Mr. Knightley’s Diary

My attentions to Miss Fairfax have produced an unforeseen complication. As I was dining at Otway’s this evening, he said to me: "This seems to be a season of marriages. There must be something in the air. First Weston, then Elton, and if I do not miss my guess, you will be next."

"I?" I exclaimed, surprised.

"You are very attentive to Miss Fairfax," he said.

I coloured.

"I am sensitive to her situation, and having known her since her childhood, I feel an interest in her welfare. I mean to do everything I can to assist her, but marry her? - no," I returned.

It may be that I will marry her, but until I am certain, I must be careful of her reputation, and make it clear that I intend no such thing.

"I beg your pardon," said he, colouring slightly also. "I meant no offence."

"None taken. Indeed, you have done me a service. If you have misinterpreted my actions, then others might have misinterpreted them as well. I must be more circumspect."

I would not damage Miss Fairfax for anything. She is a beautiful young woman, elegant, refined and cultured. In short, she is the kind of woman any man would be proud to marry. But there is something reserved about her, and I am not sure if I could ever feel towards her as a man should feel towards his wife. I could imagine her very well as a guest at the Abbey, but I am not certain I could see her as its mistress. She would greet my guests politely, but there would not be the warm welcome for them that there is at Hartfield, where Emma makes everyone feel at home.

I am very willing to fall in love with Jane Fairfax, but so far, love eludes me.

Friday 12 February

I dined with Graham this evening. Miss Bates was there with her mother and Jane. Mr. and Mrs.

Cole were also there, as well as the Otways. Mrs. Lovage, however was not there.

"She has gone to Bath to visit a cousin," said Graham. Graham’s friend, Mr. Longridge, was also there.

"A wonderful party," said Mr. Longridge. "Just the sort of party my wife would have liked. So much good friendship and good cheer." He blew his nose.

"There is nothing like good friendship," said Miss Bates. "I do not know where mother and I would be without it. I often say to her, “Mother, where would we be without such friends?” "

"Very true," said Mr. Longridge, with much feeling.

"We lack for nothing," went on Miss Bates. "I do believe if we were the richest people in the kingdom, we could not be better off than we are. Mr. Woodhouse sent us such a piece of pork, mother and I could not stop talking about it. “Why, this is the finest piece of pork I"ve ever seen,” said Mother. And so it was, for we had some nice cutlets fried, and I do not know when I have tasted better. And Mr. Knightley can never pass our door without asking if we have enough apples, or if we need any more logs for the fire…"

As Miss Bates and Mr. Longridge continued to talk, my attention was claimed by Mrs. Cole, who wanted to talk to me about Elton’s engagement. I knew I could not escape the subject, but it was wearing thin. He seems to have rushed into an engagement in an effort to show that he can do better than Emma’s Harriet. I doubt if there is any true feeling there, on either side. He and his fiancée cannot have known each other more than four weeks, and very possibly less.

"It seems like a great match," Mrs. Coles said. "Miss Augusta Hawkins is an heiress with a dowry of ten thousand pounds. She is very beautiful, and the most accomplished woman Mr. Elton has ever met. I had a letter from Mr. Elton this morning, telling me so."

"It must be very agreeable for him to be marrying such a paragon," I remarked.

"Indeed it must. She is very well-connected. Her brother-in-law, Mr. Suckling, lives at Maple Grove." She seemed to have a moment of doubt, and asked: "Have you heard of Maple Grove?"

"I have not had that pleasure," I said.

"Oh, well it is a long way away, to be sure, so I am not surprised. He - Mr. Elton - will be returning soon to tell us all about it. I am expecting him any day. Mr. Cole and I will be holding a dinner party in his honour. Do say you will come."

I said I would be delighted, though I fear the evening will not interest me. But Elton must be congratulated, and I may as well do it sooner as later.

Monday 15 February

I met Elton at the Coles" dinner party tonight. He was looking very pleased with himself, and could speak of nothing but his dear Augusta.

"My dear Mr. Elton - so propitious for you to return to us the day after St Valentine’s day," said

Miss Bates. "I declare it is so romantic, is it not, Jane? I was just saying to mother this morning, what a coincidence it was that Mr. Elton should return to tell us of his happy suit so close to St Valentine’s day."

"A very happy suit," said Elton, all smiles. "Little did I think, when I quit you all shortly after Christmas, that I would be returning as an affianced man. But as soon as I saw my dear Augusta, I knew she must be mine."