Emma Page #7

EMMA:

We see so differently on this point there can be no use canvassing it, we

shall only make each other angry. Ah! I see the tea is ready. Let's stop

and have some.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Clearly, Emma, you have someone have someone else in mind for your friend,

but if the gentleman you dream of is Mr Elton, your labor is in vain. As

vigor, Elton is unlikely to make an imprudent match, especially to a girl

of obscurity and will bring him disgrace. In unreserved moments, when only

men are present, I have heard him speak of a large family of young ladies

from Bath, who all have twenty thousand pounds apiece. Believe me when I

say he may talk sentimentally, but he will act rationally.

EMMA:

If I had my heart set on Mr Elton, then your 'opening my eyes' would have

been a kind service, but I care only to watch her grow, and-

MR KNIGHTLEY:

No more, please. No more.

SCENE 11-HARTFIELD

MR ELTON:

Bravo

(later)

EMMA:

Thank you, Charles. Mr Elton. Harriet is collecting riddles for a book, and

we knew you would come up with something cunning.

MR ELTON:

Oh, no, no, no. I'm not nearly clever enough.

MR KNIGHTLEY:

Emma, you didn't ask me to contribute a riddle.

EMMA:

Your entire personality is a riddle, Mr Knightley. I thought you were

overqualified.

SCENE 12-HIGHBURY

EMMA:

Woah, stand. Morning, Peter! This just came from Mr Elton. He claims it is

a riddle for your collection, but I think it is much better!

HARRIET:

Is it about sharks?

EMMA:

For heaven's sake, why would he write a riddle about sharks?

HARRIET:

Please, I'm in a tremor, tell me what it means!

EMMA:

We may read it aloud so that we may decipher it. "For Miss" I think we can

safely put in 'Smith'. "Line 1: My first displays the wealth and pomp of

kings, lords of the earth, their luxury and ease." That can be displayed

as...pomp in (prompting Harriet)...court.

HARRIET:

Court, yes.

EMMA:

"Next Line:
Another view of man, my second brings, behold him there, the

monarch of the seas." That is...?

HARRIET:

A mermaid! A trident? Oh, do you think we shall ever know?

EMMA:

Ship, dear, the thing that brings...Ship.

HARRIET:

Ship...!

EMMA:

Now for the cream. "But are united." The two terms should be united!

HARRIET:

Yes...It's ship and court, court and-...Courtship! He writes to me about

courtship! Oh!

EMMA:

Harriet! There can be no doubt of Mr Elton's intentions! You are his

desire! The only thing remaining is for him to find the perfect opportunity

to offer proof! We must find a way for the two of you to be alone!

HARRIET:

Oh, let's read it again and again!

EMMA:

I only wish Mr Knightley would walk by so that he could read it.

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