Mr. Knightley’s Diary

"What is always the matter?" I said. "Emma! I knew how it would be. She has turned Harriet’s head. She has filled it with nonsense, and now the poor girl has turned down a perfectly unexceptionable offer of marriage in the hope of marrying Mr. Elton."

"Mr. Elton!" exclaimed Mrs. Weston, astonished.

"Absurd, is it not! As if Elton would look at a parlour boarder, an illegitimate girl with no name, no connections and no dowry. Misery will be the end of it all."

"Come, come," said Mrs. Weston. "It surely cannot be as bad as that. If, as you say, Mr. Elton will not look at Harriet - and I believe you are right - then Emma will soon see it."

"And what of Robert Martin?"

She looked surprised, and I explained the whole. She was thoughtful, but then said: "Mr. Martin is a sensible man. If he truly loves Harriet, he will not be deterred by one setback."

I was not so sanguine.

"A man has his pride," I said. I drank my tea. "If Emma could but meet someone who would interest her, she would forget all about Harriet Smith’s prospects and start thinking about her own."

Mr. Weston came in, and after the three of us had taken tea together, Mr. Weston and I retired to his study to discuss some business we had in hand. When we had done, I began to ask him about his son.

"Is there any news from Frank?" I asked.

"We had another letter only yesterday. He is very desirous of paying us a visit, but his time is taken up by Mrs. Churchill. She rules the household with an iron hand, governing her husband entirely, and governing Frank, too."

"So there is no news of his coming here yet?"

"He keeps hoping it will be possible, but something always happens to put the visit off. He is such a favourite with Mrs. Churchill that his time is not his own. But I hope to see him here before long."

Unfortunately, I doubt it. If Churchill cannot pay a visit to his father when his father marries, he must be a self-indulgent wastrel indeed, and I pity poor Weston his son.

Sunday 6 December

I saw Emma at church today, and we exchanged a few words. She remarked on my absence from Hartfield, and I told her I had been busy. She did not appear to have got over her schemes, for after the service she went to congratulate Elton, telling him how much Miss Smith had enjoyed it. Elton did not know where to look or what to think. Hah! A fine muddle they are making of it all.

Tuesday 8 December

I was glad to go to my whist club this evening. I had no inclination to go to Hartfield, and watch Emma make a fool of herself and her friend. Longridge was there, as well as Elton, Cole, Otway, Weston and the others.

"And how are you liking Highbury?" I asked Longridge, as the cards were dealt.

"Very much, thank you kindly. I have been thinking of leaving London for some time now - it has not been the same since my wife died - and Highbury seems a very agreeable place to settle. There is a deal of pretty countryside round about, some fine houses and superior company. I think I might settle here."

The game began, and we gave our attention to our cards.

Afterwards, we discussed parish business, and I came home well-pleased with my evening. There is some sensible company in Highbury, at least.

Wednesday 9 December

It was a bright but frosty morning and my ride round the estate was invigorating. The avenues were looking particularly attractive, with their branches coated in frost. It is a time of year I particularly like.

I noticed several things which needed attention, and I spoke to William Larkins about them. He wanted to postpone the work, as it was not urgent, but I wanted to have it done before Christmas.

I do not want John to think I have been neglecting Henry’s inheritance, for it seems more and more likely that I will leave the Abbey to my nephew.

Thursday 10 December

I still had no inclination to go to Hartfield today, and watch Emma making a fool of herself and her friend, so I was doubly pleased to accept an invitation from Graham.

It was impossible to forget Emma, however, for no sooner had we sat down to dinner than Graham said: "By the by, I have a charge for you all. I saw Perry this morning, and he told me that Miss Woodhouse and her young friend Miss Smith are making a collection of riddles. Mr. Woodhouse is very interested in the collection, too, and has asked Perry to spread the news so that the young ladies might have some more riddles for their book."

The ladies were immediately interested, and Mr. Longridge said: "My wife had a very pretty hand, and made a riddle book many years ago. Let me see if I remember some of them. I have it: When my first is a task to a young girl of spirit

And my second confines her to finish the labour -

Tum-te-tum-te-tum-te-tum….

Something about “she escapes.” " He went on reflectively:

"When my first is a task to a young girl of spirit

And my second confines her to finish the labour..."