Too Little, Yet Too Late

On the very day of Mr. Elton's trip to London an event occurred which gave Amanda the opportunity to judge her influence on Harriet. This one had come to visit Hartfield after lunch as usual; she had then gone home and was to return for dinner; she arrived before the appointed time; Her nervous and agitated look clearly indicated that something extraordinary had happened that she was dying to tell her friend. As soon as she was seated, she began her story: "During my absence, Mr. Martin came to ask me; he brought back different pieces of music that I had lent to Elisabeth; when I opened the roll I was very surprised to find a letter from him - from Mr. Martin - containing an explicit marriage proposal. Who could have imagined such a thing? The letter is well turned, or so I believe; I feel like he likes me very much and I'm very embarrassed to answer; I hastened to come and find you to seek advice and counsel. Amanda felt ashamed to see her friend displaying such obvious satisfaction.

"On my word," she said, "this young man is determined not to miss the opportunity to marry favorably.

"Do you want to read the letter?" resumed Harriet. Amanda did not need to be prayed for. She read it and was amazed: not only were there no grammar mistakes, but the letter was worthy of an educated man; the tone, while remaining simple, was sincere and convincing and all the sentiments expressed brought credit to the person who had written it; Harriet watched her friend carefully and finally said: Well, does the letter look good to you?

"It is, my faith, a very well written letter," continued Amanda, ​​"and I am led to believe that her sisters must have collaborated in it. I find it hard to imagine that the young man whom I saw chatting with you the other day could, left to his own devices, express himself with such elegance. Yet it is not the style of a woman: it is too concise and vigorous. Obviously this young man has common sense; he thinks clearly and when he picks up the pen he finds the appropriate words.

She added, returning the letter:

"Truly this letter far exceeds my expectation.

Well ? Well ? What should I do ?

"From what point of view?" Do you mean relative to this letter?

- Yes.

But it must be answered, of course, without delay.

What should I say ? Dear Miss Burton give me your opinion.

No, Harriet, write your answer freely; the main thing is to make yourself clearly understood: there must be no equivocation, no doubt, no reprieve; as for expressions of gratitude and regret for the disappointment you cause, they will come quite naturally to you from your pen.

"So… you think I have to refuse," Harriet said, lowering her eyes.

If you must refuse!" My dear Harriet, what do you mean? There is a misunderstanding between us, since you have a doubt about the very meaning of your answer; I believed, myself, that you were simply consulting me on the form and I ask your forgiveness for having advanced to me in this way.

Harriet remained silent and Amanda continued with some reserve.

I understand you intend to give a favorable response.

"No, I don't have that intention... What should I do?" Please, Miss Burton, advise me.

It is not for me to give you advice, Harriet. You should consult only yourself.

I had no idea he loved me so much," Harriet said, staring at the letter.

To stick to her declaration of neutrality, Amanda was silent for a few moments, but soon, fearing that the influence of delicious epistolary flattery was becoming preponderant, she thought it opportune to intervene:

I make it a rule, Harriet, that if a woman hesitates to accept a man's proposals, she must resolve to reject them; if she can't make up her mind right away to say "yes," the answer is "no." One cannot enter the state of marriage with doubtful feelings. I consider it my duty, like your friend and your elder, to give you this warning, but do not think that I wish to influence you. Certainly not; but if you wanted to be good enough to give me your opinion... No, that's not what I mean; you are right, you have to know how to decide for yourself; this is too serious a question. It might be wiser to say "no". Don't you believe it?

"There's nothing in the world," said Amanda, ​​smiling, "I wouldn't advise you one way or another: you alone are the judge of the conditions of your happiness." If you consider Mr. Martin the nicest man you have ever met, why would you hesitate? You're blushing, Harriet! Does anyone else seem to fit that definition? Harriet, don't deceive yourself, don't be carried away by recognition. Who are you thinking about right now?

The symptoms were favorable: instead of responding Harriet turned away to hide her confusion; she stood in front of the fireplace, mechanically handling the letter she had in her hand. Amanda awaited the result of this inner struggle with impatience, but not without hope. Finally Harriet continued with some hesitation:

"Miss Burton, since you won't give me your opinion, I must make my own decision: I am now resolved...I intend to refuse Mr. Martin." Do you believe I'm right?

