Summary: Chapter 43
How could she have been so brutal . .
. to Miss Bates! . . . And how suffer him to leave her without saying
one word of common kindness!
(See Important Quotations Explained)
The Box Hill trip is not a success. Mr. and Mrs. Elton
keep to themselves; Mr. Knightley, Miss Bates, and Jane form a second
exclusive party; and Emma stays with Harriet and Frank. Emma is
disappointed by Harriet’s and Frank’s dullness. Later, Frank becomes excessively
lively and gallant. Emma is confident that there is nothing behind
his flirtations, but she is aware that others can pick up on their
flirtation. The party sits about listlessly, and Frank says that Emma
demands to know what they are thinking of. Mrs. Elton is offended
by Frank’s deference to Emma, and Knightley asks dryly if she would really like
to know what he is thinking. Frank then demands a piece of cleverness
from each member of the party, asking them to produce either “one
thing very clever . . . or two things moderately clever; or three
things very dull indeed.” Miss Bates good-naturedly comments that
the she will have no trouble meeting the last requirement, but Emma
responds, “Ah! ma’am, but there may be a difficulty. Pardon me,
but you will be limited as to number—only three at once.” Mr. Weston
offers a conundrum in praise of Emma, and the Eltons leave in disgust
for a walk.
Frank comments that sometimes matches made in public
places become regrettable on further acquaintance and that, as a
result, Mr. and Mrs. Elton are lucky that they are compatible. Jane
demurs and leaves for a walk with her aunt and Mr. Knightley. Emma,
left with Frank, grows tired of his flattery. Later, Mr. Knightley
takes Emma aside and reprimands her for her conduct toward Miss
Bates, reminding Emma that Miss Bates has had an unfortunate life
and deserves compassion. Emma has never felt “so agitated, so mortified,
[so] grieved” in her life; she cries almost all the way home.
Summary: Chapter 44
On reflection, Emma decides that the Box Hill party was
a disaster. Still feeling horrible about her treatment of Miss Bates,
Emma soothes her conscience by visiting the Bateses first thing
the following morning. Miss Bates’s humility and kindness are a
further reproach to Emma’s bad behavior. During Emma’s visit, Jane remains
in the bedroom with a headache.
Jane has just accepted the governess position recommended
by Mrs. Elton, and Emma expresses surprise and genuine concern for the
unhappiness Jane’s departure must cause everyone. Jane will leave
within a fortnight (two weeks). Emma is surprised to learn that
Frank departed the previous evening for Richmond, and she is struck
by the difference between Mrs. Churchill’s power and Jane’s. She
is ashamed of her earlier conjectures about Jane’s relationship with
Mr. Dixon.
Summary: Chapter 45
Emma returns to Hartfield to discover that Mr. Knightley
and Harriet have arrived in her absence. Knightley is about to depart
for London to visit John and Isabella. His hastiness surprises Emma. Mr.
Woodhouse inquires about Emma’s visit with the Bateses, and Emma
blushes and exchanges a glance with Knightley. She believes he understands
her feelings and forgives her. He makes an unusual gesture, taking
her hand and almost kissing it. She is gratified, though a little
puzzled about his scruple in completing the kiss.
The next day, unexpected news arrives: Mrs. Churchill
has died. Emma thinks this event may improve Harriet’s chances with
Frank. Meanwhile, she attempts to provide assistance to Jane, inviting
her to Hartfield, sending her healthful foods, and attempting to
visit her. Jane pleads ill health, but Emma hears that Jane has
been taking outside exercise, and she feels hurt that Jane seems
to be particularly avoiding her.
