Emma and the Vampires by Wayne Josephson

Author:Wayne Josephson [Josephson, Wayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Fathers and daughters, Vampires, Humorous, Biographical, General, Romance, Fantasy, Gothic, Historical, Female friendship, Fiction, Occult & Supernatural
ISBN: 9781402241345
Publisher: Sourcebooks Inc
Published: 2010-07-31T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Emma’s very good opinion of Frank Churchill was a little shaken the following day by hearing that he was gone off to London merely to have his hair cut. There was certainly no harm in his travelling sixteen miles twice over on such an errand; but there was an air of foppery and nonsense in it which she could not approve.

It was not in accordance with the rationality, moderation, or unselfish warmth of heart which she had discerned in him yesterday. Rather, it spoke of vanity, extravagance, love of change, and restlessness.

Emma was blithely unaware, however, that as Frank Churchill’s vampire hair never grew, he was merely having its style updated to the more modern custom of the present century.

But, with the exception of this little blot, Emma found that Mr. Churchill’s visit thus far had given Mrs. Weston only good ideas of him. Mrs. Weston was very ready to say how attentive and pleasant a companion he made himself and how much she liked his disposition. He appeared to have a very open mind, certainly a very cheerful and lively one; she could observe nothing wrong in his ideas, a great deal decidedly right.

Frank spoke of his uncle Mr. Churchill with warm regard, and he acknowledged his aunt Mrs. Churchill’s kindness with gratitude, speaking of her with respect. This was all very promising, and Emma felt there was nothing to deem him unworthy of the honour of being very nearly in love with her, save only her own resolution of never marrying.

Mr. Weston told Emma that Frank admired her extremely—thought her very beautiful, especially her long, fair neck, and very charming; and with so much to be said for him, Emma found she must not judge him harshly.

There was one person among Frank’s new acquaintances not so favourably inclined—Mr. Knightley. While visiting at Hartfield, he was told of Frank’s haircut in London. Mr. Knightley was silent a moment, but Emma heard him almost immediately afterwards say to himself, “Hum! Just the trifling, silly fellow I took him for. A man does not need a haircut more than every hundred years.”

Emma had half a mind to object but decided to let it pass, since she had no decent understanding of what he meant.

***

Mr. and Mrs. Weston’s visit at Hartfield that morning gave Emma the opportunity to ask their advice about a dinner invitation of great importance. It seemed that the Coles had been settled some years in Highbury and were a very good sort of people, friendly and unpretentious. But on the other hand, they were of low class, engaged in trade, and only moderately genteel.

On their first coming to Highbury, they had lived quietly, in proportion to their income, keeping much to themselves. But the past year or two had brought the Coles a considerable increase in wealth. They bought a larger house, added servants, and soon were second only to the Woodhouses of Hartfield in grandeur.

The Coles’ desire to be accepted into proper society prepared everybody for invitations to their dinner parties.

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