Read Mr Knightley’s Diary for Free Online Page B

was netting a purse, and Harriet was hemming a handkerchief.
    'You find us usefully employed,' said Emma.
    'I do indeed.'
    Both girls were in good spirits. I could not begrudge Emma her friendship when I saw how happy she was, though I still wished Harriet was a more suitable companion.
    Harriet was sewing very prettily, however, and spoke to me sensibly about her work. If she became vague when I asked her what she had been reading, I did not hold it against her. Emma's plan for her education was very grand, and never likely to succeed.
    I talked to Mr Woodhouse, attending to some papers that had been troubling him, and stayed at Hartfield for luncheon. Mr Woodhouse was alarmed at the quantity of meat I ate, averring it would do me no good and begging me to join him in a bowl of gruel, but Emma distracted him by talking of Isabella's forthcoming visit, and I was able to finish my meal in peace.
    Saturday 21 November
    The plans for the new barn at Abbey Mill Farm are coming on well. When Robert Martin called at the Abbey to speak to me about them, we looked at them together.
    I happened to mention that I had seen Miss Smith at Hartfield, and he said that his sisters would be glad to hear it. He said that he was going to Kingston after leaving me, and let slip that he intended to buy a book she had recommended.
    'What is it?' I enquired, wondering whether it was a book on Harriet's reading list.
    He went red and fingered his cravat, then told me its name rather shamefacedly.
    I could not help smiling. Emma may not have been able to induce her friend to read Shakespeare, but Harriet has managed to persuade Robert Martin to read The Romance of the Forest !
    Wednesday 25 November
    Of all the evenings it is possible to spend, a companionable evening with friends is the best. I spent one such evening at Hartfield today. Mr Woodhouse was in high spirits, having been assured by Perry that his health was good, and Emma was sitting by the fire, sketching. Harriet was copying some pictures from a fashion journal. I was reading the newspaper, and reading out such things as I thought might interest them.
    After a while, I laid my newspaper aside and went over to look at Emma's work. I saw that she had been sketching her father.
    'So you are serious about resuming your sketching?' I said.
    'I am. I felt an urge to take a likeness of Harriet,' she said, 'and I wanted to refresh my hand.'
    I found myself hoping she would persevere with the undertaking, for it had a spirited style, but alas! I thought her likeness of Harriet would probably join the other half-finished sketches in her portfolio.
    As I walked back to the Abbey I was well-pleased with life. The weather was fine, I had the pleasure of a visit from John and Isabella to look forward to, and in the meantime I had many more evenings to spend at Hartfield.
    Thursday 26 November
    When I visited Hartfield this evening, I found Emma sitting with her father, Harriet and Elton. As I walked into the room, I saw that Harriet was entertaining Mr Woodhouse, whilst Emma talked to Elton.
    'Harriet looks very well this evening,' I heard her say, as I sat down and began looking at the newspaper.
    'Yes, indeed,' replied her companion.
    'I thought she was looking rather pale this morning, so I suggested we take a walk. I believe it has brightened her complexion.'
    'Admirable!' he said. 'A walk! Exercise! Just the thing.'
    'Do you not think her complexion has been brightened by it?' she pressed him, as he did not follow up her hint.
    It was at this moment I began to suspect her motives for encouraging him to notice her friend, and to think that she wanted to make a match between Harriet and Elton!
    I did not know whether to feel annoyance or pity. Emma had mistaken her man if she thought Elton would marry a parlour boarder, a young girl without name, birth or dowry to recommend her.
    Elton had no suspicion, however, and was, as always, eager to defer to Miss Woodhouse of Hartfield.
    'Indeed I do. I