"Badly done, indeed!" Never was there a better phrase to capture the Highbury set's excursion to Box Hill. From Frank Churchill's stupid flirting to the Eltons' posturing, the entire afternoon is one disappointment after another. And worst of all, Mr. Knightley left Emma in a state of despair after he pointed out how cruelly she mocked Miss Bates. The only thing that can remedy such a terrible day is a good night's sleep. So let this week's story help you forget your own worries and immerse yourself in the world of Highbury, and carry you into another night of soft and restful sleep.

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Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep.

With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep.

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Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au

It's officially summer in Highbury! The heat has got everyone stir crazy, so they've planned an adventure - today, they are picking strawberries at Donwell Abbey. Mr. Knightley has graciously set up everything for their enjoyment, so everyone, from Mrs. Elton in her bonnet with the pink bow, to Mr. Woodhouse, who is sitting indoors by the fire (in summer), is satisfied. Only Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill seem a little more off than usual, but Emma is sure it's just the heat. As the Highbury crowd enjoys a day in the sun, let them accompany you into the night as you drift off into peaceful and restorative sleep.

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Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep.

With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep.

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Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au

For once, Emma's not the only one with matches on the mind - Mr. Knightley has his own suspicions about a possible match, and they center on none other than Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax. He's convinced that it can't be a coincidence that these two are frequently exchanging meaningful looks. As a friend, Mr. Knightley has to look out for Emma, of course, even though she's not buying his theories. As Emma, Mr. Knightley, Jane, and Frank all meet for tea at Hartfield, you be the judge, dear listener, and let your mind ponder the question as it wanders into a restful and relaxing night of sleep.

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Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep.

With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep.

-----

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au

Harriet is on the path to recovery, both from her encounter after the ball, and more importantly, from her attachment to Mr. Elton. To purge Mr. Elton from her system, Harriet needs to burn all her mementos of him: an old bandage and an old pencil that he once used. With Mr. Elton gone, Harriet is free to focus on a new mysterious object of affection. Emma suspects it's Frank Churchill, but vows not to get involved this time (after just one little bit of advice). Harriet is moving on, and as she does, let yourself move on into another night of peaceful and restorative slumber.

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Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep.

With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep.

-----

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au

It is the morning after the ball, and Emma's lingering delight is swiftly replaced with concern. Harriet and Frank Churchill show up at her doorstep, after Frank rescues Harriet from a harrowing ordeal that left her injured and stranded on her way home from the ball. It's a terrible situation, but Emma can't help but think it's also a romantic one - after all, how often does a handsome young man rescue a beautiful young woman in Highbury? But she's sworn off matchmaking, so her ideas will have to remain untranslated into schemes, at least for now. As Emma tends to her friend, let this week's story help you move from your day into a night of soft and relaxing sleep.

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Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep.

With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep.

-----

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au

The night we've all been waiting for is finally here - it's time for the ball! Settle in under the covers for an evening where all the major players in Highbury get their time to shine. From Miss Bates (heard without interruption for many minutes) to Mrs. Elton (nobody could care less for dress than her, but please take note that nobody else wore pearls tonight), this ball has it all. Not to mention Mr. Knightley gallantly stepping in to save Harriet from humiliation after Mr. Elton rudely snubs her on the dance floor. And to cap it off, Emma herself gets a dance with Mr. Knightley. What a delightful night! Let the finery of the evening help you forget your day and drift off into a night of gentle and restorative sleep.

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Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep.

With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep.

-----

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au

Summer has arrived in Highbury! And with it comes the return of Frank Churchill and the plans for the ball at the Crown. Emma is convinced that whatever feelings Frank may have had for her are gone, though Mr. Weston is not so sure. Whatever the case may be, it seems like the Highbury ball will soon reveal all. As Emma prepares, let her thoughts carry you away into another night of quiet and restful sleep.

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Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep.

With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep.

-----

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au

Our party at Hartfield concludes with a conversation between Mr. Weston and Mrs. Elton about the imminent return of Frank Churchill. Mr. Weston cannot contain his delight at the prospect of his son's return, and the situation of course reminds Mrs. Elton of her time at Maple Grove. The two are perfectly matched in their ability to keep a conversation going (usually past each other), which makes their interlude the perfect soundtrack to accompany you into a soft and peaceful night of slumber.

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Welcome to the Jane Austen Bedtime Stories podcast! Each episode is a section of a classic Jane Austen novel, read in soothing tones and set to calming music to help you fall asleep.

With everything that is going on in the world, we find comfort in the familiar. For so many of us, Jane Austen's works are like a warm hug. So snuggle up under the covers and let the comforting words of Jane Austen lull you into sleep.

-----

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/janeaustenbedtimepod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Music ["Reverie"] by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. – www.scottbuckley.com.au