Multidocument Corpora & Quanteda
Jamie Reilly, Ph.D.
October 28, 2020
Quick overview of Quanteda
Read in folder of text files
https://quanteda.io/articles/quickstart.html
We will be contrasting three Jane Austen novels from the janeaustenr package. These include Emma, Pride and Prejudice, and Persuasion
writeLines(emma, con = "emma_structured.txt") #let's examine structured text file
writeLines(prideprejudice, con = "pride_structured.txt") #let's examine structured text file
writeLines(persuasion, con = "persuasion_structured.txt")
str(emma)## chr [1:16235] "EMMA" "" "By Jane Austen" "" "" "" "" "VOLUME I" "" "" "" ...print(emma)## [1] "EMMA"
## [2] ""
## [3] "By Jane Austen"
## [4] ""
## [5] ""
## [6] ""
## [7] ""
## [8] "VOLUME I"
## [9] ""
## [10] ""
## [11] ""
## [12] "CHAPTER I"
## [13] ""
## [14] ""
## [15] "Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home"
## [16] "and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of"
## [17] "existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very"
## [18] "little to distress or vex her."
## [19] ""
## [20] "She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate,"
## [21] "indulgent father; and had, in consequence of her sister's marriage, been"
## [22] "mistress of his house from a very early period. Her mother had died"
## [23] "too long ago for her to have more than an indistinct remembrance of"
## [24] "her caresses; and her place had been supplied by an excellent woman as"
## [25] "governess, who had fallen little short of a mother in affection."
## [26] ""
## [27] "Sixteen years had Miss Taylor been in Mr. Woodhouse's family, less as a"
## [28] "governess than a friend, very fond of both daughters, but particularly"
## [29] "of Emma. Between _them_ it was more the intimacy of sisters. Even before"
## [30] "Miss Taylor had ceased to hold the nominal office of governess, the"
## [31] "mildness of her temper had hardly allowed her to impose any restraint;"
## [32] "and the shadow of authority being now long passed away, they had been"
## [33] "living together as friend and friend very mutually attached, and Emma"
## [34] "doing just what she liked; highly esteeming Miss Taylor's judgment, but"
## [35] "directed chiefly by her own."
## [36] ""
## [37] "The real evils, indeed, of Emma's situation were the power of having"
## [38] "rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too"
## [39] "well of herself; these were the disadvantages which threatened alloy to"
## [40] "her many enjoyments. The danger, however, was at present so unperceived,"
## [41] "that they did not by any means rank as misfortunes with her."
## [42] ""
## [43] "Sorrow came--a gentle sorrow--but not at all in the shape of any"
## [44] "disagreeable consciousness.--Miss Taylor married. It was Miss Taylor's"
## [45] "loss which first brought grief. It was on the wedding-day of this"
## [46] "beloved friend that Emma first sat in mournful thought of any"
## [47] "continuance. The wedding over, and the bride-people gone, her father and"
## [48] "herself were left to dine together, with no prospect of a third to cheer"
## [49] "a long evening. Her father composed himself to sleep after dinner, as"
## [50] "usual, and she had then only to sit and think of what she had lost."
## [51] ""
## [52] "The event had every promise of happiness for her friend. Mr. Weston"
## [53] "was a man of unexceptionable character, easy fortune, suitable age, and"
## [54] "pleasant manners; and there was some satisfaction in considering"
## [55] "with what self-denying, generous friendship she had always wished and"
## [56] "promoted the match; but it was a black morning's work for her. The want"
## [57] "of Miss Taylor would be felt every hour of every day. She recalled her"
## [58] "past kindness--the kindness, the affection of sixteen years--how she had"
## [59] "taught and how she had played with her from five years old--how she had"
## [60] "devoted all her powers to attach and amuse her in health--and how"
## [61] "nursed her through the various illnesses of childhood. A large debt of"
## [62] "gratitude was owing here; but the intercourse of the last seven"
## [63] "years, the equal footing and perfect unreserve which had soon followed"
## [64] "Isabella's marriage, on their being left to each other, was yet a"
## [65] "dearer, tenderer recollection. She had been a friend and companion such"
## [66] "as few possessed: intelligent, well-informed, useful, gentle, knowing"
## [67] "all the ways of the family, interested in all its concerns, and"
## [68] "peculiarly interested in herself, in every pleasure, every scheme of"
## [69] "hers--one to whom she could speak every thought as it arose, and who had"
## [70] "such an affection for her as could never find fault."
## [71] ""
## [72] "How was she to bear the change?--It was true that her friend was going"
## [73] "only half a mile from them; but Emma was aware that great must be the"
## [74] "difference between a Mrs. Weston, only half a mile from them, and a Miss"
## [75] "Taylor in the house; and with all her advantages, natural and domestic,"
## [76] "she was now in great danger of suffering from intellectual solitude. She"
## [77] "dearly loved her father, but he was no companion for her. He could not"
## [78] "meet her in conversation, rational or playful."
## [79] ""
## [80] "The evil of the actual disparity in their ages (and Mr. Woodhouse had"
## [81] "not married early) was much increased by his constitution and habits;"
## [82] "for having been a valetudinarian all his life, without activity of"
## [83] "mind or body, he was a much older man in ways than in years; and though"
## [84] "everywhere beloved for the friendliness of his heart and his amiable"
## [85] "temper, his talents could not have recommended him at any time."
## [86] ""
## [87] "Her sister, though comparatively but little removed by matrimony, being"
## [88] "settled in London, only sixteen miles off, was much beyond her daily"
## [89] "reach; and many a long October and November evening must be struggled"
## [90] "through at Hartfield, before Christmas brought the next visit from"
## [91] "Isabella and her husband, and their little children, to fill the house,"
## [92] "and give her pleasant society again."
## [93] ""
## [94] "Highbury, the large and populous village, almost amounting to a town,"
## [95] "to which Hartfield, in spite of its separate lawn, and shrubberies, and"
## [96] "name, did really belong, afforded her no equals. The Woodhouses"
## [97] "were first in consequence there. All looked up to them. She had many"
## [98] "acquaintance in the place, for her father was universally civil, but"
## [99] "not one among them who could be accepted in lieu of Miss Taylor for even"
## [100] "half a day. It was a melancholy change; and Emma could not but sigh over"
## [101] "it, and wish for impossible things, till her father awoke, and made it"
## [102] "necessary to be cheerful. His spirits required support. He was a nervous"
## [103] "man, easily depressed; fond of every body that he was used to, and"
## [104] "hating to part with them; hating change of every kind. Matrimony, as the"
## [105] "origin of change, was always disagreeable; and he was by no means yet"
## [106] "reconciled to his own daughter's marrying, nor could ever speak of her"
## [107] "but with compassion, though it had been entirely a match of affection,"
## [108] "when he was now obliged to part with Miss Taylor too; and from his"
## [109] "habits of gentle selfishness, and of being never able to suppose that"
## [110] "other people could feel differently from himself, he was very much"
## [111] "disposed to think Miss Taylor had done as sad a thing for herself as for"
## [112] "them, and would have been a great deal happier if she had spent all the"
## [113] "rest of her life at Hartfield. Emma smiled and chatted as cheerfully"
## [114] "as she could, to keep him from such thoughts; but when tea came, it was"
## [115] "impossible for him not to say exactly as he had said at dinner,"
## [116] ""
## [117] "\"Poor Miss Taylor!--I wish she were here again. What a pity it is that"
## [118] "Mr. Weston ever thought of her!\""
## [119] ""
## [120] "\"I cannot agree with you, papa; you know I cannot. Mr. Weston is such"
## [121] "a good-humoured, pleasant, excellent man, that he thoroughly deserves"
## [122] "a good wife;--and you would not have had Miss Taylor live with us for"
## [123] "ever, and bear all my odd humours, when she might have a house of her"
## [124] "own?\""
## [125] ""
## [126] "\"A house of her own!--But where is the advantage of a house of her own?"
## [127] "This is three times as large.--And you have never any odd humours, my"
## [128] "dear.\""
## [129] ""
## [130] "\"How often we shall be going to see them, and they coming to see us!--We"
## [131] "shall be always meeting! _We_ must begin; we must go and pay wedding"
## [132] "visit very soon.\""
## [133] ""
## [134] "\"My dear, how am I to get so far? Randalls is such a distance. I could"
## [135] "not walk half so far.\""
## [136] ""
## [137] "\"No, papa, nobody thought of your walking. We must go in the carriage,"
## [138] "to be sure.\""
## [139] ""
## [140] "\"The carriage! But James will not like to put the horses to for such a"
## [141] "little way;--and where are the poor horses to be while we are paying our"
## [142] "visit?\""
## [143] ""
## [144] "\"They are to be put into Mr. Weston's stable, papa. You know we have"
## [145] "settled all that already. We talked it all over with Mr. Weston last"
## [146] "night. And as for James, you may be very sure he will always like going"
## [147] "to Randalls, because of his daughter's being housemaid there. I only"
## [148] "doubt whether he will ever take us anywhere else. That was your doing,"
## [149] "papa. You got Hannah that good place. Nobody thought of Hannah till you"
## [150] "mentioned her--James is so obliged to you!\""
## [151] ""
## [152] "\"I am very glad I did think of her. It was very lucky, for I would not"
## [153] "have had poor James think himself slighted upon any account; and I am"
## [154] "sure she will make a very good servant: she is a civil, pretty-spoken"
## [155] "girl; I have a great opinion of her. Whenever I see her, she always"
## [156] "curtseys and asks me how I do, in a very pretty manner; and when you"
## [157] "have had her here to do needlework, I observe she always turns the lock"
## [158] "of the door the right way and never bangs it. I am sure she will be an"
## [159] "excellent servant; and it will be a great comfort to poor Miss Taylor"
## [160] "to have somebody about her that she is used to see. Whenever James goes"
## [161] "over to see his daughter, you know, she will be hearing of us. He will"
## [162] "be able to tell her how we all are.\""
## [163] ""
## [164] "Emma spared no exertions to maintain this happier flow of ideas, and"
## [165] "hoped, by the help of backgammon, to get her father tolerably"
## [166] "through the evening, and be attacked by no regrets but her own. The"
## [167] "backgammon-table was placed; but a visitor immediately afterwards walked"
## [168] "in and made it unnecessary."
## [169] ""
## [170] "Mr. Knightley, a sensible man about seven or eight-and-thirty, was not"
## [171] "only a very old and intimate friend of the family, but particularly"
## [172] "connected with it, as the elder brother of Isabella's husband. He lived"
## [173] "about a mile from Highbury, was a frequent visitor, and always welcome,"
## [174] "and at this time more welcome than usual, as coming directly from their"
## [175] "mutual connexions in London. He had returned to a late dinner, after"
## [176] "some days' absence, and now walked up to Hartfield to say that all were"
## [177] "well in Brunswick Square. It was a happy circumstance, and animated"
## [178] "Mr. Woodhouse for some time. Mr. Knightley had a cheerful manner, which"
## [179] "always did him good; and his many inquiries after \"poor Isabella\" and"
## [180] "her children were answered most satisfactorily. When this was over, Mr."
## [181] "Woodhouse gratefully observed, \"It is very kind of you, Mr. Knightley,"
## [182] "to come out at this late hour to call upon us. I am afraid you must have"
## [183] "had a shocking walk.\""
## [184] ""
## [185] "\"Not at all, sir. It is a beautiful moonlight night; and so mild that I"
## [186] "must draw back from your great fire.\""
## [187] ""
## [188] "\"But you must have found it very damp and dirty. I wish you may not"
## [189] "catch cold.\""
## [190] ""
## [191] "\"Dirty, sir! Look at my shoes. Not a speck on them.\""
## [192] ""
## [193] "\"Well! that is quite surprising, for we have had a vast deal of rain"
## [194] "here. It rained dreadfully hard for half an hour while we were at"
## [195] "breakfast. I wanted them to put off the wedding.\""
## [196] ""
## [197] "\"By the bye--I have not wished you joy. Being pretty well aware of what"
## [198] "sort of joy you must both be feeling, I have been in no hurry with my"
## [199] "congratulations; but I hope it all went off tolerably well. How did you"
## [200] "all behave? Who cried most?\""
## [201] ""
## [202] "\"Ah! poor Miss Taylor! 'Tis a sad business.\""
## [203] ""
## [204] "\"Poor Mr. and Miss Woodhouse, if you please; but I cannot possibly say"
## [205] "'poor Miss Taylor.' I have a great regard for you and Emma; but when it"
## [206] "comes to the question of dependence or independence!--At any rate, it"
## [207] "must be better to have only one to please than two.\""
## [208] ""
## [209] "\"Especially when _one_ of those two is such a fanciful, troublesome"
## [210] "creature!\" said Emma playfully. \"That is what you have in your head, I"
## [211] "know--and what you would certainly say if my father were not by.\""
## [212] ""
## [213] "\"I believe it is very true, my dear, indeed,\" said Mr. Woodhouse, with a"
## [214] "sigh. \"I am afraid I am sometimes very fanciful and troublesome.\""
## [215] ""
## [216] "\"My dearest papa! You do not think I could mean _you_, or suppose Mr."
## [217] "Knightley to mean _you_. What a horrible idea! Oh no! I meant only"
## [218] "myself. Mr. Knightley loves to find fault with me, you know--in a"
## [219] "joke--it is all a joke. We always say what we like to one another.\""
## [220] ""
## [221] "Mr. Knightley, in fact, was one of the few people who could see faults"
## [222] "in Emma Woodhouse, and the only one who ever told her of them: and"
## [223] "though this was not particularly agreeable to Emma herself, she knew"
## [224] "it would be so much less so to her father, that she would not have him"
## [225] "really suspect such a circumstance as her not being thought perfect by"
## [226] "every body."
## [227] ""
## [228] "\"Emma knows I never flatter her,\" said Mr. Knightley, \"but I meant no"
## [229] "reflection on any body. Miss Taylor has been used to have two persons"
## [230] "to please; she will now have but one. The chances are that she must be a"
## [231] "gainer.\""
## [232] ""
## [233] "\"Well,\" said Emma, willing to let it pass--\"you want to hear about"
## [234] "the wedding; and I shall be happy to tell you, for we all behaved"
## [235] "charmingly. Every body was punctual, every body in their best looks: not"
## [236] "a tear, and hardly a long face to be seen. Oh no; we all felt that we"
## [237] "were going to be only half a mile apart, and were sure of meeting every"
## [238] "day.\""
## [239] ""
## [240] "\"Dear Emma bears every thing so well,\" said her father. \"But, Mr."
## [241] "Knightley, she is really very sorry to lose poor Miss Taylor, and I am"
## [242] "sure she _will_ miss her more than she thinks for.\""
## [243] ""
## [244] "Emma turned away her head, divided between tears and smiles. \"It"
## [245] "is impossible that Emma should not miss such a companion,\" said Mr."
## [246] "Knightley. \"We should not like her so well as we do, sir, if we could"
## [247] "suppose it; but she knows how much the marriage is to Miss Taylor's"
## [248] "advantage; she knows how very acceptable it must be, at Miss Taylor's"
## [249] "time of life, to be settled in a home of her own, and how important to"
## [250] "her to be secure of a comfortable provision, and therefore cannot allow"
## [251] "herself to feel so much pain as pleasure. Every friend of Miss Taylor"
## [252] "must be glad to have her so happily married.\""
## [253] ""
## [254] "\"And you have forgotten one matter of joy to me,\" said Emma, \"and a very"
## [255] "considerable one--that I made the match myself. I made the match, you"
## [256] "know, four years ago; and to have it take place, and be proved in the"
## [257] "right, when so many people said Mr. Weston would never marry again, may"
## [258] "comfort me for any thing.\""
## [259] ""
## [260] "Mr. Knightley shook his head at her. Her father fondly replied, \"Ah!"
## [261] "my dear, I wish you would not make matches and foretell things, for"
## [262] "whatever you say always comes to pass. Pray do not make any more"
## [263] "matches.\""
## [264] ""
## [265] "\"I promise you to make none for myself, papa; but I must, indeed, for"
## [266] "other people. It is the greatest amusement in the world! And after such"
## [267] "success, you know!--Every body said that Mr. Weston would never marry"
## [268] "again. Oh dear, no! Mr. Weston, who had been a widower so long, and who"
## [269] "seemed so perfectly comfortable without a wife, so constantly occupied"
## [270] "either in his business in town or among his friends here, always"
## [271] "acceptable wherever he went, always cheerful--Mr. Weston need not spend"
## [272] "a single evening in the year alone if he did not like it. Oh no! Mr."
## [273] "Weston certainly would never marry again. Some people even talked of a"
## [274] "promise to his wife on her deathbed, and others of the son and the"
## [275] "uncle not letting him. All manner of solemn nonsense was talked on the"
## [276] "subject, but I believed none of it."
## [277] ""
## [278] "\"Ever since the day--about four years ago--that Miss Taylor and I met"
## [279] "with him in Broadway Lane, when, because it began to drizzle, he darted"
## [280] "away with so much gallantry, and borrowed two umbrellas for us from"
## [281] "Farmer Mitchell's, I made up my mind on the subject. I planned the match"
## [282] "from that hour; and when such success has blessed me in this instance,"
## [283] "dear papa, you cannot think that I shall leave off match-making.\""
## [284] ""
## [285] "\"I do not understand what you mean by 'success,'\" said Mr. Knightley."
## [286] "\"Success supposes endeavour. Your time has been properly and delicately"
## [287] "spent, if you have been endeavouring for the last four years to bring"
## [288] "about this marriage. A worthy employment for a young lady's mind! But"
## [289] "if, which I rather imagine, your making the match, as you call it, means"
## [290] "only your planning it, your saying to yourself one idle day, 'I think it"
## [291] "would be a very good thing for Miss Taylor if Mr. Weston were to marry"
## [292] "her,' and saying it again to yourself every now and then afterwards, why"
## [293] "do you talk of success? Where is your merit? What are you proud of? You"
## [294] "made a lucky guess; and _that_ is all that can be said.\""
## [295] ""
## [296] "\"And have you never known the pleasure and triumph of a lucky guess?--I"
## [297] "pity you.--I thought you cleverer--for, depend upon it a lucky guess is"
## [298] "never merely luck. There is always some talent in it. And as to my"
## [299] "poor word 'success,' which you quarrel with, I do not know that I am so"
## [300] "entirely without any claim to it. You have drawn two pretty pictures;"
## [301] "but I think there may be a third--a something between the do-nothing and"
## [302] "the do-all. If I had not promoted Mr. Weston's visits here, and given"
## [303] "many little encouragements, and smoothed many little matters, it might"
## [304] "not have come to any thing after all. I think you must know Hartfield"
## [305] "enough to comprehend that.\""
## [306] ""
## [307] "\"A straightforward, open-hearted man like Weston, and a rational,"
## [308] "unaffected woman like Miss Taylor, may be safely left to manage their"
## [309] "own concerns. You are more likely to have done harm to yourself, than"
## [310] "good to them, by interference.\""
## [311] ""
## [312] "\"Emma never thinks of herself, if she can do good to others,\" rejoined"
## [313] "Mr. Woodhouse, understanding but in part. \"But, my dear, pray do not"
## [314] "make any more matches; they are silly things, and break up one's family"
## [315] "circle grievously.\""
## [316] ""
## [317] "\"Only one more, papa; only for Mr. Elton. Poor Mr. Elton! You like Mr."
## [318] "Elton, papa,--I must look about for a wife for him. There is nobody in"
## [319] "Highbury who deserves him--and he has been here a whole year, and has"
## [320] "fitted up his house so comfortably, that it would be a shame to have him"
## [321] "single any longer--and I thought when he was joining their hands to-day,"
## [322] "he looked so very much as if he would like to have the same kind office"
## [323] "done for him! I think very well of Mr. Elton, and this is the only way I"
## [324] "have of doing him a service.\""
## [325] ""
## [326] "\"Mr. Elton is a very pretty young man, to be sure, and a very good young"
## [327] "man, and I have a great regard for him. But if you want to shew him any"
## [328] "attention, my dear, ask him to come and dine with us some day. That will"
## [329] "be a much better thing. I dare say Mr. Knightley will be so kind as to"
## [330] "meet him.\""
## [331] ""
## [332] "\"With a great deal of pleasure, sir, at any time,\" said Mr. Knightley,"
## [333] "laughing, \"and I agree with you entirely, that it will be a much better"
## [334] "thing. Invite him to dinner, Emma, and help him to the best of the fish"
## [335] "and the chicken, but leave him to chuse his own wife. Depend upon it, a"
## [336] "man of six or seven-and-twenty can take care of himself.\""
## [337] ""
## [338] ""
## [339] ""
## [340] "CHAPTER II"
## [341] ""
## [342] ""
## [343] "Mr. Weston was a native of Highbury, and born of a respectable family,"
## [344] "which for the last two or three generations had been rising into"
## [345] "gentility and property. He had received a good education, but, on"
## [346] "succeeding early in life to a small independence, had become indisposed"
## [347] "for any of the more homely pursuits in which his brothers were engaged,"
## [348] "and had satisfied an active, cheerful mind and social temper by entering"
## [349] "into the militia of his county, then embodied."
## [350] ""
## [351] "Captain Weston was a general favourite; and when the chances of his"
## [352] "military life had introduced him to Miss Churchill, of a great Yorkshire"
## [353] "family, and Miss Churchill fell in love with him, nobody was surprized,"
## [354] "except her brother and his wife, who had never seen him, and who were"
## [355] "full of pride and importance, which the connexion would offend."
## [356] ""
## [357] "Miss Churchill, however, being of age, and with the full command of her"
## [358] "fortune--though her fortune bore no proportion to the family-estate--was"
## [359] "not to be dissuaded from the marriage, and it took place, to the"
## [360] "infinite mortification of Mr. and Mrs. Churchill, who threw her off with"
## [361] "due decorum. It was an unsuitable connexion, and did not produce much"
## [362] "happiness. Mrs. Weston ought to have found more in it, for she had a"
## [363] "husband whose warm heart and sweet temper made him think every thing due"
## [364] "to her in return for the great goodness of being in love with him;"
## [365] "but though she had one sort of spirit, she had not the best. She had"
## [366] "resolution enough to pursue her own will in spite of her brother,"
## [367] "but not enough to refrain from unreasonable regrets at that brother's"
## [368] "unreasonable anger, nor from missing the luxuries of her former home."
## [369] "They lived beyond their income, but still it was nothing in comparison"
## [370] "of Enscombe: she did not cease to love her husband, but she wanted at"
## [371] "once to be the wife of Captain Weston, and Miss Churchill of Enscombe."
## [372] ""
## [373] "Captain Weston, who had been considered, especially by the Churchills,"
## [374] "as making such an amazing match, was proved to have much the worst of"
## [375] "the bargain; for when his wife died, after a three years' marriage, he"
## [376] "was rather a poorer man than at first, and with a child to maintain."
## [377] "From the expense of the child, however, he was soon relieved. The boy"
## [378] "had, with the additional softening claim of a lingering illness of his"
## [379] "mother's, been the means of a sort of reconciliation; and Mr. and Mrs."
## [380] "Churchill, having no children of their own, nor any other young creature"
## [381] "of equal kindred to care for, offered to take the whole charge of the"
## [382] "little Frank soon after her decease. Some scruples and some reluctance"
## [383] "the widower-father may be supposed to have felt; but as they were"
## [384] "overcome by other considerations, the child was given up to the care and"
## [385] "the wealth of the Churchills, and he had only his own comfort to seek,"
## [386] "and his own situation to improve as he could."
## [387] ""
## [388] "A complete change of life became desirable. He quitted the militia and"
## [389] "engaged in trade, having brothers already established in a good way in"
## [390] "London, which afforded him a favourable opening. It was a concern which"
## [391] "brought just employment enough. He had still a small house in Highbury,"
## [392] "where most of his leisure days were spent; and between useful occupation"
## [393] "and the pleasures of society, the next eighteen or twenty years of his"
## [394] "life passed cheerfully away. He had, by that time, realised an easy"
## [395] "competence--enough to secure the purchase of a little estate adjoining"
## [396] "Highbury, which he had always longed for--enough to marry a woman as"
## [397] "portionless even as Miss Taylor, and to live according to the wishes of"
## [398] "his own friendly and social disposition."
## [399] ""
## [400] "It was now some time since Miss Taylor had begun to influence his"
## [401] "schemes; but as it was not the tyrannic influence of youth on youth,"
## [402] "it had not shaken his determination of never settling till he could"
## [403] "purchase Randalls, and the sale of Randalls was long looked forward to;"
## [404] "but he had gone steadily on, with these objects in view, till they were"
## [405] "accomplished. He had made his fortune, bought his house, and obtained"
## [406] "his wife; and was beginning a new period of existence, with every"
## [407] "probability of greater happiness than in any yet passed through. He had"
## [408] "never been an unhappy man; his own temper had secured him from that,"
## [409] "even in his first marriage; but his second must shew him how delightful"
## [410] "a well-judging and truly amiable woman could be, and must give him the"
## [411] "pleasantest proof of its being a great deal better to choose than to be"
## [412] "chosen, to excite gratitude than to feel it."
## [413] ""
## [414] "He had only himself to please in his choice: his fortune was his own;"
## [415] "for as to Frank, it was more than being tacitly brought up as his"
## [416] "uncle's heir, it had become so avowed an adoption as to have him assume"
## [417] "the name of Churchill on coming of age. It was most unlikely, therefore,"
## [418] "that he should ever want his father's assistance. His father had no"
## [419] "apprehension of it. The aunt was a capricious woman, and governed her"
## [420] "husband entirely; but it was not in Mr. Weston's nature to imagine that"
## [421] "any caprice could be strong enough to affect one so dear, and, as he"
## [422] "believed, so deservedly dear. He saw his son every year in London, and"
## [423] "was proud of him; and his fond report of him as a very fine young man"
## [424] "had made Highbury feel a sort of pride in him too. He was looked on as"
## [425] "sufficiently belonging to the place to make his merits and prospects a"
## [426] "kind of common concern."
## [427] ""
## [428] "Mr. Frank Churchill was one of the boasts of Highbury, and a lively"
## [429] "curiosity to see him prevailed, though the compliment was so little"
## [430] "returned that he had never been there in his life. His coming to visit"
## [431] "his father had been often talked of but never achieved."
## [432] ""
## [433] "Now, upon his father's marriage, it was very generally proposed, as a"
## [434] "most proper attention, that the visit should take place. There was not a"
## [435] "dissentient voice on the subject, either when Mrs. Perry drank tea with"
## [436] "Mrs. and Miss Bates, or when Mrs. and Miss Bates returned the visit. Now"
## [437] "was the time for Mr. Frank Churchill to come among them; and the hope"
## [438] "strengthened when it was understood that he had written to his new"
## [439] "mother on the occasion. For a few days, every morning visit in Highbury"
## [440] "included some mention of the handsome letter Mrs. Weston had received."
## [441] "\"I suppose you have heard of the handsome letter Mr. Frank Churchill"
## [442] "has written to Mrs. Weston? I understand it was a very handsome letter,"
## [443] "indeed. Mr. Woodhouse told me of it. Mr. Woodhouse saw the letter, and"
## [444] "he says he never saw such a handsome letter in his life.\""
## [445] ""
## [446] "It was, indeed, a highly prized letter. Mrs. Weston had, of course,"
## [447] "formed a very favourable idea of the young man; and such a pleasing"
## [448] "attention was an irresistible proof of his great good sense, and a most"
## [449] "welcome addition to every source and every expression of congratulation"
## [450] "which her marriage had already secured. She felt herself a most"
## [451] "fortunate woman; and she had lived long enough to know how fortunate"
## [452] "she might well be thought, where the only regret was for a partial"
## [453] "separation from friends whose friendship for her had never cooled, and"
## [454] "who could ill bear to part with her."
## [455] ""
## [456] "She knew that at times she must be missed; and could not think, without"
## [457] "pain, of Emma's losing a single pleasure, or suffering an hour's ennui,"
## [458] "from the want of her companionableness: but dear Emma was of no feeble"
## [459] "character; she was more equal to her situation than most girls would"
## [460] "have been, and had sense, and energy, and spirits that might be hoped"
## [461] "would bear her well and happily through its little difficulties and"
## [462] "privations. And then there was such comfort in the very easy distance of"
## [463] "Randalls from Hartfield, so convenient for even solitary female walking,"
## [464] "and in Mr. Weston's disposition and circumstances, which would make the"
## [465] "approaching season no hindrance to their spending half the evenings in"
## [466] "the week together."
## [467] ""
## [468] "Her situation was altogether the subject of hours of gratitude to Mrs."
## [469] "Weston, and of moments only of regret; and her satisfaction--her more"
## [470] "than satisfaction--her cheerful enjoyment, was so just and so apparent,"
## [471] "that Emma, well as she knew her father, was sometimes taken by surprize"
## [472] "at his being still able to pity 'poor Miss Taylor,' when they left her"
## [473] "at Randalls in the centre of every domestic comfort, or saw her go away"
## [474] "in the evening attended by her pleasant husband to a carriage of her"
## [475] "own. But never did she go without Mr. Woodhouse's giving a gentle sigh,"
## [476] "and saying, \"Ah, poor Miss Taylor! She would be very glad to stay.\""
## [477] ""
## [478] "There was no recovering Miss Taylor--nor much likelihood of ceasing to"
## [479] "pity her; but a few weeks brought some alleviation to Mr. Woodhouse."
## [480] "The compliments of his neighbours were over; he was no longer teased by"
## [481] "being wished joy of so sorrowful an event; and the wedding-cake, which"
## [482] "had been a great distress to him, was all eat up. His own stomach"
## [483] "could bear nothing rich, and he could never believe other people to be"
## [484] "different from himself. What was unwholesome to him he regarded as unfit"
## [485] "for any body; and he had, therefore, earnestly tried to dissuade them"
## [486] "from having any wedding-cake at all, and when that proved vain, as"
## [487] "earnestly tried to prevent any body's eating it. He had been at the"
## [488] "pains of consulting Mr. Perry, the apothecary, on the subject. Mr. Perry"
## [489] "was an intelligent, gentlemanlike man, whose frequent visits were one"
## [490] "of the comforts of Mr. Woodhouse's life; and upon being applied to, he"
## [491] "could not but acknowledge (though it seemed rather against the bias"
## [492] "of inclination) that wedding-cake might certainly disagree with"
## [493] "many--perhaps with most people, unless taken moderately. With such an"
## [494] "opinion, in confirmation of his own, Mr. Woodhouse hoped to influence"
## [495] "every visitor of the newly married pair; but still the cake was eaten;"
## [496] "and there was no rest for his benevolent nerves till it was all gone."
## [497] ""
## [498] "There was a strange rumour in Highbury of all the little Perrys being"
## [499] "seen with a slice of Mrs. Weston's wedding-cake in their hands: but Mr."
## [500] "Woodhouse would never believe it."
## [501] ""
## [502] ""
## [503] ""
## [504] "CHAPTER III"
## [505] ""
## [506] ""
## [507] "Mr. Woodhouse was fond of society in his own way. He liked very much to"
## [508] "have his friends come and see him; and from various united causes, from"
## [509] "his long residence at Hartfield, and his good nature, from his fortune,"
## [510] "his house, and his daughter, he could command the visits of his"
## [511] "own little circle, in a great measure, as he liked. He had not much"
## [512] "intercourse with any families beyond that circle; his horror of late"
## [513] "hours, and large dinner-parties, made him unfit for any acquaintance but"
## [514] "such as would visit him on his own terms. Fortunately for him, Highbury,"
## [515] "including Randalls in the same parish, and Donwell Abbey in the parish"
## [516] "adjoining, the seat of Mr. Knightley, comprehended many such. Not"
## [517] "unfrequently, through Emma's persuasion, he had some of the chosen and"
## [518] "the best to dine with him: but evening parties were what he preferred;"
## [519] "and, unless he fancied himself at any time unequal to company, there"
## [520] "was scarcely an evening in the week in which Emma could not make up a"
## [521] "card-table for him."
## [522] ""
## [523] "Real, long-standing regard brought the Westons and Mr. Knightley; and by"
## [524] "Mr. Elton, a young man living alone without liking it, the privilege"
## [525] "of exchanging any vacant evening of his own blank solitude for the"
## [526] "elegancies and society of Mr. Woodhouse's drawing-room, and the smiles"
## [527] "of his lovely daughter, was in no danger of being thrown away."
## [528] ""
## [529] "After these came a second set; among the most come-at-able of whom were"
## [530] "Mrs. and Miss Bates, and Mrs. Goddard, three ladies almost always at"
## [531] "the service of an invitation from Hartfield, and who were fetched and"
## [532] "carried home so often, that Mr. Woodhouse thought it no hardship for"
## [533] "either James or the horses. Had it taken place only once a year, it"
## [534] "would have been a grievance."
## [535] ""
## [536] "Mrs. Bates, the widow of a former vicar of Highbury, was a very old"
## [537] "lady, almost past every thing but tea and quadrille. She lived with her"
## [538] "single daughter in a very small way, and was considered with all the"
## [539] "regard and respect which a harmless old lady, under such untoward"
## [540] "circumstances, can excite. Her daughter enjoyed a most uncommon degree"
## [541] "of popularity for a woman neither young, handsome, rich, nor married."
## [542] "Miss Bates stood in the very worst predicament in the world for having"
## [543] "much of the public favour; and she had no intellectual superiority to"
## [544] "make atonement to herself, or frighten those who might hate her into"
## [545] "outward respect. She had never boasted either beauty or cleverness. Her"
## [546] "youth had passed without distinction, and her middle of life was devoted"
## [547] "to the care of a failing mother, and the endeavour to make a small"
## [548] "income go as far as possible. And yet she was a happy woman, and a woman"
## [549] "whom no one named without good-will. It was her own universal good-will"
## [550] "and contented temper which worked such wonders. She loved every body,"
## [551] "was interested in every body's happiness, quicksighted to every body's"
## [552] "merits; thought herself a most fortunate creature, and surrounded with"
## [553] "blessings in such an excellent mother, and so many good neighbours"
## [554] "and friends, and a home that wanted for nothing. The simplicity and"
## [555] "cheerfulness of her nature, her contented and grateful spirit, were a"
## [556] "recommendation to every body, and a mine of felicity to herself. She was"
## [557] "a great talker upon little matters, which exactly suited Mr. Woodhouse,"
## [558] "full of trivial communications and harmless gossip."
## [559] ""
## [560] "Mrs. Goddard was the mistress of a School--not of a seminary, or an"
## [561] "establishment, or any thing which professed, in long sentences of"
## [562] "refined nonsense, to combine liberal acquirements with elegant morality,"
## [563] "upon new principles and new systems--and where young ladies for enormous"
## [564] "pay might be screwed out of health and into vanity--but a real,"
## [565] "honest, old-fashioned Boarding-school, where a reasonable quantity of"
## [566] "accomplishments were sold at a reasonable price, and where girls might"
## [567] "be sent to be out of the way, and scramble themselves into a little"
## [568] "education, without any danger of coming back prodigies. Mrs. Goddard's"
## [569] "school was in high repute--and very deservedly; for Highbury was"
## [570] "reckoned a particularly healthy spot: she had an ample house and garden,"
## [571] "gave the children plenty of wholesome food, let them run about a great"
## [572] "deal in the summer, and in winter dressed their chilblains with her own"
## [573] "hands. It was no wonder that a train of twenty young couple now walked"
## [574] "after her to church. She was a plain, motherly kind of woman, who"
## [575] "had worked hard in her youth, and now thought herself entitled to the"
## [576] "occasional holiday of a tea-visit; and having formerly owed much to Mr."
## [577] "Woodhouse's kindness, felt his particular claim on her to leave her neat"
## [578] "parlour, hung round with fancy-work, whenever she could, and win or lose"
## [579] "a few sixpences by his fireside."
## [580] ""
## [581] "These were the ladies whom Emma found herself very frequently able to"
## [582] "collect; and happy was she, for her father's sake, in the power; though,"
## [583] "as far as she was herself concerned, it was no remedy for the absence of"
## [584] "Mrs. Weston. She was delighted to see her father look comfortable, and"
## [585] "very much pleased with herself for contriving things so well; but the"
## [586] "quiet prosings of three such women made her feel that every evening so"
## [587] "spent was indeed one of the long evenings she had fearfully anticipated."
## [588] ""
## [589] "As she sat one morning, looking forward to exactly such a close of the"
## [590] "present day, a note was brought from Mrs. Goddard, requesting, in most"
## [591] "respectful terms, to be allowed to bring Miss Smith with her; a most"
## [592] "welcome request: for Miss Smith was a girl of seventeen, whom Emma knew"
## [593] "very well by sight, and had long felt an interest in, on account of"
## [594] "her beauty. A very gracious invitation was returned, and the evening no"
## [595] "longer dreaded by the fair mistress of the mansion."
## [596] ""
## [597] "Harriet Smith was the natural daughter of somebody. Somebody had placed"
## [598] "her, several years back, at Mrs. Goddard's school, and somebody"
## [599] "had lately raised her from the condition of scholar to that of"
## [600] "parlour-boarder. This was all that was generally known of her history."
## [601] "She had no visible friends but what had been acquired at Highbury, and"
## [602] "was now just returned from a long visit in the country to some young"
## [603] "ladies who had been at school there with her."
## [604] ""
## [605] "She was a very pretty girl, and her beauty happened to be of a sort"
## [606] "which Emma particularly admired. She was short, plump, and fair, with a"
## [607] "fine bloom, blue eyes, light hair, regular features, and a look of great"
## [608] "sweetness, and, before the end of the evening, Emma was as much pleased"
## [609] "with her manners as her person, and quite determined to continue the"
## [610] "acquaintance."
## [611] ""
## [612] "She was not struck by any thing remarkably clever in Miss Smith's"
## [613] "conversation, but she found her altogether very engaging--not"
## [614] "inconveniently shy, not unwilling to talk--and yet so far from pushing,"
## [615] "shewing so proper and becoming a deference, seeming so pleasantly"
## [616] "grateful for being admitted to Hartfield, and so artlessly impressed"
## [617] "by the appearance of every thing in so superior a style to what she had"
## [618] "been used to, that she must have good sense, and deserve encouragement."
## [619] "Encouragement should be given. Those soft blue eyes, and all those"
## [620] "natural graces, should not be wasted on the inferior society of Highbury"
## [621] "and its connexions. The acquaintance she had already formed were"
## [622] "unworthy of her. The friends from whom she had just parted, though very"
## [623] "good sort of people, must be doing her harm. They were a family of the"
## [624] "name of Martin, whom Emma well knew by character, as renting a large"
## [625] "farm of Mr. Knightley, and residing in the parish of Donwell--very"
## [626] "creditably, she believed--she knew Mr. Knightley thought highly of"
## [627] "them--but they must be coarse and unpolished, and very unfit to be the"
## [628] "intimates of a girl who wanted only a little more knowledge and elegance"
## [629] "to be quite perfect. _She_ would notice her; she would improve her; she"
## [630] "would detach her from her bad acquaintance, and introduce her into good"
## [631] "society; she would form her opinions and her manners. It would be an"
## [632] "interesting, and certainly a very kind undertaking; highly becoming her"
## [633] "own situation in life, her leisure, and powers."
## [634] ""
## [635] "She was so busy in admiring those soft blue eyes, in talking and"
## [636] "listening, and forming all these schemes in the in-betweens, that the"
## [637] "evening flew away at a very unusual rate; and the supper-table, which"
## [638] "always closed such parties, and for which she had been used to sit and"
## [639] "watch the due time, was all set out and ready, and moved forwards to the"
## [640] "fire, before she was aware. With an alacrity beyond the common impulse"
## [641] "of a spirit which yet was never indifferent to the credit of doing every"
## [642] "thing well and attentively, with the real good-will of a mind delighted"
## [643] "with its own ideas, did she then do all the honours of the meal, and"
## [644] "help and recommend the minced chicken and scalloped oysters, with an"
## [645] "urgency which she knew would be acceptable to the early hours and civil"
## [646] "scruples of their guests."
## [647] ""
## [648] "Upon such occasions poor Mr. Woodhouse's feelings were in sad warfare."
## [649] "He loved to have the cloth laid, because it had been the fashion of his"
## [650] "youth, but his conviction of suppers being very unwholesome made him"
## [651] "rather sorry to see any thing put on it; and while his hospitality would"
## [652] "have welcomed his visitors to every thing, his care for their health"
## [653] "made him grieve that they would eat."
## [654] ""
## [655] "Such another small basin of thin gruel as his own was all that he could,"
## [656] "with thorough self-approbation, recommend; though he might constrain"
## [657] "himself, while the ladies were comfortably clearing the nicer things, to"
## [658] "say:"
## [659] ""
## [660] "\"Mrs. Bates, let me propose your venturing on one of these eggs. An egg"
## [661] "boiled very soft is not unwholesome. Serle understands boiling an egg"
## [662] "better than any body. I would not recommend an egg boiled by any body"
## [663] "else; but you need not be afraid, they are very small, you see--one of"
## [664] "our small eggs will not hurt you. Miss Bates, let Emma help you to a"
## [665] "_little_ bit of tart--a _very_ little bit. Ours are all apple-tarts. You"
## [666] "need not be afraid of unwholesome preserves here. I do not advise the"
## [667] "custard. Mrs. Goddard, what say you to _half_ a glass of wine? A"
## [668] "_small_ half-glass, put into a tumbler of water? I do not think it could"
## [669] "disagree with you.\""
## [670] ""
## [671] "Emma allowed her father to talk--but supplied her visitors in a much"
## [672] "more satisfactory style, and on the present evening had particular"
## [673] "pleasure in sending them away happy. The happiness of Miss Smith was"
## [674] "quite equal to her intentions. Miss Woodhouse was so great a personage"
## [675] "in Highbury, that the prospect of the introduction had given as much"
## [676] "panic as pleasure; but the humble, grateful little girl went off with"
## [677] "highly gratified feelings, delighted with the affability with which Miss"
## [678] "Woodhouse had treated her all the evening, and actually shaken hands"
## [679] "with her at last!"
## [680] ""
## [681] ""
## [682] ""
## [683] "CHAPTER IV"
## [684] ""
## [685] ""
## [686] "Harriet Smith's intimacy at Hartfield was soon a settled thing. Quick"
## [687] "and decided in her ways, Emma lost no time in inviting, encouraging, and"
## [688] "telling her to come very often; and as their acquaintance increased, so"
## [689] "did their satisfaction in each other. As a walking companion, Emma had"
## [690] "very early foreseen how useful she might find her. In that respect"
## [691] "Mrs. Weston's loss had been important. Her father never went beyond the"
## [692] "shrubbery, where two divisions of the ground sufficed him for his long"
## [693] "walk, or his short, as the year varied; and since Mrs. Weston's marriage"
## [694] "her exercise had been too much confined. She had ventured once alone to"
## [695] "Randalls, but it was not pleasant; and a Harriet Smith, therefore,"
## [696] "one whom she could summon at any time to a walk, would be a valuable"
## [697] "addition to her privileges. But in every respect, as she saw more of"
## [698] "her, she approved her, and was confirmed in all her kind designs."
## [699] ""
## [700] "Harriet certainly was not clever, but she had a sweet, docile, grateful"
## [701] "disposition, was totally free from conceit, and only desiring to be"
## [702] "guided by any one she looked up to. Her early attachment to herself"
## [703] "was very amiable; and her inclination for good company, and power of"
## [704] "appreciating what was elegant and clever, shewed that there was no"
## [705] "want of taste, though strength of understanding must not be expected."
## [706] "Altogether she was quite convinced of Harriet Smith's being exactly the"
## [707] "young friend she wanted--exactly the something which her home required."
## [708] "Such a friend as Mrs. Weston was out of the question. Two such could"
## [709] "never be granted. Two such she did not want. It was quite a different"
## [710] "sort of thing, a sentiment distinct and independent. Mrs. Weston was the"
## [711] "object of a regard which had its basis in gratitude and esteem. Harriet"
## [712] "would be loved as one to whom she could be useful. For Mrs. Weston there"
## [713] "was nothing to be done; for Harriet every thing."
## [714] ""
## [715] "Her first attempts at usefulness were in an endeavour to find out who"
## [716] "were the parents, but Harriet could not tell. She was ready to tell"
## [717] "every thing in her power, but on this subject questions were vain. Emma"
## [718] "was obliged to fancy what she liked--but she could never believe that in"
## [719] "the same situation _she_ should not have discovered the truth. Harriet"
## [720] "had no penetration. She had been satisfied to hear and believe just what"
## [721] "Mrs. Goddard chose to tell her; and looked no farther."
## [722] ""
## [723] "Mrs. Goddard, and the teachers, and the girls and the affairs of"
## [724] "the school in general, formed naturally a great part of the"
## [725] "conversation--and but for her acquaintance with the Martins of"
## [726] "Abbey-Mill Farm, it must have been the whole. But the Martins occupied"
## [727] "her thoughts a good deal; she had spent two very happy months with them,"
## [728] "and now loved to talk of the pleasures of her visit, and describe"
## [729] "the many comforts and wonders of the place. Emma encouraged her"
## [730] "talkativeness--amused by such a picture of another set of beings,"
## [731] "and enjoying the youthful simplicity which could speak with so much"
## [732] "exultation of Mrs. Martin's having \"_two_ parlours, two very good"
## [733] "parlours, indeed; one of them quite as large as Mrs. Goddard's"
## [734] "drawing-room; and of her having an upper maid who had lived"
## [735] "five-and-twenty years with her; and of their having eight cows, two of"
## [736] "them Alderneys, and one a little Welch cow, a very pretty little Welch"
## [737] "cow indeed; and of Mrs. Martin's saying as she was so fond of it,"
## [738] "it should be called _her_ cow; and of their having a very handsome"
## [739] "summer-house in their garden, where some day next year they were all to"
## [740] "drink tea:--a very handsome summer-house, large enough to hold a dozen"
## [741] "people.\""
## [742] ""
## [743] "For some time she was amused, without thinking beyond the immediate"
## [744] "cause; but as she came to understand the family better, other feelings"
## [745] "arose. She had taken up a wrong idea, fancying it was a mother and"
## [746] "daughter, a son and son's wife, who all lived together; but when it"
## [747] "appeared that the Mr. Martin, who bore a part in the narrative, and was"
## [748] "always mentioned with approbation for his great good-nature in doing"
## [749] "something or other, was a single man; that there was no young Mrs."
## [750] "Martin, no wife in the case; she did suspect danger to her poor little"
## [751] "friend from all this hospitality and kindness, and that, if she were not"
## [752] "taken care of, she might be required to sink herself forever."
## [753] ""
## [754] "With this inspiriting notion, her questions increased in number and"
## [755] "meaning; and she particularly led Harriet to talk more of Mr. Martin,"
## [756] "and there was evidently no dislike to it. Harriet was very ready to"
## [757] "speak of the share he had had in their moonlight walks and merry evening"
## [758] "games; and dwelt a good deal upon his being so very good-humoured and"
## [759] "obliging. He had gone three miles round one day in order to bring her"
## [760] "some walnuts, because she had said how fond she was of them, and in"
## [761] "every thing else he was so very obliging. He had his shepherd's son into"
## [762] "the parlour one night on purpose to sing to her. She was very fond"
## [763] "of singing. He could sing a little himself. She believed he was very"
## [764] "clever, and understood every thing. He had a very fine flock, and, while"
## [765] "she was with them, he had been bid more for his wool than any body in"
## [766] "the country. She believed every body spoke well of him. His mother and"
## [767] "sisters were very fond of him. Mrs. Martin had told her one day (and"
## [768] "there was a blush as she said it,) that it was impossible for any body"
## [769] "to be a better son, and therefore she was sure, whenever he married, he"
## [770] "would make a good husband. Not that she _wanted_ him to marry. She was"
## [771] "in no hurry at all."
## [772] ""
## [773] "\"Well done, Mrs. Martin!\" thought Emma. \"You know what you are about.\""
## [774] ""
## [775] "\"And when she had come away, Mrs. Martin was so very kind as to send"
## [776] "Mrs. Goddard a beautiful goose--the finest goose Mrs. Goddard had ever"
## [777] "seen. Mrs. Goddard had dressed it on a Sunday, and asked all the three"
## [778] "teachers, Miss Nash, and Miss Prince, and Miss Richardson, to sup with"
## [779] "her.\""
## [780] ""
## [781] "\"Mr. Martin, I suppose, is not a man of information beyond the line of"
## [782] "his own business? He does not read?\""
## [783] ""
## [784] "\"Oh yes!--that is, no--I do not know--but I believe he has read a"
## [785] "good deal--but not what you would think any thing of. He reads the"
## [786] "Agricultural Reports, and some other books that lay in one of the window"
## [787] "seats--but he reads all _them_ to himself. But sometimes of an evening,"
## [788] "before we went to cards, he would read something aloud out of the"
## [789] "Elegant Extracts, very entertaining. And I know he has read the Vicar of"
## [790] "Wakefield. He never read the Romance of the Forest, nor The Children of"
## [791] "the Abbey. He had never heard of such books before I mentioned them, but"
## [792] "he is determined to get them now as soon as ever he can.\""
## [793] ""
## [794] "The next question was--"
## [795] ""
## [796] "\"What sort of looking man is Mr. Martin?\""
## [797] ""
## [798] "\"Oh! not handsome--not at all handsome. I thought him very plain at"
## [799] "first, but I do not think him so plain now. One does not, you know,"
## [800] "after a time. But did you never see him? He is in Highbury every now and"
## [801] "then, and he is sure to ride through every week in his way to Kingston."
## [802] "He has passed you very often.\""
## [803] ""
## [804] "\"That may be, and I may have seen him fifty times, but without having"
## [805] "any idea of his name. A young farmer, whether on horseback or on foot,"
## [806] "is the very last sort of person to raise my curiosity. The yeomanry are"
## [807] "precisely the order of people with whom I feel I can have nothing to do."
## [808] "A degree or two lower, and a creditable appearance might interest me;"
## [809] "I might hope to be useful to their families in some way or other. But"
## [810] "a farmer can need none of my help, and is, therefore, in one sense, as"
## [811] "much above my notice as in every other he is below it.\""
## [812] ""
## [813] "\"To be sure. Oh yes! It is not likely you should ever have observed him;"
## [814] "but he knows you very well indeed--I mean by sight.\""
## [815] ""
## [816] "\"I have no doubt of his being a very respectable young man. I know,"
## [817] "indeed, that he is so, and, as such, wish him well. What do you imagine"
## [818] "his age to be?\""
## [819] ""
## [820] "\"He was four-and-twenty the 8th of last June, and my birthday is the"
## [821] "23rd just a fortnight and a day's difference--which is very odd.\""
## [822] ""
## [823] "\"Only four-and-twenty. That is too young to settle. His mother is"
## [824] "perfectly right not to be in a hurry. They seem very comfortable as they"
## [825] "are, and if she were to take any pains to marry him, she would probably"
## [826] "repent it. Six years hence, if he could meet with a good sort of young"
## [827] "woman in the same rank as his own, with a little money, it might be very"
## [828] "desirable.\""
## [829] ""
## [830] "\"Six years hence! Dear Miss Woodhouse, he would be thirty years old!\""
## [831] ""
## [832] "\"Well, and that is as early as most men can afford to marry, who are not"
## [833] "born to an independence. Mr. Martin, I imagine, has his fortune entirely"
## [834] "to make--cannot be at all beforehand with the world. Whatever money he"
## [835] "might come into when his father died, whatever his share of the family"
## [836] "property, it is, I dare say, all afloat, all employed in his stock, and"
## [837] "so forth; and though, with diligence and good luck, he may be rich in"
## [838] "time, it is next to impossible that he should have realised any thing"
## [839] "yet.\""
## [840] ""
## [841] "\"To be sure, so it is. But they live very comfortably. They have no"
## [842] "indoors man, else they do not want for any thing; and Mrs. Martin talks"
## [843] "of taking a boy another year.\""
## [844] ""
## [845] "\"I wish you may not get into a scrape, Harriet, whenever he does"
## [846] "marry;--I mean, as to being acquainted with his wife--for though his"
## [847] "sisters, from a superior education, are not to be altogether objected"
## [848] "to, it does not follow that he might marry any body at all fit for you"
## [849] "to notice. The misfortune of your birth ought to make you particularly"
## [850] "careful as to your associates. There can be no doubt of your being a"
## [851] "gentleman's daughter, and you must support your claim to that station by"
## [852] "every thing within your own power, or there will be plenty of people who"
## [853] "would take pleasure in degrading you.\""
## [854] ""
## [855] "\"Yes, to be sure, I suppose there are. But while I visit at Hartfield,"
## [856] "and you are so kind to me, Miss Woodhouse, I am not afraid of what any"
## [857] "body can do.\""
## [858] ""
## [859] "\"You understand the force of influence pretty well, Harriet; but I would"
## [860] "have you so firmly established in good society, as to be independent"
## [861] "even of Hartfield and Miss Woodhouse. I want to see you permanently"
## [862] "well connected, and to that end it will be advisable to have as few odd"
## [863] "acquaintance as may be; and, therefore, I say that if you should still"
## [864] "be in this country when Mr. Martin marries, I wish you may not be drawn"
## [865] "in by your intimacy with the sisters, to be acquainted with the wife,"
## [866] "who will probably be some mere farmer's daughter, without education.\""
## [867] ""
## [868] "\"To be sure. Yes. Not that I think Mr. Martin would ever marry any body"
## [869] "but what had had some education--and been very well brought up. However,"
## [870] "I do not mean to set up my opinion against yours--and I am sure I shall"
## [871] "not wish for the acquaintance of his wife. I shall always have a great"
## [872] "regard for the Miss Martins, especially Elizabeth, and should be very"
## [873] "sorry to give them up, for they are quite as well educated as me. But"
## [874] "if he marries a very ignorant, vulgar woman, certainly I had better not"
## [875] "visit her, if I can help it.\""
## [876] ""
## [877] "Emma watched her through the fluctuations of this speech, and saw no"
## [878] "alarming symptoms of love. The young man had been the first admirer, but"
## [879] "she trusted there was no other hold, and that there would be no serious"
## [880] "difficulty, on Harriet's side, to oppose any friendly arrangement of her"
## [881] "own."
## [882] ""
## [883] "They met Mr. Martin the very next day, as they were walking on the"
## [884] "Donwell road. He was on foot, and after looking very respectfully at"
## [885] "her, looked with most unfeigned satisfaction at her companion. Emma was"
## [886] "not sorry to have such an opportunity of survey; and walking a few"
## [887] "yards forward, while they talked together, soon made her quick eye"
## [888] "sufficiently acquainted with Mr. Robert Martin. His appearance was very"
## [889] "neat, and he looked like a sensible young man, but his person had no"
## [890] "other advantage; and when he came to be contrasted with gentlemen,"
## [891] "she thought he must lose all the ground he had gained in Harriet's"
## [892] "inclination. Harriet was not insensible of manner; she had voluntarily"
## [893] "noticed her father's gentleness with admiration as well as wonder. Mr."
## [894] "Martin looked as if he did not know what manner was."
## [895] ""
## [896] "They remained but a few minutes together, as Miss Woodhouse must not be"
## [897] "kept waiting; and Harriet then came running to her with a smiling face,"
## [898] "and in a flutter of spirits, which Miss Woodhouse hoped very soon to"
## [899] "compose."
## [900] ""
## [901] "\"Only think of our happening to meet him!--How very odd! It was quite"
## [902] "a chance, he said, that he had not gone round by Randalls. He did not"
## [903] "think we ever walked this road. He thought we walked towards Randalls"
## [904] "most days. He has not been able to get the Romance of the Forest yet."
## [905] "He was so busy the last time he was at Kingston that he quite forgot it,"
## [906] "but he goes again to-morrow. So very odd we should happen to meet! Well,"
## [907] "Miss Woodhouse, is he like what you expected? What do you think of him?"
## [908] "Do you think him so very plain?\""
## [909] ""
## [910] "\"He is very plain, undoubtedly--remarkably plain:--but that is nothing"
## [911] "compared with his entire want of gentility. I had no right to expect"
## [912] "much, and I did not expect much; but I had no idea that he could be so"
## [913] "very clownish, so totally without air. I had imagined him, I confess, a"
## [914] "degree or two nearer gentility.\""
## [915] ""
## [916] "\"To be sure,\" said Harriet, in a mortified voice, \"he is not so genteel"
## [917] "as real gentlemen.\""
## [918] ""
## [919] "\"I think, Harriet, since your acquaintance with us, you have been"
## [920] "repeatedly in the company of some such very real gentlemen, that you"
## [921] "must yourself be struck with the difference in Mr. Martin. At Hartfield,"
## [922] "you have had very good specimens of well educated, well bred men. I"
## [923] "should be surprized if, after seeing them, you could be in company"
## [924] "with Mr. Martin again without perceiving him to be a very inferior"
## [925] "creature--and rather wondering at yourself for having ever thought him"
## [926] "at all agreeable before. Do not you begin to feel that now? Were not"
## [927] "you struck? I am sure you must have been struck by his awkward look and"
## [928] "abrupt manner, and the uncouthness of a voice which I heard to be wholly"
## [929] "unmodulated as I stood here.\""
## [930] ""
## [931] "\"Certainly, he is not like Mr. Knightley. He has not such a fine air and"
## [932] "way of walking as Mr. Knightley. I see the difference plain enough. But"
## [933] "Mr. Knightley is so very fine a man!\""
## [934] ""
## [935] "\"Mr. Knightley's air is so remarkably good that it is not fair to"
## [936] "compare Mr. Martin with _him_. You might not see one in a hundred with"
## [937] "_gentleman_ so plainly written as in Mr. Knightley. But he is not the"
## [938] "only gentleman you have been lately used to. What say you to Mr. Weston"
## [939] "and Mr. Elton? Compare Mr. Martin with either of _them_. Compare their"
## [940] "manner of carrying themselves; of walking; of speaking; of being silent."
## [941] "You must see the difference.\""
## [942] ""
## [943] "\"Oh yes!--there is a great difference. But Mr. Weston is almost an old"
## [944] "man. Mr. Weston must be between forty and fifty.\""
## [945] ""
## [946] "\"Which makes his good manners the more valuable. The older a person"
## [947] "grows, Harriet, the more important it is that their manners should not"
## [948] "be bad; the more glaring and disgusting any loudness, or coarseness, or"
## [949] "awkwardness becomes. What is passable in youth is detestable in later"
## [950] "age. Mr. Martin is now awkward and abrupt; what will he be at Mr."
## [951] "Weston's time of life?\""
## [952] ""
## [953] "\"There is no saying, indeed,\" replied Harriet rather solemnly."
## [954] ""
## [955] "\"But there may be pretty good guessing. He will be a completely gross,"
## [956] "vulgar farmer, totally inattentive to appearances, and thinking of"
## [957] "nothing but profit and loss.\""
## [958] ""
## [959] "\"Will he, indeed? That will be very bad.\""
## [960] ""
## [961] "\"How much his business engrosses him already is very plain from the"
## [962] "circumstance of his forgetting to inquire for the book you recommended."
## [963] "He was a great deal too full of the market to think of any thing"
## [964] "else--which is just as it should be, for a thriving man. What has he to"
## [965] "do with books? And I have no doubt that he _will_ thrive, and be a very"
## [966] "rich man in time--and his being illiterate and coarse need not disturb"
## [967] "_us_.\""
## [968] ""
## [969] "\"I wonder he did not remember the book\"--was all Harriet's answer, and"
## [970] "spoken with a degree of grave displeasure which Emma thought might be"
## [971] "safely left to itself. She, therefore, said no more for some time. Her"
## [972] "next beginning was,"
## [973] ""
## [974] "\"In one respect, perhaps, Mr. Elton's manners are superior to Mr."
## [975] "Knightley's or Mr. Weston's. They have more gentleness. They might be"
## [976] "more safely held up as a pattern. There is an openness, a quickness,"
## [977] "almost a bluntness in Mr. Weston, which every body likes in _him_,"
## [978] "because there is so much good-humour with it--but that would not do to"
## [979] "be copied. Neither would Mr. Knightley's downright, decided, commanding"
## [980] "sort of manner, though it suits _him_ very well; his figure, and look,"
## [981] "and situation in life seem to allow it; but if any young man were to set"
## [982] "about copying him, he would not be sufferable. On the contrary, I think"
## [983] "a young man might be very safely recommended to take Mr. Elton as a"
## [984] "model. Mr. Elton is good-humoured, cheerful, obliging, and gentle."
## [985] "He seems to me to be grown particularly gentle of late. I do not know"
## [986] "whether he has any design of ingratiating himself with either of us,"
## [987] "Harriet, by additional softness, but it strikes me that his manners are"
## [988] "softer than they used to be. If he means any thing, it must be to please"
## [989] "you. Did not I tell you what he said of you the other day?\""
## [990] ""
## [991] "She then repeated some warm personal praise which she had drawn from Mr."
## [992] "Elton, and now did full justice to; and Harriet blushed and smiled, and"
## [993] "said she had always thought Mr. Elton very agreeable."
## [994] ""
## [995] "Mr. Elton was the very person fixed on by Emma for driving the young"
## [996] "farmer out of Harriet's head. She thought it would be an excellent"
## [997] "match; and only too palpably desirable, natural, and probable, for her"
## [998] "to have much merit in planning it. She feared it was what every body"
## [999] "else must think of and predict. It was not likely, however, that any"
## [1000] "body should have equalled her in the date of the plan, as it had"
## [1001] "entered her brain during the very first evening of Harriet's coming to"
## [1002] "Hartfield. The longer she considered it, the greater was her sense"
## [1003] "of its expediency. Mr. Elton's situation was most suitable, quite the"
## [1004] "gentleman himself, and without low connexions; at the same time, not of"
## [1005] "any family that could fairly object to the doubtful birth of Harriet."
## [1006] "He had a comfortable home for her, and Emma imagined a very sufficient"
## [1007] "income; for though the vicarage of Highbury was not large, he was known"
## [1008] "to have some independent property; and she thought very highly of him"
## [1009] "as a good-humoured, well-meaning, respectable young man, without any"
## [1010] "deficiency of useful understanding or knowledge of the world."
## [1011] ""
## [1012] "She had already satisfied herself that he thought Harriet a beautiful"
## [1013] "girl, which she trusted, with such frequent meetings at Hartfield, was"
## [1014] "foundation enough on his side; and on Harriet's there could be little"
## [1015] "doubt that the idea of being preferred by him would have all the usual"
## [1016] "weight and efficacy. And he was really a very pleasing young man, a"
## [1017] "young man whom any woman not fastidious might like. He was reckoned very"
## [1018] "handsome; his person much admired in general, though not by her,"
## [1019] "there being a want of elegance of feature which she could not dispense"
## [1020] "with:--but the girl who could be gratified by a Robert Martin's riding"
## [1021] "about the country to get walnuts for her might very well be conquered by"
## [1022] "Mr. Elton's admiration."
## [1023] ""
## [1024] ""
## [1025] ""
## [1026] "CHAPTER V"
## [1027] ""
## [1028] ""
## [1029] "\"I do not know what your opinion may be, Mrs. Weston,\" said Mr."
## [1030] "Knightley, \"of this great intimacy between Emma and Harriet Smith, but I"
## [1031] "think it a bad thing.\""
## [1032] ""
## [1033] "\"A bad thing! Do you really think it a bad thing?--why so?\""
## [1034] ""
## [1035] "\"I think they will neither of them do the other any good.\""
## [1036] ""
## [1037] "\"You surprize me! Emma must do Harriet good: and by supplying her with a"
## [1038] "new object of interest, Harriet may be said to do Emma good. I have been"
## [1039] "seeing their intimacy with the greatest pleasure. How very differently"
## [1040] "we feel!--Not think they will do each other any good! This will"
## [1041] "certainly be the beginning of one of our quarrels about Emma, Mr."
## [1042] "Knightley.\""
## [1043] ""
## [1044] "\"Perhaps you think I am come on purpose to quarrel with you, knowing"
## [1045] "Weston to be out, and that you must still fight your own battle.\""
## [1046] ""
## [1047] "\"Mr. Weston would undoubtedly support me, if he were here, for he thinks"
## [1048] "exactly as I do on the subject. We were speaking of it only yesterday,"
## [1049] "and agreeing how fortunate it was for Emma, that there should be such a"
## [1050] "girl in Highbury for her to associate with. Mr. Knightley, I shall not"
## [1051] "allow you to be a fair judge in this case. You are so much used to live"
## [1052] "alone, that you do not know the value of a companion; and, perhaps no"
## [1053] "man can be a good judge of the comfort a woman feels in the society of"
## [1054] "one of her own sex, after being used to it all her life. I can imagine"
## [1055] "your objection to Harriet Smith. She is not the superior young woman"
## [1056] "which Emma's friend ought to be. But on the other hand, as Emma wants"
## [1057] "to see her better informed, it will be an inducement to her to read more"
## [1058] "herself. They will read together. She means it, I know.\""
## [1059] ""
## [1060] "\"Emma has been meaning to read more ever since she was twelve years old."
## [1061] "I have seen a great many lists of her drawing-up at various times of"
## [1062] "books that she meant to read regularly through--and very good lists"
## [1063] "they were--very well chosen, and very neatly arranged--sometimes"
## [1064] "alphabetically, and sometimes by some other rule. The list she drew"
## [1065] "up when only fourteen--I remember thinking it did her judgment so much"
## [1066] "credit, that I preserved it some time; and I dare say she may have made"
## [1067] "out a very good list now. But I have done with expecting any course of"
## [1068] "steady reading from Emma. She will never submit to any thing"
## [1069] "requiring industry and patience, and a subjection of the fancy to the"
## [1070] "understanding. Where Miss Taylor failed to stimulate, I may safely"
## [1071] "affirm that Harriet Smith will do nothing.--You never could persuade her"
## [1072] "to read half so much as you wished.--You know you could not.\""
## [1073] ""
## [1074] "\"I dare say,\" replied Mrs. Weston, smiling, \"that I thought so"
## [1075] "_then_;--but since we have parted, I can never remember Emma's omitting"
## [1076] "to do any thing I wished.\""
## [1077] ""
## [1078] "\"There is hardly any desiring to refresh such a memory as _that_,\"--said"
## [1079] "Mr. Knightley, feelingly; and for a moment or two he had done. \"But I,\""
## [1080] "he soon added, \"who have had no such charm thrown over my senses, must"
## [1081] "still see, hear, and remember. Emma is spoiled by being the cleverest"
## [1082] "of her family. At ten years old, she had the misfortune of being able to"
## [1083] "answer questions which puzzled her sister at seventeen. She was always"
## [1084] "quick and assured: Isabella slow and diffident. And ever since she"
## [1085] "was twelve, Emma has been mistress of the house and of you all. In her"
## [1086] "mother she lost the only person able to cope with her. She inherits her"
## [1087] "mother's talents, and must have been under subjection to her.\""
## [1088] ""
## [1089] "\"I should have been sorry, Mr. Knightley, to be dependent on _your_"
## [1090] "recommendation, had I quitted Mr. Woodhouse's family and wanted another"
## [1091] "situation; I do not think you would have spoken a good word for me to"
## [1092] "any body. I am sure you always thought me unfit for the office I held.\""
## [1093] ""
## [1094] "\"Yes,\" said he, smiling. \"You are better placed _here_; very fit for a"
## [1095] "wife, but not at all for a governess. But you were preparing yourself to"
## [1096] "be an excellent wife all the time you were at Hartfield. You might"
## [1097] "not give Emma such a complete education as your powers would seem to"
## [1098] "promise; but you were receiving a very good education from _her_, on the"
## [1099] "very material matrimonial point of submitting your own will, and doing"
## [1100] "as you were bid; and if Weston had asked me to recommend him a wife, I"
## [1101] "should certainly have named Miss Taylor.\""
## [1102] ""
## [1103] "\"Thank you. There will be very little merit in making a good wife to"
## [1104] "such a man as Mr. Weston.\""
## [1105] ""
## [1106] "\"Why, to own the truth, I am afraid you are rather thrown away, and that"
## [1107] "with every disposition to bear, there will be nothing to be borne. We"
## [1108] "will not despair, however. Weston may grow cross from the wantonness of"
## [1109] "comfort, or his son may plague him.\""
## [1110] ""
## [1111] "\"I hope not _that_.--It is not likely. No, Mr. Knightley, do not"
## [1112] "foretell vexation from that quarter.\""
## [1113] ""
## [1114] "\"Not I, indeed. I only name possibilities. I do not pretend to Emma's"
## [1115] "genius for foretelling and guessing. I hope, with all my heart, the"
## [1116] "young man may be a Weston in merit, and a Churchill in fortune.--But"
## [1117] "Harriet Smith--I have not half done about Harriet Smith. I think her the"
## [1118] "very worst sort of companion that Emma could possibly have. She knows"
## [1119] "nothing herself, and looks upon Emma as knowing every thing. She is a"
## [1120] "flatterer in all her ways; and so much the worse, because undesigned."
## [1121] "Her ignorance is hourly flattery. How can Emma imagine she has any"
## [1122] "thing to learn herself, while Harriet is presenting such a delightful"
## [1123] "inferiority? And as for Harriet, I will venture to say that _she_ cannot"
## [1124] "gain by the acquaintance. Hartfield will only put her out of conceit"
## [1125] "with all the other places she belongs to. She will grow just refined"
## [1126] "enough to be uncomfortable with those among whom birth and circumstances"
## [1127] "have placed her home. I am much mistaken if Emma's doctrines give any"
## [1128] "strength of mind, or tend at all to make a girl adapt herself rationally"
## [1129] "to the varieties of her situation in life.--They only give a little"
## [1130] "polish.\""
## [1131] ""
## [1132] "\"I either depend more upon Emma's good sense than you do, or am more"
## [1133] "anxious for her present comfort; for I cannot lament the acquaintance."
## [1134] "How well she looked last night!\""
## [1135] ""
## [1136] "\"Oh! you would rather talk of her person than her mind, would you? Very"
## [1137] "well; I shall not attempt to deny Emma's being pretty.\""
## [1138] ""
## [1139] "\"Pretty! say beautiful rather. Can you imagine any thing nearer perfect"
## [1140] "beauty than Emma altogether--face and figure?\""
## [1141] ""
## [1142] "\"I do not know what I could imagine, but I confess that I have seldom"
## [1143] "seen a face or figure more pleasing to me than hers. But I am a partial"
## [1144] "old friend.\""
## [1145] ""
## [1146] "\"Such an eye!--the true hazle eye--and so brilliant! regular features,"
## [1147] "open countenance, with a complexion! oh! what a bloom of full health,"
## [1148] "and such a pretty height and size; such a firm and upright figure!"
## [1149] "There is health, not merely in her bloom, but in her air, her head, her"
## [1150] "glance. One hears sometimes of a child being 'the picture of health;'"
## [1151] "now, Emma always gives me the idea of being the complete picture of"
## [1152] "grown-up health. She is loveliness itself. Mr. Knightley, is not she?\""
## [1153] ""
## [1154] "\"I have not a fault to find with her person,\" he replied. \"I think her"
## [1155] "all you describe. I love to look at her; and I will add this praise,"
## [1156] "that I do not think her personally vain. Considering how very handsome"
## [1157] "she is, she appears to be little occupied with it; her vanity lies"
## [1158] "another way. Mrs. Weston, I am not to be talked out of my dislike of"
## [1159] "Harriet Smith, or my dread of its doing them both harm.\""
## [1160] ""
## [1161] "\"And I, Mr. Knightley, am equally stout in my confidence of its not"
## [1162] "doing them any harm. With all dear Emma's little faults, she is an"
## [1163] "excellent creature. Where shall we see a better daughter, or a kinder"
## [1164] "sister, or a truer friend? No, no; she has qualities which may be"
## [1165] "trusted; she will never lead any one really wrong; she will make no"
## [1166] "lasting blunder; where Emma errs once, she is in the right a hundred"
## [1167] "times.\""
## [1168] ""
## [1169] "\"Very well; I will not plague you any more. Emma shall be an angel, and"
## [1170] "I will keep my spleen to myself till Christmas brings John and Isabella."
## [1171] "John loves Emma with a reasonable and therefore not a blind affection,"
## [1172] "and Isabella always thinks as he does; except when he is not quite"
## [1173] "frightened enough about the children. I am sure of having their opinions"
## [1174] "with me.\""
## [1175] ""
## [1176] "\"I know that you all love her really too well to be unjust or unkind;"
## [1177] "but excuse me, Mr. Knightley, if I take the liberty (I consider myself,"
## [1178] "you know, as having somewhat of the privilege of speech that Emma's"
## [1179] "mother might have had) the liberty of hinting that I do not think any"
## [1180] "possible good can arise from Harriet Smith's intimacy being made a"
## [1181] "matter of much discussion among you. Pray excuse me; but supposing any"
## [1182] "little inconvenience may be apprehended from the intimacy, it cannot be"
## [1183] "expected that Emma, accountable to nobody but her father, who perfectly"
## [1184] "approves the acquaintance, should put an end to it, so long as it is a"
## [1185] "source of pleasure to herself. It has been so many years my province to"
## [1186] "give advice, that you cannot be surprized, Mr. Knightley, at this little"
## [1187] "remains of office.\""
## [1188] ""
## [1189] "\"Not at all,\" cried he; \"I am much obliged to you for it. It is very"
## [1190] "good advice, and it shall have a better fate than your advice has often"
## [1191] "found; for it shall be attended to.\""
## [1192] ""
## [1193] "\"Mrs. John Knightley is easily alarmed, and might be made unhappy about"
## [1194] "her sister.\""
## [1195] ""
## [1196] "\"Be satisfied,\" said he, \"I will not raise any outcry. I will keep my"
## [1197] "ill-humour to myself. I have a very sincere interest in Emma. Isabella"
## [1198] "does not seem more my sister; has never excited a greater interest;"
## [1199] "perhaps hardly so great. There is an anxiety, a curiosity in what one"
## [1200] "feels for Emma. I wonder what will become of her!\""
## [1201] ""
## [1202] "\"So do I,\" said Mrs. Weston gently, \"very much.\""
## [1203] ""
## [1204] "\"She always declares she will never marry, which, of course, means just"
## [1205] "nothing at all. But I have no idea that she has yet ever seen a man she"
## [1206] "cared for. It would not be a bad thing for her to be very much in love"
## [1207] "with a proper object. I should like to see Emma in love, and in some"
## [1208] "doubt of a return; it would do her good. But there is nobody hereabouts"
## [1209] "to attach her; and she goes so seldom from home.\""
## [1210] ""
## [1211] "\"There does, indeed, seem as little to tempt her to break her resolution"
## [1212] "at present,\" said Mrs. Weston, \"as can well be; and while she is so"
## [1213] "happy at Hartfield, I cannot wish her to be forming any attachment which"
## [1214] "would be creating such difficulties on poor Mr. Woodhouse's account. I"
## [1215] "do not recommend matrimony at present to Emma, though I mean no slight"
## [1216] "to the state, I assure you.\""
## [1217] ""
## [1218] "Part of her meaning was to conceal some favourite thoughts of her own"
## [1219] "and Mr. Weston's on the subject, as much as possible. There were wishes"
## [1220] "at Randalls respecting Emma's destiny, but it was not desirable to"
## [1221] "have them suspected; and the quiet transition which Mr. Knightley soon"
## [1222] "afterwards made to \"What does Weston think of the weather; shall we have"
## [1223] "rain?\" convinced her that he had nothing more to say or surmise about"
## [1224] "Hartfield."
## [1225] ""
## [1226] ""
## [1227] ""
## [1228] "CHAPTER VI"
## [1229] ""
## [1230] ""
## [1231] "Emma could not feel a doubt of having given Harriet's fancy a proper"
## [1232] "direction and raised the gratitude of her young vanity to a very good"
## [1233] "purpose, for she found her decidedly more sensible than before of Mr."
## [1234] "Elton's being a remarkably handsome man, with most agreeable manners;"
## [1235] "and as she had no hesitation in following up the assurance of his"
## [1236] "admiration by agreeable hints, she was soon pretty confident of creating"
## [1237] "as much liking on Harriet's side, as there could be any occasion for."
## [1238] "She was quite convinced of Mr. Elton's being in the fairest way of"
## [1239] "falling in love, if not in love already. She had no scruple with regard"
## [1240] "to him. He talked of Harriet, and praised her so warmly, that she could"
## [1241] "not suppose any thing wanting which a little time would not add. His"
## [1242] "perception of the striking improvement of Harriet's manner, since her"
## [1243] "introduction at Hartfield, was not one of the least agreeable proofs of"
## [1244] "his growing attachment."
## [1245] ""
## [1246] "\"You have given Miss Smith all that she required,\" said he; \"you have"
## [1247] "made her graceful and easy. She was a beautiful creature when she"
## [1248] "came to you, but, in my opinion, the attractions you have added are"
## [1249] "infinitely superior to what she received from nature.\""
## [1250] ""
## [1251] "\"I am glad you think I have been useful to her; but Harriet only wanted"
## [1252] "drawing out, and receiving a few, very few hints. She had all the"
## [1253] "natural grace of sweetness of temper and artlessness in herself. I have"
## [1254] "done very little.\""
## [1255] ""
## [1256] "\"If it were admissible to contradict a lady,\" said the gallant Mr."
## [1257] "Elton--"
## [1258] ""
## [1259] "\"I have perhaps given her a little more decision of character, have"
## [1260] "taught her to think on points which had not fallen in her way before.\""
## [1261] ""
## [1262] "\"Exactly so; that is what principally strikes me. So much superadded"
## [1263] "decision of character! Skilful has been the hand!\""
## [1264] ""
## [1265] "\"Great has been the pleasure, I am sure. I never met with a disposition"
## [1266] "more truly amiable.\""
## [1267] ""
## [1268] "\"I have no doubt of it.\" And it was spoken with a sort of sighing"
## [1269] "animation, which had a vast deal of the lover. She was not less pleased"
## [1270] "another day with the manner in which he seconded a sudden wish of hers,"
## [1271] "to have Harriet's picture."
## [1272] ""
## [1273] "\"Did you ever have your likeness taken, Harriet?\" said she: \"did you"
## [1274] "ever sit for your picture?\""
## [1275] ""
## [1276] "Harriet was on the point of leaving the room, and only stopt to say,"
## [1277] "with a very interesting naivete,"
## [1278] ""
## [1279] "\"Oh! dear, no, never.\""
## [1280] ""
## [1281] "No sooner was she out of sight, than Emma exclaimed,"
## [1282] ""
## [1283] "\"What an exquisite possession a good picture of her would be! I would"
## [1284] "give any money for it. I almost long to attempt her likeness myself."
## [1285] "You do not know it I dare say, but two or three years ago I had a great"
## [1286] "passion for taking likenesses, and attempted several of my friends, and"
## [1287] "was thought to have a tolerable eye in general. But from one cause or"
## [1288] "another, I gave it up in disgust. But really, I could almost venture,"
## [1289] "if Harriet would sit to me. It would be such a delight to have her"
## [1290] "picture!\""
## [1291] ""
## [1292] "\"Let me entreat you,\" cried Mr. Elton; \"it would indeed be a delight!"
## [1293] "Let me entreat you, Miss Woodhouse, to exercise so charming a talent"
## [1294] "in favour of your friend. I know what your drawings are. How could"
## [1295] "you suppose me ignorant? Is not this room rich in specimens of your"
## [1296] "landscapes and flowers; and has not Mrs. Weston some inimitable"
## [1297] "figure-pieces in her drawing-room, at Randalls?\""
## [1298] ""
## [1299] "Yes, good man!--thought Emma--but what has all that to do with taking"
## [1300] "likenesses? You know nothing of drawing. Don't pretend to be in raptures"
## [1301] "about mine. Keep your raptures for Harriet's face. \"Well, if you give me"
## [1302] "such kind encouragement, Mr. Elton, I believe I shall try what I can do."
## [1303] "Harriet's features are very delicate, which makes a likeness difficult;"
## [1304] "and yet there is a peculiarity in the shape of the eye and the lines"
## [1305] "about the mouth which one ought to catch.\""
## [1306] ""
## [1307] "\"Exactly so--The shape of the eye and the lines about the mouth--I have"
## [1308] "not a doubt of your success. Pray, pray attempt it. As you will do it,"
## [1309] "it will indeed, to use your own words, be an exquisite possession.\""
## [1310] ""
## [1311] "\"But I am afraid, Mr. Elton, Harriet will not like to sit. She thinks"
## [1312] "so little of her own beauty. Did not you observe her manner of answering"
## [1313] "me? How completely it meant, 'why should my picture be drawn?'\""
## [1314] ""
## [1315] "\"Oh! yes, I observed it, I assure you. It was not lost on me. But still"
## [1316] "I cannot imagine she would not be persuaded.\""
## [1317] ""
## [1318] "Harriet was soon back again, and the proposal almost immediately made;"
## [1319] "and she had no scruples which could stand many minutes against the"
## [1320] "earnest pressing of both the others. Emma wished to go to work directly,"
## [1321] "and therefore produced the portfolio containing her various attempts at"
## [1322] "portraits, for not one of them had ever been finished, that they might"
## [1323] "decide together on the best size for Harriet. Her many beginnings were"
## [1324] "displayed. Miniatures, half-lengths, whole-lengths, pencil, crayon, and"
## [1325] "water-colours had been all tried in turn. She had always wanted to do"
## [1326] "every thing, and had made more progress both in drawing and music than"
## [1327] "many might have done with so little labour as she would ever submit to."
## [1328] "She played and sang;--and drew in almost every style; but steadiness"
## [1329] "had always been wanting; and in nothing had she approached the degree of"
## [1330] "excellence which she would have been glad to command, and ought not to"
## [1331] "have failed of. She was not much deceived as to her own skill either"
## [1332] "as an artist or a musician, but she was not unwilling to have others"
## [1333] "deceived, or sorry to know her reputation for accomplishment often"
## [1334] "higher than it deserved."
## [1335] ""
## [1336] "There was merit in every drawing--in the least finished, perhaps the"
## [1337] "most; her style was spirited; but had there been much less, or had there"
## [1338] "been ten times more, the delight and admiration of her two companions"
## [1339] "would have been the same. They were both in ecstasies. A likeness"
## [1340] "pleases every body; and Miss Woodhouse's performances must be capital."
## [1341] ""
## [1342] "\"No great variety of faces for you,\" said Emma. \"I had only my own"
## [1343] "family to study from. There is my father--another of my father--but the"
## [1344] "idea of sitting for his picture made him so nervous, that I could only"
## [1345] "take him by stealth; neither of them very like therefore. Mrs. Weston"
## [1346] "again, and again, and again, you see. Dear Mrs. Weston! always my"
## [1347] "kindest friend on every occasion. She would sit whenever I asked her."
## [1348] "There is my sister; and really quite her own little elegant figure!--and"
## [1349] "the face not unlike. I should have made a good likeness of her, if she"
## [1350] "would have sat longer, but she was in such a hurry to have me draw"
## [1351] "her four children that she would not be quiet. Then, here come all my"
## [1352] "attempts at three of those four children;--there they are, Henry and"
## [1353] "John and Bella, from one end of the sheet to the other, and any one of"
## [1354] "them might do for any one of the rest. She was so eager to have them"
## [1355] "drawn that I could not refuse; but there is no making children of three"
## [1356] "or four years old stand still you know; nor can it be very easy to take"
## [1357] "any likeness of them, beyond the air and complexion, unless they are"
## [1358] "coarser featured than any of mama's children ever were. Here is my"
## [1359] "sketch of the fourth, who was a baby. I took him as he was sleeping on"
## [1360] "the sofa, and it is as strong a likeness of his cockade as you would"
## [1361] "wish to see. He had nestled down his head most conveniently. That's very"
## [1362] "like. I am rather proud of little George. The corner of the sofa is very"
## [1363] "good. Then here is my last,\"--unclosing a pretty sketch of a gentleman"
## [1364] "in small size, whole-length--\"my last and my best--my brother, Mr. John"
## [1365] "Knightley.--This did not want much of being finished, when I put it away"
## [1366] "in a pet, and vowed I would never take another likeness. I could not"
## [1367] "help being provoked; for after all my pains, and when I had really made"
## [1368] "a very good likeness of it--(Mrs. Weston and I were quite agreed in"
## [1369] "thinking it _very_ like)--only too handsome--too flattering--but"
## [1370] "that was a fault on the right side\"--after all this, came poor dear"
## [1371] "Isabella's cold approbation of--\"Yes, it was a little like--but to be"
## [1372] "sure it did not do him justice. We had had a great deal of trouble"
## [1373] "in persuading him to sit at all. It was made a great favour of; and"
## [1374] "altogether it was more than I could bear; and so I never would finish"
## [1375] "it, to have it apologised over as an unfavourable likeness, to every"
## [1376] "morning visitor in Brunswick Square;--and, as I said, I did then"
## [1377] "forswear ever drawing any body again. But for Harriet's sake, or rather"
## [1378] "for my own, and as there are no husbands and wives in the case _at_"
## [1379] "_present_, I will break my resolution now.\""
## [1380] ""
## [1381] "Mr. Elton seemed very properly struck and delighted by the idea, and was"
## [1382] "repeating, \"No husbands and wives in the case at present indeed, as"
## [1383] "you observe. Exactly so. No husbands and wives,\" with so interesting a"
## [1384] "consciousness, that Emma began to consider whether she had not better"
## [1385] "leave them together at once. But as she wanted to be drawing, the"
## [1386] "declaration must wait a little longer."
## [1387] ""
## [1388] "She had soon fixed on the size and sort of portrait. It was to be"
## [1389] "a whole-length in water-colours, like Mr. John Knightley's, and was"
## [1390] "destined, if she could please herself, to hold a very honourable station"
## [1391] "over the mantelpiece."
## [1392] ""
## [1393] "The sitting began; and Harriet, smiling and blushing, and afraid of not"
## [1394] "keeping her attitude and countenance, presented a very sweet mixture of"
## [1395] "youthful expression to the steady eyes of the artist. But there was no"
## [1396] "doing any thing, with Mr. Elton fidgeting behind her and watching every"
## [1397] "touch. She gave him credit for stationing himself where he might gaze"
## [1398] "and gaze again without offence; but was really obliged to put an end to"
## [1399] "it, and request him to place himself elsewhere. It then occurred to her"
## [1400] "to employ him in reading."
## [1401] ""
## [1402] "\"If he would be so good as to read to them, it would be a kindness"
## [1403] "indeed! It would amuse away the difficulties of her part, and lessen the"
## [1404] "irksomeness of Miss Smith's.\""
## [1405] ""
## [1406] "Mr. Elton was only too happy. Harriet listened, and Emma drew in peace."
## [1407] "She must allow him to be still frequently coming to look; any thing less"
## [1408] "would certainly have been too little in a lover; and he was ready at the"
## [1409] "smallest intermission of the pencil, to jump up and see the progress,"
## [1410] "and be charmed.--There was no being displeased with such an encourager,"
## [1411] "for his admiration made him discern a likeness almost before it"
## [1412] "was possible. She could not respect his eye, but his love and his"
## [1413] "complaisance were unexceptionable."
## [1414] ""
## [1415] "The sitting was altogether very satisfactory; she was quite enough"
## [1416] "pleased with the first day's sketch to wish to go on. There was no want"
## [1417] "of likeness, she had been fortunate in the attitude, and as she meant"
## [1418] "to throw in a little improvement to the figure, to give a little more"
## [1419] "height, and considerably more elegance, she had great confidence of"
## [1420] "its being in every way a pretty drawing at last, and of its filling"
## [1421] "its destined place with credit to them both--a standing memorial of the"
## [1422] "beauty of one, the skill of the other, and the friendship of both;"
## [1423] "with as many other agreeable associations as Mr. Elton's very promising"
## [1424] "attachment was likely to add."
## [1425] ""
## [1426] "Harriet was to sit again the next day; and Mr. Elton, just as he ought,"
## [1427] "entreated for the permission of attending and reading to them again."
## [1428] ""
## [1429] "\"By all means. We shall be most happy to consider you as one of the"
## [1430] "party.\""
## [1431] ""
## [1432] "The same civilities and courtesies, the same success and satisfaction,"
## [1433] "took place on the morrow, and accompanied the whole progress of the"
## [1434] "picture, which was rapid and happy. Every body who saw it was pleased,"
## [1435] "but Mr. Elton was in continual raptures, and defended it through every"
## [1436] "criticism."
## [1437] ""
## [1438] "\"Miss Woodhouse has given her friend the only beauty she"
## [1439] "wanted,\"--observed Mrs. Weston to him--not in the least suspecting that"
## [1440] "she was addressing a lover.--\"The expression of the eye is most correct,"
## [1441] "but Miss Smith has not those eyebrows and eyelashes. It is the fault of"
## [1442] "her face that she has them not.\""
## [1443] ""
## [1444] "\"Do you think so?\" replied he. \"I cannot agree with you. It appears"
## [1445] "to me a most perfect resemblance in every feature. I never saw such a"
## [1446] "likeness in my life. We must allow for the effect of shade, you know.\""
## [1447] ""
## [1448] "\"You have made her too tall, Emma,\" said Mr. Knightley."
## [1449] ""
## [1450] "Emma knew that she had, but would not own it; and Mr. Elton warmly"
## [1451] "added,"
## [1452] ""
## [1453] "\"Oh no! certainly not too tall; not in the least too tall. Consider, she"
## [1454] "is sitting down--which naturally presents a different--which in short"
## [1455] "gives exactly the idea--and the proportions must be preserved, you know."
## [1456] "Proportions, fore-shortening.--Oh no! it gives one exactly the idea of"
## [1457] "such a height as Miss Smith's. Exactly so indeed!\""
## [1458] ""
## [1459] "\"It is very pretty,\" said Mr. Woodhouse. \"So prettily done! Just as your"
## [1460] "drawings always are, my dear. I do not know any body who draws so well"
## [1461] "as you do. The only thing I do not thoroughly like is, that she seems"
## [1462] "to be sitting out of doors, with only a little shawl over her"
## [1463] "shoulders--and it makes one think she must catch cold.\""
## [1464] ""
## [1465] "\"But, my dear papa, it is supposed to be summer; a warm day in summer."
## [1466] "Look at the tree.\""
## [1467] ""
## [1468] "\"But it is never safe to sit out of doors, my dear.\""
## [1469] ""
## [1470] "\"You, sir, may say any thing,\" cried Mr. Elton, \"but I must confess that"
## [1471] "I regard it as a most happy thought, the placing of Miss Smith out of"
## [1472] "doors; and the tree is touched with such inimitable spirit! Any other"
## [1473] "situation would have been much less in character. The naivete of Miss"
## [1474] "Smith's manners--and altogether--Oh, it is most admirable! I cannot keep"
## [1475] "my eyes from it. I never saw such a likeness.\""
## [1476] ""
## [1477] "The next thing wanted was to get the picture framed; and here were a few"
## [1478] "difficulties. It must be done directly; it must be done in London; the"
## [1479] "order must go through the hands of some intelligent person whose taste"
## [1480] "could be depended on; and Isabella, the usual doer of all commissions,"
## [1481] "must not be applied to, because it was December, and Mr. Woodhouse"
## [1482] "could not bear the idea of her stirring out of her house in the fogs of"
## [1483] "December. But no sooner was the distress known to Mr. Elton, than it"
## [1484] "was removed. His gallantry was always on the alert. \"Might he be trusted"
## [1485] "with the commission, what infinite pleasure should he have in executing"
## [1486] "it! he could ride to London at any time. It was impossible to say how"
## [1487] "much he should be gratified by being employed on such an errand.\""
## [1488] ""
## [1489] "\"He was too good!--she could not endure the thought!--she would not give"
## [1490] "him such a troublesome office for the world,\"--brought on the desired"
## [1491] "repetition of entreaties and assurances,--and a very few minutes settled"
## [1492] "the business."
## [1493] ""
## [1494] "Mr. Elton was to take the drawing to London, chuse the frame, and give"
## [1495] "the directions; and Emma thought she could so pack it as to ensure its"
## [1496] "safety without much incommoding him, while he seemed mostly fearful of"
## [1497] "not being incommoded enough."
