiet set of people, more disposed to stay at home. MRS ELTON Yes, your father's health must be a great drawback to your seeing the country. Why does he not try bath? It would do him the world of good! EMMA He has tried it before without any benefit. MRS ELTON No! It will do him good, if only to improve his spirits, which, I understand, are sometimes much depressed! You must take him! A line from me, and you will have some of the best society in the place! A particular friend there, Mrs Paltry, -- EMMA I'm afraid going to Bath would be out of the question (later) EMMA Mrs Elton! I did not ask if you were musical and that is because your reputation has preceded you. All the town knows that you are a superior performer. MRS ELTON (cutting off Mr Elton's mumbling) Well, I am dotingly fond of music, and my friends say I'm not entirely devoid of taste! In fact, I told Mr E., when he asked me to marry, I told him that I did not have to have two carriages, as I did before, and I could even accept a smaller house! My house was a good deal roomier, I assure you. But no! The world is not necessary to me because I am blessed with so many resources in here! But, said I, without music, my life would be a blank. In fact, you and I must establish a musical club, and we could have regular meetings at your house or ours, because I don't want to give up my talent, do I? EMMA Mrs Elton, I'm sure it would take something more dramatic as a change of town to dislodge as great as your talent. MRS ELTON Oh, well, I myself don't call it great! I just know that my friends think so. (pause) Oh! We met the Westons. He is already a favorite with me! And I was astonished that she was so ladylike! Was she not your governess? EMMA Mrs Weston's modest propriety makes her a model for any woman. MRS ELTON (cutting off Mr Elton's mumbling) And do you know who came in while we were there? EMMA I cannot imagine! MRS ELTON Knightley. EMMA Knightley? MRS ELTON Knightley! Ah, Mr E's friend! Well, there's one friend with whom you need not be ashamed! Quite the gentleman! EMMA (thinking) Knightley? SCENE 33-HIGHBURY EMMA Never seen him before and she called him Knightley! HARRIET I saw her at church and she seemed- EMMA Vulgar? Base? Conceited? Crass? How do you do Mrs Star? MRS STAR Good Morning, Miss Woodhouse! EMMA She actually seemed pleased to discover that Mr Knightley was gentleman! I doubt he'll return the compliment and find her a lady! Mr Simons! MR SIMONS Good Morning, Miss Woodhouse. EMMA Good morning! She proposed that we formed a musical club! Is it possible that Mr Elton met her while doing charitable work in a mental infirmary? There is only one thing to do with a person as impossible as she. HARRIET What? EMMA I must throw a party for her! Otherwise everyone will feel at once how much I dislike her. SCENE 34-HIGHBURY CHAPEL MRS ELTON We're so excited about the party! Do you know who I just adore, who I want to wrap up and put in my pocket? EMMA Knightley? MRS ELTON Jane Fairfax! I rave about her! Do you know what I admire most about her? She's timid. I'm a great advocate of timidity. But I daresay you know the lines of the poet. For many a flower Is born to blush unseen. We cannot allow them to be verified by sweet Jane! EMMA There is no danger of that! The Cambells take great care of her. MRS ELTON Whatever advantage she got from the Cambells have palpably come to an end, but if you and I set an example, many will follow. We live in a style which could not make the addition of Jane Fairfax the least inconvenient. I am simply going to adopt her, and I think that you should do it with me. SCENE 35-RANDALL EMMA For the first time in my life, I felt sorry for Jane Fairfax. Whatever she may have done, she does not deserve Mrs Elton. MR KNIGHTLEY Jane may be glad of Mrs Elton's attentions since they are available to no one else. EMMA She seems to receive ample attention from you. MR KNIGHTLEY Anyone may know my regard for her. EMMA Oh? Do you know her higheties? MR KNIGHTLEY Oh, so you two have been settling that I should marry Jane Fairfax? EMMA No! You could not come and sit with us if you were married. MR KNIGHTLEY Jane Fairfax is a very charming young woman, but she lacks an open temper which a man wishes for in a wife. I have admiration for her, but no thought beyond. Not at all. None. No. Ah, I