Emma 爱玛 - Chapter 32

Mrs. Elton was first seen at church: but though devotion might be interrupted, curiosity could not be satisfied by a bride in a pew, and it must be left for the visits in form which were then to be paid, to settle whether she were very pretty indeed, or only rather pretty, or not pretty at all.,Emma had feelings, less of curiosity than of pride or propriety ¹, to make her resolve on not being the last to pay her respects; and she made a point of Harriet's going with her, that the worst of the business might be gone through as soon as possible.,She could not enter the house again, could not be in the same room to which she had with such vain artifice ² retreated three months ago, to lace up her boot, without recollecting ³. A thousand vexatious thoughts would recur ⁴. Compliments, charades ⁵, and horrible blunders; and it was not to be supposed that poor Harriet should not be recollecting too; but she behaved very well, and was only rather pale and silent. The visit was of course short; and there was so much embarrassment ⁶ and occupation of mind to shorten it, that Emma would not allow herself entirely ⁷ to form an opinion of the lady, and on no account to give one, beyond the nothing-meaning terms of being "elegantly dressed, and very pleasing.", ,She did not really like her. She would not be in a hurry to find fault, but she suspected that there was no elegance ⁸;--ease, but not elegance.-- She was almost sure that for a young woman, a stranger, a bride, there was too much ease. Her person was rather good; her face not unpretty; but neither feature, nor air, nor voice, nor manner, were elegant. Emma thought at least it would turn out so., , ,"Well, Miss Woodhouse," said Harriet, when they had quitted the house, and after waiting in vain for her friend to begin; "Well, Miss Woodhouse, (with a gentle sigh,) what do you think of her?-- Is not she very charming?", ,There was a little hesitation ¹² in Emma's answer., ,The sensitive matter was handled with great propriety.这件机密的事处理得极为适当 。,The use of mirrors in a room is an artifice to make the room look larger.利用镜子装饰房间是使房间显得大一点的巧妙办法
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