## [1498] ""
## [1499] "\"What a precious deposit!\" said he with a tender sigh, as he received"
## [1500] "it."
## [1501] ""
## [1502] "\"This man is almost too gallant to be in love,\" thought Emma. \"I should"
## [1503] "say so, but that I suppose there may be a hundred different ways of"
## [1504] "being in love. He is an excellent young man, and will suit Harriet"
## [1505] "exactly; it will be an 'Exactly so,' as he says himself; but he does"
## [1506] "sigh and languish, and study for compliments rather more than I could"
## [1507] "endure as a principal. I come in for a pretty good share as a second."
## [1508] "But it is his gratitude on Harriet's account.\""
## [1509] ""
## [1510] ""
## [1511] ""
## [1512] "CHAPTER VII"
## [1513] ""
## [1514] ""
## [1515] "The very day of Mr. Elton's going to London produced a fresh occasion"
## [1516] "for Emma's services towards her friend. Harriet had been at Hartfield,"
## [1517] "as usual, soon after breakfast; and, after a time, had gone home to"
## [1518] "return again to dinner: she returned, and sooner than had been"
## [1519] "talked of, and with an agitated, hurried look, announcing something"
## [1520] "extraordinary to have happened which she was longing to tell. Half a"
## [1521] "minute brought it all out. She had heard, as soon as she got back to"
## [1522] "Mrs. Goddard's, that Mr. Martin had been there an hour before, and"
## [1523] "finding she was not at home, nor particularly expected, had left a"
## [1524] "little parcel for her from one of his sisters, and gone away; and on"
## [1525] "opening this parcel, she had actually found, besides the two songs which"
## [1526] "she had lent Elizabeth to copy, a letter to herself; and this letter was"
## [1527] "from him, from Mr. Martin, and contained a direct proposal of marriage."
## [1528] "\"Who could have thought it? She was so surprized she did not know what"
## [1529] "to do. Yes, quite a proposal of marriage; and a very good letter,"
## [1530] "at least she thought so. And he wrote as if he really loved her very"
## [1531] "much--but she did not know--and so, she was come as fast as she could to"
## [1532] "ask Miss Woodhouse what she should do.--\" Emma was half-ashamed of her"
## [1533] "friend for seeming so pleased and so doubtful."
## [1534] ""
## [1535] "\"Upon my word,\" she cried, \"the young man is determined not to lose any"
## [1536] "thing for want of asking. He will connect himself well if he can.\""
## [1537] ""
## [1538] "\"Will you read the letter?\" cried Harriet. \"Pray do. I'd rather you"
## [1539] "would.\""
## [1540] ""
## [1541] "Emma was not sorry to be pressed. She read, and was surprized. The style"
## [1542] "of the letter was much above her expectation. There were not merely no"
## [1543] "grammatical errors, but as a composition it would not have disgraced a"
## [1544] "gentleman; the language, though plain, was strong and unaffected, and"
## [1545] "the sentiments it conveyed very much to the credit of the writer. It was"
## [1546] "short, but expressed good sense, warm attachment, liberality, propriety,"
## [1547] "even delicacy of feeling. She paused over it, while Harriet stood"
## [1548] "anxiously watching for her opinion, with a \"Well, well,\" and was at last"
## [1549] "forced to add, \"Is it a good letter? or is it too short?\""
## [1550] ""
## [1551] "\"Yes, indeed, a very good letter,\" replied Emma rather slowly--\"so"
## [1552] "good a letter, Harriet, that every thing considered, I think one of his"
## [1553] "sisters must have helped him. I can hardly imagine the young man whom"
## [1554] "I saw talking with you the other day could express himself so well, if"
## [1555] "left quite to his own powers, and yet it is not the style of a woman;"
## [1556] "no, certainly, it is too strong and concise; not diffuse enough for a"
## [1557] "woman. No doubt he is a sensible man, and I suppose may have a natural"
## [1558] "talent for--thinks strongly and clearly--and when he takes a pen in"
## [1559] "hand, his thoughts naturally find proper words. It is so with some men."
## [1560] "Yes, I understand the sort of mind. Vigorous, decided, with sentiments"
## [1561] "to a certain point, not coarse. A better written letter, Harriet"
## [1562] "(returning it,) than I had expected.\""
## [1563] ""
## [1564] "\"Well,\" said the still waiting Harriet;--\"well--and--and what shall I"
## [1565] "do?\""
## [1566] ""
## [1567] "\"What shall you do! In what respect? Do you mean with regard to this"
## [1568] "letter?\""
## [1569] ""
## [1570] "\"Yes.\""
## [1571] ""
## [1572] "\"But what are you in doubt of? You must answer it of course--and"
## [1573] "speedily.\""
## [1574] ""
## [1575] "\"Yes. But what shall I say? Dear Miss Woodhouse, do advise me.\""
## [1576] ""
## [1577] "\"Oh no, no! the letter had much better be all your own. You will express"
## [1578] "yourself very properly, I am sure. There is no danger of your not"
## [1579] "being intelligible, which is the first thing. Your meaning must be"
## [1580] "unequivocal; no doubts or demurs: and such expressions of gratitude"
## [1581] "and concern for the pain you are inflicting as propriety requires, will"
## [1582] "present themselves unbidden to _your_ mind, I am persuaded. You need"
## [1583] "not be prompted to write with the appearance of sorrow for his"
## [1584] "disappointment.\""
## [1585] ""
## [1586] "\"You think I ought to refuse him then,\" said Harriet, looking down."
## [1587] ""
## [1588] "\"Ought to refuse him! My dear Harriet, what do you mean? Are you in any"
## [1589] "doubt as to that? I thought--but I beg your pardon, perhaps I have been"
## [1590] "under a mistake. I certainly have been misunderstanding you, if you feel"
## [1591] "in doubt as to the _purport_ of your answer. I had imagined you were"
## [1592] "consulting me only as to the wording of it.\""
## [1593] ""
## [1594] "Harriet was silent. With a little reserve of manner, Emma continued:"
## [1595] ""
## [1596] "\"You mean to return a favourable answer, I collect.\""
## [1597] ""
## [1598] "\"No, I do not; that is, I do not mean--What shall I do? What would you"
## [1599] "advise me to do? Pray, dear Miss Woodhouse, tell me what I ought to do.\""
## [1600] ""
## [1601] "\"I shall not give you any advice, Harriet. I will have nothing to do"
## [1602] "with it. This is a point which you must settle with your feelings.\""
## [1603] ""
## [1604] "\"I had no notion that he liked me so very much,\" said Harriet,"
## [1605] "contemplating the letter. For a little while Emma persevered in her"
## [1606] "silence; but beginning to apprehend the bewitching flattery of that"
## [1607] "letter might be too powerful, she thought it best to say,"
## [1608] ""
## [1609] "\"I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman _doubts_ as"
## [1610] "to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse"
## [1611] "him. If she can hesitate as to 'Yes,' she ought to say 'No' directly."
## [1612] "It is not a state to be safely entered into with doubtful feelings, with"
## [1613] "half a heart. I thought it my duty as a friend, and older than yourself,"
## [1614] "to say thus much to you. But do not imagine that I want to influence"
## [1615] "you.\""
## [1616] ""
## [1617] "\"Oh! no, I am sure you are a great deal too kind to--but if you would"
## [1618] "just advise me what I had best do--No, no, I do not mean that--As"
## [1619] "you say, one's mind ought to be quite made up--One should not be"
## [1620] "hesitating--It is a very serious thing.--It will be safer to say 'No,'"
## [1621] "perhaps.--Do you think I had better say 'No?'\""
## [1622] ""
## [1623] "\"Not for the world,\" said Emma, smiling graciously, \"would I advise you"
## [1624] "either way. You must be the best judge of your own happiness. If you"
## [1625] "prefer Mr. Martin to every other person; if you think him the most"
## [1626] "agreeable man you have ever been in company with, why should you"
## [1627] "hesitate? You blush, Harriet.--Does any body else occur to you at"
## [1628] "this moment under such a definition? Harriet, Harriet, do not deceive"
## [1629] "yourself; do not be run away with by gratitude and compassion. At this"
## [1630] "moment whom are you thinking of?\""
## [1631] ""
## [1632] "The symptoms were favourable.--Instead of answering, Harriet turned away"
## [1633] "confused, and stood thoughtfully by the fire; and though the letter was"
## [1634] "still in her hand, it was now mechanically twisted about without regard."
## [1635] "Emma waited the result with impatience, but not without strong hopes. At"
## [1636] "last, with some hesitation, Harriet said--"
## [1637] ""
## [1638] "\"Miss Woodhouse, as you will not give me your opinion, I must do as well"
## [1639] "as I can by myself; and I have now quite determined, and really almost"
## [1640] "made up my mind--to refuse Mr. Martin. Do you think I am right?\""
## [1641] ""
## [1642] "\"Perfectly, perfectly right, my dearest Harriet; you are doing just"
## [1643] "what you ought. While you were at all in suspense I kept my feelings to"
## [1644] "myself, but now that you are so completely decided I have no hesitation"
## [1645] "in approving. Dear Harriet, I give myself joy of this. It would"
## [1646] "have grieved me to lose your acquaintance, which must have been the"
## [1647] "consequence of your marrying Mr. Martin. While you were in the smallest"
## [1648] "degree wavering, I said nothing about it, because I would not influence;"
## [1649] "but it would have been the loss of a friend to me. I could not have"
## [1650] "visited Mrs. Robert Martin, of Abbey-Mill Farm. Now I am secure of you"
## [1651] "for ever.\""
## [1652] ""
## [1653] "Harriet had not surmised her own danger, but the idea of it struck her"
## [1654] "forcibly."
## [1655] ""
## [1656] "\"You could not have visited me!\" she cried, looking aghast. \"No, to be"
## [1657] "sure you could not; but I never thought of that before. That would have"
## [1658] "been too dreadful!--What an escape!--Dear Miss Woodhouse, I would not"
## [1659] "give up the pleasure and honour of being intimate with you for any thing"
## [1660] "in the world.\""
## [1661] ""
## [1662] "\"Indeed, Harriet, it would have been a severe pang to lose you; but it"
## [1663] "must have been. You would have thrown yourself out of all good society."
## [1664] "I must have given you up.\""
## [1665] ""
## [1666] "\"Dear me!--How should I ever have borne it! It would have killed me"
## [1667] "never to come to Hartfield any more!\""
## [1668] ""
## [1669] "\"Dear affectionate creature!--_You_ banished to Abbey-Mill Farm!--_You_"
## [1670] "confined to the society of the illiterate and vulgar all your life! I"
## [1671] "wonder how the young man could have the assurance to ask it. He must"
## [1672] "have a pretty good opinion of himself.\""
## [1673] ""
## [1674] "\"I do not think he is conceited either, in general,\" said Harriet, her"
## [1675] "conscience opposing such censure; \"at least, he is very good natured,"
## [1676] "and I shall always feel much obliged to him, and have a great regard"
## [1677] "for--but that is quite a different thing from--and you know, though"
## [1678] "he may like me, it does not follow that I should--and certainly I must"
## [1679] "confess that since my visiting here I have seen people--and if one comes"
## [1680] "to compare them, person and manners, there is no comparison at all,"
## [1681] "_one_ is so very handsome and agreeable. However, I do really think Mr."
## [1682] "Martin a very amiable young man, and have a great opinion of him; and"
## [1683] "his being so much attached to me--and his writing such a letter--but as"
## [1684] "to leaving you, it is what I would not do upon any consideration.\""
## [1685] ""
## [1686] "\"Thank you, thank you, my own sweet little friend. We will not be"
## [1687] "parted. A woman is not to marry a man merely because she is asked, or"
## [1688] "because he is attached to her, and can write a tolerable letter.\""
## [1689] ""
## [1690] "\"Oh no;--and it is but a short letter too.\""
## [1691] ""
## [1692] "Emma felt the bad taste of her friend, but let it pass with a \"very"
## [1693] "true; and it would be a small consolation to her, for the clownish"
## [1694] "manner which might be offending her every hour of the day, to know that"
## [1695] "her husband could write a good letter.\""
## [1696] ""
## [1697] "\"Oh! yes, very. Nobody cares for a letter; the thing is, to be always"
## [1698] "happy with pleasant companions. I am quite determined to refuse him. But"
## [1699] "how shall I do? What shall I say?\""
## [1700] ""
## [1701] "Emma assured her there would be no difficulty in the answer, and advised"
## [1702] "its being written directly, which was agreed to, in the hope of her"
## [1703] "assistance; and though Emma continued to protest against any assistance"
## [1704] "being wanted, it was in fact given in the formation of every sentence."
## [1705] "The looking over his letter again, in replying to it, had such a"
## [1706] "softening tendency, that it was particularly necessary to brace her up"
## [1707] "with a few decisive expressions; and she was so very much concerned at"
## [1708] "the idea of making him unhappy, and thought so much of what his mother"
## [1709] "and sisters would think and say, and was so anxious that they should not"
## [1710] "fancy her ungrateful, that Emma believed if the young man had come in"
## [1711] "her way at that moment, he would have been accepted after all."
## [1712] ""
## [1713] "This letter, however, was written, and sealed, and sent. The business"
## [1714] "was finished, and Harriet safe. She was rather low all the evening, but"
## [1715] "Emma could allow for her amiable regrets, and sometimes relieved them by"
## [1716] "speaking of her own affection, sometimes by bringing forward the idea of"
## [1717] "Mr. Elton."
## [1718] ""
## [1719] "\"I shall never be invited to Abbey-Mill again,\" was said in rather a"
## [1720] "sorrowful tone."
## [1721] ""
## [1722] "\"Nor, if you were, could I ever bear to part with you, my Harriet. You"
## [1723] "are a great deal too necessary at Hartfield to be spared to Abbey-Mill.\""
## [1724] ""
## [1725] "\"And I am sure I should never want to go there; for I am never happy but"
## [1726] "at Hartfield.\""
## [1727] ""
## [1728] "Some time afterwards it was, \"I think Mrs. Goddard would be very much"
## [1729] "surprized if she knew what had happened. I am sure Miss Nash would--for"
## [1730] "Miss Nash thinks her own sister very well married, and it is only a"
## [1731] "linen-draper.\""
## [1732] ""
## [1733] "\"One should be sorry to see greater pride or refinement in the teacher"
## [1734] "of a school, Harriet. I dare say Miss Nash would envy you such an"
## [1735] "opportunity as this of being married. Even this conquest would appear"
## [1736] "valuable in her eyes. As to any thing superior for you, I suppose she"
## [1737] "is quite in the dark. The attentions of a certain person can hardly be"
## [1738] "among the tittle-tattle of Highbury yet. Hitherto I fancy you and I"
## [1739] "are the only people to whom his looks and manners have explained"
## [1740] "themselves.\""
## [1741] ""
## [1742] "Harriet blushed and smiled, and said something about wondering that"
## [1743] "people should like her so much. The idea of Mr. Elton was certainly"
## [1744] "cheering; but still, after a time, she was tender-hearted again towards"
## [1745] "the rejected Mr. Martin."
## [1746] ""
## [1747] "\"Now he has got my letter,\" said she softly. \"I wonder what they are all"
## [1748] "doing--whether his sisters know--if he is unhappy, they will be unhappy"
## [1749] "too. I hope he will not mind it so very much.\""
## [1750] ""
## [1751] "\"Let us think of those among our absent friends who are more cheerfully"
## [1752] "employed,\" cried Emma. \"At this moment, perhaps, Mr. Elton is shewing"
## [1753] "your picture to his mother and sisters, telling how much more beautiful"
## [1754] "is the original, and after being asked for it five or six times,"
## [1755] "allowing them to hear your name, your own dear name.\""
## [1756] ""
## [1757] "\"My picture!--But he has left my picture in Bond-street.\""
## [1758] ""
## [1759] "\"Has he so!--Then I know nothing of Mr. Elton. No, my dear little modest"
## [1760] "Harriet, depend upon it the picture will not be in Bond-street till"
## [1761] "just before he mounts his horse to-morrow. It is his companion all this"
## [1762] "evening, his solace, his delight. It opens his designs to his family,"
## [1763] "it introduces you among them, it diffuses through the party those"
## [1764] "pleasantest feelings of our nature, eager curiosity and warm"
## [1765] "prepossession. How cheerful, how animated, how suspicious, how busy"
## [1766] "their imaginations all are!\""
## [1767] ""
## [1768] "Harriet smiled again, and her smiles grew stronger."
## [1769] ""
## [1770] ""
## [1771] ""
## [1772] "CHAPTER VIII"
## [1773] ""
## [1774] ""
## [1775] "Harriet slept at Hartfield that night. For some weeks past she had been"
## [1776] "spending more than half her time there, and gradually getting to have"
## [1777] "a bed-room appropriated to herself; and Emma judged it best in every"
## [1778] "respect, safest and kindest, to keep her with them as much as possible"
## [1779] "just at present. She was obliged to go the next morning for an hour or"
## [1780] "two to Mrs. Goddard's, but it was then to be settled that she should"
## [1781] "return to Hartfield, to make a regular visit of some days."
## [1782] ""
## [1783] "While she was gone, Mr. Knightley called, and sat some time with Mr."
## [1784] "Woodhouse and Emma, till Mr. Woodhouse, who had previously made up his"
## [1785] "mind to walk out, was persuaded by his daughter not to defer it, and was"
## [1786] "induced by the entreaties of both, though against the scruples of his"
## [1787] "own civility, to leave Mr. Knightley for that purpose. Mr. Knightley,"
## [1788] "who had nothing of ceremony about him, was offering by his short,"
## [1789] "decided answers, an amusing contrast to the protracted apologies and"
## [1790] "civil hesitations of the other."
## [1791] ""
## [1792] "\"Well, I believe, if you will excuse me, Mr. Knightley, if you will not"
## [1793] "consider me as doing a very rude thing, I shall take Emma's advice and"
## [1794] "go out for a quarter of an hour. As the sun is out, I believe I had"
## [1795] "better take my three turns while I can. I treat you without ceremony,"
## [1796] "Mr. Knightley. We invalids think we are privileged people.\""
## [1797] ""
## [1798] "\"My dear sir, do not make a stranger of me.\""
## [1799] ""
## [1800] "\"I leave an excellent substitute in my daughter. Emma will be happy to"
## [1801] "entertain you. And therefore I think I will beg your excuse and take my"
## [1802] "three turns--my winter walk.\""
## [1803] ""
## [1804] "\"You cannot do better, sir.\""
## [1805] ""
## [1806] "\"I would ask for the pleasure of your company, Mr. Knightley, but I am a"
## [1807] "very slow walker, and my pace would be tedious to you; and, besides, you"
## [1808] "have another long walk before you, to Donwell Abbey.\""
## [1809] ""
## [1810] "\"Thank you, sir, thank you; I am going this moment myself; and I think"
## [1811] "the sooner _you_ go the better. I will fetch your greatcoat and open the"
## [1812] "garden door for you.\""
## [1813] ""
## [1814] "Mr. Woodhouse at last was off; but Mr. Knightley, instead of being"
## [1815] "immediately off likewise, sat down again, seemingly inclined for more"
## [1816] "chat. He began speaking of Harriet, and speaking of her with more"
## [1817] "voluntary praise than Emma had ever heard before."
## [1818] ""
## [1819] "\"I cannot rate her beauty as you do,\" said he; \"but she is a"
## [1820] "pretty little creature, and I am inclined to think very well of her"
## [1821] "disposition. Her character depends upon those she is with; but in good"
## [1822] "hands she will turn out a valuable woman.\""
## [1823] ""
## [1824] "\"I am glad you think so; and the good hands, I hope, may not be"
## [1825] "wanting.\""
## [1826] ""
## [1827] "\"Come,\" said he, \"you are anxious for a compliment, so I will tell you"
## [1828] "that you have improved her. You have cured her of her school-girl's"
## [1829] "giggle; she really does you credit.\""
## [1830] ""
## [1831] "\"Thank you. I should be mortified indeed if I did not believe I had been"
## [1832] "of some use; but it is not every body who will bestow praise where they"
## [1833] "may. _You_ do not often overpower me with it.\""
## [1834] ""
## [1835] "\"You are expecting her again, you say, this morning?\""
## [1836] ""
## [1837] "\"Almost every moment. She has been gone longer already than she"
## [1838] "intended.\""
## [1839] ""
## [1840] "\"Something has happened to delay her; some visitors perhaps.\""
## [1841] ""
## [1842] "\"Highbury gossips!--Tiresome wretches!\""
## [1843] ""
## [1844] "\"Harriet may not consider every body tiresome that you would.\""
## [1845] ""
## [1846] "Emma knew this was too true for contradiction, and therefore said"
## [1847] "nothing. He presently added, with a smile,"
## [1848] ""
## [1849] "\"I do not pretend to fix on times or places, but I must tell you that"
## [1850] "I have good reason to believe your little friend will soon hear of"
## [1851] "something to her advantage.\""
## [1852] ""
## [1853] "\"Indeed! how so? of what sort?\""
## [1854] ""
## [1855] "\"A very serious sort, I assure you;\" still smiling."
## [1856] ""
## [1857] "\"Very serious! I can think of but one thing--Who is in love with her?"
## [1858] "Who makes you their confidant?\""
## [1859] ""
## [1860] "Emma was more than half in hopes of Mr. Elton's having dropt a hint."
## [1861] "Mr. Knightley was a sort of general friend and adviser, and she knew Mr."
## [1862] "Elton looked up to him."
## [1863] ""
## [1864] "\"I have reason to think,\" he replied, \"that Harriet Smith will soon have"
## [1865] "an offer of marriage, and from a most unexceptionable quarter:--Robert"
## [1866] "Martin is the man. Her visit to Abbey-Mill, this summer, seems to have"
## [1867] "done his business. He is desperately in love and means to marry her.\""
## [1868] ""
## [1869] "\"He is very obliging,\" said Emma; \"but is he sure that Harriet means to"
## [1870] "marry him?\""
## [1871] ""
## [1872] "\"Well, well, means to make her an offer then. Will that do? He came to"
## [1873] "the Abbey two evenings ago, on purpose to consult me about it. He knows"
## [1874] "I have a thorough regard for him and all his family, and, I believe,"
## [1875] "considers me as one of his best friends. He came to ask me whether"
## [1876] "I thought it would be imprudent in him to settle so early; whether"
## [1877] "I thought her too young: in short, whether I approved his choice"
## [1878] "altogether; having some apprehension perhaps of her being considered"
## [1879] "(especially since _your_ making so much of her) as in a line of society"
## [1880] "above him. I was very much pleased with all that he said. I never hear"
## [1881] "better sense from any one than Robert Martin. He always speaks to the"
## [1882] "purpose; open, straightforward, and very well judging. He told me every"
## [1883] "thing; his circumstances and plans, and what they all proposed doing in"
## [1884] "the event of his marriage. He is an excellent young man, both as son and"
## [1885] "brother. I had no hesitation in advising him to marry. He proved to me"
## [1886] "that he could afford it; and that being the case, I was convinced he"
## [1887] "could not do better. I praised the fair lady too, and altogether sent"
## [1888] "him away very happy. If he had never esteemed my opinion before, he"
## [1889] "would have thought highly of me then; and, I dare say, left the house"
## [1890] "thinking me the best friend and counsellor man ever had. This happened"
## [1891] "the night before last. Now, as we may fairly suppose, he would not allow"
## [1892] "much time to pass before he spoke to the lady, and as he does not appear"
## [1893] "to have spoken yesterday, it is not unlikely that he should be at Mrs."
## [1894] "Goddard's to-day; and she may be detained by a visitor, without thinking"
## [1895] "him at all a tiresome wretch.\""
## [1896] ""
## [1897] "\"Pray, Mr. Knightley,\" said Emma, who had been smiling to herself"
## [1898] "through a great part of this speech, \"how do you know that Mr. Martin"
## [1899] "did not speak yesterday?\""
## [1900] ""
## [1901] "\"Certainly,\" replied he, surprized, \"I do not absolutely know it; but it"
## [1902] "may be inferred. Was not she the whole day with you?\""
## [1903] ""
## [1904] "\"Come,\" said she, \"I will tell you something, in return for what"
## [1905] "you have told me. He did speak yesterday--that is, he wrote, and was"
## [1906] "refused.\""
## [1907] ""
## [1908] "This was obliged to be repeated before it could be believed; and Mr."
## [1909] "Knightley actually looked red with surprize and displeasure, as he stood"
## [1910] "up, in tall indignation, and said,"
## [1911] ""
## [1912] "\"Then she is a greater simpleton than I ever believed her. What is the"
## [1913] "foolish girl about?\""
## [1914] ""
## [1915] "\"Oh! to be sure,\" cried Emma, \"it is always incomprehensible to a man"
## [1916] "that a woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage. A man always"
## [1917] "imagines a woman to be ready for any body who asks her.\""
## [1918] ""
## [1919] "\"Nonsense! a man does not imagine any such thing. But what is the"
## [1920] "meaning of this? Harriet Smith refuse Robert Martin? madness, if it is"
## [1921] "so; but I hope you are mistaken.\""
## [1922] ""
## [1923] "\"I saw her answer!--nothing could be clearer.\""
## [1924] ""
## [1925] "\"You saw her answer!--you wrote her answer too. Emma, this is your"
## [1926] "doing. You persuaded her to refuse him.\""
## [1927] ""
## [1928] "\"And if I did, (which, however, I am far from allowing) I should not"
## [1929] "feel that I had done wrong. Mr. Martin is a very respectable young man,"
## [1930] "but I cannot admit him to be Harriet's equal; and am rather surprized"
## [1931] "indeed that he should have ventured to address her. By your account, he"
## [1932] "does seem to have had some scruples. It is a pity that they were ever"
## [1933] "got over.\""
## [1934] ""
## [1935] "\"Not Harriet's equal!\" exclaimed Mr. Knightley loudly and warmly; and"
## [1936] "with calmer asperity, added, a few moments afterwards, \"No, he is"
## [1937] "not her equal indeed, for he is as much her superior in sense as in"
## [1938] "situation. Emma, your infatuation about that girl blinds you. What are"
## [1939] "Harriet Smith's claims, either of birth, nature or education, to any"
## [1940] "connexion higher than Robert Martin? She is the natural daughter of"
## [1941] "nobody knows whom, with probably no settled provision at all, and"
## [1942] "certainly no respectable relations. She is known only as parlour-boarder"
## [1943] "at a common school. She is not a sensible girl, nor a girl of any"
## [1944] "information. She has been taught nothing useful, and is too young and"
## [1945] "too simple to have acquired any thing herself. At her age she can have"
## [1946] "no experience, and with her little wit, is not very likely ever to have"
## [1947] "any that can avail her. She is pretty, and she is good tempered, and"
## [1948] "that is all. My only scruple in advising the match was on his account,"
## [1949] "as being beneath his deserts, and a bad connexion for him. I felt that,"
## [1950] "as to fortune, in all probability he might do much better; and that as"
## [1951] "to a rational companion or useful helpmate, he could not do worse. But I"
## [1952] "could not reason so to a man in love, and was willing to trust to there"
## [1953] "being no harm in her, to her having that sort of disposition, which, in"
## [1954] "good hands, like his, might be easily led aright and turn out very well."
## [1955] "The advantage of the match I felt to be all on her side; and had not the"
## [1956] "smallest doubt (nor have I now) that there would be a general cry-out"
## [1957] "upon her extreme good luck. Even _your_ satisfaction I made sure of."
## [1958] "It crossed my mind immediately that you would not regret your friend's"
## [1959] "leaving Highbury, for the sake of her being settled so well. I remember"
## [1960] "saying to myself, 'Even Emma, with all her partiality for Harriet, will"
## [1961] "think this a good match.'\""
## [1962] ""
## [1963] "\"I cannot help wondering at your knowing so little of Emma as to say any"
## [1964] "such thing. What! think a farmer, (and with all his sense and all his"
## [1965] "merit Mr. Martin is nothing more,) a good match for my intimate friend!"
## [1966] "Not regret her leaving Highbury for the sake of marrying a man whom"
## [1967] "I could never admit as an acquaintance of my own! I wonder you should"
## [1968] "think it possible for me to have such feelings. I assure you mine are"
## [1969] "very different. I must think your statement by no means fair. You are"
## [1970] "not just to Harriet's claims. They would be estimated very differently"
## [1971] "by others as well as myself; Mr. Martin may be the richest of the two,"
## [1972] "but he is undoubtedly her inferior as to rank in society.--The sphere in"
## [1973] "which she moves is much above his.--It would be a degradation.\""
## [1974] ""
## [1975] "\"A degradation to illegitimacy and ignorance, to be married to a"
## [1976] "respectable, intelligent gentleman-farmer!\""
## [1977] ""
## [1978] "\"As to the circumstances of her birth, though in a legal sense she may"
## [1979] "be called Nobody, it will not hold in common sense. She is not to pay"
## [1980] "for the offence of others, by being held below the level of those with"
## [1981] "whom she is brought up.--There can scarcely be a doubt that her father"
## [1982] "is a gentleman--and a gentleman of fortune.--Her allowance is"
## [1983] "very liberal; nothing has ever been grudged for her improvement or"
## [1984] "comfort.--That she is a gentleman's daughter, is indubitable to me; that"
## [1985] "she associates with gentlemen's daughters, no one, I apprehend, will"
## [1986] "deny.--She is superior to Mr. Robert Martin.\""
## [1987] ""
## [1988] "\"Whoever might be her parents,\" said Mr. Knightley, \"whoever may have"
## [1989] "had the charge of her, it does not appear to have been any part of"
## [1990] "their plan to introduce her into what you would call good society. After"
## [1991] "receiving a very indifferent education she is left in Mrs. Goddard's"
## [1992] "hands to shift as she can;--to move, in short, in Mrs. Goddard's line,"
## [1993] "to have Mrs. Goddard's acquaintance. Her friends evidently thought"
## [1994] "this good enough for her; and it _was_ good enough. She desired nothing"
## [1995] "better herself. Till you chose to turn her into a friend, her mind had"
## [1996] "no distaste for her own set, nor any ambition beyond it. She was as"
## [1997] "happy as possible with the Martins in the summer. She had no sense of"
## [1998] "superiority then. If she has it now, you have given it. You have been no"
## [1999] "friend to Harriet Smith, Emma. Robert Martin would never have proceeded"
## [2000] "so far, if he had not felt persuaded of her not being disinclined to"
## [2001] "him. I know him well. He has too much real feeling to address any"
## [2002] "woman on the haphazard of selfish passion. And as to conceit, he is"
## [2003] "the farthest from it of any man I know. Depend upon it he had"
## [2004] "encouragement.\""
## [2005] ""
## [2006] "It was most convenient to Emma not to make a direct reply to this"
## [2007] "assertion; she chose rather to take up her own line of the subject"
## [2008] "again."
## [2009] ""
## [2010] "\"You are a very warm friend to Mr. Martin; but, as I said before,"
## [2011] "are unjust to Harriet. Harriet's claims to marry well are not so"
## [2012] "contemptible as you represent them. She is not a clever girl, but she"
## [2013] "has better sense than you are aware of, and does not deserve to have her"
## [2014] "understanding spoken of so slightingly. Waiving that point, however, and"
## [2015] "supposing her to be, as you describe her, only pretty and good-natured,"
## [2016] "let me tell you, that in the degree she possesses them, they are not"
## [2017] "trivial recommendations to the world in general, for she is, in fact, a"
## [2018] "beautiful girl, and must be thought so by ninety-nine people out of an"
## [2019] "hundred; and till it appears that men are much more philosophic on the"
## [2020] "subject of beauty than they are generally supposed; till they do fall"
## [2021] "in love with well-informed minds instead of handsome faces, a girl, with"
## [2022] "such loveliness as Harriet, has a certainty of being admired and sought"
## [2023] "after, of having the power of chusing from among many, consequently a"
## [2024] "claim to be nice. Her good-nature, too, is not so very slight a claim,"
## [2025] "comprehending, as it does, real, thorough sweetness of temper and"
## [2026] "manner, a very humble opinion of herself, and a great readiness to"
## [2027] "be pleased with other people. I am very much mistaken if your sex in"
## [2028] "general would not think such beauty, and such temper, the highest claims"
## [2029] "a woman could possess.\""
## [2030] ""
## [2031] "\"Upon my word, Emma, to hear you abusing the reason you have, is almost"
## [2032] "enough to make me think so too. Better be without sense, than misapply"
## [2033] "it as you do.\""
## [2034] ""
## [2035] "\"To be sure!\" cried she playfully. \"I know _that_ is the feeling of"
## [2036] "you all. I know that such a girl as Harriet is exactly what every"
## [2037] "man delights in--what at once bewitches his senses and satisfies his"
## [2038] "judgment. Oh! Harriet may pick and chuse. Were you, yourself, ever to"
## [2039] "marry, she is the very woman for you. And is she, at seventeen, just"
## [2040] "entering into life, just beginning to be known, to be wondered at"
## [2041] "because she does not accept the first offer she receives? No--pray let"
## [2042] "her have time to look about her.\""
## [2043] ""
## [2044] "\"I have always thought it a very foolish intimacy,\" said Mr. Knightley"
## [2045] "presently, \"though I have kept my thoughts to myself; but I now perceive"
## [2046] "that it will be a very unfortunate one for Harriet. You will puff her up"
## [2047] "with such ideas of her own beauty, and of what she has a claim to, that,"
## [2048] "in a little while, nobody within her reach will be good enough for her."
## [2049] "Vanity working on a weak head, produces every sort of mischief. Nothing"
## [2050] "so easy as for a young lady to raise her expectations too high. Miss"
## [2051] "Harriet Smith may not find offers of marriage flow in so fast, though"
## [2052] "she is a very pretty girl. Men of sense, whatever you may chuse to"
## [2053] "say, do not want silly wives. Men of family would not be very fond of"
## [2054] "connecting themselves with a girl of such obscurity--and most prudent"
## [2055] "men would be afraid of the inconvenience and disgrace they might be"
## [2056] "involved in, when the mystery of her parentage came to be revealed. Let"
## [2057] "her marry Robert Martin, and she is safe, respectable, and happy for"
## [2058] "ever; but if you encourage her to expect to marry greatly, and teach her"
## [2059] "to be satisfied with nothing less than a man of consequence and large"
## [2060] "fortune, she may be a parlour-boarder at Mrs. Goddard's all the rest"
## [2061] "of her life--or, at least, (for Harriet Smith is a girl who will marry"
## [2062] "somebody or other,) till she grow desperate, and is glad to catch at the"
## [2063] "old writing-master's son.\""
## [2064] ""
## [2065] "\"We think so very differently on this point, Mr. Knightley, that there"
## [2066] "can be no use in canvassing it. We shall only be making each other more"
## [2067] "angry. But as to my _letting_ her marry Robert Martin, it is impossible;"
## [2068] "she has refused him, and so decidedly, I think, as must prevent any"
## [2069] "second application. She must abide by the evil of having refused him,"
## [2070] "whatever it may be; and as to the refusal itself, I will not pretend to"
## [2071] "say that I might not influence her a little; but I assure you there"
## [2072] "was very little for me or for any body to do. His appearance is so much"
## [2073] "against him, and his manner so bad, that if she ever were disposed to"
## [2074] "favour him, she is not now. I can imagine, that before she had seen"
## [2075] "any body superior, she might tolerate him. He was the brother of her"
## [2076] "friends, and he took pains to please her; and altogether, having seen"
## [2077] "nobody better (that must have been his great assistant) she might not,"
## [2078] "while she was at Abbey-Mill, find him disagreeable. But the case"
## [2079] "is altered now. She knows now what gentlemen are; and nothing but a"
## [2080] "gentleman in education and manner has any chance with Harriet.\""
## [2081] ""
## [2082] "\"Nonsense, errant nonsense, as ever was talked!\" cried Mr."
## [2083] "Knightley.--\"Robert Martin's manners have sense, sincerity, and"
## [2084] "good-humour to recommend them; and his mind has more true gentility than"
## [2085] "Harriet Smith could understand.\""
## [2086] ""
## [2087] "Emma made no answer, and tried to look cheerfully unconcerned, but was"
## [2088] "really feeling uncomfortable and wanting him very much to be gone. She"
## [2089] "did not repent what she had done; she still thought herself a better"
## [2090] "judge of such a point of female right and refinement than he could be;"
## [2091] "but yet she had a sort of habitual respect for his judgment in general,"
## [2092] "which made her dislike having it so loudly against her; and to have him"
## [2093] "sitting just opposite to her in angry state, was very disagreeable."
## [2094] "Some minutes passed in this unpleasant silence, with only one attempt"
## [2095] "on Emma's side to talk of the weather, but he made no answer. He was"
## [2096] "thinking. The result of his thoughts appeared at last in these words."
## [2097] ""
## [2098] "\"Robert Martin has no great loss--if he can but think so; and I hope it"
## [2099] "will not be long before he does. Your views for Harriet are best known"
## [2100] "to yourself; but as you make no secret of your love of match-making, it"
## [2101] "is fair to suppose that views, and plans, and projects you have;--and as"
## [2102] "a friend I shall just hint to you that if Elton is the man, I think it"
## [2103] "will be all labour in vain.\""
## [2104] ""
## [2105] "Emma laughed and disclaimed. He continued,"
## [2106] ""
## [2107] "\"Depend upon it, Elton will not do. Elton is a very good sort of man,"
## [2108] "and a very respectable vicar of Highbury, but not at all likely to make"
## [2109] "an imprudent match. He knows the value of a good income as well as any"
## [2110] "body. Elton may talk sentimentally, but he will act rationally. He is"
## [2111] "as well acquainted with his own claims, as you can be with Harriet's."
## [2112] "He knows that he is a very handsome young man, and a great favourite"
## [2113] "wherever he goes; and from his general way of talking in unreserved"
## [2114] "moments, when there are only men present, I am convinced that he does"
## [2115] "not mean to throw himself away. I have heard him speak with great"
## [2116] "animation of a large family of young ladies that his sisters are"
## [2117] "intimate with, who have all twenty thousand pounds apiece.\""
## [2118] ""
## [2119] "\"I am very much obliged to you,\" said Emma, laughing again. \"If I had"
## [2120] "set my heart on Mr. Elton's marrying Harriet, it would have been very"
## [2121] "kind to open my eyes; but at present I only want to keep Harriet to"
## [2122] "myself. I have done with match-making indeed. I could never hope to"
## [2123] "equal my own doings at Randalls. I shall leave off while I am well.\""
## [2124] ""
## [2125] "\"Good morning to you,\"--said he, rising and walking off abruptly. He was"
## [2126] "very much vexed. He felt the disappointment of the young man, and was"
## [2127] "mortified to have been the means of promoting it, by the sanction he had"
## [2128] "given; and the part which he was persuaded Emma had taken in the affair,"
## [2129] "was provoking him exceedingly."
## [2130] ""
## [2131] "Emma remained in a state of vexation too; but there was more"
## [2132] "indistinctness in the causes of her's, than in his. She did not always"
## [2133] "feel so absolutely satisfied with herself, so entirely convinced that"
## [2134] "her opinions were right and her adversary's wrong, as Mr. Knightley. He"
## [2135] "walked off in more complete self-approbation than he left for her. She"
## [2136] "was not so materially cast down, however, but that a little time and"
## [2137] "the return of Harriet were very adequate restoratives. Harriet's staying"
## [2138] "away so long was beginning to make her uneasy. The possibility of the"
## [2139] "young man's coming to Mrs. Goddard's that morning, and meeting with"
## [2140] "Harriet and pleading his own cause, gave alarming ideas. The dread"
## [2141] "of such a failure after all became the prominent uneasiness; and when"
## [2142] "Harriet appeared, and in very good spirits, and without having any"
## [2143] "such reason to give for her long absence, she felt a satisfaction which"
## [2144] "settled her with her own mind, and convinced her, that let Mr."
## [2145] "Knightley think or say what he would, she had done nothing which woman's"
## [2146] "friendship and woman's feelings would not justify."
## [2147] ""
## [2148] "He had frightened her a little about Mr. Elton; but when she considered"
## [2149] "that Mr. Knightley could not have observed him as she had done, neither"
## [2150] "with the interest, nor (she must be allowed to tell herself, in spite of"
## [2151] "Mr. Knightley's pretensions) with the skill of such an observer on such"
## [2152] "a question as herself, that he had spoken it hastily and in anger, she"
## [2153] "was able to believe, that he had rather said what he wished resentfully"
## [2154] "to be true, than what he knew any thing about. He certainly might have"
## [2155] "heard Mr. Elton speak with more unreserve than she had ever done, and"
## [2156] "Mr. Elton might not be of an imprudent, inconsiderate disposition as to"
## [2157] "money matters; he might naturally be rather attentive than otherwise"
## [2158] "to them; but then, Mr. Knightley did not make due allowance for the"
## [2159] "influence of a strong passion at war with all interested motives. Mr."
## [2160] "Knightley saw no such passion, and of course thought nothing of its"
## [2161] "effects; but she saw too much of it to feel a doubt of its overcoming"
## [2162] "any hesitations that a reasonable prudence might originally suggest; and"
## [2163] "more than a reasonable, becoming degree of prudence, she was very sure"
## [2164] "did not belong to Mr. Elton."
## [2165] ""
## [2166] "Harriet's cheerful look and manner established hers: she came back, not"
## [2167] "to think of Mr. Martin, but to talk of Mr. Elton. Miss Nash had been"
## [2168] "telling her something, which she repeated immediately with great"
## [2169] "delight. Mr. Perry had been to Mrs. Goddard's to attend a sick child,"
## [2170] "and Miss Nash had seen him, and he had told Miss Nash, that as he was"
## [2171] "coming back yesterday from Clayton Park, he had met Mr. Elton, and"
## [2172] "found to his great surprize, that Mr. Elton was actually on his road"
## [2173] "to London, and not meaning to return till the morrow, though it was the"
## [2174] "whist-club night, which he had been never known to miss before; and Mr."
## [2175] "Perry had remonstrated with him about it, and told him how shabby it"
## [2176] "was in him, their best player, to absent himself, and tried very much to"
## [2177] "persuade him to put off his journey only one day; but it would not"
## [2178] "do; Mr. Elton had been determined to go on, and had said in a _very_"
## [2179] "_particular_ way indeed, that he was going on business which he would"
## [2180] "not put off for any inducement in the world; and something about a"
## [2181] "very enviable commission, and being the bearer of something exceedingly"
## [2182] "precious. Mr. Perry could not quite understand him, but he was very sure"
## [2183] "there must be a _lady_ in the case, and he told him so; and Mr. Elton"
## [2184] "only looked very conscious and smiling, and rode off in great spirits."
## [2185] "Miss Nash had told her all this, and had talked a great deal more about"
## [2186] "Mr. Elton; and said, looking so very significantly at her, \"that she did"
## [2187] "not pretend to understand what his business might be, but she only"
## [2188] "knew that any woman whom Mr. Elton could prefer, she should think the"
## [2189] "luckiest woman in the world; for, beyond a doubt, Mr. Elton had not his"
## [2190] "equal for beauty or agreeableness.\""
## [2191] ""
## [2192] ""
## [2193] ""
## [2194] "CHAPTER IX"
## [2195] ""
## [2196] ""
## [2197] "Mr. Knightley might quarrel with her, but Emma could not quarrel with"
## [2198] "herself. He was so much displeased, that it was longer than usual before"
## [2199] "he came to Hartfield again; and when they did meet, his grave looks"
## [2200] "shewed that she was not forgiven. She was sorry, but could not repent."
## [2201] "On the contrary, her plans and proceedings were more and more justified"
## [2202] "and endeared to her by the general appearances of the next few days."
## [2203] ""
## [2204] "The Picture, elegantly framed, came safely to hand soon after Mr."
## [2205] "Elton's return, and being hung over the mantelpiece of the common"
## [2206] "sitting-room, he got up to look at it, and sighed out his half sentences"
## [2207] "of admiration just as he ought; and as for Harriet's feelings, they were"
## [2208] "visibly forming themselves into as strong and steady an attachment as"
## [2209] "her youth and sort of mind admitted. Emma was soon perfectly satisfied"
## [2210] "of Mr. Martin's being no otherwise remembered, than as he furnished a"
## [2211] "contrast with Mr. Elton, of the utmost advantage to the latter."
## [2212] ""
## [2213] "Her views of improving her little friend's mind, by a great deal of"
## [2214] "useful reading and conversation, had never yet led to more than a few"
## [2215] "first chapters, and the intention of going on to-morrow. It was much"
## [2216] "easier to chat than to study; much pleasanter to let her imagination"
## [2217] "range and work at Harriet's fortune, than to be labouring to enlarge"
## [2218] "her comprehension or exercise it on sober facts; and the only literary"
## [2219] "pursuit which engaged Harriet at present, the only mental provision she"
## [2220] "was making for the evening of life, was the collecting and transcribing"
## [2221] "all the riddles of every sort that she could meet with, into a thin"
## [2222] "quarto of hot-pressed paper, made up by her friend, and ornamented with"
## [2223] "ciphers and trophies."
## [2224] ""
## [2225] "In this age of literature, such collections on a very grand scale are"
## [2226] "not uncommon. Miss Nash, head-teacher at Mrs. Goddard's, had written out"
## [2227] "at least three hundred; and Harriet, who had taken the first hint of it"
## [2228] "from her, hoped, with Miss Woodhouse's help, to get a great many more."
## [2229] "Emma assisted with her invention, memory and taste; and as Harriet wrote"
## [2230] "a very pretty hand, it was likely to be an arrangement of the first"
## [2231] "order, in form as well as quantity."
## [2232] ""
## [2233] "Mr. Woodhouse was almost as much interested in the business as the"
## [2234] "girls, and tried very often to recollect something worth their putting"
## [2235] "in. \"So many clever riddles as there used to be when he was young--he"
## [2236] "wondered he could not remember them! but he hoped he should in time.\""
## [2237] "And it always ended in \"Kitty, a fair but frozen maid.\""
## [2238] ""
## [2239] "His good friend Perry, too, whom he had spoken to on the subject,"
## [2240] "did not at present recollect any thing of the riddle kind; but he"
## [2241] "had desired Perry to be upon the watch, and as he went about so much,"
## [2242] "something, he thought, might come from that quarter."
## [2243] ""
## [2244] "It was by no means his daughter's wish that the intellects of Highbury"
## [2245] "in general should be put under requisition. Mr. Elton was the only one"
## [2246] "whose assistance she asked. He was invited to contribute any really good"
## [2247] "enigmas, charades, or conundrums that he might recollect; and she had"
## [2248] "the pleasure of seeing him most intently at work with his recollections;"
## [2249] "and at the same time, as she could perceive, most earnestly careful that"
## [2250] "nothing ungallant, nothing that did not breathe a compliment to the"
## [2251] "sex should pass his lips. They owed to him their two or three politest"
## [2252] "puzzles; and the joy and exultation with which at last he recalled, and"
## [2253] "rather sentimentally recited, that well-known charade,"
## [2254] ""
## [2255] " My first doth affliction denote,"
## [2256] " Which my second is destin'd to feel"
## [2257] " And my whole is the best antidote"
## [2258] " That affliction to soften and heal.--"
## [2259] ""
## [2260] "made her quite sorry to acknowledge that they had transcribed it some"
## [2261] "pages ago already."
## [2262] ""
## [2263] "\"Why will not you write one yourself for us, Mr. Elton?\" said she; \"that"
## [2264] "is the only security for its freshness; and nothing could be easier to"
## [2265] "you.\""
## [2266] ""
## [2267] "\"Oh no! he had never written, hardly ever, any thing of the kind in his"
## [2268] "life. The stupidest fellow! He was afraid not even Miss Woodhouse\"--he"
## [2269] "stopt a moment--\"or Miss Smith could inspire him.\""
## [2270] ""
## [2271] "The very next day however produced some proof of inspiration. He"
## [2272] "called for a few moments, just to leave a piece of paper on the table"
## [2273] "containing, as he said, a charade, which a friend of his had addressed"
## [2274] "to a young lady, the object of his admiration, but which, from his"
## [2275] "manner, Emma was immediately convinced must be his own."
## [2276] ""
## [2277] "\"I do not offer it for Miss Smith's collection,\" said he. \"Being my"
## [2278] "friend's, I have no right to expose it in any degree to the public eye,"
## [2279] "but perhaps you may not dislike looking at it.\""
## [2280] ""
## [2281] "The speech was more to Emma than to Harriet, which Emma could"
## [2282] "understand. There was deep consciousness about him, and he found"
## [2283] "it easier to meet her eye than her friend's. He was gone the next"
## [2284] "moment:--after another moment's pause,"
## [2285] ""
## [2286] "\"Take it,\" said Emma, smiling, and pushing the paper towards"
## [2287] "Harriet--\"it is for you. Take your own.\""
## [2288] ""
## [2289] "But Harriet was in a tremor, and could not touch it; and Emma, never"
## [2290] "loth to be first, was obliged to examine it herself."
## [2291] ""
## [2292] " To Miss--"
## [2293] ""
## [2294] " CHARADE."
## [2295] ""
## [2296] " My first displays the wealth and pomp of kings,"
## [2297] " Lords of the earth! their luxury and ease."
## [2298] " Another view of man, my second brings,"
## [2299] " Behold him there, the monarch of the seas!"
## [2300] ""
## [2301] " But ah! united, what reverse we have!"
## [2302] " Man's boasted power and freedom, all are flown;"
## [2303] " Lord of the earth and sea, he bends a slave,"
## [2304] " And woman, lovely woman, reigns alone."
## [2305] ""
## [2306] " Thy ready wit the word will soon supply,"
## [2307] " May its approval beam in that soft eye!"
## [2308] ""
## [2309] "She cast her eye over it, pondered, caught the meaning, read it through"
## [2310] "again to be quite certain, and quite mistress of the lines, and then"
## [2311] "passing it to Harriet, sat happily smiling, and saying to herself, while"
## [2312] "Harriet was puzzling over the paper in all the confusion of hope and"
## [2313] "dulness, \"Very well, Mr. Elton, very well indeed. I have read worse"
## [2314] "charades. _Courtship_--a very good hint. I give you credit for it. This"
## [2315] "is feeling your way. This is saying very plainly--'Pray, Miss Smith,"
## [2316] "give me leave to pay my addresses to you. Approve my charade and my"
## [2317] "intentions in the same glance.'"
## [2318] ""
## [2319] " May its approval beam in that soft eye!"
## [2320] ""
## [2321] "Harriet exactly. Soft is the very word for her eye--of all epithets, the"
## [2322] "justest that could be given."
## [2323] ""
## [2324] " Thy ready wit the word will soon supply."
## [2325] ""
## [2326] "Humph--Harriet's ready wit! All the better. A man must be very much in"
## [2327] "love, indeed, to describe her so. Ah! Mr. Knightley, I wish you had the"
## [2328] "benefit of this; I think this would convince you. For once in your life"
## [2329] "you would be obliged to own yourself mistaken. An excellent charade"
## [2330] "indeed! and very much to the purpose. Things must come to a crisis soon"
## [2331] "now.\""
## [2332] ""
## [2333] "She was obliged to break off from these very pleasant observations,"
## [2334] "which were otherwise of a sort to run into great length, by the"
## [2335] "eagerness of Harriet's wondering questions."
## [2336] ""
## [2337] "\"What can it be, Miss Woodhouse?--what can it be? I have not an idea--I"
## [2338] "cannot guess it in the least. What can it possibly be? Do try to find"
## [2339] "it out, Miss Woodhouse. Do help me. I never saw any thing so hard. Is it"
## [2340] "kingdom? I wonder who the friend was--and who could be the young lady."
## [2341] "Do you think it is a good one? Can it be woman?"
## [2342] ""
## [2343] " And woman, lovely woman, reigns alone."
## [2344] ""
## [2345] "Can it be Neptune?"
## [2346] ""
## [2347] " Behold him there, the monarch of the seas!"
## [2348] ""
## [2349] "Or a trident? or a mermaid? or a shark? Oh, no! shark is only one"
## [2350] "syllable. It must be very clever, or he would not have brought it. Oh!"
## [2351] "Miss Woodhouse, do you think we shall ever find it out?\""
## [2352] ""
## [2353] "\"Mermaids and sharks! Nonsense! My dear Harriet, what are you thinking"
## [2354] "of? Where would be the use of his bringing us a charade made by a friend"
## [2355] "upon a mermaid or a shark? Give me the paper and listen."
## [2356] ""
## [2357] "For Miss ------, read Miss Smith."
## [2358] ""
## [2359] " My first displays the wealth and pomp of kings,"
## [2360] " Lords of the earth! their luxury and ease."
## [2361] ""
## [2362] "That is _court_."
## [2363] ""
## [2364] " Another view of man, my second brings;"
## [2365] " Behold him there, the monarch of the seas!"
## [2366] ""
## [2367] "That is _ship_;--plain as it can be.--Now for the cream."
## [2368] ""
## [2369] " But ah! united, (_courtship_, you know,) what reverse we have!"
## [2370] " Man's boasted power and freedom, all are flown."
## [2371] " Lord of the earth and sea, he bends a slave,"
## [2372] " And woman, lovely woman, reigns alone."
## [2373] ""
## [2374] "A very proper compliment!--and then follows the application, which"
## [2375] "I think, my dear Harriet, you cannot find much difficulty in"
## [2376] "comprehending. Read it in comfort to yourself. There can be no doubt of"
## [2377] "its being written for you and to you.\""
## [2378] ""
## [2379] "Harriet could not long resist so delightful a persuasion. She read"
## [2380] "the concluding lines, and was all flutter and happiness. She could not"
## [2381] "speak. But she was not wanted to speak. It was enough for her to feel."
## [2382] "Emma spoke for her."
## [2383] ""
## [2384] "\"There is so pointed, and so particular a meaning in this compliment,\""
## [2385] "said she, \"that I cannot have a doubt as to Mr. Elton's intentions. You"
## [2386] "are his object--and you will soon receive the completest proof of it. I"
## [2387] "thought it must be so. I thought I could not be so deceived; but now, it"
## [2388] "is clear; the state of his mind is as clear and decided, as my wishes on"
## [2389] "the subject have been ever since I knew you. Yes, Harriet, just so long"
## [2390] "have I been wanting the very circumstance to happen that has happened."
## [2391] "I could never tell whether an attachment between you and Mr. Elton were"
## [2392] "most desirable or most natural. Its probability and its eligibility have"
## [2393] "really so equalled each other! I am very happy. I congratulate you, my"
## [2394] "dear Harriet, with all my heart. This is an attachment which a woman may"
## [2395] "well feel pride in creating. This is a connexion which offers nothing"
## [2396] "but good. It will give you every thing that you want--consideration,"
## [2397] "independence, a proper home--it will fix you in the centre of all your"
## [2398] "real friends, close to Hartfield and to me, and confirm our intimacy"
## [2399] "for ever. This, Harriet, is an alliance which can never raise a blush in"
## [2400] "either of us.\""
## [2401] ""
## [2402] "\"Dear Miss Woodhouse!\"--and \"Dear Miss Woodhouse,\" was all that Harriet,"
## [2403] "with many tender embraces could articulate at first; but when they did"
## [2404] "arrive at something more like conversation, it was sufficiently clear to"
## [2405] "her friend that she saw, felt, anticipated, and remembered just as she"
## [2406] "ought. Mr. Elton's superiority had very ample acknowledgment."
## [2407] ""
## [2408] "\"Whatever you say is always right,\" cried Harriet, \"and therefore I"
## [2409] "suppose, and believe, and hope it must be so; but otherwise I could not"
## [2410] "have imagined it. It is so much beyond any thing I deserve. Mr. Elton,"
## [2411] "who might marry any body! There cannot be two opinions about _him_. He"
## [2412] "is so very superior. Only think of those sweet verses--'To Miss ------.'"
## [2413] "Dear me, how clever!--Could it really be meant for me?\""
## [2414] ""
## [2415] "\"I cannot make a question, or listen to a question about that. It is a"
## [2416] "certainty. Receive it on my judgment. It is a sort of prologue to"
## [2417] "the play, a motto to the chapter; and will be soon followed by"
## [2418] "matter-of-fact prose.\""
## [2419] ""
## [2420] "\"It is a sort of thing which nobody could have expected. I am sure,"
## [2421] "a month ago, I had no more idea myself!--The strangest things do take"
## [2422] "place!\""
## [2423] ""
## [2424] "\"When Miss Smiths and Mr. Eltons get acquainted--they do indeed--and"
## [2425] "really it is strange; it is out of the common course that what is so"
## [2426] "evidently, so palpably desirable--what courts the pre-arrangement of"
## [2427] "other people, should so immediately shape itself into the proper form."
## [2428] "You and Mr. Elton are by situation called together; you belong to one"
## [2429] "another by every circumstance of your respective homes. Your marrying"
## [2430] "will be equal to the match at Randalls. There does seem to be a"
## [2431] "something in the air of Hartfield which gives love exactly the right"
## [2432] "direction, and sends it into the very channel where it ought to flow."
## [2433] ""
## [2434] " The course of true love never did run smooth--"
## [2435] ""
## [2436] "A Hartfield edition of Shakespeare would have a long note on that"
## [2437] "passage.\""
## [2438] ""
## [2439] "\"That Mr. Elton should really be in love with me,--me, of all people,"
## [2440] "who did not know him, to speak to him, at Michaelmas! And he, the very"
## [2441] "handsomest man that ever was, and a man that every body looks up to,"
## [2442] "quite like Mr. Knightley! His company so sought after, that every body"
## [2443] "says he need not eat a single meal by himself if he does not chuse it;"
## [2444] "that he has more invitations than there are days in the week. And so"
## [2445] "excellent in the Church! Miss Nash has put down all the texts he has"
## [2446] "ever preached from since he came to Highbury. Dear me! When I look back"
## [2447] "to the first time I saw him! How little did I think!--The two Abbots and"
## [2448] "I ran into the front room and peeped through the blind when we heard he"
## [2449] "was going by, and Miss Nash came and scolded us away, and staid to look"
## [2450] "through herself; however, she called me back presently, and let me"
## [2451] "look too, which was very good-natured. And how beautiful we thought he"
## [2452] "looked! He was arm-in-arm with Mr. Cole.\""
## [2453] ""
## [2454] "\"This is an alliance which, whoever--whatever your friends may be, must"
## [2455] "be agreeable to them, provided at least they have common sense; and we"
## [2456] "are not to be addressing our conduct to fools. If they are anxious to"
## [2457] "see you _happily_ married, here is a man whose amiable character gives"
## [2458] "every assurance of it;--if they wish to have you settled in the same"
## [2459] "country and circle which they have chosen to place you in, here it will"
## [2460] "be accomplished; and if their only object is that you should, in the"
## [2461] "common phrase, be _well_ married, here is the comfortable fortune, the"
## [2462] "respectable establishment, the rise in the world which must satisfy"
## [2463] "them.\""
## [2464] ""
## [2465] "\"Yes, very true. How nicely you talk; I love to hear you. You understand"
## [2466] "every thing. You and Mr. Elton are one as clever as the other. This"
## [2467] "charade!--If I had studied a twelvemonth, I could never have made any"
## [2468] "thing like it.\""
## [2469] ""
## [2470] "\"I thought he meant to try his skill, by his manner of declining it"
## [2471] "yesterday.\""
## [2472] ""
## [2473] "\"I do think it is, without exception, the best charade I ever read.\""
## [2474] ""
## [2475] "\"I never read one more to the purpose, certainly.\""
## [2476] ""
## [2477] "\"It is as long again as almost all we have had before.\""
## [2478] ""
## [2479] "\"I do not consider its length as particularly in its favour. Such things"
## [2480] "in general cannot be too short.\""
## [2481] ""
## [2482] "Harriet was too intent on the lines to hear. The most satisfactory"
## [2483] "comparisons were rising in her mind."
## [2484] ""
## [2485] "\"It is one thing,\" said she, presently--her cheeks in a glow--\"to have"
## [2486] "very good sense in a common way, like every body else, and if there is"
## [2487] "any thing to say, to sit down and write a letter, and say just what you"
## [2488] "must, in a short way; and another, to write verses and charades like"
## [2489] "this.\""
## [2490] ""
## [2491] "Emma could not have desired a more spirited rejection of Mr. Martin's"
## [2492] "prose."
## [2493] ""
## [2494] "\"Such sweet lines!\" continued Harriet--\"these two last!--But how shall I"
## [2495] "ever be able to return the paper, or say I have found it out?--Oh! Miss"
## [2496] "Woodhouse, what can we do about that?\""
## [2497] ""
## [2498] "\"Leave it to me. You do nothing. He will be here this evening, I dare"
## [2499] "say, and then I will give it him back, and some nonsense or other will"
## [2500] "pass between us, and you shall not be committed.--Your soft eyes shall"
## [2501] "chuse their own time for beaming. Trust to me.\""
## [2502] ""
## [2503] "\"Oh! Miss Woodhouse, what a pity that I must not write this beautiful"
## [2504] "charade into my book! I am sure I have not got one half so good.\""
## [2505] ""
## [2506] "\"Leave out the two last lines, and there is no reason why you should not"
## [2507] "write it into your book.\""
## [2508] ""
## [2509] "\"Oh! but those two lines are\"--"
## [2510] ""
## [2511] "--\"The best of all. Granted;--for private enjoyment; and for private"
## [2512] "enjoyment keep them. They are not at all the less written you know,"
## [2513] "because you divide them. The couplet does not cease to be, nor does its"
## [2514] "meaning change. But take it away, and all _appropriation_ ceases, and a"
## [2515] "very pretty gallant charade remains, fit for any collection. Depend upon"
## [2516] "it, he would not like to have his charade slighted, much better than his"
## [2517] "passion. A poet in love must be encouraged in both capacities, or"
## [2518] "neither. Give me the book, I will write it down, and then there can be"
## [2519] "no possible reflection on you.\""
## [2520] ""
## [2521] "Harriet submitted, though her mind could hardly separate the parts,"
## [2522] "so as to feel quite sure that her friend were not writing down a"
## [2523] "declaration of love. It seemed too precious an offering for any degree"
## [2524] "of publicity."
## [2525] ""
## [2526] "\"I shall never let that book go out of my own hands,\" said she."
## [2527] ""
## [2528] "\"Very well,\" replied Emma; \"a most natural feeling; and the longer it"
## [2529] "lasts, the better I shall be pleased. But here is my father coming: you"
## [2530] "will not object to my reading the charade to him. It will be giving him"
## [2531] "so much pleasure! He loves any thing of the sort, and especially any"
## [2532] "thing that pays woman a compliment. He has the tenderest spirit of"
## [2533] "gallantry towards us all!--You must let me read it to him.\""
## [2534] ""
## [2535] "Harriet looked grave."
## [2536] ""
## [2537] "\"My dear Harriet, you must not refine too much upon this charade.--You"
## [2538] "will betray your feelings improperly, if you are too conscious and too"
## [2539] "quick, and appear to affix more meaning, or even quite all the meaning"
## [2540] "which may be affixed to it. Do not be overpowered by such a little"
## [2541] "tribute of admiration. If he had been anxious for secrecy, he would not"
## [2542] "have left the paper while I was by; but he rather pushed it towards me"
## [2543] "than towards you. Do not let us be too solemn on the business. He has"
## [2544] "encouragement enough to proceed, without our sighing out our souls over"
## [2545] "this charade.\""
## [2546] ""
## [2547] "\"Oh! no--I hope I shall not be ridiculous about it. Do as you please.\""
## [2548] ""
## [2549] "Mr. Woodhouse came in, and very soon led to the subject again, by the"
## [2550] "recurrence of his very frequent inquiry of \"Well, my dears, how does"
## [2551] "your book go on?--Have you got any thing fresh?\""
## [2552] ""
## [2553] "\"Yes, papa; we have something to read you, something quite fresh. A"
## [2554] "piece of paper was found on the table this morning--(dropt, we suppose,"
## [2555] "by a fairy)--containing a very pretty charade, and we have just copied"
## [2556] "it in.\""
## [2557] ""
## [2558] "She read it to him, just as he liked to have any thing read, slowly and"
## [2559] "distinctly, and two or three times over, with explanations of every"
## [2560] "part as she proceeded--and he was very much pleased, and, as she had"
## [2561] "foreseen, especially struck with the complimentary conclusion."
## [2562] ""
## [2563] "\"Aye, that's very just, indeed, that's very properly said. Very true."
## [2564] "'Woman, lovely woman.' It is such a pretty charade, my dear, that I"
## [2565] "can easily guess what fairy brought it.--Nobody could have written so"
## [2566] "prettily, but you, Emma.\""
## [2567] ""
## [2568] "Emma only nodded, and smiled.--After a little thinking, and a very"
## [2569] "tender sigh, he added,"
## [2570] ""
## [2571] "\"Ah! it is no difficulty to see who you take after! Your dear mother"
## [2572] "was so clever at all those things! If I had but her memory! But I can"
## [2573] "remember nothing;--not even that particular riddle which you have"
## [2574] "heard me mention; I can only recollect the first stanza; and there are"
## [2575] "several."
## [2576] ""
## [2577] " Kitty, a fair but frozen maid,"
## [2578] " Kindled a flame I yet deplore,"
## [2579] " The hood-wink'd boy I called to aid,"
## [2580] " Though of his near approach afraid,"
## [2581] " So fatal to my suit before."
## [2582] ""
## [2583] "And that is all that I can recollect of it--but it is very clever all"
## [2584] "the way through. But I think, my dear, you said you had got it.\""
## [2585] ""
## [2586] "\"Yes, papa, it is written out in our second page. We copied it from the"
## [2587] "Elegant Extracts. It was Garrick's, you know.\""
## [2588] ""
## [2589] "\"Aye, very true.--I wish I could recollect more of it."
## [2590] ""
## [2591] " Kitty, a fair but frozen maid."
## [2592] ""
## [2593] "The name makes me think of poor Isabella; for she was very near being"
## [2594] "christened Catherine after her grandmama. I hope we shall have her here"
## [2595] "next week. Have you thought, my dear, where you shall put her--and what"
## [2596] "room there will be for the children?\""
## [2597] ""
## [2598] "\"Oh! yes--she will have her own room, of course; the room she always"
## [2599] "has;--and there is the nursery for the children,--just as usual, you"
## [2600] "know. Why should there be any change?\""
## [2601] ""
## [2602] "\"I do not know, my dear--but it is so long since she was here!--not"
## [2603] "since last Easter, and then only for a few days.--Mr. John Knightley's"
## [2604] "being a lawyer is very inconvenient.--Poor Isabella!--she is sadly taken"
## [2605] "away from us all!--and how sorry she will be when she comes, not to see"
## [2606] "Miss Taylor here!\""
## [2607] ""
## [2608] "\"She will not be surprized, papa, at least.\""
## [2609] ""
## [2610] "\"I do not know, my dear. I am sure I was very much surprized when I"
## [2611] "first heard she was going to be married.\""
## [2612] ""
## [2613] "\"We must ask Mr. and Mrs. Weston to dine with us, while Isabella is"
## [2614] "here.\""
## [2615] ""
## [2616] "\"Yes, my dear, if there is time.--But--(in a very depressed tone)--she"
## [2617] "is coming for only one week. There will not be time for any thing.\""
## [2618] ""
## [2619] "\"It is unfortunate that they cannot stay longer--but it seems a case of"
## [2620] "necessity. Mr. John Knightley must be in town again on the 28th, and we"
## [2621] "ought to be thankful, papa, that we are to have the whole of the time"
## [2622] "they can give to the country, that two or three days are not to be taken"
## [2623] "out for the Abbey. Mr. Knightley promises to give up his claim this"
## [2624] "Christmas--though you know it is longer since they were with him, than"
## [2625] "with us.\""
## [2626] ""
## [2627] "\"It would be very hard, indeed, my dear, if poor Isabella were to be"
## [2628] "anywhere but at Hartfield.\""
## [2629] ""
## [2630] "Mr. Woodhouse could never allow for Mr. Knightley's claims on his"
## [2631] "brother, or any body's claims on Isabella, except his own. He sat musing"
## [2632] "a little while, and then said,"
## [2633] ""
## [2634] "\"But I do not see why poor Isabella should be obliged to go back so"
## [2635] "soon, though he does. I think, Emma, I shall try and persuade her to"
## [2636] "stay longer with us. She and the children might stay very well.\""
## [2637] ""
## [2638] "\"Ah! papa--that is what you never have been able to accomplish, and I"
## [2639] "do not think you ever will. Isabella cannot bear to stay behind her"
## [2640] "husband.\""
## [2641] ""
## [2642] "This was too true for contradiction. Unwelcome as it was, Mr. Woodhouse"
## [2643] "could only give a submissive sigh; and as Emma saw his spirits affected"
## [2644] "by the idea of his daughter's attachment to her husband, she immediately"
## [2645] "led to such a branch of the subject as must raise them."
## [2646] ""
## [2647] "\"Harriet must give us as much of her company as she can while my brother"
## [2648] "and sister are here. I am sure she will be pleased with the children."
## [2649] "We are very proud of the children, are not we, papa? I wonder which she"
## [2650] "will think the handsomest, Henry or John?\""
## [2651] ""
## [2652] "\"Aye, I wonder which she will. Poor little dears, how glad they will be"
## [2653] "to come. They are very fond of being at Hartfield, Harriet.\""
## [2654] ""
## [2655] "\"I dare say they are, sir. I am sure I do not know who is not.\""
## [2656] ""
## [2657] "\"Henry is a fine boy, but John is very like his mama. Henry is the"
## [2658] "eldest, he was named after me, not after his father. John, the second,"
## [2659] "is named after his father. Some people are surprized, I believe, that"
## [2660] "the eldest was not, but Isabella would have him called Henry, which I"
## [2661] "thought very pretty of her. And he is a very clever boy, indeed. They"
## [2662] "are all remarkably clever; and they have so many pretty ways. They will"
## [2663] "come and stand by my chair, and say, 'Grandpapa, can you give me a bit"
## [2664] "of string?' and once Henry asked me for a knife, but I told him knives"
## [2665] "were only made for grandpapas. I think their father is too rough with"
## [2666] "them very often.\""
## [2667] ""
## [2668] "\"He appears rough to you,\" said Emma, \"because you are so very gentle"
## [2669] "yourself; but if you could compare him with other papas, you would not"
## [2670] "think him rough. He wishes his boys to be active and hardy; and if"
## [2671] "they misbehave, can give them a sharp word now and then; but he is an"
## [2672] "affectionate father--certainly Mr. John Knightley is an affectionate"
## [2673] "father. The children are all fond of him.\""
## [2674] ""
## [2675] "\"And then their uncle comes in, and tosses them up to the ceiling in a"
## [2676] "very frightful way!\""
## [2677] ""
## [2678] "\"But they like it, papa; there is nothing they like so much. It is such"
## [2679] "enjoyment to them, that if their uncle did not lay down the rule of"
## [2680] "their taking turns, whichever began would never give way to the other.\""
## [2681] ""
## [2682] "\"Well, I cannot understand it.\""
## [2683] ""
## [2684] "\"That is the case with us all, papa. One half of the world cannot"
## [2685] "understand the pleasures of the other.\""
## [2686] ""
## [2687] "Later in the morning, and just as the girls were going to separate"
## [2688] "in preparation for the regular four o'clock dinner, the hero of this"
## [2689] "inimitable charade walked in again. Harriet turned away; but Emma could"
## [2690] "receive him with the usual smile, and her quick eye soon discerned in"
## [2691] "his the consciousness of having made a push--of having thrown a die;"
## [2692] "and she imagined he was come to see how it might turn up. His ostensible"
## [2693] "reason, however, was to ask whether Mr. Woodhouse's party could be made"
## [2694] "up in the evening without him, or whether he should be in the smallest"
## [2695] "degree necessary at Hartfield. If he were, every thing else must give"
## [2696] "way; but otherwise his friend Cole had been saying so much about his"
## [2697] "dining with him--had made such a point of it, that he had promised him"
## [2698] "conditionally to come."
## [2699] ""
## [2700] "Emma thanked him, but could not allow of his disappointing his friend"
## [2701] "on their account; her father was sure of his rubber. He re-urged--she"
## [2702] "re-declined; and he seemed then about to make his bow, when taking the"
## [2703] "paper from the table, she returned it--"
## [2704] ""
## [2705] "\"Oh! here is the charade you were so obliging as to leave with us; thank"
## [2706] "you for the sight of it. We admired it so much, that I have ventured"
## [2707] "to write it into Miss Smith's collection. Your friend will not take it"
## [2708] "amiss I hope. Of course I have not transcribed beyond the first eight"
## [2709] "lines.\""
## [2710] ""
## [2711] "Mr. Elton certainly did not very well know what to say. He looked rather"
## [2712] "doubtingly--rather confused; said something about \"honour,\"--glanced at"
## [2713] "Emma and at Harriet, and then seeing the book open on the table, took"
## [2714] "it up, and examined it very attentively. With the view of passing off an"
## [2715] "awkward moment, Emma smilingly said,"
## [2716] ""
## [2717] "\"You must make my apologies to your friend; but so good a charade"
## [2718] "must not be confined to one or two. He may be sure of every woman's"
## [2719] "approbation while he writes with such gallantry.\""
## [2720] ""
## [2721] "\"I have no hesitation in saying,\" replied Mr. Elton, though hesitating"
## [2722] "a good deal while he spoke; \"I have no hesitation in saying--at least"
## [2723] "if my friend feels at all as _I_ do--I have not the smallest doubt that,"
## [2724] "could he see his little effusion honoured as _I_ see it, (looking at the"
## [2725] "book again, and replacing it on the table), he would consider it as the"
## [2726] "proudest moment of his life.\""
## [2727] ""
## [2728] "After this speech he was gone as soon as possible. Emma could not think"
## [2729] "it too soon; for with all his good and agreeable qualities, there was"
## [2730] "a sort of parade in his speeches which was very apt to incline her to"
## [2731] "laugh. She ran away to indulge the inclination, leaving the tender and"
## [2732] "the sublime of pleasure to Harriet's share."
## [2733] ""
## [2734] ""
## [2735] ""
## [2736] "CHAPTER X"
## [2737] ""
## [2738] ""
## [2739] "Though now the middle of December, there had yet been no weather to"
## [2740] "prevent the young ladies from tolerably regular exercise; and on the"
## [2741] "morrow, Emma had a charitable visit to pay to a poor sick family, who"
## [2742] "lived a little way out of Highbury."
## [2743] ""
## [2744] "Their road to this detached cottage was down Vicarage Lane, a lane"
## [2745] "leading at right angles from the broad, though irregular, main street of"
## [2746] "the place; and, as may be inferred, containing the blessed abode of Mr."
## [2747] "Elton. A few inferior dwellings were first to be passed, and then, about"
## [2748] "a quarter of a mile down the lane rose the Vicarage, an old and not"
## [2749] "very good house, almost as close to the road as it could be. It had"
## [2750] "no advantage of situation; but had been very much smartened up by the"
## [2751] "present proprietor; and, such as it was, there could be no possibility"
## [2752] "of the two friends passing it without a slackened pace and observing"
## [2753] "eyes.--Emma's remark was--"
## [2754] ""
## [2755] "\"There it is. There go you and your riddle-book one of these"
## [2756] "days.\"--Harriet's was--"
## [2757] ""
## [2758] "\"Oh, what a sweet house!--How very beautiful!--There are the yellow"
## [2759] "curtains that Miss Nash admires so much.\""
## [2760] ""
## [2761] "\"I do not often walk this way _now_,\" said Emma, as they proceeded, \"but"
## [2762] "_then_ there will be an inducement, and I shall gradually get intimately"
## [2763] "acquainted with all the hedges, gates, pools and pollards of this part"
## [2764] "of Highbury.\""
## [2765] ""
## [2766] "Harriet, she found, had never in her life been inside the Vicarage,"
## [2767] "and her curiosity to see it was so extreme, that, considering exteriors"
## [2768] "and probabilities, Emma could only class it, as a proof of love, with"
## [2769] "Mr. Elton's seeing ready wit in her."
## [2770] ""
## [2771] "\"I wish we could contrive it,\" said she; \"but I cannot think of any"
## [2772] "tolerable pretence for going in;--no servant that I want to inquire"
## [2773] "about of his housekeeper--no message from my father.\""
## [2774] ""
## [2775] "She pondered, but could think of nothing. After a mutual silence of some"
## [2776] "minutes, Harriet thus began again--"
## [2777] ""
## [2778] "\"I do so wonder, Miss Woodhouse, that you should not be married, or"
## [2779] "going to be married! so charming as you are!\"--"
## [2780] ""
## [2781] "Emma laughed, and replied,"
## [2782] ""
## [2783] "\"My being charming, Harriet, is not quite enough to induce me to marry;"
## [2784] "I must find other people charming--one other person at least. And I"
## [2785] "am not only, not going to be married, at present, but have very little"
## [2786] "intention of ever marrying at all.\""
## [2787] ""
## [2788] "\"Ah!--so you say; but I cannot believe it.\""
## [2789] ""
## [2790] "\"I must see somebody very superior to any one I have seen yet, to be"
## [2791] "tempted; Mr. Elton, you know, (recollecting herself,) is out of the"
## [2792] "question: and I do _not_ wish to see any such person. I would rather not"
## [2793] "be tempted. I cannot really change for the better. If I were to marry, I"
## [2794] "must expect to repent it.\""
## [2795] ""
## [2796] "\"Dear me!--it is so odd to hear a woman talk so!\"--"
## [2797] ""
## [2798] "\"I have none of the usual inducements of women to marry. Were I to fall"
## [2799] "in love, indeed, it would be a different thing! but I never have been in"
## [2800] "love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall."
## [2801] "And, without love, I am sure I should be a fool to change such a"
## [2802] "situation as mine. Fortune I do not want; employment I do not want;"
## [2803] "consequence I do not want: I believe few married women are half as much"
## [2804] "mistress of their husband's house as I am of Hartfield; and never, never"
## [2805] "could I expect to be so truly beloved and important; so always first and"
## [2806] "always right in any man's eyes as I am in my father's.\""
## [2807] ""
## [2808] "\"But then, to be an old maid at last, like Miss Bates!\""
## [2809] ""
## [2810] "\"That is as formidable an image as you could present, Harriet; and if"
## [2811] "I thought I should ever be like Miss Bates! so silly--so satisfied--so"
## [2812] "smiling--so prosing--so undistinguishing and unfastidious--and so apt"
## [2813] "to tell every thing relative to every body about me, I would marry"
## [2814] "to-morrow. But between _us_, I am convinced there never can be any"
## [2815] "likeness, except in being unmarried.\""
## [2816] ""
## [2817] "\"But still, you will be an old maid! and that's so dreadful!\""
## [2818] ""
## [2819] "\"Never mind, Harriet, I shall not be a poor old maid; and it is poverty"
## [2820] "only which makes celibacy contemptible to a generous public! A single"
## [2821] "woman, with a very narrow income, must be a ridiculous, disagreeable old"
## [2822] "maid! the proper sport of boys and girls, but a single woman, of good"
## [2823] "fortune, is always respectable, and may be as sensible and pleasant"
## [2824] "as any body else. And the distinction is not quite so much against the"
## [2825] "candour and common sense of the world as appears at first; for a very"
## [2826] "narrow income has a tendency to contract the mind, and sour the temper."
## [2827] "Those who can barely live, and who live perforce in a very small, and"
## [2828] "generally very inferior, society, may well be illiberal and cross. This"
## [2829] "does not apply, however, to Miss Bates; she is only too good natured and"
## [2830] "too silly to suit me; but, in general, she is very much to the taste"
## [2831] "of every body, though single and though poor. Poverty certainly has not"
## [2832] "contracted her mind: I really believe, if she had only a shilling in the"
## [2833] "world, she would be very likely to give away sixpence of it; and nobody"
## [2834] "is afraid of her: that is a great charm.\""
## [2835] ""
## [2836] "\"Dear me! but what shall you do? how shall you employ yourself when you"
## [2837] "grow old?\""
## [2838] ""
## [2839] "\"If I know myself, Harriet, mine is an active, busy mind, with a great"
## [2840] "many independent resources; and I do not perceive why I should be more"
## [2841] "in want of employment at forty or fifty than one-and-twenty. Woman's"
## [2842] "usual occupations of hand and mind will be as open to me then as they"
## [2843] "are now; or with no important variation. If I draw less, I shall read"
## [2844] "more; if I give up music, I shall take to carpet-work. And as for"
## [2845] "objects of interest, objects for the affections, which is in truth the"
## [2846] "great point of inferiority, the want of which is really the great evil"
## [2847] "to be avoided in _not_ marrying, I shall be very well off, with all the"
## [2848] "children of a sister I love so much, to care about. There will be enough"
## [2849] "of them, in all probability, to supply every sort of sensation that"
## [2850] "declining life can need. There will be enough for every hope and every"
## [2851] "fear; and though my attachment to none can equal that of a parent, it"
## [2852] "suits my ideas of comfort better than what is warmer and blinder. My"
## [2853] "nephews and nieces!--I shall often have a niece with me.\""
## [2854] ""
## [2855] "\"Do you know Miss Bates's niece? That is, I know you must have seen her"
## [2856] "a hundred times--but are you acquainted?\""
## [2857] ""
## [2858] "\"Oh! yes; we are always forced to be acquainted whenever she comes to"
## [2859] "Highbury. By the bye, _that_ is almost enough to put one out of conceit"
## [2860] "with a niece. Heaven forbid! at least, that I should ever bore people"
## [2861] "half so much about all the Knightleys together, as she does about Jane"
## [2862] "Fairfax. One is sick of the very name of Jane Fairfax. Every letter from"
## [2863] "her is read forty times over; her compliments to all friends go round"
## [2864] "and round again; and if she does but send her aunt the pattern of a"
## [2865] "stomacher, or knit a pair of garters for her grandmother, one hears of"
## [2866] "nothing else for a month. I wish Jane Fairfax very well; but she tires"
## [2867] "me to death.\""
## [2868] ""
## [2869] "They were now approaching the cottage, and all idle topics were"
## [2870] "superseded. Emma was very compassionate; and the distresses of the poor"
## [2871] "were as sure of relief from her personal attention and kindness, her"
## [2872] "counsel and her patience, as from her purse. She understood their ways,"
## [2873] "could allow for their ignorance and their temptations, had no romantic"
## [2874] "expectations of extraordinary virtue from those for whom education had"
## [2875] "done so little; entered into their troubles with ready sympathy, and"
## [2876] "always gave her assistance with as much intelligence as good-will. In"
## [2877] "the present instance, it was sickness and poverty together which she"
## [2878] "came to visit; and after remaining there as long as she could give"
## [2879] "comfort or advice, she quitted the cottage with such an impression of"
## [2880] "the scene as made her say to Harriet, as they walked away,"
## [2881] ""
## [2882] "\"These are the sights, Harriet, to do one good. How trifling they make"
## [2883] "every thing else appear!--I feel now as if I could think of nothing but"
## [2884] "these poor creatures all the rest of the day; and yet, who can say how"
## [2885] "soon it may all vanish from my mind?\""
## [2886] ""
## [2887] "\"Very true,\" said Harriet. \"Poor creatures! one can think of nothing"
## [2888] "else.\""
## [2889] ""
## [2890] "\"And really, I do not think the impression will soon be over,\" said"
## [2891] "Emma, as she crossed the low hedge, and tottering footstep which ended"
## [2892] "the narrow, slippery path through the cottage garden, and brought them"
## [2893] "into the lane again. \"I do not think it will,\" stopping to look once"
## [2894] "more at all the outward wretchedness of the place, and recall the still"
## [2895] "greater within."
## [2896] ""
## [2897] "\"Oh! dear, no,\" said her companion."
## [2898] ""
## [2899] "They walked on. The lane made a slight bend; and when that bend was"
## [2900] "passed, Mr. Elton was immediately in sight; and so near as to give Emma"
## [2901] "time only to say farther,"
## [2902] ""
## [2903] "\"Ah! Harriet, here comes a very sudden trial of our stability in good"
## [2904] "thoughts. Well, (smiling,) I hope it may be allowed that if compassion"
## [2905] "has produced exertion and relief to the sufferers, it has done all that"
## [2906] "is truly important. If we feel for the wretched, enough to do all we can"
## [2907] "for them, the rest is empty sympathy, only distressing to ourselves.\""
## [2908] ""
## [2909] "Harriet could just answer, \"Oh! dear, yes,\" before the gentleman joined"
## [2910] "them. The wants and sufferings of the poor family, however, were the"
## [2911] "first subject on meeting. He had been going to call on them. His visit"
## [2912] "he would now defer; but they had a very interesting parley about"
## [2913] "what could be done and should be done. Mr. Elton then turned back to"
## [2914] "accompany them."
## [2915] ""
## [2916] "\"To fall in with each other on such an errand as this,\" thought Emma;"
## [2917] "\"to meet in a charitable scheme; this will bring a great increase"
## [2918] "of love on each side. I should not wonder if it were to bring on the"
## [2919] "declaration. It must, if I were not here. I wish I were anywhere else.\""
## [2920] ""
## [2921] "Anxious to separate herself from them as far as she could, she soon"
## [2922] "afterwards took possession of a narrow footpath, a little raised on one"
## [2923] "side of the lane, leaving them together in the main road. But she had"
## [2924] "not been there two minutes when she found that Harriet's habits of"
## [2925] "dependence and imitation were bringing her up too, and that, in short,"
## [2926] "they would both be soon after her. This would not do; she immediately"
## [2927] "stopped, under pretence of having some alteration to make in the lacing"
## [2928] "of her half-boot, and stooping down in complete occupation of the"
## [2929] "footpath, begged them to have the goodness to walk on, and she would"
## [2930] "follow in half a minute. They did as they were desired; and by the time"
## [2931] "she judged it reasonable to have done with her boot, she had the comfort"
## [2932] "of farther delay in her power, being overtaken by a child from the"
## [2933] "cottage, setting out, according to orders, with her pitcher, to fetch"
## [2934] "broth from Hartfield. To walk by the side of this child, and talk to"
## [2935] "and question her, was the most natural thing in the world, or would have"
## [2936] "been the most natural, had she been acting just then without design;"
## [2937] "and by this means the others were still able to keep ahead, without"
## [2938] "any obligation of waiting for her. She gained on them, however,"
## [2939] "involuntarily: the child's pace was quick, and theirs rather slow;"
## [2940] "and she was the more concerned at it, from their being evidently in"
## [2941] "a conversation which interested them. Mr. Elton was speaking with"
## [2942] "animation, Harriet listening with a very pleased attention; and Emma,"
## [2943] "having sent the child on, was beginning to think how she might draw back"
## [2944] "a little more, when they both looked around, and she was obliged to join"
## [2945] "them."
## [2946] ""
## [2947] "Mr. Elton was still talking, still engaged in some interesting detail;"
## [2948] "and Emma experienced some disappointment when she found that he was only"
## [2949] "giving his fair companion an account of the yesterday's party at his"
## [2950] "friend Cole's, and that she was come in herself for the Stilton cheese,"
## [2951] "the north Wiltshire, the butter, the celery, the beet-root, and all the"
## [2952] "dessert."
## [2953] ""
## [2954] "\"This would soon have led to something better, of course,\" was her"
## [2955] "consoling reflection; \"any thing interests between those who love; and"
## [2956] "any thing will serve as introduction to what is near the heart. If I"
## [2957] "could but have kept longer away!\""
## [2958] ""
## [2959] "They now walked on together quietly, till within view of the vicarage"
## [2960] "pales, when a sudden resolution, of at least getting Harriet into the"
## [2961] "house, made her again find something very much amiss about her boot, and"
## [2962] "fall behind to arrange it once more. She then broke the lace off short,"
## [2963] "and dexterously throwing it into a ditch, was presently obliged to"
## [2964] "entreat them to stop, and acknowledged her inability to put herself to"
## [2965] "rights so as to be able to walk home in tolerable comfort."
## [2966] ""
## [2967] "\"Part of my lace is gone,\" said she, \"and I do not know how I am to"
## [2968] "contrive. I really am a most troublesome companion to you both, but I"
## [2969] "hope I am not often so ill-equipped. Mr. Elton, I must beg leave to stop"
## [2970] "at your house, and ask your housekeeper for a bit of ribband or string,"
## [2971] "or any thing just to keep my boot on.\""
## [2972] ""
## [2973] "Mr. Elton looked all happiness at this proposition; and nothing could"
## [2974] "exceed his alertness and attention in conducting them into his house and"
## [2975] "endeavouring to make every thing appear to advantage. The room they were"
## [2976] "taken into was the one he chiefly occupied, and looking forwards; behind"
## [2977] "it was another with which it immediately communicated; the door between"
## [2978] "them was open, and Emma passed into it with the housekeeper to receive"
## [2979] "her assistance in the most comfortable manner. She was obliged to leave"
## [2980] "the door ajar as she found it; but she fully intended that Mr. Elton"
## [2981] "should close it. It was not closed, however, it still remained ajar; but"
## [2982] "by engaging the housekeeper in incessant conversation, she hoped to make"
## [2983] "it practicable for him to chuse his own subject in the adjoining"
## [2984] "room. For ten minutes she could hear nothing but herself. It could be"
## [2985] "protracted no longer. She was then obliged to be finished, and make her"
## [2986] "appearance."
## [2987] ""
## [2988] "The lovers were standing together at one of the windows. It had a most"
## [2989] "favourable aspect; and, for half a minute, Emma felt the glory of having"
## [2990] "schemed successfully. But it would not do; he had not come to the point."
## [2991] "He had been most agreeable, most delightful; he had told Harriet that"
## [2992] "he had seen them go by, and had purposely followed them; other little"
## [2993] "gallantries and allusions had been dropt, but nothing serious."
## [2994] ""
## [2995] "\"Cautious, very cautious,\" thought Emma; \"he advances inch by inch, and"
## [2996] "will hazard nothing till he believes himself secure.\""
## [2997] ""
## [2998] "Still, however, though every thing had not been accomplished by her"
## [2999] "ingenious device, she could not but flatter herself that it had been"
## [3000] "the occasion of much present enjoyment to both, and must be leading them"
## [3001] "forward to the great event."
## [3002] ""
## [3003] ""
## [3004] ""
## [3005] "CHAPTER XI"
## [3006] ""
## [3007] ""
## [3008] "Mr. Elton must now be left to himself. It was no longer in Emma's power"
## [3009] "to superintend his happiness or quicken his measures. The coming of her"
## [3010] "sister's family was so very near at hand, that first in anticipation,"
## [3011] "and then in reality, it became henceforth her prime object of interest;"
## [3012] "and during the ten days of their stay at Hartfield it was not to be"
## [3013] "expected--she did not herself expect--that any thing beyond occasional,"
## [3014] "fortuitous assistance could be afforded by her to the lovers. They might"
## [3015] "advance rapidly if they would, however; they must advance somehow or"
## [3016] "other whether they would or no. She hardly wished to have more leisure"
## [3017] "for them. There are people, who the more you do for them, the less they"
## [3018] "will do for themselves."
## [3019] ""
## [3020] "Mr. and Mrs. John Knightley, from having been longer than usual absent"
## [3021] "from Surry, were exciting of course rather more than the usual interest."
## [3022] "Till this year, every long vacation since their marriage had been"
## [3023] "divided between Hartfield and Donwell Abbey; but all the holidays of"
## [3024] "this autumn had been given to sea-bathing for the children, and it was"
## [3025] "therefore many months since they had been seen in a regular way by their"
## [3026] "Surry connexions, or seen at all by Mr. Woodhouse, who could not be"
## [3027] "induced to get so far as London, even for poor Isabella's sake; and"
## [3028] "who consequently was now most nervously and apprehensively happy in"
## [3029] "forestalling this too short visit."
## [3030] ""
## [3031] "He thought much of the evils of the journey for her, and not a little"
## [3032] "of the fatigues of his own horses and coachman who were to bring some"
## [3033] "of the party the last half of the way; but his alarms were needless;"
## [3034] "the sixteen miles being happily accomplished, and Mr. and Mrs. John"
## [3035] "Knightley, their five children, and a competent number of nursery-maids,"
## [3036] "all reaching Hartfield in safety. The bustle and joy of such an arrival,"
## [3037] "the many to be talked to, welcomed, encouraged, and variously dispersed"
## [3038] "and disposed of, produced a noise and confusion which his nerves could"
## [3039] "not have borne under any other cause, nor have endured much longer even"
## [3040] "for this; but the ways of Hartfield and the feelings of her father"
## [3041] "were so respected by Mrs. John Knightley, that in spite of maternal"
## [3042] "solicitude for the immediate enjoyment of her little ones, and for their"
## [3043] "having instantly all the liberty and attendance, all the eating and"
## [3044] "drinking, and sleeping and playing, which they could possibly wish for,"
## [3045] "without the smallest delay, the children were never allowed to be long"
## [3046] "a disturbance to him, either in themselves or in any restless attendance"
## [3047] "on them."
## [3048] ""
## [3049] "Mrs. John Knightley was a pretty, elegant little woman, of gentle, quiet"
## [3050] "manners, and a disposition remarkably amiable and affectionate; wrapt"
## [3051] "up in her family; a devoted wife, a doating mother, and so tenderly"
## [3052] "attached to her father and sister that, but for these higher ties, a"
## [3053] "warmer love might have seemed impossible. She could never see a fault"
## [3054] "in any of them. She was not a woman of strong understanding or any"
## [3055] "quickness; and with this resemblance of her father, she inherited also"
## [3056] "much of his constitution; was delicate in her own health, over-careful"
## [3057] "of that of her children, had many fears and many nerves, and was as fond"
## [3058] "of her own Mr. Wingfield in town as her father could be of Mr. Perry."
## [3059] "They were alike too, in a general benevolence of temper, and a strong"
## [3060] "habit of regard for every old acquaintance."
## [3061] ""
## [3062] "Mr. John Knightley was a tall, gentleman-like, and very clever man;"
## [3063] "rising in his profession, domestic, and respectable in his private"
## [3064] "character; but with reserved manners which prevented his being generally"
## [3065] "pleasing; and capable of being sometimes out of humour. He was not an"
## [3066] "ill-tempered man, not so often unreasonably cross as to deserve such a"
## [3067] "reproach; but his temper was not his great perfection; and, indeed, with"
## [3068] "such a worshipping wife, it was hardly possible that any natural defects"
## [3069] "in it should not be increased. The extreme sweetness of her temper"
## [3070] "must hurt his. He had all the clearness and quickness of mind which she"
## [3071] "wanted, and he could sometimes act an ungracious, or say a severe thing."