see Mr Weston is at home. I'll go and see him. EMMA Well, Mrs Weston, what do you say about your suspicions now? MRS WESTON He seemed very occupied with his not being in love with her. It seems certain that he is! SCENE 36-HARTFIELD MR KNIGHTLEY It was most kind of you to invite Jane Fairfax this evening. EMMA Your words the other day shamed me. I have not tried as I should have. MR KNIGHTLEY You are capable of great kindness. EMMA I fall short so often, and I highly doubt she will find this a kindness. MRS ELTON Jane! You're a very, very fragile creature! You pay no regard of the delicacies of you constitution! Jane...Knightley! Help us! Knightley! Jane went to the post office today in the rain! A great peril to her health! This was a sign that I was not there to take care of you! Knightley, tell her! Tell her! MR KNIGHTLEY I'm sure she knows what she can endure, Mrs Elton! But of course. Do take care of yourself. JANE Thank you. (later, at dinner) BUTLER Mr Weston MR WOODHOUSE Ah! We had quite given you up! I'm afraid we had to start without you! MR WESTON Oh, forgive me, Mr Woodhouse, Emma, no please. The journey was especially slow, or perhaps it just seemed so, as I have some good news that I was eager to share. Frank's aunt is on the mend, and Frank is taking a house in Highbury! MR WOODHOUSE Good news indeed! MRS ELTON Well, well, well, I shall have to do something with Mr E to welcome him, hey, Mr E? (cutting off Mr Elton) Highbury's a little different since he left. There's been an addition, if I may presume to call myself an addition. Personally I wouldn't, as you know I'm just quoting other people, but I think Mr Frank Churchill will find one or two small changes in the vicinity since he last came to visit his dear father! SCENE 37-HARTFIELD, EMMA'S ROOM EMMA (writing in her diary w/ voiceover) Frank Churchill. I must own that I am not in love with Frank. I have not thought of him at all except for the mention Harriet made of him the other day. EMMA (speaking) Harriet! And Frank! Oh, wouldn't that be charming! EMMA (thinking) It would so relieve me to know that Harriet was well taken care of. Perhaps I could bring them together at the ball! Lucky the man who exchanges Emma for Harriet! SCENE 38-DONWELL ABBEY MR KNIGHTLEY I can think of nothing less appealing than an evening of watching other people dance. Go on. EMMA Well, then you shall have do dance yourself! MR KNIGHTLEY I have no taste for it. I'd rather fetch that stick. EMMA I'll try to remember to bring it to the ball. MR KNIGHTLEY I just want to stay here where it's cozy. SCENE 39-WESTON BALL FRANK Miss Woodhouse! EMMA Mr Churchill! I came early to see if I could be of service to your father. FRANK Actually, you're late! The whole party is here to help my father prepare for the party. EMMA Are you waiting for someone? FRANK Oh, Mrs Elton! EMMA Mrs Elton? Why ever for? FRANK I hear much of her. She is bringing Jane Fairfax in her carriage, so perhaps we may finally ask Jane Fairfax about Mr Dickson. Or have you acquired the courage in my absence? Oh, is that they? Do excuse me EMMA Frank just told me the most fascinating thing. MRS WESTON Tell me. EMMA He's heard about Mrs Elton and he still wants to meet her! MISS BATES I always say, always, that there is no place where the people are as nice as in Highbury. We were not two steps out of the carriage, not two, well, it was possibly less, when Frank Churchill came bounding up! He was bounding, I tell you, to see if we needed any assistance! He is so obliging! Oh, Mr Churchill! I was just telling Miss Woodhouse and Mrs Weston how obliging you are! I shall never forget your kindness, not as long as I live. Nor to mother, since you replaced the rivet in her spectacles, not only have they been as good as new, they have been better. Oh, isn't this room just like a fairyland? How do you like Jane's hair? She did it herself! Oh, look, there are the Hearses! I must go and say hello! EMMA Harriet is all alone. MRS WESTON Do you not dance, Mr Elton? MR ELTON Most readily, Mrs Weston if you will be my partner. MRS WESTON Oh, dear me, I'm no dancer, let me find a better partner for you. MR ELTON Though I am an old married man, I would enjoy dancing with Mrs Gilbert. MRS WESTON Mrs Gilbert told me she does not mean to dance this evening, but I do see a young lady