Quite right, my dear Harriet; you are doing exactly what you were supposed to do. As long as you were in suspense, I kept my opinion to myself, but now that you have made up your mind, I hasten to approve you. My dear Harriet, you give me real joy. One of the consequences of your marriage to Mr. Martin would have been to separate you from me. I didn't want to tell you before so as not to influence you; I could not have kept up with Mrs. Robert Martin of Abbey Mill.

Harriet had not considered this possibility; she exclaimed:

It's obvious ! I had never thought about it. Dear Miss Burton, for no consideration will I renounce the pleasure and honor of your privacy.

Certainly, Harriet, I would have been very sorry to lose you, but it was inevitable. You would have excluded yourself from good society and I would have been forced to abandon you.

My God ! How could I have endured this separation! I would have died of grief not to come to Hartfield again!

Dear affectionate creature! I can't imagine you exiled to Abbey Mill, reduced to vulgar society for the rest of your life! I'm surprised that young man thought he had the right to propose to you. He must have a good opinion of himself.

"I don't think he's vain though," replied Harriet, whose conscience revolted at such bias. He has an excellent nature and I will always be grateful to him. Obviously, from the fact that he loves me, it does not follow that I should share his sentiments. I can confess: I have met people in Hartfield with whom he certainly does not bear comparison. I shall nevertheless retain a very good opinion of Mr. Martin and the memory of his affection; but as for leaving you, that's what I'll never resolve...

Thank you, my dear girlfriend, we will not part. A woman should not marry a man just because he is in love with her and can write a decent letter!

Oh ! no... and besides his letter is very short!

Amanda sensed her friend's lack of taste, but she didn't notice it and replied:

Definitely ; moreover, his epistolary capacities would have been a very meager compensation for the insufficiency of his education and his manners from which you would have had to suffer daily.

A letter is nothing," said Harriet; the important thing is to be happy and spend your life with pleasant friends; I am determined to refuse it; but how am I going to do it? What should I say ?

Amanda assured him that the answer presented no difficulty, and advised him to get started immediately. Harriet nodded hoping for help. While protesting her absolute disinterestedness, Amanda intervened in the writing of each sentence. As she re-read the letter to respond to it, Harriet was moved and needed much encouragement; she showed herself so preoccupied with the idea of ​​making Mr. Martin unhappy, so affected by the backlash which was about to reach the mother and the sisters, she showed so much apprehension at the idea of ​​appearing ungrateful that Amanda realized that if the young man had been able to plead his case himself, he would no doubt have been accepted.

However, the letter was written, sealed and sent; Harriet was saved! Amanda was not surprised that her friend was a little depressed during the evening, and endeavored to distract her now by telling her of her own affection, now by bringing up the idea of ​​Mr. Elton.

"I'll never be invited to Abbey Mill again," Harriet said sadly.

"Supposing you were, I don't know if it would be possible for me to deprive myself of you; you are too necessary at Hartfield.

"Where I am perfectly happy!" Mrs. Goddard would be surprised if she learned what happened; I'm sure Miss Nash wouldn't understand my refusal: she who thinks her sister made an excellent marriage by marrying a cloth merchant.

'It would be unfortunate, Harriet, if a schoolmistress harbored exaggerated ambitions. Miss Nash, no doubt, would consider this conquest very flattering. She couldn't imagine anything better for you. The attentions of a certain person must not yet have transpired at Highbury and we are, I think, the only ones who suspect the truth.

Harriet smiled and blushed; she expressed her astonishment at the affection she seemed to inspire. After some time, however, she felt her compassion for Mr. Martin awaken.

"Now he has received my letter… his sisters must know: if he is unhappy, they will be unhappy too. I hope he won't be too disappointed.

"And I," resumed Amanda, ​​"imagine that Mr. Elton is at present engaged in showing your picture to his mother and sisters; he protests that the original is much more charming still, and yielding to their entreaties he confides your name to them.

My portrait ! But he left it in Bond Street.

You think ? No, my little Harriet, whatever the cost to your modesty, learn that your portrait will probably not be deposited with the framer in Bond Street until tomorrow at the time of departure. Tonight he will keep company to Mr. Elton, who will choose this pretext to inform his family of his plans, to introduce you to them, to let you know the principal attractions of your person. What curiosity his confidence must have aroused! I can hear the questions and cries of surprise from here!

This graceful evocation brought a more confident smile to Harriet's lips.