## [3072] ""
## [3073] "He was not a great favourite with his fair sister-in-law. Nothing wrong"
## [3074] "in him escaped her. She was quick in feeling the little injuries to"
## [3075] "Isabella, which Isabella never felt herself. Perhaps she might have"
## [3076] "passed over more had his manners been flattering to Isabella's sister,"
## [3077] "but they were only those of a calmly kind brother and friend, without"
## [3078] "praise and without blindness; but hardly any degree of personal"
## [3079] "compliment could have made her regardless of that greatest fault of"
## [3080] "all in her eyes which he sometimes fell into, the want of respectful"
## [3081] "forbearance towards her father. There he had not always the patience"
## [3082] "that could have been wished. Mr. Woodhouse's peculiarities and"
## [3083] "fidgetiness were sometimes provoking him to a rational remonstrance or"
## [3084] "sharp retort equally ill-bestowed. It did not often happen; for Mr. John"
## [3085] "Knightley had really a great regard for his father-in-law, and generally"
## [3086] "a strong sense of what was due to him; but it was too often for Emma's"
## [3087] "charity, especially as there was all the pain of apprehension frequently"
## [3088] "to be endured, though the offence came not. The beginning, however, of"
## [3089] "every visit displayed none but the properest feelings, and this being of"
## [3090] "necessity so short might be hoped to pass away in unsullied cordiality."
## [3091] "They had not been long seated and composed when Mr. Woodhouse, with a"
## [3092] "melancholy shake of the head and a sigh, called his daughter's attention"
## [3093] "to the sad change at Hartfield since she had been there last."
## [3094] ""
## [3095] "\"Ah, my dear,\" said he, \"poor Miss Taylor--It is a grievous business.\""
## [3096] ""
## [3097] "\"Oh yes, sir,\" cried she with ready sympathy, \"how you must miss her!"
## [3098] "And dear Emma, too!--What a dreadful loss to you both!--I have been so"
## [3099] "grieved for you.--I could not imagine how you could possibly do without"
## [3100] "her.--It is a sad change indeed.--But I hope she is pretty well, sir.\""
## [3101] ""
## [3102] "\"Pretty well, my dear--I hope--pretty well.--I do not know but that the"
## [3103] "place agrees with her tolerably.\""
## [3104] ""
## [3105] "Mr. John Knightley here asked Emma quietly whether there were any doubts"
## [3106] "of the air of Randalls."
## [3107] ""
## [3108] "\"Oh! no--none in the least. I never saw Mrs. Weston better in my"
## [3109] "life--never looking so well. Papa is only speaking his own regret.\""
## [3110] ""
## [3111] "\"Very much to the honour of both,\" was the handsome reply."
## [3112] ""
## [3113] "\"And do you see her, sir, tolerably often?\" asked Isabella in the"
## [3114] "plaintive tone which just suited her father."
## [3115] ""
## [3116] "Mr. Woodhouse hesitated.--\"Not near so often, my dear, as I could wish.\""
## [3117] ""
## [3118] "\"Oh! papa, we have missed seeing them but one entire day since they"
## [3119] "married. Either in the morning or evening of every day, excepting one,"
## [3120] "have we seen either Mr. Weston or Mrs. Weston, and generally both,"
## [3121] "either at Randalls or here--and as you may suppose, Isabella, most"
## [3122] "frequently here. They are very, very kind in their visits. Mr. Weston"
## [3123] "is really as kind as herself. Papa, if you speak in that melancholy way,"
## [3124] "you will be giving Isabella a false idea of us all. Every body must be"
## [3125] "aware that Miss Taylor must be missed, but every body ought also to be"
## [3126] "assured that Mr. and Mrs. Weston do really prevent our missing her by"
## [3127] "any means to the extent we ourselves anticipated--which is the exact"
## [3128] "truth.\""
## [3129] ""
## [3130] "\"Just as it should be,\" said Mr. John Knightley, \"and just as I hoped"
## [3131] "it was from your letters. Her wish of shewing you attention could not be"
## [3132] "doubted, and his being a disengaged and social man makes it all easy. I"
## [3133] "have been always telling you, my love, that I had no idea of the change"
## [3134] "being so very material to Hartfield as you apprehended; and now you have"
## [3135] "Emma's account, I hope you will be satisfied.\""
## [3136] ""
## [3137] "\"Why, to be sure,\" said Mr. Woodhouse--\"yes, certainly--I cannot"
## [3138] "deny that Mrs. Weston, poor Mrs. Weston, does come and see us pretty"
## [3139] "often--but then--she is always obliged to go away again.\""
## [3140] ""
## [3141] "\"It would be very hard upon Mr. Weston if she did not, papa.--You quite"
## [3142] "forget poor Mr. Weston.\""
## [3143] ""
## [3144] "\"I think, indeed,\" said John Knightley pleasantly, \"that Mr. Weston has"
## [3145] "some little claim. You and I, Emma, will venture to take the part of the"
## [3146] "poor husband. I, being a husband, and you not being a wife, the claims"
## [3147] "of the man may very likely strike us with equal force. As for Isabella,"
## [3148] "she has been married long enough to see the convenience of putting all"
## [3149] "the Mr. Westons aside as much as she can.\""
## [3150] ""
## [3151] "\"Me, my love,\" cried his wife, hearing and understanding only in part.--"
## [3152] "\"Are you talking about me?--I am sure nobody ought to be, or can be, a"
## [3153] "greater advocate for matrimony than I am; and if it had not been for"
## [3154] "the misery of her leaving Hartfield, I should never have thought of Miss"
## [3155] "Taylor but as the most fortunate woman in the world; and as to slighting"
## [3156] "Mr. Weston, that excellent Mr. Weston, I think there is nothing he does"
## [3157] "not deserve. I believe he is one of the very best-tempered men that ever"
## [3158] "existed. Excepting yourself and your brother, I do not know his equal"
## [3159] "for temper. I shall never forget his flying Henry's kite for him that"
## [3160] "very windy day last Easter--and ever since his particular kindness last"
## [3161] "September twelvemonth in writing that note, at twelve o'clock at night,"
## [3162] "on purpose to assure me that there was no scarlet fever at Cobham, I"
## [3163] "have been convinced there could not be a more feeling heart nor a better"
## [3164] "man in existence.--If any body can deserve him, it must be Miss Taylor.\""
## [3165] ""
## [3166] "\"Where is the young man?\" said John Knightley. \"Has he been here on this"
## [3167] "occasion--or has he not?\""
## [3168] ""
## [3169] "\"He has not been here yet,\" replied Emma. \"There was a strong"
## [3170] "expectation of his coming soon after the marriage, but it ended in"
## [3171] "nothing; and I have not heard him mentioned lately.\""
## [3172] ""
## [3173] "\"But you should tell them of the letter, my dear,\" said her father."
## [3174] "\"He wrote a letter to poor Mrs. Weston, to congratulate her, and a very"
## [3175] "proper, handsome letter it was. She shewed it to me. I thought it very"
## [3176] "well done of him indeed. Whether it was his own idea you know, one"
## [3177] "cannot tell. He is but young, and his uncle, perhaps--\""
## [3178] ""
## [3179] "\"My dear papa, he is three-and-twenty. You forget how time passes.\""
## [3180] ""
## [3181] "\"Three-and-twenty!--is he indeed?--Well, I could not have thought"
## [3182] "it--and he was but two years old when he lost his poor mother! Well,"
## [3183] "time does fly indeed!--and my memory is very bad. However, it was an"
## [3184] "exceeding good, pretty letter, and gave Mr. and Mrs. Weston a great deal"
## [3185] "of pleasure. I remember it was written from Weymouth, and dated Sept."
## [3186] "28th--and began, 'My dear Madam,' but I forget how it went on; and it"
## [3187] "was signed 'F. C. Weston Churchill.'--I remember that perfectly.\""
## [3188] ""
## [3189] "\"How very pleasing and proper of him!\" cried the good-hearted Mrs. John"
## [3190] "Knightley. \"I have no doubt of his being a most amiable young man. But"
## [3191] "how sad it is that he should not live at home with his father! There is"
## [3192] "something so shocking in a child's being taken away from his parents and"
## [3193] "natural home! I never could comprehend how Mr. Weston could part with"
## [3194] "him. To give up one's child! I really never could think well of any body"
## [3195] "who proposed such a thing to any body else.\""
## [3196] ""
## [3197] "\"Nobody ever did think well of the Churchills, I fancy,\" observed Mr."
## [3198] "John Knightley coolly. \"But you need not imagine Mr. Weston to have felt"
## [3199] "what you would feel in giving up Henry or John. Mr. Weston is rather"
## [3200] "an easy, cheerful-tempered man, than a man of strong feelings; he takes"
## [3201] "things as he finds them, and makes enjoyment of them somehow or other,"
## [3202] "depending, I suspect, much more upon what is called society for his"
## [3203] "comforts, that is, upon the power of eating and drinking, and playing"
## [3204] "whist with his neighbours five times a week, than upon family affection,"
## [3205] "or any thing that home affords.\""
## [3206] ""
## [3207] "Emma could not like what bordered on a reflection on Mr. Weston, and had"
## [3208] "half a mind to take it up; but she struggled, and let it pass. She"
## [3209] "would keep the peace if possible; and there was something honourable and"
## [3210] "valuable in the strong domestic habits, the all-sufficiency of home to"
## [3211] "himself, whence resulted her brother's disposition to look down on"
## [3212] "the common rate of social intercourse, and those to whom it was"
## [3213] "important.--It had a high claim to forbearance."
## [3214] ""
## [3215] ""
## [3216] ""
## [3217] "CHAPTER XII"
## [3218] ""
## [3219] ""
## [3220] "Mr. Knightley was to dine with them--rather against the inclination of"
## [3221] "Mr. Woodhouse, who did not like that any one should share with him in"
## [3222] "Isabella's first day. Emma's sense of right however had decided it;"
## [3223] "and besides the consideration of what was due to each brother, she had"
## [3224] "particular pleasure, from the circumstance of the late disagreement"
## [3225] "between Mr. Knightley and herself, in procuring him the proper"
## [3226] "invitation."
## [3227] ""
## [3228] "She hoped they might now become friends again. She thought it was time"
## [3229] "to make up. Making-up indeed would not do. _She_ certainly had not been"
## [3230] "in the wrong, and _he_ would never own that he had. Concession must be"
## [3231] "out of the question; but it was time to appear to forget that they had"
## [3232] "ever quarrelled; and she hoped it might rather assist the restoration of"
## [3233] "friendship, that when he came into the room she had one of the children"
## [3234] "with her--the youngest, a nice little girl about eight months old, who"
## [3235] "was now making her first visit to Hartfield, and very happy to be danced"
## [3236] "about in her aunt's arms. It did assist; for though he began with grave"
## [3237] "looks and short questions, he was soon led on to talk of them all in"
## [3238] "the usual way, and to take the child out of her arms with all the"
## [3239] "unceremoniousness of perfect amity. Emma felt they were friends again;"
## [3240] "and the conviction giving her at first great satisfaction, and then"
## [3241] "a little sauciness, she could not help saying, as he was admiring the"
## [3242] "baby,"
## [3243] ""
## [3244] "\"What a comfort it is, that we think alike about our nephews and nieces."
## [3245] "As to men and women, our opinions are sometimes very different; but with"
## [3246] "regard to these children, I observe we never disagree.\""
## [3247] ""
## [3248] "\"If you were as much guided by nature in your estimate of men and women,"
## [3249] "and as little under the power of fancy and whim in your dealings with"
## [3250] "them, as you are where these children are concerned, we might always"
## [3251] "think alike.\""
## [3252] ""
## [3253] "\"To be sure--our discordancies must always arise from my being in the"
## [3254] "wrong.\""
## [3255] ""
## [3256] "\"Yes,\" said he, smiling--\"and reason good. I was sixteen years old when"
## [3257] "you were born.\""
## [3258] ""
## [3259] "\"A material difference then,\" she replied--\"and no doubt you were much"
## [3260] "my superior in judgment at that period of our lives; but does not the"
## [3261] "lapse of one-and-twenty years bring our understandings a good deal"
## [3262] "nearer?\""
## [3263] ""
## [3264] "\"Yes--a good deal _nearer_.\""
## [3265] ""
## [3266] "\"But still, not near enough to give me a chance of being right, if we"
## [3267] "think differently.\""
## [3268] ""
## [3269] "\"I have still the advantage of you by sixteen years' experience, and by"
## [3270] "not being a pretty young woman and a spoiled child. Come, my dear Emma,"
## [3271] "let us be friends, and say no more about it. Tell your aunt, little"
## [3272] "Emma, that she ought to set you a better example than to be renewing old"
## [3273] "grievances, and that if she were not wrong before, she is now.\""
## [3274] ""
## [3275] "\"That's true,\" she cried--\"very true. Little Emma, grow up a better"
## [3276] "woman than your aunt. Be infinitely cleverer and not half so conceited."
## [3277] "Now, Mr. Knightley, a word or two more, and I have done. As far as good"
## [3278] "intentions went, we were _both_ right, and I must say that no effects on"
## [3279] "my side of the argument have yet proved wrong. I only want to know that"
## [3280] "Mr. Martin is not very, very bitterly disappointed.\""
## [3281] ""
## [3282] "\"A man cannot be more so,\" was his short, full answer."
## [3283] ""
## [3284] "\"Ah!--Indeed I am very sorry.--Come, shake hands with me.\""
## [3285] ""
## [3286] "This had just taken place and with great cordiality, when John Knightley"
## [3287] "made his appearance, and \"How d'ye do, George?\" and \"John, how are"
## [3288] "you?\" succeeded in the true English style, burying under a calmness that"
## [3289] "seemed all but indifference, the real attachment which would have led"
## [3290] "either of them, if requisite, to do every thing for the good of the"
## [3291] "other."
## [3292] ""
## [3293] "The evening was quiet and conversable, as Mr. Woodhouse declined cards"
## [3294] "entirely for the sake of comfortable talk with his dear Isabella, and"
## [3295] "the little party made two natural divisions; on one side he and his"
## [3296] "daughter; on the other the two Mr. Knightleys; their subjects totally"
## [3297] "distinct, or very rarely mixing--and Emma only occasionally joining in"
## [3298] "one or the other."
## [3299] ""
## [3300] "The brothers talked of their own concerns and pursuits, but principally"
## [3301] "of those of the elder, whose temper was by much the most communicative,"
## [3302] "and who was always the greater talker. As a magistrate, he had generally"
## [3303] "some point of law to consult John about, or, at least, some curious"
## [3304] "anecdote to give; and as a farmer, as keeping in hand the home-farm at"
## [3305] "Donwell, he had to tell what every field was to bear next year, and to"
## [3306] "give all such local information as could not fail of being interesting"
## [3307] "to a brother whose home it had equally been the longest part of his"
## [3308] "life, and whose attachments were strong. The plan of a drain, the change"
## [3309] "of a fence, the felling of a tree, and the destination of every acre for"
## [3310] "wheat, turnips, or spring corn, was entered into with as much equality"
## [3311] "of interest by John, as his cooler manners rendered possible; and if his"
## [3312] "willing brother ever left him any thing to inquire about, his inquiries"
## [3313] "even approached a tone of eagerness."
## [3314] ""
## [3315] "While they were thus comfortably occupied, Mr. Woodhouse was enjoying a"
## [3316] "full flow of happy regrets and fearful affection with his daughter."
## [3317] ""
## [3318] "\"My poor dear Isabella,\" said he, fondly taking her hand, and"
## [3319] "interrupting, for a few moments, her busy labours for some one of her"
## [3320] "five children--\"How long it is, how terribly long since you were here!"
## [3321] "And how tired you must be after your journey! You must go to bed early,"
## [3322] "my dear--and I recommend a little gruel to you before you go.--You and"
## [3323] "I will have a nice basin of gruel together. My dear Emma, suppose we all"
## [3324] "have a little gruel.\""
## [3325] ""
## [3326] "Emma could not suppose any such thing, knowing as she did, that both the"
## [3327] "Mr. Knightleys were as unpersuadable on that article as herself;--and"
## [3328] "two basins only were ordered. After a little more discourse in praise of"
## [3329] "gruel, with some wondering at its not being taken every evening by every"
## [3330] "body, he proceeded to say, with an air of grave reflection,"
## [3331] ""
## [3332] "\"It was an awkward business, my dear, your spending the autumn at South"
## [3333] "End instead of coming here. I never had much opinion of the sea air.\""
## [3334] ""
## [3335] "\"Mr. Wingfield most strenuously recommended it, sir--or we should not"
## [3336] "have gone. He recommended it for all the children, but particularly for"
## [3337] "the weakness in little Bella's throat,--both sea air and bathing.\""
## [3338] ""
## [3339] "\"Ah! my dear, but Perry had many doubts about the sea doing her any"
## [3340] "good; and as to myself, I have been long perfectly convinced, though"
## [3341] "perhaps I never told you so before, that the sea is very rarely of use"
## [3342] "to any body. I am sure it almost killed me once.\""
## [3343] ""
## [3344] "\"Come, come,\" cried Emma, feeling this to be an unsafe subject, \"I must"
## [3345] "beg you not to talk of the sea. It makes me envious and miserable;--I"
## [3346] "who have never seen it! South End is prohibited, if you please. My dear"
## [3347] "Isabella, I have not heard you make one inquiry about Mr. Perry yet; and"
## [3348] "he never forgets you.\""
## [3349] ""
## [3350] "\"Oh! good Mr. Perry--how is he, sir?\""
## [3351] ""
## [3352] "\"Why, pretty well; but not quite well. Poor Perry is bilious, and he has"
## [3353] "not time to take care of himself--he tells me he has not time to take"
## [3354] "care of himself--which is very sad--but he is always wanted all round"
## [3355] "the country. I suppose there is not a man in such practice anywhere. But"
## [3356] "then there is not so clever a man any where.\""
## [3357] ""
## [3358] "\"And Mrs. Perry and the children, how are they? do the children grow?"
## [3359] "I have a great regard for Mr. Perry. I hope he will be calling soon. He"
## [3360] "will be so pleased to see my little ones.\""
## [3361] ""
## [3362] "\"I hope he will be here to-morrow, for I have a question or two to ask"
## [3363] "him about myself of some consequence. And, my dear, whenever he comes,"
## [3364] "you had better let him look at little Bella's throat.\""
## [3365] ""
## [3366] "\"Oh! my dear sir, her throat is so much better that I have hardly any"
## [3367] "uneasiness about it. Either bathing has been of the greatest service to"
## [3368] "her, or else it is to be attributed to an excellent embrocation of Mr."
## [3369] "Wingfield's, which we have been applying at times ever since August.\""
## [3370] ""
## [3371] "\"It is not very likely, my dear, that bathing should have been of use"
## [3372] "to her--and if I had known you were wanting an embrocation, I would have"
## [3373] "spoken to--"
## [3374] ""
## [3375] "\"You seem to me to have forgotten Mrs. and Miss Bates,\" said Emma, \"I"
## [3376] "have not heard one inquiry after them.\""
## [3377] ""
## [3378] "\"Oh! the good Bateses--I am quite ashamed of myself--but you mention"
## [3379] "them in most of your letters. I hope they are quite well. Good old Mrs."
## [3380] "Bates--I will call upon her to-morrow, and take my children.--They"
## [3381] "are always so pleased to see my children.--And that excellent Miss"
## [3382] "Bates!--such thorough worthy people!--How are they, sir?\""
## [3383] ""
## [3384] "\"Why, pretty well, my dear, upon the whole. But poor Mrs. Bates had a"
## [3385] "bad cold about a month ago.\""
## [3386] ""
## [3387] "\"How sorry I am! But colds were never so prevalent as they have been"
## [3388] "this autumn. Mr. Wingfield told me that he has never known them more"
## [3389] "general or heavy--except when it has been quite an influenza.\""
## [3390] ""
## [3391] "\"That has been a good deal the case, my dear; but not to the degree you"
## [3392] "mention. Perry says that colds have been very general, but not so heavy"
## [3393] "as he has very often known them in November. Perry does not call it"
## [3394] "altogether a sickly season.\""
## [3395] ""
## [3396] "\"No, I do not know that Mr. Wingfield considers it _very_ sickly"
## [3397] "except--"
## [3398] ""
## [3399] "\"Ah! my poor dear child, the truth is, that in London it is always"
## [3400] "a sickly season. Nobody is healthy in London, nobody can be. It is a"
## [3401] "dreadful thing to have you forced to live there! so far off!--and the"
## [3402] "air so bad!\""
## [3403] ""
## [3404] "\"No, indeed--_we_ are not at all in a bad air. Our part of London is"
## [3405] "very superior to most others!--You must not confound us with London"
## [3406] "in general, my dear sir. The neighbourhood of Brunswick Square is very"
## [3407] "different from almost all the rest. We are so very airy! I should be"
## [3408] "unwilling, I own, to live in any other part of the town;--there is"
## [3409] "hardly any other that I could be satisfied to have my children in:"
## [3410] "but _we_ are so remarkably airy!--Mr. Wingfield thinks the vicinity of"
## [3411] "Brunswick Square decidedly the most favourable as to air.\""
## [3412] ""
## [3413] "\"Ah! my dear, it is not like Hartfield. You make the best of it--but"
## [3414] "after you have been a week at Hartfield, you are all of you different"
## [3415] "creatures; you do not look like the same. Now I cannot say, that I think"
## [3416] "you are any of you looking well at present.\""
## [3417] ""
## [3418] "\"I am sorry to hear you say so, sir; but I assure you, excepting those"
## [3419] "little nervous head-aches and palpitations which I am never entirely"
## [3420] "free from anywhere, I am quite well myself; and if the children were"
## [3421] "rather pale before they went to bed, it was only because they were a"
## [3422] "little more tired than usual, from their journey and the happiness of"
## [3423] "coming. I hope you will think better of their looks to-morrow; for I"
## [3424] "assure you Mr. Wingfield told me, that he did not believe he had ever"
## [3425] "sent us off altogether, in such good case. I trust, at least, that"
## [3426] "you do not think Mr. Knightley looking ill,\" turning her eyes with"
## [3427] "affectionate anxiety towards her husband."
## [3428] ""
## [3429] "\"Middling, my dear; I cannot compliment you. I think Mr. John Knightley"
## [3430] "very far from looking well.\""
## [3431] ""
## [3432] "\"What is the matter, sir?--Did you speak to me?\" cried Mr. John"
## [3433] "Knightley, hearing his own name."
## [3434] ""
## [3435] "\"I am sorry to find, my love, that my father does not think you looking"
## [3436] "well--but I hope it is only from being a little fatigued. I could have"
## [3437] "wished, however, as you know, that you had seen Mr. Wingfield before you"
## [3438] "left home.\""
## [3439] ""
## [3440] "\"My dear Isabella,\"--exclaimed he hastily--\"pray do not concern yourself"
## [3441] "about my looks. Be satisfied with doctoring and coddling yourself and"
## [3442] "the children, and let me look as I chuse.\""
## [3443] ""
## [3444] "\"I did not thoroughly understand what you were telling your brother,\""
## [3445] "cried Emma, \"about your friend Mr. Graham's intending to have a bailiff"
## [3446] "from Scotland, to look after his new estate. What will it answer? Will"
## [3447] "not the old prejudice be too strong?\""
## [3448] ""
## [3449] "And she talked in this way so long and successfully that, when forced to"
## [3450] "give her attention again to her father and sister, she had nothing"
## [3451] "worse to hear than Isabella's kind inquiry after Jane Fairfax; and Jane"
## [3452] "Fairfax, though no great favourite with her in general, she was at that"
## [3453] "moment very happy to assist in praising."
## [3454] ""
## [3455] "\"That sweet, amiable Jane Fairfax!\" said Mrs. John Knightley.--\"It"
## [3456] "is so long since I have seen her, except now and then for a moment"
## [3457] "accidentally in town! What happiness it must be to her good old"
## [3458] "grandmother and excellent aunt, when she comes to visit them! I always"
## [3459] "regret excessively on dear Emma's account that she cannot be more at"
## [3460] "Highbury; but now their daughter is married, I suppose Colonel and Mrs."
## [3461] "Campbell will not be able to part with her at all. She would be such a"
## [3462] "delightful companion for Emma.\""
## [3463] ""
## [3464] "Mr. Woodhouse agreed to it all, but added,"
## [3465] ""
## [3466] "\"Our little friend Harriet Smith, however, is just such another pretty"
## [3467] "kind of young person. You will like Harriet. Emma could not have a"
## [3468] "better companion than Harriet.\""
## [3469] ""
## [3470] "\"I am most happy to hear it--but only Jane Fairfax one knows to be so"
## [3471] "very accomplished and superior!--and exactly Emma's age.\""
## [3472] ""
## [3473] "This topic was discussed very happily, and others succeeded of similar"
## [3474] "moment, and passed away with similar harmony; but the evening did not"
## [3475] "close without a little return of agitation. The gruel came and supplied"
## [3476] "a great deal to be said--much praise and many comments--undoubting"
## [3477] "decision of its wholesomeness for every constitution, and pretty"
## [3478] "severe Philippics upon the many houses where it was never met with"
## [3479] "tolerably;--but, unfortunately, among the failures which the daughter"
## [3480] "had to instance, the most recent, and therefore most prominent, was in"
## [3481] "her own cook at South End, a young woman hired for the time, who never"
## [3482] "had been able to understand what she meant by a basin of nice smooth"
## [3483] "gruel, thin, but not too thin. Often as she had wished for and ordered"
## [3484] "it, she had never been able to get any thing tolerable. Here was a"
## [3485] "dangerous opening."
## [3486] ""
## [3487] "\"Ah!\" said Mr. Woodhouse, shaking his head and fixing his eyes on her"
## [3488] "with tender concern.--The ejaculation in Emma's ear expressed, \"Ah!"
## [3489] "there is no end of the sad consequences of your going to South End. It"
## [3490] "does not bear talking of.\" And for a little while she hoped he would not"
## [3491] "talk of it, and that a silent rumination might suffice to restore him to"
## [3492] "the relish of his own smooth gruel. After an interval of some minutes,"
## [3493] "however, he began with,"
## [3494] ""
## [3495] "\"I shall always be very sorry that you went to the sea this autumn,"
## [3496] "instead of coming here.\""
## [3497] ""
## [3498] "\"But why should you be sorry, sir?--I assure you, it did the children a"
## [3499] "great deal of good.\""
## [3500] ""
## [3501] "\"And, moreover, if you must go to the sea, it had better not have been"
## [3502] "to South End. South End is an unhealthy place. Perry was surprized to"
## [3503] "hear you had fixed upon South End.\""
## [3504] ""
## [3505] "\"I know there is such an idea with many people, but indeed it is quite"
## [3506] "a mistake, sir.--We all had our health perfectly well there, never"
## [3507] "found the least inconvenience from the mud; and Mr. Wingfield says it is"
## [3508] "entirely a mistake to suppose the place unhealthy; and I am sure he may"
## [3509] "be depended on, for he thoroughly understands the nature of the air, and"
## [3510] "his own brother and family have been there repeatedly.\""
## [3511] ""
## [3512] "\"You should have gone to Cromer, my dear, if you went anywhere.--Perry"
## [3513] "was a week at Cromer once, and he holds it to be the best of all the"
## [3514] "sea-bathing places. A fine open sea, he says, and very pure air. And, by"
## [3515] "what I understand, you might have had lodgings there quite away from"
## [3516] "the sea--a quarter of a mile off--very comfortable. You should have"
## [3517] "consulted Perry.\""
## [3518] ""
## [3519] "\"But, my dear sir, the difference of the journey;--only consider how"
## [3520] "great it would have been.--An hundred miles, perhaps, instead of forty.\""
## [3521] ""
## [3522] "\"Ah! my dear, as Perry says, where health is at stake, nothing else"
## [3523] "should be considered; and if one is to travel, there is not much to"
## [3524] "chuse between forty miles and an hundred.--Better not move at all,"
## [3525] "better stay in London altogether than travel forty miles to get into"
## [3526] "a worse air. This is just what Perry said. It seemed to him a very"
## [3527] "ill-judged measure.\""
## [3528] ""
## [3529] "Emma's attempts to stop her father had been vain; and when he"
## [3530] "had reached such a point as this, she could not wonder at her"
## [3531] "brother-in-law's breaking out."
## [3532] ""
## [3533] "\"Mr. Perry,\" said he, in a voice of very strong displeasure, \"would do"
## [3534] "as well to keep his opinion till it is asked for. Why does he make it"
## [3535] "any business of his, to wonder at what I do?--at my taking my family to"
## [3536] "one part of the coast or another?--I may be allowed, I hope, the use of"
## [3537] "my judgment as well as Mr. Perry.--I want his directions no more than"
## [3538] "his drugs.\" He paused--and growing cooler in a moment, added, with only"
## [3539] "sarcastic dryness, \"If Mr. Perry can tell me how to convey a wife and"
## [3540] "five children a distance of an hundred and thirty miles with no greater"
## [3541] "expense or inconvenience than a distance of forty, I should be as"
## [3542] "willing to prefer Cromer to South End as he could himself.\""
## [3543] ""
## [3544] "\"True, true,\" cried Mr. Knightley, with most ready interposition--\"very"
## [3545] "true. That's a consideration indeed.--But John, as to what I was telling"
## [3546] "you of my idea of moving the path to Langham, of turning it more to the"
## [3547] "right that it may not cut through the home meadows, I cannot conceive"
## [3548] "any difficulty. I should not attempt it, if it were to be the means of"
## [3549] "inconvenience to the Highbury people, but if you call to mind exactly"
## [3550] "the present line of the path.... The only way of proving it, however,"
## [3551] "will be to turn to our maps. I shall see you at the Abbey to-morrow"
## [3552] "morning I hope, and then we will look them over, and you shall give me"
## [3553] "your opinion.\""
## [3554] ""
## [3555] "Mr. Woodhouse was rather agitated by such harsh reflections on his"
## [3556] "friend Perry, to whom he had, in fact, though unconsciously, been"
## [3557] "attributing many of his own feelings and expressions;--but the soothing"
## [3558] "attentions of his daughters gradually removed the present evil, and"
## [3559] "the immediate alertness of one brother, and better recollections of the"
## [3560] "other, prevented any renewal of it."
## [3561] ""
## [3562] ""
## [3563] ""
## [3564] "CHAPTER XIII"
## [3565] ""
## [3566] ""
## [3567] "There could hardly be a happier creature in the world than Mrs. John"
## [3568] "Knightley, in this short visit to Hartfield, going about every morning"
## [3569] "among her old acquaintance with her five children, and talking over what"
## [3570] "she had done every evening with her father and sister. She had nothing"
## [3571] "to wish otherwise, but that the days did not pass so swiftly. It was a"
## [3572] "delightful visit;--perfect, in being much too short."
## [3573] ""
## [3574] "In general their evenings were less engaged with friends than their"
## [3575] "mornings; but one complete dinner engagement, and out of the house too,"
## [3576] "there was no avoiding, though at Christmas. Mr. Weston would take no"
## [3577] "denial; they must all dine at Randalls one day;--even Mr. Woodhouse was"
## [3578] "persuaded to think it a possible thing in preference to a division of"
## [3579] "the party."
## [3580] ""
## [3581] "How they were all to be conveyed, he would have made a difficulty if he"
## [3582] "could, but as his son and daughter's carriage and horses were actually"
## [3583] "at Hartfield, he was not able to make more than a simple question on"
## [3584] "that head; it hardly amounted to a doubt; nor did it occupy Emma long"
## [3585] "to convince him that they might in one of the carriages find room for"
## [3586] "Harriet also."
## [3587] ""
## [3588] "Harriet, Mr. Elton, and Mr. Knightley, their own especial set, were the"
## [3589] "only persons invited to meet them;--the hours were to be early, as"
## [3590] "well as the numbers few; Mr. Woodhouse's habits and inclination being"
## [3591] "consulted in every thing."
## [3592] ""
## [3593] "The evening before this great event (for it was a very great event that"
## [3594] "Mr. Woodhouse should dine out, on the 24th of December) had been spent"
## [3595] "by Harriet at Hartfield, and she had gone home so much indisposed with"
## [3596] "a cold, that, but for her own earnest wish of being nursed by Mrs."
## [3597] "Goddard, Emma could not have allowed her to leave the house. Emma called"
## [3598] "on her the next day, and found her doom already signed with regard to"
## [3599] "Randalls. She was very feverish and had a bad sore throat: Mrs. Goddard"
## [3600] "was full of care and affection, Mr. Perry was talked of, and Harriet"
## [3601] "herself was too ill and low to resist the authority which excluded her"
## [3602] "from this delightful engagement, though she could not speak of her loss"
## [3603] "without many tears."
## [3604] ""
## [3605] "Emma sat with her as long as she could, to attend her in Mrs. Goddard's"
## [3606] "unavoidable absences, and raise her spirits by representing how much Mr."
## [3607] "Elton's would be depressed when he knew her state; and left her at last"
## [3608] "tolerably comfortable, in the sweet dependence of his having a most"
## [3609] "comfortless visit, and of their all missing her very much. She had not"
## [3610] "advanced many yards from Mrs. Goddard's door, when she was met by Mr."
## [3611] "Elton himself, evidently coming towards it, and as they walked on slowly"
## [3612] "together in conversation about the invalid--of whom he, on the rumour"
## [3613] "of considerable illness, had been going to inquire, that he might"
## [3614] "carry some report of her to Hartfield--they were overtaken by Mr. John"
## [3615] "Knightley returning from the daily visit to Donwell, with his two eldest"
## [3616] "boys, whose healthy, glowing faces shewed all the benefit of a country"
## [3617] "run, and seemed to ensure a quick despatch of the roast mutton and rice"
## [3618] "pudding they were hastening home for. They joined company and"
## [3619] "proceeded together. Emma was just describing the nature of her friend's"
## [3620] "complaint;--\"a throat very much inflamed, with a great deal of heat"
## [3621] "about her, a quick, low pulse, &c. and she was sorry to find from Mrs."
## [3622] "Goddard that Harriet was liable to very bad sore-throats, and had often"
## [3623] "alarmed her with them.\" Mr. Elton looked all alarm on the occasion, as"
## [3624] "he exclaimed,"
## [3625] ""
## [3626] "\"A sore-throat!--I hope not infectious. I hope not of a putrid"
## [3627] "infectious sort. Has Perry seen her? Indeed you should take care of"
## [3628] "yourself as well as of your friend. Let me entreat you to run no risks."
## [3629] "Why does not Perry see her?\""
## [3630] ""
## [3631] "Emma, who was not really at all frightened herself, tranquillised this"
## [3632] "excess of apprehension by assurances of Mrs. Goddard's experience and"
## [3633] "care; but as there must still remain a degree of uneasiness which she"
## [3634] "could not wish to reason away, which she would rather feed and assist"
## [3635] "than not, she added soon afterwards--as if quite another subject,"
## [3636] ""
## [3637] "\"It is so cold, so very cold--and looks and feels so very much like"
## [3638] "snow, that if it were to any other place or with any other party, I"
## [3639] "should really try not to go out to-day--and dissuade my father from"
## [3640] "venturing; but as he has made up his mind, and does not seem to feel the"
## [3641] "cold himself, I do not like to interfere, as I know it would be so great"
## [3642] "a disappointment to Mr. and Mrs. Weston. But, upon my word, Mr. Elton,"
## [3643] "in your case, I should certainly excuse myself. You appear to me a"
## [3644] "little hoarse already, and when you consider what demand of voice and"
## [3645] "what fatigues to-morrow will bring, I think it would be no more than"
## [3646] "common prudence to stay at home and take care of yourself to-night.\""
## [3647] ""
## [3648] "Mr. Elton looked as if he did not very well know what answer to make;"
## [3649] "which was exactly the case; for though very much gratified by the kind"
## [3650] "care of such a fair lady, and not liking to resist any advice of her's,"
## [3651] "he had not really the least inclination to give up the visit;--but Emma,"
## [3652] "too eager and busy in her own previous conceptions and views to hear him"
## [3653] "impartially, or see him with clear vision, was very well satisfied with"
## [3654] "his muttering acknowledgment of its being \"very cold, certainly very"
## [3655] "cold,\" and walked on, rejoicing in having extricated him from Randalls,"
## [3656] "and secured him the power of sending to inquire after Harriet every hour"
## [3657] "of the evening."
## [3658] ""
## [3659] "\"You do quite right,\" said she;--\"we will make your apologies to Mr. and"
## [3660] "Mrs. Weston.\""
## [3661] ""
## [3662] "But hardly had she so spoken, when she found her brother was civilly"
## [3663] "offering a seat in his carriage, if the weather were Mr. Elton's only"
## [3664] "objection, and Mr. Elton actually accepting the offer with much prompt"
## [3665] "satisfaction. It was a done thing; Mr. Elton was to go, and never had"
## [3666] "his broad handsome face expressed more pleasure than at this moment;"
## [3667] "never had his smile been stronger, nor his eyes more exulting than when"
## [3668] "he next looked at her."
## [3669] ""
## [3670] "\"Well,\" said she to herself, \"this is most strange!--After I had got"
## [3671] "him off so well, to chuse to go into company, and leave Harriet ill"
## [3672] "behind!--Most strange indeed!--But there is, I believe, in many men,"
## [3673] "especially single men, such an inclination--such a passion for dining"
## [3674] "out--a dinner engagement is so high in the class of their pleasures,"
## [3675] "their employments, their dignities, almost their duties, that any"
## [3676] "thing gives way to it--and this must be the case with Mr. Elton; a most"
## [3677] "valuable, amiable, pleasing young man undoubtedly, and very much in love"
## [3678] "with Harriet; but still, he cannot refuse an invitation, he must dine"
## [3679] "out wherever he is asked. What a strange thing love is! he can see ready"
## [3680] "wit in Harriet, but will not dine alone for her.\""
## [3681] ""
## [3682] "Soon afterwards Mr. Elton quitted them, and she could not but do him"
## [3683] "the justice of feeling that there was a great deal of sentiment in his"
## [3684] "manner of naming Harriet at parting; in the tone of his voice while"
## [3685] "assuring her that he should call at Mrs. Goddard's for news of her fair"
## [3686] "friend, the last thing before he prepared for the happiness of meeting"
## [3687] "her again, when he hoped to be able to give a better report; and"
## [3688] "he sighed and smiled himself off in a way that left the balance of"
## [3689] "approbation much in his favour."
## [3690] ""
## [3691] "After a few minutes of entire silence between them, John Knightley began"
## [3692] "with--"
## [3693] ""
## [3694] "\"I never in my life saw a man more intent on being agreeable than Mr."
## [3695] "Elton. It is downright labour to him where ladies are concerned. With"
## [3696] "men he can be rational and unaffected, but when he has ladies to please,"
## [3697] "every feature works.\""
## [3698] ""
## [3699] "\"Mr. Elton's manners are not perfect,\" replied Emma; \"but where there is"
## [3700] "a wish to please, one ought to overlook, and one does overlook a great"
## [3701] "deal. Where a man does his best with only moderate powers, he will"
## [3702] "have the advantage over negligent superiority. There is such perfect"
## [3703] "good-temper and good-will in Mr. Elton as one cannot but value.\""
## [3704] ""
## [3705] "\"Yes,\" said Mr. John Knightley presently, with some slyness, \"he seems"
## [3706] "to have a great deal of good-will towards you.\""
## [3707] ""
## [3708] "\"Me!\" she replied with a smile of astonishment, \"are you imagining me to"
## [3709] "be Mr. Elton's object?\""
## [3710] ""
## [3711] "\"Such an imagination has crossed me, I own, Emma; and if it never"
## [3712] "occurred to you before, you may as well take it into consideration now.\""
## [3713] ""
## [3714] "\"Mr. Elton in love with me!--What an idea!\""
## [3715] ""
## [3716] "\"I do not say it is so; but you will do well to consider whether it"
## [3717] "is so or not, and to regulate your behaviour accordingly. I think your"
## [3718] "manners to him encouraging. I speak as a friend, Emma. You had better"
## [3719] "look about you, and ascertain what you do, and what you mean to do.\""
## [3720] ""
## [3721] "\"I thank you; but I assure you you are quite mistaken. Mr. Elton and"
## [3722] "I are very good friends, and nothing more;\" and she walked on, amusing"
## [3723] "herself in the consideration of the blunders which often arise from a"
## [3724] "partial knowledge of circumstances, of the mistakes which people of high"
## [3725] "pretensions to judgment are for ever falling into; and not very well"
## [3726] "pleased with her brother for imagining her blind and ignorant, and in"
## [3727] "want of counsel. He said no more."
## [3728] ""
## [3729] "Mr. Woodhouse had so completely made up his mind to the visit, that in"
## [3730] "spite of the increasing coldness, he seemed to have no idea of shrinking"
## [3731] "from it, and set forward at last most punctually with his eldest"
## [3732] "daughter in his own carriage, with less apparent consciousness of the"
## [3733] "weather than either of the others; too full of the wonder of his own"
## [3734] "going, and the pleasure it was to afford at Randalls to see that it was"
## [3735] "cold, and too well wrapt up to feel it. The cold, however, was severe;"
## [3736] "and by the time the second carriage was in motion, a few flakes of snow"
## [3737] "were finding their way down, and the sky had the appearance of being so"
## [3738] "overcharged as to want only a milder air to produce a very white world"
## [3739] "in a very short time."
## [3740] ""
## [3741] "Emma soon saw that her companion was not in the happiest humour. The"
## [3742] "preparing and the going abroad in such weather, with the sacrifice of"
## [3743] "his children after dinner, were evils, were disagreeables at least,"
## [3744] "which Mr. John Knightley did not by any means like; he anticipated"
## [3745] "nothing in the visit that could be at all worth the purchase; and the"
## [3746] "whole of their drive to the vicarage was spent by him in expressing his"
## [3747] "discontent."
## [3748] ""
## [3749] "\"A man,\" said he, \"must have a very good opinion of himself when he asks"
## [3750] "people to leave their own fireside, and encounter such a day as"
## [3751] "this, for the sake of coming to see him. He must think himself a most"
## [3752] "agreeable fellow; I could not do such a thing. It is the greatest"
## [3753] "absurdity--Actually snowing at this moment!--The folly of not allowing"
## [3754] "people to be comfortable at home--and the folly of people's not staying"
## [3755] "comfortably at home when they can! If we were obliged to go out such"
## [3756] "an evening as this, by any call of duty or business, what a hardship we"
## [3757] "should deem it;--and here are we, probably with rather thinner clothing"
## [3758] "than usual, setting forward voluntarily, without excuse, in defiance of"
## [3759] "the voice of nature, which tells man, in every thing given to his view"
## [3760] "or his feelings, to stay at home himself, and keep all under shelter"
## [3761] "that he can;--here are we setting forward to spend five dull hours in"
## [3762] "another man's house, with nothing to say or to hear that was not said"
## [3763] "and heard yesterday, and may not be said and heard again to-morrow."
## [3764] "Going in dismal weather, to return probably in worse;--four horses and"
## [3765] "four servants taken out for nothing but to convey five idle, shivering"
## [3766] "creatures into colder rooms and worse company than they might have had"
## [3767] "at home.\""
## [3768] ""
## [3769] "Emma did not find herself equal to give the pleased assent, which no"
## [3770] "doubt he was in the habit of receiving, to emulate the \"Very true,"
## [3771] "my love,\" which must have been usually administered by his travelling"
## [3772] "companion; but she had resolution enough to refrain from making"
## [3773] "any answer at all. She could not be complying, she dreaded being"
## [3774] "quarrelsome; her heroism reached only to silence. She allowed him to"
## [3775] "talk, and arranged the glasses, and wrapped herself up, without opening"
## [3776] "her lips."
## [3777] ""
## [3778] "They arrived, the carriage turned, the step was let down, and Mr. Elton,"
## [3779] "spruce, black, and smiling, was with them instantly. Emma thought with"
## [3780] "pleasure of some change of subject. Mr. Elton was all obligation and"
## [3781] "cheerfulness; he was so very cheerful in his civilities indeed, that she"
## [3782] "began to think he must have received a different account of Harriet from"
## [3783] "what had reached her. She had sent while dressing, and the answer had"
## [3784] "been, \"Much the same--not better.\""
## [3785] ""
## [3786] "\"_My_ report from Mrs. Goddard's,\" said she presently, \"was not so"
## [3787] "pleasant as I had hoped--'Not better' was _my_ answer.\""
## [3788] ""
## [3789] "His face lengthened immediately; and his voice was the voice of"
## [3790] "sentiment as he answered."
## [3791] ""
## [3792] "\"Oh! no--I am grieved to find--I was on the point of telling you that"
## [3793] "when I called at Mrs. Goddard's door, which I did the very last thing"
## [3794] "before I returned to dress, I was told that Miss Smith was not better,"
## [3795] "by no means better, rather worse. Very much grieved and concerned--I"
## [3796] "had flattered myself that she must be better after such a cordial as I"
## [3797] "knew had been given her in the morning.\""
## [3798] ""
## [3799] "Emma smiled and answered--\"My visit was of use to the nervous part of"
## [3800] "her complaint, I hope; but not even I can charm away a sore throat;"
## [3801] "it is a most severe cold indeed. Mr. Perry has been with her, as you"
## [3802] "probably heard.\""
## [3803] ""
## [3804] "\"Yes--I imagined--that is--I did not--\""
## [3805] ""
## [3806] "\"He has been used to her in these complaints, and I hope to-morrow"
## [3807] "morning will bring us both a more comfortable report. But it is"
## [3808] "impossible not to feel uneasiness. Such a sad loss to our party to-day!\""
## [3809] ""
## [3810] "\"Dreadful!--Exactly so, indeed.--She will be missed every moment.\""
## [3811] ""
## [3812] "This was very proper; the sigh which accompanied it was really"
## [3813] "estimable; but it should have lasted longer. Emma was rather in dismay"
## [3814] "when only half a minute afterwards he began to speak of other things,"
## [3815] "and in a voice of the greatest alacrity and enjoyment."
## [3816] ""
## [3817] "\"What an excellent device,\" said he, \"the use of a sheepskin for"
## [3818] "carriages. How very comfortable they make it;--impossible to feel cold"
## [3819] "with such precautions. The contrivances of modern days indeed have"
## [3820] "rendered a gentleman's carriage perfectly complete. One is so fenced"
## [3821] "and guarded from the weather, that not a breath of air can find its way"
## [3822] "unpermitted. Weather becomes absolutely of no consequence. It is a very"
## [3823] "cold afternoon--but in this carriage we know nothing of the matter.--Ha!"
## [3824] "snows a little I see.\""
## [3825] ""
## [3826] "\"Yes,\" said John Knightley, \"and I think we shall have a good deal of"
## [3827] "it.\""
## [3828] ""
## [3829] "\"Christmas weather,\" observed Mr. Elton. \"Quite seasonable; and"
## [3830] "extremely fortunate we may think ourselves that it did not begin"
## [3831] "yesterday, and prevent this day's party, which it might very possibly"
## [3832] "have done, for Mr. Woodhouse would hardly have ventured had there been"
## [3833] "much snow on the ground; but now it is of no consequence. This is quite"
## [3834] "the season indeed for friendly meetings. At Christmas every body invites"
## [3835] "their friends about them, and people think little of even the worst"
## [3836] "weather. I was snowed up at a friend's house once for a week. Nothing"
## [3837] "could be pleasanter. I went for only one night, and could not get away"
## [3838] "till that very day se'nnight.\""
## [3839] ""
## [3840] "Mr. John Knightley looked as if he did not comprehend the pleasure, but"
## [3841] "said only, coolly,"
## [3842] ""
## [3843] "\"I cannot wish to be snowed up a week at Randalls.\""
## [3844] ""
## [3845] "At another time Emma might have been amused, but she was too much"
## [3846] "astonished now at Mr. Elton's spirits for other feelings. Harriet seemed"
## [3847] "quite forgotten in the expectation of a pleasant party."
## [3848] ""
## [3849] "\"We are sure of excellent fires,\" continued he, \"and every thing in the"
## [3850] "greatest comfort. Charming people, Mr. and Mrs. Weston;--Mrs. Weston"
## [3851] "indeed is much beyond praise, and he is exactly what one values, so"
## [3852] "hospitable, and so fond of society;--it will be a small party, but where"
## [3853] "small parties are select, they are perhaps the most agreeable of any."
## [3854] "Mr. Weston's dining-room does not accommodate more than ten comfortably;"
## [3855] "and for my part, I would rather, under such circumstances, fall short by"
## [3856] "two than exceed by two. I think you will agree with me, (turning with"
## [3857] "a soft air to Emma,) I think I shall certainly have your approbation,"
## [3858] "though Mr. Knightley perhaps, from being used to the large parties of"
## [3859] "London, may not quite enter into our feelings.\""
## [3860] ""
## [3861] "\"I know nothing of the large parties of London, sir--I never dine with"
## [3862] "any body.\""
## [3863] ""
## [3864] "\"Indeed! (in a tone of wonder and pity,) I had no idea that the law had"
## [3865] "been so great a slavery. Well, sir, the time must come when you will"
## [3866] "be paid for all this, when you will have little labour and great"
## [3867] "enjoyment.\""
## [3868] ""
## [3869] "\"My first enjoyment,\" replied John Knightley, as they passed through the"
## [3870] "sweep-gate, \"will be to find myself safe at Hartfield again.\""
## [3871] ""
## [3872] ""
## [3873] ""
## [3874] "CHAPTER XIV"
## [3875] ""
## [3876] ""
## [3877] "Some change of countenance was necessary for each gentleman as they"
## [3878] "walked into Mrs. Weston's drawing-room;--Mr. Elton must compose his"
## [3879] "joyous looks, and Mr. John Knightley disperse his ill-humour. Mr."
## [3880] "Elton must smile less, and Mr. John Knightley more, to fit them for the"
## [3881] "place.--Emma only might be as nature prompted, and shew herself just as"
## [3882] "happy as she was. To her it was real enjoyment to be with the Westons."
## [3883] "Mr. Weston was a great favourite, and there was not a creature in the"
## [3884] "world to whom she spoke with such unreserve, as to his wife; not any"
## [3885] "one, to whom she related with such conviction of being listened to and"
## [3886] "understood, of being always interesting and always intelligible, the"
## [3887] "little affairs, arrangements, perplexities, and pleasures of her father"
## [3888] "and herself. She could tell nothing of Hartfield, in which Mrs. Weston"
## [3889] "had not a lively concern; and half an hour's uninterrupted communication"
## [3890] "of all those little matters on which the daily happiness of private life"
## [3891] "depends, was one of the first gratifications of each."
## [3892] ""
## [3893] "This was a pleasure which perhaps the whole day's visit might not"
## [3894] "afford, which certainly did not belong to the present half-hour; but the"
## [3895] "very sight of Mrs. Weston, her smile, her touch, her voice was grateful"
## [3896] "to Emma, and she determined to think as little as possible of Mr."
## [3897] "Elton's oddities, or of any thing else unpleasant, and enjoy all that"
## [3898] "was enjoyable to the utmost."
## [3899] ""
## [3900] "The misfortune of Harriet's cold had been pretty well gone through"
## [3901] "before her arrival. Mr. Woodhouse had been safely seated long enough"
## [3902] "to give the history of it, besides all the history of his own and"
## [3903] "Isabella's coming, and of Emma's being to follow, and had indeed just"
## [3904] "got to the end of his satisfaction that James should come and see his"
## [3905] "daughter, when the others appeared, and Mrs. Weston, who had been almost"
## [3906] "wholly engrossed by her attentions to him, was able to turn away and"
## [3907] "welcome her dear Emma."
## [3908] ""
## [3909] "Emma's project of forgetting Mr. Elton for a while made her rather sorry"
## [3910] "to find, when they had all taken their places, that he was close to her."
## [3911] "The difficulty was great of driving his strange insensibility towards"
## [3912] "Harriet, from her mind, while he not only sat at her elbow, but"
## [3913] "was continually obtruding his happy countenance on her notice, and"
## [3914] "solicitously addressing her upon every occasion. Instead of forgetting"
## [3915] "him, his behaviour was such that she could not avoid the internal"
## [3916] "suggestion of \"Can it really be as my brother imagined? can it be"
## [3917] "possible for this man to be beginning to transfer his affections from"
## [3918] "Harriet to me?--Absurd and insufferable!\"--Yet he would be so anxious"
## [3919] "for her being perfectly warm, would be so interested about her father,"
## [3920] "and so delighted with Mrs. Weston; and at last would begin admiring her"
## [3921] "drawings with so much zeal and so little knowledge as seemed terribly"
## [3922] "like a would-be lover, and made it some effort with her to preserve her"
## [3923] "good manners. For her own sake she could not be rude; and for Harriet's,"
## [3924] "in the hope that all would yet turn out right, she was even positively"
## [3925] "civil; but it was an effort; especially as something was going on"
## [3926] "amongst the others, in the most overpowering period of Mr. Elton's"
## [3927] "nonsense, which she particularly wished to listen to. She heard enough"
## [3928] "to know that Mr. Weston was giving some information about his son; she"
## [3929] "heard the words \"my son,\" and \"Frank,\" and \"my son,\" repeated several"
## [3930] "times over; and, from a few other half-syllables very much suspected"
## [3931] "that he was announcing an early visit from his son; but before she could"
## [3932] "quiet Mr. Elton, the subject was so completely past that any reviving"
## [3933] "question from her would have been awkward."
## [3934] ""
## [3935] "Now, it so happened that in spite of Emma's resolution of never"
## [3936] "marrying, there was something in the name, in the idea of Mr."
## [3937] "Frank Churchill, which always interested her. She had frequently"
## [3938] "thought--especially since his father's marriage with Miss Taylor--that"
## [3939] "if she _were_ to marry, he was the very person to suit her in age,"
## [3940] "character and condition. He seemed by this connexion between the"
## [3941] "families, quite to belong to her. She could not but suppose it to be"
## [3942] "a match that every body who knew them must think of. That Mr. and Mrs."
## [3943] "Weston did think of it, she was very strongly persuaded; and though"
## [3944] "not meaning to be induced by him, or by any body else, to give up a"
## [3945] "situation which she believed more replete with good than any she could"
## [3946] "change it for, she had a great curiosity to see him, a decided intention"
## [3947] "of finding him pleasant, of being liked by him to a certain degree, and"
## [3948] "a sort of pleasure in the idea of their being coupled in their friends'"
## [3949] "imaginations."
## [3950] ""
## [3951] "With such sensations, Mr. Elton's civilities were dreadfully ill-timed;"
## [3952] "but she had the comfort of appearing very polite, while feeling very"
## [3953] "cross--and of thinking that the rest of the visit could not possibly"
## [3954] "pass without bringing forward the same information again, or the"
## [3955] "substance of it, from the open-hearted Mr. Weston.--So it proved;--for"
## [3956] "when happily released from Mr. Elton, and seated by Mr. Weston,"
## [3957] "at dinner, he made use of the very first interval in the cares of"
## [3958] "hospitality, the very first leisure from the saddle of mutton, to say to"
## [3959] "her,"
## [3960] ""
## [3961] "\"We want only two more to be just the right number. I should like to see"
## [3962] "two more here,--your pretty little friend, Miss Smith, and my son--and"
## [3963] "then I should say we were quite complete. I believe you did not hear me"
## [3964] "telling the others in the drawing-room that we are expecting Frank."
## [3965] "I had a letter from him this morning, and he will be with us within a"
## [3966] "fortnight.\""
## [3967] ""
## [3968] "Emma spoke with a very proper degree of pleasure; and fully assented to"
## [3969] "his proposition of Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Smith making their party"
## [3970] "quite complete."
## [3971] ""
## [3972] "\"He has been wanting to come to us,\" continued Mr. Weston, \"ever since"
## [3973] "September: every letter has been full of it; but he cannot command his"
## [3974] "own time. He has those to please who must be pleased, and who (between"
## [3975] "ourselves) are sometimes to be pleased only by a good many sacrifices."
## [3976] "But now I have no doubt of seeing him here about the second week in"
## [3977] "January.\""
## [3978] ""
## [3979] "\"What a very great pleasure it will be to you! and Mrs. Weston is so"
## [3980] "anxious to be acquainted with him, that she must be almost as happy as"
## [3981] "yourself.\""
## [3982] ""
## [3983] "\"Yes, she would be, but that she thinks there will be another put-off."
## [3984] "She does not depend upon his coming so much as I do: but she does not"
## [3985] "know the parties so well as I do. The case, you see, is--(but this is"
## [3986] "quite between ourselves: I did not mention a syllable of it in the other"
## [3987] "room. There are secrets in all families, you know)--The case is, that a"
## [3988] "party of friends are invited to pay a visit at Enscombe in January; and"
## [3989] "that Frank's coming depends upon their being put off. If they are not"
## [3990] "put off, he cannot stir. But I know they will, because it is a family"
## [3991] "that a certain lady, of some consequence, at Enscombe, has a particular"
## [3992] "dislike to: and though it is thought necessary to invite them once in"
## [3993] "two or three years, they always are put off when it comes to the point."
## [3994] "I have not the smallest doubt of the issue. I am as confident of seeing"
## [3995] "Frank here before the middle of January, as I am of being here myself:"
## [3996] "but your good friend there (nodding towards the upper end of the table)"
## [3997] "has so few vagaries herself, and has been so little used to them at"
## [3998] "Hartfield, that she cannot calculate on their effects, as I have been"
## [3999] "long in the practice of doing.\""
## [4000] ""
## [4001] "\"I am sorry there should be any thing like doubt in the case,\" replied"
## [4002] "Emma; \"but am disposed to side with you, Mr. Weston. If you think he"
## [4003] "will come, I shall think so too; for you know Enscombe.\""
## [4004] ""
## [4005] "\"Yes--I have some right to that knowledge; though I have never been at"
## [4006] "the place in my life.--She is an odd woman!--But I never allow myself"
## [4007] "to speak ill of her, on Frank's account; for I do believe her to be very"
## [4008] "fond of him. I used to think she was not capable of being fond of"
## [4009] "any body, except herself: but she has always been kind to him (in her"
## [4010] "way--allowing for little whims and caprices, and expecting every thing"
## [4011] "to be as she likes). And it is no small credit, in my opinion, to him,"
## [4012] "that he should excite such an affection; for, though I would not say"
## [4013] "it to any body else, she has no more heart than a stone to people in"
## [4014] "general; and the devil of a temper.\""
## [4015] ""
## [4016] "Emma liked the subject so well, that she began upon it, to Mrs. Weston,"
## [4017] "very soon after their moving into the drawing-room: wishing her joy--yet"
## [4018] "observing, that she knew the first meeting must be rather alarming.--"
## [4019] "Mrs. Weston agreed to it; but added, that she should be very glad to be"
## [4020] "secure of undergoing the anxiety of a first meeting at the time talked"
## [4021] "of: \"for I cannot depend upon his coming. I cannot be so sanguine as"
## [4022] "Mr. Weston. I am very much afraid that it will all end in nothing. Mr."
## [4023] "Weston, I dare say, has been telling you exactly how the matter stands?\""
## [4024] ""
## [4025] "\"Yes--it seems to depend upon nothing but the ill-humour of Mrs."
## [4026] "Churchill, which I imagine to be the most certain thing in the world.\""
## [4027] ""
## [4028] "\"My Emma!\" replied Mrs. Weston, smiling, \"what is the certainty"
## [4029] "of caprice?\" Then turning to Isabella, who had not been attending"
## [4030] "before--\"You must know, my dear Mrs. Knightley, that we are by no means"
## [4031] "so sure of seeing Mr. Frank Churchill, in my opinion, as his father"
## [4032] "thinks. It depends entirely upon his aunt's spirits and pleasure; in"
## [4033] "short, upon her temper. To you--to my two daughters--I may venture on"
## [4034] "the truth. Mrs. Churchill rules at Enscombe, and is a very odd-tempered"
## [4035] "woman; and his coming now, depends upon her being willing to spare him.\""
## [4036] ""
## [4037] "\"Oh, Mrs. Churchill; every body knows Mrs. Churchill,\" replied Isabella:"
## [4038] "\"and I am sure I never think of that poor young man without the greatest"
## [4039] "compassion. To be constantly living with an ill-tempered person, must"
## [4040] "be dreadful. It is what we happily have never known any thing of; but"
## [4041] "it must be a life of misery. What a blessing, that she never had any"
## [4042] "children! Poor little creatures, how unhappy she would have made them!\""
## [4043] ""
## [4044] "Emma wished she had been alone with Mrs. Weston. She should then have"
## [4045] "heard more: Mrs. Weston would speak to her, with a degree of unreserve"
## [4046] "which she would not hazard with Isabella; and, she really believed,"
## [4047] "would scarcely try to conceal any thing relative to the Churchills"
## [4048] "from her, excepting those views on the young man, of which her own"
## [4049] "imagination had already given her such instinctive knowledge. But at"
## [4050] "present there was nothing more to be said. Mr. Woodhouse very soon"
## [4051] "followed them into the drawing-room. To be sitting long after"
## [4052] "dinner, was a confinement that he could not endure. Neither wine nor"
## [4053] "conversation was any thing to him; and gladly did he move to those with"
## [4054] "whom he was always comfortable."
## [4055] ""
## [4056] "While he talked to Isabella, however, Emma found an opportunity of"
## [4057] "saying,"
## [4058] ""
## [4059] "\"And so you do not consider this visit from your son as by any means"
## [4060] "certain. I am sorry for it. The introduction must be unpleasant,"
## [4061] "whenever it takes place; and the sooner it could be over, the better.\""
## [4062] ""
## [4063] "\"Yes; and every delay makes one more apprehensive of other delays. Even"
## [4064] "if this family, the Braithwaites, are put off, I am still afraid that"
## [4065] "some excuse may be found for disappointing us. I cannot bear to imagine"
## [4066] "any reluctance on his side; but I am sure there is a great wish on"
## [4067] "the Churchills' to keep him to themselves. There is jealousy. They"
## [4068] "are jealous even of his regard for his father. In short, I can feel no"
## [4069] "dependence on his coming, and I wish Mr. Weston were less sanguine.\""
## [4070] ""
## [4071] "\"He ought to come,\" said Emma. \"If he could stay only a couple of days,"
## [4072] "he ought to come; and one can hardly conceive a young man's not having"
## [4073] "it in his power to do as much as that. A young _woman_, if she fall into"
## [4074] "bad hands, may be teased, and kept at a distance from those she wants"
## [4075] "to be with; but one cannot comprehend a young _man_'s being under such"
## [4076] "restraint, as not to be able to spend a week with his father, if he"
## [4077] "likes it.\""
## [4078] ""
## [4079] "\"One ought to be at Enscombe, and know the ways of the family, before"
## [4080] "one decides upon what he can do,\" replied Mrs. Weston. \"One ought to"
## [4081] "use the same caution, perhaps, in judging of the conduct of any one"
## [4082] "individual of any one family; but Enscombe, I believe, certainly must"
## [4083] "not be judged by general rules: _she_ is so very unreasonable; and every"
## [4084] "thing gives way to her.\""
## [4085] ""
## [4086] "\"But she is so fond of the nephew: he is so very great a favourite. Now,"
## [4087] "according to my idea of Mrs. Churchill, it would be most natural, that"
## [4088] "while she makes no sacrifice for the comfort of the husband, to whom she"
## [4089] "owes every thing, while she exercises incessant caprice towards _him_,"
## [4090] "she should frequently be governed by the nephew, to whom she owes"
## [4091] "nothing at all.\""
## [4092] ""
## [4093] "\"My dearest Emma, do not pretend, with your sweet temper, to understand"
## [4094] "a bad one, or to lay down rules for it: you must let it go its own way."
## [4095] "I have no doubt of his having, at times, considerable influence; but it"
## [4096] "may be perfectly impossible for him to know beforehand _when_ it will"
## [4097] "be.\""
## [4098] ""
## [4099] "Emma listened, and then coolly said, \"I shall not be satisfied, unless"
## [4100] "he comes.\""
## [4101] ""
## [4102] "\"He may have a great deal of influence on some points,\" continued Mrs."
## [4103] "Weston, \"and on others, very little: and among those, on which she is"
## [4104] "beyond his reach, it is but too likely, may be this very circumstance of"
## [4105] "his coming away from them to visit us.\""
## [4106] ""
## [4107] ""
## [4108] ""
## [4109] "CHAPTER XV"
## [4110] ""
## [4111] ""
## [4112] "Mr. Woodhouse was soon ready for his tea; and when he had drank his"
## [4113] "tea he was quite ready to go home; and it was as much as his three"
## [4114] "companions could do, to entertain away his notice of the lateness of"
## [4115] "the hour, before the other gentlemen appeared. Mr. Weston was chatty and"
## [4116] "convivial, and no friend to early separations of any sort; but at last"
## [4117] "the drawing-room party did receive an augmentation. Mr. Elton, in very"
## [4118] "good spirits, was one of the first to walk in. Mrs. Weston and Emma"
## [4119] "were sitting together on a sofa. He joined them immediately, and, with"
## [4120] "scarcely an invitation, seated himself between them."
## [4121] ""
## [4122] "Emma, in good spirits too, from the amusement afforded her mind by"
## [4123] "the expectation of Mr. Frank Churchill, was willing to forget his late"
## [4124] "improprieties, and be as well satisfied with him as before, and on his"
## [4125] "making Harriet his very first subject, was ready to listen with most"
## [4126] "friendly smiles."
## [4127] ""
## [4128] "He professed himself extremely anxious about her fair friend--her fair,"
## [4129] "lovely, amiable friend. \"Did she know?--had she heard any thing about"
## [4130] "her, since their being at Randalls?--he felt much anxiety--he must"
## [4131] "confess that the nature of her complaint alarmed him considerably.\""
## [4132] "And in this style he talked on for some time very properly, not much"
## [4133] "attending to any answer, but altogether sufficiently awake to the terror"
## [4134] "of a bad sore throat; and Emma was quite in charity with him."
## [4135] ""
## [4136] "But at last there seemed a perverse turn; it seemed all at once as if he"
## [4137] "were more afraid of its being a bad sore throat on her account, than on"
## [4138] "Harriet's--more anxious that she should escape the infection, than"
## [4139] "that there should be no infection in the complaint. He began with great"
## [4140] "earnestness to entreat her to refrain from visiting the sick-chamber"
## [4141] "again, for the present--to entreat her to _promise_ _him_ not to venture"
## [4142] "into such hazard till he had seen Mr. Perry and learnt his opinion; and"
## [4143] "though she tried to laugh it off and bring the subject back into its"
## [4144] "proper course, there was no putting an end to his extreme solicitude"
## [4145] "about her. She was vexed. It did appear--there was no concealing"
## [4146] "it--exactly like the pretence of being in love with her, instead of"
## [4147] "Harriet; an inconstancy, if real, the most contemptible and abominable!"
## [4148] "and she had difficulty in behaving with temper. He turned to Mrs. Weston"
## [4149] "to implore her assistance, \"Would not she give him her support?--would"
## [4150] "not she add her persuasions to his, to induce Miss Woodhouse not to go"
## [4151] "to Mrs. Goddard's till it were certain that Miss Smith's disorder had"
## [4152] "no infection? He could not be satisfied without a promise--would not she"
## [4153] "give him her influence in procuring it?\""
## [4154] ""
## [4155] "\"So scrupulous for others,\" he continued, \"and yet so careless for"
## [4156] "herself! She wanted me to nurse my cold by staying at home to-day, and"
## [4157] "yet will not promise to avoid the danger of catching an ulcerated sore"
## [4158] "throat herself. Is this fair, Mrs. Weston?--Judge between us. Have not I"
## [4159] "some right to complain? I am sure of your kind support and aid.\""
## [4160] ""
## [4161] "Emma saw Mrs. Weston's surprize, and felt that it must be great, at an"
## [4162] "address which, in words and manner, was assuming to himself the right of"
## [4163] "first interest in her; and as for herself, she was too much provoked and"
## [4164] "offended to have the power of directly saying any thing to the purpose."
## [4165] "She could only give him a look; but it was such a look as she thought"
## [4166] "must restore him to his senses, and then left the sofa, removing to a"
## [4167] "seat by her sister, and giving her all her attention."
## [4168] ""
## [4169] "She had not time to know how Mr. Elton took the reproof, so rapidly did"
## [4170] "another subject succeed; for Mr. John Knightley now came into the room"
## [4171] "from examining the weather, and opened on them all with the information"
## [4172] "of the ground being covered with snow, and of its still snowing"
## [4173] "fast, with a strong drifting wind; concluding with these words to Mr."
## [4174] "Woodhouse:"
## [4175] ""
## [4176] "\"This will prove a spirited beginning of your winter engagements,"
## [4177] "sir. Something new for your coachman and horses to be making their way"
## [4178] "through a storm of snow.\""
## [4179] ""
## [4180] "Poor Mr. Woodhouse was silent from consternation; but every body else"
## [4181] "had something to say; every body was either surprized or not surprized,"
## [4182] "and had some question to ask, or some comfort to offer. Mrs. Weston"
## [4183] "and Emma tried earnestly to cheer him and turn his attention from his"
## [4184] "son-in-law, who was pursuing his triumph rather unfeelingly."
## [4185] ""
## [4186] "\"I admired your resolution very much, sir,\" said he, \"in venturing out"
## [4187] "in such weather, for of course you saw there would be snow very soon."
## [4188] "Every body must have seen the snow coming on. I admired your spirit; and"
## [4189] "I dare say we shall get home very well. Another hour or two's snow can"
## [4190] "hardly make the road impassable; and we are two carriages; if one is"
## [4191] "blown over in the bleak part of the common field there will be the other"
## [4192] "at hand. I dare say we shall be all safe at Hartfield before midnight.\""
## [4193] ""
## [4194] "Mr. Weston, with triumph of a different sort, was confessing that he"
## [4195] "had known it to be snowing some time, but had not said a word, lest"
## [4196] "it should make Mr. Woodhouse uncomfortable, and be an excuse for his"
## [4197] "hurrying away. As to there being any quantity of snow fallen or likely"
## [4198] "to fall to impede their return, that was a mere joke; he was afraid they"
## [4199] "would find no difficulty. He wished the road might be impassable, that"
## [4200] "he might be able to keep them all at Randalls; and with the utmost"
## [4201] "good-will was sure that accommodation might be found for every body,"
## [4202] "calling on his wife to agree with him, that with a little contrivance,"
## [4203] "every body might be lodged, which she hardly knew how to do, from the"
## [4204] "consciousness of there being but two spare rooms in the house."
## [4205] ""
## [4206] "\"What is to be done, my dear Emma?--what is to be done?\" was Mr."
## [4207] "Woodhouse's first exclamation, and all that he could say for some"
## [4208] "time. To her he looked for comfort; and her assurances of safety, her"
## [4209] "representation of the excellence of the horses, and of James, and of"
## [4210] "their having so many friends about them, revived him a little."
## [4211] ""
## [4212] "His eldest daughter's alarm was equal to his own. The horror of being"
## [4213] "blocked up at Randalls, while her children were at Hartfield, was full"
## [4214] "in her imagination; and fancying the road to be now just passable for"
## [4215] "adventurous people, but in a state that admitted no delay, she was eager"
## [4216] "to have it settled, that her father and Emma should remain at Randalls,"
## [4217] "while she and her husband set forward instantly through all the possible"
## [4218] "accumulations of drifted snow that might impede them."
## [4219] ""
## [4220] "\"You had better order the carriage directly, my love,\" said she; \"I dare"
## [4221] "say we shall be able to get along, if we set off directly; and if we"
## [4222] "do come to any thing very bad, I can get out and walk. I am not at all"
## [4223] "afraid. I should not mind walking half the way. I could change my shoes,"
## [4224] "you know, the moment I got home; and it is not the sort of thing that"
## [4225] "gives me cold.\""
## [4226] ""
## [4227] "\"Indeed!\" replied he. \"Then, my dear Isabella, it is the most"
## [4228] "extraordinary sort of thing in the world, for in general every thing"
## [4229] "does give you cold. Walk home!--you are prettily shod for walking home,"
## [4230] "I dare say. It will be bad enough for the horses.\""
## [4231] ""
## [4232] "Isabella turned to Mrs. Weston for her approbation of the plan. Mrs."
## [4233] "Weston could only approve. Isabella then went to Emma; but Emma could"
## [4234] "not so entirely give up the hope of their being all able to get away;"
## [4235] "and they were still discussing the point, when Mr. Knightley, who had"
## [4236] "left the room immediately after his brother's first report of the snow,"
## [4237] "came back again, and told them that he had been out of doors to examine,"
## [4238] "and could answer for there not being the smallest difficulty in their"
## [4239] "getting home, whenever they liked it, either now or an hour hence. He"
## [4240] "had gone beyond the sweep--some way along the Highbury road--the snow"
## [4241] "was nowhere above half an inch deep--in many places hardly enough to"
## [4242] "whiten the ground; a very few flakes were falling at present, but the"
## [4243] "clouds were parting, and there was every appearance of its being soon"
## [4244] "over. He had seen the coachmen, and they both agreed with him in there"
## [4245] "being nothing to apprehend."
## [4246] ""
## [4247] "To Isabella, the relief of such tidings was very great, and they were"
## [4248] "scarcely less acceptable to Emma on her father's account, who"
## [4249] "was immediately set as much at ease on the subject as his nervous"
## [4250] "constitution allowed; but the alarm that had been raised could not be"
## [4251] "appeased so as to admit of any comfort for him while he continued at"
## [4252] "Randalls. He was satisfied of there being no present danger in returning"
## [4253] "home, but no assurances could convince him that it was safe to stay; and"
## [4254] "while the others were variously urging and recommending, Mr. Knightley"
## [4255] "and Emma settled it in a few brief sentences: thus--"
## [4256] ""
## [4257] "\"Your father will not be easy; why do not you go?\""
## [4258] ""
## [4259] "\"I am ready, if the others are.\""
## [4260] ""
## [4261] "\"Shall I ring the bell?\""
## [4262] ""
## [4263] "\"Yes, do.\""
## [4264] ""
## [4265] "And the bell was rung, and the carriages spoken for. A few minutes more,"
## [4266] "and Emma hoped to see one troublesome companion deposited in his own"
## [4267] "house, to get sober and cool, and the other recover his temper and"
## [4268] "happiness when this visit of hardship were over."
## [4269] ""
## [4270] "The carriage came: and Mr. Woodhouse, always the first object on such"
## [4271] "occasions, was carefully attended to his own by Mr. Knightley and Mr."
## [4272] "Weston; but not all that either could say could prevent some renewal"
## [4273] "of alarm at the sight of the snow which had actually fallen, and the"
## [4274] "discovery of a much darker night than he had been prepared for. \"He was"
## [4275] "afraid they should have a very bad drive. He was afraid poor Isabella"
## [4276] "would not like it. And there would be poor Emma in the carriage behind."
## [4277] "He did not know what they had best do. They must keep as much together"
## [4278] "as they could;\" and James was talked to, and given a charge to go very"
## [4279] "slow and wait for the other carriage."
## [4280] ""
## [4281] "Isabella stept in after her father; John Knightley, forgetting that he"
## [4282] "did not belong to their party, stept in after his wife very naturally;"
## [4283] "so that Emma found, on being escorted and followed into the second"
## [4284] "carriage by Mr. Elton, that the door was to be lawfully shut on them,"
## [4285] "and that they were to have a tete-a-tete drive. It would not have been"
## [4286] "the awkwardness of a moment, it would have been rather a pleasure,"
## [4287] "previous to the suspicions of this very day; she could have talked to"
## [4288] "him of Harriet, and the three-quarters of a mile would have seemed but"
## [4289] "one. But now, she would rather it had not happened. She believed he had"
## [4290] "been drinking too much of Mr. Weston's good wine, and felt sure that he"
## [4291] "would want to be talking nonsense."
## [4292] ""
## [4293] "To restrain him as much as might be, by her own manners, she was"
## [4294] "immediately preparing to speak with exquisite calmness and gravity of"
## [4295] "the weather and the night; but scarcely had she begun, scarcely had they"
## [4296] "passed the sweep-gate and joined the other carriage, than she found her"
## [4297] "subject cut up--her hand seized--her attention demanded, and Mr. Elton"
## [4298] "actually making violent love to her: availing himself of the precious"
## [4299] "opportunity, declaring sentiments which must be already well known,"
## [4300] "hoping--fearing--adoring--ready to die if she refused him; but"
## [4301] "flattering himself that his ardent attachment and unequalled love and"
## [4302] "unexampled passion could not fail of having some effect, and in short,"
## [4303] "very much resolved on being seriously accepted as soon as possible. It"
## [4304] "really was so. Without scruple--without apology--without much apparent"
## [4305] "diffidence, Mr. Elton, the lover of Harriet, was professing himself"
## [4306] "_her_ lover. She tried to stop him; but vainly; he would go on, and say"
## [4307] "it all. Angry as she was, the thought of the moment made her resolve to"
## [4308] "restrain herself when she did speak. She felt that half this folly must"
## [4309] "be drunkenness, and therefore could hope that it might belong only to"
## [4310] "the passing hour. Accordingly, with a mixture of the serious and the"
## [4311] "playful, which she hoped would best suit his half and half state, she"
## [4312] "replied,"
## [4313] ""
## [4314] "\"I am very much astonished, Mr. Elton. This to _me_! you forget"
## [4315] "yourself--you take me for my friend--any message to Miss Smith I shall"
## [4316] "be happy to deliver; but no more of this to _me_, if you please.\""
## [4317] ""
## [4318] "\"Miss Smith!--message to Miss Smith!--What could she possibly"
## [4319] "mean!\"--And he repeated her words with such assurance of accent, such"
## [4320] "boastful pretence of amazement, that she could not help replying with"
## [4321] "quickness,"
## [4322] ""
## [4323] "\"Mr. Elton, this is the most extraordinary conduct! and I can account"
## [4324] "for it only in one way; you are not yourself, or you could not speak"
## [4325] "either to me, or of Harriet, in such a manner. Command yourself enough"
## [4326] "to say no more, and I will endeavour to forget it.\""
## [4327] ""
## [4328] "But Mr. Elton had only drunk wine enough to elevate his spirits, not at"
## [4329] "all to confuse his intellects. He perfectly knew his own meaning; and"
## [4330] "having warmly protested against her suspicion as most injurious, and"
## [4331] "slightly touched upon his respect for Miss Smith as her friend,--but"
## [4332] "acknowledging his wonder that Miss Smith should be mentioned at all,--he"
## [4333] "resumed the subject of his own passion, and was very urgent for a"
## [4334] "favourable answer."
## [4335] ""
## [4336] "As she thought less of his inebriety, she thought more of his"
## [4337] "inconstancy and presumption; and with fewer struggles for politeness,"
## [4338] "replied,"
## [4339] ""
## [4340] "\"It is impossible for me to doubt any longer. You have made yourself"
## [4341] "too clear. Mr. Elton, my astonishment is much beyond any thing I can"
## [4342] "express. After such behaviour, as I have witnessed during the last"
## [4343] "month, to Miss Smith--such attentions as I have been in the daily"
## [4344] "habit of observing--to be addressing me in this manner--this is an"
## [4345] "unsteadiness of character, indeed, which I had not supposed possible!"
## [4346] "Believe me, sir, I am far, very far, from gratified in being the object"
## [4347] "of such professions.\""
## [4348] ""
## [4349] "\"Good Heaven!\" cried Mr. Elton, \"what can be the meaning of this?--Miss"
## [4350] "Smith!--I never thought of Miss Smith in the whole course of my"
## [4351] "existence--never paid her any attentions, but as your friend: never"
## [4352] "cared whether she were dead or alive, but as your friend. If she"
## [4353] "has fancied otherwise, her own wishes have misled her, and I am very"
## [4354] "sorry--extremely sorry--But, Miss Smith, indeed!--Oh! Miss Woodhouse!"
## [4355] "who can think of Miss Smith, when Miss Woodhouse is near! No, upon my"
## [4356] "honour, there is no unsteadiness of character. I have thought only of"
## [4357] "you. I protest against having paid the smallest attention to any one"
## [4358] "else. Every thing that I have said or done, for many weeks past, has"
## [4359] "been with the sole view of marking my adoration of yourself. You"
## [4360] "cannot really, seriously, doubt it. No!--(in an accent meant to be"
## [4361] "insinuating)--I am sure you have seen and understood me.\""
## [4362] ""
## [4363] "It would be impossible to say what Emma felt, on hearing this--which"
## [4364] "of all her unpleasant sensations was uppermost. She was too completely"
## [4365] "overpowered to be immediately able to reply: and two moments of silence"
## [4366] "being ample encouragement for Mr. Elton's sanguine state of mind, he"
## [4367] "tried to take her hand again, as he joyously exclaimed--"
## [4368] ""
## [4369] "\"Charming Miss Woodhouse! allow me to interpret this interesting"
## [4370] "silence. It confesses that you have long understood me.\""
## [4371] ""
## [4372] "\"No, sir,\" cried Emma, \"it confesses no such thing. So far from having"
## [4373] "long understood you, I have been in a most complete error with respect"
## [4374] "to your views, till this moment. As to myself, I am very sorry that you"
## [4375] "should have been giving way to any feelings--Nothing could be farther"
## [4376] "from my wishes--your attachment to my friend Harriet--your pursuit of"
## [4377] "her, (pursuit, it appeared,) gave me great pleasure, and I have been"
## [4378] "very earnestly wishing you success: but had I supposed that she were not"
## [4379] "your attraction to Hartfield, I should certainly have thought you judged"
## [4380] "ill in making your visits so frequent. Am I to believe that you have"
## [4381] "never sought to recommend yourself particularly to Miss Smith?--that you"
## [4382] "have never thought seriously of her?\""
## [4383] ""
## [4384] "\"Never, madam,\" cried he, affronted in his turn: \"never, I assure you."
## [4385] "_I_ think seriously of Miss Smith!--Miss Smith is a very good sort of"
## [4386] "girl; and I should be happy to see her respectably settled. I wish"
## [4387] "her extremely well: and, no doubt, there are men who might not object"
## [4388] "to--Every body has their level: but as for myself, I am not, I think,"
## [4389] "quite so much at a loss. I need not so totally despair of an equal"
## [4390] "alliance, as to be addressing myself to Miss Smith!--No, madam, my"
## [4391] "visits to Hartfield have been for yourself only; and the encouragement I"
## [4392] "received--\""
## [4393] ""
## [4394] "\"Encouragement!--I give you encouragement!--Sir, you have been entirely"
## [4395] "mistaken in supposing it. I have seen you only as the admirer of my"
## [4396] "friend. In no other light could you have been more to me than a common"
## [4397] "acquaintance. I am exceedingly sorry: but it is well that the mistake"
## [4398] "ends where it does. Had the same behaviour continued, Miss Smith might"
## [4399] "have been led into a misconception of your views; not being aware,"
## [4400] "probably, any more than myself, of the very great inequality which you"
## [4401] "are so sensible of. But, as it is, the disappointment is single, and, I"
## [4402] "trust, will not be lasting. I have no thoughts of matrimony at present.\""
## [4403] ""
## [4404] "He was too angry to say another word; her manner too decided to invite"
## [4405] "supplication; and in this state of swelling resentment, and mutually"
## [4406] "deep mortification, they had to continue together a few minutes longer,"
## [4407] "for the fears of Mr. Woodhouse had confined them to a foot-pace. If"
## [4408] "there had not been so much anger, there would have been desperate"
## [4409] "awkwardness; but their straightforward emotions left no room for the"
## [4410] "little zigzags of embarrassment. Without knowing when the carriage"
## [4411] "turned into Vicarage Lane, or when it stopped, they found themselves,"
## [4412] "all at once, at the door of his house; and he was out before another"
## [4413] "syllable passed.--Emma then felt it indispensable to wish him a good"
## [4414] "night. The compliment was just returned, coldly and proudly; and, under"
## [4415] "indescribable irritation of spirits, she was then conveyed to Hartfield."
## [4416] ""
## [4417] "There she was welcomed, with the utmost delight, by her father, who"
## [4418] "had been trembling for the dangers of a solitary drive from Vicarage"
## [4419] "Lane--turning a corner which he could never bear to think of--and in"
## [4420] "strange hands--a mere common coachman--no James; and there it seemed as"
## [4421] "if her return only were wanted to make every thing go well: for Mr."
## [4422] "John Knightley, ashamed of his ill-humour, was now all kindness and"
## [4423] "attention; and so particularly solicitous for the comfort of her"
## [4424] "father, as to seem--if not quite ready to join him in a basin of"
## [4425] "gruel--perfectly sensible of its being exceedingly wholesome; and the"
## [4426] "day was concluding in peace and comfort to all their little party,"
## [4427] "except herself.--But her mind had never been in such perturbation; and"
## [4428] "it needed a very strong effort to appear attentive and cheerful till the"
## [4429] "usual hour of separating allowed her the relief of quiet reflection."
## [4430] ""
## [4431] ""
## [4432] ""
## [4433] "CHAPTER XVI"
## [4434] ""
## [4435] ""
## [4436] "The hair was curled, and the maid sent away, and Emma sat down to think"
## [4437] "and be miserable.--It was a wretched business indeed!--Such an overthrow"
## [4438] "of every thing she had been wishing for!--Such a development of every"
## [4439] "thing most unwelcome!--Such a blow for Harriet!--that was the worst"
## [4440] "of all. Every part of it brought pain and humiliation, of some sort or"
## [4441] "other; but, compared with the evil to Harriet, all was light; and"
## [4442] "she would gladly have submitted to feel yet more mistaken--more in"
## [4443] "error--more disgraced by mis-judgment, than she actually was, could the"
## [4444] "effects of her blunders have been confined to herself."
## [4445] ""
## [4446] "\"If I had not persuaded Harriet into liking the man, I could have"
## [4447] "borne any thing. He might have doubled his presumption to me--but poor"
## [4448] "Harriet!\""
## [4449] ""
## [4450] "How she could have been so deceived!--He protested that he had never"
## [4451] "thought seriously of Harriet--never! She looked back as well as"
## [4452] "she could; but it was all confusion. She had taken up the idea, she"
## [4453] "supposed, and made every thing bend to it. His manners, however, must"
## [4454] "have been unmarked, wavering, dubious, or she could not have been so"
## [4455] "misled."
## [4456] ""
## [4457] "The picture!--How eager he had been about the picture!--and the"
## [4458] "charade!--and an hundred other circumstances;--how clearly they had"
## [4459] "seemed to point at Harriet. To be sure, the charade, with its \"ready"
## [4460] "wit\"--but then the \"soft eyes\"--in fact it suited neither; it was"
## [4461] "a jumble without taste or truth. Who could have seen through such"
## [4462] "thick-headed nonsense?"
## [4463] ""
## [4464] "Certainly she had often, especially of late, thought his manners to"
## [4465] "herself unnecessarily gallant; but it had passed as his way, as a mere"
## [4466] "error of judgment, of knowledge, of taste, as one proof among others"
## [4467] "that he had not always lived in the best society, that with all the"
## [4468] "gentleness of his address, true elegance was sometimes wanting; but,"
## [4469] "till this very day, she had never, for an instant, suspected it to mean"
## [4470] "any thing but grateful respect to her as Harriet's friend."
## [4471] ""
## [4472] "To Mr. John Knightley was she indebted for her first idea on the"
## [4473] "subject, for the first start of its possibility. There was no denying"
## [4474] "that those brothers had penetration. She remembered what Mr. Knightley"
## [4475] "had once said to her about Mr. Elton, the caution he had given,"
## [4476] "the conviction he had professed that Mr. Elton would never marry"
## [4477] "indiscreetly; and blushed to think how much truer a knowledge of his"
## [4478] "character had been there shewn than any she had reached herself. It"
## [4479] "was dreadfully mortifying; but Mr. Elton was proving himself, in many"
## [4480] "respects, the very reverse of what she had meant and believed him;"
## [4481] "proud, assuming, conceited; very full of his own claims, and little"
## [4482] "concerned about the feelings of others."
## [4483] ""
## [4484] "Contrary to the usual course of things, Mr. Elton's wanting to pay his"
## [4485] "addresses to her had sunk him in her opinion. His professions and his"
## [4486] "proposals did him no service. She thought nothing of his attachment,"
## [4487] "and was insulted by his hopes. He wanted to marry well, and having the"
## [4488] "arrogance to raise his eyes to her, pretended to be in love; but she was"
## [4489] "perfectly easy as to his not suffering any disappointment that need be"
## [4490] "cared for. There had been no real affection either in his language or"
## [4491] "manners. Sighs and fine words had been given in abundance; but she could"
## [4492] "hardly devise any set of expressions, or fancy any tone of voice, less"
## [4493] "allied with real love. She need not trouble herself to pity him. He"
## [4494] "only wanted to aggrandise and enrich himself; and if Miss Woodhouse"
## [4495] "of Hartfield, the heiress of thirty thousand pounds, were not quite so"
## [4496] "easily obtained as he had fancied, he would soon try for Miss Somebody"
## [4497] "else with twenty, or with ten."
## [4498] ""
## [4499] "But--that he should talk of encouragement, should consider her as aware"
## [4500] "of his views, accepting his attentions, meaning (in short), to marry"
## [4501] "him!--should suppose himself her equal in connexion or mind!--look down"
## [4502] "upon her friend, so well understanding the gradations of rank below"
## [4503] "him, and be so blind to what rose above, as to fancy himself shewing no"
## [4504] "presumption in addressing her!--It was most provoking."
## [4505] ""
## [4506] "Perhaps it was not fair to expect him to feel how very much he was her"
## [4507] "inferior in talent, and all the elegancies of mind. The very want of"
## [4508] "such equality might prevent his perception of it; but he must know that"
## [4509] "in fortune and consequence she was greatly his superior. He must"
## [4510] "know that the Woodhouses had been settled for several generations at"
## [4511] "Hartfield, the younger branch of a very ancient family--and that the"
## [4512] "Eltons were nobody. The landed property of Hartfield certainly was"
## [4513] "inconsiderable, being but a sort of notch in the Donwell Abbey estate,"
## [4514] "to which all the rest of Highbury belonged; but their fortune, from"
## [4515] "other sources, was such as to make them scarcely secondary to Donwell"
## [4516] "Abbey itself, in every other kind of consequence; and the Woodhouses had"
## [4517] "long held a high place in the consideration of the neighbourhood which"
## [4518] "Mr. Elton had first entered not two years ago, to make his way as he"
## [4519] "could, without any alliances but in trade, or any thing to recommend him"
## [4520] "to notice but his situation and his civility.--But he had fancied her"
## [4521] "in love with him; that evidently must have been his dependence; and"
## [4522] "after raving a little about the seeming incongruity of gentle manners"
## [4523] "and a conceited head, Emma was obliged in common honesty to stop"
## [4524] "and admit that her own behaviour to him had been so complaisant and"
## [4525] "obliging, so full of courtesy and attention, as (supposing her real"
## [4526] "motive unperceived) might warrant a man of ordinary observation and"
## [4527] "delicacy, like Mr. Elton, in fancying himself a very decided favourite."
## [4528] "If _she_ had so misinterpreted his feelings, she had little right to"
## [4529] "wonder that _he_, with self-interest to blind him, should have mistaken"
## [4530] "hers."
## [4531] ""
## [4532] "The first error and the worst lay at her door. It was foolish, it was"
## [4533] "wrong, to take so active a part in bringing any two people together. It"
## [4534] "was adventuring too far, assuming too much, making light of what"
## [4535] "ought to be serious, a trick of what ought to be simple. She was quite"
## [4536] "concerned and ashamed, and resolved to do such things no more."
## [4537] ""
## [4538] "\"Here have I,\" said she, \"actually talked poor Harriet into being very"
## [4539] "much attached to this man. She might never have thought of him but for"
## [4540] "me; and certainly never would have thought of him with hope, if I had"
## [4541] "not assured her of his attachment, for she is as modest and humble as I"
## [4542] "used to think him. Oh! that I had been satisfied with persuading her not"
## [4543] "to accept young Martin. There I was quite right. That was well done"
## [4544] "of me; but there I should have stopped, and left the rest to time and"
## [4545] "chance. I was introducing her into good company, and giving her the"
## [4546] "opportunity of pleasing some one worth having; I ought not to have"
## [4547] "attempted more. But now, poor girl, her peace is cut up for some time."
## [4548] "I have been but half a friend to her; and if she were _not_ to feel this"
## [4549] "disappointment so very much, I am sure I have not an idea of any body"
## [4550] "else who would be at all desirable for her;--William Coxe--Oh! no, I"
## [4551] "could not endure William Coxe--a pert young lawyer.\""
## [4552] ""
## [4553] "She stopt to blush and laugh at her own relapse, and then resumed a more"
## [4554] "serious, more dispiriting cogitation upon what had been, and might be,"
## [4555] "and must be. The distressing explanation she had to make to Harriet, and"
## [4556] "all that poor Harriet would be suffering, with the awkwardness of"
## [4557] "future meetings, the difficulties of continuing or discontinuing the"
## [4558] "acquaintance, of subduing feelings, concealing resentment, and avoiding"
## [4559] "eclat, were enough to occupy her in most unmirthful reflections some"
## [4560] "time longer, and she went to bed at last with nothing settled but the"
## [4561] "conviction of her having blundered most dreadfully."
## [4562] ""
## [4563] "To youth and natural cheerfulness like Emma's, though under temporary"
## [4564] "gloom at night, the return of day will hardly fail to bring return of"
## [4565] "spirits. The youth and cheerfulness of morning are in happy analogy,"
## [4566] "and of powerful operation; and if the distress be not poignant enough"
## [4567] "to keep the eyes unclosed, they will be sure to open to sensations of"
## [4568] "softened pain and brighter hope."
## [4569] ""
## [4570] "Emma got up on the morrow more disposed for comfort than she had gone"
## [4571] "to bed, more ready to see alleviations of the evil before her, and to"
## [4572] "depend on getting tolerably out of it."
