Favorite Part in Emma

Emma continued to entertain no doubt of her being in love. Her ideas only varied as to the how much. At first she thought it was a good deal; and afterwards but little. She had great pleasure in hearing Frank Churchill talked of; and for his sake, greater pleasure than ever in seeing Mr and Mrs Weston; she was very often thinking of him, quite impatient for a letter, that she might know how he was, how were his spirits, how was his aunt, and what was the chance of his coming to Randalls again this spring. But, on the other hand, she could not admit herself to be unhappy, nor, after the first morning, to be less disposed for employment than usual; she was still busy and cheerful; and, pleasing as he was, she could yet imagine him to have faults; and further, though thinking of him so much, and, as she sat drawing or working, forming a thousand amusing schemes for the progress and close of their attachment, fancying interesting dialogues, and inventing dialogues, and inventing elegant letters; the conclusion of every imaginary declaration on his side was that she refused him. Their affection was always to subside into friendship. Everything tender and charming was to mark their parting; but still they were to part. When she became sensible of this, it struck her that she could not be very much in love; for in spite of her previous and fixed determination never to quit her father; never to marry, a strong attachment certainly must produce more a struggle than she could foresee in her own feelings.

'I do not find myself making any use of the word sacrifice,' said she. 'In not one of all my clever replies, my delicate negatives, is there any allusion to making a sacrifice. I do not suspect that he is not really necessary to my happiness. So much the better. I certainly will not persuade myself to feel more than I do. I am quite enough in love. I should be sorry to be more.

Upon the whole, she was equally contented with her view of his feelings.

'He is undoubtedly very much in love – everything denotes it – very much in love indeed! – and when he comes again, if his affection continue, I must be on my guard not to encourage it. It would be most inexcusable to do otherwise, as my own mind is quite made up. Not that I imagine he can think I have been encouraging him hitherto. No; if he had believed me at all to share his feelings he would not have been so wretched. Could he have thought himself encouraged, his looks and language at the parting would have been different. Still, however, I must be on my guard. This is the supposition of his attachment continuing what it now is; but I do not know what I expect it will; I do not altogether build upon his steadiness or constancy. His feelings are warm, but I can imagine them rather changeable. Every consideration of the subject, in short, makes me thankful that my happiness is not more deeply involved. I shall do very well again after a little while – and then, it will be a good thing over; for everybody is in love once in their lives, and I shall have been let off easily.'

Emma

JANE AUSTEN

1. What is passable in youth is detestable in later age.
   
2. The course of true love never did run smooth. – William Shakespeare
   
3. One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.
   
4. A mind lively and at ease can do with seeing nothing, and can see nothing that does not answer.
   
5. Human nature is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting situations, that a young person, who either marries or dies is sure of being kindly spoken of.