[Emma] Becoming Jane Fairfax

Rumors and speculation about the Eltons' marriage have grown and continued.Everyone who knew the couple in and around Highbury enjoyed a joke.

It turned out that everyone rushed to bless the newlyweds and actively invited them to be guests at home.But after getting in touch, they realized that Mrs. Elton from Bath didn't look down on the small place of Highbury at all.Everyone entertained her with the best things, but although she praised her, she couldn't hide the disgusted expression on her face.Therefore, there are not a few people who secretly hate this couple.

Emma heard all kinds of rumors about the Eltons from Mrs. Weston, and she laughed so hard that she turned backwards and forwards, without any ladylike appearance.

Mrs. Weston also finds it funny, but she can't laugh out of shape like Emma: "Emma, ​​you don't look good when you laugh again. These rumors have hurt the Eltons very much. I saw Elton today. Mr. Ton, he's very emaciated. We can't make fun of their pain."

Mrs. Weston did not know what the Eltons had done to Jane Fairfax, nor did Emma intend to tell her.

"Okay, I'm not laughing, but this is the happiest news I've heard lately!"

She had suddenly had an idea—to hold a party for the Eltons at Hatfield, for reasons she had already thought of, since Hatfield had not invited them since their marriage.

Emma thought the idea was very good, and she knew that with Mrs. Elton's superficial and ignorant character, whenever there was a banquet, she would definitely attend.She couldn't wait to see how the Eltons faced the eyes of the crowd at a lively banquet.

Although Emma also thinks that this is a bit too much, she can convince herself when she thinks of what the Eltons have done to Jane.

"I'm giving a banquet for the Eltons at Hatfield this Saturday."

Knightley and Wei Lai looked at each other in surprise, she didn't come for real, did she?

Knightley has known Emma longer than Wei Lai, and immediately understood Emma's mind: "I don't agree."

"I know you won't agree, thank you for not criticizing me right away, and saving me a little self-esteem in front of Jane and Harriet." Emma pursed her lips, and didn't look at Knightley, just squinted at him, "I have a reason for doing it, Mr. Knightley. Since Mrs. Elton married Mr. Elton and came to Highbury, there has never been a feast for Mrs. and Mrs. Elton in my family. It was because my father didn't like having a large family. , and there are people entertaining them every day, so it has been delayed again and again. I think it can't be delayed anymore, otherwise, what will others say? They will say that my Woodhouse family looks down on Elton and has malice towards them. I Can't let my dad's fragile nerves suffer a little damage."

Emma's reasons were very good, and Knightley could not find a suitable argument for objecting.

Emma left Knightley speechless in a rare way. She was proud and turned to Wei Lai and said, "Jane, you must come to participate on Saturday."

Wei Lai also understood Emma's thoughts, but Emma was a step late. When she went out at noon, she received a banquet invitation, which happened to be Saturday night.

"Sorry, Emma, ​​I can't come on Saturday, not only I can't come, but you can't hold the banquet on Saturday either."

Emma frowned: "What?"

At this time, the servant sent an invitation.

Emma was taken aback when she saw it: "Elton is also hosting a banquet on Saturday?"

These days, the Eltons are having a hard time.

The Eltons heard the rumors together, and Mr. Elton reassured his wife that there was no need to worry. With his position in Highbury, except for some boring poor people, people with reputations would not spread gossip.But within a few days, the fire became more and more intense, and even people around Highbury heard that a pastor's wife married him because she couldn't marry a rich man.

Now, the Eltons were in a hurry, but they didn't want to think about how to settle the matter. Instead, they quarreled first.

After a nightmarish night, Mrs. Elton found herself dizzy and had a sore throat early the next morning, so she asked her servant to call Dr. Perry.

After taking the medicine, she lay in bed for three days before she had the strength to get out of bed.

Being ill for three days didn't knock her down, but made her think more clearly and her will became firmer.No matter who is deliberately spreading rumors, now she has to get back the public opinion first, and then investigate slowly.

She thought that the quickest way to win back public opinion was to hold a banquet.

Mrs. Elton has developed the habit of attending banquets in Bath, and her sister and brother-in-law often take her to various banquets of considerable scale, but in Highbury, she saw that most people here do not have two rooms. In the living room, the banquet cakes are so hard that people can’t eat it. There is no ice cream when playing cards, and there are not many servants. Even the playing cards are not new...

Everything was too much for her to accept, and if she had not married Mr. Elton, and made up her mind to settle in Highbury, she would have almost fled back to Bath.

In her opinion, except for Hatfield, Donwell and Landauer, who are considered respectable families, the rest of the so-called rich families are ignorant.

Therefore, she made up her mind to hold a banquet and teach them what a banquet is.

The banquet was originally planned to be held at the end of the month, but now, she had to bring the banquet forward.

On Saturday night, Wei Lai went to Elton's house with Harriet in Emma's carriage.Such important guests as Emma and Knightley had arrived as early as noon.

The Eltons' house was far inferior to Hatfield and Donwell's, but much better than the Bates's.Trees were planted on both sides of the gate, and flower beds were built. When you walk in, you can smell the fragrance of flowers. Wei Lai likes this smell, so he smelled it a few times.

The Eltons stood at the door with smiles all over their faces: "Jane, Miss Smith, come in quickly, it's cold outside, today is colder than yesterday, I can't see how long it will snow. The fireplace is lit in the house, soak Hot tea and a lot of snacks are prepared, which I often eat in Bath, you must like it."