## [4573] ""
## [4574] "It was a great consolation that Mr. Elton should not be really in"
## [4575] "love with her, or so particularly amiable as to make it shocking to"
## [4576] "disappoint him--that Harriet's nature should not be of that superior"
## [4577] "sort in which the feelings are most acute and retentive--and that there"
## [4578] "could be no necessity for any body's knowing what had passed except the"
## [4579] "three principals, and especially for her father's being given a moment's"
## [4580] "uneasiness about it."
## [4581] ""
## [4582] "These were very cheering thoughts; and the sight of a great deal of snow"
## [4583] "on the ground did her further service, for any thing was welcome that"
## [4584] "might justify their all three being quite asunder at present."
## [4585] ""
## [4586] "The weather was most favourable for her; though Christmas Day, she"
## [4587] "could not go to church. Mr. Woodhouse would have been miserable had his"
## [4588] "daughter attempted it, and she was therefore safe from either exciting"
## [4589] "or receiving unpleasant and most unsuitable ideas. The ground covered"
## [4590] "with snow, and the atmosphere in that unsettled state between frost and"
## [4591] "thaw, which is of all others the most unfriendly for exercise, every"
## [4592] "morning beginning in rain or snow, and every evening setting in to"
## [4593] "freeze, she was for many days a most honourable prisoner. No intercourse"
## [4594] "with Harriet possible but by note; no church for her on Sunday any"
## [4595] "more than on Christmas Day; and no need to find excuses for Mr. Elton's"
## [4596] "absenting himself."
## [4597] ""
## [4598] "It was weather which might fairly confine every body at home; and though"
## [4599] "she hoped and believed him to be really taking comfort in some society"
## [4600] "or other, it was very pleasant to have her father so well satisfied with"
## [4601] "his being all alone in his own house, too wise to stir out; and to"
## [4602] "hear him say to Mr. Knightley, whom no weather could keep entirely from"
## [4603] "them,--"
## [4604] ""
## [4605] "\"Ah! Mr. Knightley, why do not you stay at home like poor Mr. Elton?\""
## [4606] ""
## [4607] "These days of confinement would have been, but for her private"
## [4608] "perplexities, remarkably comfortable, as such seclusion exactly suited"
## [4609] "her brother, whose feelings must always be of great importance to"
## [4610] "his companions; and he had, besides, so thoroughly cleared off his"
## [4611] "ill-humour at Randalls, that his amiableness never failed him during the"
## [4612] "rest of his stay at Hartfield. He was always agreeable and obliging,"
## [4613] "and speaking pleasantly of every body. But with all the hopes of"
## [4614] "cheerfulness, and all the present comfort of delay, there was still such"
## [4615] "an evil hanging over her in the hour of explanation with Harriet, as"
## [4616] "made it impossible for Emma to be ever perfectly at ease."
## [4617] ""
## [4618] ""
## [4619] ""
## [4620] "CHAPTER XVII"
## [4621] ""
## [4622] ""
## [4623] "Mr. and Mrs. John Knightley were not detained long at Hartfield. The"
## [4624] "weather soon improved enough for those to move who must move; and Mr."
## [4625] "Woodhouse having, as usual, tried to persuade his daughter to stay"
## [4626] "behind with all her children, was obliged to see the whole party"
## [4627] "set off, and return to his lamentations over the destiny of poor"
## [4628] "Isabella;--which poor Isabella, passing her life with those she doated"
## [4629] "on, full of their merits, blind to their faults, and always innocently"
## [4630] "busy, might have been a model of right feminine happiness."
## [4631] ""
## [4632] "The evening of the very day on which they went brought a note from Mr."
## [4633] "Elton to Mr. Woodhouse, a long, civil, ceremonious note, to say, with"
## [4634] "Mr. Elton's best compliments, \"that he was proposing to leave Highbury"
## [4635] "the following morning in his way to Bath; where, in compliance with"
## [4636] "the pressing entreaties of some friends, he had engaged to spend a few"
## [4637] "weeks, and very much regretted the impossibility he was under, from"
## [4638] "various circumstances of weather and business, of taking a personal"
## [4639] "leave of Mr. Woodhouse, of whose friendly civilities he should ever"
## [4640] "retain a grateful sense--and had Mr. Woodhouse any commands, should be"
## [4641] "happy to attend to them.\""
## [4642] ""
## [4643] "Emma was most agreeably surprized.--Mr. Elton's absence just at this"
## [4644] "time was the very thing to be desired. She admired him for contriving"
## [4645] "it, though not able to give him much credit for the manner in which it"
## [4646] "was announced. Resentment could not have been more plainly spoken than"
## [4647] "in a civility to her father, from which she was so pointedly excluded."
## [4648] "She had not even a share in his opening compliments.--Her name was not"
## [4649] "mentioned;--and there was so striking a change in all this, and such an"
## [4650] "ill-judged solemnity of leave-taking in his graceful acknowledgments, as"
## [4651] "she thought, at first, could not escape her father's suspicion."
## [4652] ""
## [4653] "It did, however.--Her father was quite taken up with the surprize of so"
## [4654] "sudden a journey, and his fears that Mr. Elton might never get safely to"
## [4655] "the end of it, and saw nothing extraordinary in his language. It was a"
## [4656] "very useful note, for it supplied them with fresh matter for thought"
## [4657] "and conversation during the rest of their lonely evening. Mr. Woodhouse"
## [4658] "talked over his alarms, and Emma was in spirits to persuade them away"
## [4659] "with all her usual promptitude."
## [4660] ""
## [4661] "She now resolved to keep Harriet no longer in the dark. She had reason"
## [4662] "to believe her nearly recovered from her cold, and it was desirable that"
## [4663] "she should have as much time as possible for getting the better of"
## [4664] "her other complaint before the gentleman's return. She went to Mrs."
## [4665] "Goddard's accordingly the very next day, to undergo the necessary"
## [4666] "penance of communication; and a severe one it was.--She had to destroy"
## [4667] "all the hopes which she had been so industriously feeding--to appear in"
## [4668] "the ungracious character of the one preferred--and acknowledge herself"
## [4669] "grossly mistaken and mis-judging in all her ideas on one subject, all"
## [4670] "her observations, all her convictions, all her prophecies for the last"
## [4671] "six weeks."
## [4672] ""
## [4673] "The confession completely renewed her first shame--and the sight of"
## [4674] "Harriet's tears made her think that she should never be in charity with"
## [4675] "herself again."
## [4676] ""
## [4677] "Harriet bore the intelligence very well--blaming nobody--and in every"
## [4678] "thing testifying such an ingenuousness of disposition and lowly opinion"
## [4679] "of herself, as must appear with particular advantage at that moment to"
## [4680] "her friend."
## [4681] ""
## [4682] "Emma was in the humour to value simplicity and modesty to the utmost;"
## [4683] "and all that was amiable, all that ought to be attaching, seemed on"
## [4684] "Harriet's side, not her own. Harriet did not consider herself as having"
## [4685] "any thing to complain of. The affection of such a man as Mr. Elton"
## [4686] "would have been too great a distinction.--She never could have deserved"
## [4687] "him--and nobody but so partial and kind a friend as Miss Woodhouse would"
## [4688] "have thought it possible."
## [4689] ""
## [4690] "Her tears fell abundantly--but her grief was so truly artless, that"
## [4691] "no dignity could have made it more respectable in Emma's eyes--and"
## [4692] "she listened to her and tried to console her with all her heart and"
## [4693] "understanding--really for the time convinced that Harriet was the"
## [4694] "superior creature of the two--and that to resemble her would be more for"
## [4695] "her own welfare and happiness than all that genius or intelligence could"
## [4696] "do."
## [4697] ""
## [4698] "It was rather too late in the day to set about being simple-minded and"
## [4699] "ignorant; but she left her with every previous resolution confirmed of"
## [4700] "being humble and discreet, and repressing imagination all the rest of"
## [4701] "her life. Her second duty now, inferior only to her father's claims, was"
## [4702] "to promote Harriet's comfort, and endeavour to prove her own affection"
## [4703] "in some better method than by match-making. She got her to Hartfield,"
## [4704] "and shewed her the most unvarying kindness, striving to occupy and"
## [4705] "amuse her, and by books and conversation, to drive Mr. Elton from her"
## [4706] "thoughts."
## [4707] ""
## [4708] "Time, she knew, must be allowed for this being thoroughly done; and"
## [4709] "she could suppose herself but an indifferent judge of such matters in"
## [4710] "general, and very inadequate to sympathise in an attachment to Mr. Elton"
## [4711] "in particular; but it seemed to her reasonable that at Harriet's age,"
## [4712] "and with the entire extinction of all hope, such a progress might be"
## [4713] "made towards a state of composure by the time of Mr. Elton's return, as"
## [4714] "to allow them all to meet again in the common routine of acquaintance,"
## [4715] "without any danger of betraying sentiments or increasing them."
## [4716] ""
## [4717] "Harriet did think him all perfection, and maintained the non-existence"
## [4718] "of any body equal to him in person or goodness--and did, in truth,"
## [4719] "prove herself more resolutely in love than Emma had foreseen; but yet"
## [4720] "it appeared to her so natural, so inevitable to strive against an"
## [4721] "inclination of that sort _unrequited_, that she could not comprehend its"
## [4722] "continuing very long in equal force."
## [4723] ""
## [4724] "If Mr. Elton, on his return, made his own indifference as evident and"
## [4725] "indubitable as she could not doubt he would anxiously do, she could not"
## [4726] "imagine Harriet's persisting to place her happiness in the sight or the"
## [4727] "recollection of him."
## [4728] ""
## [4729] "Their being fixed, so absolutely fixed, in the same place, was bad for"
## [4730] "each, for all three. Not one of them had the power of removal, or of"
## [4731] "effecting any material change of society. They must encounter each"
## [4732] "other, and make the best of it."
## [4733] ""
## [4734] "Harriet was farther unfortunate in the tone of her companions at Mrs."
## [4735] "Goddard's; Mr. Elton being the adoration of all the teachers and great"
## [4736] "girls in the school; and it must be at Hartfield only that she could"
## [4737] "have any chance of hearing him spoken of with cooling moderation or"
## [4738] "repellent truth. Where the wound had been given, there must the cure be"
## [4739] "found if anywhere; and Emma felt that, till she saw her in the way of"
## [4740] "cure, there could be no true peace for herself."
## [4741] ""
## [4742] ""
## [4743] ""
## [4744] "CHAPTER XVIII"
## [4745] ""
## [4746] ""
## [4747] "Mr. Frank Churchill did not come. When the time proposed drew near, Mrs."
## [4748] "Weston's fears were justified in the arrival of a letter of excuse. For"
## [4749] "the present, he could not be spared, to his \"very great mortification"
## [4750] "and regret; but still he looked forward with the hope of coming to"
## [4751] "Randalls at no distant period.\""
## [4752] ""
## [4753] "Mrs. Weston was exceedingly disappointed--much more disappointed, in"
## [4754] "fact, than her husband, though her dependence on seeing the young man"
## [4755] "had been so much more sober: but a sanguine temper, though for ever"
## [4756] "expecting more good than occurs, does not always pay for its hopes by"
## [4757] "any proportionate depression. It soon flies over the present failure,"
## [4758] "and begins to hope again. For half an hour Mr. Weston was surprized and"
## [4759] "sorry; but then he began to perceive that Frank's coming two or three"
## [4760] "months later would be a much better plan; better time of year;"
## [4761] "better weather; and that he would be able, without any doubt, to stay"
## [4762] "considerably longer with them than if he had come sooner."
## [4763] ""
## [4764] "These feelings rapidly restored his comfort, while Mrs. Weston, of"
## [4765] "a more apprehensive disposition, foresaw nothing but a repetition of"
## [4766] "excuses and delays; and after all her concern for what her husband was"
## [4767] "to suffer, suffered a great deal more herself."
## [4768] ""
## [4769] "Emma was not at this time in a state of spirits to care really about Mr."
## [4770] "Frank Churchill's not coming, except as a disappointment at Randalls."
## [4771] "The acquaintance at present had no charm for her. She wanted, rather, to"
## [4772] "be quiet, and out of temptation; but still, as it was desirable that she"
## [4773] "should appear, in general, like her usual self, she took care to express"
## [4774] "as much interest in the circumstance, and enter as warmly into Mr."
## [4775] "and Mrs. Weston's disappointment, as might naturally belong to their"
## [4776] "friendship."
## [4777] ""
## [4778] "She was the first to announce it to Mr. Knightley; and exclaimed quite"
## [4779] "as much as was necessary, (or, being acting a part, perhaps rather"
## [4780] "more,) at the conduct of the Churchills, in keeping him away. She then"
## [4781] "proceeded to say a good deal more than she felt, of the advantage of"
## [4782] "such an addition to their confined society in Surry; the pleasure of"
## [4783] "looking at somebody new; the gala-day to Highbury entire, which the"
## [4784] "sight of him would have made; and ending with reflections on the"
## [4785] "Churchills again, found herself directly involved in a disagreement"
## [4786] "with Mr. Knightley; and, to her great amusement, perceived that she was"
## [4787] "taking the other side of the question from her real opinion, and making"
## [4788] "use of Mrs. Weston's arguments against herself."
## [4789] ""
## [4790] "\"The Churchills are very likely in fault,\" said Mr. Knightley, coolly;"
## [4791] "\"but I dare say he might come if he would.\""
## [4792] ""
## [4793] "\"I do not know why you should say so. He wishes exceedingly to come; but"
## [4794] "his uncle and aunt will not spare him.\""
## [4795] ""
## [4796] "\"I cannot believe that he has not the power of coming, if he made a"
## [4797] "point of it. It is too unlikely, for me to believe it without proof.\""
## [4798] ""
## [4799] "\"How odd you are! What has Mr. Frank Churchill done, to make you suppose"
## [4800] "him such an unnatural creature?\""
## [4801] ""
## [4802] "\"I am not supposing him at all an unnatural creature, in suspecting that"
## [4803] "he may have learnt to be above his connexions, and to care very little"
## [4804] "for any thing but his own pleasure, from living with those who have"
## [4805] "always set him the example of it. It is a great deal more natural than"
## [4806] "one could wish, that a young man, brought up by those who are proud,"
## [4807] "luxurious, and selfish, should be proud, luxurious, and selfish too. If"
## [4808] "Frank Churchill had wanted to see his father, he would have contrived it"
## [4809] "between September and January. A man at his age--what is he?--three or"
## [4810] "four-and-twenty--cannot be without the means of doing as much as that."
## [4811] "It is impossible.\""
## [4812] ""
## [4813] "\"That's easily said, and easily felt by you, who have always been your"
## [4814] "own master. You are the worst judge in the world, Mr. Knightley, of the"
## [4815] "difficulties of dependence. You do not know what it is to have tempers"
## [4816] "to manage.\""
## [4817] ""
## [4818] "\"It is not to be conceived that a man of three or four-and-twenty"
## [4819] "should not have liberty of mind or limb to that amount. He cannot want"
## [4820] "money--he cannot want leisure. We know, on the contrary, that he has so"
## [4821] "much of both, that he is glad to get rid of them at the idlest haunts in"
## [4822] "the kingdom. We hear of him for ever at some watering-place or other. A"
## [4823] "little while ago, he was at Weymouth. This proves that he can leave the"
## [4824] "Churchills.\""
## [4825] ""
## [4826] "\"Yes, sometimes he can.\""
## [4827] ""
## [4828] "\"And those times are whenever he thinks it worth his while; whenever"
## [4829] "there is any temptation of pleasure.\""
## [4830] ""
## [4831] "\"It is very unfair to judge of any body's conduct, without an intimate"
## [4832] "knowledge of their situation. Nobody, who has not been in the interior"
## [4833] "of a family, can say what the difficulties of any individual of that"
## [4834] "family may be. We ought to be acquainted with Enscombe, and with Mrs."
## [4835] "Churchill's temper, before we pretend to decide upon what her nephew"
## [4836] "can do. He may, at times, be able to do a great deal more than he can at"
## [4837] "others.\""
## [4838] ""
## [4839] "\"There is one thing, Emma, which a man can always do, if he chuses, and"
## [4840] "that is, his duty; not by manoeuvring and finessing, but by vigour and"
## [4841] "resolution. It is Frank Churchill's duty to pay this attention to his"
## [4842] "father. He knows it to be so, by his promises and messages; but if he"
## [4843] "wished to do it, it might be done. A man who felt rightly would say at"
## [4844] "once, simply and resolutely, to Mrs. Churchill--'Every sacrifice of"
## [4845] "mere pleasure you will always find me ready to make to your convenience;"
## [4846] "but I must go and see my father immediately. I know he would be hurt by"
## [4847] "my failing in such a mark of respect to him on the present occasion."
## [4848] "I shall, therefore, set off to-morrow.'--If he would say so to her"
## [4849] "at once, in the tone of decision becoming a man, there would be no"
## [4850] "opposition made to his going.\""
## [4851] ""
## [4852] "\"No,\" said Emma, laughing; \"but perhaps there might be some made to his"
## [4853] "coming back again. Such language for a young man entirely dependent, to"
## [4854] "use!--Nobody but you, Mr. Knightley, would imagine it possible. But you"
## [4855] "have not an idea of what is requisite in situations directly opposite to"
## [4856] "your own. Mr. Frank Churchill to be making such a speech as that to"
## [4857] "the uncle and aunt, who have brought him up, and are to provide for"
## [4858] "him!--Standing up in the middle of the room, I suppose, and speaking as"
## [4859] "loud as he could!--How can you imagine such conduct practicable?\""
## [4860] ""
## [4861] "\"Depend upon it, Emma, a sensible man would find no difficulty in it. He"
## [4862] "would feel himself in the right; and the declaration--made, of course,"
## [4863] "as a man of sense would make it, in a proper manner--would do him more"
## [4864] "good, raise him higher, fix his interest stronger with the people he"
## [4865] "depended on, than all that a line of shifts and expedients can ever do."
## [4866] "Respect would be added to affection. They would feel that they could"
## [4867] "trust him; that the nephew who had done rightly by his father, would do"
## [4868] "rightly by them; for they know, as well as he does, as well as all the"
## [4869] "world must know, that he ought to pay this visit to his father; and"
## [4870] "while meanly exerting their power to delay it, are in their hearts not"
## [4871] "thinking the better of him for submitting to their whims. Respect for"
## [4872] "right conduct is felt by every body. If he would act in this sort of"
## [4873] "manner, on principle, consistently, regularly, their little minds would"
## [4874] "bend to his.\""
## [4875] ""
## [4876] "\"I rather doubt that. You are very fond of bending little minds; but"
## [4877] "where little minds belong to rich people in authority, I think they have"
## [4878] "a knack of swelling out, till they are quite as unmanageable as great"
## [4879] "ones. I can imagine, that if you, as you are, Mr. Knightley, were to be"
## [4880] "transported and placed all at once in Mr. Frank Churchill's situation,"
## [4881] "you would be able to say and do just what you have been recommending for"
## [4882] "him; and it might have a very good effect. The Churchills might not have"
## [4883] "a word to say in return; but then, you would have no habits of early"
## [4884] "obedience and long observance to break through. To him who has, it might"
## [4885] "not be so easy to burst forth at once into perfect independence, and set"
## [4886] "all their claims on his gratitude and regard at nought. He may have as"
## [4887] "strong a sense of what would be right, as you can have, without being so"
## [4888] "equal, under particular circumstances, to act up to it.\""
## [4889] ""
## [4890] "\"Then it would not be so strong a sense. If it failed to produce equal"
## [4891] "exertion, it could not be an equal conviction.\""
## [4892] ""
## [4893] "\"Oh, the difference of situation and habit! I wish you would try to"
## [4894] "understand what an amiable young man may be likely to feel in directly"
## [4895] "opposing those, whom as child and boy he has been looking up to all his"
## [4896] "life.\""
## [4897] ""
## [4898] "\"Our amiable young man is a very weak young man, if this be the first"
## [4899] "occasion of his carrying through a resolution to do right against the"
## [4900] "will of others. It ought to have been a habit with him by this time, of"
## [4901] "following his duty, instead of consulting expediency. I can allow for"
## [4902] "the fears of the child, but not of the man. As he became rational, he"
## [4903] "ought to have roused himself and shaken off all that was unworthy in"
## [4904] "their authority. He ought to have opposed the first attempt on their"
## [4905] "side to make him slight his father. Had he begun as he ought, there"
## [4906] "would have been no difficulty now.\""
## [4907] ""
## [4908] "\"We shall never agree about him,\" cried Emma; \"but that is nothing"
## [4909] "extraordinary. I have not the least idea of his being a weak young man:"
## [4910] "I feel sure that he is not. Mr. Weston would not be blind to folly,"
## [4911] "though in his own son; but he is very likely to have a more yielding,"
## [4912] "complying, mild disposition than would suit your notions of man's"
## [4913] "perfection. I dare say he has; and though it may cut him off from some"
## [4914] "advantages, it will secure him many others.\""
## [4915] ""
## [4916] "\"Yes; all the advantages of sitting still when he ought to move, and"
## [4917] "of leading a life of mere idle pleasure, and fancying himself extremely"
## [4918] "expert in finding excuses for it. He can sit down and write a fine"
## [4919] "flourishing letter, full of professions and falsehoods, and persuade"
## [4920] "himself that he has hit upon the very best method in the world of"
## [4921] "preserving peace at home and preventing his father's having any right to"
## [4922] "complain. His letters disgust me.\""
## [4923] ""
## [4924] "\"Your feelings are singular. They seem to satisfy every body else.\""
## [4925] ""
## [4926] "\"I suspect they do not satisfy Mrs. Weston. They hardly can satisfy"
## [4927] "a woman of her good sense and quick feelings: standing in a mother's"
## [4928] "place, but without a mother's affection to blind her. It is on her"
## [4929] "account that attention to Randalls is doubly due, and she must doubly"
## [4930] "feel the omission. Had she been a person of consequence herself, he"
## [4931] "would have come I dare say; and it would not have signified whether"
## [4932] "he did or no. Can you think your friend behindhand in these sort of"
## [4933] "considerations? Do you suppose she does not often say all this to"
## [4934] "herself? No, Emma, your amiable young man can be amiable only in French,"
## [4935] "not in English. He may be very 'amiable,' have very good manners, and be"
## [4936] "very agreeable; but he can have no English delicacy towards the feelings"
## [4937] "of other people: nothing really amiable about him.\""
## [4938] ""
## [4939] "\"You seem determined to think ill of him.\""
## [4940] ""
## [4941] "\"Me!--not at all,\" replied Mr. Knightley, rather displeased; \"I do not"
## [4942] "want to think ill of him. I should be as ready to acknowledge his merits"
## [4943] "as any other man; but I hear of none, except what are merely personal;"
## [4944] "that he is well-grown and good-looking, with smooth, plausible manners.\""
## [4945] ""
## [4946] "\"Well, if he have nothing else to recommend him, he will be a treasure"
## [4947] "at Highbury. We do not often look upon fine young men, well-bred and"
## [4948] "agreeable. We must not be nice and ask for all the virtues into the"
## [4949] "bargain. Cannot you imagine, Mr. Knightley, what a _sensation_ his"
## [4950] "coming will produce? There will be but one subject throughout the"
## [4951] "parishes of Donwell and Highbury; but one interest--one object of"
## [4952] "curiosity; it will be all Mr. Frank Churchill; we shall think and speak"
## [4953] "of nobody else.\""
## [4954] ""
## [4955] "\"You will excuse my being so much over-powered. If I find him"
## [4956] "conversable, I shall be glad of his acquaintance; but if he is only a"
## [4957] "chattering coxcomb, he will not occupy much of my time or thoughts.\""
## [4958] ""
## [4959] "\"My idea of him is, that he can adapt his conversation to the taste of"
## [4960] "every body, and has the power as well as the wish of being universally"
## [4961] "agreeable. To you, he will talk of farming; to me, of drawing or music;"
## [4962] "and so on to every body, having that general information on all subjects"
## [4963] "which will enable him to follow the lead, or take the lead, just as"
## [4964] "propriety may require, and to speak extremely well on each; that is my"
## [4965] "idea of him.\""
## [4966] ""
## [4967] "\"And mine,\" said Mr. Knightley warmly, \"is, that if he turn out any"
## [4968] "thing like it, he will be the most insufferable fellow breathing! What!"
## [4969] "at three-and-twenty to be the king of his company--the great man--the"
## [4970] "practised politician, who is to read every body's character, and make"
## [4971] "every body's talents conduce to the display of his own superiority; to"
## [4972] "be dispensing his flatteries around, that he may make all appear like"
## [4973] "fools compared with himself! My dear Emma, your own good sense could not"
## [4974] "endure such a puppy when it came to the point.\""
## [4975] ""
## [4976] "\"I will say no more about him,\" cried Emma, \"you turn every thing to"
## [4977] "evil. We are both prejudiced; you against, I for him; and we have no"
## [4978] "chance of agreeing till he is really here.\""
## [4979] ""
## [4980] "\"Prejudiced! I am not prejudiced.\""
## [4981] ""
## [4982] "\"But I am very much, and without being at all ashamed of it. My love for"
## [4983] "Mr. and Mrs. Weston gives me a decided prejudice in his favour.\""
## [4984] ""
## [4985] "\"He is a person I never think of from one month's end to another,\" said"
## [4986] "Mr. Knightley, with a degree of vexation, which made Emma immediately"
## [4987] "talk of something else, though she could not comprehend why he should be"
## [4988] "angry."
## [4989] ""
## [4990] "To take a dislike to a young man, only because he appeared to be of a"
## [4991] "different disposition from himself, was unworthy the real liberality of"
## [4992] "mind which she was always used to acknowledge in him; for with all the"
## [4993] "high opinion of himself, which she had often laid to his charge, she had"
## [4994] "never before for a moment supposed it could make him unjust to the merit"
## [4995] "of another."
## [4996] ""
## [4997] ""
## [4998] ""
## [4999] ""
## [5000] "VOLUME II"
## [5001] ""
## [5002] ""
## [5003] ""
## [5004] "CHAPTER I"
## [5005] ""
## [5006] ""
## [5007] "Emma and Harriet had been walking together one morning, and, in Emma's"
## [5008] "opinion, had been talking enough of Mr. Elton for that day. She could"
## [5009] "not think that Harriet's solace or her own sins required more; and"
## [5010] "she was therefore industriously getting rid of the subject as they"
## [5011] "returned;--but it burst out again when she thought she had succeeded,"
## [5012] "and after speaking some time of what the poor must suffer in winter, and"
## [5013] "receiving no other answer than a very plaintive--\"Mr. Elton is so good"
## [5014] "to the poor!\" she found something else must be done."
## [5015] ""
## [5016] "They were just approaching the house where lived Mrs. and Miss Bates."
## [5017] "She determined to call upon them and seek safety in numbers. There was"
## [5018] "always sufficient reason for such an attention; Mrs. and Miss Bates"
## [5019] "loved to be called on, and she knew she was considered by the very few"
## [5020] "who presumed ever to see imperfection in her, as rather negligent in"
## [5021] "that respect, and as not contributing what she ought to the stock of"
## [5022] "their scanty comforts."
## [5023] ""
## [5024] "She had had many a hint from Mr. Knightley and some from her own heart,"
## [5025] "as to her deficiency--but none were equal to counteract the persuasion"
## [5026] "of its being very disagreeable,--a waste of time--tiresome women--and"
## [5027] "all the horror of being in danger of falling in with the second-rate and"
## [5028] "third-rate of Highbury, who were calling on them for ever, and therefore"
## [5029] "she seldom went near them. But now she made the sudden resolution of not"
## [5030] "passing their door without going in--observing, as she proposed it to"
## [5031] "Harriet, that, as well as she could calculate, they were just now quite"
## [5032] "safe from any letter from Jane Fairfax."
## [5033] ""
## [5034] "The house belonged to people in business. Mrs. and Miss Bates occupied"
## [5035] "the drawing-room floor; and there, in the very moderate-sized apartment,"
## [5036] "which was every thing to them, the visitors were most cordially and even"
## [5037] "gratefully welcomed; the quiet neat old lady, who with her knitting was"
## [5038] "seated in the warmest corner, wanting even to give up her place to"
## [5039] "Miss Woodhouse, and her more active, talking daughter, almost ready"
## [5040] "to overpower them with care and kindness, thanks for their visit,"
## [5041] "solicitude for their shoes, anxious inquiries after Mr. Woodhouse's"
## [5042] "health, cheerful communications about her mother's, and sweet-cake from"
## [5043] "the beaufet--\"Mrs. Cole had just been there, just called in for ten"
## [5044] "minutes, and had been so good as to sit an hour with them, and _she_ had"
## [5045] "taken a piece of cake and been so kind as to say she liked it very much;"
## [5046] "and, therefore, she hoped Miss Woodhouse and Miss Smith would do them"
## [5047] "the favour to eat a piece too.\""
## [5048] ""
## [5049] "The mention of the Coles was sure to be followed by that of Mr. Elton."
## [5050] "There was intimacy between them, and Mr. Cole had heard from Mr. Elton"
## [5051] "since his going away. Emma knew what was coming; they must have the"
## [5052] "letter over again, and settle how long he had been gone, and how much"
## [5053] "he was engaged in company, and what a favourite he was wherever he went,"
## [5054] "and how full the Master of the Ceremonies' ball had been; and she went"
## [5055] "through it very well, with all the interest and all the commendation"
## [5056] "that could be requisite, and always putting forward to prevent Harriet's"
## [5057] "being obliged to say a word."
## [5058] ""
## [5059] "This she had been prepared for when she entered the house; but meant,"
## [5060] "having once talked him handsomely over, to be no farther incommoded by"
## [5061] "any troublesome topic, and to wander at large amongst all the Mistresses"
## [5062] "and Misses of Highbury, and their card-parties. She had not been"
## [5063] "prepared to have Jane Fairfax succeed Mr. Elton; but he was actually"
## [5064] "hurried off by Miss Bates, she jumped away from him at last abruptly to"
## [5065] "the Coles, to usher in a letter from her niece."
## [5066] ""
## [5067] "\"Oh! yes--Mr. Elton, I understand--certainly as to dancing--Mrs. Cole"
## [5068] "was telling me that dancing at the rooms at Bath was--Mrs. Cole was so"
## [5069] "kind as to sit some time with us, talking of Jane; for as soon as"
## [5070] "she came in, she began inquiring after her, Jane is so very great a"
## [5071] "favourite there. Whenever she is with us, Mrs. Cole does not know how to"
## [5072] "shew her kindness enough; and I must say that Jane deserves it as much"
## [5073] "as any body can. And so she began inquiring after her directly, saying,"
## [5074] "'I know you cannot have heard from Jane lately, because it is not her"
## [5075] "time for writing;' and when I immediately said, 'But indeed we have, we"
## [5076] "had a letter this very morning,' I do not know that I ever saw any body"
## [5077] "more surprized. 'Have you, upon your honour?' said she; 'well, that is"
## [5078] "quite unexpected. Do let me hear what she says.'\""
## [5079] ""
## [5080] "Emma's politeness was at hand directly, to say, with smiling interest--"
## [5081] ""
## [5082] "\"Have you heard from Miss Fairfax so lately? I am extremely happy. I"
## [5083] "hope she is well?\""
## [5084] ""
## [5085] "\"Thank you. You are so kind!\" replied the happily deceived aunt, while"
## [5086] "eagerly hunting for the letter.--\"Oh! here it is. I was sure it could"
## [5087] "not be far off; but I had put my huswife upon it, you see, without being"
## [5088] "aware, and so it was quite hid, but I had it in my hand so very lately"
## [5089] "that I was almost sure it must be on the table. I was reading it to Mrs."
## [5090] "Cole, and since she went away, I was reading it again to my mother, for"
## [5091] "it is such a pleasure to her--a letter from Jane--that she can never"
## [5092] "hear it often enough; so I knew it could not be far off, and here it is,"
## [5093] "only just under my huswife--and since you are so kind as to wish to hear"
## [5094] "what she says;--but, first of all, I really must, in justice to"
## [5095] "Jane, apologise for her writing so short a letter--only two pages you"
## [5096] "see--hardly two--and in general she fills the whole paper and crosses"
## [5097] "half. My mother often wonders that I can make it out so well. She often"
## [5098] "says, when the letter is first opened, 'Well, Hetty, now I think"
## [5099] "you will be put to it to make out all that checker-work'--don't you,"
## [5100] "ma'am?--And then I tell her, I am sure she would contrive to make it out"
## [5101] "herself, if she had nobody to do it for her--every word of it--I am sure"
## [5102] "she would pore over it till she had made out every word. And, indeed,"
## [5103] "though my mother's eyes are not so good as they were, she can see"
## [5104] "amazingly well still, thank God! with the help of spectacles. It is such"
## [5105] "a blessing! My mother's are really very good indeed. Jane often says,"
## [5106] "when she is here, 'I am sure, grandmama, you must have had very strong"
## [5107] "eyes to see as you do--and so much fine work as you have done too!--I"
## [5108] "only wish my eyes may last me as well.'\""
## [5109] ""
## [5110] "All this spoken extremely fast obliged Miss Bates to stop for breath;"
## [5111] "and Emma said something very civil about the excellence of Miss"
## [5112] "Fairfax's handwriting."
## [5113] ""
## [5114] "\"You are extremely kind,\" replied Miss Bates, highly gratified; \"you who"
## [5115] "are such a judge, and write so beautifully yourself. I am sure there is"
## [5116] "nobody's praise that could give us so much pleasure as Miss Woodhouse's."
## [5117] "My mother does not hear; she is a little deaf you know. Ma'am,\""
## [5118] "addressing her, \"do you hear what Miss Woodhouse is so obliging to say"
## [5119] "about Jane's handwriting?\""
## [5120] ""
## [5121] "And Emma had the advantage of hearing her own silly compliment repeated"
## [5122] "twice over before the good old lady could comprehend it. She was"
## [5123] "pondering, in the meanwhile, upon the possibility, without seeming very"
## [5124] "rude, of making her escape from Jane Fairfax's letter, and had almost"
## [5125] "resolved on hurrying away directly under some slight excuse, when Miss"
## [5126] "Bates turned to her again and seized her attention."
## [5127] ""
## [5128] "\"My mother's deafness is very trifling you see--just nothing at all. By"
## [5129] "only raising my voice, and saying any thing two or three times over,"
## [5130] "she is sure to hear; but then she is used to my voice. But it is very"
## [5131] "remarkable that she should always hear Jane better than she does me."
## [5132] "Jane speaks so distinct! However, she will not find her grandmama at all"
## [5133] "deafer than she was two years ago; which is saying a great deal at my"
## [5134] "mother's time of life--and it really is full two years, you know, since"
## [5135] "she was here. We never were so long without seeing her before, and as"
## [5136] "I was telling Mrs. Cole, we shall hardly know how to make enough of her"
## [5137] "now.\""
## [5138] ""
## [5139] "\"Are you expecting Miss Fairfax here soon?\""
## [5140] ""
## [5141] "\"Oh yes; next week.\""
## [5142] ""
## [5143] "\"Indeed!--that must be a very great pleasure.\""
## [5144] ""
## [5145] "\"Thank you. You are very kind. Yes, next week. Every body is so"
## [5146] "surprized; and every body says the same obliging things. I am sure she"
## [5147] "will be as happy to see her friends at Highbury, as they can be to see"
## [5148] "her. Yes, Friday or Saturday; she cannot say which, because Colonel"
## [5149] "Campbell will be wanting the carriage himself one of those days. So very"
## [5150] "good of them to send her the whole way! But they always do, you know. Oh"
## [5151] "yes, Friday or Saturday next. That is what she writes about. That is"
## [5152] "the reason of her writing out of rule, as we call it; for, in the"
## [5153] "common course, we should not have heard from her before next Tuesday or"
## [5154] "Wednesday.\""
## [5155] ""
## [5156] "\"Yes, so I imagined. I was afraid there could be little chance of my"
## [5157] "hearing any thing of Miss Fairfax to-day.\""
## [5158] ""
## [5159] "\"So obliging of you! No, we should not have heard, if it had not been"
## [5160] "for this particular circumstance, of her being to come here so soon. My"
## [5161] "mother is so delighted!--for she is to be three months with us at"
## [5162] "least. Three months, she says so, positively, as I am going to have the"
## [5163] "pleasure of reading to you. The case is, you see, that the Campbells are"
## [5164] "going to Ireland. Mrs. Dixon has persuaded her father and mother to come"
## [5165] "over and see her directly. They had not intended to go over till the"
## [5166] "summer, but she is so impatient to see them again--for till she married,"
## [5167] "last October, she was never away from them so much as a week, which must"
## [5168] "make it very strange to be in different kingdoms, I was going to say,"
## [5169] "but however different countries, and so she wrote a very urgent letter"
## [5170] "to her mother--or her father, I declare I do not know which it was, but"
## [5171] "we shall see presently in Jane's letter--wrote in Mr. Dixon's name as"
## [5172] "well as her own, to press their coming over directly, and they would"
## [5173] "give them the meeting in Dublin, and take them back to their country"
## [5174] "seat, Baly-craig, a beautiful place, I fancy. Jane has heard a great"
## [5175] "deal of its beauty; from Mr. Dixon, I mean--I do not know that she ever"
## [5176] "heard about it from any body else; but it was very natural, you know,"
## [5177] "that he should like to speak of his own place while he was paying his"
## [5178] "addresses--and as Jane used to be very often walking out with them--for"
## [5179] "Colonel and Mrs. Campbell were very particular about their daughter's"
## [5180] "not walking out often with only Mr. Dixon, for which I do not at all"
## [5181] "blame them; of course she heard every thing he might be telling Miss"
## [5182] "Campbell about his own home in Ireland; and I think she wrote us word"
## [5183] "that he had shewn them some drawings of the place, views that he had"
## [5184] "taken himself. He is a most amiable, charming young man, I believe. Jane"
## [5185] "was quite longing to go to Ireland, from his account of things.\""
## [5186] ""
## [5187] "At this moment, an ingenious and animating suspicion entering Emma's"
## [5188] "brain with regard to Jane Fairfax, this charming Mr. Dixon, and the"
## [5189] "not going to Ireland, she said, with the insidious design of farther"
## [5190] "discovery,"
## [5191] ""
## [5192] "\"You must feel it very fortunate that Miss Fairfax should be allowed to"
## [5193] "come to you at such a time. Considering the very particular friendship"
## [5194] "between her and Mrs. Dixon, you could hardly have expected her to be"
## [5195] "excused from accompanying Colonel and Mrs. Campbell.\""
## [5196] ""
## [5197] "\"Very true, very true, indeed. The very thing that we have always been"
## [5198] "rather afraid of; for we should not have liked to have her at such a"
## [5199] "distance from us, for months together--not able to come if any thing was"
## [5200] "to happen. But you see, every thing turns out for the best. They want"
## [5201] "her (Mr. and Mrs. Dixon) excessively to come over with Colonel and Mrs."
## [5202] "Campbell; quite depend upon it; nothing can be more kind or pressing"
## [5203] "than their _joint_ invitation, Jane says, as you will hear presently;"
## [5204] "Mr. Dixon does not seem in the least backward in any attention. He is"
## [5205] "a most charming young man. Ever since the service he rendered Jane at"
## [5206] "Weymouth, when they were out in that party on the water, and she, by the"
## [5207] "sudden whirling round of something or other among the sails, would have"
## [5208] "been dashed into the sea at once, and actually was all but gone, if he"
## [5209] "had not, with the greatest presence of mind, caught hold of her habit--"
## [5210] "(I can never think of it without trembling!)--But ever since we had the"
## [5211] "history of that day, I have been so fond of Mr. Dixon!\""
## [5212] ""
## [5213] "\"But, in spite of all her friends' urgency, and her own wish of seeing"
## [5214] "Ireland, Miss Fairfax prefers devoting the time to you and Mrs. Bates?\""
## [5215] ""
## [5216] "\"Yes--entirely her own doing, entirely her own choice; and Colonel"
## [5217] "and Mrs. Campbell think she does quite right, just what they should"
## [5218] "recommend; and indeed they particularly _wish_ her to try her native"
## [5219] "air, as she has not been quite so well as usual lately.\""
## [5220] ""
## [5221] "\"I am concerned to hear of it. I think they judge wisely. But Mrs."
## [5222] "Dixon must be very much disappointed. Mrs. Dixon, I understand, has"
## [5223] "no remarkable degree of personal beauty; is not, by any means, to be"
## [5224] "compared with Miss Fairfax.\""
## [5225] ""
## [5226] "\"Oh! no. You are very obliging to say such things--but certainly not."
## [5227] "There is no comparison between them. Miss Campbell always was absolutely"
## [5228] "plain--but extremely elegant and amiable.\""
## [5229] ""
## [5230] "\"Yes, that of course.\""
## [5231] ""
## [5232] "\"Jane caught a bad cold, poor thing! so long ago as the 7th of November,"
## [5233] "(as I am going to read to you,) and has never been well since. A long"
## [5234] "time, is not it, for a cold to hang upon her? She never mentioned"
## [5235] "it before, because she would not alarm us. Just like her! so"
## [5236] "considerate!--But however, she is so far from well, that her kind"
## [5237] "friends the Campbells think she had better come home, and try an air"
## [5238] "that always agrees with her; and they have no doubt that three or four"
## [5239] "months at Highbury will entirely cure her--and it is certainly a great"
## [5240] "deal better that she should come here, than go to Ireland, if she is"
## [5241] "unwell. Nobody could nurse her, as we should do.\""
## [5242] ""
## [5243] "\"It appears to me the most desirable arrangement in the world.\""
## [5244] ""
## [5245] "\"And so she is to come to us next Friday or Saturday, and the Campbells"
## [5246] "leave town in their way to Holyhead the Monday following--as you will"
## [5247] "find from Jane's letter. So sudden!--You may guess, dear Miss Woodhouse,"
## [5248] "what a flurry it has thrown me in! If it was not for the drawback of"
## [5249] "her illness--but I am afraid we must expect to see her grown thin, and"
## [5250] "looking very poorly. I must tell you what an unlucky thing happened to"
## [5251] "me, as to that. I always make a point of reading Jane's letters through"
## [5252] "to myself first, before I read them aloud to my mother, you know, for"
## [5253] "fear of there being any thing in them to distress her. Jane desired me"
## [5254] "to do it, so I always do: and so I began to-day with my usual caution;"
## [5255] "but no sooner did I come to the mention of her being unwell, than I"
## [5256] "burst out, quite frightened, with 'Bless me! poor Jane is ill!'--which"
## [5257] "my mother, being on the watch, heard distinctly, and was sadly alarmed"
## [5258] "at. However, when I read on, I found it was not near so bad as I had"
## [5259] "fancied at first; and I make so light of it now to her, that she does"
## [5260] "not think much about it. But I cannot imagine how I could be so off my"
## [5261] "guard. If Jane does not get well soon, we will call in Mr. Perry. The"
## [5262] "expense shall not be thought of; and though he is so liberal, and so"
## [5263] "fond of Jane that I dare say he would not mean to charge any thing for"
## [5264] "attendance, we could not suffer it to be so, you know. He has a wife and"
## [5265] "family to maintain, and is not to be giving away his time. Well, now I"
## [5266] "have just given you a hint of what Jane writes about, we will turn to"
## [5267] "her letter, and I am sure she tells her own story a great deal better"
## [5268] "than I can tell it for her.\""
## [5269] ""
## [5270] "\"I am afraid we must be running away,\" said Emma, glancing at Harriet,"
## [5271] "and beginning to rise--\"My father will be expecting us. I had no"
## [5272] "intention, I thought I had no power of staying more than five minutes,"
## [5273] "when I first entered the house. I merely called, because I would not"
## [5274] "pass the door without inquiring after Mrs. Bates; but I have been so"
## [5275] "pleasantly detained! Now, however, we must wish you and Mrs. Bates good"
## [5276] "morning.\""
## [5277] ""
## [5278] "And not all that could be urged to detain her succeeded. She regained"
## [5279] "the street--happy in this, that though much had been forced on her"
## [5280] "against her will, though she had in fact heard the whole substance of"
## [5281] "Jane Fairfax's letter, she had been able to escape the letter itself."
## [5282] ""
## [5283] ""
## [5284] ""
## [5285] "CHAPTER II"
## [5286] ""
## [5287] ""
## [5288] "Jane Fairfax was an orphan, the only child of Mrs. Bates's youngest"
## [5289] "daughter."
## [5290] ""
## [5291] "The marriage of Lieut. Fairfax of the ----regiment of infantry,"
## [5292] "and Miss Jane Bates, had had its day of fame and pleasure, hope"
## [5293] "and interest; but nothing now remained of it, save the melancholy"
## [5294] "remembrance of him dying in action abroad--of his widow sinking under"
## [5295] "consumption and grief soon afterwards--and this girl."
## [5296] ""
## [5297] "By birth she belonged to Highbury: and when at three years old, on"
## [5298] "losing her mother, she became the property, the charge, the consolation,"
## [5299] "the foundling of her grandmother and aunt, there had seemed every"
## [5300] "probability of her being permanently fixed there; of her being taught"
## [5301] "only what very limited means could command, and growing up with no"
## [5302] "advantages of connexion or improvement, to be engrafted on what"
## [5303] "nature had given her in a pleasing person, good understanding, and"
## [5304] "warm-hearted, well-meaning relations."
## [5305] ""
## [5306] "But the compassionate feelings of a friend of her father gave a change"
## [5307] "to her destiny. This was Colonel Campbell, who had very highly regarded"
## [5308] "Fairfax, as an excellent officer and most deserving young man; and"
## [5309] "farther, had been indebted to him for such attentions, during a severe"
## [5310] "camp-fever, as he believed had saved his life. These were claims which"
## [5311] "he did not learn to overlook, though some years passed away from the"
## [5312] "death of poor Fairfax, before his own return to England put any thing in"
## [5313] "his power. When he did return, he sought out the child and took notice"
## [5314] "of her. He was a married man, with only one living child, a girl, about"
## [5315] "Jane's age: and Jane became their guest, paying them long visits and"
## [5316] "growing a favourite with all; and before she was nine years old, his"
## [5317] "daughter's great fondness for her, and his own wish of being a real"
## [5318] "friend, united to produce an offer from Colonel Campbell of undertaking"
## [5319] "the whole charge of her education. It was accepted; and from that period"
## [5320] "Jane had belonged to Colonel Campbell's family, and had lived with them"
## [5321] "entirely, only visiting her grandmother from time to time."
## [5322] ""
## [5323] "The plan was that she should be brought up for educating others; the"
## [5324] "very few hundred pounds which she inherited from her father making"
## [5325] "independence impossible. To provide for her otherwise was out of Colonel"
## [5326] "Campbell's power; for though his income, by pay and appointments, was"
## [5327] "handsome, his fortune was moderate and must be all his daughter's;"
## [5328] "but, by giving her an education, he hoped to be supplying the means of"
## [5329] "respectable subsistence hereafter."
## [5330] ""
## [5331] "Such was Jane Fairfax's history. She had fallen into good hands, known"
## [5332] "nothing but kindness from the Campbells, and been given an excellent"
## [5333] "education. Living constantly with right-minded and well-informed people,"
## [5334] "her heart and understanding had received every advantage of discipline"
## [5335] "and culture; and Colonel Campbell's residence being in London, every"
## [5336] "lighter talent had been done full justice to, by the attendance of"
## [5337] "first-rate masters. Her disposition and abilities were equally worthy"
## [5338] "of all that friendship could do; and at eighteen or nineteen she was,"
## [5339] "as far as such an early age can be qualified for the care of children,"
## [5340] "fully competent to the office of instruction herself; but she was too"
## [5341] "much beloved to be parted with. Neither father nor mother could promote,"
## [5342] "and the daughter could not endure it. The evil day was put off. It was"
## [5343] "easy to decide that she was still too young; and Jane remained with"
## [5344] "them, sharing, as another daughter, in all the rational pleasures of"
## [5345] "an elegant society, and a judicious mixture of home and amusement, with"
## [5346] "only the drawback of the future, the sobering suggestions of her own"
## [5347] "good understanding to remind her that all this might soon be over."
## [5348] ""
## [5349] "The affection of the whole family, the warm attachment of Miss"
## [5350] "Campbell in particular, was the more honourable to each party from"
## [5351] "the circumstance of Jane's decided superiority both in beauty and"
## [5352] "acquirements. That nature had given it in feature could not be unseen"
## [5353] "by the young woman, nor could her higher powers of mind be unfelt by the"
## [5354] "parents. They continued together with unabated regard however, till the"
## [5355] "marriage of Miss Campbell, who by that chance, that luck which so often"
## [5356] "defies anticipation in matrimonial affairs, giving attraction to what is"
## [5357] "moderate rather than to what is superior, engaged the affections of"
## [5358] "Mr. Dixon, a young man, rich and agreeable, almost as soon as they were"
## [5359] "acquainted; and was eligibly and happily settled, while Jane Fairfax had"
## [5360] "yet her bread to earn."
## [5361] ""
## [5362] "This event had very lately taken place; too lately for any thing to be"
## [5363] "yet attempted by her less fortunate friend towards entering on her path"
## [5364] "of duty; though she had now reached the age which her own judgment had"
## [5365] "fixed on for beginning. She had long resolved that one-and-twenty"
## [5366] "should be the period. With the fortitude of a devoted novitiate, she had"
## [5367] "resolved at one-and-twenty to complete the sacrifice, and retire from"
## [5368] "all the pleasures of life, of rational intercourse, equal society, peace"
## [5369] "and hope, to penance and mortification for ever."
## [5370] ""
## [5371] "The good sense of Colonel and Mrs. Campbell could not oppose such"
## [5372] "a resolution, though their feelings did. As long as they lived, no"
## [5373] "exertions would be necessary, their home might be hers for ever; and for"
## [5374] "their own comfort they would have retained her wholly; but this would"
## [5375] "be selfishness:--what must be at last, had better be soon. Perhaps they"
## [5376] "began to feel it might have been kinder and wiser to have resisted the"
## [5377] "temptation of any delay, and spared her from a taste of such enjoyments"
## [5378] "of ease and leisure as must now be relinquished. Still, however,"
## [5379] "affection was glad to catch at any reasonable excuse for not hurrying"
## [5380] "on the wretched moment. She had never been quite well since the time of"
## [5381] "their daughter's marriage; and till she should have completely recovered"
## [5382] "her usual strength, they must forbid her engaging in duties, which, so"
## [5383] "far from being compatible with a weakened frame and varying spirits,"
## [5384] "seemed, under the most favourable circumstances, to require something"
## [5385] "more than human perfection of body and mind to be discharged with"
## [5386] "tolerable comfort."
## [5387] ""
## [5388] "With regard to her not accompanying them to Ireland, her account to her"
## [5389] "aunt contained nothing but truth, though there might be some truths"
## [5390] "not told. It was her own choice to give the time of their absence to"
## [5391] "Highbury; to spend, perhaps, her last months of perfect liberty with"
## [5392] "those kind relations to whom she was so very dear: and the Campbells,"
## [5393] "whatever might be their motive or motives, whether single, or double, or"
## [5394] "treble, gave the arrangement their ready sanction, and said, that they"
## [5395] "depended more on a few months spent in her native air, for the recovery"
## [5396] "of her health, than on any thing else. Certain it was that she was to"
## [5397] "come; and that Highbury, instead of welcoming that perfect novelty which"
## [5398] "had been so long promised it--Mr. Frank Churchill--must put up for the"
## [5399] "present with Jane Fairfax, who could bring only the freshness of a two"
## [5400] "years' absence."
## [5401] ""
## [5402] "Emma was sorry;--to have to pay civilities to a person she did not like"
## [5403] "through three long months!--to be always doing more than she wished,"
## [5404] "and less than she ought! Why she did not like Jane Fairfax might be a"
## [5405] "difficult question to answer; Mr. Knightley had once told her it was"
## [5406] "because she saw in her the really accomplished young woman, which she"
## [5407] "wanted to be thought herself; and though the accusation had been eagerly"
## [5408] "refuted at the time, there were moments of self-examination in which"
## [5409] "her conscience could not quite acquit her. But \"she could never get"
## [5410] "acquainted with her: she did not know how it was, but there was such"
## [5411] "coldness and reserve--such apparent indifference whether she pleased or"
## [5412] "not--and then, her aunt was such an eternal talker!--and she was made"
## [5413] "such a fuss with by every body!--and it had been always imagined that"
## [5414] "they were to be so intimate--because their ages were the same, every"
## [5415] "body had supposed they must be so fond of each other.\" These were her"
## [5416] "reasons--she had no better."
## [5417] ""
## [5418] "It was a dislike so little just--every imputed fault was so magnified"
## [5419] "by fancy, that she never saw Jane Fairfax the first time after any"
## [5420] "considerable absence, without feeling that she had injured her; and"
## [5421] "now, when the due visit was paid, on her arrival, after a two years'"
## [5422] "interval, she was particularly struck with the very appearance and"
## [5423] "manners, which for those two whole years she had been depreciating. Jane"
## [5424] "Fairfax was very elegant, remarkably elegant; and she had herself the"
## [5425] "highest value for elegance. Her height was pretty, just such as almost"
## [5426] "every body would think tall, and nobody could think very tall; her"
## [5427] "figure particularly graceful; her size a most becoming medium, between"
## [5428] "fat and thin, though a slight appearance of ill-health seemed to point"
## [5429] "out the likeliest evil of the two. Emma could not but feel all this; and"
## [5430] "then, her face--her features--there was more beauty in them altogether"
## [5431] "than she had remembered; it was not regular, but it was very pleasing"
## [5432] "beauty. Her eyes, a deep grey, with dark eye-lashes and eyebrows, had"
## [5433] "never been denied their praise; but the skin, which she had been used to"
## [5434] "cavil at, as wanting colour, had a clearness and delicacy which really"
## [5435] "needed no fuller bloom. It was a style of beauty, of which elegance was"
## [5436] "the reigning character, and as such, she must, in honour, by all her"
## [5437] "principles, admire it:--elegance, which, whether of person or of mind,"
## [5438] "she saw so little in Highbury. There, not to be vulgar, was distinction,"
## [5439] "and merit."
## [5440] ""
## [5441] "In short, she sat, during the first visit, looking at Jane Fairfax with"
## [5442] "twofold complacency; the sense of pleasure and the sense of rendering"
## [5443] "justice, and was determining that she would dislike her no longer. When"
## [5444] "she took in her history, indeed, her situation, as well as her beauty;"
## [5445] "when she considered what all this elegance was destined to, what she was"
## [5446] "going to sink from, how she was going to live, it seemed impossible"
## [5447] "to feel any thing but compassion and respect; especially, if to every"
## [5448] "well-known particular entitling her to interest, were added the highly"
## [5449] "probable circumstance of an attachment to Mr. Dixon, which she had"
## [5450] "so naturally started to herself. In that case, nothing could be more"
## [5451] "pitiable or more honourable than the sacrifices she had resolved on."
## [5452] "Emma was very willing now to acquit her of having seduced Mr. Dixon's"
## [5453] "actions from his wife, or of any thing mischievous which her imagination"
## [5454] "had suggested at first. If it were love, it might be simple, single,"
## [5455] "successless love on her side alone. She might have been unconsciously"
## [5456] "sucking in the sad poison, while a sharer of his conversation with her"
## [5457] "friend; and from the best, the purest of motives, might now be"
## [5458] "denying herself this visit to Ireland, and resolving to divide herself"
## [5459] "effectually from him and his connexions by soon beginning her career of"
## [5460] "laborious duty."
## [5461] ""
## [5462] "Upon the whole, Emma left her with such softened, charitable feelings,"
## [5463] "as made her look around in walking home, and lament that Highbury"
## [5464] "afforded no young man worthy of giving her independence; nobody that she"
## [5465] "could wish to scheme about for her."
## [5466] ""
## [5467] "These were charming feelings--but not lasting. Before she had committed"
## [5468] "herself by any public profession of eternal friendship for Jane Fairfax,"
## [5469] "or done more towards a recantation of past prejudices and errors, than"
## [5470] "saying to Mr. Knightley, \"She certainly is handsome; she is better than"
## [5471] "handsome!\" Jane had spent an evening at Hartfield with her grandmother"
## [5472] "and aunt, and every thing was relapsing much into its usual state."
## [5473] "Former provocations reappeared. The aunt was as tiresome as ever; more"
## [5474] "tiresome, because anxiety for her health was now added to admiration"
## [5475] "of her powers; and they had to listen to the description of exactly how"
## [5476] "little bread and butter she ate for breakfast, and how small a slice"
## [5477] "of mutton for dinner, as well as to see exhibitions of new caps and new"
## [5478] "workbags for her mother and herself; and Jane's offences rose again."
## [5479] "They had music; Emma was obliged to play; and the thanks and praise"
## [5480] "which necessarily followed appeared to her an affectation of candour, an"
## [5481] "air of greatness, meaning only to shew off in higher style her own very"
## [5482] "superior performance. She was, besides, which was the worst of all, so"
## [5483] "cold, so cautious! There was no getting at her real opinion. Wrapt up in"
## [5484] "a cloak of politeness, she seemed determined to hazard nothing. She was"
## [5485] "disgustingly, was suspiciously reserved."
## [5486] ""
## [5487] "If any thing could be more, where all was most, she was more reserved on"
## [5488] "the subject of Weymouth and the Dixons than any thing. She seemed bent"
## [5489] "on giving no real insight into Mr. Dixon's character, or her own value"
## [5490] "for his company, or opinion of the suitableness of the match. It was all"
## [5491] "general approbation and smoothness; nothing delineated or distinguished."
## [5492] "It did her no service however. Her caution was thrown away. Emma saw"
## [5493] "its artifice, and returned to her first surmises. There probably _was_"
## [5494] "something more to conceal than her own preference; Mr. Dixon, perhaps,"
## [5495] "had been very near changing one friend for the other, or been fixed only"
## [5496] "to Miss Campbell, for the sake of the future twelve thousand pounds."
## [5497] ""
## [5498] "The like reserve prevailed on other topics. She and Mr. Frank Churchill"
## [5499] "had been at Weymouth at the same time. It was known that they were a"
## [5500] "little acquainted; but not a syllable of real information could Emma"
## [5501] "procure as to what he truly was. \"Was he handsome?\"--\"She believed"
## [5502] "he was reckoned a very fine young man.\" \"Was he agreeable?\"--\"He was"
## [5503] "generally thought so.\" \"Did he appear a sensible young man; a young"
## [5504] "man of information?\"--\"At a watering-place, or in a common London"
## [5505] "acquaintance, it was difficult to decide on such points. Manners were"
## [5506] "all that could be safely judged of, under a much longer knowledge than"
## [5507] "they had yet had of Mr. Churchill. She believed every body found his"
## [5508] "manners pleasing.\" Emma could not forgive her."
## [5509] ""
## [5510] ""
## [5511] ""
## [5512] "CHAPTER III"
## [5513] ""
## [5514] ""
## [5515] "Emma could not forgive her;--but as neither provocation nor resentment"
## [5516] "were discerned by Mr. Knightley, who had been of the party, and had"
## [5517] "seen only proper attention and pleasing behaviour on each side, he was"
## [5518] "expressing the next morning, being at Hartfield again on business with"
## [5519] "Mr. Woodhouse, his approbation of the whole; not so openly as he might"
## [5520] "have done had her father been out of the room, but speaking plain enough"
## [5521] "to be very intelligible to Emma. He had been used to think her unjust to"
## [5522] "Jane, and had now great pleasure in marking an improvement."
## [5523] ""
## [5524] "\"A very pleasant evening,\" he began, as soon as Mr. Woodhouse had been"
## [5525] "talked into what was necessary, told that he understood, and the papers"
## [5526] "swept away;--\"particularly pleasant. You and Miss Fairfax gave us some"
## [5527] "very good music. I do not know a more luxurious state, sir, than sitting"
## [5528] "at one's ease to be entertained a whole evening by two such young women;"
## [5529] "sometimes with music and sometimes with conversation. I am sure Miss"
## [5530] "Fairfax must have found the evening pleasant, Emma. You left nothing"
## [5531] "undone. I was glad you made her play so much, for having no instrument"
## [5532] "at her grandmother's, it must have been a real indulgence.\""
## [5533] ""
## [5534] "\"I am happy you approved,\" said Emma, smiling; \"but I hope I am not"
## [5535] "often deficient in what is due to guests at Hartfield.\""
## [5536] ""
## [5537] "\"No, my dear,\" said her father instantly; \"_that_ I am sure you are not."
## [5538] "There is nobody half so attentive and civil as you are. If any thing,"
## [5539] "you are too attentive. The muffin last night--if it had been handed"
## [5540] "round once, I think it would have been enough.\""
## [5541] ""
## [5542] "\"No,\" said Mr. Knightley, nearly at the same time; \"you are not often"
## [5543] "deficient; not often deficient either in manner or comprehension. I"
## [5544] "think you understand me, therefore.\""
## [5545] ""
## [5546] "An arch look expressed--\"I understand you well enough;\" but she said"
## [5547] "only, \"Miss Fairfax is reserved.\""
## [5548] ""
## [5549] "\"I always told you she was--a little; but you will soon overcome all"
## [5550] "that part of her reserve which ought to be overcome, all that has its"
## [5551] "foundation in diffidence. What arises from discretion must be honoured.\""
## [5552] ""
## [5553] "\"You think her diffident. I do not see it.\""
## [5554] ""
## [5555] "\"My dear Emma,\" said he, moving from his chair into one close by her,"
## [5556] "\"you are not going to tell me, I hope, that you had not a pleasant"
## [5557] "evening.\""
## [5558] ""
## [5559] "\"Oh! no; I was pleased with my own perseverance in asking questions; and"
## [5560] "amused to think how little information I obtained.\""
## [5561] ""
## [5562] "\"I am disappointed,\" was his only answer."
## [5563] ""
## [5564] "\"I hope every body had a pleasant evening,\" said Mr. Woodhouse, in his"
## [5565] "quiet way. \"I had. Once, I felt the fire rather too much; but then I"
## [5566] "moved back my chair a little, a very little, and it did not disturb me."
## [5567] "Miss Bates was very chatty and good-humoured, as she always is, though"
## [5568] "she speaks rather too quick. However, she is very agreeable, and Mrs."
## [5569] "Bates too, in a different way. I like old friends; and Miss Jane"
## [5570] "Fairfax is a very pretty sort of young lady, a very pretty and a"
## [5571] "very well-behaved young lady indeed. She must have found the evening"
## [5572] "agreeable, Mr. Knightley, because she had Emma.\""
## [5573] ""
## [5574] "\"True, sir; and Emma, because she had Miss Fairfax.\""
## [5575] ""
## [5576] "Emma saw his anxiety, and wishing to appease it, at least for the"
## [5577] "present, said, and with a sincerity which no one could question--"
## [5578] ""
## [5579] "\"She is a sort of elegant creature that one cannot keep one's eyes from."
## [5580] "I am always watching her to admire; and I do pity her from my heart.\""
## [5581] ""
## [5582] "Mr. Knightley looked as if he were more gratified than he cared to"
## [5583] "express; and before he could make any reply, Mr. Woodhouse, whose"
## [5584] "thoughts were on the Bates's, said--"
## [5585] ""
## [5586] "\"It is a great pity that their circumstances should be so confined! a"
## [5587] "great pity indeed! and I have often wished--but it is so little one can"
## [5588] "venture to do--small, trifling presents, of any thing uncommon--Now we"
## [5589] "have killed a porker, and Emma thinks of sending them a loin or a leg;"
## [5590] "it is very small and delicate--Hartfield pork is not like any other"
## [5591] "pork--but still it is pork--and, my dear Emma, unless one could be sure"
## [5592] "of their making it into steaks, nicely fried, as ours are fried, without"
## [5593] "the smallest grease, and not roast it, for no stomach can bear roast"
## [5594] "pork--I think we had better send the leg--do not you think so, my dear?\""
## [5595] ""
## [5596] "\"My dear papa, I sent the whole hind-quarter. I knew you would wish it."
## [5597] "There will be the leg to be salted, you know, which is so very nice, and"
## [5598] "the loin to be dressed directly in any manner they like.\""
## [5599] ""
## [5600] "\"That's right, my dear, very right. I had not thought of it before, but"
## [5601] "that is the best way. They must not over-salt the leg; and then, if it"
## [5602] "is not over-salted, and if it is very thoroughly boiled, just as Serle"
## [5603] "boils ours, and eaten very moderately of, with a boiled turnip, and a"
## [5604] "little carrot or parsnip, I do not consider it unwholesome.\""
## [5605] ""
## [5606] "\"Emma,\" said Mr. Knightley presently, \"I have a piece of news for you."
## [5607] "You like news--and I heard an article in my way hither that I think will"
## [5608] "interest you.\""
## [5609] ""
## [5610] "\"News! Oh! yes, I always like news. What is it?--why do you smile"
## [5611] "so?--where did you hear it?--at Randalls?\""
## [5612] ""
## [5613] "He had time only to say,"
## [5614] ""
## [5615] "\"No, not at Randalls; I have not been near Randalls,\" when the door was"
## [5616] "thrown open, and Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax walked into the room. Full"
## [5617] "of thanks, and full of news, Miss Bates knew not which to give quickest."
## [5618] "Mr. Knightley soon saw that he had lost his moment, and that not another"
## [5619] "syllable of communication could rest with him."
## [5620] ""
## [5621] "\"Oh! my dear sir, how are you this morning? My dear Miss Woodhouse--I"
## [5622] "come quite over-powered. Such a beautiful hind-quarter of pork! You"
## [5623] "are too bountiful! Have you heard the news? Mr. Elton is going to be"
## [5624] "married.\""
## [5625] ""
## [5626] "Emma had not had time even to think of Mr. Elton, and she was so"
## [5627] "completely surprized that she could not avoid a little start, and a"
## [5628] "little blush, at the sound."
## [5629] ""
## [5630] "\"There is my news:--I thought it would interest you,\" said Mr."
## [5631] "Knightley, with a smile which implied a conviction of some part of what"
## [5632] "had passed between them."
## [5633] ""
## [5634] "\"But where could _you_ hear it?\" cried Miss Bates. \"Where could you"
## [5635] "possibly hear it, Mr. Knightley? For it is not five minutes since I"
## [5636] "received Mrs. Cole's note--no, it cannot be more than five--or at least"
## [5637] "ten--for I had got my bonnet and spencer on, just ready to come out--I"
## [5638] "was only gone down to speak to Patty again about the pork--Jane was"
## [5639] "standing in the passage--were not you, Jane?--for my mother was so"
## [5640] "afraid that we had not any salting-pan large enough. So I said I would"
## [5641] "go down and see, and Jane said, 'Shall I go down instead? for I think"
## [5642] "you have a little cold, and Patty has been washing the kitchen.'--'Oh!"
## [5643] "my dear,' said I--well, and just then came the note. A Miss"
## [5644] "Hawkins--that's all I know. A Miss Hawkins of Bath. But, Mr. Knightley,"
## [5645] "how could you possibly have heard it? for the very moment Mr. Cole told"
## [5646] "Mrs. Cole of it, she sat down and wrote to me. A Miss Hawkins--\""
## [5647] ""
## [5648] "\"I was with Mr. Cole on business an hour and a half ago. He had just"
## [5649] "read Elton's letter as I was shewn in, and handed it to me directly.\""
## [5650] ""
## [5651] "\"Well! that is quite--I suppose there never was a piece of news more"
## [5652] "generally interesting. My dear sir, you really are too bountiful. My"
## [5653] "mother desires her very best compliments and regards, and a thousand"
## [5654] "thanks, and says you really quite oppress her.\""
## [5655] ""
## [5656] "\"We consider our Hartfield pork,\" replied Mr. Woodhouse--\"indeed it"
## [5657] "certainly is, so very superior to all other pork, that Emma and I cannot"
## [5658] "have a greater pleasure than--\""
## [5659] ""
## [5660] "\"Oh! my dear sir, as my mother says, our friends are only too good"
## [5661] "to us. If ever there were people who, without having great wealth"
## [5662] "themselves, had every thing they could wish for, I am sure it is us."
## [5663] "We may well say that 'our lot is cast in a goodly heritage.' Well, Mr."
## [5664] "Knightley, and so you actually saw the letter; well--\""
## [5665] ""
## [5666] "\"It was short--merely to announce--but cheerful, exulting, of course.\"--"
## [5667] "Here was a sly glance at Emma. \"He had been so fortunate as to--I forget"
## [5668] "the precise words--one has no business to remember them. The information"
## [5669] "was, as you state, that he was going to be married to a Miss Hawkins. By"
## [5670] "his style, I should imagine it just settled.\""
## [5671] ""
## [5672] "\"Mr. Elton going to be married!\" said Emma, as soon as she could speak."
## [5673] "\"He will have every body's wishes for his happiness.\""
## [5674] ""
## [5675] "\"He is very young to settle,\" was Mr. Woodhouse's observation. \"He had"
## [5676] "better not be in a hurry. He seemed to me very well off as he was. We"
## [5677] "were always glad to see him at Hartfield.\""
## [5678] ""
## [5679] "\"A new neighbour for us all, Miss Woodhouse!\" said Miss Bates, joyfully;"
## [5680] "\"my mother is so pleased!--she says she cannot bear to have the poor old"
## [5681] "Vicarage without a mistress. This is great news, indeed. Jane, you have"
## [5682] "never seen Mr. Elton!--no wonder that you have such a curiosity to see"
## [5683] "him.\""
## [5684] ""
## [5685] "Jane's curiosity did not appear of that absorbing nature as wholly to"
## [5686] "occupy her."
## [5687] ""
## [5688] "\"No--I have never seen Mr. Elton,\" she replied, starting on this appeal;"
## [5689] "\"is he--is he a tall man?\""
## [5690] ""
## [5691] "\"Who shall answer that question?\" cried Emma. \"My father would say"
## [5692] "'yes,' Mr. Knightley 'no;' and Miss Bates and I that he is just the"
## [5693] "happy medium. When you have been here a little longer, Miss Fairfax,"
## [5694] "you will understand that Mr. Elton is the standard of perfection in"
## [5695] "Highbury, both in person and mind.\""
## [5696] ""
## [5697] "\"Very true, Miss Woodhouse, so she will. He is the very best young"
## [5698] "man--But, my dear Jane, if you remember, I told you yesterday he"
## [5699] "was precisely the height of Mr. Perry. Miss Hawkins,--I dare say, an"
## [5700] "excellent young woman. His extreme attention to my mother--wanting"
## [5701] "her to sit in the vicarage pew, that she might hear the better, for my"
## [5702] "mother is a little deaf, you know--it is not much, but she does not"
## [5703] "hear quite quick. Jane says that Colonel Campbell is a little deaf. He"
## [5704] "fancied bathing might be good for it--the warm bath--but she says it did"
## [5705] "him no lasting benefit. Colonel Campbell, you know, is quite our angel."
## [5706] "And Mr. Dixon seems a very charming young man, quite worthy of him. It"
## [5707] "is such a happiness when good people get together--and they always do."
## [5708] "Now, here will be Mr. Elton and Miss Hawkins; and there are the Coles,"
## [5709] "such very good people; and the Perrys--I suppose there never was a"
## [5710] "happier or a better couple than Mr. and Mrs. Perry. I say, sir,\" turning"
## [5711] "to Mr. Woodhouse, \"I think there are few places with such society as"
## [5712] "Highbury. I always say, we are quite blessed in our neighbours.--My dear"
## [5713] "sir, if there is one thing my mother loves better than another, it is"
## [5714] "pork--a roast loin of pork--\""
## [5715] ""
## [5716] "\"As to who, or what Miss Hawkins is, or how long he has been acquainted"
## [5717] "with her,\" said Emma, \"nothing I suppose can be known. One feels that it"
## [5718] "cannot be a very long acquaintance. He has been gone only four weeks.\""
## [5719] ""
## [5720] "Nobody had any information to give; and, after a few more wonderings,"
## [5721] "Emma said,"
## [5722] ""
## [5723] "\"You are silent, Miss Fairfax--but I hope you mean to take an interest"
## [5724] "in this news. You, who have been hearing and seeing so much of late"
## [5725] "on these subjects, who must have been so deep in the business on Miss"
## [5726] "Campbell's account--we shall not excuse your being indifferent about Mr."
## [5727] "Elton and Miss Hawkins.\""
## [5728] ""
## [5729] "\"When I have seen Mr. Elton,\" replied Jane, \"I dare say I shall be"
## [5730] "interested--but I believe it requires _that_ with me. And as it is some"
## [5731] "months since Miss Campbell married, the impression may be a little worn"
## [5732] "off.\""
## [5733] ""
## [5734] "\"Yes, he has been gone just four weeks, as you observe, Miss Woodhouse,\""
## [5735] "said Miss Bates, \"four weeks yesterday.--A Miss Hawkins!--Well, I had"
## [5736] "always rather fancied it would be some young lady hereabouts; not that"
## [5737] "I ever--Mrs. Cole once whispered to me--but I immediately said, 'No, Mr."
## [5738] "Elton is a most worthy young man--but'--In short, I do not think I am"
## [5739] "particularly quick at those sort of discoveries. I do not pretend to it."
## [5740] "What is before me, I see. At the same time, nobody could wonder if"
## [5741] "Mr. Elton should have aspired--Miss Woodhouse lets me chatter on, so"
## [5742] "good-humouredly. She knows I would not offend for the world. How does"
## [5743] "Miss Smith do? She seems quite recovered now. Have you heard from Mrs."
## [5744] "John Knightley lately? Oh! those dear little children. Jane, do you"
## [5745] "know I always fancy Mr. Dixon like Mr. John Knightley. I mean in"
## [5746] "person--tall, and with that sort of look--and not very talkative.\""
## [5747] ""
## [5748] "\"Quite wrong, my dear aunt; there is no likeness at all.\""
## [5749] ""
## [5750] "\"Very odd! but one never does form a just idea of any body beforehand."
## [5751] "One takes up a notion, and runs away with it. Mr. Dixon, you say, is"
## [5752] "not, strictly speaking, handsome?\""
## [5753] ""
## [5754] "\"Handsome! Oh! no--far from it--certainly plain. I told you he was"
## [5755] "plain.\""
## [5756] ""
## [5757] "\"My dear, you said that Miss Campbell would not allow him to be plain,"
## [5758] "and that you yourself--\""
## [5759] ""
## [5760] "\"Oh! as for me, my judgment is worth nothing. Where I have a regard,"
## [5761] "I always think a person well-looking. But I gave what I believed the"
## [5762] "general opinion, when I called him plain.\""
## [5763] ""
## [5764] "\"Well, my dear Jane, I believe we must be running away. The weather does"
## [5765] "not look well, and grandmama will be uneasy. You are too obliging, my"
## [5766] "dear Miss Woodhouse; but we really must take leave. This has been a most"
## [5767] "agreeable piece of news indeed. I shall just go round by Mrs. Cole's;"
## [5768] "but I shall not stop three minutes: and, Jane, you had better go home"
## [5769] "directly--I would not have you out in a shower!--We think she is the"
## [5770] "better for Highbury already. Thank you, we do indeed. I shall not"
## [5771] "attempt calling on Mrs. Goddard, for I really do not think she cares for"
## [5772] "any thing but _boiled_ pork: when we dress the leg it will be another"
## [5773] "thing. Good morning to you, my dear sir. Oh! Mr. Knightley is coming"
## [5774] "too. Well, that is so very!--I am sure if Jane is tired, you will be"
## [5775] "so kind as to give her your arm.--Mr. Elton, and Miss Hawkins!--Good"
## [5776] "morning to you.\""
## [5777] ""
## [5778] "Emma, alone with her father, had half her attention wanted by him while"
## [5779] "he lamented that young people would be in such a hurry to marry--and to"
## [5780] "marry strangers too--and the other half she could give to her own view"
## [5781] "of the subject. It was to herself an amusing and a very welcome piece"
## [5782] "of news, as proving that Mr. Elton could not have suffered long; but she"
## [5783] "was sorry for Harriet: Harriet must feel it--and all that she could hope"
## [5784] "was, by giving the first information herself, to save her from hearing"
## [5785] "it abruptly from others. It was now about the time that she was likely"
## [5786] "to call. If she were to meet Miss Bates in her way!--and upon its"
## [5787] "beginning to rain, Emma was obliged to expect that the weather would"
## [5788] "be detaining her at Mrs. Goddard's, and that the intelligence would"
## [5789] "undoubtedly rush upon her without preparation."
## [5790] ""
## [5791] "The shower was heavy, but short; and it had not been over five minutes,"
## [5792] "when in came Harriet, with just the heated, agitated look which"
## [5793] "hurrying thither with a full heart was likely to give; and the \"Oh! Miss"
## [5794] "Woodhouse, what do you think has happened!\" which instantly burst forth,"
## [5795] "had all the evidence of corresponding perturbation. As the blow was"
## [5796] "given, Emma felt that she could not now shew greater kindness than in"
## [5797] "listening; and Harriet, unchecked, ran eagerly through what she had to"
## [5798] "tell. \"She had set out from Mrs. Goddard's half an hour ago--she had"
## [5799] "been afraid it would rain--she had been afraid it would pour down"
## [5800] "every moment--but she thought she might get to Hartfield first--she"
## [5801] "had hurried on as fast as possible; but then, as she was passing by the"
## [5802] "house where a young woman was making up a gown for her, she thought she"
## [5803] "would just step in and see how it went on; and though she did not seem"
## [5804] "to stay half a moment there, soon after she came out it began to rain,"
## [5805] "and she did not know what to do; so she ran on directly, as fast as"
## [5806] "she could, and took shelter at Ford's.\"--Ford's was the principal"
## [5807] "woollen-draper, linen-draper, and haberdasher's shop united; the shop"
## [5808] "first in size and fashion in the place.--\"And so, there she had"
## [5809] "set, without an idea of any thing in the world, full ten minutes,"
## [5810] "perhaps--when, all of a sudden, who should come in--to be sure it was"
## [5811] "so very odd!--but they always dealt at Ford's--who should come in, but"
## [5812] "Elizabeth Martin and her brother!--Dear Miss Woodhouse! only think. I"
## [5813] "thought I should have fainted. I did not know what to do. I was sitting"
## [5814] "near the door--Elizabeth saw me directly; but he did not; he was busy"
## [5815] "with the umbrella. I am sure she saw me, but she looked away directly,"
## [5816] "and took no notice; and they both went to quite the farther end of the"
## [5817] "shop; and I kept sitting near the door!--Oh! dear; I was so miserable!"
## [5818] "I am sure I must have been as white as my gown. I could not go away"
## [5819] "you know, because of the rain; but I did so wish myself anywhere in the"
## [5820] "world but there.--Oh! dear, Miss Woodhouse--well, at last, I fancy, he"
## [5821] "looked round and saw me; for instead of going on with her buyings, they"
## [5822] "began whispering to one another. I am sure they were talking of me; and"
## [5823] "I could not help thinking that he was persuading her to speak to me--(do"
## [5824] "you think he was, Miss Woodhouse?)--for presently she came forward--came"
## [5825] "quite up to me, and asked me how I did, and seemed ready to shake hands,"
## [5826] "if I would. She did not do any of it in the same way that she used; I"
## [5827] "could see she was altered; but, however, she seemed to _try_ to be very"
## [5828] "friendly, and we shook hands, and stood talking some time; but I know no"
## [5829] "more what I said--I was in such a tremble!--I remember she said she"
## [5830] "was sorry we never met now; which I thought almost too kind! Dear, Miss"
## [5831] "Woodhouse, I was absolutely miserable! By that time, it was beginning to"
## [5832] "hold up, and I was determined that nothing should stop me from getting"
## [5833] "away--and then--only think!--I found he was coming up towards me"
## [5834] "too--slowly you know, and as if he did not quite know what to do; and"
## [5835] "so he came and spoke, and I answered--and I stood for a minute, feeling"
## [5836] "dreadfully, you know, one can't tell how; and then I took courage, and"
## [5837] "said it did not rain, and I must go; and so off I set; and I had not got"
## [5838] "three yards from the door, when he came after me, only to say, if I was"
## [5839] "going to Hartfield, he thought I had much better go round by Mr. Cole's"
## [5840] "stables, for I should find the near way quite floated by this rain. Oh!"
## [5841] "dear, I thought it would have been the death of me! So I said, I was"
## [5842] "very much obliged to him: you know I could not do less; and then he went"
## [5843] "back to Elizabeth, and I came round by the stables--I believe I did--but"
## [5844] "I hardly knew where I was, or any thing about it. Oh! Miss Woodhouse,"
## [5845] "I would rather done any thing than have it happen: and yet, you know,"
## [5846] "there was a sort of satisfaction in seeing him behave so pleasantly and"
## [5847] "so kindly. And Elizabeth, too. Oh! Miss Woodhouse, do talk to me and"
## [5848] "make me comfortable again.\""
## [5849] ""
## [5850] "Very sincerely did Emma wish to do so; but it was not immediately in"
## [5851] "her power. She was obliged to stop and think. She was not thoroughly"
## [5852] "comfortable herself. The young man's conduct, and his sister's, seemed"
## [5853] "the result of real feeling, and she could not but pity them. As Harriet"
## [5854] "described it, there had been an interesting mixture of wounded affection"
## [5855] "and genuine delicacy in their behaviour. But she had believed them to be"
## [5856] "well-meaning, worthy people before; and what difference did this make"
## [5857] "in the evils of the connexion? It was folly to be disturbed by it. Of"
## [5858] "course, he must be sorry to lose her--they must be all sorry. Ambition,"
## [5859] "as well as love, had probably been mortified. They might all have hoped"
## [5860] "to rise by Harriet's acquaintance: and besides, what was the value of"
## [5861] "Harriet's description?--So easily pleased--so little discerning;--what"
## [5862] "signified her praise?"
## [5863] ""
## [5864] "She exerted herself, and did try to make her comfortable, by considering"
## [5865] "all that had passed as a mere trifle, and quite unworthy of being dwelt"
## [5866] "on,"
## [5867] ""
## [5868] "\"It might be distressing, for the moment,\" said she; \"but you seem to"
## [5869] "have behaved extremely well; and it is over--and may never--can never,"
## [5870] "as a first meeting, occur again, and therefore you need not think about"
## [5871] "it.\""
## [5872] ""
## [5873] "Harriet said, \"very true,\" and she \"would not think about it;\" but still"
## [5874] "she talked of it--still she could talk of nothing else; and Emma, at"
## [5875] "last, in order to put the Martins out of her head, was obliged to hurry"
## [5876] "on the news, which she had meant to give with so much tender caution;"
## [5877] "hardly knowing herself whether to rejoice or be angry, ashamed or only"
## [5878] "amused, at such a state of mind in poor Harriet--such a conclusion of"
## [5879] "Mr. Elton's importance with her!"
## [5880] ""
## [5881] "Mr. Elton's rights, however, gradually revived. Though she did not feel"
## [5882] "the first intelligence as she might have done the day before, or an hour"
## [5883] "before, its interest soon increased; and before their first conversation"
## [5884] "was over, she had talked herself into all the sensations of curiosity,"
## [5885] "wonder and regret, pain and pleasure, as to this fortunate Miss Hawkins,"
## [5886] "which could conduce to place the Martins under proper subordination in"
## [5887] "her fancy."
## [5888] ""
## [5889] "Emma learned to be rather glad that there had been such a meeting. It"
## [5890] "had been serviceable in deadening the first shock, without retaining any"
## [5891] "influence to alarm. As Harriet now lived, the Martins could not get"
## [5892] "at her, without seeking her, where hitherto they had wanted either the"
## [5893] "courage or the condescension to seek her; for since her refusal of the"
## [5894] "brother, the sisters never had been at Mrs. Goddard's; and a twelvemonth"
## [5895] "might pass without their being thrown together again, with any"
## [5896] "necessity, or even any power of speech."
## [5897] ""
## [5898] ""
## [5899] ""
## [5900] "CHAPTER IV"
## [5901] ""
## [5902] ""
## [5903] "Human nature is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting"
## [5904] "situations, that a young person, who either marries or dies, is sure of"
## [5905] "being kindly spoken of."
## [5906] ""
## [5907] "A week had not passed since Miss Hawkins's name was first mentioned in"
## [5908] "Highbury, before she was, by some means or other, discovered to have"
## [5909] "every recommendation of person and mind; to be handsome, elegant, highly"
## [5910] "accomplished, and perfectly amiable: and when Mr. Elton himself arrived"
## [5911] "to triumph in his happy prospects, and circulate the fame of her merits,"
## [5912] "there was very little more for him to do, than to tell her Christian"
## [5913] "name, and say whose music she principally played."
## [5914] ""
## [5915] "Mr. Elton returned, a very happy man. He had gone away rejected and"
## [5916] "mortified--disappointed in a very sanguine hope, after a series of what"
## [5917] "appeared to him strong encouragement; and not only losing the right"
## [5918] "lady, but finding himself debased to the level of a very wrong one. He"
## [5919] "had gone away deeply offended--he came back engaged to another--and"
## [5920] "to another as superior, of course, to the first, as under such"
## [5921] "circumstances what is gained always is to what is lost. He came back gay"
## [5922] "and self-satisfied, eager and busy, caring nothing for Miss Woodhouse,"
## [5923] "and defying Miss Smith."
## [5924] ""
## [5925] "The charming Augusta Hawkins, in addition to all the usual advantages of"
## [5926] "perfect beauty and merit, was in possession of an independent fortune,"
## [5927] "of so many thousands as would always be called ten; a point of some"
## [5928] "dignity, as well as some convenience: the story told well; he had not"
## [5929] "thrown himself away--he had gained a woman of 10,000 l. or thereabouts;"
## [5930] "and he had gained her with such delightful rapidity--the first hour of"
## [5931] "introduction had been so very soon followed by distinguishing notice;"
## [5932] "the history which he had to give Mrs. Cole of the rise and progress"
## [5933] "of the affair was so glorious--the steps so quick, from the accidental"
## [5934] "rencontre, to the dinner at Mr. Green's, and the party at Mrs."
## [5935] "Brown's--smiles and blushes rising in importance--with consciousness and"
## [5936] "agitation richly scattered--the lady had been so easily impressed--so"
## [5937] "sweetly disposed--had in short, to use a most intelligible phrase,"
## [5938] "been so very ready to have him, that vanity and prudence were equally"
## [5939] "contented."
## [5940] ""
## [5941] "He had caught both substance and shadow--both fortune and affection, and"
## [5942] "was just the happy man he ought to be; talking only of himself and"
## [5943] "his own concerns--expecting to be congratulated--ready to be laughed"
## [5944] "at--and, with cordial, fearless smiles, now addressing all the young"
## [5945] "ladies of the place, to whom, a few weeks ago, he would have been more"
## [5946] "cautiously gallant."
## [5947] ""
## [5948] "The wedding was no distant event, as the parties had only themselves to"
## [5949] "please, and nothing but the necessary preparations to wait for; and"
## [5950] "when he set out for Bath again, there was a general expectation, which"
## [5951] "a certain glance of Mrs. Cole's did not seem to contradict, that when he"
## [5952] "next entered Highbury he would bring his bride."
## [5953] ""
## [5954] "During his present short stay, Emma had barely seen him; but just enough"
## [5955] "to feel that the first meeting was over, and to give her the impression"
## [5956] "of his not being improved by the mixture of pique and pretension, now"
## [5957] "spread over his air. She was, in fact, beginning very much to wonder"
## [5958] "that she had ever thought him pleasing at all; and his sight was so"
## [5959] "inseparably connected with some very disagreeable feelings, that,"
## [5960] "except in a moral light, as a penance, a lesson, a source of profitable"
## [5961] "humiliation to her own mind, she would have been thankful to be assured"
## [5962] "of never seeing him again. She wished him very well; but he gave"
## [5963] "her pain, and his welfare twenty miles off would administer most"
## [5964] "satisfaction."
## [5965] ""
## [5966] "The pain of his continued residence in Highbury, however, must"
## [5967] "certainly be lessened by his marriage. Many vain solicitudes would be"
## [5968] "prevented--many awkwardnesses smoothed by it. A _Mrs._ _Elton_ would"
## [5969] "be an excuse for any change of intercourse; former intimacy might sink"
## [5970] "without remark. It would be almost beginning their life of civility"
## [5971] "again."
## [5972] ""
## [5973] "Of the lady, individually, Emma thought very little. She was good enough"
## [5974] "for Mr. Elton, no doubt; accomplished enough for Highbury--handsome"
## [5975] "enough--to look plain, probably, by Harriet's side. As to connexion,"
## [5976] "there Emma was perfectly easy; persuaded, that after all his own vaunted"
## [5977] "claims and disdain of Harriet, he had done nothing. On that article,"
## [5978] "truth seemed attainable. _What_ she was, must be uncertain; but _who_"
## [5979] "she was, might be found out; and setting aside the 10,000 l., it did not"
## [5980] "appear that she was at all Harriet's superior. She brought no name, no"
## [5981] "blood, no alliance. Miss Hawkins was the youngest of the two daughters"
## [5982] "of a Bristol--merchant, of course, he must be called; but, as the whole"
## [5983] "of the profits of his mercantile life appeared so very moderate, it"
## [5984] "was not unfair to guess the dignity of his line of trade had been very"
## [5985] "moderate also. Part of every winter she had been used to spend in Bath;"
## [5986] "but Bristol was her home, the very heart of Bristol; for though the"
## [5987] "father and mother had died some years ago, an uncle remained--in the law"
## [5988] "line--nothing more distinctly honourable was hazarded of him, than"
## [5989] "that he was in the law line; and with him the daughter had lived. Emma"
## [5990] "guessed him to be the drudge of some attorney, and too stupid to rise."
## [5991] "And all the grandeur of the connexion seemed dependent on the elder"
## [5992] "sister, who was _very_ _well_ _married_, to a gentleman in a _great_"
## [5993] "_way_, near Bristol, who kept two carriages! That was the wind-up of the"
## [5994] "history; that was the glory of Miss Hawkins."
## [5995] ""
## [5996] "Could she but have given Harriet her feelings about it all! She had"
## [5997] "talked her into love; but, alas! she was not so easily to be talked out"
## [5998] "of it. The charm of an object to occupy the many vacancies of Harriet's"
## [5999] "mind was not to be talked away. He might be superseded by another; he"
## [6000] "certainly would indeed; nothing could be clearer; even a Robert Martin"
## [6001] "would have been sufficient; but nothing else, she feared, would cure"
## [6002] "her. Harriet was one of those, who, having once begun, would be always"
## [6003] "in love. And now, poor girl! she was considerably worse from this"
## [6004] "reappearance of Mr. Elton. She was always having a glimpse of him"
## [6005] "somewhere or other. Emma saw him only once; but two or three times every"
## [6006] "day Harriet was sure _just_ to meet with him, or _just_ to miss him,"
## [6007] "_just_ to hear his voice, or see his shoulder, _just_ to have something"
## [6008] "occur to preserve him in her fancy, in all the favouring warmth of"
## [6009] "surprize and conjecture. She was, moreover, perpetually hearing about"
## [6010] "him; for, excepting when at Hartfield, she was always among those who"
## [6011] "saw no fault in Mr. Elton, and found nothing so interesting as"
## [6012] "the discussion of his concerns; and every report, therefore, every"
## [6013] "guess--all that had already occurred, all that might occur in the"
## [6014] "arrangement of his affairs, comprehending income, servants, and"
## [6015] "furniture, was continually in agitation around her. Her regard was"
## [6016] "receiving strength by invariable praise of him, and her regrets kept"
## [6017] "alive, and feelings irritated by ceaseless repetitions of Miss"
## [6018] "Hawkins's happiness, and continual observation of, how much he seemed"
## [6019] "attached!--his air as he walked by the house--the very sitting of his"
## [6020] "hat, being all in proof of how much he was in love!"
## [6021] ""
## [6022] "Had it been allowable entertainment, had there been no pain to her"
## [6023] "friend, or reproach to herself, in the waverings of Harriet's mind,"
## [6024] "Emma would have been amused by its variations. Sometimes Mr. Elton"
## [6025] "predominated, sometimes the Martins; and each was occasionally useful"
## [6026] "as a check to the other. Mr. Elton's engagement had been the cure of"
## [6027] "the agitation of meeting Mr. Martin. The unhappiness produced by the"
## [6028] "knowledge of that engagement had been a little put aside by Elizabeth"
## [6029] "Martin's calling at Mrs. Goddard's a few days afterwards. Harriet had"
## [6030] "not been at home; but a note had been prepared and left for her, written"
## [6031] "in the very style to touch; a small mixture of reproach, with a great"
## [6032] "deal of kindness; and till Mr. Elton himself appeared, she had been much"
## [6033] "occupied by it, continually pondering over what could be done in return,"
## [6034] "and wishing to do more than she dared to confess. But Mr. Elton, in"
## [6035] "person, had driven away all such cares. While he staid, the Martins were"
## [6036] "forgotten; and on the very morning of his setting off for Bath again,"
## [6037] "Emma, to dissipate some of the distress it occasioned, judged it best"
## [6038] "for her to return Elizabeth Martin's visit."
## [6039] ""
## [6040] "How that visit was to be acknowledged--what would be necessary--and"
## [6041] "what might be safest, had been a point of some doubtful consideration."
## [6042] "Absolute neglect of the mother and sisters, when invited to come, would"
## [6043] "be ingratitude. It must not be: and yet the danger of a renewal of the"
## [6044] "acquaintance--!"
