Chapter 10: Friend With Strength
Mr. Knightley spaced out his visit to Hartfield longer than usual; when Amanda saw him again, his serious countenance showed that he had not forgiven. Amanda regretted it but could not repent. On the contrary, his plans seemed each day more realizable and his hopes more justified. The elegantly framed portrait had arrived a few days after Mr. Elton's return; it hung over the fireplace in the living room; Mr. Elton gazed at him for a long time and appropriately expressed his admiration. As to Harriet, it was evident that she attached herself to Mr. Elton, as much at least as her youth and character permitted; after a short time Mr. Martin was no longer remembered by the girl, except in contrast to Mr. Elton, a comparison which, of course, turned to the latter's advantage.
Amanda's plans to improve her young friend's mind through reading and serious conversation had so far been reduced to skimming through a few early chapters, with the intention of continuing the next day. It was much more convenient to talk than to study, much more pleasant to indulge in the building up of Harriet's fortune in imagination than to apply herself to enlarging her understanding or to exercising her on specific facts. Harriet's only literary occupation was to transcribe all the charades she managed to collect onto a small quarto ledger that Amanda had adorned with initials and trophies.
Miss Nash had a collection of over three hundred charades, and Harriet, who was indebted to her for the original idea, was not despairing of reaching a much larger number. Amanda helped her with her imagination, her memory and her taste. Harriet, on the other hand, had very nice writing so the collection promised to be top notch.
Amanda hastened to have recourse to Mr. Elton's collaboration; she had the pleasure of seeing him set to work attentively: he applied himself above all to choosing only texts of the most perfect gallantry. The two friends were indebted to him for two or three of their best charades and were very disappointed to have to confess that they had already copied the last one he recited. Amanda says to him:
"You ought to write us one yourself, Mr. Elton; it would be a sure guarantee of its novelty, and nothing would be easier for you."
Mr. Elton protested; he had never cultivated this kind of literature. He feared that Miss Burton and, he added after a pause, or Miss Smith might inspire him.
The next day, however, they had proof to the contrary. Mr. Elton, on arriving, laid on the table a sheet of paper on which he had transcribed, he said, a charade which one of his friends had just addressed to a young girl, the object of his admiration. But from the style Amanda was immediately convinced that the work was Mr. Elton's own.
"I don't offer it for Miss Smith's collection," said Mr. Elton; it is the property of my friend and I have no right to release it to the public, but perhaps you will not mind looking at it?
This speech was addressed more particularly to Amanda, who was not surprised: she understood that, in this decisive circumstance, Mr. Elton preferred to avoid Harriet's gaze. He took his leave after a few moments.
"Read," Amanda said, presenting the paper to Harriet, "this is for you!
Harriet was too moved to read, and Amanda was forced to examine the document herself: it was a veritable panegyric of women; the author discreetly alluded to his feelings and his love. The last two lines formed a kind of "sending" where after having extolled the subtlety of his lady, the poet expressed the hope of reading in a "sweet gaze" the approval of his muse and his wishes!
After guessing the word of the riddle, Amanda passed the paper to Harriet and as Harriet struggled to figure it out she thought, "Very well! Mr. Elton: I've read worse charades. The idea is good; you try to find your way. The "sweet gaze!" This is precisely the epithet that suits that of Harriet, one could not choose better. As for subtlety, a man must be well in love to allow himself such poetic license! Oh! Mr. Knightley, here is, I think, convincing evidence! For once in your life, you will be forced to admit that you were wrong. The situation is obviously on the verge of unraveling!
She was forced to interrupt these pleasant reflections to give some clarification to Harriet:
"That's a well-turned compliment, isn't it?" I hope you had no trouble understanding the meaning of the last two lines. There is no doubt that they are addressed to you. Instead of: "for Miss...", read: for Miss Smith.
Harriet couldn't resist such a delicious revelation any longer. She re-read the "send" and enjoyed its happiness. Amanda expanded on her comment:
'I can no longer doubt Mr. Elton's intentions. His thoughts are with you and you will soon have clear proof of this. I thought I was right; he proposes precisely to realize my dearest desire. I am very happy, I congratulate you, my dear Harriet, with all my heart. It is an attachment that any woman would be proud to inspire, an alliance that offers only advantages; she will give you everything you need: consideration, independence, a nice home; you will be fixed in the very midst of your friends, quite near Hartfield; here is our intimacy sealed forever!
"Dear Miss Burton! was at first the only word Harriet could manage to answer as she kissed her friend; the first emotion passed, her ideas became clearer and she said:
"You're always right. I suppose, I believe, I hope it is so this time again; but otherwise I could never have imagined!... Mr. Elton, who could claim the brightest of alliances! When I think of those lovely verses! How spiritual! Is it possible he meant to talk to me?
"There is nothing to dispute about," answered Amanda; take my word for it. It's sort of a prologue for the play, a motto for the chapter, and the rest will follow soon.
"It is an event that no one could have foreseen; I had no idea months ago. It's strange !
"It is rare indeed to see such a perfectly matched union come to pass!" Your marriage will be Randalls' counterpart. It seems like the Hartfield breeze is pushing love in precisely the right direction:
"True love does not flow like a peaceful river. »
The Hartfield Library Shakespeare should have a long note at this passage.
"Is it possible that Mr. Elton is truly in love with me?" Such a handsome man! Surrounded by general consideration as Mr. Knightley! He is so perfect in his priestly duties! Miss Nash has collected all the texts of his sermons since he arrived in Hartfield. I remember the first time I saw it! How little did I know then what would happen! The two Abotts and I had run into the living room to watch him pass through the curtain! Miss Nash came and scolded us away; she nevertheless remained near the glass door and, having called me back, authorized me to remain at her side. We admired it! He was giving his arm to Mr. Cole.
It is an alliance that all your friends will approve of, at least if they have common sense; and we must not conform our conduct to the judgment of fools! If those who are interested in you are eager to see you happy: here is a man whose amiable character is a sure guarantor of your happiness; if they want you to settle in the environment and in the country they had chosen for you, their wish will be realized, and if their goal is that you make, according to the consecrated phrase, a good marriage, they will be satisfied.
"All you say is right; I love hearing you talk! You and Mr. Elton are as smart as each other. Even if I had applied myself to it for a year, I would never have been able to write a charade like this.
"I understood immediately yesterday, from his manner, that he intended to show you what he was capable of. This is truly one of the prettiest charades I have ever read.
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