Posted by Ruth on 10/19/2008, 5:06 pm
24.15.155.139
Previously: Emma manipulates everyone like a puppeteer, and picks Harriet and Mr. Elton as her next act of Community Service.
The scene changes to Highbury, Emma and Harriet discuss the possibility of Harriet's being a
Gentleman's Daughter, and what sort of person he might be. Emma is appalled to discover that Harriet thinks a musician is a respectable profession. Apparently musician's are at the bottom of the totem pole for her profession-wise . . . what with their being so un-couth and all. :-p
Speaking of un-couth, Harriet then start on her favorite subject, Robert Martin. No sooner has she mentioned his name when he appears down the street, the action paused for a second and the spotlight shines on the very epitome of un-couth country bumpkin-ness. His clothes are worn, and his ridiculous hat is shoved down within a half inch of his nose.
He advances towards Harriet quite awkwardly, and we can see the wheels in Emma's head churning. Mr. Martin offers a walnut, Harriet swoons, Emma groans. In this manner the entire conversation is carried out.
Mr. Martin mumbles something about "Romance of the Forrest" and then bows with all of the grace and poise of an adolescent teenager. While his sister is helping him up, Emma manages to drag Harriet away. She consoles her by reminding her of
The Portrait she is to paint of her, the portrait Mr. Elton specifically commissioned. :-D We come upon them (Emma, Harriet, Mr. Elton and Mr. Knightly) next busy at work, the first painting in a very messy apron, the second trying her best to hold still while the third is praising her beauty (as so eloquently interpreted by Miss. Woodhouse *wink*) to the skies. The fourth seems to be the only one not in any kind of rapture, and his terse, dry comments are the only voices of reason in this cacophony of raptures and miss-communications.
The painting is finished and Mr. Elton begs the honor of carrying that precious article to be framed himself. Emma is more pleased than words can say and all that needed to be decided now was what types of flowers the bride should wear.
While Emma is fine-tuning these details, Harriet comes all in a tizzy . . . he has proposed!!! Emma is almost as delighted as Harriet, until she discovers it's from Mr. Martin not Mr. Elton. "His sister must have helped him" is all she will say, she will not (for all the world!) try to convince her of anything . . . if she feels he is the MOST amiable man she has ever met. *pause* If she feels she prefers him to EVERY OTHER MAN, *pause* then she must accept him.
Poor Harriet is left to her own conscience as she weights theses conditions. "She must make the decision herself, since Miss Woodhouse will not help, she must decide to . . . refuse Mr. Martin?"
Emma jumps for joy at this steadfast decision, and praises Harriet for her wisdom and sense. Harriet, however is on the verge of tears, so a little more persuasion is necessary on Emma's part and leave the stage in this manner.
Next up: One of many, Emma and Mr. Knightley in, The Argument.
God bless,
~Ruth
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