JoanK., Yes, you are quite right, about the proposals were expected to come quickly. But, because Mr. Elton was so recently professing his love to Emma, and was rejected, it seemed a bit odd, he should go off and come back with a wife, just a short time afterwards. I can't imagine someone falling in, and out of love, so quickly. These statements made at the dinner table, at Box Hill between Frank, Emma, and Jane, seemed to me, Austen giving us some insight to others possibly questioning the sudden marriage as well.
Mr. and Mrs. Elton decline to play the letter game, she says they played it at Christmas time and did not like it then, They get up to leave:
"Happy couple!" said Frank Churchill, as soon as they were out of hearing; "how well they suit one another! Very lucky__marrying as they did upon an acquaintance formed only in a public place! They only knew each other, I think a few weeks in Bath! Peculiarly lucky! For as to any real knowledge of a person's disposition that Bath, or any public place, can give__it is all nothing; there can be no knowledge. It is only by seeing women in their own homes, among their own set, just as they always are, that you can form any judgement. Short of that, it is all guess, and luck__ and acquaintance, and rued it all the rest of his life!"
Miss Fairfax, who had seldom spoken before, except among her own confederates, spoke now.
"Such things do occur, undoubtedly," She was stopped by a cough. Frank Churchill turned towards her to listen.
"You were speaking," said he gravely. She recovered her voice.
"I was only going to observe, that though such unfortunate circumstances do sometimes occur both to men and women, I cannot imagine them to be very frequent. A hasty and imprudent attachment may arise__ but there is generally time to recover from it afterwards. I would be understood to mean, that it can be only weak, irresolute characters (whose happiness must be always at the mercy of chance), who will suffer an unfortunate acquaintance to be an inconvenience, an oppression for ever."
He made no answer, merely looked, and bowed in submission; and soon afterwards said, in a lively tone:
"Well, I have so little confidence in my own judgement that whenever I marry, I hope somebody will choose my wife for me? Will you?" (turning to Emma). "Will you choose a wife for me? I am sure I should like anybody fixed on by you. You provide for the family, you know" (with a smile at his father). "Find somebody for me. I am in no hurry. Adopt her, educate her."
"And make her like myself."
"By all means, if you can."
"Very well, I undertake the commission. You shall have a wife."
"She must be very lively and have hazel eyes. I care for nothing else. I shall go abroad for a couple of years__and when I return, I shall come to you for my wife. Remember."
Emma was in no danger of forgetting. It was a commission to touch every favorite feeling. Would not Harriett be the very creature described? Hazel eyes excepted, two years more might make her all that he wished. He might even have Harriet in his thoughts at the moment; who could say? Referring the education to her seemed to imply it.
So what did you all take from this? The letter game seemed a bit juvenile. Why did Mr. Weston say M and A is perfection? Mrs. Elton mentioned she had an acrostic of her name before, and was not pleased with it. It came from an "abominable puppy"and Mr. Elton knew who that was. What ever did she mean? Who else did not like Mrs. Elton, before she came to Highbury?
This entire dinner party, and day at Box Hill, has turned into a day of undertones of secrets, and outspoken rudeness.
Mr. Knightley is so horribly disappointed in Emma's behaviour. I am appalled that she played along with Frank's flirtatiousness, and rudeness. Why did Frank decide to just act so ill mannered? What did Jane mean when she commented to Frank, about the whole marrying, and happiness being left to chance? I felt the two of them were discussing what ever secrets they have among each other here. Why does Frank have so little confidence, in himself, to choose a wife? Has he asked Jane before, and was rejected by her?
Are Emma's tears in the carriage ride home from regret for being unthoughtful of Miss Bates, or shame because of Mr. Knightley being so upset with her? I know I have more questions than answers in these last chapters. It might be a good idea, they all take a time out from each other.
