let me entreat you

(Frowning.)  Hmmmh.  The real world of headlines, 

or made-up world of the novel?  Which shall it be?

--------------- [excerpt from Emma] ------------------"You have given Miss Smith all that she required," said he; "you have made her graceful and easy.  She was a beautiful creature when she came to you, but, in my opinion, the attractions you have added are infinitely superior to what she received from nature."

     "I am glad you think I have been useful to her; but Harriet only wanted drawing out, and receiving a few, very few hints.  She had all the natural grace of sweetness of temper and artlessness in herself.  I have done very little."


    "If it were admissible to contradict a lady," said the gallant Mr. Elton --
    "I have perhaps given her a little more decision of character, have taught her to think on points which had not fallen in her way before."

    "Exactly so; that is what principally strikes me.  So much superadded decision of character!  Skilful has been the hand!"
    "Great has been the pleasure, I am sure.  I never met with a disposition more truly amiable."

     "I have no doubt of it."  And it was spoken with a sort of sighing animation, which had a vast deal of the lover.  She was not less pleased another day with the manner in which he seconded a sudden wish of hers, to have Harriet's picture.


     "Did you ever have your likeness taken, Harriet?" said she:  "did you ever sit for your picture?"
    Harriet was on the point of leaving the room, and only stopt to say, with a very interesting naivete,
    "Oh! dear, no, never."


     No sooner was she out of sight, then Emma exclaimed,
     "What an exquisite possession a good picture of her would be!  I would give any money for it.  I almost long to attempt her likeness myself.  You do not know it I dare say, but two or three years ago I had a great passion for taking likenesses, and attempted several of my friends, and was thought to have a tolerable eye in general.  But from one cause or another, I gave it up...
------------- [end / excerpt] ------------

     Painting pictures of people --"taking likenesses" -- seems to be another of Emma's tangents she goes with for a little while -- like the list of books to read, but she doesn't read them...  it turns out, in a few paragraphs, that she gave up taking likenesses because she did a picture of her brother-in-law, Mr. John Knightley, and everyone likes it except her sister, Mrs. John Knightley, who thinks the picture shows him as less handsome than he is in reality, while other observers are convinced the picture flatters him...  (Austen-ian humor... or, as they spell it in England, "humour.")


Emma also plays piano.  She does a little of most pursuits allowed young gentlewomen of her time.

    Matchmaking would not be one of the activities properly taught to her, but she seems to have gravitated to this on her own volition, making it her "project" to get her new friend Harriet Smith married to Highbury's recently-arrived vicar, Mr. Elton.

------------ [excerpt] ----------- "Let me entreat you," cried Mr. Elton; "it would indeed be a delight!  Let me entreat you, Miss Woodhouse, to exercise so charming a talent in favour of your friend.  I know what your drawings are.  How could you suppose me ignorant?  Is not this room rich in specimens of your landscapes and flowers; and has not Mrs. Weston some inimitable figure-pieces in her drawing-room, at Randalls?"

     Yes, good man! -- thought Emma -- but what has all that to do with taking likenesses?  You know nothing of drawing.  Don't pretend to be in raptures about mine.  Keep your raptures for Harriet's face.  "Well, if you give me such kind encouragement, Mr. Elton, I believe I shall try what I can do.  Harriet's features are very delicate, which makes a likeness difficult; and yet there is a peculiarity in the shape of the eye and the lines about the mouth which one ought to catch."

    "Exactly so -- The shape of the eye and the lines about the mouth -- I have not a doubt of your success.  Pray, pray attempt it.  As you will do it, it will indeed, to use your own words, be an exquisite possession." ------------------- [

____________________________
_______________________

------------- Emma wished to go to work directly, and therefore produced the portfolio containing her various attempts at portraits, for not one of them had ever been finished, that they might decide together on the best size for Harriet.  Her many beginnings were displayed.  Miniatures, half-lengths, whole-lengths, pencil, crayon, and water-colours had been all tried in turn.  She had always wanted to do every thing, and had made more progress both in drawing and music than many might have done with so little labour as she would ever submit to.  

She played and sang -- and drew in almost every style; but steadiness had always been wanting; and in nothing had she approached the degree of excellence which she would have been glad to command, and ought not to have failed of.  She was not much deceived as to her own skill either as an artist or a musician, but she was not unwilling to have others deceived, or sorry to know her reputation for accomplishment often higher than it deserved. --------------- [excerpt ends] ----------
___________________________

     As the novel continues, Emma paints Harriet's picture, working on it over several days, during visits by Harriet and by Mr. Elton, who reads aloud to them while Harriet sits, and Emma paints.

     When the picture is finished, Mr. Elton is very pleased to take it with him on a trip to London, and have it framed.


     Emma is very pleased and encouraged in her Matchmaking Project, having Mr. Elton be so enthusiastic over the Harriet picture.  He says, "Oh, it is most admirable!  I cannot keep my eyes from it.  I never saw such a likeness."


-------------- [excerpt] --------- Mr. Elton was to take the drawing to London, chuse the frame, and give the directions; and Emma thought she could so pack it as to ensure its safety without much incommoding him, while he seemed mostly fearful of not being incommoded enough.


     "What a precious deposit!" said he with a tender sigh, as he received it.


     "This man is almost too gallant to be in love," thought Emma.  I should say so, but that I suppose there may be a hundred different ways of being in love.  He is an excellent young man, and will suit Harriet exactly; it will be an 'Exactly so,' as he says himself; but he does sigh and languish, and study for compliments rather more than I could endure as a principal.  I come in for a pretty good share as a second.  But it is his gratitude on Harriet's account."

---------------------- [end, excerpt]

Next, in Chapter VII, Harriet receives a marriage proposal by letter, from a local farmer, Mr. Robert Martin.  (Uh-oh!)

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