A person like Mrs. Elton, no matter how much she hates anyone, will do her best to save face.Wei Lai is not surprised by this kind of person who smiles on the surface.

"Mrs. Elton, your house is really beautiful, and the furnishings in the house are very stylish. I think it must be very warm to live in such a beautiful home. I believe this is due to you."

Mrs. Elton took Wei Lai's arm with a smile, and while taking her and Harriet to the living room, she said: "I'm not boasting, I've always been good at furniture arrangement, and my brother-in-law's Maple Garden has a guest room I did it. It was my sister’s idea. I refused to do it because I was afraid that the decoration would be bad. The guests would not like it, and I would embarrass my sister and brother-in-law. But my sister wrote to say that the room I decorated got a lot of compliments. , I have confidence."

She deliberately amplified her voice so that it would be known that she and her sister had no quarrel.

Wei Lai listened, but didn't speak.

After entering the living room, Emma reserved seats for her and Harriet, and they sat beside Emma.As soon as she sat down, Emma leaned into Wei Lai's ear and whispered, "She invited a lot of people to the banquet. I think she put a lot of effort into it. I heard that she even asked Mr. Elton to go to London to invite them." A cook is preparing supper, and she's thoughtful. Did you notice what she's wearing today? What a dreadful woman, dressing herself up like a valuable gift box."

Mrs. Elton has been ill for a while, and her whole body is haggard. She is obviously not 30 years old, but she looks like 40 years old. She refuses to make herself look older than Mrs. Weston, and keeps pushing herself When you dress up young, you can wear any bright colors on your body.

She complimented Wei Lai on her dress, and Wei Lai accepted her compliment calmly.To tell the truth, she was not dressed gorgeously, except for her hat, she had nothing new, so she was not shabby, but she was by no means gorgeous as Mrs. Elton said.

Obviously, Mrs. Elton also wants Wei Lai to compliment her clothes: "Jane, what do you think of my dress? And my hairstyle. By the way, there is also my set of jewelry, the ruby ​​ones, which are mine. It was given by my brother-in-law when I got married."

"Very beautiful, all beautiful." She didn't lie, this set of ruby ​​jewelry was indeed beautiful.

Mrs. Elton rolled her eyes triumphantly: "Jane, you know me. I care less about clothes than anyone else. Normally, I wear old clothes from my maiden days, and I don't even wear jewelry. Mr. Elton even persuaded me to buy me a dress, but I said to Mr. Elton, 'My dear, I don't need much fancy clothes, jewellery, big houses and Carriage, as long as we're happy and happy'. But he bought me this dress, too fancy even for me, and I would never have worn it if it hadn't been for the party tonight. "

Wei Lai smiled: "Fortunately, the banquet was held, otherwise it would be a pity for Mr. Elton's kindness."

Mrs. Elton's face was full of sweet smiles, and the guests around her were full of praise for their husband and wife, which made her and her husband even more proud. This was the result they wanted.

Wei Lai drank his tea silently.

She is waiting.

After dinner, Mr. Elton took the gentlemen to the chess and card room to play cards, and the ladies followed Mrs. Elton to the second living room for tea and chat.

Mrs. Elton was in a good mood, and she felt that the purpose of the banquet tonight was about to be achieved.The guests she invited were full of praise for the craftsmanship of the chef she specially invited from London, and the loving performance of the couple at the banquet is believed to convince the guests that they are a loving couple.

Sure enough, Mrs. Cole boasted about the couple, and with a circle of supporters around, Mrs. Elton could now be sure that her plan had worked.

She was even more proud when she thought of the disappointed face of the person who deliberately spread rumors to hurt their husband and wife after knowing that his plan failed.

"Mr. Elton and I both like music, especially me, I am very fascinated by music. I once said to my sister 'I don't care if my future husband is rich, but he must like music, I can't help it and don't love music ', I think I did, and I've never met a more conversant man than Mr Elton, he's fantastic."

Emma had known Elton for three or four years, and had never heard that he liked music.

Holding the teacup, Wei Lai rolled his eyes around the room.

The time has come.

Wei Lai said: "Mrs. Elton, I heard that you play the piano very well. Mr. Elton was impressed by your piano skills at a banquet. Do we have the honor to appreciate your piano skills tonight? "

The smile on Mrs. Elton's face froze, and soon she laughed again: "Dear Jane, although I am your friend, you can't just compliment me blindly. My piano skills are very average, which is not as good as yours. What the hell. I heard Miss Woodhouse say you're the best player at Highbury."

This may not have any other meaning. Jane is a decathlete, which is recognized in Highbury. Who told Miss Bates to publicize all day long.But Wei Lai felt that Mrs. Elton still had something to say.

She made a risky decision: "Since you have praised me so much, Mrs. Elton, I am willing to play two pieces for you tonight. Miss Woodhouse, I also invite you to join me in cheering for everyone."

Wei Lai and Emma looked at each other without saying a word. Emma suddenly understood what she meant and readily agreed.

The smile on Mrs. Elton's face could hardly hold.

There is no piano at home!

The author has something to say: At that time, when women got married, their first priority was family affairs. These housework was very cumbersome, time-consuming and energy-consuming. They could only be forced to give up their hobbies. Before marriage, they liked piano and painting. , I like to read novels, I don’t have time to do them after I get married, so I have to put them aside.