whom I should like to see dancing. Miss Smith. MR ELTON Miss Smith. I had not observed her there. Well, you are most obliging to have pointed her out to me, and were I not an old married man, I should gladly do the job, but my dancing days are over. (later) EMMA I can only say that at the moment you took good to the form I was glad to call you my friend. MR KNIGHTLEY The Eltons are unpardonable. I must say they aim at wounding more than just Harriet. They seem to want to snub you too, Emma! Why? Certainly, Mrs Elton has no reason to dislike you. Confess now, old friend, you did want to him to marry Harriet. EMMA I did, and they cannot forgive me. Oh, dear. How could I have made such a misjudgment! What is the point of me being almost twenty-two when there is still so much for me to learn? MR KNIGHTLEY You know more than you realize! EMMA I know I must own to you to be completely wrong about Mr Elton. There is a littleness to him which you discovered that I did not. MR KNIGHTLEY In return for your acknowledging so much, I say that you chose for him better than he chose for himself. But Harriet Smith has some first rate qualities about her that Mrs Elton is entirely without. Your friend surprised me, most pleasantly. MR WESTON Emma, dear, it's the last dance. Will you please come and set an example for your companions? EMMA Gladly. MR KNIGHTLEY Whom are you going to dance with? EMMA With you, if you will ask me. You have shown yourself to be a fine dancer, despite all your protests, and it would not be improper for us to dance. After all, we are not brother and sister! MR KNIGHTLEY Brother and sister! No, no, indeed we are not. SCENE 40-ROAD TO HARTFIELD EMMA What of your news? HARRIET We must wait until we are at your house in front of the fireplace. It must happen there. EMMA Very well. Wasn't the ball lovely? HARRIET Oh, I had the most wonderful time! It was out of a dream--- EMMA Don't worry, dear. Let's move a touch more quickly. Tell me more about the ball. HARRIET I had such...It was very... GYPSIES Quick! Get her purse! Get around them, damnit! Pull, damn you, pull! FRANK Stand aside! SCENE 41-HARTFIELD HARRIET Oh, how can I ever thank you! How brave you were! I owe you everything! FRANK Miss Woodhouse will make things right. If I am no longer needed, I must go and meet my father. HARRIET Of course. Bless you for your help! Bless you again and again! EMMA Goodness! What an afternoon! HARRIET All this trouble to do something which I should have done long ago. I have come to a decision about Mr Elton. I shall never forget him or his wife at the ball. To prove my sincerity, I shall now destroy something which I had thought to cherish always. You know what this is, of course. Can you have forgotten? Mr Elton cut his finger, and you urged me to bind the wound. I cut too much bandage, and he played with the extra little bit while I finished it up. He left it by his chair, and I, in my nonsense, made a treasure of it. EMMA Dear Harriet. HARRIET But let me see. Here is something which truly was his. He left it here once, and I took it. I used to take it, and hold it, but no more. I want to be rid of these things with you as my witness. I think I should burn them. EMMA I think it would be a wise and relieving thing to do. HARRIET Goodbye, Mr Elton EMMA (thinking) Hello, Mr Churchill. SCENE 42-BOX HILL PARTY EMMA When you get married, you must eat strawberries at your wedding. HARRIET I shall never marry. EMMA Really? I was certain you were developing feelings for someone. The service he rendered you would endear him, naturally! HARRIET Oh, I cannot tell you what I felt when I saw him coming to my rescue! I went from agony to utter happiness at the sight of him. EMMA He is a fine choice for you, but do not let your feelings go until you are sure of his. I give you this caution now because I am determined never to interfere. I will not even say his name to you, only that raising your thoughts to him is a mark of your very good taste. (later) MRS ELTON I have some wonderful news. I have found a position for you. It is with a choice family in Bath, and the position is in-- JANE I'm most obliged, but I would not consider leaving Highbury. MRS ELTON As your protector, I cannot allow you to feel that way. I'm sure everyone agrees with me. What are your options? After all, Jane. FRANK