## [6045] ""
## [6046] "After much thinking, she could determine on nothing better, than"
## [6047] "Harriet's returning the visit; but in a way that, if they had"
## [6048] "understanding, should convince them that it was to be only a formal"
## [6049] "acquaintance. She meant to take her in the carriage, leave her at the"
## [6050] "Abbey Mill, while she drove a little farther, and call for her again"
## [6051] "so soon, as to allow no time for insidious applications or dangerous"
## [6052] "recurrences to the past, and give the most decided proof of what degree"
## [6053] "of intimacy was chosen for the future."
## [6054] ""
## [6055] "She could think of nothing better: and though there was something in it"
## [6056] "which her own heart could not approve--something of ingratitude, merely"
## [6057] "glossed over--it must be done, or what would become of Harriet?"
## [6058] ""
## [6059] ""
## [6060] ""
## [6061] "CHAPTER V"
## [6062] ""
## [6063] ""
## [6064] "Small heart had Harriet for visiting. Only half an hour before her"
## [6065] "friend called for her at Mrs. Goddard's, her evil stars had led her"
## [6066] "to the very spot where, at that moment, a trunk, directed to _The Rev."
## [6067] "Philip Elton, White-Hart, Bath_, was to be seen under the operation of"
## [6068] "being lifted into the butcher's cart, which was to convey it to where"
## [6069] "the coaches past; and every thing in this world, excepting that trunk"
## [6070] "and the direction, was consequently a blank."
## [6071] ""
## [6072] "She went, however; and when they reached the farm, and she was to be"
## [6073] "put down, at the end of the broad, neat gravel walk, which led between"
## [6074] "espalier apple-trees to the front door, the sight of every thing which"
## [6075] "had given her so much pleasure the autumn before, was beginning to"
## [6076] "revive a little local agitation; and when they parted, Emma observed her"
## [6077] "to be looking around with a sort of fearful curiosity, which determined"
## [6078] "her not to allow the visit to exceed the proposed quarter of an hour."
## [6079] "She went on herself, to give that portion of time to an old servant who"
## [6080] "was married, and settled in Donwell."
## [6081] ""
## [6082] "The quarter of an hour brought her punctually to the white gate again;"
## [6083] "and Miss Smith receiving her summons, was with her without delay, and"
## [6084] "unattended by any alarming young man. She came solitarily down the"
## [6085] "gravel walk--a Miss Martin just appearing at the door, and parting with"
## [6086] "her seemingly with ceremonious civility."
## [6087] ""
## [6088] "Harriet could not very soon give an intelligible account. She was"
## [6089] "feeling too much; but at last Emma collected from her enough to"
## [6090] "understand the sort of meeting, and the sort of pain it was creating."
## [6091] "She had seen only Mrs. Martin and the two girls. They had received her"
## [6092] "doubtingly, if not coolly; and nothing beyond the merest commonplace had"
## [6093] "been talked almost all the time--till just at last, when Mrs. Martin's"
## [6094] "saying, all of a sudden, that she thought Miss Smith was grown, had"
## [6095] "brought on a more interesting subject, and a warmer manner. In that very"
## [6096] "room she had been measured last September, with her two friends. There"
## [6097] "were the pencilled marks and memorandums on the wainscot by the window."
## [6098] "_He_ had done it. They all seemed to remember the day, the hour,"
## [6099] "the party, the occasion--to feel the same consciousness, the same"
## [6100] "regrets--to be ready to return to the same good understanding; and they"
## [6101] "were just growing again like themselves, (Harriet, as Emma must suspect,"
## [6102] "as ready as the best of them to be cordial and happy,) when the carriage"
## [6103] "reappeared, and all was over. The style of the visit, and the shortness"
## [6104] "of it, were then felt to be decisive. Fourteen minutes to be given"
## [6105] "to those with whom she had thankfully passed six weeks not six months"
## [6106] "ago!--Emma could not but picture it all, and feel how justly they might"
## [6107] "resent, how naturally Harriet must suffer. It was a bad business. She"
## [6108] "would have given a great deal, or endured a great deal, to have had"
## [6109] "the Martins in a higher rank of life. They were so deserving, that a"
## [6110] "_little_ higher should have been enough: but as it was, how could she"
## [6111] "have done otherwise?--Impossible!--She could not repent. They must be"
## [6112] "separated; but there was a great deal of pain in the process--so much"
## [6113] "to herself at this time, that she soon felt the necessity of a little"
## [6114] "consolation, and resolved on going home by way of Randalls to"
## [6115] "procure it. Her mind was quite sick of Mr. Elton and the Martins. The"
## [6116] "refreshment of Randalls was absolutely necessary."
## [6117] ""
## [6118] "It was a good scheme; but on driving to the door they heard that neither"
## [6119] "\"master nor mistress was at home;\" they had both been out some time; the"
## [6120] "man believed they were gone to Hartfield."
## [6121] ""
## [6122] "\"This is too bad,\" cried Emma, as they turned away. \"And now we shall"
## [6123] "just miss them; too provoking!--I do not know when I have been so"
## [6124] "disappointed.\" And she leaned back in the corner, to indulge her"
## [6125] "murmurs, or to reason them away; probably a little of both--such being"
## [6126] "the commonest process of a not ill-disposed mind. Presently the carriage"
## [6127] "stopt; she looked up; it was stopt by Mr. and Mrs. Weston, who were"
## [6128] "standing to speak to her. There was instant pleasure in the sight of"
## [6129] "them, and still greater pleasure was conveyed in sound--for Mr. Weston"
## [6130] "immediately accosted her with,"
## [6131] ""
## [6132] "\"How d'ye do?--how d'ye do?--We have been sitting with your father--glad"
## [6133] "to see him so well. Frank comes to-morrow--I had a letter this"
## [6134] "morning--we see him to-morrow by dinner-time to a certainty--he is at"
## [6135] "Oxford to-day, and he comes for a whole fortnight; I knew it would be"
## [6136] "so. If he had come at Christmas he could not have staid three days; I"
## [6137] "was always glad he did not come at Christmas; now we are going to have"
## [6138] "just the right weather for him, fine, dry, settled weather. We shall"
## [6139] "enjoy him completely; every thing has turned out exactly as we could"
## [6140] "wish.\""
## [6141] ""
## [6142] "There was no resisting such news, no possibility of avoiding the"
## [6143] "influence of such a happy face as Mr. Weston's, confirmed as it all was"
## [6144] "by the words and the countenance of his wife, fewer and quieter, but not"
## [6145] "less to the purpose. To know that _she_ thought his coming certain was"
## [6146] "enough to make Emma consider it so, and sincerely did she rejoice in"
## [6147] "their joy. It was a most delightful reanimation of exhausted spirits."
## [6148] "The worn-out past was sunk in the freshness of what was coming; and in"
## [6149] "the rapidity of half a moment's thought, she hoped Mr. Elton would now"
## [6150] "be talked of no more."
## [6151] ""
## [6152] "Mr. Weston gave her the history of the engagements at Enscombe, which"
## [6153] "allowed his son to answer for having an entire fortnight at his command,"
## [6154] "as well as the route and the method of his journey; and she listened,"
## [6155] "and smiled, and congratulated."
## [6156] ""
## [6157] "\"I shall soon bring him over to Hartfield,\" said he, at the conclusion."
## [6158] ""
## [6159] "Emma could imagine she saw a touch of the arm at this speech, from his"
## [6160] "wife."
## [6161] ""
## [6162] "\"We had better move on, Mr. Weston,\" said she, \"we are detaining the"
## [6163] "girls.\""
## [6164] ""
## [6165] "\"Well, well, I am ready;\"--and turning again to Emma, \"but you must"
## [6166] "not be expecting such a _very_ fine young man; you have only"
## [6167] "had _my_ account you know; I dare say he is really nothing"
## [6168] "extraordinary:\"--though his own sparkling eyes at the moment were"
## [6169] "speaking a very different conviction."
## [6170] ""
## [6171] "Emma could look perfectly unconscious and innocent, and answer in a"
## [6172] "manner that appropriated nothing."
## [6173] ""
## [6174] "\"Think of me to-morrow, my dear Emma, about four o'clock,\" was Mrs."
## [6175] "Weston's parting injunction; spoken with some anxiety, and meant only"
## [6176] "for her."
## [6177] ""
## [6178] "\"Four o'clock!--depend upon it he will be here by three,\" was Mr."
## [6179] "Weston's quick amendment; and so ended a most satisfactory meeting."
## [6180] "Emma's spirits were mounted quite up to happiness; every thing wore"
## [6181] "a different air; James and his horses seemed not half so sluggish as"
## [6182] "before. When she looked at the hedges, she thought the elder at least"
## [6183] "must soon be coming out; and when she turned round to Harriet, she saw"
## [6184] "something like a look of spring, a tender smile even there."
## [6185] ""
## [6186] "\"Will Mr. Frank Churchill pass through Bath as well as Oxford?\"--was a"
## [6187] "question, however, which did not augur much."
## [6188] ""
## [6189] "But neither geography nor tranquillity could come all at once, and Emma"
## [6190] "was now in a humour to resolve that they should both come in time."
## [6191] ""
## [6192] "The morning of the interesting day arrived, and Mrs. Weston's faithful"
## [6193] "pupil did not forget either at ten, or eleven, or twelve o'clock, that"
## [6194] "she was to think of her at four."
## [6195] ""
## [6196] "\"My dear, dear anxious friend,\"--said she, in mental soliloquy, while"
## [6197] "walking downstairs from her own room, \"always overcareful for every"
## [6198] "body's comfort but your own; I see you now in all your little fidgets,"
## [6199] "going again and again into his room, to be sure that all is right.\""
## [6200] "The clock struck twelve as she passed through the hall. \"'Tis twelve;"
## [6201] "I shall not forget to think of you four hours hence; and by this"
## [6202] "time to-morrow, perhaps, or a little later, I may be thinking of the"
## [6203] "possibility of their all calling here. I am sure they will bring him"
## [6204] "soon.\""
## [6205] ""
## [6206] "She opened the parlour door, and saw two gentlemen sitting with her"
## [6207] "father--Mr. Weston and his son. They had been arrived only a few"
## [6208] "minutes, and Mr. Weston had scarcely finished his explanation of Frank's"
## [6209] "being a day before his time, and her father was yet in the midst of his"
## [6210] "very civil welcome and congratulations, when she appeared, to have her"
## [6211] "share of surprize, introduction, and pleasure."
## [6212] ""
## [6213] "The Frank Churchill so long talked of, so high in interest, was actually"
## [6214] "before her--he was presented to her, and she did not think too much had"
## [6215] "been said in his praise; he was a _very_ good looking young man; height,"
## [6216] "air, address, all were unexceptionable, and his countenance had a great"
## [6217] "deal of the spirit and liveliness of his father's; he looked quick and"
## [6218] "sensible. She felt immediately that she should like him; and there was"
## [6219] "a well-bred ease of manner, and a readiness to talk, which convinced her"
## [6220] "that he came intending to be acquainted with her, and that acquainted"
## [6221] "they soon must be."
## [6222] ""
## [6223] "He had reached Randalls the evening before. She was pleased with the"
## [6224] "eagerness to arrive which had made him alter his plan, and travel"
## [6225] "earlier, later, and quicker, that he might gain half a day."
## [6226] ""
## [6227] "\"I told you yesterday,\" cried Mr. Weston with exultation, \"I told you"
## [6228] "all that he would be here before the time named. I remembered what I"
## [6229] "used to do myself. One cannot creep upon a journey; one cannot help"
## [6230] "getting on faster than one has planned; and the pleasure of coming in"
## [6231] "upon one's friends before the look-out begins, is worth a great deal"
## [6232] "more than any little exertion it needs.\""
## [6233] ""
## [6234] "\"It is a great pleasure where one can indulge in it,\" said the young"
## [6235] "man, \"though there are not many houses that I should presume on so far;"
## [6236] "but in coming _home_ I felt I might do any thing.\""
## [6237] ""
## [6238] "The word _home_ made his father look on him with fresh complacency."
## [6239] "Emma was directly sure that he knew how to make himself agreeable; the"
## [6240] "conviction was strengthened by what followed. He was very much pleased"
## [6241] "with Randalls, thought it a most admirably arranged house, would hardly"
## [6242] "allow it even to be very small, admired the situation, the walk to"
## [6243] "Highbury, Highbury itself, Hartfield still more, and professed himself"
## [6244] "to have always felt the sort of interest in the country which none but"
## [6245] "one's _own_ country gives, and the greatest curiosity to visit it. That"
## [6246] "he should never have been able to indulge so amiable a feeling before,"
## [6247] "passed suspiciously through Emma's brain; but still, if it were a"
## [6248] "falsehood, it was a pleasant one, and pleasantly handled. His manner had"
## [6249] "no air of study or exaggeration. He did really look and speak as if in a"
## [6250] "state of no common enjoyment."
## [6251] ""
## [6252] "Their subjects in general were such as belong to an opening"
## [6253] "acquaintance. On his side were the inquiries,--\"Was she a"
## [6254] "horsewoman?--Pleasant rides?--Pleasant walks?--Had they a large"
## [6255] "neighbourhood?--Highbury, perhaps, afforded society enough?--There were"
## [6256] "several very pretty houses in and about it.--Balls--had they balls?--Was"
## [6257] "it a musical society?\""
## [6258] ""
## [6259] "But when satisfied on all these points, and their acquaintance"
## [6260] "proportionably advanced, he contrived to find an opportunity, while"
## [6261] "their two fathers were engaged with each other, of introducing his"
## [6262] "mother-in-law, and speaking of her with so much handsome praise, so much"
## [6263] "warm admiration, so much gratitude for the happiness she secured to his"
## [6264] "father, and her very kind reception of himself, as was an additional"
## [6265] "proof of his knowing how to please--and of his certainly thinking it"
## [6266] "worth while to try to please her. He did not advance a word of praise"
## [6267] "beyond what she knew to be thoroughly deserved by Mrs. Weston; but,"
## [6268] "undoubtedly he could know very little of the matter. He understood"
## [6269] "what would be welcome; he could be sure of little else. \"His father's"
## [6270] "marriage,\" he said, \"had been the wisest measure, every friend must"
## [6271] "rejoice in it; and the family from whom he had received such a blessing"
## [6272] "must be ever considered as having conferred the highest obligation on"
## [6273] "him.\""
## [6274] ""
## [6275] "He got as near as he could to thanking her for Miss Taylor's merits,"
## [6276] "without seeming quite to forget that in the common course of things it"
## [6277] "was to be rather supposed that Miss Taylor had formed Miss Woodhouse's"
## [6278] "character, than Miss Woodhouse Miss Taylor's. And at last, as if"
## [6279] "resolved to qualify his opinion completely for travelling round to its"
## [6280] "object, he wound it all up with astonishment at the youth and beauty of"
## [6281] "her person."
## [6282] ""
## [6283] "\"Elegant, agreeable manners, I was prepared for,\" said he; \"but I"
## [6284] "confess that, considering every thing, I had not expected more than a"
## [6285] "very tolerably well-looking woman of a certain age; I did not know that"
## [6286] "I was to find a pretty young woman in Mrs. Weston.\""
## [6287] ""
## [6288] "\"You cannot see too much perfection in Mrs. Weston for my feelings,\""
## [6289] "said Emma; \"were you to guess her to be _eighteen_, I should listen with"
## [6290] "pleasure; but _she_ would be ready to quarrel with you for using such"
## [6291] "words. Don't let her imagine that you have spoken of her as a pretty"
## [6292] "young woman.\""
## [6293] ""
## [6294] "\"I hope I should know better,\" he replied; \"no, depend upon it, (with a"
## [6295] "gallant bow,) that in addressing Mrs. Weston I should understand whom"
## [6296] "I might praise without any danger of being thought extravagant in my"
## [6297] "terms.\""
## [6298] ""
## [6299] "Emma wondered whether the same suspicion of what might be expected from"
## [6300] "their knowing each other, which had taken strong possession of her mind,"
## [6301] "had ever crossed his; and whether his compliments were to be considered"
## [6302] "as marks of acquiescence, or proofs of defiance. She must see more"
## [6303] "of him to understand his ways; at present she only felt they were"
## [6304] "agreeable."
## [6305] ""
## [6306] "She had no doubt of what Mr. Weston was often thinking about. His quick"
## [6307] "eye she detected again and again glancing towards them with a happy"
## [6308] "expression; and even, when he might have determined not to look, she was"
## [6309] "confident that he was often listening."
## [6310] ""
## [6311] "Her own father's perfect exemption from any thought of the kind, the"
## [6312] "entire deficiency in him of all such sort of penetration or suspicion,"
## [6313] "was a most comfortable circumstance. Happily he was not farther from"
## [6314] "approving matrimony than from foreseeing it.--Though always objecting"
## [6315] "to every marriage that was arranged, he never suffered beforehand from"
## [6316] "the apprehension of any; it seemed as if he could not think so ill of"
## [6317] "any two persons' understanding as to suppose they meant to marry till it"
## [6318] "were proved against them. She blessed the favouring blindness. He could"
## [6319] "now, without the drawback of a single unpleasant surmise, without a"
## [6320] "glance forward at any possible treachery in his guest, give way to all"
## [6321] "his natural kind-hearted civility in solicitous inquiries after Mr."
## [6322] "Frank Churchill's accommodation on his journey, through the sad evils"
## [6323] "of sleeping two nights on the road, and express very genuine unmixed"
## [6324] "anxiety to know that he had certainly escaped catching cold--which,"
## [6325] "however, he could not allow him to feel quite assured of himself till"
## [6326] "after another night."
## [6327] ""
## [6328] "A reasonable visit paid, Mr. Weston began to move.--\"He must be going."
## [6329] "He had business at the Crown about his hay, and a great many errands for"
## [6330] "Mrs. Weston at Ford's, but he need not hurry any body else.\" His son,"
## [6331] "too well bred to hear the hint, rose immediately also, saying,"
## [6332] ""
## [6333] "\"As you are going farther on business, sir, I will take the opportunity"
## [6334] "of paying a visit, which must be paid some day or other, and therefore"
## [6335] "may as well be paid now. I have the honour of being acquainted with"
## [6336] "a neighbour of yours, (turning to Emma,) a lady residing in or near"
## [6337] "Highbury; a family of the name of Fairfax. I shall have no difficulty,"
## [6338] "I suppose, in finding the house; though Fairfax, I believe, is not"
## [6339] "the proper name--I should rather say Barnes, or Bates. Do you know any"
## [6340] "family of that name?\""
## [6341] ""
## [6342] "\"To be sure we do,\" cried his father; \"Mrs. Bates--we passed her"
## [6343] "house--I saw Miss Bates at the window. True, true, you are acquainted"
## [6344] "with Miss Fairfax; I remember you knew her at Weymouth, and a fine girl"
## [6345] "she is. Call upon her, by all means.\""
## [6346] ""
## [6347] "\"There is no necessity for my calling this morning,\" said the young man;"
## [6348] "\"another day would do as well; but there was that degree of acquaintance"
## [6349] "at Weymouth which--\""
## [6350] ""
## [6351] "\"Oh! go to-day, go to-day. Do not defer it. What is right to be done"
## [6352] "cannot be done too soon. And, besides, I must give you a hint, Frank;"
## [6353] "any want of attention to her _here_ should be carefully avoided. You saw"
## [6354] "her with the Campbells, when she was the equal of every body she mixed"
## [6355] "with, but here she is with a poor old grandmother, who has barely enough"
## [6356] "to live on. If you do not call early it will be a slight.\""
## [6357] ""
## [6358] "The son looked convinced."
## [6359] ""
## [6360] "\"I have heard her speak of the acquaintance,\" said Emma; \"she is a very"
## [6361] "elegant young woman.\""
## [6362] ""
## [6363] "He agreed to it, but with so quiet a \"Yes,\" as inclined her almost to"
## [6364] "doubt his real concurrence; and yet there must be a very distinct sort"
## [6365] "of elegance for the fashionable world, if Jane Fairfax could be thought"
## [6366] "only ordinarily gifted with it."
## [6367] ""
## [6368] "\"If you were never particularly struck by her manners before,\" said she,"
## [6369] "\"I think you will to-day. You will see her to advantage; see her and"
## [6370] "hear her--no, I am afraid you will not hear her at all, for she has an"
## [6371] "aunt who never holds her tongue.\""
## [6372] ""
## [6373] "\"You are acquainted with Miss Jane Fairfax, sir, are you?\" said Mr."
## [6374] "Woodhouse, always the last to make his way in conversation; \"then give"
## [6375] "me leave to assure you that you will find her a very agreeable young"
## [6376] "lady. She is staying here on a visit to her grandmama and aunt, very"
## [6377] "worthy people; I have known them all my life. They will be extremely"
## [6378] "glad to see you, I am sure; and one of my servants shall go with you to"
## [6379] "shew you the way.\""
## [6380] ""
## [6381] "\"My dear sir, upon no account in the world; my father can direct me.\""
## [6382] ""
## [6383] "\"But your father is not going so far; he is only going to the Crown,"
## [6384] "quite on the other side of the street, and there are a great many"
## [6385] "houses; you might be very much at a loss, and it is a very dirty walk,"
## [6386] "unless you keep on the footpath; but my coachman can tell you where you"
## [6387] "had best cross the street.\""
## [6388] ""
## [6389] "Mr. Frank Churchill still declined it, looking as serious as he could,"
## [6390] "and his father gave his hearty support by calling out, \"My good friend,"
## [6391] "this is quite unnecessary; Frank knows a puddle of water when he sees"
## [6392] "it, and as to Mrs. Bates's, he may get there from the Crown in a hop,"
## [6393] "step, and jump.\""
## [6394] ""
## [6395] "They were permitted to go alone; and with a cordial nod from one, and a"
## [6396] "graceful bow from the other, the two gentlemen took leave. Emma remained"
## [6397] "very well pleased with this beginning of the acquaintance, and could now"
## [6398] "engage to think of them all at Randalls any hour of the day, with full"
## [6399] "confidence in their comfort."
## [6400] ""
## [6401] ""
## [6402] ""
## [6403] "CHAPTER VI"
## [6404] ""
## [6405] ""
## [6406] "The next morning brought Mr. Frank Churchill again. He came with Mrs."
## [6407] "Weston, to whom and to Highbury he seemed to take very cordially. He had"
## [6408] "been sitting with her, it appeared, most companionably at home, till"
## [6409] "her usual hour of exercise; and on being desired to chuse their walk,"
## [6410] "immediately fixed on Highbury.--\"He did not doubt there being very"
## [6411] "pleasant walks in every direction, but if left to him, he should always"
## [6412] "chuse the same. Highbury, that airy, cheerful, happy-looking Highbury,"
## [6413] "would be his constant attraction.\"--Highbury, with Mrs. Weston, stood"
## [6414] "for Hartfield; and she trusted to its bearing the same construction with"
## [6415] "him. They walked thither directly."
## [6416] ""
## [6417] "Emma had hardly expected them: for Mr. Weston, who had called in for"
## [6418] "half a minute, in order to hear that his son was very handsome, knew"
## [6419] "nothing of their plans; and it was an agreeable surprize to her,"
## [6420] "therefore, to perceive them walking up to the house together, arm in"
## [6421] "arm. She was wanting to see him again, and especially to see him in"
## [6422] "company with Mrs. Weston, upon his behaviour to whom her opinion of him"
## [6423] "was to depend. If he were deficient there, nothing should make amends"
## [6424] "for it. But on seeing them together, she became perfectly satisfied. It"
## [6425] "was not merely in fine words or hyperbolical compliment that he paid his"
## [6426] "duty; nothing could be more proper or pleasing than his whole manner to"
## [6427] "her--nothing could more agreeably denote his wish of considering her as"
## [6428] "a friend and securing her affection. And there was time enough for Emma"
## [6429] "to form a reasonable judgment, as their visit included all the rest of"
## [6430] "the morning. They were all three walking about together for an hour"
## [6431] "or two--first round the shrubberies of Hartfield, and afterwards"
## [6432] "in Highbury. He was delighted with every thing; admired Hartfield"
## [6433] "sufficiently for Mr. Woodhouse's ear; and when their going farther was"
## [6434] "resolved on, confessed his wish to be made acquainted with the whole"
## [6435] "village, and found matter of commendation and interest much oftener than"
## [6436] "Emma could have supposed."
## [6437] ""
## [6438] "Some of the objects of his curiosity spoke very amiable feelings. He"
## [6439] "begged to be shewn the house which his father had lived in so long, and"
## [6440] "which had been the home of his father's father; and on recollecting that"
## [6441] "an old woman who had nursed him was still living, walked in quest of"
## [6442] "her cottage from one end of the street to the other; and though in"
## [6443] "some points of pursuit or observation there was no positive merit, they"
## [6444] "shewed, altogether, a good-will towards Highbury in general, which must"
## [6445] "be very like a merit to those he was with."
## [6446] ""
## [6447] "Emma watched and decided, that with such feelings as were now shewn, it"
## [6448] "could not be fairly supposed that he had been ever voluntarily absenting"
## [6449] "himself; that he had not been acting a part, or making a parade of"
## [6450] "insincere professions; and that Mr. Knightley certainly had not done him"
## [6451] "justice."
## [6452] ""
## [6453] "Their first pause was at the Crown Inn, an inconsiderable house, though"
## [6454] "the principal one of the sort, where a couple of pair of post-horses"
## [6455] "were kept, more for the convenience of the neighbourhood than from any"
## [6456] "run on the road; and his companions had not expected to be detained by"
## [6457] "any interest excited there; but in passing it they gave the history of"
## [6458] "the large room visibly added; it had been built many years ago for"
## [6459] "a ball-room, and while the neighbourhood had been in a particularly"
## [6460] "populous, dancing state, had been occasionally used as such;--but such"
## [6461] "brilliant days had long passed away, and now the highest purpose for"
## [6462] "which it was ever wanted was to accommodate a whist club established"
## [6463] "among the gentlemen and half-gentlemen of the place. He was immediately"
## [6464] "interested. Its character as a ball-room caught him; and instead of"
## [6465] "passing on, he stopt for several minutes at the two superior sashed"
## [6466] "windows which were open, to look in and contemplate its capabilities,"
## [6467] "and lament that its original purpose should have ceased. He saw no fault"
## [6468] "in the room, he would acknowledge none which they suggested. No, it"
## [6469] "was long enough, broad enough, handsome enough. It would hold the"
## [6470] "very number for comfort. They ought to have balls there at least every"
## [6471] "fortnight through the winter. Why had not Miss Woodhouse revived"
## [6472] "the former good old days of the room?--She who could do any thing in"
## [6473] "Highbury! The want of proper families in the place, and the conviction"
## [6474] "that none beyond the place and its immediate environs could be tempted"
## [6475] "to attend, were mentioned; but he was not satisfied. He could not be"
## [6476] "persuaded that so many good-looking houses as he saw around him, could"
## [6477] "not furnish numbers enough for such a meeting; and even when particulars"
## [6478] "were given and families described, he was still unwilling to admit that"
## [6479] "the inconvenience of such a mixture would be any thing, or that there"
## [6480] "would be the smallest difficulty in every body's returning into their"
## [6481] "proper place the next morning. He argued like a young man very much bent"
## [6482] "on dancing; and Emma was rather surprized to see the constitution of"
## [6483] "the Weston prevail so decidedly against the habits of the Churchills."
## [6484] "He seemed to have all the life and spirit, cheerful feelings, and social"
## [6485] "inclinations of his father, and nothing of the pride or reserve of"
## [6486] "Enscombe. Of pride, indeed, there was, perhaps, scarcely enough; his"
## [6487] "indifference to a confusion of rank, bordered too much on inelegance of"
## [6488] "mind. He could be no judge, however, of the evil he was holding cheap."
## [6489] "It was but an effusion of lively spirits."
## [6490] ""
## [6491] "At last he was persuaded to move on from the front of the Crown;"
## [6492] "and being now almost facing the house where the Bateses lodged, Emma"
## [6493] "recollected his intended visit the day before, and asked him if he had"
## [6494] "paid it."
## [6495] ""
## [6496] "\"Yes, oh! yes\"--he replied; \"I was just going to mention it. A very"
## [6497] "successful visit:--I saw all the three ladies; and felt very much"
## [6498] "obliged to you for your preparatory hint. If the talking aunt had taken"
## [6499] "me quite by surprize, it must have been the death of me. As it was, I"
## [6500] "was only betrayed into paying a most unreasonable visit. Ten minutes"
## [6501] "would have been all that was necessary, perhaps all that was proper; and"
## [6502] "I had told my father I should certainly be at home before him--but there"
## [6503] "was no getting away, no pause; and, to my utter astonishment, I found,"
## [6504] "when he (finding me nowhere else) joined me there at last, that I had"
## [6505] "been actually sitting with them very nearly three-quarters of an hour."
## [6506] "The good lady had not given me the possibility of escape before.\""
## [6507] ""
## [6508] "\"And how did you think Miss Fairfax looking?\""
## [6509] ""
## [6510] "\"Ill, very ill--that is, if a young lady can ever be allowed to look"
## [6511] "ill. But the expression is hardly admissible, Mrs. Weston, is it? Ladies"
## [6512] "can never look ill. And, seriously, Miss Fairfax is naturally so"
## [6513] "pale, as almost always to give the appearance of ill health.--A most"
## [6514] "deplorable want of complexion.\""
## [6515] ""
## [6516] "Emma would not agree to this, and began a warm defence of Miss Fairfax's"
## [6517] "complexion. \"It was certainly never brilliant, but she would not"
## [6518] "allow it to have a sickly hue in general; and there was a softness and"
## [6519] "delicacy in her skin which gave peculiar elegance to the character of"
## [6520] "her face.\" He listened with all due deference; acknowledged that he had"
## [6521] "heard many people say the same--but yet he must confess, that to him"
## [6522] "nothing could make amends for the want of the fine glow of health. Where"
## [6523] "features were indifferent, a fine complexion gave beauty to them all;"
## [6524] "and where they were good, the effect was--fortunately he need not"
## [6525] "attempt to describe what the effect was."
## [6526] ""
## [6527] "\"Well,\" said Emma, \"there is no disputing about taste.--At least you"
## [6528] "admire her except her complexion.\""
## [6529] ""
## [6530] "He shook his head and laughed.--\"I cannot separate Miss Fairfax and her"
## [6531] "complexion.\""
## [6532] ""
## [6533] "\"Did you see her often at Weymouth? Were you often in the same society?\""
## [6534] ""
## [6535] "At this moment they were approaching Ford's, and he hastily exclaimed,"
## [6536] "\"Ha! this must be the very shop that every body attends every day of"
## [6537] "their lives, as my father informs me. He comes to Highbury himself, he"
## [6538] "says, six days out of the seven, and has always business at Ford's."
## [6539] "If it be not inconvenient to you, pray let us go in, that I may prove"
## [6540] "myself to belong to the place, to be a true citizen of Highbury. I must"
## [6541] "buy something at Ford's. It will be taking out my freedom.--I dare say"
## [6542] "they sell gloves.\""
## [6543] ""
## [6544] "\"Oh! yes, gloves and every thing. I do admire your patriotism. You will"
## [6545] "be adored in Highbury. You were very popular before you came, because"
## [6546] "you were Mr. Weston's son--but lay out half a guinea at Ford's, and your"
## [6547] "popularity will stand upon your own virtues.\""
## [6548] ""
## [6549] "They went in; and while the sleek, well-tied parcels of \"Men's Beavers\""
## [6550] "and \"York Tan\" were bringing down and displaying on the counter, he"
## [6551] "said--\"But I beg your pardon, Miss Woodhouse, you were speaking to me,"
## [6552] "you were saying something at the very moment of this burst of my _amor_"
## [6553] "_patriae_. Do not let me lose it. I assure you the utmost stretch of"
## [6554] "public fame would not make me amends for the loss of any happiness in"
## [6555] "private life.\""
## [6556] ""
## [6557] "\"I merely asked, whether you had known much of Miss Fairfax and her"
## [6558] "party at Weymouth.\""
## [6559] ""
## [6560] "\"And now that I understand your question, I must pronounce it to be a"
## [6561] "very unfair one. It is always the lady's right to decide on the degree"
## [6562] "of acquaintance. Miss Fairfax must already have given her account.--I"
## [6563] "shall not commit myself by claiming more than she may chuse to allow.\""
## [6564] ""
## [6565] "\"Upon my word! you answer as discreetly as she could do herself. But"
## [6566] "her account of every thing leaves so much to be guessed, she is so very"
## [6567] "reserved, so very unwilling to give the least information about any"
## [6568] "body, that I really think you may say what you like of your acquaintance"
## [6569] "with her.\""
## [6570] ""
## [6571] "\"May I, indeed?--Then I will speak the truth, and nothing suits me so"
## [6572] "well. I met her frequently at Weymouth. I had known the Campbells a"
## [6573] "little in town; and at Weymouth we were very much in the same set."
## [6574] "Colonel Campbell is a very agreeable man, and Mrs. Campbell a friendly,"
## [6575] "warm-hearted woman. I like them all.\""
## [6576] ""
## [6577] "\"You know Miss Fairfax's situation in life, I conclude; what she is"
## [6578] "destined to be?\""
## [6579] ""
## [6580] "\"Yes--(rather hesitatingly)--I believe I do.\""
## [6581] ""
## [6582] "\"You get upon delicate subjects, Emma,\" said Mrs. Weston smiling;"
## [6583] "\"remember that I am here.--Mr. Frank Churchill hardly knows what to say"
## [6584] "when you speak of Miss Fairfax's situation in life. I will move a little"
## [6585] "farther off.\""
## [6586] ""
## [6587] "\"I certainly do forget to think of _her_,\" said Emma, \"as having ever"
## [6588] "been any thing but my friend and my dearest friend.\""
## [6589] ""
## [6590] "He looked as if he fully understood and honoured such a sentiment."
## [6591] ""
## [6592] "When the gloves were bought, and they had quitted the shop again, \"Did"
## [6593] "you ever hear the young lady we were speaking of, play?\" said Frank"
## [6594] "Churchill."
## [6595] ""
## [6596] "\"Ever hear her!\" repeated Emma. \"You forget how much she belongs to"
## [6597] "Highbury. I have heard her every year of our lives since we both began."
## [6598] "She plays charmingly.\""
## [6599] ""
## [6600] "\"You think so, do you?--I wanted the opinion of some one who"
## [6601] "could really judge. She appeared to me to play well, that is, with"
## [6602] "considerable taste, but I know nothing of the matter myself.--I am"
## [6603] "excessively fond of music, but without the smallest skill or right"
## [6604] "of judging of any body's performance.--I have been used to hear her's"
## [6605] "admired; and I remember one proof of her being thought to play well:--a"
## [6606] "man, a very musical man, and in love with another woman--engaged to"
## [6607] "her--on the point of marriage--would yet never ask that other woman"
## [6608] "to sit down to the instrument, if the lady in question could sit down"
## [6609] "instead--never seemed to like to hear one if he could hear the other."
## [6610] "That, I thought, in a man of known musical talent, was some proof.\""
## [6611] ""
## [6612] "\"Proof indeed!\" said Emma, highly amused.--\"Mr. Dixon is very musical,"
## [6613] "is he? We shall know more about them all, in half an hour, from you,"
## [6614] "than Miss Fairfax would have vouchsafed in half a year.\""
## [6615] ""
## [6616] "\"Yes, Mr. Dixon and Miss Campbell were the persons; and I thought it a"
## [6617] "very strong proof.\""
## [6618] ""
## [6619] "\"Certainly--very strong it was; to own the truth, a great deal stronger"
## [6620] "than, if _I_ had been Miss Campbell, would have been at all agreeable"
## [6621] "to me. I could not excuse a man's having more music than love--more ear"
## [6622] "than eye--a more acute sensibility to fine sounds than to my feelings."
## [6623] "How did Miss Campbell appear to like it?\""
## [6624] ""
## [6625] "\"It was her very particular friend, you know.\""
## [6626] ""
## [6627] "\"Poor comfort!\" said Emma, laughing. \"One would rather have a stranger"
## [6628] "preferred than one's very particular friend--with a stranger it might"
## [6629] "not recur again--but the misery of having a very particular friend"
## [6630] "always at hand, to do every thing better than one does oneself!--Poor"
## [6631] "Mrs. Dixon! Well, I am glad she is gone to settle in Ireland.\""
## [6632] ""
## [6633] "\"You are right. It was not very flattering to Miss Campbell; but she"
## [6634] "really did not seem to feel it.\""
## [6635] ""
## [6636] "\"So much the better--or so much the worse:--I do not know which. But"
## [6637] "be it sweetness or be it stupidity in her--quickness of friendship, or"
## [6638] "dulness of feeling--there was one person, I think, who must have felt"
## [6639] "it: Miss Fairfax herself. She must have felt the improper and dangerous"
## [6640] "distinction.\""
## [6641] ""
## [6642] "\"As to that--I do not--\""
## [6643] ""
## [6644] "\"Oh! do not imagine that I expect an account of Miss Fairfax's"
## [6645] "sensations from you, or from any body else. They are known to no human"
## [6646] "being, I guess, but herself. But if she continued to play whenever she"
## [6647] "was asked by Mr. Dixon, one may guess what one chuses.\""
## [6648] ""
## [6649] "\"There appeared such a perfectly good understanding among them all--\""
## [6650] "he began rather quickly, but checking himself, added, \"however, it is"
## [6651] "impossible for me to say on what terms they really were--how it might"
## [6652] "all be behind the scenes. I can only say that there was smoothness"
## [6653] "outwardly. But you, who have known Miss Fairfax from a child, must be"
## [6654] "a better judge of her character, and of how she is likely to conduct"
## [6655] "herself in critical situations, than I can be.\""
## [6656] ""
## [6657] "\"I have known her from a child, undoubtedly; we have been children"
## [6658] "and women together; and it is natural to suppose that we should be"
## [6659] "intimate,--that we should have taken to each other whenever she visited"
## [6660] "her friends. But we never did. I hardly know how it has happened; a"
## [6661] "little, perhaps, from that wickedness on my side which was prone to take"
## [6662] "disgust towards a girl so idolized and so cried up as she always was,"
## [6663] "by her aunt and grandmother, and all their set. And then, her reserve--I"
## [6664] "never could attach myself to any one so completely reserved.\""
## [6665] ""
## [6666] "\"It is a most repulsive quality, indeed,\" said he. \"Oftentimes very"
## [6667] "convenient, no doubt, but never pleasing. There is safety in reserve,"
## [6668] "but no attraction. One cannot love a reserved person.\""
## [6669] ""
## [6670] "\"Not till the reserve ceases towards oneself; and then the attraction"
## [6671] "may be the greater. But I must be more in want of a friend, or an"
## [6672] "agreeable companion, than I have yet been, to take the trouble of"
## [6673] "conquering any body's reserve to procure one. Intimacy between Miss"
## [6674] "Fairfax and me is quite out of the question. I have no reason to think"
## [6675] "ill of her--not the least--except that such extreme and perpetual"
## [6676] "cautiousness of word and manner, such a dread of giving a distinct idea"
## [6677] "about any body, is apt to suggest suspicions of there being something to"
## [6678] "conceal.\""
## [6679] ""
## [6680] "He perfectly agreed with her: and after walking together so long, and"
## [6681] "thinking so much alike, Emma felt herself so well acquainted with him,"
## [6682] "that she could hardly believe it to be only their second meeting. He was"
## [6683] "not exactly what she had expected; less of the man of the world in some"
## [6684] "of his notions, less of the spoiled child of fortune, therefore better"
## [6685] "than she had expected. His ideas seemed more moderate--his feelings"
## [6686] "warmer. She was particularly struck by his manner of considering Mr."
## [6687] "Elton's house, which, as well as the church, he would go and look at,"
## [6688] "and would not join them in finding much fault with. No, he could not"
## [6689] "believe it a bad house; not such a house as a man was to be pitied for"
## [6690] "having. If it were to be shared with the woman he loved, he could not"
## [6691] "think any man to be pitied for having that house. There must be ample"
## [6692] "room in it for every real comfort. The man must be a blockhead who"
## [6693] "wanted more."
## [6694] ""
## [6695] "Mrs. Weston laughed, and said he did not know what he was talking about."
## [6696] "Used only to a large house himself, and without ever thinking how many"
## [6697] "advantages and accommodations were attached to its size, he could be no"
## [6698] "judge of the privations inevitably belonging to a small one. But Emma,"
## [6699] "in her own mind, determined that he _did_ know what he was talking"
## [6700] "about, and that he shewed a very amiable inclination to settle early in"
## [6701] "life, and to marry, from worthy motives. He might not be aware of the"
## [6702] "inroads on domestic peace to be occasioned by no housekeeper's room, or"
## [6703] "a bad butler's pantry, but no doubt he did perfectly feel that Enscombe"
## [6704] "could not make him happy, and that whenever he were attached, he would"
## [6705] "willingly give up much of wealth to be allowed an early establishment."
## [6706] ""
## [6707] ""
## [6708] ""
## [6709] "CHAPTER VII"
## [6710] ""
## [6711] ""
## [6712] "Emma's very good opinion of Frank Churchill was a little shaken the"
## [6713] "following day, by hearing that he was gone off to London, merely to have"
## [6714] "his hair cut. A sudden freak seemed to have seized him at breakfast, and"
## [6715] "he had sent for a chaise and set off, intending to return to dinner,"
## [6716] "but with no more important view that appeared than having his hair cut."
## [6717] "There was certainly no harm in his travelling sixteen miles twice over"
## [6718] "on such an errand; but there was an air of foppery and nonsense in it"
## [6719] "which she could not approve. It did not accord with the rationality of"
## [6720] "plan, the moderation in expense, or even the unselfish warmth of heart,"
## [6721] "which she had believed herself to discern in him yesterday. Vanity,"
## [6722] "extravagance, love of change, restlessness of temper, which must be"
## [6723] "doing something, good or bad; heedlessness as to the pleasure of his"
## [6724] "father and Mrs. Weston, indifferent as to how his conduct might appear"
## [6725] "in general; he became liable to all these charges. His father only"
## [6726] "called him a coxcomb, and thought it a very good story; but that Mrs."
## [6727] "Weston did not like it, was clear enough, by her passing it over as"
## [6728] "quickly as possible, and making no other comment than that \"all young"
## [6729] "people would have their little whims.\""
## [6730] ""
## [6731] "With the exception of this little blot, Emma found that his visit"
## [6732] "hitherto had given her friend only good ideas of him. Mrs. Weston"
## [6733] "was very ready to say how attentive and pleasant a companion he made"
## [6734] "himself--how much she saw to like in his disposition altogether. He"
## [6735] "appeared to have a very open temper--certainly a very cheerful and"
## [6736] "lively one; she could observe nothing wrong in his notions, a great deal"
## [6737] "decidedly right; he spoke of his uncle with warm regard, was fond of"
## [6738] "talking of him--said he would be the best man in the world if he were"
## [6739] "left to himself; and though there was no being attached to the aunt, he"
## [6740] "acknowledged her kindness with gratitude, and seemed to mean always to"
## [6741] "speak of her with respect. This was all very promising; and, but for"
## [6742] "such an unfortunate fancy for having his hair cut, there was nothing to"
## [6743] "denote him unworthy of the distinguished honour which her imagination"
## [6744] "had given him; the honour, if not of being really in love with her,"
## [6745] "of being at least very near it, and saved only by her own"
## [6746] "indifference--(for still her resolution held of never marrying)--the"
## [6747] "honour, in short, of being marked out for her by all their joint"
## [6748] "acquaintance."
## [6749] ""
## [6750] "Mr. Weston, on his side, added a virtue to the account which must"
## [6751] "have some weight. He gave her to understand that Frank admired her"
## [6752] "extremely--thought her very beautiful and very charming; and with so"
## [6753] "much to be said for him altogether, she found she must not judge him"
## [6754] "harshly. As Mrs. Weston observed, \"all young people would have their"
## [6755] "little whims.\""
## [6756] ""
## [6757] "There was one person among his new acquaintance in Surry, not so"
## [6758] "leniently disposed. In general he was judged, throughout the parishes of"
## [6759] "Donwell and Highbury, with great candour; liberal allowances were made"
## [6760] "for the little excesses of such a handsome young man--one who smiled so"
## [6761] "often and bowed so well; but there was one spirit among them not to be"
## [6762] "softened, from its power of censure, by bows or smiles--Mr. Knightley."
## [6763] "The circumstance was told him at Hartfield; for the moment, he was"
## [6764] "silent; but Emma heard him almost immediately afterwards say to himself,"
## [6765] "over a newspaper he held in his hand, \"Hum! just the trifling, silly"
## [6766] "fellow I took him for.\" She had half a mind to resent; but an instant's"
## [6767] "observation convinced her that it was really said only to relieve his"
## [6768] "own feelings, and not meant to provoke; and therefore she let it pass."
## [6769] ""
## [6770] "Although in one instance the bearers of not good tidings, Mr. and"
## [6771] "Mrs. Weston's visit this morning was in another respect particularly"
## [6772] "opportune. Something occurred while they were at Hartfield, to make Emma"
## [6773] "want their advice; and, which was still more lucky, she wanted exactly"
## [6774] "the advice they gave."
## [6775] ""
## [6776] "This was the occurrence:--The Coles had been settled some years in"
## [6777] "Highbury, and were very good sort of people--friendly, liberal, and"
## [6778] "unpretending; but, on the other hand, they were of low origin, in trade,"
## [6779] "and only moderately genteel. On their first coming into the country,"
## [6780] "they had lived in proportion to their income, quietly, keeping little"
## [6781] "company, and that little unexpensively; but the last year or two had"
## [6782] "brought them a considerable increase of means--the house in town had"
## [6783] "yielded greater profits, and fortune in general had smiled on them. With"
## [6784] "their wealth, their views increased; their want of a larger house, their"
## [6785] "inclination for more company. They added to their house, to their number"
## [6786] "of servants, to their expenses of every sort; and by this time were,"
## [6787] "in fortune and style of living, second only to the family at Hartfield."
## [6788] "Their love of society, and their new dining-room, prepared every body"
## [6789] "for their keeping dinner-company; and a few parties, chiefly among the"
## [6790] "single men, had already taken place. The regular and best families Emma"
## [6791] "could hardly suppose they would presume to invite--neither Donwell, nor"
## [6792] "Hartfield, nor Randalls. Nothing should tempt _her_ to go, if they did;"
## [6793] "and she regretted that her father's known habits would be giving"
## [6794] "her refusal less meaning than she could wish. The Coles were very"
## [6795] "respectable in their way, but they ought to be taught that it was not"
## [6796] "for them to arrange the terms on which the superior families would visit"
## [6797] "them. This lesson, she very much feared, they would receive only from"
## [6798] "herself; she had little hope of Mr. Knightley, none of Mr. Weston."
## [6799] ""
## [6800] "But she had made up her mind how to meet this presumption so many weeks"
## [6801] "before it appeared, that when the insult came at last, it found her"
## [6802] "very differently affected. Donwell and Randalls had received their"
## [6803] "invitation, and none had come for her father and herself; and Mrs."
## [6804] "Weston's accounting for it with \"I suppose they will not take the"
## [6805] "liberty with you; they know you do not dine out,\" was not quite"
## [6806] "sufficient. She felt that she should like to have had the power of"
## [6807] "refusal; and afterwards, as the idea of the party to be assembled there,"
## [6808] "consisting precisely of those whose society was dearest to her, occurred"
## [6809] "again and again, she did not know that she might not have been tempted"
## [6810] "to accept. Harriet was to be there in the evening, and the Bateses. They"
## [6811] "had been speaking of it as they walked about Highbury the day before,"
## [6812] "and Frank Churchill had most earnestly lamented her absence. Might"
## [6813] "not the evening end in a dance? had been a question of his. The bare"
## [6814] "possibility of it acted as a farther irritation on her spirits; and"
## [6815] "her being left in solitary grandeur, even supposing the omission to be"
## [6816] "intended as a compliment, was but poor comfort."
## [6817] ""
## [6818] "It was the arrival of this very invitation while the Westons were at"
## [6819] "Hartfield, which made their presence so acceptable; for though her first"
## [6820] "remark, on reading it, was that \"of course it must be declined,\" she so"
## [6821] "very soon proceeded to ask them what they advised her to do, that their"
## [6822] "advice for her going was most prompt and successful."
## [6823] ""
## [6824] "She owned that, considering every thing, she was not absolutely"
## [6825] "without inclination for the party. The Coles expressed themselves so"
## [6826] "properly--there was so much real attention in the manner of it--so much"
## [6827] "consideration for her father. \"They would have solicited the honour"
## [6828] "earlier, but had been waiting the arrival of a folding-screen from"
## [6829] "London, which they hoped might keep Mr. Woodhouse from any draught of"
## [6830] "air, and therefore induce him the more readily to give them the honour"
## [6831] "of his company.\" Upon the whole, she was very persuadable; and it being"
## [6832] "briefly settled among themselves how it might be done without neglecting"
## [6833] "his comfort--how certainly Mrs. Goddard, if not Mrs. Bates, might be"
## [6834] "depended on for bearing him company--Mr. Woodhouse was to be talked"
## [6835] "into an acquiescence of his daughter's going out to dinner on a day now"
## [6836] "near at hand, and spending the whole evening away from him. As for _his_"
## [6837] "going, Emma did not wish him to think it possible, the hours would be"
## [6838] "too late, and the party too numerous. He was soon pretty well resigned."
## [6839] ""
## [6840] "\"I am not fond of dinner-visiting,\" said he--\"I never was. No more is"
## [6841] "Emma. Late hours do not agree with us. I am sorry Mr. and Mrs. Cole"
## [6842] "should have done it. I think it would be much better if they would come"
## [6843] "in one afternoon next summer, and take their tea with us--take us"
## [6844] "in their afternoon walk; which they might do, as our hours are so"
## [6845] "reasonable, and yet get home without being out in the damp of the"
## [6846] "evening. The dews of a summer evening are what I would not expose any"
## [6847] "body to. However, as they are so very desirous to have dear Emma dine"
## [6848] "with them, and as you will both be there, and Mr. Knightley too, to take"
## [6849] "care of her, I cannot wish to prevent it, provided the weather be what"
## [6850] "it ought, neither damp, nor cold, nor windy.\" Then turning to Mrs."
## [6851] "Weston, with a look of gentle reproach--\"Ah! Miss Taylor, if you had not"
## [6852] "married, you would have staid at home with me.\""
## [6853] ""
## [6854] "\"Well, sir,\" cried Mr. Weston, \"as I took Miss Taylor away, it is"
## [6855] "incumbent on me to supply her place, if I can; and I will step to Mrs."
## [6856] "Goddard in a moment, if you wish it.\""
## [6857] ""
## [6858] "But the idea of any thing to be done in a _moment_, was increasing,"
## [6859] "not lessening, Mr. Woodhouse's agitation. The ladies knew better how"
## [6860] "to allay it. Mr. Weston must be quiet, and every thing deliberately"
## [6861] "arranged."
## [6862] ""
## [6863] "With this treatment, Mr. Woodhouse was soon composed enough for talking"
## [6864] "as usual. \"He should be happy to see Mrs. Goddard. He had a great regard"
## [6865] "for Mrs. Goddard; and Emma should write a line, and invite her. James"
## [6866] "could take the note. But first of all, there must be an answer written"
## [6867] "to Mrs. Cole.\""
## [6868] ""
## [6869] "\"You will make my excuses, my dear, as civilly as possible. You will say"
## [6870] "that I am quite an invalid, and go no where, and therefore must decline"
## [6871] "their obliging invitation; beginning with my _compliments_, of course."
## [6872] "But you will do every thing right. I need not tell you what is to be"
## [6873] "done. We must remember to let James know that the carriage will be"
## [6874] "wanted on Tuesday. I shall have no fears for you with him. We have never"
## [6875] "been there above once since the new approach was made; but still I have"
## [6876] "no doubt that James will take you very safely. And when you get there,"
## [6877] "you must tell him at what time you would have him come for you again;"
## [6878] "and you had better name an early hour. You will not like staying late."
## [6879] "You will get very tired when tea is over.\""
## [6880] ""
## [6881] "\"But you would not wish me to come away before I am tired, papa?\""
## [6882] ""
## [6883] "\"Oh! no, my love; but you will soon be tired. There will be a great many"
## [6884] "people talking at once. You will not like the noise.\""
## [6885] ""
## [6886] "\"But, my dear sir,\" cried Mr. Weston, \"if Emma comes away early, it will"
## [6887] "be breaking up the party.\""
## [6888] ""
## [6889] "\"And no great harm if it does,\" said Mr. Woodhouse. \"The sooner every"
## [6890] "party breaks up, the better.\""
## [6891] ""
## [6892] "\"But you do not consider how it may appear to the Coles. Emma's going"
## [6893] "away directly after tea might be giving offence. They are good-natured"
## [6894] "people, and think little of their own claims; but still they must"
## [6895] "feel that any body's hurrying away is no great compliment; and Miss"
## [6896] "Woodhouse's doing it would be more thought of than any other person's in"
## [6897] "the room. You would not wish to disappoint and mortify the Coles, I am"
## [6898] "sure, sir; friendly, good sort of people as ever lived, and who have"
## [6899] "been your neighbours these _ten_ years.\""
## [6900] ""
## [6901] "\"No, upon no account in the world, Mr. Weston; I am much obliged to"
## [6902] "you for reminding me. I should be extremely sorry to be giving them any"
## [6903] "pain. I know what worthy people they are. Perry tells me that Mr. Cole"
## [6904] "never touches malt liquor. You would not think it to look at him, but"
## [6905] "he is bilious--Mr. Cole is very bilious. No, I would not be the means"
## [6906] "of giving them any pain. My dear Emma, we must consider this. I am sure,"
## [6907] "rather than run the risk of hurting Mr. and Mrs. Cole, you would stay a"
## [6908] "little longer than you might wish. You will not regard being tired. You"
## [6909] "will be perfectly safe, you know, among your friends.\""
## [6910] ""
## [6911] "\"Oh yes, papa. I have no fears at all for myself; and I should have no"
## [6912] "scruples of staying as late as Mrs. Weston, but on your account. I am"
## [6913] "only afraid of your sitting up for me. I am not afraid of your not being"
## [6914] "exceedingly comfortable with Mrs. Goddard. She loves piquet, you"
## [6915] "know; but when she is gone home, I am afraid you will be sitting up by"
## [6916] "yourself, instead of going to bed at your usual time--and the idea of"
## [6917] "that would entirely destroy my comfort. You must promise me not to sit"
## [6918] "up.\""
## [6919] ""
## [6920] "He did, on the condition of some promises on her side: such as that,"
## [6921] "if she came home cold, she would be sure to warm herself thoroughly; if"
## [6922] "hungry, that she would take something to eat; that her own maid should"
## [6923] "sit up for her; and that Serle and the butler should see that every"
## [6924] "thing were safe in the house, as usual."
## [6925] ""
## [6926] ""
## [6927] ""
## [6928] "CHAPTER VIII"
## [6929] ""
## [6930] ""
## [6931] "Frank Churchill came back again; and if he kept his father's dinner"
## [6932] "waiting, it was not known at Hartfield; for Mrs. Weston was too anxious"
## [6933] "for his being a favourite with Mr. Woodhouse, to betray any imperfection"
## [6934] "which could be concealed."
## [6935] ""
## [6936] "He came back, had had his hair cut, and laughed at himself with a very"
## [6937] "good grace, but without seeming really at all ashamed of what he had"
## [6938] "done. He had no reason to wish his hair longer, to conceal any confusion"
## [6939] "of face; no reason to wish the money unspent, to improve his spirits."
## [6940] "He was quite as undaunted and as lively as ever; and, after seeing him,"
## [6941] "Emma thus moralised to herself:--"
## [6942] ""
## [6943] "\"I do not know whether it ought to be so, but certainly silly things"
## [6944] "do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent"
## [6945] "way. Wickedness is always wickedness, but folly is not always folly.--It"
## [6946] "depends upon the character of those who handle it. Mr. Knightley, he is"
## [6947] "_not_ a trifling, silly young man. If he were, he would have done this"
## [6948] "differently. He would either have gloried in the achievement, or"
## [6949] "been ashamed of it. There would have been either the ostentation of"
## [6950] "a coxcomb, or the evasions of a mind too weak to defend its own"
## [6951] "vanities.--No, I am perfectly sure that he is not trifling or silly.\""
## [6952] ""
## [6953] "With Tuesday came the agreeable prospect of seeing him again, and for"
## [6954] "a longer time than hitherto; of judging of his general manners, and by"
## [6955] "inference, of the meaning of his manners towards herself; of guessing"
## [6956] "how soon it might be necessary for her to throw coldness into her air;"
## [6957] "and of fancying what the observations of all those might be, who were"
## [6958] "now seeing them together for the first time."
## [6959] ""
## [6960] "She meant to be very happy, in spite of the scene being laid at Mr."
## [6961] "Cole's; and without being able to forget that among the failings of Mr."
## [6962] "Elton, even in the days of his favour, none had disturbed her more than"
## [6963] "his propensity to dine with Mr. Cole."
## [6964] ""
## [6965] "Her father's comfort was amply secured, Mrs. Bates as well as Mrs."
## [6966] "Goddard being able to come; and her last pleasing duty, before she left"
## [6967] "the house, was to pay her respects to them as they sat together after"
## [6968] "dinner; and while her father was fondly noticing the beauty of her"
## [6969] "dress, to make the two ladies all the amends in her power, by helping"
## [6970] "them to large slices of cake and full glasses of wine, for whatever"
## [6971] "unwilling self-denial his care of their constitution might have obliged"
## [6972] "them to practise during the meal.--She had provided a plentiful dinner"
## [6973] "for them; she wished she could know that they had been allowed to eat"
## [6974] "it."
## [6975] ""
## [6976] "She followed another carriage to Mr. Cole's door; and was pleased to see"
## [6977] "that it was Mr. Knightley's; for Mr. Knightley keeping no horses,"
## [6978] "having little spare money and a great deal of health, activity, and"
## [6979] "independence, was too apt, in Emma's opinion, to get about as he could,"
## [6980] "and not use his carriage so often as became the owner of Donwell Abbey."
## [6981] "She had an opportunity now of speaking her approbation while warm from"
## [6982] "her heart, for he stopped to hand her out."
## [6983] ""
## [6984] "\"This is coming as you should do,\" said she; \"like a gentleman.--I am"
## [6985] "quite glad to see you.\""
## [6986] ""
## [6987] "He thanked her, observing, \"How lucky that we should arrive at the same"
## [6988] "moment! for, if we had met first in the drawing-room, I doubt whether"
## [6989] "you would have discerned me to be more of a gentleman than usual.--You"
## [6990] "might not have distinguished how I came, by my look or manner.\""
## [6991] ""
## [6992] "\"Yes I should, I am sure I should. There is always a look of"
## [6993] "consciousness or bustle when people come in a way which they know to be"
## [6994] "beneath them. You think you carry it off very well, I dare say, but"
## [6995] "with you it is a sort of bravado, an air of affected unconcern; I always"
## [6996] "observe it whenever I meet you under those circumstances. _Now_ you have"
## [6997] "nothing to try for. You are not afraid of being supposed ashamed. You"
## [6998] "are not striving to look taller than any body else. _Now_ I shall really"
## [6999] "be very happy to walk into the same room with you.\""
## [7000] ""
## [7001] "\"Nonsensical girl!\" was his reply, but not at all in anger."
## [7002] ""
## [7003] "Emma had as much reason to be satisfied with the rest of the party as"
## [7004] "with Mr. Knightley. She was received with a cordial respect which could"
## [7005] "not but please, and given all the consequence she could wish for."
## [7006] "When the Westons arrived, the kindest looks of love, the strongest of"
## [7007] "admiration were for her, from both husband and wife; the son approached"
## [7008] "her with a cheerful eagerness which marked her as his peculiar object,"
## [7009] "and at dinner she found him seated by her--and, as she firmly believed,"
## [7010] "not without some dexterity on his side."
## [7011] ""
## [7012] "The party was rather large, as it included one other family, a proper"
## [7013] "unobjectionable country family, whom the Coles had the advantage of"
## [7014] "naming among their acquaintance, and the male part of Mr. Cox's family,"
## [7015] "the lawyer of Highbury. The less worthy females were to come in the"
## [7016] "evening, with Miss Bates, Miss Fairfax, and Miss Smith; but already,"
## [7017] "at dinner, they were too numerous for any subject of conversation to be"
## [7018] "general; and, while politics and Mr. Elton were talked over, Emma could"
## [7019] "fairly surrender all her attention to the pleasantness of her neighbour."
## [7020] "The first remote sound to which she felt herself obliged to attend, was"
## [7021] "the name of Jane Fairfax. Mrs. Cole seemed to be relating something of"
## [7022] "her that was expected to be very interesting. She listened, and found"
## [7023] "it well worth listening to. That very dear part of Emma, her fancy,"
## [7024] "received an amusing supply. Mrs. Cole was telling that she had been"
## [7025] "calling on Miss Bates, and as soon as she entered the room had"
## [7026] "been struck by the sight of a pianoforte--a very elegant looking"
## [7027] "instrument--not a grand, but a large-sized square pianoforte; and the"
## [7028] "substance of the story, the end of all the dialogue which ensued of"
## [7029] "surprize, and inquiry, and congratulations on her side, and explanations"
## [7030] "on Miss Bates's, was, that this pianoforte had arrived from"
## [7031] "Broadwood's the day before, to the great astonishment of both aunt and"
## [7032] "niece--entirely unexpected; that at first, by Miss Bates's account,"
## [7033] "Jane herself was quite at a loss, quite bewildered to think who could"
## [7034] "possibly have ordered it--but now, they were both perfectly satisfied"
## [7035] "that it could be from only one quarter;--of course it must be from"
## [7036] "Colonel Campbell."
## [7037] ""
## [7038] "\"One can suppose nothing else,\" added Mrs. Cole, \"and I was only"
## [7039] "surprized that there could ever have been a doubt. But Jane, it seems,"
## [7040] "had a letter from them very lately, and not a word was said about it."
## [7041] "She knows their ways best; but I should not consider their silence as"
## [7042] "any reason for their not meaning to make the present. They might chuse"
## [7043] "to surprize her.\""
## [7044] ""
## [7045] "Mrs. Cole had many to agree with her; every body who spoke on the"
## [7046] "subject was equally convinced that it must come from Colonel Campbell,"
## [7047] "and equally rejoiced that such a present had been made; and there were"
## [7048] "enough ready to speak to allow Emma to think her own way, and still"
## [7049] "listen to Mrs. Cole."
## [7050] ""
## [7051] "\"I declare, I do not know when I have heard any thing that has given me"
## [7052] "more satisfaction!--It always has quite hurt me that Jane Fairfax, who"
## [7053] "plays so delightfully, should not have an instrument. It seemed quite"
## [7054] "a shame, especially considering how many houses there are where fine"
## [7055] "instruments are absolutely thrown away. This is like giving ourselves"
## [7056] "a slap, to be sure! and it was but yesterday I was telling Mr. Cole,"
## [7057] "I really was ashamed to look at our new grand pianoforte in the"
## [7058] "drawing-room, while I do not know one note from another, and our little"
## [7059] "girls, who are but just beginning, perhaps may never make any thing of"
## [7060] "it; and there is poor Jane Fairfax, who is mistress of music, has not"
## [7061] "any thing of the nature of an instrument, not even the pitifullest old"
## [7062] "spinet in the world, to amuse herself with.--I was saying this to"
## [7063] "Mr. Cole but yesterday, and he quite agreed with me; only he is so"
## [7064] "particularly fond of music that he could not help indulging himself"
## [7065] "in the purchase, hoping that some of our good neighbours might be so"
## [7066] "obliging occasionally to put it to a better use than we can; and that"
## [7067] "really is the reason why the instrument was bought--or else I am sure"
## [7068] "we ought to be ashamed of it.--We are in great hopes that Miss Woodhouse"
## [7069] "may be prevailed with to try it this evening.\""
## [7070] ""
## [7071] "Miss Woodhouse made the proper acquiescence; and finding that nothing"
## [7072] "more was to be entrapped from any communication of Mrs. Cole's, turned"
## [7073] "to Frank Churchill."
## [7074] ""
## [7075] "\"Why do you smile?\" said she."
## [7076] ""
## [7077] "\"Nay, why do you?\""
## [7078] ""
## [7079] "\"Me!--I suppose I smile for pleasure at Colonel Campbell's being so rich"
## [7080] "and so liberal.--It is a handsome present.\""
## [7081] ""
## [7082] "\"Very.\""
## [7083] ""
## [7084] "\"I rather wonder that it was never made before.\""
## [7085] ""
## [7086] "\"Perhaps Miss Fairfax has never been staying here so long before.\""
## [7087] ""
## [7088] "\"Or that he did not give her the use of their own instrument--which must"
## [7089] "now be shut up in London, untouched by any body.\""
## [7090] ""
## [7091] "\"That is a grand pianoforte, and he might think it too large for Mrs."
## [7092] "Bates's house.\""
## [7093] ""
## [7094] "\"You may _say_ what you chuse--but your countenance testifies that your"
## [7095] "_thoughts_ on this subject are very much like mine.\""
## [7096] ""
## [7097] "\"I do not know. I rather believe you are giving me more credit for"
## [7098] "acuteness than I deserve. I smile because you smile, and shall probably"
## [7099] "suspect whatever I find you suspect; but at present I do not see what"
## [7100] "there is to question. If Colonel Campbell is not the person, who can"
## [7101] "be?\""
## [7102] ""
## [7103] "\"What do you say to Mrs. Dixon?\""
## [7104] ""
## [7105] "\"Mrs. Dixon! very true indeed. I had not thought of Mrs. Dixon. She must"
## [7106] "know as well as her father, how acceptable an instrument would be; and"
## [7107] "perhaps the mode of it, the mystery, the surprize, is more like a young"
## [7108] "woman's scheme than an elderly man's. It is Mrs. Dixon, I dare say. I"
## [7109] "told you that your suspicions would guide mine.\""
## [7110] ""
## [7111] "\"If so, you must extend your suspicions and comprehend _Mr_. Dixon in"
## [7112] "them.\""
## [7113] ""
## [7114] "\"Mr. Dixon.--Very well. Yes, I immediately perceive that it must be the"
## [7115] "joint present of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon. We were speaking the other day, you"
## [7116] "know, of his being so warm an admirer of her performance.\""
## [7117] ""
## [7118] "\"Yes, and what you told me on that head, confirmed an idea which I had"
## [7119] "entertained before.--I do not mean to reflect upon the good intentions"
## [7120] "of either Mr. Dixon or Miss Fairfax, but I cannot help suspecting either"
## [7121] "that, after making his proposals to her friend, he had the misfortune"
## [7122] "to fall in love with _her_, or that he became conscious of a little"
## [7123] "attachment on her side. One might guess twenty things without guessing"
## [7124] "exactly the right; but I am sure there must be a particular cause for"
## [7125] "her chusing to come to Highbury instead of going with the Campbells"
## [7126] "to Ireland. Here, she must be leading a life of privation and penance;"
## [7127] "there it would have been all enjoyment. As to the pretence of trying her"
## [7128] "native air, I look upon that as a mere excuse.--In the summer it might"
## [7129] "have passed; but what can any body's native air do for them in the"
## [7130] "months of January, February, and March? Good fires and carriages would"
## [7131] "be much more to the purpose in most cases of delicate health, and I dare"
## [7132] "say in her's. I do not require you to adopt all my suspicions, though"
## [7133] "you make so noble a profession of doing it, but I honestly tell you what"
## [7134] "they are.\""
## [7135] ""
## [7136] "\"And, upon my word, they have an air of great probability. Mr. Dixon's"
## [7137] "preference of her music to her friend's, I can answer for being very"
## [7138] "decided.\""
## [7139] ""
## [7140] "\"And then, he saved her life. Did you ever hear of that?--A water"
## [7141] "party; and by some accident she was falling overboard. He caught her.\""
## [7142] ""
## [7143] "\"He did. I was there--one of the party.\""
## [7144] ""
## [7145] "\"Were you really?--Well!--But you observed nothing of course, for it"
## [7146] "seems to be a new idea to you.--If I had been there, I think I should"
## [7147] "have made some discoveries.\""
## [7148] ""
## [7149] "\"I dare say you would; but I, simple I, saw nothing but the fact, that"
## [7150] "Miss Fairfax was nearly dashed from the vessel and that Mr. Dixon caught"
## [7151] "her.--It was the work of a moment. And though the consequent shock and"
## [7152] "alarm was very great and much more durable--indeed I believe it was"
## [7153] "half an hour before any of us were comfortable again--yet that was too"
## [7154] "general a sensation for any thing of peculiar anxiety to be"
## [7155] "observable. I do not mean to say, however, that you might not have made"
## [7156] "discoveries.\""
## [7157] ""
## [7158] "The conversation was here interrupted. They were called on to share"
## [7159] "in the awkwardness of a rather long interval between the courses, and"
## [7160] "obliged to be as formal and as orderly as the others; but when the table"
## [7161] "was again safely covered, when every corner dish was placed exactly"
## [7162] "right, and occupation and ease were generally restored, Emma said,"
## [7163] ""
## [7164] "\"The arrival of this pianoforte is decisive with me. I wanted to know"
## [7165] "a little more, and this tells me quite enough. Depend upon it, we shall"
## [7166] "soon hear that it is a present from Mr. and Mrs. Dixon.\""
## [7167] ""
## [7168] "\"And if the Dixons should absolutely deny all knowledge of it we must"
## [7169] "conclude it to come from the Campbells.\""
## [7170] ""
## [7171] "\"No, I am sure it is not from the Campbells. Miss Fairfax knows it is"
## [7172] "not from the Campbells, or they would have been guessed at first. She"
## [7173] "would not have been puzzled, had she dared fix on them. I may not have"
## [7174] "convinced you perhaps, but I am perfectly convinced myself that Mr."
## [7175] "Dixon is a principal in the business.\""
## [7176] ""
## [7177] "\"Indeed you injure me if you suppose me unconvinced. Your reasonings"
## [7178] "carry my judgment along with them entirely. At first, while I supposed"
## [7179] "you satisfied that Colonel Campbell was the giver, I saw it only as"
## [7180] "paternal kindness, and thought it the most natural thing in the world."
## [7181] "But when you mentioned Mrs. Dixon, I felt how much more probable that it"
## [7182] "should be the tribute of warm female friendship. And now I can see it in"
## [7183] "no other light than as an offering of love.\""
## [7184] ""
## [7185] "There was no occasion to press the matter farther. The conviction seemed"
## [7186] "real; he looked as if he felt it. She said no more, other subjects"
## [7187] "took their turn; and the rest of the dinner passed away; the dessert"
## [7188] "succeeded, the children came in, and were talked to and admired amid the"
## [7189] "usual rate of conversation; a few clever things said, a few downright"
## [7190] "silly, but by much the larger proportion neither the one nor the"
## [7191] "other--nothing worse than everyday remarks, dull repetitions, old news,"
## [7192] "and heavy jokes."
## [7193] ""
## [7194] "The ladies had not been long in the drawing-room, before the other"
## [7195] "ladies, in their different divisions, arrived. Emma watched the entree"
## [7196] "of her own particular little friend; and if she could not exult in her"
## [7197] "dignity and grace, she could not only love the blooming sweetness and"
## [7198] "the artless manner, but could most heartily rejoice in that light,"
## [7199] "cheerful, unsentimental disposition which allowed her so many"
## [7200] "alleviations of pleasure, in the midst of the pangs of disappointed"
## [7201] "affection. There she sat--and who would have guessed how many tears she"
## [7202] "had been lately shedding? To be in company, nicely dressed herself and"
## [7203] "seeing others nicely dressed, to sit and smile and look pretty, and say"
## [7204] "nothing, was enough for the happiness of the present hour. Jane Fairfax"
## [7205] "did look and move superior; but Emma suspected she might have been"
## [7206] "glad to change feelings with Harriet, very glad to have purchased the"
## [7207] "mortification of having loved--yes, of having loved even Mr. Elton in"
## [7208] "vain--by the surrender of all the dangerous pleasure of knowing herself"
## [7209] "beloved by the husband of her friend."
## [7210] ""
## [7211] "In so large a party it was not necessary that Emma should approach her."
## [7212] "She did not wish to speak of the pianoforte, she felt too much in the"
## [7213] "secret herself, to think the appearance of curiosity or interest fair,"
## [7214] "and therefore purposely kept at a distance; but by the others, the"
## [7215] "subject was almost immediately introduced, and she saw the blush of"
## [7216] "consciousness with which congratulations were received, the blush"
## [7217] "of guilt which accompanied the name of \"my excellent friend Colonel"
## [7218] "Campbell.\""
## [7219] ""
## [7220] "Mrs. Weston, kind-hearted and musical, was particularly interested"
## [7221] "by the circumstance, and Emma could not help being amused at her"
## [7222] "perseverance in dwelling on the subject; and having so much to ask and"
## [7223] "to say as to tone, touch, and pedal, totally unsuspicious of that wish"
## [7224] "of saying as little about it as possible, which she plainly read in the"
## [7225] "fair heroine's countenance."
## [7226] ""
## [7227] "They were soon joined by some of the gentlemen; and the very first"
## [7228] "of the early was Frank Churchill. In he walked, the first and the"
## [7229] "handsomest; and after paying his compliments en passant to Miss Bates"
## [7230] "and her niece, made his way directly to the opposite side of the circle,"
## [7231] "where sat Miss Woodhouse; and till he could find a seat by her, would"
## [7232] "not sit at all. Emma divined what every body present must be thinking."
## [7233] "She was his object, and every body must perceive it. She introduced him"
## [7234] "to her friend, Miss Smith, and, at convenient moments afterwards, heard"
## [7235] "what each thought of the other. \"He had never seen so lovely a face, and"
## [7236] "was delighted with her naivete.\" And she, \"Only to be sure it was paying"
## [7237] "him too great a compliment, but she did think there were some looks a"
## [7238] "little like Mr. Elton.\" Emma restrained her indignation, and only turned"
## [7239] "from her in silence."
## [7240] ""
## [7241] "Smiles of intelligence passed between her and the gentleman on first"
## [7242] "glancing towards Miss Fairfax; but it was most prudent to avoid speech."
## [7243] "He told her that he had been impatient to leave the dining-room--hated"
## [7244] "sitting long--was always the first to move when he could--that his"
## [7245] "father, Mr. Knightley, Mr. Cox, and Mr. Cole, were left very busy over"
## [7246] "parish business--that as long as he had staid, however, it had been"
## [7247] "pleasant enough, as he had found them in general a set of gentlemanlike,"
## [7248] "sensible men; and spoke so handsomely of Highbury altogether--thought it"
## [7249] "so abundant in agreeable families--that Emma began to feel she had been"
## [7250] "used to despise the place rather too much. She questioned him as to the"
## [7251] "society in Yorkshire--the extent of the neighbourhood about Enscombe,"
## [7252] "and the sort; and could make out from his answers that, as far as"
## [7253] "Enscombe was concerned, there was very little going on, that their"
## [7254] "visitings were among a range of great families, none very near; and"
## [7255] "that even when days were fixed, and invitations accepted, it was an even"
## [7256] "chance that Mrs. Churchill were not in health and spirits for going;"
## [7257] "that they made a point of visiting no fresh person; and that, though"
## [7258] "he had his separate engagements, it was not without difficulty, without"
## [7259] "considerable address _at_ _times_, that he could get away, or introduce"
## [7260] "an acquaintance for a night."
## [7261] ""
## [7262] "She saw that Enscombe could not satisfy, and that Highbury, taken at"
## [7263] "its best, might reasonably please a young man who had more retirement at"
## [7264] "home than he liked. His importance at Enscombe was very evident. He did"
## [7265] "not boast, but it naturally betrayed itself, that he had persuaded his"
## [7266] "aunt where his uncle could do nothing, and on her laughing and noticing"
## [7267] "it, he owned that he believed (excepting one or two points) he could"
## [7268] "_with_ _time_ persuade her to any thing. One of those points on which"
## [7269] "his influence failed, he then mentioned. He had wanted very much to"
## [7270] "go abroad--had been very eager indeed to be allowed to travel--but she"
## [7271] "would not hear of it. This had happened the year before. _Now_, he said,"
## [7272] "he was beginning to have no longer the same wish."
## [7273] ""
## [7274] "The unpersuadable point, which he did not mention, Emma guessed to be"
## [7275] "good behaviour to his father."
## [7276] ""
## [7277] "\"I have made a most wretched discovery,\" said he, after a short pause.--"
## [7278] "\"I have been here a week to-morrow--half my time. I never knew days fly"
## [7279] "so fast. A week to-morrow!--And I have hardly begun to enjoy myself."
## [7280] "But just got acquainted with Mrs. Weston, and others!--I hate the"
## [7281] "recollection.\""
## [7282] ""
## [7283] "\"Perhaps you may now begin to regret that you spent one whole day, out"
## [7284] "of so few, in having your hair cut.\""
## [7285] ""
## [7286] "\"No,\" said he, smiling, \"that is no subject of regret at all. I have"
## [7287] "no pleasure in seeing my friends, unless I can believe myself fit to be"
## [7288] "seen.\""
## [7289] ""
## [7290] "The rest of the gentlemen being now in the room, Emma found herself"
## [7291] "obliged to turn from him for a few minutes, and listen to Mr. Cole. When"
## [7292] "Mr. Cole had moved away, and her attention could be restored as before,"
## [7293] "she saw Frank Churchill looking intently across the room at Miss"
## [7294] "Fairfax, who was sitting exactly opposite."
## [7295] ""
## [7296] "\"What is the matter?\" said she."
## [7297] ""
## [7298] "He started. \"Thank you for rousing me,\" he replied. \"I believe I have"
## [7299] "been very rude; but really Miss Fairfax has done her hair in so odd a"
## [7300] "way--so very odd a way--that I cannot keep my eyes from her. I never saw"
## [7301] "any thing so outree!--Those curls!--This must be a fancy of her own. I"
## [7302] "see nobody else looking like her!--I must go and ask her whether it"
## [7303] "is an Irish fashion. Shall I?--Yes, I will--I declare I will--and you"
## [7304] "shall see how she takes it;--whether she colours.\""
## [7305] ""
## [7306] "He was gone immediately; and Emma soon saw him standing before Miss"
## [7307] "Fairfax, and talking to her; but as to its effect on the young lady,"
## [7308] "as he had improvidently placed himself exactly between them, exactly in"
## [7309] "front of Miss Fairfax, she could absolutely distinguish nothing."
## [7310] ""
## [7311] "Before he could return to his chair, it was taken by Mrs. Weston."
## [7312] ""
## [7313] "\"This is the luxury of a large party,\" said she:--\"one can get near"
## [7314] "every body, and say every thing. My dear Emma, I am longing to talk"
## [7315] "to you. I have been making discoveries and forming plans, just like"
## [7316] "yourself, and I must tell them while the idea is fresh. Do you know how"
## [7317] "Miss Bates and her niece came here?\""
## [7318] ""
## [7319] "\"How?--They were invited, were not they?\""
## [7320] ""
## [7321] "\"Oh! yes--but how they were conveyed hither?--the manner of their"
## [7322] "coming?\""
## [7323] ""
## [7324] "\"They walked, I conclude. How else could they come?\""
## [7325] ""
## [7326] "\"Very true.--Well, a little while ago it occurred to me how very sad"
## [7327] "it would be to have Jane Fairfax walking home again, late at night, and"
## [7328] "cold as the nights are now. And as I looked at her, though I never saw"
## [7329] "her appear to more advantage, it struck me that she was heated, and"
## [7330] "would therefore be particularly liable to take cold. Poor girl! I could"
## [7331] "not bear the idea of it; so, as soon as Mr. Weston came into the room,"
## [7332] "and I could get at him, I spoke to him about the carriage. You may guess"
## [7333] "how readily he came into my wishes; and having his approbation, I made"
## [7334] "my way directly to Miss Bates, to assure her that the carriage would be"
## [7335] "at her service before it took us home; for I thought it would be making"
## [7336] "her comfortable at once. Good soul! she was as grateful as possible, you"
## [7337] "may be sure. 'Nobody was ever so fortunate as herself!'--but with many,"
## [7338] "many thanks--'there was no occasion to trouble us, for Mr. Knightley's"
## [7339] "carriage had brought, and was to take them home again.' I was quite"
## [7340] "surprized;--very glad, I am sure; but really quite surprized. Such a"
## [7341] "very kind attention--and so thoughtful an attention!--the sort of thing"
## [7342] "that so few men would think of. And, in short, from knowing his"
## [7343] "usual ways, I am very much inclined to think that it was for their"
## [7344] "accommodation the carriage was used at all. I do suspect he would not"
## [7345] "have had a pair of horses for himself, and that it was only as an excuse"
## [7346] "for assisting them.\""
## [7347] ""
## [7348] "\"Very likely,\" said Emma--\"nothing more likely. I know no man more"
## [7349] "likely than Mr. Knightley to do the sort of thing--to do any thing"
## [7350] "really good-natured, useful, considerate, or benevolent. He is not a"
## [7351] "gallant man, but he is a very humane one; and this, considering Jane"
## [7352] "Fairfax's ill-health, would appear a case of humanity to him;--and for"
## [7353] "an act of unostentatious kindness, there is nobody whom I would fix on"
## [7354] "more than on Mr. Knightley. I know he had horses to-day--for we arrived"
## [7355] "together; and I laughed at him about it, but he said not a word that"
## [7356] "could betray.\""
## [7357] ""
## [7358] "\"Well,\" said Mrs. Weston, smiling, \"you give him credit for more simple,"
## [7359] "disinterested benevolence in this instance than I do; for while Miss"
## [7360] "Bates was speaking, a suspicion darted into my head, and I have never"
## [7361] "been able to get it out again. The more I think of it, the more probable"
## [7362] "it appears. In short, I have made a match between Mr. Knightley and Jane"
## [7363] "Fairfax. See the consequence of keeping you company!--What do you say to"
## [7364] "it?\""
## [7365] ""
## [7366] "\"Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax!\" exclaimed Emma. \"Dear Mrs. Weston, how"
## [7367] "could you think of such a thing?--Mr. Knightley!--Mr. Knightley must not"
## [7368] "marry!--You would not have little Henry cut out from Donwell?--Oh! no,"
## [7369] "no, Henry must have Donwell. I cannot at all consent to Mr. Knightley's"
## [7370] "marrying; and I am sure it is not at all likely. I am amazed that you"
## [7371] "should think of such a thing.\""
## [7372] ""
## [7373] "\"My dear Emma, I have told you what led me to think of it. I do not want"
## [7374] "the match--I do not want to injure dear little Henry--but the idea has"
## [7375] "been given me by circumstances; and if Mr. Knightley really wished to"
## [7376] "marry, you would not have him refrain on Henry's account, a boy of six"
## [7377] "years old, who knows nothing of the matter?\""
## [7378] ""
## [7379] "\"Yes, I would. I could not bear to have Henry supplanted.--Mr."
## [7380] "Knightley marry!--No, I have never had such an idea, and I cannot adopt"
## [7381] "it now. And Jane Fairfax, too, of all women!\""
## [7382] ""
## [7383] "\"Nay, she has always been a first favourite with him, as you very well"
## [7384] "know.\""
## [7385] ""
## [7386] "\"But the imprudence of such a match!\""
## [7387] ""
## [7388] "\"I am not speaking of its prudence; merely its probability.\""
## [7389] ""
## [7390] "\"I see no probability in it, unless you have any better foundation than"
## [7391] "what you mention. His good-nature, his humanity, as I tell you, would"
## [7392] "be quite enough to account for the horses. He has a great regard for the"
## [7393] "Bateses, you know, independent of Jane Fairfax--and is always glad to"
## [7394] "shew them attention. My dear Mrs. Weston, do not take to match-making."
## [7395] "You do it very ill. Jane Fairfax mistress of the Abbey!--Oh! no,"
## [7396] "no;--every feeling revolts. For his own sake, I would not have him do so"
## [7397] "mad a thing.\""
## [7398] ""
## [7399] "\"Imprudent, if you please--but not mad. Excepting inequality of fortune,"
## [7400] "and perhaps a little disparity of age, I can see nothing unsuitable.\""
## [7401] ""
## [7402] "\"But Mr. Knightley does not want to marry. I am sure he has not the"
## [7403] "least idea of it. Do not put it into his head. Why should he marry?--He"
## [7404] "is as happy as possible by himself; with his farm, and his sheep, and"
## [7405] "his library, and all the parish to manage; and he is extremely fond of"
## [7406] "his brother's children. He has no occasion to marry, either to fill up"
## [7407] "his time or his heart.\""
## [7408] ""
## [7409] "\"My dear Emma, as long as he thinks so, it is so; but if he really loves"
## [7410] "Jane Fairfax--\""
## [7411] ""
## [7412] "\"Nonsense! He does not care about Jane Fairfax. In the way of love, I am"
## [7413] "sure he does not. He would do any good to her, or her family; but--\""
## [7414] ""
## [7415] "\"Well,\" said Mrs. Weston, laughing, \"perhaps the greatest good he could"
## [7416] "do them, would be to give Jane such a respectable home.\""
## [7417] ""
## [7418] "\"If it would be good to her, I am sure it would be evil to himself; a"
## [7419] "very shameful and degrading connexion. How would he bear to have Miss"
## [7420] "Bates belonging to him?--To have her haunting the Abbey, and thanking"
## [7421] "him all day long for his great kindness in marrying Jane?--'So very"
## [7422] "kind and obliging!--But he always had been such a very kind neighbour!'"
## [7423] "And then fly off, through half a sentence, to her mother's old"
## [7424] "petticoat. 'Not that it was such a very old petticoat either--for still"
## [7425] "it would last a great while--and, indeed, she must thankfully say that"
## [7426] "their petticoats were all very strong.'\""
## [7427] ""
## [7428] "\"For shame, Emma! Do not mimic her. You divert me against my conscience."
## [7429] "And, upon my word, I do not think Mr. Knightley would be much disturbed"
## [7430] "by Miss Bates. Little things do not irritate him. She might talk on; and"
## [7431] "if he wanted to say any thing himself, he would only talk louder, and"
## [7432] "drown her voice. But the question is not, whether it would be a bad"
## [7433] "connexion for him, but whether he wishes it; and I think he does. I have"
## [7434] "heard him speak, and so must you, so very highly of Jane Fairfax! The"
## [7435] "interest he takes in her--his anxiety about her health--his concern that"
## [7436] "she should have no happier prospect! I have heard him express himself"
## [7437] "so warmly on those points!--Such an admirer of her performance on the"
## [7438] "pianoforte, and of her voice! I have heard him say that he could listen"
## [7439] "to her for ever. Oh! and I had almost forgotten one idea that occurred"
## [7440] "to me--this pianoforte that has been sent here by somebody--though"
## [7441] "we have all been so well satisfied to consider it a present from the"
## [7442] "Campbells, may it not be from Mr. Knightley? I cannot help suspecting"
## [7443] "him. I think he is just the person to do it, even without being in"
## [7444] "love.\""
## [7445] ""
## [7446] "\"Then it can be no argument to prove that he is in love. But I do not"
## [7447] "think it is at all a likely thing for him to do. Mr. Knightley does"
## [7448] "nothing mysteriously.\""
## [7449] ""
## [7450] "\"I have heard him lamenting her having no instrument repeatedly; oftener"
## [7451] "than I should suppose such a circumstance would, in the common course of"
## [7452] "things, occur to him.\""
## [7453] ""
## [7454] "\"Very well; and if he had intended to give her one, he would have told"
## [7455] "her so.\""
## [7456] ""
## [7457] "\"There might be scruples of delicacy, my dear Emma. I have a very strong"
## [7458] "notion that it comes from him. I am sure he was particularly silent when"
## [7459] "Mrs. Cole told us of it at dinner.\""
## [7460] ""
## [7461] "\"You take up an idea, Mrs. Weston, and run away with it; as you have"
## [7462] "many a time reproached me with doing. I see no sign of attachment--I"
## [7463] "believe nothing of the pianoforte--and proof only shall convince me that"
## [7464] "Mr. Knightley has any thought of marrying Jane Fairfax.\""
## [7465] ""
## [7466] "They combated the point some time longer in the same way; Emma rather"
## [7467] "gaining ground over the mind of her friend; for Mrs. Weston was the most"
## [7468] "used of the two to yield; till a little bustle in the room shewed them"
## [7469] "that tea was over, and the instrument in preparation;--and at the same"
## [7470] "moment Mr. Cole approaching to entreat Miss Woodhouse would do them the"
## [7471] "honour of trying it. Frank Churchill, of whom, in the eagerness of her"
## [7472] "conversation with Mrs. Weston, she had been seeing nothing, except that"
## [7473] "he had found a seat by Miss Fairfax, followed Mr. Cole, to add his very"
## [7474] "pressing entreaties; and as, in every respect, it suited Emma best to"
## [7475] "lead, she gave a very proper compliance."
## [7476] ""
## [7477] "She knew the limitations of her own powers too well to attempt more than"
## [7478] "she could perform with credit; she wanted neither taste nor spirit in"
## [7479] "the little things which are generally acceptable, and could accompany"
## [7480] "her own voice well. One accompaniment to her song took her agreeably by"
## [7481] "surprize--a second, slightly but correctly taken by Frank Churchill. Her"
## [7482] "pardon was duly begged at the close of the song, and every thing usual"
## [7483] "followed. He was accused of having a delightful voice, and a perfect"
## [7484] "knowledge of music; which was properly denied; and that he knew nothing"
## [7485] "of the matter, and had no voice at all, roundly asserted. They sang"
## [7486] "together once more; and Emma would then resign her place to Miss"
## [7487] "Fairfax, whose performance, both vocal and instrumental, she never could"
## [7488] "attempt to conceal from herself, was infinitely superior to her own."
## [7489] ""
## [7490] "With mixed feelings, she seated herself at a little distance from the"
## [7491] "numbers round the instrument, to listen. Frank Churchill sang again."
## [7492] "They had sung together once or twice, it appeared, at Weymouth. But the"
## [7493] "sight of Mr. Knightley among the most attentive, soon drew away half"
## [7494] "Emma's mind; and she fell into a train of thinking on the subject of"
## [7495] "Mrs. Weston's suspicions, to which the sweet sounds of the united voices"
## [7496] "gave only momentary interruptions. Her objections to Mr. Knightley's"
## [7497] "marrying did not in the least subside. She could see nothing but evil"
## [7498] "in it. It would be a great disappointment to Mr. John Knightley;"
## [7499] "consequently to Isabella. A real injury to the children--a most"
## [7500] "mortifying change, and material loss to them all;--a very great"
## [7501] "deduction from her father's daily comfort--and, as to herself, she could"
## [7502] "not at all endure the idea of Jane Fairfax at Donwell Abbey. A Mrs."
## [7503] "Knightley for them all to give way to!--No--Mr. Knightley must never"
## [7504] "marry. Little Henry must remain the heir of Donwell."
## [7505] ""
## [7506] "Presently Mr. Knightley looked back, and came and sat down by her. They"
## [7507] "talked at first only of the performance. His admiration was certainly"
## [7508] "very warm; yet she thought, but for Mrs. Weston, it would not have"
## [7509] "struck her. As a sort of touchstone, however, she began to speak of his"
## [7510] "kindness in conveying the aunt and niece; and though his answer was in"
## [7511] "the spirit of cutting the matter short, she believed it to indicate only"
## [7512] "his disinclination to dwell on any kindness of his own."
## [7513] ""
## [7514] "\"I often feel concern,\" said she, \"that I dare not make our carriage"
## [7515] "more useful on such occasions. It is not that I am without the wish; but"
## [7516] "you know how impossible my father would deem it that James should put-to"
## [7517] "for such a purpose.\""
## [7518] ""
## [7519] "\"Quite out of the question, quite out of the question,\" he"
## [7520] "replied;--\"but you must often wish it, I am sure.\" And he smiled with"
## [7521] "such seeming pleasure at the conviction, that she must proceed another"
## [7522] "step."
## [7523] ""
## [7524] "\"This present from the Campbells,\" said she--\"this pianoforte is very"
## [7525] "kindly given.\""
## [7526] ""
## [7527] "\"Yes,\" he replied, and without the smallest apparent"
## [7528] "embarrassment.--\"But they would have done better had they given"
## [7529] "her notice of it. Surprizes are foolish things. The pleasure is not"
## [7530] "enhanced, and the inconvenience is often considerable. I should have"
## [7531] "expected better judgment in Colonel Campbell.\""
## [7532] ""
## [7533] "From that moment, Emma could have taken her oath that Mr. Knightley had"
## [7534] "had no concern in giving the instrument. But whether he were"
## [7535] "entirely free from peculiar attachment--whether there were no actual"
## [7536] "preference--remained a little longer doubtful. Towards the end of Jane's"
## [7537] "second song, her voice grew thick."
## [7538] ""
## [7539] "\"That will do,\" said he, when it was finished, thinking aloud--\"you have"
## [7540] "sung quite enough for one evening--now be quiet.\""
## [7541] ""
## [7542] "Another song, however, was soon begged for. \"One more;--they would not"
## [7543] "fatigue Miss Fairfax on any account, and would only ask for one more.\""
## [7544] "And Frank Churchill was heard to say, \"I think you could manage this"
## [7545] "without effort; the first part is so very trifling. The strength of the"
## [7546] "song falls on the second.\""
## [7547] ""
## [7548] "Mr. Knightley grew angry."
## [7549] ""
## [7550] "\"That fellow,\" said he, indignantly, \"thinks of nothing but shewing off"
## [7551] "his own voice. This must not be.