Emma

„Emma” is a story written by Jane Austen, about twenty-one years old lady. Her name was Emma Woodhouse, who was beautiful, clever and rich. She lived near London in the village of Highbury. She just marry her governess off, and success provided her with an incentive to find husband for her best friend, Harriet Smith. It was very difficult task, because when she found candidate for husband, he always preferred Emma then Harriet.

Emma wanted to introduce Harriet into good society, that is why when Mr. Martin had written to ask Harriet to marry him she had to refused, because he was only a farmer. Emma convinced her that Mr Elton, the vicar was the best match for her. Different opinion had Emma’s friend, Mr. Knightley, and when he heard that Harriet refused to Mr. Martin, he was very angry. He said that she may not have another chance to marry, because Mr. Elton will look for money and a good family in a wife.

Emma thought her plan was succeeding, because she was sure that Mr. Elton really did love Harriet. Even one day, they found a paper with a short poem written on it. It was addressed to Miss-, so Emma was certain that it was love poem for Harriet.

It changed on Christmas Eve, when Mrs. Weston invited all the family to Randals for dinner. The day before Harriet became ill, so she could not go. Emma explained to Mr. Elton, and he said he was very sorry, but he was not unhappy. At the party Emma was surprised to found Mr. Elton at her side most of the time. She found the reason when they were coming back home. Emma and Mr. Elton were alone in the carriage, when suddenly Mr. Elton jumped up from his seat to sit next to Emma and said that he loved her, and he would die if she refused to marry him. Emma was so surprised that she did not know what to say but she wished he had any interest in her.

The next day Emma was pleased to see a lot of snow outside, because it meant she could not go to church and see Mr. Elton, or go to visit Harriet. When the snow disappeared a letter arrived for Mr. Woodhouse from Mr. Elton. It said he was leaving Highbury and going to Bath to spend a few weeks with friends. Emma told Harriet everything and although she cried, she did not blame Emma at all for what had happen.

Four weeks after Mr. Elton had left Highbury to Hartfield the same news came from two different people, first Mr. Knightley then Miss Bates. Mr. Elton was going to be married. Emma decided she must tell Harriet the news, before she heard it from someone else. Luckily it did not shock her so very much.

Mr. and Mrs. Weston told Emma that Frank Churchill, who was Mr. Weston’s son, was coming the next day. Emma wanted to meet him, because she heard a lot of him and they were about the same age, so the next morning Mr. Weston introduced Frank to Emma. They talked together, and a few days later they met on the dinner party at the Cole. After dinner Emma was playing the piano and dancing with Frank. Both were planning a little ball at the Crown Inn for ten couples, but unfortunately a few days before the ball a letter came from Mrs. Churchill and Frank had to returned home immediately, because she was very ill. That night she wrote in her diary that she was in love with Frank. But in time she thought of him as only a dear friend.

Almost as soon as Frank Churchill left Highbury, Mr. Elton and his new wife arrived. The Eltons came to visit Hartfield, and although the visit was short , Mrs. Elton managed to made a bad impression on Emma. She told that was an awful and very rude woman. Mr. Woodhouse was kinder and said that she spoke a little too quickly.

Emma knew they must have a dinner at Hartfield for Mr. and Mrs. Elton or people might guess that she did not like Mrs. Elton. On the day of the party everyone arrived on time , apart from Mr. Weston who had to go to London on business and could not be there, but he hoped to join them later in the evening. When he arrived he brought the news that Frank was coming there next month, so the ball was planing again.

The ball started when everyone had arrived. The last two dances before a dinner had almost started and Harriet had no partner. She was the only young lady sitting down, and when Mrs. Weston asked Mr. Elton to dance with Harriet he was very rude and refused. Luckily there was Mr. Knightley and led her to dance. Emma felt very grateful to him. It seemed as if Harriet’s eyes had suddenly opened at the ball and she saw Mr. Elton differently.

The next day Harriet had bad luck, because when she was waking along the Richmond Road , a group of gypsies surrounded her and they wanted some money but fortunately Frank Churchill saved her and brought to Hartfield.

About fortnight later, when Emma and Harriet were talking together, Harriet said that she never marry , so Emma was sure she meant Frank although they did not speak his name.

The next day to Hartfield arrived Mr. Knightley to say goodbye, because he was going to London. One day later came the message that Frank’s aunt had suddenly died.

One morning , about ten days after Mrs. Churchill had died , Mr. Weston called at Hartfield and asked Emma to go back to Randals with him and saw Mrs. Weston. When they arrived he left them alone together. Mr. Weston told her that Frank and Jane have been secretly engaged. Emma was very surprised but she said that she was not in love with him. Emma now had to tell Harriet the news before she heard about it in Highbury, but Harriet had just came home when Emma arrived. She knew everything and she was not upset. It turned out that she felt in love with Mr. Knightley not Frank. Emma realized that she would be unhappy if he married anyone except herself. But when Mr. Knightley had returned to Highbury he told Emma that he had always loved her and he asked if there was a chance for him. Emma had never been happier. She told him then that she loved him too.

Emma wrote to Harriet and explained that she and Mr. Knightley wanted to marry. But about two weeks later Mr. Knightley called at Hartfield and bring the news about Harriet . She was going to marry Robert Martin. Emma was very surprised, that her friend was happy as she was.