These sandwiches are delicious, Mrs Elton. You really are a gourmet! MRS ELTON Well, I never compliment myself, but my friends tell me I certainly know how to make a sandwich. Now, Jane. I-- FRANK Shall we all play a game? I command that we each tell Miss Woodhouse something entertaining. You may offer one thing very clever, two things moderately clever, or three things very dull, indeed. And in return, Miss Woodhouse will laugh heartily at them all. MRS ELTON I do not pretend to be a wit, though I have a great deal of vivacity in my own way, of course. These diversions are tolerable at Christmas, when one is around the fire, but in my opinions, it wastes the outdoors. Miss Woodhouse, you must excuse me. MR ELTON And me. I am an old married man, and have nothing to say that would please Miss Woodhouse, or any young lady. MISS BATES Well, I need not be uneasy, as long as we're allowed to say dull things. Very dull, in fact. I should be sure to say things very dull in fact as soon as I open my mouth, shan't I? EMMA That may be a difficult thing. MISS BATES Oh, I doubt that. I'm sure I never fail to say things very dull. EMMA Yes, dear, but you will be limited in number, only three. MISS BATES. Oh, to be sure. Yes. I see, I see, I see what she means. I will try and hold my tongue. I must have made myself very disagreeable or she would not have said such a thing to an old friend. Just three. Yes. MR KNIGHTLEY Miss Bates, will you give me the pleasure of your company whilst I pick some more strawberries? MISS BATES Oh, thank you, Mr Knightley. That would be charming. (later) MR KNIGHTLEY Emma, how could you be so unfeeling to Miss Bates? How can you be so insolent to a woman of her age and situation? I had not thought it possible? EMMA How could I help saying it? I daresay she did not understand me. MR KNIGHTLEY Oh, I assure you, she felt your fool meaning. She cannot stop mentioning it! I wish you could have heard her honor your forbearance in putting up with her when her society is so irksome. EMMA I know there is no better creature in all the world, but you must allow that blended alongside of the good there is an equal among of ridiculous in her. MR KNIGHTLEY Were she prosperous, or a woman equal to your age and situation, I would not quarrel with any liberties of manner. But she is poor! Even moreso than when she was born, and should she live to be an old lady, she will sink further still, her situation being in every way below you should secure your compassion! Badly done, Emma. Badly done. She has watched you grow from a time when her notice of her in honor to this, humbling her and laughing at her in front of people who would be guided by your treatment of her. It is not pleasant for me to say these things, but I must tell you the truth while I still can, proving myself your friend by the most faithful counsel, trusting that sometime you will do my faith in you greater justice that you do it now. SCENE 43-MISS BATES' HOUSE MAID Oh, good afternoon, Miss Woodhouse. Please come in. Wait here please. MISS BATES Just tell her I'm unwell and laying down upon the bed. SCENE 44-HARTFIELD MR WOODHOUSE You mean you walked all the way, and on such a cold night? MR KNIGHTLEY Certainly I walked. MR WOODHOUSE My dear! How did you find my old friend, and her daughter? Emma has called on Mrs and Miss Bates. She always shows them such kindness. EMMA No, father. They have been the ones to forbear and show me kindness. MR WOODHOUSE Nonsense, daughter! The charity that you have given them is-- EMMA I have given them charity, but not kindness, a virtue which some friends may doubt I still have. MR KNIGHTLEY The truest friend does not doubt, but hope. I must go. I'm leaving town to visit John and Isabella. EMMA I'm sorry I was not here sooner so that we could have talked. MR KNIGHTLEY So am I. EMMA When will you be back? MR KNIGHTLEY I don't know. There is a delicate and perplexing matter I must discuss with my brother. EMMA Well, then. MR KNIGHTLEY Well, then. SCENE 45-HARTFIELD EMMA (writing in diary) Frank Churchill's aunt has died, taking him away. This strengthens Harriet's chances with him since the aunt was sure to object. I continue in my efforts to make amends with Miss Bates. Though matters are not yet fully repaired, I feel a renewal in our friendship is ahead of us. Above