\" And touching Miss Bates, who at that"
## [7552] "moment passed near--\"Miss Bates, are you mad, to let your niece sing"
## [7553] "herself hoarse in this manner? Go, and interfere. They have no mercy on"
## [7554] "her.\""
## [7555] ""
## [7556] "Miss Bates, in her real anxiety for Jane, could hardly stay even to"
## [7557] "be grateful, before she stept forward and put an end to all farther"
## [7558] "singing. Here ceased the concert part of the evening, for Miss Woodhouse"
## [7559] "and Miss Fairfax were the only young lady performers; but soon (within"
## [7560] "five minutes) the proposal of dancing--originating nobody exactly knew"
## [7561] "where--was so effectually promoted by Mr. and Mrs. Cole, that every"
## [7562] "thing was rapidly clearing away, to give proper space. Mrs. Weston,"
## [7563] "capital in her country-dances, was seated, and beginning an irresistible"
## [7564] "waltz; and Frank Churchill, coming up with most becoming gallantry to"
## [7565] "Emma, had secured her hand, and led her up to the top."
## [7566] ""
## [7567] "While waiting till the other young people could pair themselves off,"
## [7568] "Emma found time, in spite of the compliments she was receiving on"
## [7569] "her voice and her taste, to look about, and see what became of Mr."
## [7570] "Knightley. This would be a trial. He was no dancer in general. If he"
## [7571] "were to be very alert in engaging Jane Fairfax now, it might augur"
## [7572] "something. There was no immediate appearance. No; he was talking to Mrs."
## [7573] "Cole--he was looking on unconcerned; Jane was asked by somebody else,"
## [7574] "and he was still talking to Mrs. Cole."
## [7575] ""
## [7576] "Emma had no longer an alarm for Henry; his interest was yet safe; and"
## [7577] "she led off the dance with genuine spirit and enjoyment. Not more than"
## [7578] "five couple could be mustered; but the rarity and the suddenness of"
## [7579] "it made it very delightful, and she found herself well matched in a"
## [7580] "partner. They were a couple worth looking at."
## [7581] ""
## [7582] "Two dances, unfortunately, were all that could be allowed. It was"
## [7583] "growing late, and Miss Bates became anxious to get home, on her mother's"
## [7584] "account. After some attempts, therefore, to be permitted to begin again,"
## [7585] "they were obliged to thank Mrs. Weston, look sorrowful, and have done."
## [7586] ""
## [7587] "\"Perhaps it is as well,\" said Frank Churchill, as he attended Emma to"
## [7588] "her carriage. \"I must have asked Miss Fairfax, and her languid dancing"
## [7589] "would not have agreed with me, after yours.\""
## [7590] ""
## [7591] ""
## [7592] ""
## [7593] "CHAPTER IX"
## [7594] ""
## [7595] ""
## [7596] "Emma did not repent her condescension in going to the Coles. The visit"
## [7597] "afforded her many pleasant recollections the next day; and all that she"
## [7598] "might be supposed to have lost on the side of dignified seclusion, must"
## [7599] "be amply repaid in the splendour of popularity. She must have delighted"
## [7600] "the Coles--worthy people, who deserved to be made happy!--And left a"
## [7601] "name behind her that would not soon die away."
## [7602] ""
## [7603] "Perfect happiness, even in memory, is not common; and there were two"
## [7604] "points on which she was not quite easy. She doubted whether she had not"
## [7605] "transgressed the duty of woman by woman, in betraying her suspicions of"
## [7606] "Jane Fairfax's feelings to Frank Churchill. It was hardly right; but it"
## [7607] "had been so strong an idea, that it would escape her, and his submission"
## [7608] "to all that she told, was a compliment to her penetration, which made"
## [7609] "it difficult for her to be quite certain that she ought to have held her"
## [7610] "tongue."
## [7611] ""
## [7612] "The other circumstance of regret related also to Jane Fairfax; and"
## [7613] "there she had no doubt. She did unfeignedly and unequivocally regret the"
## [7614] "inferiority of her own playing and singing. She did most heartily"
## [7615] "grieve over the idleness of her childhood--and sat down and practised"
## [7616] "vigorously an hour and a half."
## [7617] ""
## [7618] "She was then interrupted by Harriet's coming in; and if Harriet's praise"
## [7619] "could have satisfied her, she might soon have been comforted."
## [7620] ""
## [7621] "\"Oh! if I could but play as well as you and Miss Fairfax!\""
## [7622] ""
## [7623] "\"Don't class us together, Harriet. My playing is no more like her's,"
## [7624] "than a lamp is like sunshine.\""
## [7625] ""
## [7626] "\"Oh! dear--I think you play the best of the two. I think you play quite"
## [7627] "as well as she does. I am sure I had much rather hear you. Every body"
## [7628] "last night said how well you played.\""
## [7629] ""
## [7630] "\"Those who knew any thing about it, must have felt the difference. The"
## [7631] "truth is, Harriet, that my playing is just good enough to be praised,"
## [7632] "but Jane Fairfax's is much beyond it.\""
## [7633] ""
## [7634] "\"Well, I always shall think that you play quite as well as she does, or"
## [7635] "that if there is any difference nobody would ever find it out. Mr. Cole"
## [7636] "said how much taste you had; and Mr. Frank Churchill talked a great deal"
## [7637] "about your taste, and that he valued taste much more than execution.\""
## [7638] ""
## [7639] "\"Ah! but Jane Fairfax has them both, Harriet.\""
## [7640] ""
## [7641] "\"Are you sure? I saw she had execution, but I did not know she had any"
## [7642] "taste. Nobody talked about it. And I hate Italian singing.--There is no"
## [7643] "understanding a word of it. Besides, if she does play so very well, you"
## [7644] "know, it is no more than she is obliged to do, because she will have to"
## [7645] "teach. The Coxes were wondering last night whether she would get into"
## [7646] "any great family. How did you think the Coxes looked?\""
## [7647] ""
## [7648] "\"Just as they always do--very vulgar.\""
## [7649] ""
## [7650] "\"They told me something,\" said Harriet rather hesitatingly; \"but it is"
## [7651] "nothing of any consequence.\""
## [7652] ""
## [7653] "Emma was obliged to ask what they had told her, though fearful of its"
## [7654] "producing Mr. Elton."
## [7655] ""
## [7656] "\"They told me--that Mr. Martin dined with them last Saturday.\""
## [7657] ""
## [7658] "\"Oh!\""
## [7659] ""
## [7660] "\"He came to their father upon some business, and he asked him to stay to"
## [7661] "dinner.\""
## [7662] ""
## [7663] "\"Oh!\""
## [7664] ""
## [7665] "\"They talked a great deal about him, especially Anne Cox. I do not know"
## [7666] "what she meant, but she asked me if I thought I should go and stay there"
## [7667] "again next summer.\""
## [7668] ""
## [7669] "\"She meant to be impertinently curious, just as such an Anne Cox should"
## [7670] "be.\""
## [7671] ""
## [7672] "\"She said he was very agreeable the day he dined there. He sat by her at"
## [7673] "dinner. Miss Nash thinks either of the Coxes would be very glad to marry"
## [7674] "him.\""
## [7675] ""
## [7676] "\"Very likely.--I think they are, without exception, the most vulgar"
## [7677] "girls in Highbury.\""
## [7678] ""
## [7679] "Harriet had business at Ford's.--Emma thought it most prudent to go with"
## [7680] "her. Another accidental meeting with the Martins was possible, and in"
## [7681] "her present state, would be dangerous."
## [7682] ""
## [7683] "Harriet, tempted by every thing and swayed by half a word, was always"
## [7684] "very long at a purchase; and while she was still hanging over muslins"
## [7685] "and changing her mind, Emma went to the door for amusement.--Much could"
## [7686] "not be hoped from the traffic of even the busiest part of Highbury;--Mr."
## [7687] "Perry walking hastily by, Mr. William Cox letting himself in at the"
## [7688] "office-door, Mr. Cole's carriage-horses returning from exercise, or a"
## [7689] "stray letter-boy on an obstinate mule, were the liveliest objects she"
## [7690] "could presume to expect; and when her eyes fell only on the butcher with"
## [7691] "his tray, a tidy old woman travelling homewards from shop with her full"
## [7692] "basket, two curs quarrelling over a dirty bone, and a string of dawdling"
## [7693] "children round the baker's little bow-window eyeing the gingerbread, she"
## [7694] "knew she had no reason to complain, and was amused enough; quite enough"
## [7695] "still to stand at the door. A mind lively and at ease, can do with"
## [7696] "seeing nothing, and can see nothing that does not answer."
## [7697] ""
## [7698] "She looked down the Randalls road. The scene enlarged; two persons"
## [7699] "appeared; Mrs. Weston and her son-in-law; they were walking into"
## [7700] "Highbury;--to Hartfield of course. They were stopping, however, in the"
## [7701] "first place at Mrs. Bates's; whose house was a little nearer"
## [7702] "Randalls than Ford's; and had all but knocked, when Emma caught their"
## [7703] "eye.--Immediately they crossed the road and came forward to her; and the"
## [7704] "agreeableness of yesterday's engagement seemed to give fresh pleasure to"
## [7705] "the present meeting. Mrs. Weston informed her that she was going to call"
## [7706] "on the Bateses, in order to hear the new instrument."
## [7707] ""
## [7708] "\"For my companion tells me,\" said she, \"that I absolutely promised Miss"
## [7709] "Bates last night, that I would come this morning. I was not aware of it"
## [7710] "myself. I did not know that I had fixed a day, but as he says I did, I"
## [7711] "am going now.\""
## [7712] ""
## [7713] "\"And while Mrs. Weston pays her visit, I may be allowed, I hope,\" said"
## [7714] "Frank Churchill, \"to join your party and wait for her at Hartfield--if"
## [7715] "you are going home.\""
## [7716] ""
## [7717] "Mrs. Weston was disappointed."
## [7718] ""
## [7719] "\"I thought you meant to go with me. They would be very much pleased.\""
## [7720] ""
## [7721] "\"Me! I should be quite in the way. But, perhaps--I may be equally in the"
## [7722] "way here. Miss Woodhouse looks as if she did not want me. My aunt always"
## [7723] "sends me off when she is shopping. She says I fidget her to death; and"
## [7724] "Miss Woodhouse looks as if she could almost say the same. What am I to"
## [7725] "do?\""
## [7726] ""
## [7727] "\"I am here on no business of my own,\" said Emma; \"I am only waiting for"
## [7728] "my friend. She will probably have soon done, and then we shall go home."
## [7729] "But you had better go with Mrs. Weston and hear the instrument.\""
## [7730] ""
## [7731] "\"Well--if you advise it.--But (with a smile) if Colonel Campbell should"
## [7732] "have employed a careless friend, and if it should prove to have an"
## [7733] "indifferent tone--what shall I say? I shall be no support to Mrs."
## [7734] "Weston. She might do very well by herself. A disagreeable truth would be"
## [7735] "palatable through her lips, but I am the wretchedest being in the world"
## [7736] "at a civil falsehood.\""
## [7737] ""
## [7738] "\"I do not believe any such thing,\" replied Emma.--\"I am persuaded that"
## [7739] "you can be as insincere as your neighbours, when it is necessary; but"
## [7740] "there is no reason to suppose the instrument is indifferent. Quite"
## [7741] "otherwise indeed, if I understood Miss Fairfax's opinion last night.\""
## [7742] ""
## [7743] "\"Do come with me,\" said Mrs. Weston, \"if it be not very disagreeable to"
## [7744] "you. It need not detain us long. We will go to Hartfield afterwards."
## [7745] "We will follow them to Hartfield. I really wish you to call with me. It"
## [7746] "will be felt so great an attention! and I always thought you meant it.\""
## [7747] ""
## [7748] "He could say no more; and with the hope of Hartfield to reward him,"
## [7749] "returned with Mrs. Weston to Mrs. Bates's door. Emma watched them in,"
## [7750] "and then joined Harriet at the interesting counter,--trying, with all"
## [7751] "the force of her own mind, to convince her that if she wanted plain"
## [7752] "muslin it was of no use to look at figured; and that a blue ribbon, be"
## [7753] "it ever so beautiful, would still never match her yellow pattern. At"
## [7754] "last it was all settled, even to the destination of the parcel."
## [7755] ""
## [7756] "\"Should I send it to Mrs. Goddard's, ma'am?\" asked Mrs."
## [7757] "Ford.--\"Yes--no--yes, to Mrs. Goddard's. Only my pattern gown is at"
## [7758] "Hartfield. No, you shall send it to Hartfield, if you please. But then,"
## [7759] "Mrs. Goddard will want to see it.--And I could take the pattern gown"
## [7760] "home any day. But I shall want the ribbon directly--so it had better go"
## [7761] "to Hartfield--at least the ribbon. You could make it into two parcels,"
## [7762] "Mrs. Ford, could not you?\""
## [7763] ""
## [7764] "\"It is not worth while, Harriet, to give Mrs. Ford the trouble of two"
## [7765] "parcels.\""
## [7766] ""
## [7767] "\"No more it is.\""
## [7768] ""
## [7769] "\"No trouble in the world, ma'am,\" said the obliging Mrs. Ford."
## [7770] ""
## [7771] "\"Oh! but indeed I would much rather have it only in one. Then, if you"
## [7772] "please, you shall send it all to Mrs. Goddard's--I do not know--No, I"
## [7773] "think, Miss Woodhouse, I may just as well have it sent to Hartfield, and"
## [7774] "take it home with me at night. What do you advise?\""
## [7775] ""
## [7776] "\"That you do not give another half-second to the subject. To Hartfield,"
## [7777] "if you please, Mrs. Ford.\""
## [7778] ""
## [7779] "\"Aye, that will be much best,\" said Harriet, quite satisfied, \"I should"
## [7780] "not at all like to have it sent to Mrs. Goddard's.\""
## [7781] ""
## [7782] "Voices approached the shop--or rather one voice and two ladies: Mrs."
## [7783] "Weston and Miss Bates met them at the door."
## [7784] ""
## [7785] "\"My dear Miss Woodhouse,\" said the latter, \"I am just run across to"
## [7786] "entreat the favour of you to come and sit down with us a little while,"
## [7787] "and give us your opinion of our new instrument; you and Miss Smith. How"
## [7788] "do you do, Miss Smith?--Very well I thank you.--And I begged Mrs. Weston"
## [7789] "to come with me, that I might be sure of succeeding.\""
## [7790] ""
## [7791] "\"I hope Mrs. Bates and Miss Fairfax are--\""
## [7792] ""
## [7793] "\"Very well, I am much obliged to you. My mother is delightfully well;"
## [7794] "and Jane caught no cold last night. How is Mr. Woodhouse?--I am so glad"
## [7795] "to hear such a good account. Mrs. Weston told me you were here.--Oh!"
## [7796] "then, said I, I must run across, I am sure Miss Woodhouse will allow me"
## [7797] "just to run across and entreat her to come in; my mother will be so"
## [7798] "very happy to see her--and now we are such a nice party, she cannot"
## [7799] "refuse.--'Aye, pray do,' said Mr. Frank Churchill, 'Miss Woodhouse's"
## [7800] "opinion of the instrument will be worth having.'--But, said I, I shall"
## [7801] "be more sure of succeeding if one of you will go with me.--'Oh,' said"
## [7802] "he, 'wait half a minute, till I have finished my job;'--For, would you"
## [7803] "believe it, Miss Woodhouse, there he is, in the most obliging manner in"
## [7804] "the world, fastening in the rivet of my mother's spectacles.--The rivet"
## [7805] "came out, you know, this morning.--So very obliging!--For my mother had"
## [7806] "no use of her spectacles--could not put them on. And, by the bye, every"
## [7807] "body ought to have two pair of spectacles; they should indeed. Jane said"
## [7808] "so. I meant to take them over to John Saunders the first thing I did,"
## [7809] "but something or other hindered me all the morning; first one thing,"
## [7810] "then another, there is no saying what, you know. At one time Patty came"
## [7811] "to say she thought the kitchen chimney wanted sweeping. Oh, said I,"
## [7812] "Patty do not come with your bad news to me. Here is the rivet of your"
## [7813] "mistress's spectacles out. Then the baked apples came home, Mrs. Wallis"
## [7814] "sent them by her boy; they are extremely civil and obliging to us, the"
## [7815] "Wallises, always--I have heard some people say that Mrs. Wallis can be"
## [7816] "uncivil and give a very rude answer, but we have never known any thing"
## [7817] "but the greatest attention from them. And it cannot be for the value"
## [7818] "of our custom now, for what is our consumption of bread, you know?"
## [7819] "Only three of us.--besides dear Jane at present--and she really eats"
## [7820] "nothing--makes such a shocking breakfast, you would be quite frightened"
## [7821] "if you saw it. I dare not let my mother know how little she eats--so I"
## [7822] "say one thing and then I say another, and it passes off. But about the"
## [7823] "middle of the day she gets hungry, and there is nothing she likes so"
## [7824] "well as these baked apples, and they are extremely wholesome, for I took"
## [7825] "the opportunity the other day of asking Mr. Perry; I happened to meet"
## [7826] "him in the street. Not that I had any doubt before--I have so often"
## [7827] "heard Mr. Woodhouse recommend a baked apple. I believe it is the only"
## [7828] "way that Mr. Woodhouse thinks the fruit thoroughly wholesome. We"
## [7829] "have apple-dumplings, however, very often. Patty makes an excellent"
## [7830] "apple-dumpling. Well, Mrs. Weston, you have prevailed, I hope, and these"
## [7831] "ladies will oblige us.\""
## [7832] ""
## [7833] "Emma would be \"very happy to wait on Mrs. Bates, &c.,\" and they did at"
## [7834] "last move out of the shop, with no farther delay from Miss Bates than,"
## [7835] ""
## [7836] "\"How do you do, Mrs. Ford? I beg your pardon. I did not see you before."
## [7837] "I hear you have a charming collection of new ribbons from town. Jane"
## [7838] "came back delighted yesterday. Thank ye, the gloves do very well--only a"
## [7839] "little too large about the wrist; but Jane is taking them in.\""
## [7840] ""
## [7841] "\"What was I talking of?\" said she, beginning again when they were all in"
## [7842] "the street."
## [7843] ""
## [7844] "Emma wondered on what, of all the medley, she would fix."
## [7845] ""
## [7846] "\"I declare I cannot recollect what I was talking of.--Oh! my mother's"
## [7847] "spectacles. So very obliging of Mr. Frank Churchill! 'Oh!' said he,"
## [7848] "'I do think I can fasten the rivet; I like a job of this kind"
## [7849] "excessively.'--Which you know shewed him to be so very.... Indeed I must"
## [7850] "say that, much as I had heard of him before and much as I had expected,"
## [7851] "he very far exceeds any thing.... I do congratulate you, Mrs. Weston,"
## [7852] "most warmly. He seems every thing the fondest parent could...."
## [7853] "'Oh!' said he, 'I can fasten the rivet. I like a job of that sort"
## [7854] "excessively.' I never shall forget his manner. And when I brought out"
## [7855] "the baked apples from the closet, and hoped our friends would be so very"
## [7856] "obliging as to take some, 'Oh!' said he directly, 'there is nothing"
## [7857] "in the way of fruit half so good, and these are the finest-looking"
## [7858] "home-baked apples I ever saw in my life.' That, you know, was so"
## [7859] "very.... And I am sure, by his manner, it was no compliment. Indeed they"
## [7860] "are very delightful apples, and Mrs. Wallis does them full justice--only"
## [7861] "we do not have them baked more than twice, and Mr. Woodhouse made us"
## [7862] "promise to have them done three times--but Miss Woodhouse will be so"
## [7863] "good as not to mention it. The apples themselves are the very finest"
## [7864] "sort for baking, beyond a doubt; all from Donwell--some of Mr."
## [7865] "Knightley's most liberal supply. He sends us a sack every year; and"
## [7866] "certainly there never was such a keeping apple anywhere as one of his"
## [7867] "trees--I believe there is two of them. My mother says the orchard was"
## [7868] "always famous in her younger days. But I was really quite shocked the"
## [7869] "other day--for Mr. Knightley called one morning, and Jane was eating"
## [7870] "these apples, and we talked about them and said how much she enjoyed"
## [7871] "them, and he asked whether we were not got to the end of our stock. 'I"
## [7872] "am sure you must be,' said he, 'and I will send you another supply; for"
## [7873] "I have a great many more than I can ever use. William Larkins let me"
## [7874] "keep a larger quantity than usual this year. I will send you some more,"
## [7875] "before they get good for nothing.' So I begged he would not--for really"
## [7876] "as to ours being gone, I could not absolutely say that we had a great"
## [7877] "many left--it was but half a dozen indeed; but they should be all kept"
## [7878] "for Jane; and I could not at all bear that he should be sending us more,"
## [7879] "so liberal as he had been already; and Jane said the same. And when"
## [7880] "he was gone, she almost quarrelled with me--No, I should not say"
## [7881] "quarrelled, for we never had a quarrel in our lives; but she was quite"
## [7882] "distressed that I had owned the apples were so nearly gone; she wished"
## [7883] "I had made him believe we had a great many left. Oh, said I, my dear,"
## [7884] "I did say as much as I could. However, the very same evening William"
## [7885] "Larkins came over with a large basket of apples, the same sort of"
## [7886] "apples, a bushel at least, and I was very much obliged, and went down"
## [7887] "and spoke to William Larkins and said every thing, as you may suppose."
## [7888] "William Larkins is such an old acquaintance! I am always glad to see"
## [7889] "him. But, however, I found afterwards from Patty, that William said it"
## [7890] "was all the apples of _that_ sort his master had; he had brought them"
## [7891] "all--and now his master had not one left to bake or boil. William did"
## [7892] "not seem to mind it himself, he was so pleased to think his master had"
## [7893] "sold so many; for William, you know, thinks more of his master's profit"
## [7894] "than any thing; but Mrs. Hodges, he said, was quite displeased at their"
## [7895] "being all sent away. She could not bear that her master should not be"
## [7896] "able to have another apple-tart this spring. He told Patty this, but bid"
## [7897] "her not mind it, and be sure not to say any thing to us about it, for"
## [7898] "Mrs. Hodges _would_ be cross sometimes, and as long as so many sacks"
## [7899] "were sold, it did not signify who ate the remainder. And so Patty told"
## [7900] "me, and I was excessively shocked indeed! I would not have Mr. Knightley"
## [7901] "know any thing about it for the world! He would be so very.... I wanted"
## [7902] "to keep it from Jane's knowledge; but, unluckily, I had mentioned it"
## [7903] "before I was aware.\""
## [7904] ""
## [7905] "Miss Bates had just done as Patty opened the door; and her visitors"
## [7906] "walked upstairs without having any regular narration to attend to,"
## [7907] "pursued only by the sounds of her desultory good-will."
## [7908] ""
## [7909] "\"Pray take care, Mrs. Weston, there is a step at the turning. Pray take"
## [7910] "care, Miss Woodhouse, ours is rather a dark staircase--rather darker"
## [7911] "and narrower than one could wish. Miss Smith, pray take care. Miss"
## [7912] "Woodhouse, I am quite concerned, I am sure you hit your foot. Miss"
## [7913] "Smith, the step at the turning.\""
## [7914] ""
## [7915] ""
## [7916] ""
## [7917] "CHAPTER X"
## [7918] ""
## [7919] ""
## [7920] "The appearance of the little sitting-room as they entered, was"
## [7921] "tranquillity itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment,"
## [7922] "slumbering on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near"
## [7923] "her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax,"
## [7924] "standing with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte."
## [7925] ""
## [7926] "Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy"
## [7927] "countenance on seeing Emma again."
## [7928] ""
## [7929] "\"This is a pleasure,\" said he, in rather a low voice, \"coming at least"
## [7930] "ten minutes earlier than I had calculated. You find me trying to be"
## [7931] "useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.\""
## [7932] ""
## [7933] "\"What!\" said Mrs. Weston, \"have not you finished it yet? you would not"
## [7934] "earn a very good livelihood as a working silversmith at this rate.\""
## [7935] ""
## [7936] "\"I have not been working uninterruptedly,\" he replied, \"I have been"
## [7937] "assisting Miss Fairfax in trying to make her instrument stand steadily,"
## [7938] "it was not quite firm; an unevenness in the floor, I believe. You see"
## [7939] "we have been wedging one leg with paper. This was very kind of you to be"
## [7940] "persuaded to come. I was almost afraid you would be hurrying home.\""
## [7941] ""
## [7942] "He contrived that she should be seated by him; and was sufficiently"
## [7943] "employed in looking out the best baked apple for her, and trying to make"
## [7944] "her help or advise him in his work, till Jane Fairfax was quite ready"
## [7945] "to sit down to the pianoforte again. That she was not immediately ready,"
## [7946] "Emma did suspect to arise from the state of her nerves; she had not yet"
## [7947] "possessed the instrument long enough to touch it without emotion; she"
## [7948] "must reason herself into the power of performance; and Emma could not"
## [7949] "but pity such feelings, whatever their origin, and could not but resolve"
## [7950] "never to expose them to her neighbour again."
## [7951] ""
## [7952] "At last Jane began, and though the first bars were feebly given, the"
## [7953] "powers of the instrument were gradually done full justice to. Mrs."
## [7954] "Weston had been delighted before, and was delighted again; Emma"
## [7955] "joined her in all her praise; and the pianoforte, with every proper"
## [7956] "discrimination, was pronounced to be altogether of the highest promise."
## [7957] ""
## [7958] "\"Whoever Colonel Campbell might employ,\" said Frank Churchill, with a"
## [7959] "smile at Emma, \"the person has not chosen ill. I heard a good deal of"
## [7960] "Colonel Campbell's taste at Weymouth; and the softness of the upper"
## [7961] "notes I am sure is exactly what he and _all_ _that_ _party_ would"
## [7962] "particularly prize. I dare say, Miss Fairfax, that he either gave his"
## [7963] "friend very minute directions, or wrote to Broadwood himself. Do not you"
## [7964] "think so?\""
## [7965] ""
## [7966] "Jane did not look round. She was not obliged to hear. Mrs. Weston had"
## [7967] "been speaking to her at the same moment."
## [7968] ""
## [7969] "\"It is not fair,\" said Emma, in a whisper; \"mine was a random guess. Do"
## [7970] "not distress her.\""
## [7971] ""
## [7972] "He shook his head with a smile, and looked as if he had very little"
## [7973] "doubt and very little mercy. Soon afterwards he began again,"
## [7974] ""
## [7975] "\"How much your friends in Ireland must be enjoying your pleasure on this"
## [7976] "occasion, Miss Fairfax. I dare say they often think of you, and wonder"
## [7977] "which will be the day, the precise day of the instrument's coming to"
## [7978] "hand. Do you imagine Colonel Campbell knows the business to be going"
## [7979] "forward just at this time?--Do you imagine it to be the consequence"
## [7980] "of an immediate commission from him, or that he may have sent only"
## [7981] "a general direction, an order indefinite as to time, to depend upon"
## [7982] "contingencies and conveniences?\""
## [7983] ""
## [7984] "He paused. She could not but hear; she could not avoid answering,"
## [7985] ""
## [7986] "\"Till I have a letter from Colonel Campbell,\" said she, in a voice of"
## [7987] "forced calmness, \"I can imagine nothing with any confidence. It must be"
## [7988] "all conjecture.\""
## [7989] ""
## [7990] "\"Conjecture--aye, sometimes one conjectures right, and sometimes one"
## [7991] "conjectures wrong. I wish I could conjecture how soon I shall make this"
## [7992] "rivet quite firm. What nonsense one talks, Miss Woodhouse, when hard"
## [7993] "at work, if one talks at all;--your real workmen, I suppose, hold their"
## [7994] "tongues; but we gentlemen labourers if we get hold of a word--Miss"
## [7995] "Fairfax said something about conjecturing. There, it is done. I have the"
## [7996] "pleasure, madam, (to Mrs. Bates,) of restoring your spectacles, healed"
## [7997] "for the present.\""
## [7998] ""
## [7999] "He was very warmly thanked both by mother and daughter; to escape a"
## [8000] "little from the latter, he went to the pianoforte, and begged Miss"
## [8001] "Fairfax, who was still sitting at it, to play something more."
## [8002] ""
## [8003] "\"If you are very kind,\" said he, \"it will be one of the waltzes we"
## [8004] "danced last night;--let me live them over again. You did not enjoy them"
## [8005] "as I did; you appeared tired the whole time. I believe you were glad we"
## [8006] "danced no longer; but I would have given worlds--all the worlds one ever"
## [8007] "has to give--for another half-hour.\""
## [8008] ""
## [8009] "She played."
## [8010] ""
## [8011] "\"What felicity it is to hear a tune again which _has_ made one"
## [8012] "happy!--If I mistake not that was danced at Weymouth.\""
## [8013] ""
## [8014] "She looked up at him for a moment, coloured deeply, and played something"
## [8015] "else. He took some music from a chair near the pianoforte, and turning"
## [8016] "to Emma, said,"
## [8017] ""
## [8018] "\"Here is something quite new to me. Do you know it?--Cramer.--And here"
## [8019] "are a new set of Irish melodies. That, from such a quarter, one might"
## [8020] "expect. This was all sent with the instrument. Very thoughtful of"
## [8021] "Colonel Campbell, was not it?--He knew Miss Fairfax could have no music"
## [8022] "here. I honour that part of the attention particularly; it shews it to"
## [8023] "have been so thoroughly from the heart. Nothing hastily done; nothing"
## [8024] "incomplete. True affection only could have prompted it.\""
## [8025] ""
## [8026] "Emma wished he would be less pointed, yet could not help being amused;"
## [8027] "and when on glancing her eye towards Jane Fairfax she caught the remains"
## [8028] "of a smile, when she saw that with all the deep blush of consciousness,"
## [8029] "there had been a smile of secret delight, she had less scruple in the"
## [8030] "amusement, and much less compunction with respect to her.--This"
## [8031] "amiable, upright, perfect Jane Fairfax was apparently cherishing very"
## [8032] "reprehensible feelings."
## [8033] ""
## [8034] "He brought all the music to her, and they looked it over together.--Emma"
## [8035] "took the opportunity of whispering,"
## [8036] ""
## [8037] "\"You speak too plain. She must understand you.\""
## [8038] ""
## [8039] "\"I hope she does. I would have her understand me. I am not in the least"
## [8040] "ashamed of my meaning.\""
## [8041] ""
## [8042] "\"But really, I am half ashamed, and wish I had never taken up the idea.\""
## [8043] ""
## [8044] "\"I am very glad you did, and that you communicated it to me. I have now"
## [8045] "a key to all her odd looks and ways. Leave shame to her. If she does"
## [8046] "wrong, she ought to feel it.\""
## [8047] ""
## [8048] "\"She is not entirely without it, I think.\""
## [8049] ""
## [8050] "\"I do not see much sign of it. She is playing _Robin_ _Adair_ at this"
## [8051] "moment--_his_ favourite.\""
## [8052] ""
## [8053] "Shortly afterwards Miss Bates, passing near the window, descried Mr."
## [8054] "Knightley on horse-back not far off."
## [8055] ""
## [8056] "\"Mr. Knightley I declare!--I must speak to him if possible, just to"
## [8057] "thank him. I will not open the window here; it would give you all cold;"
## [8058] "but I can go into my mother's room you know. I dare say he will come"
## [8059] "in when he knows who is here. Quite delightful to have you all meet"
## [8060] "so!--Our little room so honoured!\""
## [8061] ""
## [8062] "She was in the adjoining chamber while she still spoke, and opening the"
## [8063] "casement there, immediately called Mr. Knightley's attention, and every"
## [8064] "syllable of their conversation was as distinctly heard by the others, as"
## [8065] "if it had passed within the same apartment."
## [8066] ""
## [8067] "\"How d' ye do?--how d'ye do?--Very well, I thank you. So obliged to you"
## [8068] "for the carriage last night. We were just in time; my mother just ready"
## [8069] "for us. Pray come in; do come in. You will find some friends here.\""
## [8070] ""
## [8071] "So began Miss Bates; and Mr. Knightley seemed determined to be heard in"
## [8072] "his turn, for most resolutely and commandingly did he say,"
## [8073] ""
## [8074] "\"How is your niece, Miss Bates?--I want to inquire after you all, but"
## [8075] "particularly your niece. How is Miss Fairfax?--I hope she caught no cold"
## [8076] "last night. How is she to-day? Tell me how Miss Fairfax is.\""
## [8077] ""
## [8078] "And Miss Bates was obliged to give a direct answer before he would hear"
## [8079] "her in any thing else. The listeners were amused; and Mrs. Weston gave"
## [8080] "Emma a look of particular meaning. But Emma still shook her head in"
## [8081] "steady scepticism."
## [8082] ""
## [8083] "\"So obliged to you!--so very much obliged to you for the carriage,\""
## [8084] "resumed Miss Bates."
## [8085] ""
## [8086] "He cut her short with,"
## [8087] ""
## [8088] "\"I am going to Kingston. Can I do any thing for you?\""
## [8089] ""
## [8090] "\"Oh! dear, Kingston--are you?--Mrs. Cole was saying the other day she"
## [8091] "wanted something from Kingston.\""
## [8092] ""
## [8093] "\"Mrs. Cole has servants to send. Can I do any thing for _you_?\""
## [8094] ""
## [8095] "\"No, I thank you. But do come in. Who do you think is here?--Miss"
## [8096] "Woodhouse and Miss Smith; so kind as to call to hear the new pianoforte."
## [8097] "Do put up your horse at the Crown, and come in.\""
## [8098] ""
## [8099] "\"Well,\" said he, in a deliberating manner, \"for five minutes, perhaps.\""
## [8100] ""
## [8101] "\"And here is Mrs. Weston and Mr. Frank Churchill too!--Quite delightful;"
## [8102] "so many friends!\""
## [8103] ""
## [8104] "\"No, not now, I thank you. I could not stay two minutes. I must get on"
## [8105] "to Kingston as fast as I can.\""
## [8106] ""
## [8107] "\"Oh! do come in. They will be so very happy to see you.\""
## [8108] ""
## [8109] "\"No, no; your room is full enough. I will call another day, and hear the"
## [8110] "pianoforte.\""
## [8111] ""
## [8112] "\"Well, I am so sorry!--Oh! Mr. Knightley, what a delightful party last"
## [8113] "night; how extremely pleasant.--Did you ever see such dancing?--Was not"
## [8114] "it delightful?--Miss Woodhouse and Mr. Frank Churchill; I never saw any"
## [8115] "thing equal to it.\""
## [8116] ""
## [8117] "\"Oh! very delightful indeed; I can say nothing less, for I suppose Miss"
## [8118] "Woodhouse and Mr. Frank Churchill are hearing every thing that passes."
## [8119] "And (raising his voice still more) I do not see why Miss Fairfax should"
## [8120] "not be mentioned too. I think Miss Fairfax dances very well; and Mrs."
## [8121] "Weston is the very best country-dance player, without exception,"
## [8122] "in England. Now, if your friends have any gratitude, they will say"
## [8123] "something pretty loud about you and me in return; but I cannot stay to"
## [8124] "hear it.\""
## [8125] ""
## [8126] "\"Oh! Mr. Knightley, one moment more; something of consequence--so"
## [8127] "shocked!--Jane and I are both so shocked about the apples!\""
## [8128] ""
## [8129] "\"What is the matter now?\""
## [8130] ""
## [8131] "\"To think of your sending us all your store apples. You said you had"
## [8132] "a great many, and now you have not one left. We really are so shocked!"
## [8133] "Mrs. Hodges may well be angry. William Larkins mentioned it here. You"
## [8134] "should not have done it, indeed you should not. Ah! he is off. He never"
## [8135] "can bear to be thanked. But I thought he would have staid now, and it"
## [8136] "would have been a pity not to have mentioned.... Well, (returning to the"
## [8137] "room,) I have not been able to succeed. Mr. Knightley cannot stop. He is"
## [8138] "going to Kingston. He asked me if he could do any thing....\""
## [8139] ""
## [8140] "\"Yes,\" said Jane, \"we heard his kind offers, we heard every thing.\""
## [8141] ""
## [8142] "\"Oh! yes, my dear, I dare say you might, because you know, the door was"
## [8143] "open, and the window was open, and Mr. Knightley spoke loud. You must"
## [8144] "have heard every thing to be sure. 'Can I do any thing for you at"
## [8145] "Kingston?' said he; so I just mentioned.... Oh! Miss Woodhouse, must you"
## [8146] "be going?--You seem but just come--so very obliging of you.\""
## [8147] ""
## [8148] "Emma found it really time to be at home; the visit had already lasted"
## [8149] "long; and on examining watches, so much of the morning was perceived"
## [8150] "to be gone, that Mrs. Weston and her companion taking leave also, could"
## [8151] "allow themselves only to walk with the two young ladies to Hartfield"
## [8152] "gates, before they set off for Randalls."
## [8153] ""
## [8154] ""
## [8155] ""
## [8156] "CHAPTER XI"
## [8157] ""
## [8158] ""
## [8159] "It may be possible to do without dancing entirely. Instances have been"
## [8160] "known of young people passing many, many months successively, without"
## [8161] "being at any ball of any description, and no material injury accrue"
## [8162] "either to body or mind;--but when a beginning is made--when the"
## [8163] "felicities of rapid motion have once been, though slightly, felt--it"
## [8164] "must be a very heavy set that does not ask for more."
## [8165] ""
## [8166] "Frank Churchill had danced once at Highbury, and longed to dance again;"
## [8167] "and the last half-hour of an evening which Mr. Woodhouse was persuaded"
## [8168] "to spend with his daughter at Randalls, was passed by the two young"
## [8169] "people in schemes on the subject. Frank's was the first idea; and his"
## [8170] "the greatest zeal in pursuing it; for the lady was the best judge of the"
## [8171] "difficulties, and the most solicitous for accommodation and appearance."
## [8172] "But still she had inclination enough for shewing people again how"
## [8173] "delightfully Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse danced--for"
## [8174] "doing that in which she need not blush to compare herself with Jane"
## [8175] "Fairfax--and even for simple dancing itself, without any of the wicked"
## [8176] "aids of vanity--to assist him first in pacing out the room they were in"
## [8177] "to see what it could be made to hold--and then in taking the dimensions"
## [8178] "of the other parlour, in the hope of discovering, in spite of all that"
## [8179] "Mr. Weston could say of their exactly equal size, that it was a little"
## [8180] "the largest."
## [8181] ""
## [8182] "His first proposition and request, that the dance begun at Mr. Cole's"
## [8183] "should be finished there--that the same party should be collected,"
## [8184] "and the same musician engaged, met with the readiest acquiescence. Mr."
## [8185] "Weston entered into the idea with thorough enjoyment, and Mrs. Weston"
## [8186] "most willingly undertook to play as long as they could wish to dance;"
## [8187] "and the interesting employment had followed, of reckoning up exactly who"
## [8188] "there would be, and portioning out the indispensable division of space"
## [8189] "to every couple."
## [8190] ""
## [8191] "\"You and Miss Smith, and Miss Fairfax, will be three, and the two Miss"
## [8192] "Coxes five,\" had been repeated many times over. \"And there will be the"
## [8193] "two Gilberts, young Cox, my father, and myself, besides Mr. Knightley."
## [8194] "Yes, that will be quite enough for pleasure. You and Miss Smith, and"
## [8195] "Miss Fairfax, will be three, and the two Miss Coxes five; and for five"
## [8196] "couple there will be plenty of room.\""
## [8197] ""
## [8198] "But soon it came to be on one side,"
## [8199] ""
## [8200] "\"But will there be good room for five couple?--I really do not think"
## [8201] "there will.\""
## [8202] ""
## [8203] "On another,"
## [8204] ""
## [8205] "\"And after all, five couple are not enough to make it worth while to"
## [8206] "stand up. Five couple are nothing, when one thinks seriously about it."
## [8207] "It will not do to _invite_ five couple. It can be allowable only as the"
## [8208] "thought of the moment.\""
## [8209] ""
## [8210] "Somebody said that _Miss_ Gilbert was expected at her brother's, and"
## [8211] "must be invited with the rest. Somebody else believed _Mrs_. Gilbert"
## [8212] "would have danced the other evening, if she had been asked. A word was"
## [8213] "put in for a second young Cox; and at last, Mr. Weston naming one family"
## [8214] "of cousins who must be included, and another of very old acquaintance"
## [8215] "who could not be left out, it became a certainty that the five couple"
## [8216] "would be at least ten, and a very interesting speculation in what"
## [8217] "possible manner they could be disposed of."
## [8218] ""
## [8219] "The doors of the two rooms were just opposite each other. \"Might not"
## [8220] "they use both rooms, and dance across the passage?\" It seemed the"
## [8221] "best scheme; and yet it was not so good but that many of them wanted a"
## [8222] "better. Emma said it would be awkward; Mrs. Weston was in distress about"
## [8223] "the supper; and Mr. Woodhouse opposed it earnestly, on the score of"
## [8224] "health. It made him so very unhappy, indeed, that it could not be"
## [8225] "persevered in."
## [8226] ""
## [8227] "\"Oh! no,\" said he; \"it would be the extreme of imprudence. I could not"
## [8228] "bear it for Emma!--Emma is not strong. She would catch a dreadful cold."
## [8229] "So would poor little Harriet. So you would all. Mrs. Weston, you would"
## [8230] "be quite laid up; do not let them talk of such a wild thing. Pray do"
## [8231] "not let them talk of it. That young man (speaking lower) is very"
## [8232] "thoughtless. Do not tell his father, but that young man is not quite"
## [8233] "the thing. He has been opening the doors very often this evening,"
## [8234] "and keeping them open very inconsiderately. He does not think of the"
## [8235] "draught. I do not mean to set you against him, but indeed he is not"
## [8236] "quite the thing!\""
## [8237] ""
## [8238] "Mrs. Weston was sorry for such a charge. She knew the importance of"
## [8239] "it, and said every thing in her power to do it away. Every door was now"
## [8240] "closed, the passage plan given up, and the first scheme of dancing only"
## [8241] "in the room they were in resorted to again; and with such good-will on"
## [8242] "Frank Churchill's part, that the space which a quarter of an hour before"
## [8243] "had been deemed barely sufficient for five couple, was now endeavoured"
## [8244] "to be made out quite enough for ten."
## [8245] ""
## [8246] "\"We were too magnificent,\" said he. \"We allowed unnecessary room. Ten"
## [8247] "couple may stand here very well.\""
## [8248] ""
## [8249] "Emma demurred. \"It would be a crowd--a sad crowd; and what could be"
## [8250] "worse than dancing without space to turn in?\""
## [8251] ""
## [8252] "\"Very true,\" he gravely replied; \"it was very bad.\" But still he went on"
## [8253] "measuring, and still he ended with,"
## [8254] ""
## [8255] "\"I think there will be very tolerable room for ten couple.\""
## [8256] ""
## [8257] "\"No, no,\" said she, \"you are quite unreasonable. It would be dreadful"
## [8258] "to be standing so close! Nothing can be farther from pleasure than to be"
## [8259] "dancing in a crowd--and a crowd in a little room!\""
## [8260] ""
## [8261] "\"There is no denying it,\" he replied. \"I agree with you exactly. A crowd"
## [8262] "in a little room--Miss Woodhouse, you have the art of giving pictures"
## [8263] "in a few words. Exquisite, quite exquisite!--Still, however, having"
## [8264] "proceeded so far, one is unwilling to give the matter up. It would be"
## [8265] "a disappointment to my father--and altogether--I do not know that--I am"
## [8266] "rather of opinion that ten couple might stand here very well.\""
## [8267] ""
## [8268] "Emma perceived that the nature of his gallantry was a little"
## [8269] "self-willed, and that he would rather oppose than lose the pleasure of"
## [8270] "dancing with her; but she took the compliment, and forgave the rest."
## [8271] "Had she intended ever to _marry_ him, it might have been worth while to"
## [8272] "pause and consider, and try to understand the value of his preference,"
## [8273] "and the character of his temper; but for all the purposes of their"
## [8274] "acquaintance, he was quite amiable enough."
## [8275] ""
## [8276] "Before the middle of the next day, he was at Hartfield; and he entered"
## [8277] "the room with such an agreeable smile as certified the continuance of"
## [8278] "the scheme. It soon appeared that he came to announce an improvement."
## [8279] ""
## [8280] "\"Well, Miss Woodhouse,\" he almost immediately began, \"your inclination"
## [8281] "for dancing has not been quite frightened away, I hope, by the terrors"
## [8282] "of my father's little rooms. I bring a new proposal on the subject:--a"
## [8283] "thought of my father's, which waits only your approbation to be acted"
## [8284] "upon. May I hope for the honour of your hand for the two first dances"
## [8285] "of this little projected ball, to be given, not at Randalls, but at the"
## [8286] "Crown Inn?\""
## [8287] ""
## [8288] "\"The Crown!\""
## [8289] ""
## [8290] "\"Yes; if you and Mr. Woodhouse see no objection, and I trust you cannot,"
## [8291] "my father hopes his friends will be so kind as to visit him there."
## [8292] "Better accommodations, he can promise them, and not a less grateful"
## [8293] "welcome than at Randalls. It is his own idea. Mrs. Weston sees no"
## [8294] "objection to it, provided you are satisfied. This is what we all feel."
## [8295] "Oh! you were perfectly right! Ten couple, in either of the Randalls"
## [8296] "rooms, would have been insufferable!--Dreadful!--I felt how right you"
## [8297] "were the whole time, but was too anxious for securing _any_ _thing_"
## [8298] "to like to yield. Is not it a good exchange?--You consent--I hope you"
## [8299] "consent?\""
## [8300] ""
## [8301] "\"It appears to me a plan that nobody can object to, if Mr. and Mrs."
## [8302] "Weston do not. I think it admirable; and, as far as I can answer for"
## [8303] "myself, shall be most happy--It seems the only improvement that could"
## [8304] "be. Papa, do you not think it an excellent improvement?\""
## [8305] ""
## [8306] "She was obliged to repeat and explain it, before it was fully"
## [8307] "comprehended; and then, being quite new, farther representations were"
## [8308] "necessary to make it acceptable."
## [8309] ""
## [8310] "\"No; he thought it very far from an improvement--a very bad plan--much"
## [8311] "worse than the other. A room at an inn was always damp and dangerous;"
## [8312] "never properly aired, or fit to be inhabited. If they must dance, they"
## [8313] "had better dance at Randalls. He had never been in the room at the Crown"
## [8314] "in his life--did not know the people who kept it by sight.--Oh! no--a"
## [8315] "very bad plan. They would catch worse colds at the Crown than anywhere.\""
## [8316] ""
## [8317] "\"I was going to observe, sir,\" said Frank Churchill, \"that one of the"
## [8318] "great recommendations of this change would be the very little danger"
## [8319] "of any body's catching cold--so much less danger at the Crown than at"
## [8320] "Randalls! Mr. Perry might have reason to regret the alteration, but"
## [8321] "nobody else could.\""
## [8322] ""
## [8323] "\"Sir,\" said Mr. Woodhouse, rather warmly, \"you are very much mistaken"
## [8324] "if you suppose Mr. Perry to be that sort of character. Mr. Perry is"
## [8325] "extremely concerned when any of us are ill. But I do not understand how"
## [8326] "the room at the Crown can be safer for you than your father's house.\""
## [8327] ""
## [8328] "\"From the very circumstance of its being larger, sir. We shall have no"
## [8329] "occasion to open the windows at all--not once the whole evening; and it"
## [8330] "is that dreadful habit of opening the windows, letting in cold air upon"
## [8331] "heated bodies, which (as you well know, sir) does the mischief.\""
## [8332] ""
## [8333] "\"Open the windows!--but surely, Mr. Churchill, nobody would think of"
## [8334] "opening the windows at Randalls. Nobody could be so imprudent! I never"
## [8335] "heard of such a thing. Dancing with open windows!--I am sure, neither"
## [8336] "your father nor Mrs. Weston (poor Miss Taylor that was) would suffer"
## [8337] "it.\""
## [8338] ""
## [8339] "\"Ah! sir--but a thoughtless young person will sometimes step behind a"
## [8340] "window-curtain, and throw up a sash, without its being suspected. I have"
## [8341] "often known it done myself.\""
## [8342] ""
## [8343] "\"Have you indeed, sir?--Bless me! I never could have supposed it. But I"
## [8344] "live out of the world, and am often astonished at what I hear. However,"
## [8345] "this does make a difference; and, perhaps, when we come to talk it"
## [8346] "over--but these sort of things require a good deal of consideration. One"
## [8347] "cannot resolve upon them in a hurry. If Mr. and Mrs. Weston will be so"
## [8348] "obliging as to call here one morning, we may talk it over, and see what"
## [8349] "can be done.\""
## [8350] ""
## [8351] "\"But, unfortunately, sir, my time is so limited--\""
## [8352] ""
## [8353] "\"Oh!\" interrupted Emma, \"there will be plenty of time for talking every"
## [8354] "thing over. There is no hurry at all. If it can be contrived to be at"
## [8355] "the Crown, papa, it will be very convenient for the horses. They will be"
## [8356] "so near their own stable.\""
## [8357] ""
## [8358] "\"So they will, my dear. That is a great thing. Not that James ever"
## [8359] "complains; but it is right to spare our horses when we can. If I could"
## [8360] "be sure of the rooms being thoroughly aired--but is Mrs. Stokes to be"
## [8361] "trusted? I doubt it. I do not know her, even by sight.\""
## [8362] ""
## [8363] "\"I can answer for every thing of that nature, sir, because it will be"
## [8364] "under Mrs. Weston's care. Mrs. Weston undertakes to direct the whole.\""
## [8365] ""
## [8366] "\"There, papa!--Now you must be satisfied--Our own dear Mrs. Weston, who"
## [8367] "is carefulness itself. Do not you remember what Mr. Perry said, so many"
## [8368] "years ago, when I had the measles? 'If _Miss_ _Taylor_ undertakes to"
## [8369] "wrap Miss Emma up, you need not have any fears, sir.' How often have I"
## [8370] "heard you speak of it as such a compliment to her!\""
## [8371] ""
## [8372] "\"Aye, very true. Mr. Perry did say so. I shall never forget it. Poor"
## [8373] "little Emma! You were very bad with the measles; that is, you would have"
## [8374] "been very bad, but for Perry's great attention. He came four times a day"
## [8375] "for a week. He said, from the first, it was a very good sort--which"
## [8376] "was our great comfort; but the measles are a dreadful complaint. I hope"
## [8377] "whenever poor Isabella's little ones have the measles, she will send for"
## [8378] "Perry.\""
## [8379] ""
## [8380] "\"My father and Mrs. Weston are at the Crown at this moment,\" said Frank"
## [8381] "Churchill, \"examining the capabilities of the house. I left them there"
## [8382] "and came on to Hartfield, impatient for your opinion, and hoping you"
## [8383] "might be persuaded to join them and give your advice on the spot. I was"
## [8384] "desired to say so from both. It would be the greatest pleasure to"
## [8385] "them, if you could allow me to attend you there. They can do nothing"
## [8386] "satisfactorily without you.\""
## [8387] ""
## [8388] "Emma was most happy to be called to such a council; and her father,"
## [8389] "engaging to think it all over while she was gone, the two young people"
## [8390] "set off together without delay for the Crown. There were Mr. and Mrs."
## [8391] "Weston; delighted to see her and receive her approbation, very busy and"
## [8392] "very happy in their different way; she, in some little distress; and he,"
## [8393] "finding every thing perfect."
## [8394] ""
## [8395] "\"Emma,\" said she, \"this paper is worse than I expected. Look! in places"
## [8396] "you see it is dreadfully dirty; and the wainscot is more yellow and"
## [8397] "forlorn than any thing I could have imagined.\""
## [8398] ""
## [8399] "\"My dear, you are too particular,\" said her husband. \"What does all that"
## [8400] "signify? You will see nothing of it by candlelight. It will be as"
## [8401] "clean as Randalls by candlelight. We never see any thing of it on our"
## [8402] "club-nights.\""
## [8403] ""
## [8404] "The ladies here probably exchanged looks which meant, \"Men never know"
## [8405] "when things are dirty or not;\" and the gentlemen perhaps thought each to"
## [8406] "himself, \"Women will have their little nonsenses and needless cares.\""
## [8407] ""
## [8408] "One perplexity, however, arose, which the gentlemen did not disdain."
## [8409] "It regarded a supper-room. At the time of the ballroom's being built,"
## [8410] "suppers had not been in question; and a small card-room adjoining, was"
## [8411] "the only addition. What was to be done? This card-room would be wanted"
## [8412] "as a card-room now; or, if cards were conveniently voted unnecessary"
## [8413] "by their four selves, still was it not too small for any comfortable"
## [8414] "supper? Another room of much better size might be secured for the"
## [8415] "purpose; but it was at the other end of the house, and a long awkward"
## [8416] "passage must be gone through to get at it. This made a difficulty. Mrs."
## [8417] "Weston was afraid of draughts for the young people in that passage;"
## [8418] "and neither Emma nor the gentlemen could tolerate the prospect of being"
## [8419] "miserably crowded at supper."
## [8420] ""
## [8421] "Mrs. Weston proposed having no regular supper; merely sandwiches,"
## [8422] "&c., set out in the little room; but that was scouted as a wretched"
## [8423] "suggestion. A private dance, without sitting down to supper, was"
## [8424] "pronounced an infamous fraud upon the rights of men and women; and"
## [8425] "Mrs. Weston must not speak of it again. She then took another line of"
## [8426] "expediency, and looking into the doubtful room, observed,"
## [8427] ""
## [8428] "\"I do not think it _is_ so very small. We shall not be many, you know.\""
## [8429] ""
## [8430] "And Mr. Weston at the same time, walking briskly with long steps through"
## [8431] "the passage, was calling out,"
## [8432] ""
## [8433] "\"You talk a great deal of the length of this passage, my dear. It is a"
## [8434] "mere nothing after all; and not the least draught from the stairs.\""
## [8435] ""
## [8436] "\"I wish,\" said Mrs. Weston, \"one could know which arrangement our guests"
## [8437] "in general would like best. To do what would be most generally pleasing"
## [8438] "must be our object--if one could but tell what that would be.\""
## [8439] ""
## [8440] "\"Yes, very true,\" cried Frank, \"very true. You want your neighbours'"
## [8441] "opinions. I do not wonder at you. If one could ascertain what the chief"
## [8442] "of them--the Coles, for instance. They are not far off. Shall I call"
## [8443] "upon them? Or Miss Bates? She is still nearer.--And I do not know"
## [8444] "whether Miss Bates is not as likely to understand the inclinations of"
## [8445] "the rest of the people as any body. I think we do want a larger council."
## [8446] "Suppose I go and invite Miss Bates to join us?\""
## [8447] ""
## [8448] "\"Well--if you please,\" said Mrs. Weston rather hesitating, \"if you think"
## [8449] "she will be of any use.\""
## [8450] ""
## [8451] "\"You will get nothing to the purpose from Miss Bates,\" said Emma. \"She"
## [8452] "will be all delight and gratitude, but she will tell you nothing. She"
## [8453] "will not even listen to your questions. I see no advantage in consulting"
## [8454] "Miss Bates.\""
## [8455] ""
## [8456] "\"But she is so amusing, so extremely amusing! I am very fond of hearing"
## [8457] "Miss Bates talk. And I need not bring the whole family, you know.\""
## [8458] ""
## [8459] "Here Mr. Weston joined them, and on hearing what was proposed, gave it"
## [8460] "his decided approbation."
## [8461] ""
## [8462] "\"Aye, do, Frank.--Go and fetch Miss Bates, and let us end the matter at"
## [8463] "once. She will enjoy the scheme, I am sure; and I do not know a properer"
## [8464] "person for shewing us how to do away difficulties. Fetch Miss Bates."
## [8465] "We are growing a little too nice. She is a standing lesson of how to be"
## [8466] "happy. But fetch them both. Invite them both.\""
## [8467] ""
## [8468] "\"Both sir! Can the old lady?\"..."
## [8469] ""
## [8470] "\"The old lady! No, the young lady, to be sure. I shall think you a great"
## [8471] "blockhead, Frank, if you bring the aunt without the niece.\""
## [8472] ""
## [8473] "\"Oh! I beg your pardon, sir. I did not immediately recollect."
## [8474] "Undoubtedly if you wish it, I will endeavour to persuade them both.\" And"
## [8475] "away he ran."
## [8476] ""
## [8477] "Long before he reappeared, attending the short, neat, brisk-moving aunt,"
## [8478] "and her elegant niece,--Mrs. Weston, like a sweet-tempered woman and"
## [8479] "a good wife, had examined the passage again, and found the evils of it"
## [8480] "much less than she had supposed before--indeed very trifling; and here"
## [8481] "ended the difficulties of decision. All the rest, in speculation at"
## [8482] "least, was perfectly smooth. All the minor arrangements of table and"
## [8483] "chair, lights and music, tea and supper, made themselves; or were left"
## [8484] "as mere trifles to be settled at any time between Mrs. Weston and Mrs."
## [8485] "Stokes.--Every body invited, was certainly to come; Frank had already"
## [8486] "written to Enscombe to propose staying a few days beyond his fortnight,"
## [8487] "which could not possibly be refused. And a delightful dance it was to"
## [8488] "be."
## [8489] ""
## [8490] "Most cordially, when Miss Bates arrived, did she agree that it must."
## [8491] "As a counsellor she was not wanted; but as an approver, (a much safer"
## [8492] "character,) she was truly welcome. Her approbation, at once general"
## [8493] "and minute, warm and incessant, could not but please; and for another"
## [8494] "half-hour they were all walking to and fro, between the different rooms,"
## [8495] "some suggesting, some attending, and all in happy enjoyment of the"
## [8496] "future. The party did not break up without Emma's being positively"
## [8497] "secured for the two first dances by the hero of the evening, nor without"
## [8498] "her overhearing Mr. Weston whisper to his wife, \"He has asked her, my"
## [8499] "dear. That's right. I knew he would!\""
## [8500] ""
## [8501] ""
## [8502] ""
## [8503] "CHAPTER XII"
## [8504] ""
## [8505] ""
## [8506] "One thing only was wanting to make the prospect of the ball completely"
## [8507] "satisfactory to Emma--its being fixed for a day within the granted"
## [8508] "term of Frank Churchill's stay in Surry; for, in spite of Mr. Weston's"
## [8509] "confidence, she could not think it so very impossible that the"
## [8510] "Churchills might not allow their nephew to remain a day beyond his"
## [8511] "fortnight. But this was not judged feasible. The preparations must take"
## [8512] "their time, nothing could be properly ready till the third week were"
## [8513] "entered on, and for a few days they must be planning, proceeding and"
## [8514] "hoping in uncertainty--at the risk--in her opinion, the great risk, of"
## [8515] "its being all in vain."
## [8516] ""
## [8517] "Enscombe however was gracious, gracious in fact, if not in word. His"
## [8518] "wish of staying longer evidently did not please; but it was not opposed."
## [8519] "All was safe and prosperous; and as the removal of one solicitude"
## [8520] "generally makes way for another, Emma, being now certain of her"
## [8521] "ball, began to adopt as the next vexation Mr. Knightley's provoking"
## [8522] "indifference about it. Either because he did not dance himself, or"
## [8523] "because the plan had been formed without his being consulted, he"
## [8524] "seemed resolved that it should not interest him, determined against its"
## [8525] "exciting any present curiosity, or affording him any future amusement."
## [8526] "To her voluntary communications Emma could get no more approving reply,"
## [8527] "than,"
## [8528] ""
## [8529] "\"Very well. If the Westons think it worth while to be at all this"
## [8530] "trouble for a few hours of noisy entertainment, I have nothing to say"
## [8531] "against it, but that they shall not chuse pleasures for me.--Oh! yes,"
## [8532] "I must be there; I could not refuse; and I will keep as much awake as"
## [8533] "I can; but I would rather be at home, looking over William Larkins's"
## [8534] "week's account; much rather, I confess.--Pleasure in seeing"
## [8535] "dancing!--not I, indeed--I never look at it--I do not know who"
## [8536] "does.--Fine dancing, I believe, like virtue, must be its own reward."
## [8537] "Those who are standing by are usually thinking of something very"
## [8538] "different.\""
## [8539] ""
## [8540] "This Emma felt was aimed at her; and it made her quite angry. It was not"
## [8541] "in compliment to Jane Fairfax however that he was so indifferent, or so"
## [8542] "indignant; he was not guided by _her_ feelings in reprobating the ball,"
## [8543] "for _she_ enjoyed the thought of it to an extraordinary degree. It made"
## [8544] "her animated--open hearted--she voluntarily said;--"
## [8545] ""
## [8546] "\"Oh! Miss Woodhouse, I hope nothing may happen to prevent the ball."
## [8547] "What a disappointment it would be! I do look forward to it, I own, with"
## [8548] "_very_ great pleasure.\""
## [8549] ""
## [8550] "It was not to oblige Jane Fairfax therefore that he would have preferred"
## [8551] "the society of William Larkins. No!--she was more and more convinced"
## [8552] "that Mrs. Weston was quite mistaken in that surmise. There was a great"
## [8553] "deal of friendly and of compassionate attachment on his side--but no"
## [8554] "love."
## [8555] ""
## [8556] "Alas! there was soon no leisure for quarrelling with Mr. Knightley. Two"
## [8557] "days of joyful security were immediately followed by the over-throw of"
## [8558] "every thing. A letter arrived from Mr. Churchill to urge his nephew's"
## [8559] "instant return. Mrs. Churchill was unwell--far too unwell to do without"
## [8560] "him; she had been in a very suffering state (so said her husband)"
## [8561] "when writing to her nephew two days before, though from her usual"
## [8562] "unwillingness to give pain, and constant habit of never thinking of"
## [8563] "herself, she had not mentioned it; but now she was too ill to trifle,"
## [8564] "and must entreat him to set off for Enscombe without delay."
## [8565] ""
## [8566] "The substance of this letter was forwarded to Emma, in a note from Mrs."
## [8567] "Weston, instantly. As to his going, it was inevitable. He must be gone"
## [8568] "within a few hours, though without feeling any real alarm for his aunt,"
## [8569] "to lessen his repugnance. He knew her illnesses; they never occurred but"
## [8570] "for her own convenience."
## [8571] ""
## [8572] "Mrs. Weston added, \"that he could only allow himself time to hurry to"
## [8573] "Highbury, after breakfast, and take leave of the few friends there"
## [8574] "whom he could suppose to feel any interest in him; and that he might be"
## [8575] "expected at Hartfield very soon.\""
## [8576] ""
## [8577] "This wretched note was the finale of Emma's breakfast. When once it had"
## [8578] "been read, there was no doing any thing, but lament and exclaim. The"
## [8579] "loss of the ball--the loss of the young man--and all that the young man"
## [8580] "might be feeling!--It was too wretched!--Such a delightful evening as"
## [8581] "it would have been!--Every body so happy! and she and her partner the"
## [8582] "happiest!--\"I said it would be so,\" was the only consolation."
## [8583] ""
## [8584] "Her father's feelings were quite distinct. He thought principally of"
## [8585] "Mrs. Churchill's illness, and wanted to know how she was treated; and as"
## [8586] "for the ball, it was shocking to have dear Emma disappointed; but they"
## [8587] "would all be safer at home."
## [8588] ""
## [8589] "Emma was ready for her visitor some time before he appeared; but if this"
## [8590] "reflected at all upon his impatience, his sorrowful look and total want"
## [8591] "of spirits when he did come might redeem him. He felt the going away"
## [8592] "almost too much to speak of it. His dejection was most evident. He"
## [8593] "sat really lost in thought for the first few minutes; and when rousing"
## [8594] "himself, it was only to say,"
## [8595] ""
## [8596] "\"Of all horrid things, leave-taking is the worst.\""
## [8597] ""
## [8598] "\"But you will come again,\" said Emma. \"This will not be your only visit"
## [8599] "to Randalls.\""
## [8600] ""
## [8601] "\"Ah!--(shaking his head)--the uncertainty of when I may be able to"
## [8602] "return!--I shall try for it with a zeal!--It will be the object of"
## [8603] "all my thoughts and cares!--and if my uncle and aunt go to town this"
## [8604] "spring--but I am afraid--they did not stir last spring--I am afraid it"
## [8605] "is a custom gone for ever.\""
## [8606] ""
## [8607] "\"Our poor ball must be quite given up.\""
## [8608] ""
## [8609] "\"Ah! that ball!--why did we wait for any thing?--why not seize the"
## [8610] "pleasure at once?--How often is happiness destroyed by preparation,"
## [8611] "foolish preparation!--You told us it would be so.--Oh! Miss Woodhouse,"
## [8612] "why are you always so right?\""
## [8613] ""
## [8614] "\"Indeed, I am very sorry to be right in this instance. I would much"
## [8615] "rather have been merry than wise.\""
## [8616] ""
## [8617] "\"If I can come again, we are still to have our ball. My father depends"
## [8618] "on it. Do not forget your engagement.\""
## [8619] ""
## [8620] "Emma looked graciously."
## [8621] ""
## [8622] "\"Such a fortnight as it has been!\" he continued; \"every day more"
## [8623] "precious and more delightful than the day before!--every day making"
## [8624] "me less fit to bear any other place. Happy those, who can remain at"
## [8625] "Highbury!\""
## [8626] ""
## [8627] "\"As you do us such ample justice now,\" said Emma, laughing, \"I will"
## [8628] "venture to ask, whether you did not come a little doubtfully at first?"
## [8629] "Do not we rather surpass your expectations? I am sure we do. I am sure"
## [8630] "you did not much expect to like us. You would not have been so long in"
## [8631] "coming, if you had had a pleasant idea of Highbury.\""
## [8632] ""
## [8633] "He laughed rather consciously; and though denying the sentiment, Emma"
## [8634] "was convinced that it had been so."
## [8635] ""
## [8636] "\"And you must be off this very morning?\""
## [8637] ""
## [8638] "\"Yes; my father is to join me here: we shall walk back together, and I"
## [8639] "must be off immediately. I am almost afraid that every moment will bring"
## [8640] "him.\""
## [8641] ""
## [8642] "\"Not five minutes to spare even for your friends Miss Fairfax and Miss"
## [8643] "Bates? How unlucky! Miss Bates's powerful, argumentative mind might have"
## [8644] "strengthened yours.\""
## [8645] ""
## [8646] "\"Yes--I _have_ called there; passing the door, I thought it better. It"
## [8647] "was a right thing to do. I went in for three minutes, and was detained"
## [8648] "by Miss Bates's being absent. She was out; and I felt it impossible not"
## [8649] "to wait till she came in. She is a woman that one may, that one _must_"
## [8650] "laugh at; but that one would not wish to slight. It was better to pay my"
## [8651] "visit, then\"--"
## [8652] ""
## [8653] "He hesitated, got up, walked to a window."
## [8654] ""
## [8655] "\"In short,\" said he, \"perhaps, Miss Woodhouse--I think you can hardly be"
## [8656] "quite without suspicion\"--"
## [8657] ""
## [8658] "He looked at her, as if wanting to read her thoughts. She hardly knew"
## [8659] "what to say. It seemed like the forerunner of something absolutely"
## [8660] "serious, which she did not wish. Forcing herself to speak, therefore, in"
## [8661] "the hope of putting it by, she calmly said,"
## [8662] ""
## [8663] "\"You are quite in the right; it was most natural to pay your visit,"
## [8664] "then\"--"
## [8665] ""
## [8666] "He was silent. She believed he was looking at her; probably reflecting"
## [8667] "on what she had said, and trying to understand the manner. She heard"
## [8668] "him sigh. It was natural for him to feel that he had _cause_ to sigh."
## [8669] "He could not believe her to be encouraging him. A few awkward moments"
## [8670] "passed, and he sat down again; and in a more determined manner said,"
## [8671] ""
## [8672] "\"It was something to feel that all the rest of my time might be given to"
## [8673] "Hartfield. My regard for Hartfield is most warm\"--"
## [8674] ""
## [8675] "He stopt again, rose again, and seemed quite embarrassed.--He was more"
## [8676] "in love with her than Emma had supposed; and who can say how it might"
## [8677] "have ended, if his father had not made his appearance? Mr. Woodhouse"
## [8678] "soon followed; and the necessity of exertion made him composed."
## [8679] ""
## [8680] "A very few minutes more, however, completed the present trial. Mr."
## [8681] "Weston, always alert when business was to be done, and as incapable of"
## [8682] "procrastinating any evil that was inevitable, as of foreseeing any that"
## [8683] "was doubtful, said, \"It was time to go;\" and the young man, though he"
## [8684] "might and did sigh, could not but agree, to take leave."
## [8685] ""
## [8686] "\"I shall hear about you all,\" said he; \"that is my chief consolation."
## [8687] "I shall hear of every thing that is going on among you. I have engaged"
## [8688] "Mrs. Weston to correspond with me. She has been so kind as to promise"
## [8689] "it. Oh! the blessing of a female correspondent, when one is really"
## [8690] "interested in the absent!--she will tell me every thing. In her letters"
## [8691] "I shall be at dear Highbury again.\""
## [8692] ""
## [8693] "A very friendly shake of the hand, a very earnest \"Good-bye,\" closed the"
## [8694] "speech, and the door had soon shut out Frank Churchill. Short had been"
## [8695] "the notice--short their meeting; he was gone; and Emma felt so sorry"
## [8696] "to part, and foresaw so great a loss to their little society from his"
## [8697] "absence as to begin to be afraid of being too sorry, and feeling it too"
## [8698] "much."
## [8699] ""
## [8700] "It was a sad change. They had been meeting almost every day since his"
## [8701] "arrival. Certainly his being at Randalls had given great spirit to"
## [8702] "the last two weeks--indescribable spirit; the idea, the expectation"
## [8703] "of seeing him which every morning had brought, the assurance of his"
## [8704] "attentions, his liveliness, his manners! It had been a very happy"
## [8705] "fortnight, and forlorn must be the sinking from it into the common"
## [8706] "course of Hartfield days. To complete every other recommendation, he had"
## [8707] "_almost_ told her that he loved her. What strength, or what constancy of"
## [8708] "affection he might be subject to, was another point; but at present"
## [8709] "she could not doubt his having a decidedly warm admiration, a conscious"
## [8710] "preference of herself; and this persuasion, joined to all the rest,"
## [8711] "made her think that she _must_ be a little in love with him, in spite of"
## [8712] "every previous determination against it."
## [8713] ""
## [8714] "\"I certainly must,\" said she. \"This sensation of listlessness,"
## [8715] "weariness, stupidity, this disinclination to sit down and employ myself,"
## [8716] "this feeling of every thing's being dull and insipid about the house!--"
## [8717] "I must be in love; I should be the oddest creature in the world if I"
## [8718] "were not--for a few weeks at least. Well! evil to some is always good to"
## [8719] "others. I shall have many fellow-mourners for the ball, if not for Frank"
## [8720] "Churchill; but Mr. Knightley will be happy. He may spend the evening"
## [8721] "with his dear William Larkins now if he likes.\""
## [8722] ""
## [8723] "Mr. Knightley, however, shewed no triumphant happiness. He could not say"
## [8724] "that he was sorry on his own account; his very cheerful look would have"
## [8725] "contradicted him if he had; but he said, and very steadily, that he"
## [8726] "was sorry for the disappointment of the others, and with considerable"
## [8727] "kindness added,"
## [8728] ""
## [8729] "\"You, Emma, who have so few opportunities of dancing, you are really out"
## [8730] "of luck; you are very much out of luck!\""
## [8731] ""
## [8732] "It was some days before she saw Jane Fairfax, to judge of her honest"
## [8733] "regret in this woeful change; but when they did meet, her composure"
## [8734] "was odious. She had been particularly unwell, however, suffering from"
## [8735] "headache to a degree, which made her aunt declare, that had the ball"
## [8736] "taken place, she did not think Jane could have attended it; and it was"
## [8737] "charity to impute some of her unbecoming indifference to the languor of"
## [8738] "ill-health."
## [8739] ""
## [8740] ""
## [8741] ""
## [8742] "CHAPTER XIII"
## [8743] ""
## [8744] ""
## [8745] "Emma continued to entertain no doubt of her being in love. Her ideas"
## [8746] "only varied as to the how much. At first, she thought it was a good"
## [8747] "deal; and afterwards, but little. She had great pleasure in hearing"
## [8748] "Frank Churchill talked of; and, for his sake, greater pleasure than ever"
## [8749] "in seeing Mr. and Mrs. Weston; she was very often thinking of him, and"
## [8750] "quite impatient for a letter, that she might know how he was, how were"
## [8751] "his spirits, how was his aunt, and what was the chance of his coming to"
## [8752] "Randalls again this spring. But, on the other hand, she could not admit"
## [8753] "herself to be unhappy, nor, after the first morning, to be less disposed"
## [8754] "for employment than usual; she was still busy and cheerful; and,"
## [8755] "pleasing as he was, she could yet imagine him to have faults; and"
## [8756] "farther, though thinking of him so much, and, as she sat drawing or"
## [8757] "working, forming a thousand amusing schemes for the progress and close"
## [8758] "of their attachment, fancying interesting dialogues, and inventing"
## [8759] "elegant letters; the conclusion of every imaginary declaration on his"
## [8760] "side was that she _refused_ _him_. Their affection was always to subside"
## [8761] "into friendship. Every thing tender and charming was to mark their"
## [8762] "parting; but still they were to part. When she became sensible of this,"
## [8763] "it struck her that she could not be very much in love; for in spite of"
## [8764] "her previous and fixed determination never to quit her father, never"
## [8765] "to marry, a strong attachment certainly must produce more of a struggle"
## [8766] "than she could foresee in her own feelings."
## [8767] ""
## [8768] "\"I do not find myself making any use of the word _sacrifice_,\" said"
## [8769] "she.--\"In not one of all my clever replies, my delicate negatives, is"
## [8770] "there any allusion to making a sacrifice. I do suspect that he is not"
## [8771] "really necessary to my happiness. So much the better. I certainly will"
## [8772] "not persuade myself to feel more than I do. I am quite enough in love. I"
## [8773] "should be sorry to be more.\""
## [8774] ""
## [8775] "Upon the whole, she was equally contented with her view of his feelings."
## [8776] ""
## [8777] "\"_He_ is undoubtedly very much in love--every thing denotes it--very"
## [8778] "much in love indeed!--and when he comes again, if his affection"
## [8779] "continue, I must be on my guard not to encourage it.--It would be most"
## [8780] "inexcusable to do otherwise, as my own mind is quite made up. Not that I"
## [8781] "imagine he can think I have been encouraging him hitherto. No, if he"
## [8782] "had believed me at all to share his feelings, he would not have been"
## [8783] "so wretched. Could he have thought himself encouraged, his looks and"
## [8784] "language at parting would have been different.--Still, however, I must"
## [8785] "be on my guard. This is in the supposition of his attachment continuing"
## [8786] "what it now is; but I do not know that I expect it will; I do not look"
## [8787] "upon him to be quite the sort of man--I do not altogether build upon"
## [8788] "his steadiness or constancy.--His feelings are warm, but I can imagine"
## [8789] "them rather changeable.--Every consideration of the subject, in short,"
## [8790] "makes me thankful that my happiness is not more deeply involved.--I"
## [8791] "shall do very well again after a little while--and then, it will be a"
## [8792] "good thing over; for they say every body is in love once in their lives,"
## [8793] "and I shall have been let off easily.\""
## [8794] ""
## [8795] "When his letter to Mrs. Weston arrived, Emma had the perusal of it; and"
## [8796] "she read it with a degree of pleasure and admiration which made her"
## [8797] "at first shake her head over her own sensations, and think she had"
## [8798] "undervalued their strength. It was a long, well-written letter, giving"
## [8799] "the particulars of his journey and of his feelings, expressing all the"
## [8800] "affection, gratitude, and respect which was natural and honourable,"
## [8801] "and describing every thing exterior and local that could be supposed"
## [8802] "attractive, with spirit and precision. No suspicious flourishes now of"
## [8803] "apology or concern; it was the language of real feeling towards Mrs."
## [8804] "Weston; and the transition from Highbury to Enscombe, the contrast"
## [8805] "between the places in some of the first blessings of social life was"
## [8806] "just enough touched on to shew how keenly it was felt, and how much more"
## [8807] "might have been said but for the restraints of propriety.--The charm"
## [8808] "of her own name was not wanting. _Miss_ _Woodhouse_ appeared more than"
## [8809] "once, and never without a something of pleasing connexion, either a"
## [8810] "compliment to her taste, or a remembrance of what she had said; and in"
## [8811] "the very last time of its meeting her eye, unadorned as it was by any"
## [8812] "such broad wreath of gallantry, she yet could discern the effect of"
## [8813] "her influence and acknowledge the greatest compliment perhaps of all"
## [8814] "conveyed. Compressed into the very lowest vacant corner were these"
## [8815] "words--\"I had not a spare moment on Tuesday, as you know, for Miss"
## [8816] "Woodhouse's beautiful little friend. Pray make my excuses and adieus"
## [8817] "to her.\" This, Emma could not doubt, was all for herself. Harriet was"
## [8818] "remembered only from being _her_ friend. His information and prospects"
## [8819] "as to Enscombe were neither worse nor better than had been anticipated;"
## [8820] "Mrs. Churchill was recovering, and he dared not yet, even in his own"
## [8821] "imagination, fix a time for coming to Randalls again."
## [8822] ""
## [8823] "Gratifying, however, and stimulative as was the letter in the material"
## [8824] "part, its sentiments, she yet found, when it was folded up and returned"
## [8825] "to Mrs. Weston, that it had not added any lasting warmth, that she could"
## [8826] "still do without the writer, and that he must learn to do without her."
## [8827] "Her intentions were unchanged. Her resolution of refusal only grew more"
## [8828] "interesting by the addition of a scheme for his subsequent consolation"
## [8829] "and happiness. His recollection of Harriet, and the words which"
## [8830] "clothed it, the \"beautiful little friend,\" suggested to her the"
## [8831] "idea of Harriet's succeeding her in his affections. Was it"
## [8832] "impossible?--No.--Harriet undoubtedly was greatly his inferior in"
## [8833] "understanding; but he had been very much struck with the loveliness"
## [8834] "of her face and the warm simplicity of her manner; and all the"
## [8835] "probabilities of circumstance and connexion were in her favour.--For"
## [8836] "Harriet, it would be advantageous and delightful indeed."
## [8837] ""
## [8838] "\"I must not dwell upon it,\" said she.--\"I must not think of it. I know"
## [8839] "the danger of indulging such speculations. But stranger things have"
## [8840] "happened; and when we cease to care for each other as we do now, it"
## [8841] "will be the means of confirming us in that sort of true disinterested"
## [8842] "friendship which I can already look forward to with pleasure.\""
## [8843] ""
## [8844] "It was well to have a comfort in store on Harriet's behalf, though it"
## [8845] "might be wise to let the fancy touch it seldom; for evil in that quarter"
## [8846] "was at hand. As Frank Churchill's arrival had succeeded Mr. Elton's"
## [8847] "engagement in the conversation of Highbury, as the latest interest"
## [8848] "had entirely borne down the first, so now upon Frank Churchill's"
## [8849] "disappearance, Mr. Elton's concerns were assuming the most irresistible"
## [8850] "form.--His wedding-day was named. He would soon be among them again; Mr."
## [8851] "Elton and his bride. There was hardly time to talk over the first letter"
## [8852] "from Enscombe before \"Mr. Elton and his bride\" was in every body's"
## [8853] "mouth, and Frank Churchill was forgotten. Emma grew sick at the sound."
## [8854] "She had had three weeks of happy exemption from Mr. Elton; and Harriet's"
## [8855] "mind, she had been willing to hope, had been lately gaining strength."
## [8856] "With Mr. Weston's ball in view at least, there had been a great deal of"
## [8857] "insensibility to other things; but it was now too evident that she had"
## [8858] "not attained such a state of composure as could stand against the actual"
## [8859] "approach--new carriage, bell-ringing, and all."
## [8860] ""
## [8861] "Poor Harriet was in a flutter of spirits which required all the"
## [8862] "reasonings and soothings and attentions of every kind that Emma could"
## [8863] "give. Emma felt that she could not do too much for her, that Harriet had"
## [8864] "a right to all her ingenuity and all her patience; but it was heavy work"
## [8865] "to be for ever convincing without producing any effect, for ever agreed"
## [8866] "to, without being able to make their opinions the same. Harriet listened"
## [8867] "submissively, and said \"it was very true--it was just as Miss Woodhouse"
## [8868] "described--it was not worth while to think about them--and she would not"
## [8869] "think about them any longer\" but no change of subject could avail, and"
## [8870] "the next half-hour saw her as anxious and restless about the Eltons as"
## [8871] "before. At last Emma attacked her on another ground."
## [8872] ""
## [8873] "\"Your allowing yourself to be so occupied and so unhappy about Mr."
## [8874] "Elton's marrying, Harriet, is the strongest reproach you can make _me_."
## [8875] "You could not give me a greater reproof for the mistake I fell into."
## [8876] "It was all my doing, I know. I have not forgotten it, I assure"
## [8877] "you.--Deceived myself, I did very miserably deceive you--and it will"
## [8878] "be a painful reflection to me for ever. Do not imagine me in danger of"
## [8879] "forgetting it.\""
## [8880] ""
## [8881] "Harriet felt this too much to utter more than a few words of eager"
## [8882] "exclamation. Emma continued,"
## [8883] ""
## [8884] "\"I have not said, exert yourself Harriet for my sake; think less, talk"
## [8885] "less of Mr. Elton for my sake; because for your own sake rather, I"
## [8886] "would wish it to be done, for the sake of what is more important than my"
## [8887] "comfort, a habit of self-command in you, a consideration of what is your"
## [8888] "duty, an attention to propriety, an endeavour to avoid the suspicions of"
## [8889] "others, to save your health and credit, and restore your tranquillity."
## [8890] "These are the motives which I have been pressing on you. They are very"
## [8891] "important--and sorry I am that you cannot feel them sufficiently to act"
## [8892] "upon them. My being saved from pain is a very secondary consideration."
## [8893] "I want you to save yourself from greater pain. Perhaps I may sometimes"
## [8894] "have felt that Harriet would not forget what was due--or rather what"
## [8895] "would be kind by me.\""
## [8896] ""
## [8897] "This appeal to her affections did more than all the rest. The idea of"
## [8898] "wanting gratitude and consideration for Miss Woodhouse, whom she really"
## [8899] "loved extremely, made her wretched for a while, and when the violence"
## [8900] "of grief was comforted away, still remained powerful enough to prompt to"
## [8901] "what was right and support her in it very tolerably."
## [8902] ""
## [8903] "\"You, who have been the best friend I ever had in my life--Want"
## [8904] "gratitude to you!--Nobody is equal to you!--I care for nobody as I do"
## [8905] "for you!--Oh! Miss Woodhouse, how ungrateful I have been!\""
## [8906] ""
## [8907] "Such expressions, assisted as they were by every thing that look and"
## [8908] "manner could do, made Emma feel that she had never loved Harriet so"
## [8909] "well, nor valued her affection so highly before."
## [8910] ""
## [8911] "\"There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart,\" said she afterwards to"
## [8912] "herself. \"There is nothing to be compared to it. Warmth and tenderness"
## [8913] "of heart, with an affectionate, open manner, will beat all the"
## [8914] "clearness of head in the world, for attraction, I am sure it will. It"
## [8915] "is tenderness of heart which makes my dear father so generally"
## [8916] "beloved--which gives Isabella all her popularity.--I have it not--but"
## [8917] "I know how to prize and respect it.--Harriet is my superior in all the"
## [8918] "charm and all the felicity it gives. Dear Harriet!--I would not change"
## [8919] "you for the clearest-headed, longest-sighted, best-judging female"
## [8920] "breathing. Oh! the coldness of a Jane Fairfax!--Harriet is worth a"
## [8921] "hundred such--And for a wife--a sensible man's wife--it is invaluable. I"
## [8922] "mention no names; but happy the man who changes Emma for Harriet!\""
## [8923] ""
## [8924] ""
## [8925] ""
## [8926] "CHAPTER XIV"
## [8927] ""
## [8928] ""
## [8929] "Mrs. Elton was first seen at church: but though devotion might be"
## [8930] "interrupted, curiosity could not be satisfied by a bride in a pew, and"
## [8931] "it must be left for the visits in form which were then to be paid, to"
## [8932] "settle whether she were very pretty indeed, or only rather pretty, or"
## [8933] "not pretty at all."
## [8934] ""
## [8935] "Emma had feelings, less of curiosity than of pride or propriety, to make"
## [8936] "her resolve on not being the last to pay her respects; and she made a"
## [8937] "point of Harriet's going with her, that the worst of the business might"
## [8938] "be gone through as soon as possible."
## [8939] ""
## [8940] "She could not enter the house again, could not be in the same room to"
## [8941] "which she had with such vain artifice retreated three months ago, to"
## [8942] "lace up her boot, without _recollecting_. A thousand vexatious thoughts"
## [8943] "would recur. Compliments, charades, and horrible blunders; and it was"
## [8944] "not to be supposed that poor Harriet should not be recollecting too; but"
## [8945] "she behaved very well, and was only rather pale and silent. The visit"
## [8946] "was of course short; and there was so much embarrassment and occupation"
## [8947] "of mind to shorten it, that Emma would not allow herself entirely to"
## [8948] "form an opinion of the lady, and on no account to give one, beyond the"
## [8949] "nothing-meaning terms of being \"elegantly dressed, and very pleasing.\""
## [8950] ""
## [8951] "She did not really like her. She would not be in a hurry to find fault,"
## [8952] "but she suspected that there was no elegance;--ease, but not elegance.--"
## [8953] "She was almost sure that for a young woman, a stranger, a bride, there"
## [8954] "was too much ease. Her person was rather good; her face not unpretty;"
## [8955] "but neither feature, nor air, nor voice, nor manner, were elegant. Emma"
## [8956] "thought at least it would turn out so."
## [8957] ""
## [8958] "As for Mr. Elton, his manners did not appear--but no, she would not"
## [8959] "permit a hasty or a witty word from herself about his manners. It was an"
## [8960] "awkward ceremony at any time to be receiving wedding visits, and a man"
## [8961] "had need be all grace to acquit himself well through it. The woman"
## [8962] "was better off; she might have the assistance of fine clothes, and the"
## [8963] "privilege of bashfulness, but the man had only his own good sense to"
## [8964] "depend on; and when she considered how peculiarly unlucky poor Mr."
## [8965] "Elton was in being in the same room at once with the woman he had just"
## [8966] "married, the woman he had wanted to marry, and the woman whom he had"
## [8967] "been expected to marry, she must allow him to have the right to look as"
## [8968] "little wise, and to be as much affectedly, and as little really easy as"
## [8969] "could be."
## [8970] ""
## [8971] "\"Well, Miss Woodhouse,\" said Harriet, when they had quitted the"
## [8972] "house, and after waiting in vain for her friend to begin; \"Well, Miss"
## [8973] "Woodhouse, (with a gentle sigh,) what do you think of her?--Is not she"
## [8974] "very charming?\""
## [8975] ""
## [8976] "There was a little hesitation in Emma's answer."
## [8977] ""
## [8978] "\"Oh! yes--very--a very pleasing young woman.\""
## [8979] ""
## [8980] "\"I think her beautiful, quite beautiful.\""
## [8981] ""
## [8982] "\"Very nicely dressed, indeed; a remarkably elegant gown.\""
## [8983] ""
## [8984] "\"I am not at all surprized that he should have fallen in love.\""
## [8985] ""
## [8986] "\"Oh! no--there is nothing to surprize one at all.--A pretty fortune; and"
## [8987] "she came in his way.\""
## [8988] ""
## [8989] "\"I dare say,\" returned Harriet, sighing again, \"I dare say she was very"
## [8990] "much attached to him.\""
## [8991] ""
## [8992] "\"Perhaps she might; but it is not every man's fate to marry the woman"
## [8993] "who loves him best. Miss Hawkins perhaps wanted a home, and thought this"
## [8994] "the best offer she was likely to have.\""
## [8995] ""
## [8996] "\"Yes,\" said Harriet earnestly, \"and well she might, nobody could ever"
## [8997] "have a better. Well, I wish them happy with all my heart. And now, Miss"
## [8998] "Woodhouse, I do not think I shall mind seeing them again. He is just as"
## [8999] "superior as ever;--but being married, you know, it is quite a different"
## [9000] "thing. No, indeed, Miss Woodhouse, you need not be afraid; I can sit and"
## [9001] "admire him now without any great misery. To know that he has not thrown"
## [9002] "himself away, is such a comfort!--She does seem a charming young woman,"
## [9003] "just what he deserves. Happy creature! He called her 'Augusta.' How"
## [9004] "delightful!\""
## [9005] ""
## [9006] "When the visit was returned, Emma made up her mind. She could then see"
## [9007] "more and judge better. From Harriet's happening not to be at Hartfield,"
## [9008] "and her father's being present to engage Mr. Elton, she had a quarter"
## [9009] "of an hour of the lady's conversation to herself, and could composedly"
## [9010] "attend to her; and the quarter of an hour quite convinced her that"
## [9011] "Mrs. Elton was a vain woman, extremely well satisfied with herself, and"
## [9012] "thinking much of her own importance; that she meant to shine and be very"
## [9013] "superior, but with manners which had been formed in a bad school, pert"
## [9014] "and familiar; that all her notions were drawn from one set of people,"
## [9015] "and one style of living; that if not foolish she was ignorant, and that"
## [9016] "her society would certainly do Mr. Elton no good."
## [9017] ""
## [9018] "Harriet would have been a better match. If not wise or refined herself,"
## [9019] "she would have connected him with those who were; but Miss Hawkins, it"
## [9020] "might be fairly supposed from her easy conceit, had been the best of"
## [9021] "her own set. The rich brother-in-law near Bristol was the pride of the"
## [9022] "alliance, and his place and his carriages were the pride of him."
## [9023] ""
## [9024] "The very first subject after being seated was Maple Grove, \"My brother"
## [9025] "Mr. Suckling's seat;\"--a comparison of Hartfield to Maple Grove. The"
## [9026] "grounds of Hartfield were small, but neat and pretty; and the house was"
## [9027] "modern and well-built. Mrs. Elton seemed most favourably impressed"
## [9028] "by the size of the room, the entrance, and all that she could see or"
## [9029] "imagine. \"Very like Maple Grove indeed!--She was quite struck by the"
## [9030] "likeness!--That room was the very shape and size of the morning-room"
## [9031] "at Maple Grove; her sister's favourite room.\"--Mr. Elton was appealed"
## [9032] "to.--\"Was not it astonishingly like?--She could really almost fancy"
## [9033] "herself at Maple Grove.\""
## [9034] ""
## [9035] "\"And the staircase--You know, as I came in, I observed how very like the"
## [9036] "staircase was; placed exactly in the same part of the house. I really"
## [9037] "could not help exclaiming! I assure you, Miss Woodhouse, it is very"
## [9038] "delightful to me, to be reminded of a place I am so extremely partial to"
## [9039] "as Maple Grove. I have spent so many happy months there! (with a little"
## [9040] "sigh of sentiment). A charming place, undoubtedly. Every body who"
## [9041] "sees it is struck by its beauty; but to me, it has been quite a home."
## [9042] "Whenever you are transplanted, like me, Miss Woodhouse, you will"
## [9043] "understand how very delightful it is to meet with any thing at all like"
## [9044] "what one has left behind. I always say this is quite one of the evils of"
## [9045] "matrimony.\""
## [9046] ""
## [9047] "Emma made as slight a reply as she could; but it was fully sufficient"
## [9048] "for Mrs. Elton, who only wanted to be talking herself."
## [9049] ""
## [9050] "\"So extremely like Maple Grove! And it is not merely the house--the"
## [9051] "grounds, I assure you, as far as I could observe, are strikingly like."
## [9052] "The laurels at Maple Grove are in the same profusion as here, and stand"
## [9053] "very much in the same way--just across the lawn; and I had a glimpse"
## [9054] "of a fine large tree, with a bench round it, which put me so exactly in"
## [9055] "mind! My brother and sister will be enchanted with this place. People"
## [9056] "who have extensive grounds themselves are always pleased with any thing"
## [9057] "in the same style.\""
## [9058] ""
## [9059] "Emma doubted the truth of this sentiment. She had a great idea that"
## [9060] "people who had extensive grounds themselves cared very little for the"
## [9061] "extensive grounds of any body else; but it was not worth while to attack"
## [9062] "an error so double-dyed, and therefore only said in reply,"
## [9063] ""
## [9064] "\"When you have seen more of this country, I am afraid you will think you"
## [9065] "have overrated Hartfield. Surry is full of beauties.\""
## [9066] ""
## [9067] "\"Oh! yes, I am quite aware of that. It is the garden of England, you"
## [9068] "know. Surry is the garden of England.\""
## [9069] ""
## [9070] "\"Yes; but we must not rest our claims on that distinction. Many"
## [9071] "counties, I believe, are called the garden of England, as well as"
## [9072] "Surry.\""
## [9073] ""
## [9074] "\"No, I fancy not,\" replied Mrs. Elton, with a most satisfied smile."
## [9075] "\"I never heard any county but Surry called so.\""
## [9076] ""
## [9077] "Emma was silenced."
## [9078] ""
## [9079] "\"My brother and sister have promised us a visit in the spring, or summer"
## [9080] "at farthest,\" continued Mrs. Elton; \"and that will be our time for"
## [9081] "exploring. While they are with us, we shall explore a great deal, I dare"
## [9082] "say. They will have their barouche-landau, of course, which holds four"
## [9083] "perfectly; and therefore, without saying any thing of _our_ carriage,"
## [9084] "we should be able to explore the different beauties extremely well. They"
## [9085] "would hardly come in their chaise, I think, at that season of the"
## [9086] "year. Indeed, when the time draws on, I shall decidedly recommend their"
## [9087] "bringing the barouche-landau; it will be so very much preferable."
## [9088] "When people come into a beautiful country of this sort, you know, Miss"
## [9089] "Woodhouse, one naturally wishes them to see as much as possible; and Mr."
## [9090] "Suckling is extremely fond of exploring. We explored to King's-Weston"
## [9091] "twice last summer, in that way, most delightfully, just after their"
## [9092] "first having the barouche-landau. You have many parties of that kind"
## [9093] "here, I suppose, Miss Woodhouse, every summer?\""
## [9094] ""
## [9095] "\"No; not immediately here. We are rather out of distance of the very"
## [9096] "striking beauties which attract the sort of parties you speak of; and we"
## [9097] "are a very quiet set of people, I believe; more disposed to stay at home"
## [9098] "than engage in schemes of pleasure.\""
## [9099] ""
## [9100] "\"Ah! there is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. Nobody can"
## [9101] "be more devoted to home than I am. I was quite a proverb for it at Maple"
## [9102] "Grove. Many a time has Selina said, when she has been going to Bristol,"
## [9103] "'I really cannot get this girl to move from the house. I absolutely must"
## [9104] "go in by myself, though I hate being stuck up in the barouche-landau"
## [9105] "without a companion; but Augusta, I believe, with her own good-will,"
## [9106] "would never stir beyond the park paling.' Many a time has she said so;"
## [9107] "and yet I am no advocate for entire seclusion. I think, on the contrary,"
## [9108] "when people shut themselves up entirely from society, it is a very"
## [9109] "bad thing; and that it is much more advisable to mix in the world in"
## [9110] "a proper degree, without living in it either too much or too little. I"
## [9111] "perfectly understand your situation, however, Miss Woodhouse--(looking"
## [9112] "towards Mr. Woodhouse), Your father's state of health must be a great"
## [9113] "drawback. Why does not he try Bath?--Indeed he should. Let me recommend"
## [9114] "Bath to you. I assure you I have no doubt of its doing Mr. Woodhouse"
## [9115] "good.\""
## [9116] ""
## [9117] "\"My father tried it more than once, formerly; but without receiving any"
## [9118] "benefit; and Mr. Perry, whose name, I dare say, is not unknown to you,"
## [9119] "does not conceive it would be at all more likely to be useful now.