Emma.pdf

(537 KB) Pobierz

Jane Austen

Emma

ISBN 978-83-953239-1-1

Wydawnictwo Wymownia: www.wymownia.pl

Kup książkę

Emma

by Jane Austen

(1815)

VOLUME I

CHAPTER I

Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and

happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had

lived nearly twenty-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;

and had, in consequence of her sister's marriage, been mistress of his house from a

very early period. Her mother had died too long ago for her to have more than an

indistinct remembrance of her caresses; and her place had been supplied by an

excellent woman as governess, 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 than a friend, very fond of both daughters, but particularly of Emma.

Between

them

it was more the intimacy of sisters. Even before Miss Taylor had

ceased to hold the nominal office of governess, the mildness of her temper had hardly

allowed her to impose any restraint; and the shadow of authority being now long

passed away, they had been living together as friend and friend very mutually

attached, and Emma doing just what she liked; highly esteeming 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 her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself; these were

the disadvantages which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments. The danger,

however, was at present so unperceived, 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 disagreeable

consciousness.—Miss Taylor married. It was Miss Taylor's loss which first brought

Kup książkę