all, I am most gratified to say that good Mr Knightley...Mr Knightley...had been privy to my attempts, could he have seen into my heart, I think that he could find nothing to reprove. SCENE 46-RANDALL MRS WESTON Frank is engaged! EMMA I cannot believe it! So quickly? MRS WESTON Quickly? The engagement has been in place for some time. Emma, Frank has been secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax! EMMA Good God! This cannot be the truth! MRS WESTON They've been engaged since October, formed an awayment through his friend Charles Dickson. EMMA Mr Dickson... MRS WESTON He kept it secret because he feared his aunt's disapproval. It has hurt both his father and me, more importantly, because of whom else it might hurt. EMMA I cannot pretend I do not understand what you mean by that. Therefore, let me give you all the relief in my power. There was a time when I was attached to Frank, fortunately that ceased, for some time I have felt nothing for him. MRS WESTON This was my greatest worry. I'm certain you knew it was our wish you might be attached. Imagine what we felt on your account. EMMA There is not need to worry about that. Although how could he have come here and treated me in this fashion? It is cruel, truly cruel! MRS WESTON Yes, dear, but I thought you said you felt nothing for him. EMMA Yes, but he did not know that. He is benefiting from a very lucky coincidence. MRS WESTON Now, Emma, he's a good man, however wrong this action might be. Dear, might I entreat you to put Mr Weston's heart as ease? He's been as worried about you as I! Could you let him know how glad you are for Frank to have found a girl with such steady character? EMMA I do not know how steady her character can be engaging herself to a man who pretends not to be engaged, then deceives attractive and feeling young women! Here is the luckiest father in all of England! MRS WESTON Thank you! SCENE 47-HARTFIELD HARRIET Is that not the oddest news you ever heard about Mr Churchill and Miss Fairfax? Had you any idea of it? EMMA Can you imagine, if I knew, and I was encouraging you to give way to your own feelings? Had I known I would have cautioned you! HARRIET Cautioned me? Why? You do not think that I care about Frank Churchill? EMMA What--What do you mean? You said that you loved a man-- HARRIET I hoped I had develop better taste than to choose Frank Churchill over him. Frank Churchill.... Furthermore, I would never have even dreamed of him except that you told me he was wonderful! EMMA Yes, but I thought you meant-- HARRIET That raising my thoughts to him would be a sign of my very good taste, those were your words. EMMA Yes, but I meant them in reference to-- HARRIET And without having heard them I would never have dared to hope. EMMA Harriet, please! Before we can go on, there is something that I must clarify! Is it possible that you are speaking of ...Mr Knightley? HARRIET To be sure! EMMA But you spoke of the service that Frank had rendered in rescuing you from the gypsies? HARRIET Oh, I never said that! EMMA I remember it with perfect clarity. HARRIET If I spoke of being rescued, I was thinking Mr Knightley asking me to dance after Mr Elton snubbed me. That was when I knew how superior a man he is. EMMA Good God! What a horrible mistake! What is to be done? HARRIET Must something be done about it? You must think him five hundred million times more above me than Mr Churchill, yet you did say...? EMMA Harriet, have you any idea of Mr Knightley returning your affection? HARRIET Yes, I must say that I have. You told me to let his behaviour to be the rule of min, and so I have! Am I wrong to hope as I do? EMMA Harriet, I can only venture to declare that Mr Knightley is the last man on earth who would intentionally give any woman the idea of feeling more for her than he really does. SCENE 48-HARTFIELD GARDEN EMMA This is tragic. MRS WESTON Why is it tragic that Harriet should attach herself to a man whom you admire so much. EMMA I have asked myself many times why this should have unsettled me, and I have came to see that I do not admire Mr Knightley as I so long thought. I love him, so dearly, so greatly. Outside of you and father, his is the opinion that matters most. MRS WESTON Oh, my dearest child! EMMA I did not know it until poor Harriet said that she had the hope of his returning