\""
## [9120] ""
## [9121] "\"Ah! that's a great pity; for I assure you, Miss Woodhouse, where the"
## [9122] "waters do agree, it is quite wonderful the relief they give. In my Bath"
## [9123] "life, I have seen such instances of it! And it is so cheerful a place,"
## [9124] "that it could not fail of being of use to Mr. Woodhouse's spirits,"
## [9125] "which, I understand, are sometimes much depressed. And as to its"
## [9126] "recommendations to _you_, I fancy I need not take much pains to dwell"
## [9127] "on them. The advantages of Bath to the young are pretty generally"
## [9128] "understood. It would be a charming introduction for you, who have lived"
## [9129] "so secluded a life; and I could immediately secure you some of the best"
## [9130] "society in the place. A line from me would bring you a little host of"
## [9131] "acquaintance; and my particular friend, Mrs. Partridge, the lady I have"
## [9132] "always resided with when in Bath, would be most happy to shew you any"
## [9133] "attentions, and would be the very person for you to go into public"
## [9134] "with.\""
## [9135] ""
## [9136] "It was as much as Emma could bear, without being impolite. The idea"
## [9137] "of her being indebted to Mrs. Elton for what was called an"
## [9138] "_introduction_--of her going into public under the auspices of a friend"
## [9139] "of Mrs. Elton's--probably some vulgar, dashing widow, who, with the"
## [9140] "help of a boarder, just made a shift to live!--The dignity of Miss"
## [9141] "Woodhouse, of Hartfield, was sunk indeed!"
## [9142] ""
## [9143] "She restrained herself, however, from any of the reproofs she could have"
## [9144] "given, and only thanked Mrs. Elton coolly; \"but their going to Bath was"
## [9145] "quite out of the question; and she was not perfectly convinced that"
## [9146] "the place might suit her better than her father.\" And then, to prevent"
## [9147] "farther outrage and indignation, changed the subject directly."
## [9148] ""
## [9149] "\"I do not ask whether you are musical, Mrs. Elton. Upon these occasions,"
## [9150] "a lady's character generally precedes her; and Highbury has long known"
## [9151] "that you are a superior performer.\""
## [9152] ""
## [9153] "\"Oh! no, indeed; I must protest against any such idea. A superior"
## [9154] "performer!--very far from it, I assure you. Consider from how partial"
## [9155] "a quarter your information came. I am doatingly fond of"
## [9156] "music--passionately fond;--and my friends say I am not entirely devoid"
## [9157] "of taste; but as to any thing else, upon my honour my performance is"
## [9158] "_mediocre_ to the last degree. You, Miss Woodhouse, I well know, play"
## [9159] "delightfully. I assure you it has been the greatest satisfaction,"
## [9160] "comfort, and delight to me, to hear what a musical society I am got"
## [9161] "into. I absolutely cannot do without music. It is a necessary of life to"
## [9162] "me; and having always been used to a very musical society, both at"
## [9163] "Maple Grove and in Bath, it would have been a most serious sacrifice. I"
## [9164] "honestly said as much to Mr. E. when he was speaking of my future"
## [9165] "home, and expressing his fears lest the retirement of it should be"
## [9166] "disagreeable; and the inferiority of the house too--knowing what I had"
## [9167] "been accustomed to--of course he was not wholly without apprehension."
## [9168] "When he was speaking of it in that way, I honestly said that _the_"
## [9169] "_world_ I could give up--parties, balls, plays--for I had no fear of"
## [9170] "retirement. Blessed with so many resources within myself, the world was"
## [9171] "not necessary to _me_. I could do very well without it. To those who had"
## [9172] "no resources it was a different thing; but my resources made me quite"
## [9173] "independent. And as to smaller-sized rooms than I had been used to, I"
## [9174] "really could not give it a thought. I hoped I was perfectly equal to any"
## [9175] "sacrifice of that description. Certainly I had been accustomed to every"
## [9176] "luxury at Maple Grove; but I did assure him that two carriages were not"
## [9177] "necessary to my happiness, nor were spacious apartments. 'But,' said I,"
## [9178] "'to be quite honest, I do not think I can live without something of a"
## [9179] "musical society. I condition for nothing else; but without music, life"
## [9180] "would be a blank to me.'\""
## [9181] ""
## [9182] "\"We cannot suppose,\" said Emma, smiling, \"that Mr. Elton would hesitate"
## [9183] "to assure you of there being a _very_ musical society in Highbury; and"
## [9184] "I hope you will not find he has outstepped the truth more than may be"
## [9185] "pardoned, in consideration of the motive.\""
## [9186] ""
## [9187] "\"No, indeed, I have no doubts at all on that head. I am delighted to"
## [9188] "find myself in such a circle. I hope we shall have many sweet little"
## [9189] "concerts together. I think, Miss Woodhouse, you and I must establish a"
## [9190] "musical club, and have regular weekly meetings at your house, or ours."
## [9191] "Will not it be a good plan? If _we_ exert ourselves, I think we shall"
## [9192] "not be long in want of allies. Something of that nature would be"
## [9193] "particularly desirable for _me_, as an inducement to keep me in"
## [9194] "practice; for married women, you know--there is a sad story against"
## [9195] "them, in general. They are but too apt to give up music.\""
## [9196] ""
## [9197] "\"But you, who are so extremely fond of it--there can be no danger,"
## [9198] "surely?\""
## [9199] ""
## [9200] "\"I should hope not; but really when I look around among my acquaintance,"
## [9201] "I tremble. Selina has entirely given up music--never touches the"
## [9202] "instrument--though she played sweetly. And the same may be said of Mrs."
## [9203] "Jeffereys--Clara Partridge, that was--and of the two Milmans, now Mrs."
## [9204] "Bird and Mrs. James Cooper; and of more than I can enumerate. Upon my"
## [9205] "word it is enough to put one in a fright. I used to be quite angry with"
## [9206] "Selina; but really I begin now to comprehend that a married woman has"
## [9207] "many things to call her attention. I believe I was half an hour this"
## [9208] "morning shut up with my housekeeper.\""
## [9209] ""
## [9210] "\"But every thing of that kind,\" said Emma, \"will soon be in so regular a"
## [9211] "train--\""
## [9212] ""
## [9213] "\"Well,\" said Mrs. Elton, laughing, \"we shall see.\""
## [9214] ""
## [9215] "Emma, finding her so determined upon neglecting her music, had nothing"
## [9216] "more to say; and, after a moment's pause, Mrs. Elton chose another"
## [9217] "subject."
## [9218] ""
## [9219] "\"We have been calling at Randalls,\" said she, \"and found them both at"
## [9220] "home; and very pleasant people they seem to be. I like them extremely."
## [9221] "Mr. Weston seems an excellent creature--quite a first-rate favourite"
## [9222] "with me already, I assure you. And _she_ appears so truly good--there is"
## [9223] "something so motherly and kind-hearted about her, that it wins upon one"
## [9224] "directly. She was your governess, I think?\""
## [9225] ""
## [9226] "Emma was almost too much astonished to answer; but Mrs. Elton hardly"
## [9227] "waited for the affirmative before she went on."
## [9228] ""
## [9229] "\"Having understood as much, I was rather astonished to find her so very"
## [9230] "lady-like! But she is really quite the gentlewoman.\""
## [9231] ""
## [9232] "\"Mrs. Weston's manners,\" said Emma, \"were always particularly good."
## [9233] "Their propriety, simplicity, and elegance, would make them the safest"
## [9234] "model for any young woman.\""
## [9235] ""
## [9236] "\"And who do you think came in while we were there?\""
## [9237] ""
## [9238] "Emma was quite at a loss. The tone implied some old acquaintance--and"
## [9239] "how could she possibly guess?"
## [9240] ""
## [9241] "\"Knightley!\" continued Mrs. Elton; \"Knightley himself!--Was not it"
## [9242] "lucky?--for, not being within when he called the other day, I had never"
## [9243] "seen him before; and of course, as so particular a friend of Mr. E.'s,"
## [9244] "I had a great curiosity. 'My friend Knightley' had been so often"
## [9245] "mentioned, that I was really impatient to see him; and I must do my"
## [9246] "caro sposo the justice to say that he need not be ashamed of his friend."
## [9247] "Knightley is quite the gentleman. I like him very much. Decidedly, I"
## [9248] "think, a very gentleman-like man.\""
## [9249] ""
## [9250] "Happily, it was now time to be gone. They were off; and Emma could"
## [9251] "breathe."
## [9252] ""
## [9253] "\"Insufferable woman!\" was her immediate exclamation. \"Worse than I had"
## [9254] "supposed. Absolutely insufferable! Knightley!--I could not have"
## [9255] "believed it. Knightley!--never seen him in her life before, and call"
## [9256] "him Knightley!--and discover that he is a gentleman! A little upstart,"
## [9257] "vulgar being, with her Mr. E., and her _caro_ _sposo_, and her"
## [9258] "resources, and all her airs of pert pretension and underbred finery."
## [9259] "Actually to discover that Mr. Knightley is a gentleman! I doubt whether"
## [9260] "he will return the compliment, and discover her to be a lady. I could"
## [9261] "not have believed it! And to propose that she and I should unite to"
## [9262] "form a musical club! One would fancy we were bosom friends! And Mrs."
## [9263] "Weston!--Astonished that the person who had brought me up should be a"
## [9264] "gentlewoman! Worse and worse. I never met with her equal. Much beyond"
## [9265] "my hopes. Harriet is disgraced by any comparison. Oh! what would Frank"
## [9266] "Churchill say to her, if he were here? How angry and how diverted he"
## [9267] "would be! Ah! there I am--thinking of him directly. Always the first"
## [9268] "person to be thought of! How I catch myself out! Frank Churchill comes"
## [9269] "as regularly into my mind!\"--"
## [9270] ""
## [9271] "All this ran so glibly through her thoughts, that by the time her father"
## [9272] "had arranged himself, after the bustle of the Eltons' departure, and was"
## [9273] "ready to speak, she was very tolerably capable of attending."
## [9274] ""
## [9275] "\"Well, my dear,\" he deliberately began, \"considering we never saw her"
## [9276] "before, she seems a very pretty sort of young lady; and I dare say she"
## [9277] "was very much pleased with you. She speaks a little too quick. A little"
## [9278] "quickness of voice there is which rather hurts the ear. But I believe"
## [9279] "I am nice; I do not like strange voices; and nobody speaks like you and"
## [9280] "poor Miss Taylor. However, she seems a very obliging, pretty-behaved"
## [9281] "young lady, and no doubt will make him a very good wife. Though I think"
## [9282] "he had better not have married. I made the best excuses I could for not"
## [9283] "having been able to wait on him and Mrs. Elton on this happy occasion; I"
## [9284] "said that I hoped I _should_ in the course of the summer. But I ought to"
## [9285] "have gone before. Not to wait upon a bride is very remiss. Ah! it shews"
## [9286] "what a sad invalid I am! But I do not like the corner into Vicarage"
## [9287] "Lane.\""
## [9288] ""
## [9289] "\"I dare say your apologies were accepted, sir. Mr. Elton knows you.\""
## [9290] ""
## [9291] "\"Yes: but a young lady--a bride--I ought to have paid my respects to her"
## [9292] "if possible. It was being very deficient.\""
## [9293] ""
## [9294] "\"But, my dear papa, you are no friend to matrimony; and therefore why"
## [9295] "should you be so anxious to pay your respects to a _bride_? It ought to"
## [9296] "be no recommendation to _you_. It is encouraging people to marry if you"
## [9297] "make so much of them.\""
## [9298] ""
## [9299] "\"No, my dear, I never encouraged any body to marry, but I would always"
## [9300] "wish to pay every proper attention to a lady--and a bride, especially,"
## [9301] "is never to be neglected. More is avowedly due to _her_. A bride, you"
## [9302] "know, my dear, is always the first in company, let the others be who"
## [9303] "they may.\""
## [9304] ""
## [9305] "\"Well, papa, if this is not encouragement to marry, I do not know what"
## [9306] "is. And I should never have expected you to be lending your sanction to"
## [9307] "such vanity-baits for poor young ladies.\""
## [9308] ""
## [9309] "\"My dear, you do not understand me. This is a matter of mere"
## [9310] "common politeness and good-breeding, and has nothing to do with any"
## [9311] "encouragement to people to marry.\""
## [9312] ""
## [9313] "Emma had done. Her father was growing nervous, and could not understand"
## [9314] "_her_. Her mind returned to Mrs. Elton's offences, and long, very long,"
## [9315] "did they occupy her."
## [9316] ""
## [9317] ""
## [9318] ""
## [9319] "CHAPTER XV"
## [9320] ""
## [9321] ""
## [9322] "Emma was not required, by any subsequent discovery, to retract her ill"
## [9323] "opinion of Mrs. Elton. Her observation had been pretty correct. Such as"
## [9324] "Mrs. Elton appeared to her on this second interview, such she appeared"
## [9325] "whenever they met again,--self-important, presuming, familiar, ignorant,"
## [9326] "and ill-bred. She had a little beauty and a little accomplishment,"
## [9327] "but so little judgment that she thought herself coming with superior"
## [9328] "knowledge of the world, to enliven and improve a country neighbourhood;"
## [9329] "and conceived Miss Hawkins to have held such a place in society as Mrs."
## [9330] "Elton's consequence only could surpass."
## [9331] ""
## [9332] "There was no reason to suppose Mr. Elton thought at all differently from"
## [9333] "his wife. He seemed not merely happy with her, but proud. He had the air"
## [9334] "of congratulating himself on having brought such a woman to Highbury,"
## [9335] "as not even Miss Woodhouse could equal; and the greater part of her"
## [9336] "new acquaintance, disposed to commend, or not in the habit of judging,"
## [9337] "following the lead of Miss Bates's good-will, or taking it for granted"
## [9338] "that the bride must be as clever and as agreeable as she professed"
## [9339] "herself, were very well satisfied; so that Mrs. Elton's praise"
## [9340] "passed from one mouth to another as it ought to do, unimpeded by Miss"
## [9341] "Woodhouse, who readily continued her first contribution and talked with"
## [9342] "a good grace of her being \"very pleasant and very elegantly dressed.\""
## [9343] ""
## [9344] "In one respect Mrs. Elton grew even worse than she had appeared at"
## [9345] "first. Her feelings altered towards Emma.--Offended, probably, by the"
## [9346] "little encouragement which her proposals of intimacy met with, she drew"
## [9347] "back in her turn and gradually became much more cold and distant; and"
## [9348] "though the effect was agreeable, the ill-will which produced it was"
## [9349] "necessarily increasing Emma's dislike. Her manners, too--and Mr."
## [9350] "Elton's, were unpleasant towards Harriet. They were sneering and"
## [9351] "negligent. Emma hoped it must rapidly work Harriet's cure; but the"
## [9352] "sensations which could prompt such behaviour sunk them both very"
## [9353] "much.--It was not to be doubted that poor Harriet's attachment had been"
## [9354] "an offering to conjugal unreserve, and her own share in the story, under"
## [9355] "a colouring the least favourable to her and the most soothing to him,"
## [9356] "had in all likelihood been given also. She was, of course, the object"
## [9357] "of their joint dislike.--When they had nothing else to say, it must be"
## [9358] "always easy to begin abusing Miss Woodhouse; and the enmity which"
## [9359] "they dared not shew in open disrespect to her, found a broader vent in"
## [9360] "contemptuous treatment of Harriet."
## [9361] ""
## [9362] "Mrs. Elton took a great fancy to Jane Fairfax; and from the first. Not"
## [9363] "merely when a state of warfare with one young lady might be supposed to"
## [9364] "recommend the other, but from the very first; and she was not satisfied"
## [9365] "with expressing a natural and reasonable admiration--but without"
## [9366] "solicitation, or plea, or privilege, she must be wanting to assist and"
## [9367] "befriend her.--Before Emma had forfeited her confidence, and about the"
## [9368] "third time of their meeting, she heard all Mrs. Elton's knight-errantry"
## [9369] "on the subject.--"
## [9370] ""
## [9371] "\"Jane Fairfax is absolutely charming, Miss Woodhouse.--I quite rave"
## [9372] "about Jane Fairfax.--A sweet, interesting creature. So mild and"
## [9373] "ladylike--and with such talents!--I assure you I think she has very"
## [9374] "extraordinary talents. I do not scruple to say that she plays extremely"
## [9375] "well. I know enough of music to speak decidedly on that point. Oh! she"
## [9376] "is absolutely charming! You will laugh at my warmth--but, upon my word,"
## [9377] "I talk of nothing but Jane Fairfax.--And her situation is so calculated"
## [9378] "to affect one!--Miss Woodhouse, we must exert ourselves and endeavour"
## [9379] "to do something for her. We must bring her forward. Such talent as hers"
## [9380] "must not be suffered to remain unknown.--I dare say you have heard those"
## [9381] "charming lines of the poet,"
## [9382] ""
## [9383] " 'Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,"
## [9384] " 'And waste its fragrance on the desert air.'"
## [9385] ""
## [9386] "We must not allow them to be verified in sweet Jane Fairfax.\""
## [9387] ""
## [9388] "\"I cannot think there is any danger of it,\" was Emma's calm answer--\"and"
## [9389] "when you are better acquainted with Miss Fairfax's situation and"
## [9390] "understand what her home has been, with Colonel and Mrs. Campbell, I"
## [9391] "have no idea that you will suppose her talents can be unknown.\""
## [9392] ""
## [9393] "\"Oh! but dear Miss Woodhouse, she is now in such retirement, such"
## [9394] "obscurity, so thrown away.--Whatever advantages she may have enjoyed"
## [9395] "with the Campbells are so palpably at an end! And I think she feels it."
## [9396] "I am sure she does. She is very timid and silent. One can see that she"
## [9397] "feels the want of encouragement. I like her the better for it. I"
## [9398] "must confess it is a recommendation to me. I am a great advocate for"
## [9399] "timidity--and I am sure one does not often meet with it.--But in those"
## [9400] "who are at all inferior, it is extremely prepossessing. Oh! I assure"
## [9401] "you, Jane Fairfax is a very delightful character, and interests me more"
## [9402] "than I can express.\""
## [9403] ""
## [9404] "\"You appear to feel a great deal--but I am not aware how you or any of"
## [9405] "Miss Fairfax's acquaintance here, any of those who have known her longer"
## [9406] "than yourself, can shew her any other attention than\"--"
## [9407] ""
## [9408] "\"My dear Miss Woodhouse, a vast deal may be done by those who dare to"
## [9409] "act. You and I need not be afraid. If _we_ set the example, many will"
## [9410] "follow it as far as they can; though all have not our situations. _We_"
## [9411] "have carriages to fetch and convey her home, and _we_ live in a style"
## [9412] "which could not make the addition of Jane Fairfax, at any time, the"
## [9413] "least inconvenient.--I should be extremely displeased if Wright were to"
## [9414] "send us up such a dinner, as could make me regret having asked _more_"
## [9415] "than Jane Fairfax to partake of it. I have no idea of that sort of"
## [9416] "thing. It is not likely that I _should_, considering what I have been"
## [9417] "used to. My greatest danger, perhaps, in housekeeping, may be quite the"
## [9418] "other way, in doing too much, and being too careless of expense. Maple"
## [9419] "Grove will probably be my model more than it ought to be--for we do not"
## [9420] "at all affect to equal my brother, Mr. Suckling, in income.--However, my"
## [9421] "resolution is taken as to noticing Jane Fairfax.--I shall certainly have"
## [9422] "her very often at my house, shall introduce her wherever I can, shall"
## [9423] "have musical parties to draw out her talents, and shall be constantly"
## [9424] "on the watch for an eligible situation. My acquaintance is so very"
## [9425] "extensive, that I have little doubt of hearing of something to suit"
## [9426] "her shortly.--I shall introduce her, of course, very particularly to my"
## [9427] "brother and sister when they come to us. I am sure they will like her"
## [9428] "extremely; and when she gets a little acquainted with them, her fears"
## [9429] "will completely wear off, for there really is nothing in the manners"
## [9430] "of either but what is highly conciliating.--I shall have her very often"
## [9431] "indeed while they are with me, and I dare say we shall sometimes find a"
## [9432] "seat for her in the barouche-landau in some of our exploring parties.\""
## [9433] ""
## [9434] "\"Poor Jane Fairfax!\"--thought Emma.--\"You have not deserved this. You"
## [9435] "may have done wrong with regard to Mr. Dixon, but this is a punishment"
## [9436] "beyond what you can have merited!--The kindness and protection of Mrs."
## [9437] "Elton!--'Jane Fairfax and Jane Fairfax.' Heavens! Let me not suppose"
## [9438] "that she dares go about, Emma Woodhouse-ing me!--But upon my honour,"
## [9439] "there seems no limits to the licentiousness of that woman's tongue!\""
## [9440] ""
## [9441] "Emma had not to listen to such paradings again--to any so exclusively"
## [9442] "addressed to herself--so disgustingly decorated with a \"dear Miss"
## [9443] "Woodhouse.\" The change on Mrs. Elton's side soon afterwards appeared,"
## [9444] "and she was left in peace--neither forced to be the very particular"
## [9445] "friend of Mrs. Elton, nor, under Mrs. Elton's guidance, the very active"
## [9446] "patroness of Jane Fairfax, and only sharing with others in a general"
## [9447] "way, in knowing what was felt, what was meditated, what was done."
## [9448] ""
## [9449] "She looked on with some amusement.--Miss Bates's gratitude for"
## [9450] "Mrs. Elton's attentions to Jane was in the first style of guileless"
## [9451] "simplicity and warmth. She was quite one of her worthies--the"
## [9452] "most amiable, affable, delightful woman--just as accomplished and"
## [9453] "condescending as Mrs. Elton meant to be considered. Emma's only surprize"
## [9454] "was that Jane Fairfax should accept those attentions and tolerate Mrs."
## [9455] "Elton as she seemed to do. She heard of her walking with the Eltons,"
## [9456] "sitting with the Eltons, spending a day with the Eltons! This was"
## [9457] "astonishing!--She could not have believed it possible that the taste or"
## [9458] "the pride of Miss Fairfax could endure such society and friendship as"
## [9459] "the Vicarage had to offer."
## [9460] ""
## [9461] "\"She is a riddle, quite a riddle!\" said she.--\"To chuse to remain here"
## [9462] "month after month, under privations of every sort! And now to chuse the"
## [9463] "mortification of Mrs. Elton's notice and the penury of her conversation,"
## [9464] "rather than return to the superior companions who have always loved her"
## [9465] "with such real, generous affection.\""
## [9466] ""
## [9467] "Jane had come to Highbury professedly for three months; the Campbells"
## [9468] "were gone to Ireland for three months; but now the Campbells had"
## [9469] "promised their daughter to stay at least till Midsummer, and fresh"
## [9470] "invitations had arrived for her to join them there. According to Miss"
## [9471] "Bates--it all came from her--Mrs. Dixon had written most pressingly."
## [9472] "Would Jane but go, means were to be found, servants sent, friends"
## [9473] "contrived--no travelling difficulty allowed to exist; but still she had"
## [9474] "declined it!"
## [9475] ""
## [9476] "\"She must have some motive, more powerful than appears, for refusing"
## [9477] "this invitation,\" was Emma's conclusion. \"She must be under some sort"
## [9478] "of penance, inflicted either by the Campbells or herself. There is great"
## [9479] "fear, great caution, great resolution somewhere.--She is _not_ to be"
## [9480] "with the _Dixons_. The decree is issued by somebody. But why must she"
## [9481] "consent to be with the Eltons?--Here is quite a separate puzzle.\""
## [9482] ""
## [9483] "Upon her speaking her wonder aloud on that part of the subject, before"
## [9484] "the few who knew her opinion of Mrs. Elton, Mrs. Weston ventured this"
## [9485] "apology for Jane."
## [9486] ""
## [9487] "\"We cannot suppose that she has any great enjoyment at the Vicarage,"
## [9488] "my dear Emma--but it is better than being always at home. Her aunt is a"
## [9489] "good creature, but, as a constant companion, must be very tiresome. We"
## [9490] "must consider what Miss Fairfax quits, before we condemn her taste for"
## [9491] "what she goes to.\""
## [9492] ""
## [9493] "\"You are right, Mrs. Weston,\" said Mr. Knightley warmly, \"Miss Fairfax"
## [9494] "is as capable as any of us of forming a just opinion of Mrs. Elton."
## [9495] "Could she have chosen with whom to associate, she would not have chosen"
## [9496] "her. But (with a reproachful smile at Emma) she receives attentions from"
## [9497] "Mrs. Elton, which nobody else pays her.\""
## [9498] ""
## [9499] "Emma felt that Mrs. Weston was giving her a momentary glance; and she"
## [9500] "was herself struck by his warmth. With a faint blush, she presently"
## [9501] "replied,"
## [9502] ""
## [9503] "\"Such attentions as Mrs. Elton's, I should have imagined, would rather"
## [9504] "disgust than gratify Miss Fairfax. Mrs. Elton's invitations I should"
## [9505] "have imagined any thing but inviting.\""
## [9506] ""
## [9507] "\"I should not wonder,\" said Mrs. Weston, \"if Miss Fairfax were to have"
## [9508] "been drawn on beyond her own inclination, by her aunt's eagerness in"
## [9509] "accepting Mrs. Elton's civilities for her. Poor Miss Bates may"
## [9510] "very likely have committed her niece and hurried her into a greater"
## [9511] "appearance of intimacy than her own good sense would have dictated, in"
## [9512] "spite of the very natural wish of a little change.\""
## [9513] ""
## [9514] "Both felt rather anxious to hear him speak again; and after a few"
## [9515] "minutes silence, he said,"
## [9516] ""
## [9517] "\"Another thing must be taken into consideration too--Mrs. Elton does"
## [9518] "not talk _to_ Miss Fairfax as she speaks _of_ her. We all know the"
## [9519] "difference between the pronouns he or she and thou, the plainest spoken"
## [9520] "amongst us; we all feel the influence of a something beyond common"
## [9521] "civility in our personal intercourse with each other--a something more"
## [9522] "early implanted. We cannot give any body the disagreeable hints that we"
## [9523] "may have been very full of the hour before. We feel things differently."
## [9524] "And besides the operation of this, as a general principle, you may be"
## [9525] "sure that Miss Fairfax awes Mrs. Elton by her superiority both of mind"
## [9526] "and manner; and that, face to face, Mrs. Elton treats her with all the"
## [9527] "respect which she has a claim to. Such a woman as Jane Fairfax probably"
## [9528] "never fell in Mrs. Elton's way before--and no degree of vanity can"
## [9529] "prevent her acknowledging her own comparative littleness in action, if"
## [9530] "not in consciousness.\""
## [9531] ""
## [9532] "\"I know how highly you think of Jane Fairfax,\" said Emma. Little Henry"
## [9533] "was in her thoughts, and a mixture of alarm and delicacy made her"
## [9534] "irresolute what else to say."
## [9535] ""
## [9536] "\"Yes,\" he replied, \"any body may know how highly I think of her.\""
## [9537] ""
## [9538] "\"And yet,\" said Emma, beginning hastily and with an arch look, but soon"
## [9539] "stopping--it was better, however, to know the worst at once--she hurried"
## [9540] "on--\"And yet, perhaps, you may hardly be aware yourself how highly it"
## [9541] "is. The extent of your admiration may take you by surprize some day or"
## [9542] "other.\""
## [9543] ""
## [9544] "Mr. Knightley was hard at work upon the lower buttons of his thick"
## [9545] "leather gaiters, and either the exertion of getting them together, or"
## [9546] "some other cause, brought the colour into his face, as he answered,"
## [9547] ""
## [9548] "\"Oh! are you there?--But you are miserably behindhand. Mr. Cole gave me"
## [9549] "a hint of it six weeks ago.\""
## [9550] ""
## [9551] "He stopped.--Emma felt her foot pressed by Mrs. Weston, and did not"
## [9552] "herself know what to think. In a moment he went on--"
## [9553] ""
## [9554] "\"That will never be, however, I can assure you. Miss Fairfax, I dare"
## [9555] "say, would not have me if I were to ask her--and I am very sure I shall"
## [9556] "never ask her.\""
## [9557] ""
## [9558] "Emma returned her friend's pressure with interest; and was pleased"
## [9559] "enough to exclaim,"
## [9560] ""
## [9561] "\"You are not vain, Mr. Knightley. I will say that for you.\""
## [9562] ""
## [9563] "He seemed hardly to hear her; he was thoughtful--and in a manner which"
## [9564] "shewed him not pleased, soon afterwards said,"
## [9565] ""
## [9566] "\"So you have been settling that I should marry Jane Fairfax?\""
## [9567] ""
## [9568] "\"No indeed I have not. You have scolded me too much for match-making,"
## [9569] "for me to presume to take such a liberty with you. What I said just now,"
## [9570] "meant nothing. One says those sort of things, of course, without any"
## [9571] "idea of a serious meaning. Oh! no, upon my word I have not the smallest"
## [9572] "wish for your marrying Jane Fairfax or Jane any body. You would not come"
## [9573] "in and sit with us in this comfortable way, if you were married.\""
## [9574] ""
## [9575] "Mr. Knightley was thoughtful again. The result of his reverie was, \"No,"
## [9576] "Emma, I do not think the extent of my admiration for her will ever take"
## [9577] "me by surprize.--I never had a thought of her in that way, I assure"
## [9578] "you.\" And soon afterwards, \"Jane Fairfax is a very charming young"
## [9579] "woman--but not even Jane Fairfax is perfect. She has a fault. She has"
## [9580] "not the open temper which a man would wish for in a wife.\""
## [9581] ""
## [9582] "Emma could not but rejoice to hear that she had a fault. \"Well,\" said"
## [9583] "she, \"and you soon silenced Mr. Cole, I suppose?\""
## [9584] ""
## [9585] "\"Yes, very soon. He gave me a quiet hint; I told him he was mistaken;"
## [9586] "he asked my pardon and said no more. Cole does not want to be wiser or"
## [9587] "wittier than his neighbours.\""
## [9588] ""
## [9589] "\"In that respect how unlike dear Mrs. Elton, who wants to be wiser and"
## [9590] "wittier than all the world! I wonder how she speaks of the Coles--what"
## [9591] "she calls them! How can she find any appellation for them, deep enough"
## [9592] "in familiar vulgarity? She calls you, Knightley--what can she do for"
## [9593] "Mr. Cole? And so I am not to be surprized that Jane Fairfax accepts"
## [9594] "her civilities and consents to be with her. Mrs. Weston, your argument"
## [9595] "weighs most with me. I can much more readily enter into the temptation"
## [9596] "of getting away from Miss Bates, than I can believe in the triumph of"
## [9597] "Miss Fairfax's mind over Mrs. Elton. I have no faith in Mrs. Elton's"
## [9598] "acknowledging herself the inferior in thought, word, or deed; or in her"
## [9599] "being under any restraint beyond her own scanty rule of good-breeding."
## [9600] "I cannot imagine that she will not be continually insulting her visitor"
## [9601] "with praise, encouragement, and offers of service; that she will not be"
## [9602] "continually detailing her magnificent intentions, from the procuring her"
## [9603] "a permanent situation to the including her in those delightful exploring"
## [9604] "parties which are to take place in the barouche-landau.\""
## [9605] ""
## [9606] "\"Jane Fairfax has feeling,\" said Mr. Knightley--\"I do not accuse her"
## [9607] "of want of feeling. Her sensibilities, I suspect, are strong--and her"
## [9608] "temper excellent in its power of forbearance, patience, self-control;"
## [9609] "but it wants openness. She is reserved, more reserved, I think, than"
## [9610] "she used to be--And I love an open temper. No--till Cole alluded to my"
## [9611] "supposed attachment, it had never entered my head. I saw Jane Fairfax"
## [9612] "and conversed with her, with admiration and pleasure always--but with no"
## [9613] "thought beyond.\""
## [9614] ""
## [9615] "\"Well, Mrs. Weston,\" said Emma triumphantly when he left them, \"what do"
## [9616] "you say now to Mr. Knightley's marrying Jane Fairfax?\""
## [9617] ""
## [9618] "\"Why, really, dear Emma, I say that he is so very much occupied by the"
## [9619] "idea of _not_ being in love with her, that I should not wonder if it"
## [9620] "were to end in his being so at last. Do not beat me.\""
## [9621] ""
## [9622] ""
## [9623] ""
## [9624] "CHAPTER XVI"
## [9625] ""
## [9626] ""
## [9627] "Every body in and about Highbury who had ever visited Mr. Elton, was"
## [9628] "disposed to pay him attention on his marriage. Dinner-parties and"
## [9629] "evening-parties were made for him and his lady; and invitations flowed"
## [9630] "in so fast that she had soon the pleasure of apprehending they were"
## [9631] "never to have a disengaged day."
## [9632] ""
## [9633] "\"I see how it is,\" said she. \"I see what a life I am to lead among you."
## [9634] "Upon my word we shall be absolutely dissipated. We really seem quite"
## [9635] "the fashion. If this is living in the country, it is nothing very"
## [9636] "formidable. From Monday next to Saturday, I assure you we have not a"
## [9637] "disengaged day!--A woman with fewer resources than I have, need not have"
## [9638] "been at a loss.\""
## [9639] ""
## [9640] "No invitation came amiss to her. Her Bath habits made evening-parties"
## [9641] "perfectly natural to her, and Maple Grove had given her a taste for"
## [9642] "dinners. She was a little shocked at the want of two drawing rooms, at"
## [9643] "the poor attempt at rout-cakes, and there being no ice in the Highbury"
## [9644] "card-parties. Mrs. Bates, Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Goddard and others, were a"
## [9645] "good deal behind-hand in knowledge of the world, but she would soon shew"
## [9646] "them how every thing ought to be arranged. In the course of the spring"
## [9647] "she must return their civilities by one very superior party--in which"
## [9648] "her card-tables should be set out with their separate candles and"
## [9649] "unbroken packs in the true style--and more waiters engaged for the"
## [9650] "evening than their own establishment could furnish, to carry round the"
## [9651] "refreshments at exactly the proper hour, and in the proper order."
## [9652] ""
## [9653] "Emma, in the meanwhile, could not be satisfied without a dinner at"
## [9654] "Hartfield for the Eltons. They must not do less than others, or she"
## [9655] "should be exposed to odious suspicions, and imagined capable of pitiful"
## [9656] "resentment. A dinner there must be. After Emma had talked about it for"
## [9657] "ten minutes, Mr. Woodhouse felt no unwillingness, and only made the"
## [9658] "usual stipulation of not sitting at the bottom of the table himself,"
## [9659] "with the usual regular difficulty of deciding who should do it for him."
## [9660] ""
## [9661] "The persons to be invited, required little thought. Besides the"
## [9662] "Eltons, it must be the Westons and Mr. Knightley; so far it was all of"
## [9663] "course--and it was hardly less inevitable that poor little Harriet must"
## [9664] "be asked to make the eighth:--but this invitation was not given with"
## [9665] "equal satisfaction, and on many accounts Emma was particularly pleased"
## [9666] "by Harriet's begging to be allowed to decline it. \"She would rather not"
## [9667] "be in his company more than she could help. She was not yet quite"
## [9668] "able to see him and his charming happy wife together, without feeling"
## [9669] "uncomfortable. If Miss Woodhouse would not be displeased, she would"
## [9670] "rather stay at home.\" It was precisely what Emma would have wished, had"
## [9671] "she deemed it possible enough for wishing. She was delighted with the"
## [9672] "fortitude of her little friend--for fortitude she knew it was in her to"
## [9673] "give up being in company and stay at home; and she could now invite the"
## [9674] "very person whom she really wanted to make the eighth, Jane Fairfax.--"
## [9675] "Since her last conversation with Mrs. Weston and Mr. Knightley, she"
## [9676] "was more conscience-stricken about Jane Fairfax than she had often"
## [9677] "been.--Mr. Knightley's words dwelt with her. He had said that Jane"
## [9678] "Fairfax received attentions from Mrs. Elton which nobody else paid her."
## [9679] ""
## [9680] "\"This is very true,\" said she, \"at least as far as relates to me, which"
## [9681] "was all that was meant--and it is very shameful.--Of the same age--and"
## [9682] "always knowing her--I ought to have been more her friend.--She will"
## [9683] "never like me now. I have neglected her too long. But I will shew her"
## [9684] "greater attention than I have done.\""
## [9685] ""
## [9686] "Every invitation was successful. They were all disengaged and all"
## [9687] "happy.--The preparatory interest of this dinner, however, was not yet"
## [9688] "over. A circumstance rather unlucky occurred. The two eldest little"
## [9689] "Knightleys were engaged to pay their grandpapa and aunt a visit of some"
## [9690] "weeks in the spring, and their papa now proposed bringing them, and"
## [9691] "staying one whole day at Hartfield--which one day would be the very day"
## [9692] "of this party.--His professional engagements did not allow of his being"
## [9693] "put off, but both father and daughter were disturbed by its happening"
## [9694] "so. Mr. Woodhouse considered eight persons at dinner together as the"
## [9695] "utmost that his nerves could bear--and here would be a ninth--and Emma"
## [9696] "apprehended that it would be a ninth very much out of humour at not"
## [9697] "being able to come even to Hartfield for forty-eight hours without"
## [9698] "falling in with a dinner-party."
## [9699] ""
## [9700] "She comforted her father better than she could comfort herself, by"
## [9701] "representing that though he certainly would make them nine, yet"
## [9702] "he always said so little, that the increase of noise would be very"
## [9703] "immaterial. She thought it in reality a sad exchange for herself, to"
## [9704] "have him with his grave looks and reluctant conversation opposed to her"
## [9705] "instead of his brother."
## [9706] ""
## [9707] "The event was more favourable to Mr. Woodhouse than to Emma. John"
## [9708] "Knightley came; but Mr. Weston was unexpectedly summoned to town and"
## [9709] "must be absent on the very day. He might be able to join them in the"
## [9710] "evening, but certainly not to dinner. Mr. Woodhouse was quite at ease;"
## [9711] "and the seeing him so, with the arrival of the little boys and the"
## [9712] "philosophic composure of her brother on hearing his fate, removed the"
## [9713] "chief of even Emma's vexation."
## [9714] ""
## [9715] "The day came, the party were punctually assembled, and Mr. John"
## [9716] "Knightley seemed early to devote himself to the business of being"
## [9717] "agreeable. Instead of drawing his brother off to a window while they"
## [9718] "waited for dinner, he was talking to Miss Fairfax. Mrs. Elton,"
## [9719] "as elegant as lace and pearls could make her, he looked at in"
## [9720] "silence--wanting only to observe enough for Isabella's information--but"
## [9721] "Miss Fairfax was an old acquaintance and a quiet girl, and he could talk"
## [9722] "to her. He had met her before breakfast as he was returning from a walk"
## [9723] "with his little boys, when it had been just beginning to rain. It was"
## [9724] "natural to have some civil hopes on the subject, and he said,"
## [9725] ""
## [9726] "\"I hope you did not venture far, Miss Fairfax, this morning, or I am"
## [9727] "sure you must have been wet.--We scarcely got home in time. I hope you"
## [9728] "turned directly.\""
## [9729] ""
## [9730] "\"I went only to the post-office,\" said she, \"and reached home before the"
## [9731] "rain was much. It is my daily errand. I always fetch the letters when"
## [9732] "I am here. It saves trouble, and is a something to get me out. A walk"
## [9733] "before breakfast does me good.\""
## [9734] ""
## [9735] "\"Not a walk in the rain, I should imagine.\""
## [9736] ""
## [9737] "\"No, but it did not absolutely rain when I set out.\""
## [9738] ""
## [9739] "Mr. John Knightley smiled, and replied,"
## [9740] ""
## [9741] "\"That is to say, you chose to have your walk, for you were not six yards"
## [9742] "from your own door when I had the pleasure of meeting you; and Henry"
## [9743] "and John had seen more drops than they could count long before. The"
## [9744] "post-office has a great charm at one period of our lives. When you have"
## [9745] "lived to my age, you will begin to think letters are never worth going"
## [9746] "through the rain for.\""
## [9747] ""
## [9748] "There was a little blush, and then this answer,"
## [9749] ""
## [9750] "\"I must not hope to be ever situated as you are, in the midst of every"
## [9751] "dearest connexion, and therefore I cannot expect that simply growing"
## [9752] "older should make me indifferent about letters.\""
## [9753] ""
## [9754] "\"Indifferent! Oh! no--I never conceived you could become indifferent."
## [9755] "Letters are no matter of indifference; they are generally a very"
## [9756] "positive curse.\""
## [9757] ""
## [9758] "\"You are speaking of letters of business; mine are letters of"
## [9759] "friendship.\""
## [9760] ""
## [9761] "\"I have often thought them the worst of the two,\" replied he coolly."
## [9762] "\"Business, you know, may bring money, but friendship hardly ever does.\""
## [9763] ""
## [9764] "\"Ah! you are not serious now. I know Mr. John Knightley too well--I am"
## [9765] "very sure he understands the value of friendship as well as any body. I"
## [9766] "can easily believe that letters are very little to you, much less than"
## [9767] "to me, but it is not your being ten years older than myself which"
## [9768] "makes the difference, it is not age, but situation. You have every"
## [9769] "body dearest to you always at hand, I, probably, never shall again;"
## [9770] "and therefore till I have outlived all my affections, a post-office,"
## [9771] "I think, must always have power to draw me out, in worse weather than"
## [9772] "to-day.\""
## [9773] ""
## [9774] "\"When I talked of your being altered by time, by the progress of years,\""
## [9775] "said John Knightley, \"I meant to imply the change of situation which"
## [9776] "time usually brings. I consider one as including the other. Time will"
## [9777] "generally lessen the interest of every attachment not within the daily"
## [9778] "circle--but that is not the change I had in view for you. As an old"
## [9779] "friend, you will allow me to hope, Miss Fairfax, that ten years hence"
## [9780] "you may have as many concentrated objects as I have.\""
## [9781] ""
## [9782] "It was kindly said, and very far from giving offence. A pleasant \"thank"
## [9783] "you\" seemed meant to laugh it off, but a blush, a quivering lip, a tear"
## [9784] "in the eye, shewed that it was felt beyond a laugh. Her attention was"
## [9785] "now claimed by Mr. Woodhouse, who being, according to his custom on such"
## [9786] "occasions, making the circle of his guests, and paying his particular"
## [9787] "compliments to the ladies, was ending with her--and with all his mildest"
## [9788] "urbanity, said,"
## [9789] ""
## [9790] "\"I am very sorry to hear, Miss Fairfax, of your being out this morning"
## [9791] "in the rain. Young ladies should take care of themselves.--Young ladies"
## [9792] "are delicate plants. They should take care of their health and their"
## [9793] "complexion. My dear, did you change your stockings?\""
## [9794] ""
## [9795] "\"Yes, sir, I did indeed; and I am very much obliged by your kind"
## [9796] "solicitude about me.\""
## [9797] ""
## [9798] "\"My dear Miss Fairfax, young ladies are very sure to be cared for.--I"
## [9799] "hope your good grand-mama and aunt are well. They are some of my very"
## [9800] "old friends. I wish my health allowed me to be a better neighbour. You"
## [9801] "do us a great deal of honour to-day, I am sure. My daughter and I"
## [9802] "are both highly sensible of your goodness, and have the greatest"
## [9803] "satisfaction in seeing you at Hartfield.\""
## [9804] ""
## [9805] "The kind-hearted, polite old man might then sit down and feel that he"
## [9806] "had done his duty, and made every fair lady welcome and easy."
## [9807] ""
## [9808] "By this time, the walk in the rain had reached Mrs. Elton, and her"
## [9809] "remonstrances now opened upon Jane."
## [9810] ""
## [9811] "\"My dear Jane, what is this I hear?--Going to the post-office in the"
## [9812] "rain!--This must not be, I assure you.--You sad girl, how could you do"
## [9813] "such a thing?--It is a sign I was not there to take care of you.\""
## [9814] ""
## [9815] "Jane very patiently assured her that she had not caught any cold."
## [9816] ""
## [9817] "\"Oh! do not tell _me_. You really are a very sad girl, and do not know"
## [9818] "how to take care of yourself.--To the post-office indeed! Mrs. Weston,"
## [9819] "did you ever hear the like? You and I must positively exert our"
## [9820] "authority.\""
## [9821] ""
## [9822] "\"My advice,\" said Mrs. Weston kindly and persuasively, \"I certainly do"
## [9823] "feel tempted to give. Miss Fairfax, you must not run such risks.--Liable"
## [9824] "as you have been to severe colds, indeed you ought to be particularly"
## [9825] "careful, especially at this time of year. The spring I always think"
## [9826] "requires more than common care. Better wait an hour or two, or even"
## [9827] "half a day for your letters, than run the risk of bringing on your cough"
## [9828] "again. Now do not you feel that you had? Yes, I am sure you are much too"
## [9829] "reasonable. You look as if you would not do such a thing again.\""
## [9830] ""
## [9831] "\"Oh! she _shall_ _not_ do such a thing again,\" eagerly rejoined Mrs."
## [9832] "Elton. \"We will not allow her to do such a thing again:\"--and nodding"
## [9833] "significantly--\"there must be some arrangement made, there must indeed."
## [9834] "I shall speak to Mr. E. The man who fetches our letters every morning"
## [9835] "(one of our men, I forget his name) shall inquire for yours too and"
## [9836] "bring them to you. That will obviate all difficulties you know; and from"
## [9837] "_us_ I really think, my dear Jane, you can have no scruple to accept"
## [9838] "such an accommodation.\""
## [9839] ""
## [9840] "\"You are extremely kind,\" said Jane; \"but I cannot give up my early"
## [9841] "walk. I am advised to be out of doors as much as I can, I must walk"
## [9842] "somewhere, and the post-office is an object; and upon my word, I have"
## [9843] "scarcely ever had a bad morning before.\""
## [9844] ""
## [9845] "\"My dear Jane, say no more about it. The thing is determined, that is"
## [9846] "(laughing affectedly) as far as I can presume to determine any thing"
## [9847] "without the concurrence of my lord and master. You know, Mrs. Weston,"
## [9848] "you and I must be cautious how we express ourselves. But I do flatter"
## [9849] "myself, my dear Jane, that my influence is not entirely worn out. If I"
## [9850] "meet with no insuperable difficulties therefore, consider that point as"
## [9851] "settled.\""
## [9852] ""
## [9853] "\"Excuse me,\" said Jane earnestly, \"I cannot by any means consent to such"
## [9854] "an arrangement, so needlessly troublesome to your servant. If the errand"
## [9855] "were not a pleasure to me, it could be done, as it always is when I am"
## [9856] "not here, by my grandmama's.\""
## [9857] ""
## [9858] "\"Oh! my dear; but so much as Patty has to do!--And it is a kindness to"
## [9859] "employ our men.\""
## [9860] ""
## [9861] "Jane looked as if she did not mean to be conquered; but instead of"
## [9862] "answering, she began speaking again to Mr. John Knightley."
## [9863] ""
## [9864] "\"The post-office is a wonderful establishment!\" said she.--\"The"
## [9865] "regularity and despatch of it! If one thinks of all that it has to do,"
## [9866] "and all that it does so well, it is really astonishing!\""
## [9867] ""
## [9868] "\"It is certainly very well regulated.\""
## [9869] ""
## [9870] "\"So seldom that any negligence or blunder appears! So seldom that"
## [9871] "a letter, among the thousands that are constantly passing about the"
## [9872] "kingdom, is even carried wrong--and not one in a million, I suppose,"
## [9873] "actually lost! And when one considers the variety of hands, and of bad"
## [9874] "hands too, that are to be deciphered, it increases the wonder.\""
## [9875] ""
## [9876] "\"The clerks grow expert from habit.--They must begin with some quickness"
## [9877] "of sight and hand, and exercise improves them. If you want any farther"
## [9878] "explanation,\" continued he, smiling, \"they are paid for it. That is"
## [9879] "the key to a great deal of capacity. The public pays and must be served"
## [9880] "well.\""
## [9881] ""
## [9882] "The varieties of handwriting were farther talked of, and the usual"
## [9883] "observations made."
## [9884] ""
## [9885] "\"I have heard it asserted,\" said John Knightley, \"that the same sort"
## [9886] "of handwriting often prevails in a family; and where the same master"
## [9887] "teaches, it is natural enough. But for that reason, I should imagine"
## [9888] "the likeness must be chiefly confined to the females, for boys have very"
## [9889] "little teaching after an early age, and scramble into any hand they can"
## [9890] "get. Isabella and Emma, I think, do write very much alike. I have not"
## [9891] "always known their writing apart.\""
## [9892] ""
## [9893] "\"Yes,\" said his brother hesitatingly, \"there is a likeness. I know what"
## [9894] "you mean--but Emma's hand is the strongest.\""
## [9895] ""
## [9896] "\"Isabella and Emma both write beautifully,\" said Mr. Woodhouse; \"and"
## [9897] "always did. And so does poor Mrs. Weston\"--with half a sigh and half a"
## [9898] "smile at her."
## [9899] ""
## [9900] "\"I never saw any gentleman's handwriting\"--Emma began, looking also at"
## [9901] "Mrs. Weston; but stopped, on perceiving that Mrs. Weston was attending"
## [9902] "to some one else--and the pause gave her time to reflect, \"Now, how am"
## [9903] "I going to introduce him?--Am I unequal to speaking his name at once"
## [9904] "before all these people? Is it necessary for me to use any roundabout"
## [9905] "phrase?--Your Yorkshire friend--your correspondent in Yorkshire;--that"
## [9906] "would be the way, I suppose, if I were very bad.--No, I can pronounce"
## [9907] "his name without the smallest distress. I certainly get better and"
## [9908] "better.--Now for it.\""
## [9909] ""
## [9910] "Mrs. Weston was disengaged and Emma began again--\"Mr. Frank Churchill"
## [9911] "writes one of the best gentleman's hands I ever saw.\""
## [9912] ""
## [9913] "\"I do not admire it,\" said Mr. Knightley. \"It is too small--wants"
## [9914] "strength. It is like a woman's writing.\""
## [9915] ""
## [9916] "This was not submitted to by either lady. They vindicated him against"
## [9917] "the base aspersion. \"No, it by no means wanted strength--it was not a"
## [9918] "large hand, but very clear and certainly strong. Had not Mrs. Weston any"
## [9919] "letter about her to produce?\" No, she had heard from him very lately,"
## [9920] "but having answered the letter, had put it away."
## [9921] ""
## [9922] "\"If we were in the other room,\" said Emma, \"if I had my writing-desk, I"
## [9923] "am sure I could produce a specimen. I have a note of his.--Do not you"
## [9924] "remember, Mrs. Weston, employing him to write for you one day?\""
## [9925] ""
## [9926] "\"He chose to say he was employed\"--"
## [9927] ""
## [9928] "\"Well, well, I have that note; and can shew it after dinner to convince"
## [9929] "Mr. Knightley.\""
## [9930] ""
## [9931] "\"Oh! when a gallant young man, like Mr. Frank Churchill,\" said Mr."
## [9932] "Knightley dryly, \"writes to a fair lady like Miss Woodhouse, he will, of"
## [9933] "course, put forth his best.\""
## [9934] ""
## [9935] "Dinner was on table.--Mrs. Elton, before she could be spoken to, was"
## [9936] "ready; and before Mr. Woodhouse had reached her with his request to be"
## [9937] "allowed to hand her into the dining-parlour, was saying--"
## [9938] ""
## [9939] "\"Must I go first? I really am ashamed of always leading the way.\""
## [9940] ""
## [9941] "Jane's solicitude about fetching her own letters had not escaped Emma."
## [9942] "She had heard and seen it all; and felt some curiosity to know whether"
## [9943] "the wet walk of this morning had produced any. She suspected that it"
## [9944] "_had_; that it would not have been so resolutely encountered but in full"
## [9945] "expectation of hearing from some one very dear, and that it had not been"
## [9946] "in vain. She thought there was an air of greater happiness than usual--a"
## [9947] "glow both of complexion and spirits."
## [9948] ""
## [9949] "She could have made an inquiry or two, as to the expedition and the"
## [9950] "expense of the Irish mails;--it was at her tongue's end--but she"
## [9951] "abstained. She was quite determined not to utter a word that should hurt"
## [9952] "Jane Fairfax's feelings; and they followed the other ladies out of the"
## [9953] "room, arm in arm, with an appearance of good-will highly becoming to the"
## [9954] "beauty and grace of each."
## [9955] ""
## [9956] ""
## [9957] ""
## [9958] "CHAPTER XVII"
## [9959] ""
## [9960] ""
## [9961] "When the ladies returned to the drawing-room after dinner, Emma found it"
## [9962] "hardly possible to prevent their making two distinct parties;--with so"
## [9963] "much perseverance in judging and behaving ill did Mrs. Elton engross"
## [9964] "Jane Fairfax and slight herself. She and Mrs. Weston were obliged to"
## [9965] "be almost always either talking together or silent together. Mrs. Elton"
## [9966] "left them no choice. If Jane repressed her for a little time, she"
## [9967] "soon began again; and though much that passed between them was in a"
## [9968] "half-whisper, especially on Mrs. Elton's side, there was no avoiding"
## [9969] "a knowledge of their principal subjects: The post-office--catching"
## [9970] "cold--fetching letters--and friendship, were long under discussion;"
## [9971] "and to them succeeded one, which must be at least equally unpleasant"
## [9972] "to Jane--inquiries whether she had yet heard of any situation likely to"
## [9973] "suit her, and professions of Mrs. Elton's meditated activity."
## [9974] ""
## [9975] "\"Here is April come!\" said she, \"I get quite anxious about you. June"
## [9976] "will soon be here.\""
## [9977] ""
## [9978] "\"But I have never fixed on June or any other month--merely looked"
## [9979] "forward to the summer in general.\""
## [9980] ""
## [9981] "\"But have you really heard of nothing?\""
## [9982] ""
## [9983] "\"I have not even made any inquiry; I do not wish to make any yet.\""
## [9984] ""
## [9985] "\"Oh! my dear, we cannot begin too early; you are not aware of the"
## [9986] "difficulty of procuring exactly the desirable thing.\""
## [9987] ""
## [9988] "\"I not aware!\" said Jane, shaking her head; \"dear Mrs. Elton, who can"
## [9989] "have thought of it as I have done?\""
## [9990] ""
## [9991] "\"But you have not seen so much of the world as I have. You do not know"
## [9992] "how many candidates there always are for the _first_ situations. I saw"
## [9993] "a vast deal of that in the neighbourhood round Maple Grove. A cousin of"
## [9994] "Mr. Suckling, Mrs. Bragge, had such an infinity of applications; every"
## [9995] "body was anxious to be in her family, for she moves in the first circle."
## [9996] "Wax-candles in the schoolroom! You may imagine how desirable! Of all"
## [9997] "houses in the kingdom Mrs. Bragge's is the one I would most wish to see"
## [9998] "you in.\""
## [9999] ""
## [10000] "\"Colonel and Mrs. Campbell are to be in town again by midsummer,\""
## [10001] "said Jane. \"I must spend some time with them; I am sure they will want"
## [10002] "it;--afterwards I may probably be glad to dispose of myself. But I would"
## [10003] "not wish you to take the trouble of making any inquiries at present.\""
## [10004] ""
## [10005] "\"Trouble! aye, I know your scruples. You are afraid of giving me"
## [10006] "trouble; but I assure you, my dear Jane, the Campbells can hardly be"
## [10007] "more interested about you than I am. I shall write to Mrs. Partridge in"
## [10008] "a day or two, and shall give her a strict charge to be on the look-out"
## [10009] "for any thing eligible.\""
## [10010] ""
## [10011] "\"Thank you, but I would rather you did not mention the subject to"
## [10012] "her; till the time draws nearer, I do not wish to be giving any body"
## [10013] "trouble.\""
## [10014] ""
## [10015] "\"But, my dear child, the time is drawing near; here is April, and June,"
## [10016] "or say even July, is very near, with such business to accomplish before"
## [10017] "us. Your inexperience really amuses me! A situation such as you deserve,"
## [10018] "and your friends would require for you, is no everyday occurrence,"
## [10019] "is not obtained at a moment's notice; indeed, indeed, we must begin"
## [10020] "inquiring directly.\""
## [10021] ""
## [10022] "\"Excuse me, ma'am, but this is by no means my intention; I make no"
## [10023] "inquiry myself, and should be sorry to have any made by my friends. When"
## [10024] "I am quite determined as to the time, I am not at all afraid of being"
## [10025] "long unemployed. There are places in town, offices, where inquiry"
## [10026] "would soon produce something--Offices for the sale--not quite of human"
## [10027] "flesh--but of human intellect.\""
## [10028] ""
## [10029] "\"Oh! my dear, human flesh! You quite shock me; if you mean a fling at"
## [10030] "the slave-trade, I assure you Mr. Suckling was always rather a friend to"
## [10031] "the abolition.\""
## [10032] ""
## [10033] "\"I did not mean, I was not thinking of the slave-trade,\" replied Jane;"
## [10034] "\"governess-trade, I assure you, was all that I had in view; widely"
## [10035] "different certainly as to the guilt of those who carry it on; but as to"
## [10036] "the greater misery of the victims, I do not know where it lies. But"
## [10037] "I only mean to say that there are advertising offices, and that by"
## [10038] "applying to them I should have no doubt of very soon meeting with"
## [10039] "something that would do.\""
## [10040] ""
## [10041] "\"Something that would do!\" repeated Mrs. Elton. \"Aye, _that_ may suit"
## [10042] "your humble ideas of yourself;--I know what a modest creature you are;"
## [10043] "but it will not satisfy your friends to have you taking up with any"
## [10044] "thing that may offer, any inferior, commonplace situation, in a family"
## [10045] "not moving in a certain circle, or able to command the elegancies of"
## [10046] "life.\""
## [10047] ""
## [10048] "\"You are very obliging; but as to all that, I am very indifferent;"
## [10049] "it would be no object to me to be with the rich; my mortifications, I"
## [10050] "think, would only be the greater; I should suffer more from comparison."
## [10051] "A gentleman's family is all that I should condition for.\""
## [10052] ""
## [10053] "\"I know you, I know you; you would take up with any thing; but I shall"
## [10054] "be a little more nice, and I am sure the good Campbells will be quite"
## [10055] "on my side; with your superior talents, you have a right to move in the"
## [10056] "first circle. Your musical knowledge alone would entitle you to name"
## [10057] "your own terms, have as many rooms as you like, and mix in the family"
## [10058] "as much as you chose;--that is--I do not know--if you knew the harp, you"
## [10059] "might do all that, I am very sure; but you sing as well as play;--yes, I"
## [10060] "really believe you might, even without the harp, stipulate for what"
## [10061] "you chose;--and you must and shall be delightfully, honourably and"
## [10062] "comfortably settled before the Campbells or I have any rest.\""
## [10063] ""
## [10064] "\"You may well class the delight, the honour, and the comfort of such"
## [10065] "a situation together,\" said Jane, \"they are pretty sure to be equal;"
## [10066] "however, I am very serious in not wishing any thing to be attempted"
## [10067] "at present for me. I am exceedingly obliged to you, Mrs. Elton, I am"
## [10068] "obliged to any body who feels for me, but I am quite serious in wishing"
## [10069] "nothing to be done till the summer. For two or three months longer I"
## [10070] "shall remain where I am, and as I am.\""
## [10071] ""
## [10072] "\"And I am quite serious too, I assure you,\" replied Mrs. Elton gaily,"
## [10073] "\"in resolving to be always on the watch, and employing my friends to"
## [10074] "watch also, that nothing really unexceptionable may pass us.\""
## [10075] ""
## [10076] "In this style she ran on; never thoroughly stopped by any thing till Mr."
## [10077] "Woodhouse came into the room; her vanity had then a change of object,"
## [10078] "and Emma heard her saying in the same half-whisper to Jane,"
## [10079] ""
## [10080] "\"Here comes this dear old beau of mine, I protest!--Only think of his"
## [10081] "gallantry in coming away before the other men!--what a dear creature"
## [10082] "he is;--I assure you I like him excessively. I admire all that quaint,"
## [10083] "old-fashioned politeness; it is much more to my taste than modern ease;"
## [10084] "modern ease often disgusts me. But this good old Mr. Woodhouse, I wish"
## [10085] "you had heard his gallant speeches to me at dinner. Oh! I assure you I"
## [10086] "began to think my caro sposo would be absolutely jealous. I fancy I"
## [10087] "am rather a favourite; he took notice of my gown. How do you like"
## [10088] "it?--Selina's choice--handsome, I think, but I do not know whether it"
## [10089] "is not over-trimmed; I have the greatest dislike to the idea of being"
## [10090] "over-trimmed--quite a horror of finery. I must put on a few ornaments"
## [10091] "now, because it is expected of me. A bride, you know, must appear like"
## [10092] "a bride, but my natural taste is all for simplicity; a simple style"
## [10093] "of dress is so infinitely preferable to finery. But I am quite in the"
## [10094] "minority, I believe; few people seem to value simplicity of dress,--show"
## [10095] "and finery are every thing. I have some notion of putting such a"
## [10096] "trimming as this to my white and silver poplin. Do you think it will"
## [10097] "look well?\""
## [10098] ""
## [10099] "The whole party were but just reassembled in the drawing-room when Mr."
## [10100] "Weston made his appearance among them. He had returned to a late dinner,"
## [10101] "and walked to Hartfield as soon as it was over. He had been too much"
## [10102] "expected by the best judges, for surprize--but there was great joy. Mr."
## [10103] "Woodhouse was almost as glad to see him now, as he would have been sorry"
## [10104] "to see him before. John Knightley only was in mute astonishment.--That"
## [10105] "a man who might have spent his evening quietly at home after a day"
## [10106] "of business in London, should set off again, and walk half a mile"
## [10107] "to another man's house, for the sake of being in mixed company till"
## [10108] "bed-time, of finishing his day in the efforts of civility and the noise"
## [10109] "of numbers, was a circumstance to strike him deeply. A man who had been"
## [10110] "in motion since eight o'clock in the morning, and might now have been"
## [10111] "still, who had been long talking, and might have been silent, who had"
## [10112] "been in more than one crowd, and might have been alone!--Such a man, to"
## [10113] "quit the tranquillity and independence of his own fireside, and on the"
## [10114] "evening of a cold sleety April day rush out again into the world!--Could"
## [10115] "he by a touch of his finger have instantly taken back his wife, there"
## [10116] "would have been a motive; but his coming would probably prolong rather"
## [10117] "than break up the party. John Knightley looked at him with amazement,"
## [10118] "then shrugged his shoulders, and said, \"I could not have believed it"
## [10119] "even of _him_.\""
## [10120] ""
## [10121] "Mr. Weston meanwhile, perfectly unsuspicious of the indignation he was"
## [10122] "exciting, happy and cheerful as usual, and with all the right of being"
## [10123] "principal talker, which a day spent anywhere from home confers, was"
## [10124] "making himself agreeable among the rest; and having satisfied the"
## [10125] "inquiries of his wife as to his dinner, convincing her that none of all"
## [10126] "her careful directions to the servants had been forgotten, and spread"
## [10127] "abroad what public news he had heard, was proceeding to a family"
## [10128] "communication, which, though principally addressed to Mrs. Weston, he"
## [10129] "had not the smallest doubt of being highly interesting to every body in"
## [10130] "the room. He gave her a letter, it was from Frank, and to herself; he"
## [10131] "had met with it in his way, and had taken the liberty of opening it."
## [10132] ""
## [10133] "\"Read it, read it,\" said he, \"it will give you pleasure; only a few"
## [10134] "lines--will not take you long; read it to Emma.\""
## [10135] ""
## [10136] "The two ladies looked over it together; and he sat smiling and talking"
## [10137] "to them the whole time, in a voice a little subdued, but very audible to"
## [10138] "every body."
## [10139] ""
## [10140] "\"Well, he is coming, you see; good news, I think. Well, what do you say"
## [10141] "to it?--I always told you he would be here again soon, did not I?--Anne,"
## [10142] "my dear, did not I always tell you so, and you would not believe me?--In"
## [10143] "town next week, you see--at the latest, I dare say; for _she_ is as"
## [10144] "impatient as the black gentleman when any thing is to be done; most"
## [10145] "likely they will be there to-morrow or Saturday. As to her illness, all"
## [10146] "nothing of course. But it is an excellent thing to have Frank among us"
## [10147] "again, so near as town. They will stay a good while when they do come,"
## [10148] "and he will be half his time with us. This is precisely what I wanted."
## [10149] "Well, pretty good news, is not it? Have you finished it? Has Emma read"
## [10150] "it all? Put it up, put it up; we will have a good talk about it some"
## [10151] "other time, but it will not do now. I shall only just mention the"
## [10152] "circumstance to the others in a common way.\""
## [10153] ""
## [10154] "Mrs. Weston was most comfortably pleased on the occasion. Her looks"
## [10155] "and words had nothing to restrain them. She was happy, she knew she was"
## [10156] "happy, and knew she ought to be happy. Her congratulations were warm and"
## [10157] "open; but Emma could not speak so fluently. _She_ was a little occupied"
## [10158] "in weighing her own feelings, and trying to understand the degree of her"
## [10159] "agitation, which she rather thought was considerable."
## [10160] ""
## [10161] "Mr. Weston, however, too eager to be very observant, too communicative"
## [10162] "to want others to talk, was very well satisfied with what she did say,"
## [10163] "and soon moved away to make the rest of his friends happy by a partial"
## [10164] "communication of what the whole room must have overheard already."
## [10165] ""
## [10166] "It was well that he took every body's joy for granted, or he might"
## [10167] "not have thought either Mr. Woodhouse or Mr. Knightley particularly"
## [10168] "delighted. They were the first entitled, after Mrs. Weston and Emma, to"
## [10169] "be made happy;--from them he would have proceeded to Miss Fairfax, but"
## [10170] "she was so deep in conversation with John Knightley, that it would have"
## [10171] "been too positive an interruption; and finding himself close to Mrs."
## [10172] "Elton, and her attention disengaged, he necessarily began on the subject"
## [10173] "with her."
## [10174] ""
## [10175] ""
## [10176] ""
## [10177] "CHAPTER XVIII"
## [10178] ""
## [10179] ""
## [10180] "\"I hope I shall soon have the pleasure of introducing my son to you,\""
## [10181] "said Mr. Weston."
## [10182] ""
## [10183] "Mrs. Elton, very willing to suppose a particular compliment intended her"
## [10184] "by such a hope, smiled most graciously."
## [10185] ""
## [10186] "\"You have heard of a certain Frank Churchill, I presume,\" he"
## [10187] "continued--\"and know him to be my son, though he does not bear my name.\""
## [10188] ""
## [10189] "\"Oh! yes, and I shall be very happy in his acquaintance. I am sure Mr."
## [10190] "Elton will lose no time in calling on him; and we shall both have great"
## [10191] "pleasure in seeing him at the Vicarage.\""
## [10192] ""
## [10193] "\"You are very obliging.--Frank will be extremely happy, I am sure.--"
## [10194] "He is to be in town next week, if not sooner. We have notice of it in a"
## [10195] "letter to-day. I met the letters in my way this morning, and seeing my"
## [10196] "son's hand, presumed to open it--though it was not directed to me--it"
## [10197] "was to Mrs. Weston. She is his principal correspondent, I assure you. I"
## [10198] "hardly ever get a letter.\""
## [10199] ""
## [10200] "\"And so you absolutely opened what was directed to her! Oh! Mr."
## [10201] "Weston--(laughing affectedly) I must protest against that.--A most"
## [10202] "dangerous precedent indeed!--I beg you will not let your neighbours"
## [10203] "follow your example.--Upon my word, if this is what I am to expect, we"
## [10204] "married women must begin to exert ourselves!--Oh! Mr. Weston, I could"
## [10205] "not have believed it of you!\""
## [10206] ""
## [10207] "\"Aye, we men are sad fellows. You must take care of yourself, Mrs."
## [10208] "Elton.--This letter tells us--it is a short letter--written in a hurry,"
## [10209] "merely to give us notice--it tells us that they are all coming up to"
## [10210] "town directly, on Mrs. Churchill's account--she has not been well the"
## [10211] "whole winter, and thinks Enscombe too cold for her--so they are all to"
## [10212] "move southward without loss of time.\""
## [10213] ""
## [10214] "\"Indeed!--from Yorkshire, I think. Enscombe is in Yorkshire?\""
## [10215] ""
## [10216] "\"Yes, they are about one hundred and ninety miles from London, a"
## [10217] "considerable journey.\""
## [10218] ""
## [10219] "\"Yes, upon my word, very considerable. Sixty-five miles farther than"
## [10220] "from Maple Grove to London. But what is distance, Mr. Weston, to people"
## [10221] "of large fortune?--You would be amazed to hear how my brother, Mr."
## [10222] "Suckling, sometimes flies about. You will hardly believe me--but twice"
## [10223] "in one week he and Mr. Bragge went to London and back again with four"
## [10224] "horses.\""
## [10225] ""
## [10226] "\"The evil of the distance from Enscombe,\" said Mr. Weston, \"is, that"
## [10227] "Mrs. Churchill, _as_ _we_ _understand_, has not been able to leave the"
## [10228] "sofa for a week together. In Frank's last letter she complained, he"
## [10229] "said, of being too weak to get into her conservatory without having"
## [10230] "both his arm and his uncle's! This, you know, speaks a great degree of"
## [10231] "weakness--but now she is so impatient to be in town, that she means to"
## [10232] "sleep only two nights on the road.--So Frank writes word. Certainly,"
## [10233] "delicate ladies have very extraordinary constitutions, Mrs. Elton. You"
## [10234] "must grant me that.\""
## [10235] ""
## [10236] "\"No, indeed, I shall grant you nothing. I always take the part of my"
## [10237] "own sex. I do indeed. I give you notice--You will find me a formidable"
## [10238] "antagonist on that point. I always stand up for women--and I assure you,"
## [10239] "if you knew how Selina feels with respect to sleeping at an inn, you"
## [10240] "would not wonder at Mrs. Churchill's making incredible exertions to"
## [10241] "avoid it. Selina says it is quite horror to her--and I believe I have"
## [10242] "caught a little of her nicety. She always travels with her own sheets;"
## [10243] "an excellent precaution. Does Mrs. Churchill do the same?\""
## [10244] ""
## [10245] "\"Depend upon it, Mrs. Churchill does every thing that any other fine"
## [10246] "lady ever did. Mrs. Churchill will not be second to any lady in the land"
## [10247] "for\"--"
## [10248] ""
## [10249] "Mrs. Elton eagerly interposed with,"
## [10250] ""
## [10251] "\"Oh! Mr. Weston, do not mistake me. Selina is no fine lady, I assure"
## [10252] "you. Do not run away with such an idea.\""
## [10253] ""
## [10254] "\"Is not she? Then she is no rule for Mrs. Churchill, who is as thorough"
## [10255] "a fine lady as any body ever beheld.\""
## [10256] ""
## [10257] "Mrs. Elton began to think she had been wrong in disclaiming so warmly."
## [10258] "It was by no means her object to have it believed that her sister was"
## [10259] "_not_ a fine lady; perhaps there was want of spirit in the pretence of"
## [10260] "it;--and she was considering in what way she had best retract, when Mr."
## [10261] "Weston went on."
## [10262] ""
## [10263] "\"Mrs. Churchill is not much in my good graces, as you may suspect--but"
## [10264] "this is quite between ourselves. She is very fond of Frank, and"
## [10265] "therefore I would not speak ill of her. Besides, she is out of health"
## [10266] "now; but _that_ indeed, by her own account, she has always been. I would"
## [10267] "not say so to every body, Mrs. Elton, but I have not much faith in Mrs."
## [10268] "Churchill's illness.\""
## [10269] ""
## [10270] "\"If she is really ill, why not go to Bath, Mr. Weston?--To Bath, or to"
## [10271] "Clifton?\" \"She has taken it into her head that Enscombe is too cold for"
## [10272] "her. The fact is, I suppose, that she is tired of Enscombe. She has now"
## [10273] "been a longer time stationary there, than she ever was before, and she"
## [10274] "begins to want change. It is a retired place. A fine place, but very"
## [10275] "retired.\""
## [10276] ""
## [10277] "\"Aye--like Maple Grove, I dare say. Nothing can stand more retired from"
## [10278] "the road than Maple Grove. Such an immense plantation all round it! You"
## [10279] "seem shut out from every thing--in the most complete retirement.--And"
## [10280] "Mrs. Churchill probably has not health or spirits like Selina to enjoy"
## [10281] "that sort of seclusion. Or, perhaps she may not have resources enough in"
## [10282] "herself to be qualified for a country life. I always say a woman cannot"
## [10283] "have too many resources--and I feel very thankful that I have so many"
## [10284] "myself as to be quite independent of society.\""
## [10285] ""
## [10286] "\"Frank was here in February for a fortnight.\""
## [10287] ""
## [10288] "\"So I remember to have heard. He will find an _addition_ to the society"
## [10289] "of Highbury when he comes again; that is, if I may presume to call"
## [10290] "myself an addition. But perhaps he may never have heard of there being"
## [10291] "such a creature in the world.\""
## [10292] ""
## [10293] "This was too loud a call for a compliment to be passed by, and Mr."
## [10294] "Weston, with a very good grace, immediately exclaimed,"
## [10295] ""
## [10296] "\"My dear madam! Nobody but yourself could imagine such a thing possible."
## [10297] "Not heard of you!--I believe Mrs. Weston's letters lately have been full"
## [10298] "of very little else than Mrs. Elton.\""
## [10299] ""
## [10300] "He had done his duty and could return to his son."
## [10301] ""
## [10302] "\"When Frank left us,\" continued he, \"it was quite uncertain when we"
## [10303] "might see him again, which makes this day's news doubly welcome. It has"
## [10304] "been completely unexpected. That is, _I_ always had a strong persuasion"
## [10305] "he would be here again soon, I was sure something favourable would turn"
## [10306] "up--but nobody believed me. He and Mrs. Weston were both dreadfully"
## [10307] "desponding. 'How could he contrive to come? And how could it be supposed"
## [10308] "that his uncle and aunt would spare him again?' and so forth--I always"
## [10309] "felt that something would happen in our favour; and so it has, you see."
## [10310] "I have observed, Mrs. Elton, in the course of my life, that if things"
## [10311] "are going untowardly one month, they are sure to mend the next.\""
## [10312] ""
## [10313] "\"Very true, Mr. Weston, perfectly true. It is just what I used to say to"
## [10314] "a certain gentleman in company in the days of courtship, when, because"
## [10315] "things did not go quite right, did not proceed with all the rapidity"
## [10316] "which suited his feelings, he was apt to be in despair, and exclaim that"
## [10317] "he was sure at this rate it would be _May_ before Hymen's saffron robe"
## [10318] "would be put on for us. Oh! the pains I have been at to dispel those"
## [10319] "gloomy ideas and give him cheerfuller views! The carriage--we had"
## [10320] "disappointments about the carriage;--one morning, I remember, he came to"
## [10321] "me quite in despair.\""
## [10322] ""
## [10323] "She was stopped by a slight fit of coughing, and Mr. Weston instantly"
## [10324] "seized the opportunity of going on."
## [10325] ""
## [10326] "\"You were mentioning May. May is the very month which Mrs. Churchill"
## [10327] "is ordered, or has ordered herself, to spend in some warmer place than"
## [10328] "Enscombe--in short, to spend in London; so that we have the agreeable"
## [10329] "prospect of frequent visits from Frank the whole spring--precisely the"
## [10330] "season of the year which one should have chosen for it: days almost at"
## [10331] "the longest; weather genial and pleasant, always inviting one out, and"
## [10332] "never too hot for exercise. When he was here before, we made the best"
## [10333] "of it; but there was a good deal of wet, damp, cheerless weather;"
## [10334] "there always is in February, you know, and we could not do half that we"
## [10335] "intended. Now will be the time. This will be complete enjoyment; and I"
## [10336] "do not know, Mrs. Elton, whether the uncertainty of our meetings, the"
## [10337] "sort of constant expectation there will be of his coming in to-day or"
## [10338] "to-morrow, and at any hour, may not be more friendly to happiness than"
## [10339] "having him actually in the house. I think it is so. I think it is the"
## [10340] "state of mind which gives most spirit and delight. I hope you will be"
## [10341] "pleased with my son; but you must not expect a prodigy. He is generally"
## [10342] "thought a fine young man, but do not expect a prodigy. Mrs. Weston's"
## [10343] "partiality for him is very great, and, as you may suppose, most"
## [10344] "gratifying to me. She thinks nobody equal to him.\""
## [10345] ""
## [10346] "\"And I assure you, Mr. Weston, I have very little doubt that my opinion"
## [10347] "will be decidedly in his favour. I have heard so much in praise of Mr."
## [10348] "Frank Churchill.--At the same time it is fair to observe, that I am one"
## [10349] "of those who always judge for themselves, and are by no means implicitly"
## [10350] "guided by others. I give you notice that as I find your son, so I shall"
## [10351] "judge of him.--I am no flatterer.\""
## [10352] ""
## [10353] "Mr. Weston was musing."
## [10354] ""
## [10355] "\"I hope,\" said he presently, \"I have not been severe upon poor Mrs."
## [10356] "Churchill. If she is ill I should be sorry to do her injustice; but"
## [10357] "there are some traits in her character which make it difficult for me to"
## [10358] "speak of her with the forbearance I could wish. You cannot be ignorant,"
## [10359] "Mrs. Elton, of my connexion with the family, nor of the treatment I have"
## [10360] "met with; and, between ourselves, the whole blame of it is to be laid"
## [10361] "to her. She was the instigator. Frank's mother would never have been"
## [10362] "slighted as she was but for her. Mr. Churchill has pride; but his pride"
## [10363] "is nothing to his wife's: his is a quiet, indolent, gentlemanlike sort"
## [10364] "of pride that would harm nobody, and only make himself a little helpless"
## [10365] "and tiresome; but her pride is arrogance and insolence! And what"
## [10366] "inclines one less to bear, she has no fair pretence of family or blood."
## [10367] "She was nobody when he married her, barely the daughter of a gentleman;"
## [10368] "but ever since her being turned into a Churchill she has out-Churchill'd"
## [10369] "them all in high and mighty claims: but in herself, I assure you, she is"
## [10370] "an upstart.\""
## [10371] ""
## [10372] "\"Only think! well, that must be infinitely provoking! I have quite"
## [10373] "a horror of upstarts. Maple Grove has given me a thorough disgust to"
## [10374] "people of that sort; for there is a family in that neighbourhood who"
## [10375] "are such an annoyance to my brother and sister from the airs they give"
## [10376] "themselves! Your description of Mrs. Churchill made me think of them"
## [10377] "directly. People of the name of Tupman, very lately settled there, and"
## [10378] "encumbered with many low connexions, but giving themselves immense airs,"
## [10379] "and expecting to be on a footing with the old established families."
## [10380] "A year and a half is the very utmost that they can have lived at West"
## [10381] "Hall; and how they got their fortune nobody knows. They came from"
## [10382] "Birmingham, which is not a place to promise much, you know, Mr. Weston."
## [10383] "One has not great hopes from Birmingham. I always say there is something"
## [10384] "direful in the sound: but nothing more is positively known of the"
## [10385] "Tupmans, though a good many things I assure you are suspected; and"
## [10386] "yet by their manners they evidently think themselves equal even to"
## [10387] "my brother, Mr. Suckling, who happens to be one of their nearest"
## [10388] "neighbours. It is infinitely too bad. Mr. Suckling, who has been eleven"
## [10389] "years a resident at Maple Grove, and whose father had it before him--I"
## [10390] "believe, at least--I am almost sure that old Mr. Suckling had completed"
## [10391] "the purchase before his death.\""
## [10392] ""
## [10393] "They were interrupted. Tea was carrying round, and Mr. Weston, having"
## [10394] "said all that he wanted, soon took the opportunity of walking away."
## [10395] ""
## [10396] "After tea, Mr. and Mrs. Weston, and Mr. Elton sat down with Mr."
## [10397] "Woodhouse to cards. The remaining five were left to their own powers,"
## [10398] "and Emma doubted their getting on very well; for Mr. Knightley seemed"
## [10399] "little disposed for conversation; Mrs. Elton was wanting notice, which"
## [10400] "nobody had inclination to pay, and she was herself in a worry of spirits"
## [10401] "which would have made her prefer being silent."
## [10402] ""
## [10403] "Mr. John Knightley proved more talkative than his brother. He was to"
## [10404] "leave them early the next day; and he soon began with--"
## [10405] ""
## [10406] "\"Well, Emma, I do not believe I have any thing more to say about the"
## [10407] "boys; but you have your sister's letter, and every thing is down at full"
## [10408] "length there we may be sure. My charge would be much more concise than"
## [10409] "her's, and probably not much in the same spirit; all that I have to"
## [10410] "recommend being comprised in, do not spoil them, and do not physic"
## [10411] "them.\""
## [10412] ""
## [10413] "\"I rather hope to satisfy you both,\" said Emma, \"for I shall do all"
## [10414] "in my power to make them happy, which will be enough for Isabella; and"
## [10415] "happiness must preclude false indulgence and physic.\""
## [10416] ""
## [10417] "\"And if you find them troublesome, you must send them home again.\""
## [10418] ""
## [10419] "\"That is very likely. You think so, do not you?\""
## [10420] ""
## [10421] "\"I hope I am aware that they may be too noisy for your father--or even"
## [10422] "may be some encumbrance to you, if your visiting engagements continue to"
## [10423] "increase as much as they have done lately.\""
## [10424] ""
## [10425] "\"Increase!\""
## [10426] ""
## [10427] "\"Certainly; you must be sensible that the last half-year has made a"
## [10428] "great difference in your way of life.\""
## [10429] ""
## [10430] "\"Difference! No indeed I am not.\""
## [10431] ""
## [10432] "\"There can be no doubt of your being much more engaged with company than"
## [10433] "you used to be. Witness this very time. Here am I come down for only"
## [10434] "one day, and you are engaged with a dinner-party!--When did it happen"
## [10435] "before, or any thing like it? Your neighbourhood is increasing, and you"
## [10436] "mix more with it. A little while ago, every letter to Isabella brought"
## [10437] "an account of fresh gaieties; dinners at Mr. Cole's, or balls at the"
## [10438] "Crown. The difference which Randalls, Randalls alone makes in your"
## [10439] "goings-on, is very great.\""
## [10440] ""
## [10441] "\"Yes,\" said his brother quickly, \"it is Randalls that does it all.\""
## [10442] ""
## [10443] "\"Very well--and as Randalls, I suppose, is not likely to have less"
## [10444] "influence than heretofore, it strikes me as a possible thing, Emma, that"
## [10445] "Henry and John may be sometimes in the way. And if they are, I only beg"
## [10446] "you to send them home.\""
## [10447] ""
## [10448] "\"No,\" cried Mr. Knightley, \"that need not be the consequence. Let them"
## [10449] "be sent to Donwell. I shall certainly be at leisure.\""
## [10450] ""
## [10451] "\"Upon my word,\" exclaimed Emma, \"you amuse me! I should like to know how"
## [10452] "many of all my numerous engagements take place without your being of"
## [10453] "the party; and why I am to be supposed in danger of wanting leisure to"
## [10454] "attend to the little boys. These amazing engagements of mine--what have"
## [10455] "they been? Dining once with the Coles--and having a ball talked of,"
## [10456] "which never took place. I can understand you--(nodding at Mr. John"
## [10457] "Knightley)--your good fortune in meeting with so many of your friends at"
## [10458] "once here, delights you too much to pass unnoticed. But you, (turning to"
## [10459] "Mr. Knightley,) who know how very, very seldom I am ever two hours from"
## [10460] "Hartfield, why you should foresee such a series of dissipation for me, I"
## [10461] "cannot imagine. And as to my dear little boys, I must say, that if Aunt"
## [10462] "Emma has not time for them, I do not think they would fare much better"
## [10463] "with Uncle Knightley, who is absent from home about five hours where she"
## [10464] "is absent one--and who, when he is at home, is either reading to himself"
## [10465] "or settling his accounts.\""
## [10466] ""
## [10467] "Mr. Knightley seemed to be trying not to smile; and succeeded without"
## [10468] "difficulty, upon Mrs. Elton's beginning to talk to him."
## [10469] ""
## [10470] ""
## [10471] ""
## [10472] ""
## [10473] "VOLUME III"
## [10474] ""
## [10475] ""
## [10476] ""
## [10477] "CHAPTER I"
## [10478] ""
## [10479] ""
## [10480] "A very little quiet reflection was enough to satisfy Emma as to the"
## [10481] "nature of her agitation on hearing this news of Frank Churchill. She"
## [10482] "was soon convinced that it was not for herself she was feeling at all"
## [10483] "apprehensive or embarrassed; it was for him. Her own attachment had"
## [10484] "really subsided into a mere nothing; it was not worth thinking of;--but"
## [10485] "if he, who had undoubtedly been always so much the most in love of the"
## [10486] "two, were to be returning with the same warmth of sentiment which he had"
## [10487] "taken away, it would be very distressing. If a separation of two"
## [10488] "months should not have cooled him, there were dangers and evils before"
## [10489] "her:--caution for him and for herself would be necessary. She did"
## [10490] "not mean to have her own affections entangled again, and it would be"
## [10491] "incumbent on her to avoid any encouragement of his."
## [10492] ""
## [10493] "She wished she might be able to keep him from an absolute declaration."
## [10494] "That would be so very painful a conclusion of their present"
## [10495] "acquaintance! and yet, she could not help rather anticipating something"
## [10496] "decisive. She felt as if the spring would not pass without bringing a"
## [10497] "crisis, an event, a something to alter her present composed and tranquil"
## [10498] "state."
## [10499] ""
## [10500] "It was not very long, though rather longer than Mr. Weston had foreseen,"
## [10501] "before she had the power of forming some opinion of Frank Churchill's"
## [10502] "feelings. The Enscombe family were not in town quite so soon as had been"
## [10503] "imagined, but he was at Highbury very soon afterwards. He rode down"
## [10504] "for a couple of hours; he could not yet do more; but as he came from"
## [10505] "Randalls immediately to Hartfield, she could then exercise all her quick"
## [10506] "observation, and speedily determine how he was influenced, and how she"
## [10507] "must act. They met with the utmost friendliness. There could be no doubt"
## [10508] "of his great pleasure in seeing her. But she had an almost instant doubt"
## [10509] "of his caring for her as he had done, of his feeling the same tenderness"
## [10510] "in the same degree. She watched him well. It was a clear thing he was"
## [10511] "less in love than he had been. Absence, with the conviction probably"
## [10512] "of her indifference, had produced this very natural and very desirable"
## [10513] "effect."
## [10514] ""
## [10515] "He was in high spirits; as ready to talk and laugh as ever, and seemed"
## [10516] "delighted to speak of his former visit, and recur to old stories: and he"
## [10517] "was not without agitation. It was not in his calmness that she read"
## [10518] "his comparative difference. He was not calm; his spirits were evidently"
## [10519] "fluttered; there was restlessness about him. Lively as he was, it seemed"
## [10520] "a liveliness that did not satisfy himself; but what decided her belief"
## [10521] "on the subject, was his staying only a quarter of an hour, and hurrying"
## [10522] "away to make other calls in Highbury. \"He had seen a group of old"
## [10523] "acquaintance in the street as he passed--he had not stopped, he would"
## [10524] "not stop for more than a word--but he had the vanity to think they would"
## [10525] "be disappointed if he did not call, and much as he wished to stay longer"
## [10526] "at Hartfield, he must hurry off.\" She had no doubt as to his being less"
## [10527] "in love--but neither his agitated spirits, nor his hurrying away, seemed"
## [10528] "like a perfect cure; and she was rather inclined to think it implied a"
## [10529] "dread of her returning power, and a discreet resolution of not trusting"
## [10530] "himself with her long."
## [10531] ""
## [10532] "This was the only visit from Frank Churchill in the course of ten days."
## [10533] "He was often hoping, intending to come--but was always prevented. His"
## [10534] "aunt could not bear to have him leave her. Such was his own account at"
## [10535] "Randall's. If he were quite sincere, if he really tried to come, it was"
## [10536] "to be inferred that Mrs. Churchill's removal to London had been of no"
## [10537] "service to the wilful or nervous part of her disorder. That she was"
## [10538] "really ill was very certain; he had declared himself convinced of it, at"
## [10539] "Randalls. Though much might be fancy, he could not doubt, when he looked"
## [10540] "back, that she was in a weaker state of health than she had been half a"
## [10541] "year ago. He did not believe it to proceed from any thing that care"
## [10542] "and medicine might not remove, or at least that she might not have many"
## [10543] "years of existence before her; but he could not be prevailed on, by all"
## [10544] "his father's doubts, to say that her complaints were merely imaginary,"
## [10545] "or that she was as strong as ever."
## [10546] ""
## [10547] "It soon appeared that London was not the place for her. She could"
## [10548] "not endure its noise. Her nerves were under continual irritation and"
## [10549] "suffering; and by the ten days' end, her nephew's letter to Randalls"
## [10550] "communicated a change of plan. They were going to remove immediately to"
## [10551] "Richmond. Mrs. Churchill had been recommended to the medical skill of"
## [10552] "an eminent person there, and had otherwise a fancy for the place. A"
## [10553] "ready-furnished house in a favourite spot was engaged, and much benefit"
## [10554] "expected from the change."
## [10555] ""
## [10556] "Emma heard that Frank wrote in the highest spirits of this arrangement,"
## [10557] "and seemed most fully to appreciate the blessing of having two months"
## [10558] "before him of such near neighbourhood to many dear friends--for the"
## [10559] "house was taken for May and June. She was told that now he wrote with"
## [10560] "the greatest confidence of being often with them, almost as often as he"
## [10561] "could even wish."
## [10562] ""
## [10563] "Emma saw how Mr. Weston understood these joyous prospects. He was"
## [10564] "considering her as the source of all the happiness they offered. She"
## [10565] "hoped it was not so. Two months must bring it to the proof."
## [10566] ""
## [10567] "Mr. Weston's own happiness was indisputable. He was quite delighted."
## [10568] "It was the very circumstance he could have wished for. Now, it would be"
## [10569] "really having Frank in their neighbourhood. What were nine miles to"
## [10570] "a young man?--An hour's ride. He would be always coming over. The"
## [10571] "difference in that respect of Richmond and London was enough to make"
## [10572] "the whole difference of seeing him always and seeing him never. Sixteen"
## [10573] "miles--nay, eighteen--it must be full eighteen to Manchester-street--was"
## [10574] "a serious obstacle. Were he ever able to get away, the day would be"
## [10575] "spent in coming and returning. There was no comfort in having him in"
## [10576] "London; he might as well be at Enscombe; but Richmond was the very"
## [10577] "distance for easy intercourse. Better than nearer!"
## [10578] ""
## [10579] "One good thing was immediately brought to a certainty by this"
## [10580] "removal,--the ball at the Crown. It had not been forgotten before,"
## [10581] "but it had been soon acknowledged vain to attempt to fix a day. Now,"
## [10582] "however, it was absolutely to be; every preparation was resumed, and"
## [10583] "very soon after the Churchills had removed to Richmond, a few lines from"
## [10584] "Frank, to say that his aunt felt already much better for the change, and"
## [10585] "that he had no doubt of being able to join them for twenty-four hours at"
## [10586] "any given time, induced them to name as early a day as possible."
## [10587] ""
## [10588] "Mr. Weston's ball was to be a real thing. A very few to-morrows stood"
## [10589] "between the young people of Highbury and happiness."
## [10590] ""
## [10591] "Mr. Woodhouse was resigned. The time of year lightened the evil to him."
## [10592] "May was better for every thing than February. Mrs. Bates was engaged to"
## [10593] "spend the evening at Hartfield, James had due notice, and he sanguinely"
## [10594] "hoped that neither dear little Henry nor dear little John would have any"
## [10595] "thing the matter with them, while dear Emma were gone."
## [10596] ""
## [10597] ""
## [10598] ""
## [10599] "CHAPTER II"
## [10600] ""
## [10601] ""
## [10602] "No misfortune occurred, again to prevent the ball. The day approached,"
## [10603] "the day arrived; and after a morning of some anxious watching, Frank"
## [10604] "Churchill, in all the certainty of his own self, reached Randalls before"
## [10605] "dinner, and every thing was safe."
## [10606] ""
## [10607] "No second meeting had there yet been between him and Emma. The room"
## [10608] "at the Crown was to witness it;--but it would be better than a"
## [10609] "common meeting in a crowd. Mr. Weston had been so very earnest in his"
## [10610] "entreaties for her arriving there as soon as possible after themselves,"
## [10611] "for the purpose of taking her opinion as to the propriety and comfort of"
## [10612] "the rooms before any other persons came, that she could not refuse him,"
## [10613] "and must therefore spend some quiet interval in the young man's company."
## [10614] "She was to convey Harriet, and they drove to the Crown in good time, the"
## [10615] "Randalls party just sufficiently before them."
## [10616] ""
## [10617] "Frank Churchill seemed to have been on the watch; and though he did not"
## [10618] "say much, his eyes declared that he meant to have a delightful evening."
## [10619] "They all walked about together, to see that every thing was as it should"
## [10620] "be; and within a few minutes were joined by the contents of another"
## [10621] "carriage, which Emma could not hear the sound of at first, without great"
## [10622] "surprize. \"So unreasonably early!\" she was going to exclaim; but she"
## [10623] "presently found that it was a family of old friends, who were coming,"
## [10624] "like herself, by particular desire, to help Mr. Weston's judgment; and"
## [10625] "they were so very closely followed by another carriage of cousins,"
## [10626] "who had been entreated to come early with the same distinguishing"
## [10627] "earnestness, on the same errand, that it seemed as if half the company"
## [10628] "might soon be collected together for the purpose of preparatory"
## [10629] "inspection."
## [10630] ""
## [10631] "Emma perceived that her taste was not the only taste on which Mr. Weston"
## [10632] "depended, and felt, that to be the favourite and intimate of a man"
## [10633] "who had so many intimates and confidantes, was not the very first"
## [10634] "distinction in the scale of vanity. She liked his open manners, but"
## [10635] "a little less of open-heartedness would have made him a higher"
## [10636] "character.--General benevolence, but not general friendship, made a"
## [10637] "man what he ought to be.--She could fancy such a man. The whole party"
## [10638] "walked about, and looked, and praised again; and then, having nothing"
## [10639] "else to do, formed a sort of half-circle round the fire, to observe"
## [10640] "in their various modes, till other subjects were started, that, though"
## [10641] "_May_, a fire in the evening was still very pleasant."
