Gratified Gathering

Mr. Burton loved the world in his own way: he enjoyed having visitors. Having lived in Hartfield for many years, with a considerable fortune, he had managed, with the help of his daughter, to form a small nucleus of friends always ready to come to his call. His horror of large dinners and late hours allowed him to maintain relationships only with those who were willing to bend to his ways: it was rare that Amanda failed to find him partners for his daily game.

A real and ancient affection brought the Westons and Mr. Knightley; as for Mr. Elton, single in spite of himself, he gladly seized the opportunity to leave his solitude to go and spend his evening in the elegant surroundings of Mr. Burton's drawing-room, where he was greeted by the smile of the charming mistress of the house.

Second in line, among the most frequent guests, were Mrs. Bates, Miss Bates, and Mrs. Goddard; these three ladies were always at the disposal of Mr. Burton, who usually had them picked up and driven back; the latter was so accustomed to the idea of ​​these periodic races that he no longer feared the effects on his coachman and his horses.

Mrs. Bates was the widow of the former curate of Highbury; very old, she lived with her only daughter on a footing of extreme simplicity, surrounded by general consideration. Miss Bates, on the other hand, enjoyed a popularity which at first sight surprised; she had spent her youth unnoticed by anyone and now devoted her middle age to caring for her mother and balancing their meager budget; yet she was a happy woman and no one spoke of her without benevolence: her own benevolence which she extended to all had worked this miracle; she loved everyone, was interested in everyone's happiness and discovered merits in all who approached her. She considered herself favored with fortune and showered with blessings: had she not a perfect mother; excellent neighbours, devoted friends, and home necessities? The simplicity and cheerfulness of her nature were a balm for others and a mine of happiness for herself. She spoke profusely on the most trivial matters; this turn of mind suited Mr. Burton, who delighted in harmless chatter.

Mrs. Goddard ran a boarding school for young girls, which enjoyed, justifiably, an excellent reputation. She was a good-hearted, amiable, and simple woman: she did not forget that Mr. Burton had facilitated her beginnings, and she was very willing to leave her drawing-room to go and win or lose a few white pieces by the fireside of Hartfield.

Amanda was delighted to see her father comfortably seated, but the monotonous conversation of these ladies did not relieve her of the boredom of the long evenings.

Shortly after Mrs. Weston's marriage Amanda received a letter one morning from Mrs. Goddard respectfully requesting permission to bring with her, after dinner, one of her boarders, Miss Smith; it was a young girl of seventeen whom Amanda knew by sight and whose beauty had struck her. She responded with a very kind invitation.

Harriet Smith was an illegitimate child; an anonymous person had placed her several years earlier in a boarding house with Madam Goddard and this same anonymous person had just raised her from the situation of a schoolgirl to the dignity of a young lady boarder. That's all we know about her story. She had no connections outside of the friends she had made at Highbury; she had just made a long stay with former boarding school companions.

Amanda particularly liked Miss Smith's type of beauty: she was short, fair-haired, full-faced, with a fair complexion, blue eyes, wavy hair, regular features animated by a great gentleness of expression. Before the evening was over, the newcomer's manners had also won the approval of Amanda, ​​who resolved to cultivate this knowledge. The young guest, without being unduly shy, displayed perfect tact; she showed herself graciously grateful to have been admitted to Hartfield and naively impressed by the surrounding superiority. Amanda felt that all of these natural graces were too fine an ornament for Highbury's second-rate society.

Assuredly the young girl did not live in an environment worthy of her; the friends she had just visited, although excellent people, could only spoil her. Amanda knew the Martins by reputation: they were, indeed, tenants of a large farm belonging to Mr. Knightley; she knew he had an excellent opinion of them, but in her opinion they could not become the intimate friends of a young girl who only needed, to be perfect, a little more good manners and manners of elegance.

The evening seemed short to Amanda, ​​and she was surprised to suddenly see the supper table in front of the fireplace; it was with the best grace in the world that she served her guests sweetbreads and cooked oysters.

On these occasions poor Mr. Burton went through cruel alternatives: he was of a very hospitable nature but, on the other hand, he disapproved of late meals and, guided by his concern for the health of his guests, he viewed them with regret do justice to the menu; he himself contented himself with a cup of light porridge, of which he extolled the hygienic advantages; nevertheless, out of politeness, he felt compelled to say:

Miss Bates, allow me to advise you to take one of these eggs; a well-done egg is not unhealthy; Serge cooks a soft-boiled egg like no one else. Mrs. Bates, take a small piece of pie, a very small piece; these are apple pies. Rest easy: you will not be served dangerous canned goods; I don't suggest you take candy sugar. Mrs. Goddard, how about half a glass of wine diluted with water?

Amanda let her father do the talking, but took care of her guests more efficiently. That evening, she was particularly keen to please everyone. As for Miss Smith, her happiness was complete; Miss Burton was such a great character at Highbury that the prospect of being presented to her had at first given her as much fear as pleasure; the grateful creature departed delighted with the affability with which Miss Burton had shook her hand at the farewell.