her affection that I felt ill that I could lose him, and I knew that noone must marry Mr Knightley but me! MRS WESTON Oh, heavenly! EMMA But I am too late. Just before left town, he said: MR KNIGHTLEY There is a delicate and perplexing matter I must discuss with my brother. EMMA I hope this brother advises him to be careful! After all, we know nothing about his parents! They could be pirates! MRS WESTON My dear, I like Harriet very much, as I might remind you, do you! But remember, her feelings are evidence of her feelings only. Nothing can be known until Mr Knightley returns. EMMA I long for it and fear it at the same time. I shall not know how to behave when I see him! MRS WESTON Let his behavior be your guide. EMMA But oh, dear! If he seems happy than I know that he has decided to marry Harriet, and I will not, I know I will not be able to let him tell me, I could not bear to hear the words. But if he seems sad then I shall know that John has advised him not to marry Harriet. I love John! Or, he may seem sad because he fears telling me that he is going to marry my friend! How could John let him do that? I hate John! MRS WESTON My dear, nothing can be done until he returns, and until he does, you must try to put him out of your mind. Can you do that? EMMA Certainly I can. I may have lost my heart, but not my self-control. SCENE 49-HARTFIELD EMMA (writing in her diary) Dear diary, Today I tried not to think about Mr Knightley. I tried not to think about him when I spoke about the menu with cook. COOK Oh, is Mr Knightley coming? EMMA Why do you say that? COOK Lamb stew's his favorite. EMMA (writing) I tried not to think about him in the garden where I thrice plucked the petals off a daisy trying to ascertain his feelings for Harriet. I don't think we should keep daisies in the garden. They really are drab little flowers. And I tried not to think about him when I went to bed, but something had to be done. SCENE 50-HIGHBURY CHURCH EMMA (praying) Dear Lord, if he cannot share a life with me, is it wrong to ask that he not share it with anyone? That we go on as we go on now, him stopping by at any hour, always the brightest part of our lives, a natural and easy member of the family. I would be content if he just stayed single Lord. That's it! If he would just stay single, that would be enough to make me perfectly satisfied. EMMA (aloud) Almost. Amen. SCENE 51-ROAD TO HARTFIELD MR KNIGHTLEY Emma! Forgive me, I was lost in my thoughts. EMMA And how are you? Happy? MR KNIGHTLEY Well, happy to see you, as always. EMMA I didn't know that you were back. MR KNIGHTLEY Just. Yes, just. EMMA Ah. I am on my way home. MR KNIGHTLEY I was just there. May I join you? EMMA Of course. Oh, dear... MR KNIGHTLEY What? EMMA What? Oh! Something about the deer that we need for the venison stew. MR KNIGHTLEY Uh-huh. Emma, there's something I have to ask. EMMA Oh, wait, now that you are back, there is some news that will surprise you. MR KNIGHTLEY Of what nature is this news? EMMA The very best. It is a wedding between two-- MR KNIGHTLEY Oh, yes! Between Jane and Mr Churchill. Mr Weston wrote to me. EMMA Undoubtedly you are not surprised. I seemed doomed to blindness. MR KNIGHTLEY Time will heal your wound. EMMA My wound? MR KNIGHTLEY I know you must have been cruelly disappointed by his secret. He's a scoundrel. EMMA You are kind, but I must tell you that I quickly saw qualities, honesty being one, which are essential to me in any kind of friend. MR KNIGHTLEY Emma, is that true? EMMA He imposed on me, but he has not injured me. MR KNIGHTLEY Yes, he got everything he wanted at great expense to others, and at no cost to himself. He offends me, deeply. Yet there is something in his situation that I envy. EMMA Did I mention we are having a new drain installed? MR KNIGHTLEY You will not ask me the point of my envy. Well, perhaps you are wise. But, I cannot be wise. Emma, I must tell you what you will not ask, though I may wish it unsaid the next moment. EMMA Then do not speak it. Do not commit yourself to something that will injure us both to have said. MR KNIGHTLEY Very well. Very well. Good day. EMMA Mr Knightley! Mr Knightley. I stopped you ungraciously just now and gave you pain. If you have any wish to speak to me about anything you have in contemplation, as your friend I cannot refuse you. Indeed, as