Emma Large Print

"Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way." "Seldom, very seldom, does complete truth belong to any human disclosure; seldom can it happen that something is not a little disguised or a little mistaken." "I cannot make speeches, Emma...If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. You hear nothing but truth from me. I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it." "Were I to fall in love, indeed, it would be a different thing; but I have never been in love ; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall." "Indeed, I am very sorry to be right in this instance. I would much rather have been merry than wise." "I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him." "Business, you know, may bring money, but friendship hardly ever does." "Why not seize the pleasure at once? -- How often is happiness destroyed by preparation, foolish preparation!" "It is not every man's fate to marry the woman who loves him best" Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happydisposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearlytwenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate, indulgent father; andhad, in consequence of her sister's marriage, been mistress of his house from a very earlyperiod. Her mother had died too long ago for her to have more than an indistinctremembrance of her caresses; and her place had been supplied by an excellent woman asgoverness, who had fallen little short of a mother in affection.Sixteen years had Miss Taylor been in Mr. Woodhouse's family, less as a governess thana friend, very fond of both daughters, but particularly of Emma. Between them it was morethe intimacy of sisters. Even before Miss Taylor had ceased to hold the nominal office ofgoverness, the mildness of her temper had hardly allowed her to impose any restraint; andthe shadow of authority being now long passed away, they had been living together asfriend and friend very mutually attached, and Emma doing just what she liked; highlyesteeming Miss Taylor's judgment, but directed chiefly by her own.The real evils, indeed, of Emma's situation were the power of having rather too much herown way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself; these were the disadvantageswhich threatened alloy to her many enjoyments. The danger, however, was at present sounperceived, that they did not by any means rank as misfortunes with her.Sorrow came--a gentle sorrow--but not at all in the shape of any disagreeableconsciousness.--Miss Taylor married. It was Miss Taylor's loss which first brought grief. Itwas on the wedding-day of this beloved friend that Emma first sat in mournful thought of anycontinuance. The wedding over, and the bride-people gone, her father and herself were leftto dine together, with no prospect of a third to cheer a long evening. Her father composedhimself to sleep after dinner, as usual, and she had then only to sit and think of what she hadlost.The event had every promise of happiness for her friend. Mr. Weston was a man ofunexceptionable character, easy fortune, suitable age, and pleasant manners; and therewas some satisfaction in considering with what self-denying, generous friendship she hadalways wished and promoted the match; but it was a black morning's work for her. The wantof Miss Taylor would be felt every hour of every day. She recalled her past kindness--thekindness, the affection of sixteen years--how she had taught and how she had played withher from five years old