CHAPTER XIV

　　There was a little hesitation in Emma’s answer.
　"Oh! yes——very——a very pleasing young woman."

　　"I think her beautiful, quite beautiful."

　　"Very nicely dressed, indeed; a remarkably elegant gown."

　　"I am not at all surprized that he should have fallen in love."

　　"Oh! no——there is nothing to surprize one at all.——A pretty fortune; and she came in his way."

　　"I dare say," returned Harriet, sighing again, "I dare say she was very much attached to him."

　　"Perhaps she might; but it is not every man’s fate to marry the woman who loves him best. Miss Hawkins perhaps wanted a home, and thought this the best offer she was likely to have."

Harriet would have been a better match. If not wise or refined herself, she would have connected him with those who were; but Miss Hawkins, it might be fairly supposed from her easy conceit, had been the best of her own set. The rich brother-in-law near Bristol was the pride of the alliance, and his place and his carriages were the pride of him.

　　Emma made as slight a reply as she could; but it was fully sufficient for Mrs. Elton, who only wanted to be talking herself.
　"So extremely like Maple Grove! And it is not merely the house—— the grounds, I assure you, as far as I could observe, are strikingly like. The laurels at Maple Grove are in the same profusion as here, and stand very much in the same way——just across the lawn; and I had a glimpse of a fine large tree, with a bench round it, which put me so exactly in mind! My brother and sister will be enchanted with this place. People who have extensive grounds themselves are always pleased with any thing in the same style."

　　Emma doubted the truth of this sentiment. She had a great idea that people who had extensive grounds themselves cared very little for the extensive grounds of any body else; but it was not worth while to attack an error so double-dyed, and therefore only said in reply,

　　"When you have seen more of this country, I am afraid you will think you have overrated Hartfield. Surry is full of beauties."

　　"Oh! yes, I am quite aware of that. It is the garden of England, you know. Surry is the garden of England."
　　"Yes; but we must not rest our claims on that distinction. Many counties, I believe, are called the garden of England, as well as Surry."

　　"No, I fancy not," replied Mrs. Elton, with a most satisfied smile." I never heard any county but Surry called so."

　　Emma was silenced.

　　"No; not immediately here. We are rather out of distance of the very striking beauties which attract the sort of parties you speak of; and we are a very quiet set of people, I believe; more disposed to stay at home than engage in schemes of pleasure."

　　"My father tried it more than once, formerly; but without receiving any benefit; and Mr. Perry, whose name, I dare say, is not unknown to you, does not conceive it would be at all more likely to be useful now."

　　"I do not ask whether you are musical, Mrs. Elton. Upon these occasions, a lady’s character generally precedes her; and Highbury has long known that you are a superior performer."

　　"But you, who are so extremely fond of it——there can be no danger, surely?"
　　"I should hope not; but really when I look around among my acquaintance, I tremble. Selina has entirely given up music——never touches the instrument——though she played sweetly. And the same may be said of Mrs. Jeffereys——Clara Partridge, that was——and of the two Milmans, now Mrs. Bird and Mrs. James Cooper; and of more than I can enumerate. Upon my word it is enough to put one in a fright. I used to be quite angry with Selina; but really I begin now to comprehend that a married woman has many things to call her attention. I believe I was half an hour this morning shut up with my housekeeper."

　　"But every thing of that kind," said Emma, "will soon be in so regular a train——"

　　"Well," said Mrs. Elton, laughing, "we shall see."

　　Emma, finding her so determined upon neglecting her music, had nothing more to say; and, after a moment’s pause, Mrs. Elton chose another subject.