your old friend, I will hear whatever it is you wish to tell me. MR KNIGHTLEY Emma! You want our friendship to remain the same as it has always been, but I cannot desire that. EMMA But why? I know I make mistakes, but had you been here the last few days you would have seen how I have tried to change! Please tell me I am your friend. MR KNIGHTLEY I do not wish to call you my friend, because I hoped to call you something infinitely more dear. Did you never wonder why I never befriended Frank Churchill. It was because I knew he was intended for you. Indeed, when you insulted Miss Bates at the picnic, I thought that evidence of his influence over you. And I couldn't bear to see it, so I went away, but I went to the wrong place. My brother's house is usually a place of comfort to me, but seeing your sister there kept you fresh in my mind. And the torture, I assure you, was acute. I only felt hope again when I heard of Mr Churchill's engagement, and I rushed back, anxious for your feelings, keen to be near you. I rode through the rain, but I'd ride through worse if I could just hear your voice telling me that I might at least have some chance to win you. EMMA Mr Knightley, if I have not spoken, it is because I am afraid I will awaken myself from this dream! It cannot be true! But I feel so full of error, so mistaken in my make-up to deserve you! MR KNIGHLTY What of my flaws? I've humbled you, and I've lectured you and you have borne it as noone could have born it. Maybe it is our imperfections that make us so perfect for one another. Marry me? Oh, marry me, my wonderful, darling friend! Let's go to your father. EMMA Oh, dear! MR KNIGHTLEY What? EMMA I cannot marry you! MR KNIGHTLEY Whyever not? EMMA My father! First my sister, then Mrs Weston, I don't think he could bear my leaving even for a man he regards as highly as you, I cannot marry you! I cannot abandon him, I cannot! MR KNIGHTLEY I could not secure your happiness by attacking your father's. As long as his joy requires your being at Hartfield, let it be my home, too. EMMA Thank you! Thank you! Now, I need not call you Mr Knightley! I may call you my Mr Knightley. SCENE 52-HARTFIELD THE NARRATOR The elation Mr Woodhouse felt was soon shared by many. While these exchanges lifted the hearts of the couple, there was one visit which did not. Emma knew that Harriet's best chance for happiness was that she would marry as well, but it seemed too much to hope that even Harriet Smith could be in love with more than three men in one year. SCENE 53-HARTFIELD HARRIET Miss Woodhouse? May I come in? EMMA Oh, you need never ask! Please, do and tell me how you've been! It seems weeks since you've been here! HARRIET Yes, well, I stayed away at first because I thought it would be easier for me. Then I stayed away, because I have something to tell you which I am afraid you will not like. EMMA Harriet, nothing that you say would ever be unpleasant. HARRIET This is. That is, I think that you will think it is, though I think it as beautiful as a dream! I have consented to marry Robert Martin! EMMA Whatever happened? HARRIET Well, after leaving here the last time, I saw his sister at a party. I fell easily into conversation with her, and soon enough, she invited me to dinner. Mr Martin was there, of course, and we talked as though we had never been apart! As I left, he asked if he could see me the next day, and I said that he could, and on the next day, he asked if he could see me the day after that, and on the day after that, he asked if he could see me all the days ever after. EMMA Harriet! HARRIET Well, I know this disappoints you, but-- EMMA Harriet, you mistake me. This is the perfect end for my sad career as a matchmaker, a role I gladly relinquish, by being instead so happily matched myself. I hope you know I only wanted your happiness! Now that you have found it, it makes my earth complete. SCENE 54-HIGHBURY CHAPEL NARRATOR There are those who thought the wedding a little shabby. MRS ELTON I do not profess to be an expert in the field of fashion, though my friends say I have quite the eye, but I can tell you, there is a shocking lack of satin. NARRATOR However, the wishes, the faith and the predictions of the small band of true friends who witnessed the ceremony were fully answered in the perfect happiness of the union. THE END