Emma Page #5

MR ELTON:

No husbands or wives at present, Miss Woodhouse.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

You've made her too tall.

MR ELTON:

It may not be Miss Smith's height in terms of measurement, but it's surely

the height of her character.

(later)

MR WOODHOUSE:

My dear, I would paint a shawl on her, as one can't help feeling that she

will catch cold! Otherwise, it is quite splendid. It only wants a suitable

frame. We will have to get it to London.

MR ELTON:

Might I be entrusted with such an admission? I would be gratified more than

words can express.

SCENE 9-TOWN OF HIGHBURY

HARRIET:

He wants to marry me! Would you mind reading it?

EMMA:

Certainly not! I cannot believe Mr Elton proposed! Surely, he is-

HARRIET:

No, not Mr Elton, Mr Martin, my friend! Is it a good letter, or

too...short?

EMMA:

It is a good letter. One of his sisters must have helped him, yet it is not

in the style of a woman. Well, it is a good letter. You must answer it

immediately. He must have his disappointment, and move on.

HARRIET:

Then you think I should refuse him?

EMMA:

You did not plan to return an answer favorable to this claim?

HARRIET:

No, I did not! That is...I mean...Um...Well, I was not sure, that is why I

came to you!

EMMA:

Oh, it's not my place to intrude!

HARRIET:

But I depend so on what you think!

EMMA:

I would not advise you for the world! If you prefer Mr Martin to every

other person you know or may ever know, if you think him the most agreeable

man you have ever been or ever will be in company with, then why should you

hesitate?

HARRIET:

If you will not influence me, then I must do as well as I can by myself. I

am determined to, and I really have almost made up my mind to...refuse...Mr

Martin...? Oh, do you think that's right? Or wrong? Is it wrong?

EMMA:

Now that you have decided, I shall share the feelings which I kept you in

suspense of. I think you are perfectly right.

HARRIET:

Yes. But-Oh, dear! It will make his mother and sisters most unhappy!

EMMA:

Let us think of other mothers and sisters who may be more cheerfully

employed at this moment. I believe Mr Elton is showing your picture to his

mother and sisters, telling them that the subject is more beautiful than

the portrait.

HARRIET:

Well, if he shows it, then I'm sure it is only to praise your artistry.

EMMA:

If you are sure, then you are surely wrong! By showing it to them, he is

revealing his deeper intentions, which may produce a letter of his own.

SCENE 10-DONWELL ABBEY

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Very well, I admit it. You have improved Harriet Smith.

EMMA:

I hope you're not the only man to have noticed.

Rate this script:4.3 / 3 votes