Wickedness vs. Folly
by Shealtiel
Rated: K+ for sophisticated language.
Summary: "There is no harm in an occasional compliment from a gentleman."
A/N: This is a practice writing piece I did in Year 12 (Senior Year) to practice for my SAC (School Assessed Coursework), which was to write from the perspective of one of the characters on an event in the novel. This is a conversation that could have happened between Emma and Mr. Knightley if Emma had bothered to argue.
-|XXX|-
He said to himself, "Hum! just the trifling, silly fellow I took him for."
Emma was immediately affronted. "He is not used to the quiet country life as we are Mr. Knightley. You judge him too harshly." She meant the remark to be in passing, but Mr. Knightley would not have it.
"Emma, you are far too determined to see no fault in him, and this is where you are at fault."
"You have been determined to think ill of him before he set foot in Highbury Mr. Knightley and I believe you have imagined him to be something he is not in your own mind. Mr. Churchill is a fine man and all of Highbury thinks it but yourself."
"Then I am sorry their judgements have been so clouded by the prospect of something new in this county. Honestly Emma, you at least should know better than to let your first impression guide your thoughts."
Emma ignored what he meant by this. "Of course you would still profess your own opinion to be correct despite the opposition of every soul in Highbury. I won't be bothered by what you say, however. I have made up my mind to like Mr. Churchill and it will not be altered now. He has been nothing but a gentleman toward me and that is enough for me."
Mr. Knightley didn't accept her closing of the conversation. "He flatters your vanity is what you really mean, and it does you no good to have it complimented so."
"Your enumeration of my faults compensates for the entire county, Mr. Knightley. There is no harm in an occasional compliment from a gentleman."
"Dear Emma, if I did not tell you of your faults, they would go on unhindered."
"I don't think I have anything more to say on the subject, except that if Mr. Churchill is engaged in folly he will return either victorious or quite ashamed of himself. Wickedness may always be wickedness Mr. Knightley, but folly is not always folly."
"You are right to close the subject, Emma. I will not mention it again. Our disagreement is useless and our arguments futile. I will not convince you and you will certainly not convince me. We must be at odds once again."
Emma gave a forgiving smile and grasped his offered hand in reunited friendship.
-|XXX|-
A/N2: Not brilliant, but thank you for reading anyway. Review if you feel like it. I'd appreciate it.