Emma 爱玛 - Chapter 55

If Emma had still, at intervals ¹, an anxious feeling for Harriet, a momentary ² doubt of its being possible for her to be really cured of her attachment ³ to Mr. Knightley, and really able to accept another man from unbiased inclination ⁴, it was not long that she had to suffer from the recurrence ⁵ of any such uncertainty ⁶. A very few days brought the party from London, and she had no sooner an opportunity of being one hour alone with Harriet, than she became perfectly ⁷ satisfied--unaccountable as it was!-- that Robert Martin had thoroughly ⁸ supplanted ⁹ Mr. Knightley, and was now forming all her views of happiness., ,Harriet was a little distressed--did look a little foolish at first: but having once owned that she had been presumptuous ¹¹ and silly, and self-deceived, before, her pain and confusion seemed to die away with the words, and leave her without a care for the past, and with the fullest exultation ¹² in the present and future; for, as to her friend's approbation ¹³, Emma had instantly removed every fear of that nature, by meeting her with the most unqualified congratulations.-- Harriet was most happy to give every particular of the evening at Astley's, and the dinner the next day; she could dwell on it all with the utmost delight. But what did such particulars explain?-- The fact was, as Emma could now acknowledge, that Harriet had always liked Robert Martin; and that his continuing to love her had been irresistible ¹⁴.--Beyond this, it must ever be unintelligible ¹⁵ to Emma., ,The event, however, was most joyful ¹⁶; and every day was giving her fresh reason for thinking so.--Harriet's parentage became known. She proved to be the daughter of a tradesman, rich enough to afford her the comfortable maintenance which had ever been hers, and decent enough to have always wished for concealment ¹⁷.--Such was the blood of gentility which Emma had formerly ¹⁸ been so ready to vouch ¹⁹ for!-- It was likely to be as untainted, perhaps, as the blood of many a gentleman: but what a connexion had she been preparing for Mr. Knightley--or for the Churchills--or even for Mr. Elton!-- The stain of illegitimacy, unbleached by nobility or wealth, would have been a stain indeed., , ,Harriet, necessarily drawn ²³ away by her engagements with the Martins, was less and less at Hartfield; which was not to be regretted.-- The intimacy ²⁴ between her and Emma must sink; their friendship must change into a calmer sort of goodwill ²⁵; and, fortunately, what ought to be, and must be, seemed already beginning, and in the most gradual, natural manner., ,Before the end of September, Emma attended Harriet to church, and saw her hand bestowed ²⁶ on Robert Martin with so complete a satisfaction, as no remembrances, even connected with Mr. Elton as he stood before them, could impair ²⁷.--Perhaps, indeed, at that time she scarcely saw Mr. Elton, but as the clergyman whose blessing ²⁸ at the altar might next fall on herself.--Robert Martin and Harriet Smith, the latest couple engaged of the three, were the first to be married., ,Meetings take place at fortnightly intervals. 每两周开一次会。,We are in momentary expectation of the arrival of you.我们无时无刻不在盼望你的到来 。