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1"My brother and sister have promised us a visit in the spring, or summer at farthest," continued Mrs. Elton; "and that
2will be our time for exploring. While they are with us, we shall explore a great deal, I dare say. They will have their
3barouche-landau, of course, which holds four perfectly; and therefore, without saying any thing of our carriage, we
4should be able to explore the different beauties extremely well. They would hardly come in their chaise, I think, at
5that season of the year. Indeed, when the time draws on, I shall decidedly recommend their bringing the barouche-landau;
6it will be so very much preferable. When people come into a beautiful country of this sort, you know, Miss Woodhouse,
7one naturally wishes them to see as much as possible; and Mr. Suckling is extremely fond of exploring. We explored to
8King's-Weston twice last summer, in that way, most delightfully, just after their first having the barouche-landau. You
9have many parties of that kind here, I suppose, Miss Woodhouse, every summer?" "No; not immediately here. We are rather
10out of distance of the very striking beauties which attract the sort of parties you speak of; and we are a very quiet
11set of people, I believe; more disposed to stay at home than engage in schemes of pleasure." "Ah! there is nothing like
12staying at home for real comfort. Nobody can be more devoted to home than I am. I was quite a proverb for it at Maple
13Grove. Many a time has Selina said, when she has been going to Bristol, 'I really cannot get this girl to move from the
14house. I absolutely must go in by myself, though I hate being stuck up in the barouche-landau without a companion; but
15Augusta, I believe, with her own good-will, would never stir beyond the park paling.' Many a time has she said so; and
16yet I am no advocate for entire seclusion. I think, on the contrary, when people shut themselves up entirely from
17society, it is a very bad thing; and that it is much more advisable to mix in the world in a proper degree, without
18living in it either too much or too little. I perfectly understand your situation, however, Miss Woodhouse--(looking
19towards Mr. Woodhouse), Your father's state of health must be a great drawback. Why does not he try Bath?--Indeed he
20should. Let me recommend Bath to you. I assure you I have no doubt of its doing Mr. Woodhouse good." "My father tried it
21more than once, formerly; but without receiving any benefit; and Mr. Perry, whose name, I dare say, is not unknown to
22you, does not conceive it would be at all more likely to be useful now." "Ah! that's a great pity; for I assure you,
23Miss Woodhouse, where the waters do agree, it is quite wonderful the relief they give. In my Bath life, I have seen such
24instances of it! And it is so cheerful a place, that it could not fail of being of use to Mr. Woodhouse's spirits,
25which, I understand, are sometimes much depressed. And as to its recommendations to you, I fancy I need not take much
26pains to dwell on them. The advantages of Bath to the young are pretty generally understood. It would be a charming
27introduction for you, who have lived so secluded a life; and I could immediately secure you some of the best society in
28the place. A line from me would bring you a little host of acquaintance; and my particular friend, Mrs. Partridge, the
29lady I have always resided with when in Bath, would be most happy to shew you any attentions, and would be the very
30person for you to go into public with." It was as much as Emma could bear, without being impolite. The idea of her being
31indebted to Mrs. Elton for what was called an introduction--of her going into public under the auspices of a friend of
32Mrs. Elton's--probably some vulgar, dashing widow, who, with the help of a boarder, just made a shift to live!--The
33dignity of Miss Woodhouse, of Hartfield, was sunk indeed! She restrained herself, however, from any of the reproofs she
34could have given, and only thanked Mrs. Elton coolly; "but their going to Bath was quite out of the question; and she
35was not perfectly convinced that the place might suit her better than her father." And then, to prevent farther outrage
36and indignation, changed the subject directly. "I do not ask whether you are musical, Mrs. Elton. Upon these occasions,
37a lady's character generally precedes her; and Highbury has long known that you are a superior performer." "Oh! no,
38indeed; I must protest against any such idea. A superior performer!--very far from it, I assure you. Consider from how
39partial a quarter your information came. I am doatingly fond of music--passionately fond;--and my friends say I am not
40entirely devoid of taste; but as to any thing else, upon my honour my performance is mediocre to the last degree. You,
41Miss Woodhouse, I well know, play delightfully. I assure you it has been the greatest satisfaction, comfort, and delight
42to me, to hear what a musical society I am got into. I absolutely cannot do without music. It is a necessary of life to
43me; and having always been used to a very musical society, both at Maple Grove and in Bath, it would have been a most
44serious sacrifice. I honestly said as much to Mr. E. when he was speaking of my future home, and expressing his fears
45lest the retirement of it should be disagreeable; and the inferiority of the house too--knowing what I had been
46accustomed to--of course he was not wholly without apprehension. When he was speaking of it in that way, I honestly said
47that the world I could give up--parties, balls, plays--for I had no fear of retirement. Blessed with so many resources
48within myself, the world was not necessary to me. I could do very well without it. To those who had no resources it was
49a different thing; but my resources made me quite independent. And as to smaller-sized rooms than I had been used to, I
50really could not give it a thought. I hoped I was perfectly equal to any sacrifice of that description. Certainly I had
51been accustomed to every luxury at Maple Grove; but I did assure him that two carriages were not necessary to my
52happiness, nor were spacious apartments. 'But,' said I, 'to be quite honest, I do not think I can live without something
53of a musical society. I condition for nothing else; but without music, life would be a blank to me.'" "We cannot
54suppose," said Emma, smiling, "that Mr. Elton would hesitate to assure you of there being a very musical society in
55Highbury; and I hope you will not find he has outstepped the truth more than may be pardoned, in consideration of the
56motive." "No, indeed, I have no doubts at all on that head. I am delighted to find myself in such a circle. I hope we
57shall have many sweet little concerts together. I think, Miss Woodhouse, you and I must establish a musical club, and
58have regular weekly meetings at your house, or ours. Will not it be a good plan? If we exert ourselves, I think we shall
59not be long in want of allies. Something of that nature would be particularly desirable for me, as an inducement to keep
60me in practice; for married women, you know--there is a sad story against them, in general. They are but too apt to give
61up music." "But you, who are so extremely fond of it--there can be no danger, surely?" "I should hope not; but really
62when I look around among my acquaintance, I tremble. Selina has entirely given up music--never touches the
63instrument--though she played sweetly. And the same may be said of Mrs. Jeffereys--Clara Partridge, that was--and of the
64two Milmans, now Mrs. Bird and Mrs. James Cooper; and of more than I can enumerate. Upon my word it is enough to put one
65in a fright. I used to be quite angry with Selina; but really I begin now to comprehend that a married woman has many
66things to call her attention. I believe I was half an hour this morning shut up with my housekeeper." "But every thing
67of that kind," said Emma, "will soon be in so regular a train--" "Well," said Mrs. Elton, laughing, "we shall see."
68Emma, finding her so determined upon neglecting her music, had nothing more to say; and, after a moment's pause, Mrs.
69Elton chose another subject.
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