《世界文學經典讀本：愛瑪（英文版）》屬于英國19世紀少數(shù)的幾部最有影響的愛情經典，至今在全世界擁有最廣泛的讀者群。主人公愛瑪是一位不折不扣的幻想家，作者在首頁寫道，愛瑪“漂亮、聰明、富有”，但頗受“嬌縱”。奧斯丁自認為這樣一位嬌小姐“除了我，沒人會喜歡”，然而事實上，《愛瑪》是奧斯丁最受歡迎、評價最高的小說之一。
愛瑪熱心關注身邊的浪漫故事，卻又固執(zhí)地認為自己永遠不會身陷其中。她自作主張為孤女哈麗埃特導演了一次又一次的戀愛。當哈麗埃特誤以為自己愛Ii了地方官奈特利先生時，愛瑪才驚訝地發(fā)現(xiàn)，原來自己也愛著奈特利先生。這雖與她一開始就宣布的終身不嫁的誓言有悖，但墮入情網(wǎng)的她不得不放棄自己天真的誓言。小說曾多次被搬上銀幕。
"If it were admissible to contradict a lady，"said the gallant Mr.Elton-
"I have perhaps given her a little more decision of character，have taught her to think on points which had not fallen in her way before."
"Exactly so;that is what prjncipally strikes me.So much superadded decision of character!Skilful has been the hand!"
"Great has been the pleasure，I am sure.I never met with a disposition more truly amiable."
"I have no doubt of it."And it was spoken with a sort of sighing arumation，which had a vast deal of the lover.She was not less pleased another day with the manner in which he seconded a sudden wish of hers，to have Harriet's picture.
"Did you ever have your likeness taken，Harriet?"said she："did you ever.sit for your picture?"
Harriet was on the point of leaving the room，and only stopped to say，with a very interesting naivete，"Oh!Dear，no，never."
No sooner was she out of sight，than Emma exclaimed，"What an exquisite possession a good picture of her would be!I would give any money for it.I almost long to attempt her likeness myself.You do not know it I dare say，but two or three years ago I had a great passion for taking likenesses，and attempted several of my friends，and was thought to have a tolerable eye in general.But from one cause or another，I gave it up in disgust.But really，I could almost venture，if Harriet would sit to me.It would be such a delight to have her picture!""Let me entreat you，"cried Mr.Elton;"it would indeed be a delight!Let me entreat you，Miss Woodhouse，to exercise so charming a talent in favour of your friend.I know what your drawings are.How could you suppose me ignorant?Is not this room rich in specimens of your landscapes and flowers;
and has not Mrs.Weston some irunutable figure-pieces in her drawing-room，at Randalls?"
Yes，good man!-Thought Emma-but what has all that to do with taking likenesses?You know nothing of drawing.
Don't pretend to be in raptures about mine.Keep your raptures for Harriet's face."Well，if you give me such kind encouragement，Mr.Elton，I believe I shall try what I can do.
Harriet's features are very delicate，which makes a likeness difficult;and yet there is a peculiarity in the shape of the eye and the lines about the mouth which one ought to catch."
"Exactly so-the shape of the eye and the lines about the mouth-l have not a doubt of your success.Pray，pray attempt it.As you will do it，it will indeed，to use your own words，be an exquisite possession."
"But I am afraid，Mr.Elton，Harriet will not like to sit.She thinks so little of her own beauty.Did not you observe her manner of answering me?How completely it meant，'why should my picture be drawn?"'"Oh!Yes，I observed it，I assure you.It was not lost on me.But still I cannot imagine she would not be persuaded."
Harriet was soon back again，and the proposal almost immediately made;and she had no scruples which could stand many minutes against the earnest pressing of both the others.Emma wished to go to work directly，and therefore produced the portfolio containing her various attempts at portraits，for not one of them had ever been finished，that they might decide together on the best size for Harriet.Her many begjnnings were displayed.Miruatures，half-lengths，whole-lengths，pencil，crayon，and water-colours had been all tried in turn.She had always wanted to do every thing，and had made more progress both in drawing and music than many might have done with so little labour as she would ever submit to.
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