Emma 爱玛 - Chapter 30

One thing only was wanting to make the prospect ¹ of the ball completely satisfactory to Emma--its being fixed ² for a day within the granted term of Frank Churchill's stay in Surry; for, in spite of Mr. Weston's confidence, she could not think it so very impossible that the Churchills might not allow their nephew to remain a day beyond his fortnight. But this was not judged feasible. The preparations must take their time, nothing could be properly ready till the third week were entered on, and for a few days they must be planning, proceeding ³ and hoping in uncertainty ⁴--at the risk-- in her opinion, the great risk, of its being all in vain.,Enscombe however was gracious, gracious in fact, if not in word. His wish of staying longer evidently did not please; but it was not opposed. All was safe and prosperous; and as the removal of one solicitude ⁵ generally makes way for another, Emma, being now certain of her ball, began to adopt as the next vexation Mr. Knightley's provoking indifference ⁶ about it. Either because he did not dance himself, or because the plan had been formed without his being consulted, he seemed resolved that it should not interest him, determined ⁷ against its exciting any present curiosity, or affording him any future amusement. To her voluntary communications Emma could get no more approving reply, than,,"Very well. If the Westons think it worth while to be at all this trouble for a few hours of noisy entertainment, I have nothing to say against it, but that they shall not chuse pleasures for me.-- Oh! yes, I must be there; I could not refuse; and I will keep as much awake as I can; but I would rather be at home, looking over William Larkins's week's account; much rather, I confess.-- Pleasure in seeing dancing!--not I, indeed--I never look at it-- I do not know who does.--Fine dancing, I believe, like virtue ⁸, must be its own reward. Those who are standing ⁹ by are usually thinking of something very different.", ,This Emma felt was aimed at her; and it made her quite angry. It was not in compliment to Jane Fairfax however that he was so indifferent, or so indignant; he was not guided by her feelings in reprobating the ball, for she enjoyed the thought of it to an extraordinary degree. It made her animated--open hearted-- she voluntarily said;--, , ,It was not to oblige Jane Fairfax therefore that he would have preferred the society of William Larkins. No!--she was more and more convinced that Mrs. Weston was quite mistaken in that surmise ¹⁰. There was a great deal of friendly and of compassionate ¹¹ attachment ¹² on his side--but no love., ,Alas ¹³! there was soon no leisure for quarrelling with Mr. Knightley. Two days of joyful ¹⁴ security were immediately followed by the over-throw of every thing. A letter arrived from Mr. Churchill to urge his nephew's instant return. Mrs. Churchill was unwell-- far too unwell to do without him; she had been in a very suffering state (so said her husband) when writing to her nephew two days before, though from her usual unwillingness ¹⁵ to give pain, and constant habit of never thinking of herself, she had not mentioned it; but now she was too ill to trifle, and must entreat ¹⁶ him to set off for Enscombe without delay., ,The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了 。,Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？