## [10642] ""
## [10643] "Emma found that it was not Mr. Weston's fault that the number of privy"
## [10644] "councillors was not yet larger. They had stopped at Mrs. Bates's door"
## [10645] "to offer the use of their carriage, but the aunt and niece were to be"
## [10646] "brought by the Eltons."
## [10647] ""
## [10648] "Frank was standing by her, but not steadily; there was a restlessness,"
## [10649] "which shewed a mind not at ease. He was looking about, he was going to"
## [10650] "the door, he was watching for the sound of other carriages,--impatient"
## [10651] "to begin, or afraid of being always near her."
## [10652] ""
## [10653] "Mrs. Elton was spoken of. \"I think she must be here soon,\" said he. \"I"
## [10654] "have a great curiosity to see Mrs. Elton, I have heard so much of her."
## [10655] "It cannot be long, I think, before she comes.\""
## [10656] ""
## [10657] "A carriage was heard. He was on the move immediately; but coming back,"
## [10658] "said,"
## [10659] ""
## [10660] "\"I am forgetting that I am not acquainted with her. I have never seen"
## [10661] "either Mr. or Mrs. Elton. I have no business to put myself forward.\""
## [10662] ""
## [10663] "Mr. and Mrs. Elton appeared; and all the smiles and the proprieties"
## [10664] "passed."
## [10665] ""
## [10666] "\"But Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax!\" said Mr. Weston, looking about. \"We"
## [10667] "thought you were to bring them.\""
## [10668] ""
## [10669] "The mistake had been slight. The carriage was sent for them now. Emma"
## [10670] "longed to know what Frank's first opinion of Mrs. Elton might be; how"
## [10671] "he was affected by the studied elegance of her dress, and her smiles of"
## [10672] "graciousness. He was immediately qualifying himself to form an opinion,"
## [10673] "by giving her very proper attention, after the introduction had passed."
## [10674] ""
## [10675] "In a few minutes the carriage returned.--Somebody talked of rain.--\"I"
## [10676] "will see that there are umbrellas, sir,\" said Frank to his father:"
## [10677] "\"Miss Bates must not be forgotten:\" and away he went. Mr. Weston was"
## [10678] "following; but Mrs. Elton detained him, to gratify him by her opinion"
## [10679] "of his son; and so briskly did she begin, that the young man himself,"
## [10680] "though by no means moving slowly, could hardly be out of hearing."
## [10681] ""
## [10682] "\"A very fine young man indeed, Mr. Weston. You know I candidly told you"
## [10683] "I should form my own opinion; and I am happy to say that I am extremely"
## [10684] "pleased with him.--You may believe me. I never compliment. I think him"
## [10685] "a very handsome young man, and his manners are precisely what I like and"
## [10686] "approve--so truly the gentleman, without the least conceit or puppyism."
## [10687] "You must know I have a vast dislike to puppies--quite a horror of them."
## [10688] "They were never tolerated at Maple Grove. Neither Mr. Suckling nor"
## [10689] "me had ever any patience with them; and we used sometimes to say very"
## [10690] "cutting things! Selina, who is mild almost to a fault, bore with them"
## [10691] "much better.\""
## [10692] ""
## [10693] "While she talked of his son, Mr. Weston's attention was chained; but"
## [10694] "when she got to Maple Grove, he could recollect that there were ladies"
## [10695] "just arriving to be attended to, and with happy smiles must hurry away."
## [10696] ""
## [10697] "Mrs. Elton turned to Mrs. Weston. \"I have no doubt of its being our"
## [10698] "carriage with Miss Bates and Jane. Our coachman and horses are so"
## [10699] "extremely expeditious!--I believe we drive faster than any body.--What"
## [10700] "a pleasure it is to send one's carriage for a friend!--I understand you"
## [10701] "were so kind as to offer, but another time it will be quite unnecessary."
## [10702] "You may be very sure I shall always take care of _them_.\""
## [10703] ""
## [10704] "Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax, escorted by the two gentlemen, walked into"
## [10705] "the room; and Mrs. Elton seemed to think it as much her duty as Mrs."
## [10706] "Weston's to receive them. Her gestures and movements might be understood"
## [10707] "by any one who looked on like Emma; but her words, every body's words,"
## [10708] "were soon lost under the incessant flow of Miss Bates, who came in"
## [10709] "talking, and had not finished her speech under many minutes after her"
## [10710] "being admitted into the circle at the fire. As the door opened she was"
## [10711] "heard,"
## [10712] ""
## [10713] "\"So very obliging of you!--No rain at all. Nothing to signify. I do not"
## [10714] "care for myself. Quite thick shoes. And Jane declares--Well!--(as soon"
## [10715] "as she was within the door) Well! This is brilliant indeed!--This is"
## [10716] "admirable!--Excellently contrived, upon my word. Nothing wanting. Could"
## [10717] "not have imagined it.--So well lighted up!--Jane, Jane, look!--did you"
## [10718] "ever see any thing? Oh! Mr. Weston, you must really have had Aladdin's"
## [10719] "lamp. Good Mrs. Stokes would not know her own room again. I saw her as"
## [10720] "I came in; she was standing in the entrance. 'Oh! Mrs. Stokes,' said"
## [10721] "I--but I had not time for more.\" She was now met by Mrs. Weston.--\"Very"
## [10722] "well, I thank you, ma'am. I hope you are quite well. Very happy to hear"
## [10723] "it. So afraid you might have a headache!--seeing you pass by so often,"
## [10724] "and knowing how much trouble you must have. Delighted to hear it indeed."
## [10725] "Ah! dear Mrs. Elton, so obliged to you for the carriage!--excellent"
## [10726] "time. Jane and I quite ready. Did not keep the horses a moment. Most"
## [10727] "comfortable carriage.--Oh! and I am sure our thanks are due to you,"
## [10728] "Mrs. Weston, on that score. Mrs. Elton had most kindly sent Jane a note,"
## [10729] "or we should have been.--But two such offers in one day!--Never were"
## [10730] "such neighbours. I said to my mother, 'Upon my word, ma'am--.' Thank"
## [10731] "you, my mother is remarkably well. Gone to Mr. Woodhouse's. I made her"
## [10732] "take her shawl--for the evenings are not warm--her large new shawl--"
## [10733] "Mrs. Dixon's wedding-present.--So kind of her to think of my mother!"
## [10734] "Bought at Weymouth, you know--Mr. Dixon's choice. There were three"
## [10735] "others, Jane says, which they hesitated about some time. Colonel"
## [10736] "Campbell rather preferred an olive. My dear Jane, are you sure you did"
## [10737] "not wet your feet?--It was but a drop or two, but I am so afraid:--but"
## [10738] "Mr. Frank Churchill was so extremely--and there was a mat to step"
## [10739] "upon--I shall never forget his extreme politeness.--Oh! Mr. Frank"
## [10740] "Churchill, I must tell you my mother's spectacles have never been in"
## [10741] "fault since; the rivet never came out again. My mother often talks of"
## [10742] "your good-nature. Does not she, Jane?--Do not we often talk of Mr. Frank"
## [10743] "Churchill?--Ah! here's Miss Woodhouse.--Dear Miss Woodhouse, how do"
## [10744] "you do?--Very well I thank you, quite well. This is meeting quite"
## [10745] "in fairy-land!--Such a transformation!--Must not compliment, I know"
## [10746] "(eyeing Emma most complacently)--that would be rude--but upon my word,"
## [10747] "Miss Woodhouse, you do look--how do you like Jane's hair?--You are"
## [10748] "a judge.--She did it all herself. Quite wonderful how she does her"
## [10749] "hair!--No hairdresser from London I think could.--Ah! Dr. Hughes I"
## [10750] "declare--and Mrs. Hughes. Must go and speak to Dr. and Mrs. Hughes for a"
## [10751] "moment.--How do you do? How do you do?--Very well, I thank you. This"
## [10752] "is delightful, is not it?--Where's dear Mr. Richard?--Oh! there he is."
## [10753] "Don't disturb him. Much better employed talking to the young ladies. How"
## [10754] "do you do, Mr. Richard?--I saw you the other day as you rode through"
## [10755] "the town--Mrs. Otway, I protest!--and good Mr. Otway, and Miss Otway"
## [10756] "and Miss Caroline.--Such a host of friends!--and Mr. George and Mr."
## [10757] "Arthur!--How do you do? How do you all do?--Quite well, I am much"
## [10758] "obliged to you. Never better.--Don't I hear another carriage?--Who can"
## [10759] "this be?--very likely the worthy Coles.--Upon my word, this is charming"
## [10760] "to be standing about among such friends! And such a noble fire!--I am"
## [10761] "quite roasted. No coffee, I thank you, for me--never take coffee.--A"
## [10762] "little tea if you please, sir, by and bye,--no hurry--Oh! here it comes."
## [10763] "Every thing so good!\""
## [10764] ""
## [10765] "Frank Churchill returned to his station by Emma; and as soon as Miss"
## [10766] "Bates was quiet, she found herself necessarily overhearing the discourse"
## [10767] "of Mrs. Elton and Miss Fairfax, who were standing a little way behind"
## [10768] "her.--He was thoughtful. Whether he were overhearing too, she could not"
## [10769] "determine. After a good many compliments to Jane on her dress and look,"
## [10770] "compliments very quietly and properly taken, Mrs. Elton was evidently"
## [10771] "wanting to be complimented herself--and it was, \"How do you like"
## [10772] "my gown?--How do you like my trimming?--How has Wright done my"
## [10773] "hair?\"--with many other relative questions, all answered with patient"
## [10774] "politeness. Mrs. Elton then said, \"Nobody can think less of dress in"
## [10775] "general than I do--but upon such an occasion as this, when every body's"
## [10776] "eyes are so much upon me, and in compliment to the Westons--who I have"
## [10777] "no doubt are giving this ball chiefly to do me honour--I would not wish"
## [10778] "to be inferior to others. And I see very few pearls in the room except"
## [10779] "mine.--So Frank Churchill is a capital dancer, I understand.--We shall"
## [10780] "see if our styles suit.--A fine young man certainly is Frank Churchill."
## [10781] "I like him very well.\""
## [10782] ""
## [10783] "At this moment Frank began talking so vigorously, that Emma could not"
## [10784] "but imagine he had overheard his own praises, and did not want to hear"
## [10785] "more;--and the voices of the ladies were drowned for a while, till"
## [10786] "another suspension brought Mrs. Elton's tones again distinctly"
## [10787] "forward.--Mr. Elton had just joined them, and his wife was exclaiming,"
## [10788] ""
## [10789] "\"Oh! you have found us out at last, have you, in our seclusion?--I was"
## [10790] "this moment telling Jane, I thought you would begin to be impatient for"
## [10791] "tidings of us.\""
## [10792] ""
## [10793] "\"Jane!\"--repeated Frank Churchill, with a look of surprize and"
## [10794] "displeasure.--\"That is easy--but Miss Fairfax does not disapprove it, I"
## [10795] "suppose.\""
## [10796] ""
## [10797] "\"How do you like Mrs. Elton?\" said Emma in a whisper."
## [10798] ""
## [10799] "\"Not at all.\""
## [10800] ""
## [10801] "\"You are ungrateful.\""
## [10802] ""
## [10803] "\"Ungrateful!--What do you mean?\" Then changing from a frown to a"
## [10804] "smile--\"No, do not tell me--I do not want to know what you mean.--Where"
## [10805] "is my father?--When are we to begin dancing?\""
## [10806] ""
## [10807] "Emma could hardly understand him; he seemed in an odd humour. He walked"
## [10808] "off to find his father, but was quickly back again with both Mr. and"
## [10809] "Mrs. Weston. He had met with them in a little perplexity, which must be"
## [10810] "laid before Emma. It had just occurred to Mrs. Weston that Mrs. Elton"
## [10811] "must be asked to begin the ball; that she would expect it; which"
## [10812] "interfered with all their wishes of giving Emma that distinction.--Emma"
## [10813] "heard the sad truth with fortitude."
## [10814] ""
## [10815] "\"And what are we to do for a proper partner for her?\" said Mr. Weston."
## [10816] "\"She will think Frank ought to ask her.\""
## [10817] ""
## [10818] "Frank turned instantly to Emma, to claim her former promise; and"
## [10819] "boasted himself an engaged man, which his father looked his most perfect"
## [10820] "approbation of--and it then appeared that Mrs. Weston was wanting _him_"
## [10821] "to dance with Mrs. Elton himself, and that their business was to help to"
## [10822] "persuade him into it, which was done pretty soon.--Mr. Weston and Mrs."
## [10823] "Elton led the way, Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse followed."
## [10824] "Emma must submit to stand second to Mrs. Elton, though she had always"
## [10825] "considered the ball as peculiarly for her. It was almost enough to make"
## [10826] "her think of marrying. Mrs. Elton had undoubtedly the advantage, at this"
## [10827] "time, in vanity completely gratified; for though she had intended to"
## [10828] "begin with Frank Churchill, she could not lose by the change. Mr. Weston"
## [10829] "might be his son's superior.--In spite of this little rub, however,"
## [10830] "Emma was smiling with enjoyment, delighted to see the respectable length"
## [10831] "of the set as it was forming, and to feel that she had so many hours"
## [10832] "of unusual festivity before her.--She was more disturbed by Mr."
## [10833] "Knightley's not dancing than by any thing else.--There he was, among"
## [10834] "the standers-by, where he ought not to be; he ought to be dancing,--not"
## [10835] "classing himself with the husbands, and fathers, and whist-players, who"
## [10836] "were pretending to feel an interest in the dance till their rubbers were"
## [10837] "made up,--so young as he looked!--He could not have appeared to greater"
## [10838] "advantage perhaps anywhere, than where he had placed himself. His tall,"
## [10839] "firm, upright figure, among the bulky forms and stooping shoulders of"
## [10840] "the elderly men, was such as Emma felt must draw every body's eyes;"
## [10841] "and, excepting her own partner, there was not one among the whole row of"
## [10842] "young men who could be compared with him.--He moved a few steps nearer,"
## [10843] "and those few steps were enough to prove in how gentlemanlike a manner,"
## [10844] "with what natural grace, he must have danced, would he but take the"
## [10845] "trouble.--Whenever she caught his eye, she forced him to smile; but"
## [10846] "in general he was looking grave. She wished he could love a ballroom"
## [10847] "better, and could like Frank Churchill better.--He seemed often"
## [10848] "observing her. She must not flatter herself that he thought of her"
## [10849] "dancing, but if he were criticising her behaviour, she did not feel"
## [10850] "afraid. There was nothing like flirtation between her and her partner."
## [10851] "They seemed more like cheerful, easy friends, than lovers. That Frank"
## [10852] "Churchill thought less of her than he had done, was indubitable."
## [10853] ""
## [10854] "The ball proceeded pleasantly. The anxious cares, the incessant"
## [10855] "attentions of Mrs. Weston, were not thrown away. Every body seemed"
## [10856] "happy; and the praise of being a delightful ball, which is seldom"
## [10857] "bestowed till after a ball has ceased to be, was repeatedly given in"
## [10858] "the very beginning of the existence of this. Of very important, very"
## [10859] "recordable events, it was not more productive than such meetings usually"
## [10860] "are. There was one, however, which Emma thought something of.--The two"
## [10861] "last dances before supper were begun, and Harriet had no partner;--the"
## [10862] "only young lady sitting down;--and so equal had been hitherto the"
## [10863] "number of dancers, that how there could be any one disengaged was the"
## [10864] "wonder!--But Emma's wonder lessened soon afterwards, on seeing Mr. Elton"
## [10865] "sauntering about. He would not ask Harriet to dance if it were possible"
## [10866] "to be avoided: she was sure he would not--and she was expecting him"
## [10867] "every moment to escape into the card-room."
## [10868] ""
## [10869] "Escape, however, was not his plan. He came to the part of the room where"
## [10870] "the sitters-by were collected, spoke to some, and walked about in front"
## [10871] "of them, as if to shew his liberty, and his resolution of maintaining"
## [10872] "it. He did not omit being sometimes directly before Miss Smith, or"
## [10873] "speaking to those who were close to her.--Emma saw it. She was not yet"
## [10874] "dancing; she was working her way up from the bottom, and had therefore"
## [10875] "leisure to look around, and by only turning her head a little she saw"
## [10876] "it all. When she was half-way up the set, the whole group were exactly"
## [10877] "behind her, and she would no longer allow her eyes to watch; but Mr."
## [10878] "Elton was so near, that she heard every syllable of a dialogue which"
## [10879] "just then took place between him and Mrs. Weston; and she perceived that"
## [10880] "his wife, who was standing immediately above her, was not only"
## [10881] "listening also, but even encouraging him by significant glances.--The"
## [10882] "kind-hearted, gentle Mrs. Weston had left her seat to join him and say,"
## [10883] "\"Do not you dance, Mr. Elton?\" to which his prompt reply was, \"Most"
## [10884] "readily, Mrs. Weston, if you will dance with me.\""
## [10885] ""
## [10886] "\"Me!--oh! no--I would get you a better partner than myself. I am no"
## [10887] "dancer.\""
## [10888] ""
## [10889] "\"If Mrs. Gilbert wishes to dance,\" said he, \"I shall have great"
## [10890] "pleasure, I am sure--for, though beginning to feel myself rather an old"
## [10891] "married man, and that my dancing days are over, it would give me very"
## [10892] "great pleasure at any time to stand up with an old friend like Mrs."
## [10893] "Gilbert.\""
## [10894] ""
## [10895] "\"Mrs. Gilbert does not mean to dance, but there is a young lady"
## [10896] "disengaged whom I should be very glad to see dancing--Miss Smith.\" \"Miss"
## [10897] "Smith!--oh!--I had not observed.--You are extremely obliging--and if I"
## [10898] "were not an old married man.--But my dancing days are over, Mrs. Weston."
## [10899] "You will excuse me. Any thing else I should be most happy to do, at your"
## [10900] "command--but my dancing days are over.\""
## [10901] ""
## [10902] "Mrs. Weston said no more; and Emma could imagine with what surprize and"
## [10903] "mortification she must be returning to her seat. This was Mr. Elton! the"
## [10904] "amiable, obliging, gentle Mr. Elton.--She looked round for a moment; he"
## [10905] "had joined Mr. Knightley at a little distance, and was arranging himself"
## [10906] "for settled conversation, while smiles of high glee passed between him"
## [10907] "and his wife."
## [10908] ""
## [10909] "She would not look again. Her heart was in a glow, and she feared her"
## [10910] "face might be as hot."
## [10911] ""
## [10912] "In another moment a happier sight caught her;--Mr. Knightley leading"
## [10913] "Harriet to the set!--Never had she been more surprized, seldom more"
## [10914] "delighted, than at that instant. She was all pleasure and gratitude,"
## [10915] "both for Harriet and herself, and longed to be thanking him; and though"
## [10916] "too distant for speech, her countenance said much, as soon as she could"
## [10917] "catch his eye again."
## [10918] ""
## [10919] "His dancing proved to be just what she had believed it, extremely good;"
## [10920] "and Harriet would have seemed almost too lucky, if it had not been for"
## [10921] "the cruel state of things before, and for the very complete enjoyment"
## [10922] "and very high sense of the distinction which her happy features"
## [10923] "announced. It was not thrown away on her, she bounded higher than ever,"
## [10924] "flew farther down the middle, and was in a continual course of smiles."
## [10925] ""
## [10926] "Mr. Elton had retreated into the card-room, looking (Emma trusted) very"
## [10927] "foolish. She did not think he was quite so hardened as his wife, though"
## [10928] "growing very like her;--_she_ spoke some of her feelings, by observing"
## [10929] "audibly to her partner,"
## [10930] ""
## [10931] "\"Knightley has taken pity on poor little Miss Smith!--Very good-natured,"
## [10932] "I declare.\""
## [10933] ""
## [10934] "Supper was announced. The move began; and Miss Bates might be heard from"
## [10935] "that moment, without interruption, till her being seated at table and"
## [10936] "taking up her spoon."
## [10937] ""
## [10938] "\"Jane, Jane, my dear Jane, where are you?--Here is your tippet. Mrs."
## [10939] "Weston begs you to put on your tippet. She says she is afraid there will"
## [10940] "be draughts in the passage, though every thing has been done--One door"
## [10941] "nailed up--Quantities of matting--My dear Jane, indeed you must."
## [10942] "Mr. Churchill, oh! you are too obliging! How well you put it on!--so"
## [10943] "gratified! Excellent dancing indeed!--Yes, my dear, I ran home, as I"
## [10944] "said I should, to help grandmama to bed, and got back again, and"
## [10945] "nobody missed me.--I set off without saying a word, just as I told you."
## [10946] "Grandmama was quite well, had a charming evening with Mr. Woodhouse, a"
## [10947] "vast deal of chat, and backgammon.--Tea was made downstairs, biscuits"
## [10948] "and baked apples and wine before she came away: amazing luck in some"
## [10949] "of her throws: and she inquired a great deal about you, how you were"
## [10950] "amused, and who were your partners. 'Oh!' said I, 'I shall not forestall"
## [10951] "Jane; I left her dancing with Mr. George Otway; she will love to tell"
## [10952] "you all about it herself to-morrow: her first partner was Mr. Elton,"
## [10953] "I do not know who will ask her next, perhaps Mr. William Cox.' My dear"
## [10954] "sir, you are too obliging.--Is there nobody you would not rather?--I am"
## [10955] "not helpless. Sir, you are most kind. Upon my word, Jane on one arm, and"
## [10956] "me on the other!--Stop, stop, let us stand a little back, Mrs. Elton is"
## [10957] "going; dear Mrs. Elton, how elegant she looks!--Beautiful lace!--Now we"
## [10958] "all follow in her train. Quite the queen of the evening!--Well, here we"
## [10959] "are at the passage. Two steps, Jane, take care of the two steps. Oh! no,"
## [10960] "there is but one. Well, I was persuaded there were two. How very odd!"
## [10961] "I was convinced there were two, and there is but one. I never saw any"
## [10962] "thing equal to the comfort and style--Candles everywhere.--I was telling"
## [10963] "you of your grandmama, Jane,--There was a little disappointment.--The"
## [10964] "baked apples and biscuits, excellent in their way, you know; but there"
## [10965] "was a delicate fricassee of sweetbread and some asparagus brought in at"
## [10966] "first, and good Mr. Woodhouse, not thinking the asparagus quite boiled"
## [10967] "enough, sent it all out again. Now there is nothing grandmama loves"
## [10968] "better than sweetbread and asparagus--so she was rather disappointed,"
## [10969] "but we agreed we would not speak of it to any body, for fear of"
## [10970] "its getting round to dear Miss Woodhouse, who would be so very much"
## [10971] "concerned!--Well, this is brilliant! I am all amazement! could not have"
## [10972] "supposed any thing!--Such elegance and profusion!--I have seen nothing"
## [10973] "like it since--Well, where shall we sit? where shall we sit? Anywhere,"
## [10974] "so that Jane is not in a draught. Where _I_ sit is of no consequence."
## [10975] "Oh! do you recommend this side?--Well, I am sure, Mr. Churchill--only"
## [10976] "it seems too good--but just as you please. What you direct in this house"
## [10977] "cannot be wrong. Dear Jane, how shall we ever recollect half the dishes"
## [10978] "for grandmama? Soup too! Bless me! I should not be helped so soon, but"
## [10979] "it smells most excellent, and I cannot help beginning.\""
## [10980] ""
## [10981] "Emma had no opportunity of speaking to Mr. Knightley till after supper;"
## [10982] "but, when they were all in the ballroom again, her eyes invited"
## [10983] "him irresistibly to come to her and be thanked. He was warm in his"
## [10984] "reprobation of Mr. Elton's conduct; it had been unpardonable rudeness;"
## [10985] "and Mrs. Elton's looks also received the due share of censure."
## [10986] ""
## [10987] "\"They aimed at wounding more than Harriet,\" said he. \"Emma, why is it"
## [10988] "that they are your enemies?\""
## [10989] ""
## [10990] "He looked with smiling penetration; and, on receiving no answer, added,"
## [10991] "\"_She_ ought not to be angry with you, I suspect, whatever he may"
## [10992] "be.--To that surmise, you say nothing, of course; but confess, Emma,"
## [10993] "that you did want him to marry Harriet.\""
## [10994] ""
## [10995] "\"I did,\" replied Emma, \"and they cannot forgive me.\""
## [10996] ""
## [10997] "He shook his head; but there was a smile of indulgence with it, and he"
## [10998] "only said,"
## [10999] ""
## [11000] "\"I shall not scold you. I leave you to your own reflections.\""
## [11001] ""
## [11002] "\"Can you trust me with such flatterers?--Does my vain spirit ever tell"
## [11003] "me I am wrong?\""
## [11004] ""
## [11005] "\"Not your vain spirit, but your serious spirit.--If one leads you wrong,"
## [11006] "I am sure the other tells you of it.\""
## [11007] ""
## [11008] "\"I do own myself to have been completely mistaken in Mr. Elton. There is"
## [11009] "a littleness about him which you discovered, and which I did not: and I"
## [11010] "was fully convinced of his being in love with Harriet. It was through a"
## [11011] "series of strange blunders!\""
## [11012] ""
## [11013] "\"And, in return for your acknowledging so much, I will do you the"
## [11014] "justice to say, that you would have chosen for him better than he has"
## [11015] "chosen for himself.--Harriet Smith has some first-rate qualities, which"
## [11016] "Mrs. Elton is totally without. An unpretending, single-minded, artless"
## [11017] "girl--infinitely to be preferred by any man of sense and taste to such a"
## [11018] "woman as Mrs. Elton. I found Harriet more conversable than I expected.\""
## [11019] ""
## [11020] "Emma was extremely gratified.--They were interrupted by the bustle of"
## [11021] "Mr. Weston calling on every body to begin dancing again."
## [11022] ""
## [11023] "\"Come Miss Woodhouse, Miss Otway, Miss Fairfax, what are you all"
## [11024] "doing?--Come Emma, set your companions the example. Every body is lazy!"
## [11025] "Every body is asleep!\""
## [11026] ""
## [11027] "\"I am ready,\" said Emma, \"whenever I am wanted.\""
## [11028] ""
## [11029] "\"Whom are you going to dance with?\" asked Mr. Knightley."
## [11030] ""
## [11031] "She hesitated a moment, and then replied, \"With you, if you will ask"
## [11032] "me.\""
## [11033] ""
## [11034] "\"Will you?\" said he, offering his hand."
## [11035] ""
## [11036] "\"Indeed I will. You have shewn that you can dance, and you know we are"
## [11037] "not really so much brother and sister as to make it at all improper.\""
## [11038] ""
## [11039] "\"Brother and sister! no, indeed.\""
## [11040] ""
## [11041] ""
## [11042] ""
## [11043] "CHAPTER III"
## [11044] ""
## [11045] ""
## [11046] "This little explanation with Mr. Knightley gave Emma considerable"
## [11047] "pleasure. It was one of the agreeable recollections of the ball, which"
## [11048] "she walked about the lawn the next morning to enjoy.--She was extremely"
## [11049] "glad that they had come to so good an understanding respecting the"
## [11050] "Eltons, and that their opinions of both husband and wife were so much"
## [11051] "alike; and his praise of Harriet, his concession in her favour, was"
## [11052] "peculiarly gratifying. The impertinence of the Eltons, which for a few"
## [11053] "minutes had threatened to ruin the rest of her evening, had been the"
## [11054] "occasion of some of its highest satisfactions; and she looked forward"
## [11055] "to another happy result--the cure of Harriet's infatuation.--From"
## [11056] "Harriet's manner of speaking of the circumstance before they quitted the"
## [11057] "ballroom, she had strong hopes. It seemed as if her eyes were suddenly"
## [11058] "opened, and she were enabled to see that Mr. Elton was not the superior"
## [11059] "creature she had believed him. The fever was over, and Emma could"
## [11060] "harbour little fear of the pulse being quickened again by injurious"
## [11061] "courtesy. She depended on the evil feelings of the Eltons for"
## [11062] "supplying all the discipline of pointed neglect that could be farther"
## [11063] "requisite.--Harriet rational, Frank Churchill not too much in love, and"
## [11064] "Mr. Knightley not wanting to quarrel with her, how very happy a summer"
## [11065] "must be before her!"
## [11066] ""
## [11067] "She was not to see Frank Churchill this morning. He had told her that he"
## [11068] "could not allow himself the pleasure of stopping at Hartfield, as he was"
## [11069] "to be at home by the middle of the day. She did not regret it."
## [11070] ""
## [11071] "Having arranged all these matters, looked them through, and put them all"
## [11072] "to rights, she was just turning to the house with spirits freshened up"
## [11073] "for the demands of the two little boys, as well as of their grandpapa,"
## [11074] "when the great iron sweep-gate opened, and two persons entered whom she"
## [11075] "had never less expected to see together--Frank Churchill, with Harriet"
## [11076] "leaning on his arm--actually Harriet!--A moment sufficed to convince"
## [11077] "her that something extraordinary had happened. Harriet looked white"
## [11078] "and frightened, and he was trying to cheer her.--The iron gates and the"
## [11079] "front-door were not twenty yards asunder;--they were all three soon in"
## [11080] "the hall, and Harriet immediately sinking into a chair fainted away."
## [11081] ""
## [11082] "A young lady who faints, must be recovered; questions must be answered,"
## [11083] "and surprizes be explained. Such events are very interesting, but the"
## [11084] "suspense of them cannot last long. A few minutes made Emma acquainted"
## [11085] "with the whole."
## [11086] ""
## [11087] "Miss Smith, and Miss Bickerton, another parlour boarder at Mrs."
## [11088] "Goddard's, who had been also at the ball, had walked out together, and"
## [11089] "taken a road, the Richmond road, which, though apparently public enough"
## [11090] "for safety, had led them into alarm.--About half a mile beyond Highbury,"
## [11091] "making a sudden turn, and deeply shaded by elms on each side, it became"
## [11092] "for a considerable stretch very retired; and when the young ladies"
## [11093] "had advanced some way into it, they had suddenly perceived at a small"
## [11094] "distance before them, on a broader patch of greensward by the side, a"
## [11095] "party of gipsies. A child on the watch, came towards them to beg; and"
## [11096] "Miss Bickerton, excessively frightened, gave a great scream, and calling"
## [11097] "on Harriet to follow her, ran up a steep bank, cleared a slight hedge at"
## [11098] "the top, and made the best of her way by a short cut back to Highbury."
## [11099] "But poor Harriet could not follow. She had suffered very much from cramp"
## [11100] "after dancing, and her first attempt to mount the bank brought on such"
## [11101] "a return of it as made her absolutely powerless--and in this state, and"
## [11102] "exceedingly terrified, she had been obliged to remain."
## [11103] ""
## [11104] "How the trampers might have behaved, had the young ladies been more"
## [11105] "courageous, must be doubtful; but such an invitation for attack could"
## [11106] "not be resisted; and Harriet was soon assailed by half a dozen children,"
## [11107] "headed by a stout woman and a great boy, all clamorous, and impertinent"
## [11108] "in look, though not absolutely in word.--More and more frightened, she"
## [11109] "immediately promised them money, and taking out her purse, gave them a"
## [11110] "shilling, and begged them not to want more, or to use her ill.--She"
## [11111] "was then able to walk, though but slowly, and was moving away--but her"
## [11112] "terror and her purse were too tempting, and she was followed, or rather"
## [11113] "surrounded, by the whole gang, demanding more."
## [11114] ""
## [11115] "In this state Frank Churchill had found her, she trembling and"
## [11116] "conditioning, they loud and insolent. By a most fortunate chance his"
## [11117] "leaving Highbury had been delayed so as to bring him to her assistance"
## [11118] "at this critical moment. The pleasantness of the morning had induced"
## [11119] "him to walk forward, and leave his horses to meet him by another road,"
## [11120] "a mile or two beyond Highbury--and happening to have borrowed a pair"
## [11121] "of scissors the night before of Miss Bates, and to have forgotten to"
## [11122] "restore them, he had been obliged to stop at her door, and go in for a"
## [11123] "few minutes: he was therefore later than he had intended; and being"
## [11124] "on foot, was unseen by the whole party till almost close to them. The"
## [11125] "terror which the woman and boy had been creating in Harriet was then"
## [11126] "their own portion. He had left them completely frightened; and Harriet"
## [11127] "eagerly clinging to him, and hardly able to speak, had just strength"
## [11128] "enough to reach Hartfield, before her spirits were quite overcome."
## [11129] "It was his idea to bring her to Hartfield: he had thought of no other"
## [11130] "place."
## [11131] ""
## [11132] "This was the amount of the whole story,--of his communication and of"
## [11133] "Harriet's as soon as she had recovered her senses and speech.--He dared"
## [11134] "not stay longer than to see her well; these several delays left him"
## [11135] "not another minute to lose; and Emma engaging to give assurance of her"
## [11136] "safety to Mrs. Goddard, and notice of there being such a set of people"
## [11137] "in the neighbourhood to Mr. Knightley, he set off, with all the grateful"
## [11138] "blessings that she could utter for her friend and herself."
## [11139] ""
## [11140] "Such an adventure as this,--a fine young man and a lovely young woman"
## [11141] "thrown together in such a way, could hardly fail of suggesting certain"
## [11142] "ideas to the coldest heart and the steadiest brain. So Emma thought, at"
## [11143] "least. Could a linguist, could a grammarian, could even a mathematician"
## [11144] "have seen what she did, have witnessed their appearance together, and"
## [11145] "heard their history of it, without feeling that circumstances had been"
## [11146] "at work to make them peculiarly interesting to each other?--How much"
## [11147] "more must an imaginist, like herself, be on fire with speculation and"
## [11148] "foresight!--especially with such a groundwork of anticipation as her"
## [11149] "mind had already made."
## [11150] ""
## [11151] "It was a very extraordinary thing! Nothing of the sort had ever"
## [11152] "occurred before to any young ladies in the place, within her memory; no"
## [11153] "rencontre, no alarm of the kind;--and now it had happened to the very"
## [11154] "person, and at the very hour, when the other very person was chancing"
## [11155] "to pass by to rescue her!--It certainly was very extraordinary!--And"
## [11156] "knowing, as she did, the favourable state of mind of each at this"
## [11157] "period, it struck her the more. He was wishing to get the better of his"
## [11158] "attachment to herself, she just recovering from her mania for Mr. Elton."
## [11159] "It seemed as if every thing united to promise the most interesting"
## [11160] "consequences. It was not possible that the occurrence should not be"
## [11161] "strongly recommending each to the other."
## [11162] ""
## [11163] "In the few minutes' conversation which she had yet had with him, while"
## [11164] "Harriet had been partially insensible, he had spoken of her terror,"
## [11165] "her naivete, her fervour as she seized and clung to his arm, with a"
## [11166] "sensibility amused and delighted; and just at last, after Harriet's"
## [11167] "own account had been given, he had expressed his indignation at the"
## [11168] "abominable folly of Miss Bickerton in the warmest terms. Every thing was"
## [11169] "to take its natural course, however, neither impelled nor assisted."
## [11170] "She would not stir a step, nor drop a hint. No, she had had enough of"
## [11171] "interference. There could be no harm in a scheme, a mere passive scheme."
## [11172] "It was no more than a wish. Beyond it she would on no account proceed."
## [11173] ""
## [11174] "Emma's first resolution was to keep her father from the knowledge of"
## [11175] "what had passed,--aware of the anxiety and alarm it would occasion: but"
## [11176] "she soon felt that concealment must be impossible. Within half an hour"
## [11177] "it was known all over Highbury. It was the very event to engage those"
## [11178] "who talk most, the young and the low; and all the youth and servants in"
## [11179] "the place were soon in the happiness of frightful news. The last night's"
## [11180] "ball seemed lost in the gipsies. Poor Mr. Woodhouse trembled as he sat,"
## [11181] "and, as Emma had foreseen, would scarcely be satisfied without their"
## [11182] "promising never to go beyond the shrubbery again. It was some comfort"
## [11183] "to him that many inquiries after himself and Miss Woodhouse (for his"
## [11184] "neighbours knew that he loved to be inquired after), as well as Miss"
## [11185] "Smith, were coming in during the rest of the day; and he had"
## [11186] "the pleasure of returning for answer, that they were all very"
## [11187] "indifferent--which, though not exactly true, for she was perfectly well,"
## [11188] "and Harriet not much otherwise, Emma would not interfere with. She had"
## [11189] "an unhappy state of health in general for the child of such a man,"
## [11190] "for she hardly knew what indisposition was; and if he did not invent"
## [11191] "illnesses for her, she could make no figure in a message."
## [11192] ""
## [11193] "The gipsies did not wait for the operations of justice; they took"
## [11194] "themselves off in a hurry. The young ladies of Highbury might have"
## [11195] "walked again in safety before their panic began, and the whole history"
## [11196] "dwindled soon into a matter of little importance but to Emma and her"
## [11197] "nephews:--in her imagination it maintained its ground, and Henry and"
## [11198] "John were still asking every day for the story of Harriet and the"
## [11199] "gipsies, and still tenaciously setting her right if she varied in the"
## [11200] "slightest particular from the original recital."
## [11201] ""
## [11202] ""
## [11203] ""
## [11204] "CHAPTER IV"
## [11205] ""
## [11206] ""
## [11207] "A very few days had passed after this adventure, when Harriet came one"
## [11208] "morning to Emma with a small parcel in her hand, and after sitting down"
## [11209] "and hesitating, thus began:"
## [11210] ""
## [11211] "\"Miss Woodhouse--if you are at leisure--I have something that I should"
## [11212] "like to tell you--a sort of confession to make--and then, you know, it"
## [11213] "will be over.\""
## [11214] ""
## [11215] "Emma was a good deal surprized; but begged her to speak. There was a"
## [11216] "seriousness in Harriet's manner which prepared her, quite as much as her"
## [11217] "words, for something more than ordinary."
## [11218] ""
## [11219] "\"It is my duty, and I am sure it is my wish,\" she continued, \"to have"
## [11220] "no reserves with you on this subject. As I am happily quite an altered"
## [11221] "creature in _one_ _respect_, it is very fit that you should have"
## [11222] "the satisfaction of knowing it. I do not want to say more than is"
## [11223] "necessary--I am too much ashamed of having given way as I have done, and"
## [11224] "I dare say you understand me.\""
## [11225] ""
## [11226] "\"Yes,\" said Emma, \"I hope I do.\""
## [11227] ""
## [11228] "\"How I could so long a time be fancying myself!...\" cried Harriet,"
## [11229] "warmly. \"It seems like madness! I can see nothing at all extraordinary"
## [11230] "in him now.--I do not care whether I meet him or not--except that of the"
## [11231] "two I had rather not see him--and indeed I would go any distance round"
## [11232] "to avoid him--but I do not envy his wife in the least; I neither admire"
## [11233] "her nor envy her, as I have done: she is very charming, I dare say, and"
## [11234] "all that, but I think her very ill-tempered and disagreeable--I shall"
## [11235] "never forget her look the other night!--However, I assure you, Miss"
## [11236] "Woodhouse, I wish her no evil.--No, let them be ever so happy together,"
## [11237] "it will not give me another moment's pang: and to convince you that I"
## [11238] "have been speaking truth, I am now going to destroy--what I ought to"
## [11239] "have destroyed long ago--what I ought never to have kept--I know that"
## [11240] "very well (blushing as she spoke).--However, now I will destroy it"
## [11241] "all--and it is my particular wish to do it in your presence, that you"
## [11242] "may see how rational I am grown. Cannot you guess what this parcel"
## [11243] "holds?\" said she, with a conscious look."
## [11244] ""
## [11245] "\"Not the least in the world.--Did he ever give you any thing?\""
## [11246] ""
## [11247] "\"No--I cannot call them gifts; but they are things that I have valued"
## [11248] "very much.\""
## [11249] ""
## [11250] "She held the parcel towards her, and Emma read the words _Most_"
## [11251] "_precious_ _treasures_ on the top. Her curiosity was greatly excited."
## [11252] "Harriet unfolded the parcel, and she looked on with impatience. Within"
## [11253] "abundance of silver paper was a pretty little Tunbridge-ware box,"
## [11254] "which Harriet opened: it was well lined with the softest cotton; but,"
## [11255] "excepting the cotton, Emma saw only a small piece of court-plaister."
## [11256] ""
## [11257] "\"Now,\" said Harriet, \"you _must_ recollect.\""
## [11258] ""
## [11259] "\"No, indeed I do not.\""
## [11260] ""
## [11261] "\"Dear me! I should not have thought it possible you could forget what"
## [11262] "passed in this very room about court-plaister, one of the very last"
## [11263] "times we ever met in it!--It was but a very few days before I had my"
## [11264] "sore throat--just before Mr. and Mrs. John Knightley came--I think the"
## [11265] "very evening.--Do not you remember his cutting his finger with your new"
## [11266] "penknife, and your recommending court-plaister?--But, as you had none"
## [11267] "about you, and knew I had, you desired me to supply him; and so I took"
## [11268] "mine out and cut him a piece; but it was a great deal too large, and he"
## [11269] "cut it smaller, and kept playing some time with what was left, before he"
## [11270] "gave it back to me. And so then, in my nonsense, I could not help making"
## [11271] "a treasure of it--so I put it by never to be used, and looked at it now"
## [11272] "and then as a great treat.\""
## [11273] ""
## [11274] "\"My dearest Harriet!\" cried Emma, putting her hand before her face,"
## [11275] "and jumping up, \"you make me more ashamed of myself than I can bear."
## [11276] "Remember it? Aye, I remember it all now; all, except your saving this"
## [11277] "relic--I knew nothing of that till this moment--but the cutting the"
## [11278] "finger, and my recommending court-plaister, and saying I had none"
## [11279] "about me!--Oh! my sins, my sins!--And I had plenty all the while in my"
## [11280] "pocket!--One of my senseless tricks!--I deserve to be under a continual"
## [11281] "blush all the rest of my life.--Well--(sitting down again)--go on--what"
## [11282] "else?\""
## [11283] ""
## [11284] "\"And had you really some at hand yourself? I am sure I never suspected"
## [11285] "it, you did it so naturally.\""
## [11286] ""
## [11287] "\"And so you actually put this piece of court-plaister by for his sake!\""
## [11288] "said Emma, recovering from her state of shame and feeling divided"
## [11289] "between wonder and amusement. And secretly she added to herself, \"Lord"
## [11290] "bless me! when should I ever have thought of putting by in cotton a"
## [11291] "piece of court-plaister that Frank Churchill had been pulling about! I"
## [11292] "never was equal to this.\""
## [11293] ""
## [11294] "\"Here,\" resumed Harriet, turning to her box again, \"here is something"
## [11295] "still more valuable, I mean that _has_ _been_ more valuable, because"
## [11296] "this is what did really once belong to him, which the court-plaister"
## [11297] "never did.\""
## [11298] ""
## [11299] "Emma was quite eager to see this superior treasure. It was the end of an"
## [11300] "old pencil,--the part without any lead."
## [11301] ""
## [11302] "\"This was really his,\" said Harriet.--\"Do not you remember one"
## [11303] "morning?--no, I dare say you do not. But one morning--I forget exactly"
## [11304] "the day--but perhaps it was the Tuesday or Wednesday before _that_"
## [11305] "_evening_, he wanted to make a memorandum in his pocket-book; it was"
## [11306] "about spruce-beer. Mr. Knightley had been telling him something about"
## [11307] "brewing spruce-beer, and he wanted to put it down; but when he took out"
## [11308] "his pencil, there was so little lead that he soon cut it all away, and"
## [11309] "it would not do, so you lent him another, and this was left upon the"
## [11310] "table as good for nothing. But I kept my eye on it; and, as soon as I"
## [11311] "dared, caught it up, and never parted with it again from that moment.\""
## [11312] ""
## [11313] "\"I do remember it,\" cried Emma; \"I perfectly remember it.--Talking"
## [11314] "about spruce-beer.--Oh! yes--Mr. Knightley and I both saying we"
## [11315] "liked it, and Mr. Elton's seeming resolved to learn to like it too. I"
## [11316] "perfectly remember it.--Stop; Mr. Knightley was standing just here, was"
## [11317] "not he? I have an idea he was standing just here.\""
## [11318] ""
## [11319] "\"Ah! I do not know. I cannot recollect.--It is very odd, but I cannot"
## [11320] "recollect.--Mr. Elton was sitting here, I remember, much about where I"
## [11321] "am now.\"--"
## [11322] ""
## [11323] "\"Well, go on.\""
## [11324] ""
## [11325] "\"Oh! that's all. I have nothing more to shew you, or to say--except that"
## [11326] "I am now going to throw them both behind the fire, and I wish you to see"
## [11327] "me do it.\""
## [11328] ""
## [11329] "\"My poor dear Harriet! and have you actually found happiness in"
## [11330] "treasuring up these things?\""
## [11331] ""
## [11332] "\"Yes, simpleton as I was!--but I am quite ashamed of it now, and wish I"
## [11333] "could forget as easily as I can burn them. It was very wrong of me, you"
## [11334] "know, to keep any remembrances, after he was married. I knew it was--but"
## [11335] "had not resolution enough to part with them.\""
## [11336] ""
## [11337] "\"But, Harriet, is it necessary to burn the court-plaister?--I have not"
## [11338] "a word to say for the bit of old pencil, but the court-plaister might be"
## [11339] "useful.\""
## [11340] ""
## [11341] "\"I shall be happier to burn it,\" replied Harriet. \"It has a disagreeable"
## [11342] "look to me. I must get rid of every thing.--There it goes, and there is"
## [11343] "an end, thank Heaven! of Mr. Elton.\""
## [11344] ""
## [11345] "\"And when,\" thought Emma, \"will there be a beginning of Mr. Churchill?\""
## [11346] ""
## [11347] "She had soon afterwards reason to believe that the beginning was already"
## [11348] "made, and could not but hope that the gipsy, though she had _told_ no"
## [11349] "fortune, might be proved to have made Harriet's.--About a fortnight"
## [11350] "after the alarm, they came to a sufficient explanation, and quite"
## [11351] "undesignedly. Emma was not thinking of it at the moment, which made the"
## [11352] "information she received more valuable. She merely said, in the course"
## [11353] "of some trivial chat, \"Well, Harriet, whenever you marry I would advise"
## [11354] "you to do so and so\"--and thought no more of it, till after a minute's"
## [11355] "silence she heard Harriet say in a very serious tone, \"I shall never"
## [11356] "marry.\""
## [11357] ""
## [11358] "Emma then looked up, and immediately saw how it was; and after a"
## [11359] "moment's debate, as to whether it should pass unnoticed or not, replied,"
## [11360] ""
## [11361] "\"Never marry!--This is a new resolution.\""
## [11362] ""
## [11363] "\"It is one that I shall never change, however.\""
## [11364] ""
## [11365] "After another short hesitation, \"I hope it does not proceed from--I hope"
## [11366] "it is not in compliment to Mr. Elton?\""
## [11367] ""
## [11368] "\"Mr. Elton indeed!\" cried Harriet indignantly.--\"Oh! no\"--and Emma could"
## [11369] "just catch the words, \"so superior to Mr. Elton!\""
## [11370] ""
## [11371] "She then took a longer time for consideration. Should she proceed no"
## [11372] "farther?--should she let it pass, and seem to suspect nothing?--Perhaps"
## [11373] "Harriet might think her cold or angry if she did; or perhaps if she were"
## [11374] "totally silent, it might only drive Harriet into asking her to hear too"
## [11375] "much; and against any thing like such an unreserve as had been, such"
## [11376] "an open and frequent discussion of hopes and chances, she was perfectly"
## [11377] "resolved.--She believed it would be wiser for her to say and know at"
## [11378] "once, all that she meant to say and know. Plain dealing was always"
## [11379] "best. She had previously determined how far she would proceed, on any"
## [11380] "application of the sort; and it would be safer for both, to have the"
## [11381] "judicious law of her own brain laid down with speed.--She was decided,"
## [11382] "and thus spoke--"
## [11383] ""
## [11384] "\"Harriet, I will not affect to be in doubt of your meaning. Your"
## [11385] "resolution, or rather your expectation of never marrying, results from"
## [11386] "an idea that the person whom you might prefer, would be too greatly your"
## [11387] "superior in situation to think of you. Is not it so?\""
## [11388] ""
## [11389] "\"Oh! Miss Woodhouse, believe me I have not the presumption to suppose--"
## [11390] "Indeed I am not so mad.--But it is a pleasure to me to admire him at a"
## [11391] "distance--and to think of his infinite superiority to all the rest of"
## [11392] "the world, with the gratitude, wonder, and veneration, which are so"
## [11393] "proper, in me especially.\""
## [11394] ""
## [11395] "\"I am not at all surprized at you, Harriet. The service he rendered you"
## [11396] "was enough to warm your heart.\""
## [11397] ""
## [11398] "\"Service! oh! it was such an inexpressible obligation!--The very"
## [11399] "recollection of it, and all that I felt at the time--when I saw him"
## [11400] "coming--his noble look--and my wretchedness before. Such a change! In"
## [11401] "one moment such a change! From perfect misery to perfect happiness!\""
## [11402] ""
## [11403] "\"It is very natural. It is natural, and it is honourable.--Yes,"
## [11404] "honourable, I think, to chuse so well and so gratefully.--But that"
## [11405] "it will be a fortunate preference is more than I can promise. I do not"
## [11406] "advise you to give way to it, Harriet. I do not by any means engage"
## [11407] "for its being returned. Consider what you are about. Perhaps it will be"
## [11408] "wisest in you to check your feelings while you can: at any rate do not"
## [11409] "let them carry you far, unless you are persuaded of his liking you. Be"
## [11410] "observant of him. Let his behaviour be the guide of your sensations. I"
## [11411] "give you this caution now, because I shall never speak to you again on"
## [11412] "the subject. I am determined against all interference. Henceforward I"
## [11413] "know nothing of the matter. Let no name ever pass our lips. We were very"
## [11414] "wrong before; we will be cautious now.--He is your superior, no doubt,"
## [11415] "and there do seem objections and obstacles of a very serious nature; but"
## [11416] "yet, Harriet, more wonderful things have taken place, there have been"
## [11417] "matches of greater disparity. But take care of yourself. I would not"
## [11418] "have you too sanguine; though, however it may end, be assured your"
## [11419] "raising your thoughts to _him_, is a mark of good taste which I shall"
## [11420] "always know how to value.\""
## [11421] ""
## [11422] "Harriet kissed her hand in silent and submissive gratitude. Emma was"
## [11423] "very decided in thinking such an attachment no bad thing for her friend."
## [11424] "Its tendency would be to raise and refine her mind--and it must be"
## [11425] "saving her from the danger of degradation."
## [11426] ""
## [11427] ""
## [11428] ""
## [11429] "CHAPTER V"
## [11430] ""
## [11431] ""
## [11432] "In this state of schemes, and hopes, and connivance, June opened upon"
## [11433] "Hartfield. To Highbury in general it brought no material change. The"
## [11434] "Eltons were still talking of a visit from the Sucklings, and of the use"
## [11435] "to be made of their barouche-landau; and Jane Fairfax was still at her"
## [11436] "grandmother's; and as the return of the Campbells from Ireland was again"
## [11437] "delayed, and August, instead of Midsummer, fixed for it, she was likely"
## [11438] "to remain there full two months longer, provided at least she were able"
## [11439] "to defeat Mrs. Elton's activity in her service, and save herself from"
## [11440] "being hurried into a delightful situation against her will."
## [11441] ""
## [11442] "Mr. Knightley, who, for some reason best known to himself, had certainly"
## [11443] "taken an early dislike to Frank Churchill, was only growing to dislike"
## [11444] "him more. He began to suspect him of some double dealing in his pursuit"
## [11445] "of Emma. That Emma was his object appeared indisputable. Every thing"
## [11446] "declared it; his own attentions, his father's hints, his mother-in-law's"
## [11447] "guarded silence; it was all in unison; words, conduct, discretion, and"
## [11448] "indiscretion, told the same story. But while so many were devoting him"
## [11449] "to Emma, and Emma herself making him over to Harriet, Mr. Knightley"
## [11450] "began to suspect him of some inclination to trifle with Jane Fairfax. He"
## [11451] "could not understand it; but there were symptoms of intelligence between"
## [11452] "them--he thought so at least--symptoms of admiration on his side, which,"
## [11453] "having once observed, he could not persuade himself to think entirely"
## [11454] "void of meaning, however he might wish to escape any of Emma's errors"
## [11455] "of imagination. _She_ was not present when the suspicion first arose."
## [11456] "He was dining with the Randalls family, and Jane, at the Eltons'; and he"
## [11457] "had seen a look, more than a single look, at Miss Fairfax, which, from"
## [11458] "the admirer of Miss Woodhouse, seemed somewhat out of place. When he was"
## [11459] "again in their company, he could not help remembering what he had seen;"
## [11460] "nor could he avoid observations which, unless it were like Cowper and"
## [11461] "his fire at twilight,"
## [11462] ""
## [11463] "\"Myself creating what I saw,\""
## [11464] ""
## [11465] "brought him yet stronger suspicion of there being a something of private"
## [11466] "liking, of private understanding even, between Frank Churchill and Jane."
## [11467] ""
## [11468] "He had walked up one day after dinner, as he very often did, to spend"
## [11469] "his evening at Hartfield. Emma and Harriet were going to walk; he joined"
## [11470] "them; and, on returning, they fell in with a larger party, who, like"
## [11471] "themselves, judged it wisest to take their exercise early, as the"
## [11472] "weather threatened rain; Mr. and Mrs. Weston and their son, Miss Bates"
## [11473] "and her niece, who had accidentally met. They all united; and, on"
## [11474] "reaching Hartfield gates, Emma, who knew it was exactly the sort of"
## [11475] "visiting that would be welcome to her father, pressed them all to go in"
## [11476] "and drink tea with him. The Randalls party agreed to it immediately; and"
## [11477] "after a pretty long speech from Miss Bates, which few persons listened"
## [11478] "to, she also found it possible to accept dear Miss Woodhouse's most"
## [11479] "obliging invitation."
## [11480] ""
## [11481] "As they were turning into the grounds, Mr. Perry passed by on horseback."
## [11482] "The gentlemen spoke of his horse."
## [11483] ""
## [11484] "\"By the bye,\" said Frank Churchill to Mrs. Weston presently, \"what"
## [11485] "became of Mr. Perry's plan of setting up his carriage?\""
## [11486] ""
## [11487] "Mrs. Weston looked surprized, and said, \"I did not know that he ever had"
## [11488] "any such plan.\""
## [11489] ""
## [11490] "\"Nay, I had it from you. You wrote me word of it three months ago.\""
## [11491] ""
## [11492] "\"Me! impossible!\""
## [11493] ""
## [11494] "\"Indeed you did. I remember it perfectly. You mentioned it as what"
## [11495] "was certainly to be very soon. Mrs. Perry had told somebody, and was"
## [11496] "extremely happy about it. It was owing to _her_ persuasion, as she"
## [11497] "thought his being out in bad weather did him a great deal of harm. You"
## [11498] "must remember it now?\""
## [11499] ""
## [11500] "\"Upon my word I never heard of it till this moment.\""
## [11501] ""
## [11502] "\"Never! really, never!--Bless me! how could it be?--Then I must have"
## [11503] "dreamt it--but I was completely persuaded--Miss Smith, you walk as if"
## [11504] "you were tired. You will not be sorry to find yourself at home.\""
## [11505] ""
## [11506] "\"What is this?--What is this?\" cried Mr. Weston, \"about Perry and a"
## [11507] "carriage? Is Perry going to set up his carriage, Frank? I am glad he can"
## [11508] "afford it. You had it from himself, had you?\""
## [11509] ""
## [11510] "\"No, sir,\" replied his son, laughing, \"I seem to have had it from"
## [11511] "nobody.--Very odd!--I really was persuaded of Mrs. Weston's having"
## [11512] "mentioned it in one of her letters to Enscombe, many weeks ago, with all"
## [11513] "these particulars--but as she declares she never heard a syllable of"
## [11514] "it before, of course it must have been a dream. I am a great dreamer."
## [11515] "I dream of every body at Highbury when I am away--and when I have gone"
## [11516] "through my particular friends, then I begin dreaming of Mr. and Mrs."
## [11517] "Perry.\""
## [11518] ""
## [11519] "\"It is odd though,\" observed his father, \"that you should have had such"
## [11520] "a regular connected dream about people whom it was not very likely you"
## [11521] "should be thinking of at Enscombe. Perry's setting up his carriage! and"
## [11522] "his wife's persuading him to it, out of care for his health--just"
## [11523] "what will happen, I have no doubt, some time or other; only a little"
## [11524] "premature. What an air of probability sometimes runs through a dream!"
## [11525] "And at others, what a heap of absurdities it is! Well, Frank, your dream"
## [11526] "certainly shews that Highbury is in your thoughts when you are absent."
## [11527] "Emma, you are a great dreamer, I think?\""
## [11528] ""
## [11529] "Emma was out of hearing. She had hurried on before her guests to"
## [11530] "prepare her father for their appearance, and was beyond the reach of Mr."
## [11531] "Weston's hint."
## [11532] ""
## [11533] "\"Why, to own the truth,\" cried Miss Bates, who had been trying in vain"
## [11534] "to be heard the last two minutes, \"if I must speak on this subject,"
## [11535] "there is no denying that Mr. Frank Churchill might have--I do not mean"
## [11536] "to say that he did not dream it--I am sure I have sometimes the oddest"
## [11537] "dreams in the world--but if I am questioned about it, I must acknowledge"
## [11538] "that there was such an idea last spring; for Mrs. Perry herself"
## [11539] "mentioned it to my mother, and the Coles knew of it as well as"
## [11540] "ourselves--but it was quite a secret, known to nobody else, and only"
## [11541] "thought of about three days. Mrs. Perry was very anxious that he should"
## [11542] "have a carriage, and came to my mother in great spirits one morning"
## [11543] "because she thought she had prevailed. Jane, don't you remember"
## [11544] "grandmama's telling us of it when we got home? I forget where we"
## [11545] "had been walking to--very likely to Randalls; yes, I think it was to"
## [11546] "Randalls. Mrs. Perry was always particularly fond of my mother--indeed"
## [11547] "I do not know who is not--and she had mentioned it to her in confidence;"
## [11548] "she had no objection to her telling us, of course, but it was not to go"
## [11549] "beyond: and, from that day to this, I never mentioned it to a soul that"
## [11550] "I know of. At the same time, I will not positively answer for my having"
## [11551] "never dropt a hint, because I know I do sometimes pop out a thing before"
## [11552] "I am aware. I am a talker, you know; I am rather a talker; and now and"
## [11553] "then I have let a thing escape me which I should not. I am not like"
## [11554] "Jane; I wish I were. I will answer for it _she_ never betrayed the least"
## [11555] "thing in the world. Where is she?--Oh! just behind. Perfectly remember"
## [11556] "Mrs. Perry's coming.--Extraordinary dream, indeed!\""
## [11557] ""
## [11558] "They were entering the hall. Mr. Knightley's eyes had preceded Miss"
## [11559] "Bates's in a glance at Jane. From Frank Churchill's face, where"
## [11560] "he thought he saw confusion suppressed or laughed away, he had"
## [11561] "involuntarily turned to hers; but she was indeed behind, and too busy"
## [11562] "with her shawl. Mr. Weston had walked in. The two other gentlemen waited"
## [11563] "at the door to let her pass. Mr. Knightley suspected in Frank"
## [11564] "Churchill the determination of catching her eye--he seemed watching her"
## [11565] "intently--in vain, however, if it were so--Jane passed between them"
## [11566] "into the hall, and looked at neither."
## [11567] ""
## [11568] "There was no time for farther remark or explanation. The dream must be"
## [11569] "borne with, and Mr. Knightley must take his seat with the rest round the"
## [11570] "large modern circular table which Emma had introduced at Hartfield, and"
## [11571] "which none but Emma could have had power to place there and persuade her"
## [11572] "father to use, instead of the small-sized Pembroke, on which two of his"
## [11573] "daily meals had, for forty years been crowded. Tea passed pleasantly,"
## [11574] "and nobody seemed in a hurry to move."
## [11575] ""
## [11576] "\"Miss Woodhouse,\" said Frank Churchill, after examining a table behind"
## [11577] "him, which he could reach as he sat, \"have your nephews taken away their"
## [11578] "alphabets--their box of letters? It used to stand here. Where is it?"
## [11579] "This is a sort of dull-looking evening, that ought to be treated rather"
## [11580] "as winter than summer. We had great amusement with those letters one"
## [11581] "morning. I want to puzzle you again.\""
## [11582] ""
## [11583] "Emma was pleased with the thought; and producing the box, the table"
## [11584] "was quickly scattered over with alphabets, which no one seemed so much"
## [11585] "disposed to employ as their two selves. They were rapidly forming words"
## [11586] "for each other, or for any body else who would be puzzled. The quietness"
## [11587] "of the game made it particularly eligible for Mr. Woodhouse, who had"
## [11588] "often been distressed by the more animated sort, which Mr. Weston had"
## [11589] "occasionally introduced, and who now sat happily occupied in lamenting,"
## [11590] "with tender melancholy, over the departure of the \"poor little boys,\""
## [11591] "or in fondly pointing out, as he took up any stray letter near him, how"
## [11592] "beautifully Emma had written it."
## [11593] ""
## [11594] "Frank Churchill placed a word before Miss Fairfax. She gave a slight"
## [11595] "glance round the table, and applied herself to it. Frank was next to"
## [11596] "Emma, Jane opposite to them--and Mr. Knightley so placed as to see them"
## [11597] "all; and it was his object to see as much as he could, with as little"
## [11598] "apparent observation. The word was discovered, and with a faint smile"
## [11599] "pushed away. If meant to be immediately mixed with the others, and"
## [11600] "buried from sight, she should have looked on the table instead of"
## [11601] "looking just across, for it was not mixed; and Harriet, eager after"
## [11602] "every fresh word, and finding out none, directly took it up, and fell to"
## [11603] "work. She was sitting by Mr. Knightley, and turned to him for help. The"
## [11604] "word was _blunder_; and as Harriet exultingly proclaimed it, there was a"
## [11605] "blush on Jane's cheek which gave it a meaning not otherwise ostensible."
## [11606] "Mr. Knightley connected it with the dream; but how it could all be,"
## [11607] "was beyond his comprehension. How the delicacy, the discretion of his"
## [11608] "favourite could have been so lain asleep! He feared there must be some"
## [11609] "decided involvement. Disingenuousness and double dealing seemed to meet"
## [11610] "him at every turn. These letters were but the vehicle for gallantry and"
## [11611] "trick. It was a child's play, chosen to conceal a deeper game on Frank"
## [11612] "Churchill's part."
## [11613] ""
## [11614] "With great indignation did he continue to observe him; with great alarm"
## [11615] "and distrust, to observe also his two blinded companions. He saw a short"
## [11616] "word prepared for Emma, and given to her with a look sly and demure. He"
## [11617] "saw that Emma had soon made it out, and found it highly entertaining,"
## [11618] "though it was something which she judged it proper to appear to censure;"
## [11619] "for she said, \"Nonsense! for shame!\" He heard Frank Churchill next say,"
## [11620] "with a glance towards Jane, \"I will give it to her--shall I?\"--and as"
## [11621] "clearly heard Emma opposing it with eager laughing warmth. \"No, no, you"
## [11622] "must not; you shall not, indeed.\""
## [11623] ""
## [11624] "It was done however. This gallant young man, who seemed to love without"
## [11625] "feeling, and to recommend himself without complaisance, directly handed"
## [11626] "over the word to Miss Fairfax, and with a particular degree of sedate"
## [11627] "civility entreated her to study it. Mr. Knightley's excessive curiosity"
## [11628] "to know what this word might be, made him seize every possible moment"
## [11629] "for darting his eye towards it, and it was not long before he saw it"
## [11630] "to be _Dixon_. Jane Fairfax's perception seemed to accompany his;"
## [11631] "her comprehension was certainly more equal to the covert meaning,"
## [11632] "the superior intelligence, of those five letters so arranged. She was"
## [11633] "evidently displeased; looked up, and seeing herself watched, blushed"
## [11634] "more deeply than he had ever perceived her, and saying only, \"I did not"
## [11635] "know that proper names were allowed,\" pushed away the letters with even"
## [11636] "an angry spirit, and looked resolved to be engaged by no other word"
## [11637] "that could be offered. Her face was averted from those who had made the"
## [11638] "attack, and turned towards her aunt."
## [11639] ""
## [11640] "\"Aye, very true, my dear,\" cried the latter, though Jane had not spoken"
## [11641] "a word--\"I was just going to say the same thing. It is time for us to be"
## [11642] "going indeed. The evening is closing in, and grandmama will be looking"
## [11643] "for us. My dear sir, you are too obliging. We really must wish you good"
## [11644] "night.\""
## [11645] ""
## [11646] "Jane's alertness in moving, proved her as ready as her aunt had"
## [11647] "preconceived. She was immediately up, and wanting to quit the table; but"
## [11648] "so many were also moving, that she could not get away; and Mr. Knightley"
## [11649] "thought he saw another collection of letters anxiously pushed towards"
## [11650] "her, and resolutely swept away by her unexamined. She was afterwards"
## [11651] "looking for her shawl--Frank Churchill was looking also--it was growing"
## [11652] "dusk, and the room was in confusion; and how they parted, Mr. Knightley"
## [11653] "could not tell."
## [11654] ""
## [11655] "He remained at Hartfield after all the rest, his thoughts full of"
## [11656] "what he had seen; so full, that when the candles came to assist his"
## [11657] "observations, he must--yes, he certainly must, as a friend--an anxious"
## [11658] "friend--give Emma some hint, ask her some question. He could not see her"
## [11659] "in a situation of such danger, without trying to preserve her. It was"
## [11660] "his duty."
## [11661] ""
## [11662] "\"Pray, Emma,\" said he, \"may I ask in what lay the great amusement, the"
## [11663] "poignant sting of the last word given to you and Miss Fairfax? I saw the"
## [11664] "word, and am curious to know how it could be so very entertaining to the"
## [11665] "one, and so very distressing to the other.\""
## [11666] ""
## [11667] "Emma was extremely confused. She could not endure to give him the true"
## [11668] "explanation; for though her suspicions were by no means removed, she was"
## [11669] "really ashamed of having ever imparted them."
## [11670] ""
## [11671] "\"Oh!\" she cried in evident embarrassment, \"it all meant nothing; a mere"
## [11672] "joke among ourselves.\""
## [11673] ""
## [11674] "\"The joke,\" he replied gravely, \"seemed confined to you and Mr."
## [11675] "Churchill.\""
## [11676] ""
## [11677] "He had hoped she would speak again, but she did not. She would rather"
## [11678] "busy herself about any thing than speak. He sat a little while in"
## [11679] "doubt. A variety of evils crossed his mind. Interference--fruitless"
## [11680] "interference. Emma's confusion, and the acknowledged intimacy, seemed to"
## [11681] "declare her affection engaged. Yet he would speak. He owed it to her,"
## [11682] "to risk any thing that might be involved in an unwelcome interference,"
## [11683] "rather than her welfare; to encounter any thing, rather than the"
## [11684] "remembrance of neglect in such a cause."
## [11685] ""
## [11686] "\"My dear Emma,\" said he at last, with earnest kindness, \"do you"
## [11687] "think you perfectly understand the degree of acquaintance between the"
## [11688] "gentleman and lady we have been speaking of?\""
## [11689] ""
## [11690] "\"Between Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Fairfax? Oh! yes, perfectly.--Why"
## [11691] "do you make a doubt of it?\""
## [11692] ""
## [11693] "\"Have you never at any time had reason to think that he admired her, or"
## [11694] "that she admired him?\""
## [11695] ""
## [11696] "\"Never, never!\" she cried with a most open eagerness--\"Never, for the"
## [11697] "twentieth part of a moment, did such an idea occur to me. And how could"
## [11698] "it possibly come into your head?\""
## [11699] ""
## [11700] "\"I have lately imagined that I saw symptoms of attachment between"
## [11701] "them--certain expressive looks, which I did not believe meant to be"
## [11702] "public.\""
## [11703] ""
## [11704] "\"Oh! you amuse me excessively. I am delighted to find that you can"
## [11705] "vouchsafe to let your imagination wander--but it will not do--very sorry"
## [11706] "to check you in your first essay--but indeed it will not do. There is no"
## [11707] "admiration between them, I do assure you; and the appearances which"
## [11708] "have caught you, have arisen from some peculiar circumstances--feelings"
## [11709] "rather of a totally different nature--it is impossible exactly to"
## [11710] "explain:--there is a good deal of nonsense in it--but the part which is"
## [11711] "capable of being communicated, which is sense, is, that they are as far"
## [11712] "from any attachment or admiration for one another, as any two beings in"
## [11713] "the world can be. That is, I _presume_ it to be so on her side, and I"
## [11714] "can _answer_ for its being so on his. I will answer for the gentleman's"
## [11715] "indifference.\""
## [11716] ""
## [11717] "She spoke with a confidence which staggered, with a satisfaction"
## [11718] "which silenced, Mr. Knightley. She was in gay spirits, and would have"
## [11719] "prolonged the conversation, wanting to hear the particulars of his"
## [11720] "suspicions, every look described, and all the wheres and hows of a"
## [11721] "circumstance which highly entertained her: but his gaiety did not meet"
## [11722] "hers. He found he could not be useful, and his feelings were too much"
## [11723] "irritated for talking. That he might not be irritated into an absolute"
## [11724] "fever, by the fire which Mr. Woodhouse's tender habits required almost"
## [11725] "every evening throughout the year, he soon afterwards took a hasty"
## [11726] "leave, and walked home to the coolness and solitude of Donwell Abbey."
## [11727] ""
## [11728] ""
## [11729] ""
## [11730] "CHAPTER VI"
## [11731] ""
## [11732] ""
## [11733] "After being long fed with hopes of a speedy visit from Mr. and Mrs."
## [11734] "Suckling, the Highbury world were obliged to endure the mortification"
## [11735] "of hearing that they could not possibly come till the autumn. No such"
## [11736] "importation of novelties could enrich their intellectual stores at"
## [11737] "present. In the daily interchange of news, they must be again restricted"
## [11738] "to the other topics with which for a while the Sucklings' coming had"
## [11739] "been united, such as the last accounts of Mrs. Churchill, whose health"
## [11740] "seemed every day to supply a different report, and the situation of Mrs."
## [11741] "Weston, whose happiness it was to be hoped might eventually be as much"
## [11742] "increased by the arrival of a child, as that of all her neighbours was"
## [11743] "by the approach of it."
## [11744] ""
## [11745] "Mrs. Elton was very much disappointed. It was the delay of a great deal"
## [11746] "of pleasure and parade. Her introductions and recommendations must all"
## [11747] "wait, and every projected party be still only talked of. So she thought"
## [11748] "at first;--but a little consideration convinced her that every thing"
## [11749] "need not be put off. Why should not they explore to Box Hill though"
## [11750] "the Sucklings did not come? They could go there again with them in the"
## [11751] "autumn. It was settled that they should go to Box Hill. That there was"
## [11752] "to be such a party had been long generally known: it had even given the"
## [11753] "idea of another. Emma had never been to Box Hill; she wished to see what"
## [11754] "every body found so well worth seeing, and she and Mr. Weston had agreed"
## [11755] "to chuse some fine morning and drive thither. Two or three more of the"
## [11756] "chosen only were to be admitted to join them, and it was to be done in a"
## [11757] "quiet, unpretending, elegant way, infinitely superior to the bustle and"
## [11758] "preparation, the regular eating and drinking, and picnic parade of the"
## [11759] "Eltons and the Sucklings."
## [11760] ""
## [11761] "This was so very well understood between them, that Emma could not but"
## [11762] "feel some surprise, and a little displeasure, on hearing from Mr. Weston"
## [11763] "that he had been proposing to Mrs. Elton, as her brother and sister had"
## [11764] "failed her, that the two parties should unite, and go together; and that"
## [11765] "as Mrs. Elton had very readily acceded to it, so it was to be, if she"
## [11766] "had no objection. Now, as her objection was nothing but her very great"
## [11767] "dislike of Mrs. Elton, of which Mr. Weston must already be perfectly"
## [11768] "aware, it was not worth bringing forward again:--it could not be done"
## [11769] "without a reproof to him, which would be giving pain to his wife; and"
## [11770] "she found herself therefore obliged to consent to an arrangement which"
## [11771] "she would have done a great deal to avoid; an arrangement which would"
## [11772] "probably expose her even to the degradation of being said to be of Mrs."
## [11773] "Elton's party! Every feeling was offended; and the forbearance of her"
## [11774] "outward submission left a heavy arrear due of secret severity in her"
## [11775] "reflections on the unmanageable goodwill of Mr. Weston's temper."
## [11776] ""
## [11777] "\"I am glad you approve of what I have done,\" said he very comfortably."
## [11778] "\"But I thought you would. Such schemes as these are nothing without"
## [11779] "numbers. One cannot have too large a party. A large party secures its"
## [11780] "own amusement. And she is a good-natured woman after all. One could not"
## [11781] "leave her out.\""
## [11782] ""
## [11783] "Emma denied none of it aloud, and agreed to none of it in private."
## [11784] ""
## [11785] "It was now the middle of June, and the weather fine; and Mrs. Elton"
## [11786] "was growing impatient to name the day, and settle with Mr. Weston as to"
## [11787] "pigeon-pies and cold lamb, when a lame carriage-horse threw every thing"
## [11788] "into sad uncertainty. It might be weeks, it might be only a few days,"
## [11789] "before the horse were useable; but no preparations could be ventured"
## [11790] "on, and it was all melancholy stagnation. Mrs. Elton's resources were"
## [11791] "inadequate to such an attack."
## [11792] ""
## [11793] "\"Is not this most vexatious, Knightley?\" she cried.--\"And such weather"
## [11794] "for exploring!--These delays and disappointments are quite odious. What"
## [11795] "are we to do?--The year will wear away at this rate, and nothing"
## [11796] "done. Before this time last year I assure you we had had a delightful"
## [11797] "exploring party from Maple Grove to Kings Weston.\""
## [11798] ""
## [11799] "\"You had better explore to Donwell,\" replied Mr. Knightley. \"That may"
## [11800] "be done without horses. Come, and eat my strawberries. They are ripening"
## [11801] "fast.\""
## [11802] ""
## [11803] "If Mr. Knightley did not begin seriously, he was obliged to proceed so,"
## [11804] "for his proposal was caught at with delight; and the \"Oh! I should like"
## [11805] "it of all things,\" was not plainer in words than manner. Donwell was"
## [11806] "famous for its strawberry-beds, which seemed a plea for the invitation:"
## [11807] "but no plea was necessary; cabbage-beds would have been enough to tempt"
## [11808] "the lady, who only wanted to be going somewhere. She promised him again"
## [11809] "and again to come--much oftener than he doubted--and was extremely"
## [11810] "gratified by such a proof of intimacy, such a distinguishing compliment"
## [11811] "as she chose to consider it."
## [11812] ""
## [11813] "\"You may depend upon me,\" said she. \"I certainly will come. Name your"
## [11814] "day, and I will come. You will allow me to bring Jane Fairfax?\""
## [11815] ""
## [11816] "\"I cannot name a day,\" said he, \"till I have spoken to some others whom"
## [11817] "I would wish to meet you.\""
## [11818] ""
## [11819] "\"Oh! leave all that to me. Only give me a carte-blanche.--I am Lady"
## [11820] "Patroness, you know. It is my party. I will bring friends with me.\""
## [11821] ""
## [11822] "\"I hope you will bring Elton,\" said he: \"but I will not trouble you to"
## [11823] "give any other invitations.\""
## [11824] ""
## [11825] "\"Oh! now you are looking very sly. But consider--you need not be afraid"
## [11826] "of delegating power to _me_. I am no young lady on her preferment."
## [11827] "Married women, you know, may be safely authorised. It is my party. Leave"
## [11828] "it all to me. I will invite your guests.\""
## [11829] ""
## [11830] "\"No,\"--he calmly replied,--\"there is but one married woman in the world"
## [11831] "whom I can ever allow to invite what guests she pleases to Donwell, and"
## [11832] "that one is--\""
## [11833] ""
## [11834] "\"--Mrs. Weston, I suppose,\" interrupted Mrs. Elton, rather mortified."
## [11835] ""
## [11836] "\"No--Mrs. Knightley;--and till she is in being, I will manage such"
## [11837] "matters myself.\""
## [11838] ""
## [11839] "\"Ah! you are an odd creature!\" she cried, satisfied to have no one"
## [11840] "preferred to herself.--\"You are a humourist, and may say what you"
## [11841] "like. Quite a humourist. Well, I shall bring Jane with me--Jane and her"
## [11842] "aunt.--The rest I leave to you. I have no objections at all to meeting"
## [11843] "the Hartfield family. Don't scruple. I know you are attached to them.\""
## [11844] ""
## [11845] "\"You certainly will meet them if I can prevail; and I shall call on Miss"
## [11846] "Bates in my way home.\""
## [11847] ""
## [11848] "\"That's quite unnecessary; I see Jane every day:--but as you like. It"
## [11849] "is to be a morning scheme, you know, Knightley; quite a simple thing. I"
## [11850] "shall wear a large bonnet, and bring one of my little baskets hanging"
## [11851] "on my arm. Here,--probably this basket with pink ribbon. Nothing can be"
## [11852] "more simple, you see. And Jane will have such another. There is to be"
## [11853] "no form or parade--a sort of gipsy party. We are to walk about"
## [11854] "your gardens, and gather the strawberries ourselves, and sit under"
## [11855] "trees;--and whatever else you may like to provide, it is to be all out"
## [11856] "of doors--a table spread in the shade, you know. Every thing as natural"
## [11857] "and simple as possible. Is not that your idea?\""
## [11858] ""
## [11859] "\"Not quite. My idea of the simple and the natural will be to have"
## [11860] "the table spread in the dining-room. The nature and the simplicity of"
## [11861] "gentlemen and ladies, with their servants and furniture, I think is"
## [11862] "best observed by meals within doors. When you are tired of eating"
## [11863] "strawberries in the garden, there shall be cold meat in the house.\""
## [11864] ""
## [11865] "\"Well--as you please; only don't have a great set out. And, by the bye,"
## [11866] "can I or my housekeeper be of any use to you with our opinion?--Pray be"
## [11867] "sincere, Knightley. If you wish me to talk to Mrs. Hodges, or to inspect"
## [11868] "anything--\""
## [11869] ""
## [11870] "\"I have not the least wish for it, I thank you.\""
## [11871] ""
## [11872] "\"Well--but if any difficulties should arise, my housekeeper is extremely"
## [11873] "clever.\""
## [11874] ""
## [11875] "\"I will answer for it, that mine thinks herself full as clever, and"
## [11876] "would spurn any body's assistance.\""
## [11877] ""
## [11878] "\"I wish we had a donkey. The thing would be for us all to come on"
## [11879] "donkeys, Jane, Miss Bates, and me--and my caro sposo walking by. I"
## [11880] "really must talk to him about purchasing a donkey. In a country life"
## [11881] "I conceive it to be a sort of necessary; for, let a woman have ever"
## [11882] "so many resources, it is not possible for her to be always shut up at"
## [11883] "home;--and very long walks, you know--in summer there is dust, and in"
## [11884] "winter there is dirt.\""
## [11885] ""
## [11886] "\"You will not find either, between Donwell and Highbury. Donwell Lane is"
## [11887] "never dusty, and now it is perfectly dry. Come on a donkey, however, if"
## [11888] "you prefer it. You can borrow Mrs. Cole's. I would wish every thing to"
## [11889] "be as much to your taste as possible.\""
## [11890] ""
## [11891] "\"That I am sure you would. Indeed I do you justice, my good friend."
## [11892] "Under that peculiar sort of dry, blunt manner, I know you have the"
## [11893] "warmest heart. As I tell Mr. E., you are a thorough humourist.--Yes,"
## [11894] "believe me, Knightley, I am fully sensible of your attention to me in"
## [11895] "the whole of this scheme. You have hit upon the very thing to please"
## [11896] "me.\""
## [11897] ""
## [11898] "Mr. Knightley had another reason for avoiding a table in the shade. He"
## [11899] "wished to persuade Mr. Woodhouse, as well as Emma, to join the party;"
## [11900] "and he knew that to have any of them sitting down out of doors to"
## [11901] "eat would inevitably make him ill. Mr. Woodhouse must not, under the"
## [11902] "specious pretence of a morning drive, and an hour or two spent at"
## [11903] "Donwell, be tempted away to his misery."
## [11904] ""
## [11905] "He was invited on good faith. No lurking horrors were to upbraid him for"
## [11906] "his easy credulity. He did consent. He had not been at Donwell for two"
## [11907] "years. \"Some very fine morning, he, and Emma, and Harriet, could go"
## [11908] "very well; and he could sit still with Mrs. Weston, while the dear girls"
## [11909] "walked about the gardens. He did not suppose they could be damp now,"
## [11910] "in the middle of the day. He should like to see the old house again"
## [11911] "exceedingly, and should be very happy to meet Mr. and Mrs. Elton, and"
## [11912] "any other of his neighbours.--He could not see any objection at all to"
## [11913] "his, and Emma's, and Harriet's going there some very fine morning. He"
## [11914] "thought it very well done of Mr. Knightley to invite them--very kind"
## [11915] "and sensible--much cleverer than dining out.--He was not fond of dining"
## [11916] "out.\""
## [11917] ""
## [11918] "Mr. Knightley was fortunate in every body's most ready concurrence. The"
## [11919] "invitation was everywhere so well received, that it seemed as if, like"
## [11920] "Mrs. Elton, they were all taking the scheme as a particular compliment"
## [11921] "to themselves.--Emma and Harriet professed very high expectations of"
## [11922] "pleasure from it; and Mr. Weston, unasked, promised to get Frank over to"
## [11923] "join them, if possible; a proof of approbation and gratitude which could"
## [11924] "have been dispensed with.--Mr. Knightley was then obliged to say that"
## [11925] "he should be glad to see him; and Mr. Weston engaged to lose no time in"
## [11926] "writing, and spare no arguments to induce him to come."
## [11927] ""
## [11928] "In the meanwhile the lame horse recovered so fast, that the party to"
## [11929] "Box Hill was again under happy consideration; and at last Donwell was"
## [11930] "settled for one day, and Box Hill for the next,--the weather appearing"
## [11931] "exactly right."
## [11932] ""
## [11933] "Under a bright mid-day sun, at almost Midsummer, Mr. Woodhouse was"
## [11934] "safely conveyed in his carriage, with one window down, to partake of"
## [11935] "this al-fresco party; and in one of the most comfortable rooms in the"
## [11936] "Abbey, especially prepared for him by a fire all the morning, he was"
## [11937] "happily placed, quite at his ease, ready to talk with pleasure of what"
## [11938] "had been achieved, and advise every body to come and sit down, and not"
## [11939] "to heat themselves.--Mrs. Weston, who seemed to have walked there on"
## [11940] "purpose to be tired, and sit all the time with him, remained, when"
## [11941] "all the others were invited or persuaded out, his patient listener and"
## [11942] "sympathiser."
## [11943] ""
## [11944] "It was so long since Emma had been at the Abbey, that as soon as she was"
## [11945] "satisfied of her father's comfort, she was glad to leave him, and look"
## [11946] "around her; eager to refresh and correct her memory with more particular"
## [11947] "observation, more exact understanding of a house and grounds which must"
## [11948] "ever be so interesting to her and all her family."
## [11949] ""
## [11950] "She felt all the honest pride and complacency which her alliance with"
## [11951] "the present and future proprietor could fairly warrant, as she viewed"
## [11952] "the respectable size and style of the building, its suitable, becoming,"
## [11953] "characteristic situation, low and sheltered--its ample gardens"
## [11954] "stretching down to meadows washed by a stream, of which the Abbey, with"
## [11955] "all the old neglect of prospect, had scarcely a sight--and its abundance"
## [11956] "of timber in rows and avenues, which neither fashion nor extravagance"
## [11957] "had rooted up.--The house was larger than Hartfield, and totally unlike"
## [11958] "it, covering a good deal of ground, rambling and irregular, with many"
## [11959] "comfortable, and one or two handsome rooms.--It was just what it ought"
## [11960] "to be, and it looked what it was--and Emma felt an increasing respect"
## [11961] "for it, as the residence of a family of such true gentility, untainted"
## [11962] "in blood and understanding.--Some faults of temper John Knightley had;"
## [11963] "but Isabella had connected herself unexceptionably. She had given them"
## [11964] "neither men, nor names, nor places, that could raise a blush. These were"
## [11965] "pleasant feelings, and she walked about and indulged them till it"
## [11966] "was necessary to do as the others did, and collect round the"
## [11967] "strawberry-beds.--The whole party were assembled, excepting Frank"
## [11968] "Churchill, who was expected every moment from Richmond; and Mrs. Elton,"
## [11969] "in all her apparatus of happiness, her large bonnet and her basket,"
## [11970] "was very ready to lead the way in gathering, accepting, or"
## [11971] "talking--strawberries, and only strawberries, could now be thought or"
## [11972] "spoken of.--\"The best fruit in England--every body's favourite--always"
## [11973] "wholesome.--These the finest beds and finest sorts.--Delightful to"
## [11974] "gather for one's self--the only way of really enjoying them.--Morning"
## [11975] "decidedly the best time--never tired--every sort good--hautboy"
## [11976] "infinitely superior--no comparison--the others hardly eatable--hautboys"
## [11977] "very scarce--Chili preferred--white wood finest flavour of all--price"
## [11978] "of strawberries in London--abundance about Bristol--Maple"
## [11979] "Grove--cultivation--beds when to be renewed--gardeners thinking exactly"
## [11980] "different--no general rule--gardeners never to be put out of their"
## [11981] "way--delicious fruit--only too rich to be eaten much of--inferior"
## [11982] "to cherries--currants more refreshing--only objection to gathering"
## [11983] "strawberries the stooping--glaring sun--tired to death--could bear it no"
## [11984] "longer--must go and sit in the shade.\""
## [11985] ""
## [11986] "Such, for half an hour, was the conversation--interrupted only once by"
## [11987] "Mrs. Weston, who came out, in her solicitude after her son-in-law, to"
## [11988] "inquire if he were come--and she was a little uneasy.--She had some"
## [11989] "fears of his horse."
## [11990] ""
## [11991] "Seats tolerably in the shade were found; and now Emma was obliged"
## [11992] "to overhear what Mrs. Elton and Jane Fairfax were talking of.--A"
## [11993] "situation, a most desirable situation, was in question. Mrs. Elton had"
## [11994] "received notice of it that morning, and was in raptures. It was not"
## [11995] "with Mrs. Suckling, it was not with Mrs. Bragge, but in felicity and"
## [11996] "splendour it fell short only of them: it was with a cousin of Mrs."
## [11997] "Bragge, an acquaintance of Mrs. Suckling, a lady known at Maple Grove."
## [11998] "Delightful, charming, superior, first circles, spheres, lines, ranks,"
## [11999] "every thing--and Mrs. Elton was wild to have the offer closed with"
## [12000] "immediately.--On her side, all was warmth, energy, and triumph--and she"
## [12001] "positively refused to take her friend's negative, though Miss Fairfax"
## [12002] "continued to assure her that she would not at present engage in any"
## [12003] "thing, repeating the same motives which she had been heard to urge"
## [12004] "before.--Still Mrs. Elton insisted on being authorised to write an"
## [12005] "acquiescence by the morrow's post.--How Jane could bear it at all, was"
## [12006] "astonishing to Emma.--She did look vexed, she did speak pointedly--and"
## [12007] "at last, with a decision of action unusual to her, proposed a"
## [12008] "removal.--\"Should not they walk? Would not Mr. Knightley shew them the"
## [12009] "gardens--all the gardens?--She wished to see the whole extent.\"--The"
## [12010] "pertinacity of her friend seemed more than she could bear."
## [12011] ""
## [12012] "It was hot; and after walking some time over the gardens in a scattered,"
## [12013] "dispersed way, scarcely any three together, they insensibly followed one"
## [12014] "another to the delicious shade of a broad short avenue of limes, which"
## [12015] "stretching beyond the garden at an equal distance from the river, seemed"
## [12016] "the finish of the pleasure grounds.--It led to nothing; nothing but a"
## [12017] "view at the end over a low stone wall with high pillars, which seemed"
## [12018] "intended, in their erection, to give the appearance of an approach to"
## [12019] "the house, which never had been there. Disputable, however, as might be"
## [12020] "the taste of such a termination, it was in itself a charming walk, and"
## [12021] "the view which closed it extremely pretty.--The considerable slope, at"
## [12022] "nearly the foot of which the Abbey stood, gradually acquired a steeper"
## [12023] "form beyond its grounds; and at half a mile distant was a bank of"
## [12024] "considerable abruptness and grandeur, well clothed with wood;--and at"
## [12025] "the bottom of this bank, favourably placed and sheltered, rose the"
## [12026] "Abbey Mill Farm, with meadows in front, and the river making a close and"
## [12027] "handsome curve around it."
## [12028] ""
## [12029] "It was a sweet view--sweet to the eye and the mind. English verdure,"
## [12030] "English culture, English comfort, seen under a sun bright, without being"
## [12031] "oppressive."
## [12032] ""
## [12033] "In this walk Emma and Mr. Weston found all the others assembled; and"
## [12034] "towards this view she immediately perceived Mr. Knightley and Harriet"
## [12035] "distinct from the rest, quietly leading the way. Mr. Knightley and"
## [12036] "Harriet!--It was an odd tete-a-tete; but she was glad to see it.--There"
## [12037] "had been a time when he would have scorned her as a companion, and"
## [12038] "turned from her with little ceremony. Now they seemed in pleasant"
## [12039] "conversation. There had been a time also when Emma would have been sorry"
## [12040] "to see Harriet in a spot so favourable for the Abbey Mill Farm; but now"
## [12041] "she feared it not. It might be safely viewed with all its appendages of"
## [12042] "prosperity and beauty, its rich pastures, spreading flocks, orchard in"
## [12043] "blossom, and light column of smoke ascending.--She joined them at the"
## [12044] "wall, and found them more engaged in talking than in looking around. He"
## [12045] "was giving Harriet information as to modes of agriculture, etc. and Emma"
## [12046] "received a smile which seemed to say, \"These are my own concerns. I have"
## [12047] "a right to talk on such subjects, without being suspected of"
## [12048] "introducing Robert Martin.\"--She did not suspect him. It was too old"
## [12049] "a story.--Robert Martin had probably ceased to think of Harriet.--They"
## [12050] "took a few turns together along the walk.--The shade was most"
## [12051] "refreshing, and Emma found it the pleasantest part of the day."
## [12052] ""
## [12053] "The next remove was to the house; they must all go in and eat;--and they"
## [12054] "were all seated and busy, and still Frank Churchill did not come. Mrs."
## [12055] "Weston looked, and looked in vain. His father would not own himself"
## [12056] "uneasy, and laughed at her fears; but she could not be cured of wishing"
## [12057] "that he would part with his black mare. He had expressed himself as to"
## [12058] "coming, with more than common certainty. \"His aunt was so much better,"
## [12059] "that he had not a doubt of getting over to them.\"--Mrs. Churchill's"
## [12060] "state, however, as many were ready to remind her, was liable to such"
## [12061] "sudden variation as might disappoint her nephew in the most reasonable"
## [12062] "dependence--and Mrs. Weston was at last persuaded to believe, or to say,"
## [12063] "that it must be by some attack of Mrs. Churchill that he was"
## [12064] "prevented coming.--Emma looked at Harriet while the point was under"
## [12065] "consideration; she behaved very well, and betrayed no emotion."
## [12066] ""
## [12067] "The cold repast was over, and the party were to go out once more to see"
## [12068] "what had not yet been seen, the old Abbey fish-ponds; perhaps get as far"
## [12069] "as the clover, which was to be begun cutting on the morrow, or, at"
## [12070] "any rate, have the pleasure of being hot, and growing cool again.--Mr."
## [12071] "Woodhouse, who had already taken his little round in the highest part"
## [12072] "of the gardens, where no damps from the river were imagined even by him,"
## [12073] "stirred no more; and his daughter resolved to remain with him, that"
## [12074] "Mrs. Weston might be persuaded away by her husband to the exercise and"
## [12075] "variety which her spirits seemed to need."
## [12076] ""
## [12077] "Mr. Knightley had done all in his power for Mr. Woodhouse's"
## [12078] "entertainment. Books of engravings, drawers of medals, cameos, corals,"
## [12079] "shells, and every other family collection within his cabinets, had been"
## [12080] "prepared for his old friend, to while away the morning; and the kindness"
## [12081] "had perfectly answered. Mr. Woodhouse had been exceedingly well amused."
## [12082] "Mrs. Weston had been shewing them all to him, and now he would shew them"
## [12083] "all to Emma;--fortunate in having no other resemblance to a child, than"
## [12084] "in a total want of taste for what he saw, for he was slow, constant, and"
## [12085] "methodical.--Before this second looking over was begun, however, Emma"
## [12086] "walked into the hall for the sake of a few moments' free observation of"
## [12087] "the entrance and ground-plot of the house--and was hardly there, when"
## [12088] "Jane Fairfax appeared, coming quickly in from the garden, and with a"
## [12089] "look of escape.--Little expecting to meet Miss Woodhouse so soon, there"
## [12090] "was a start at first; but Miss Woodhouse was the very person she was in"
## [12091] "quest of."
## [12092] ""
## [12093] "\"Will you be so kind,\" said she, \"when I am missed, as to say that I am"
## [12094] "gone home?--I am going this moment.--My aunt is not aware how late it"
## [12095] "is, nor how long we have been absent--but I am sure we shall be wanted,"
## [12096] "and I am determined to go directly.--I have said nothing about it to any"
## [12097] "body. It would only be giving trouble and distress. Some are gone to the"
## [12098] "ponds, and some to the lime walk. Till they all come in I shall not be"
## [12099] "missed; and when they do, will you have the goodness to say that I am"
## [12100] "gone?\""
## [12101] ""
## [12102] "\"Certainly, if you wish it;--but you are not going to walk to Highbury"
## [12103] "alone?\""
## [12104] ""
## [12105] "\"Yes--what should hurt me?--I walk fast. I shall be at home in twenty"
## [12106] "minutes.\""
## [12107] ""
## [12108] "\"But it is too far, indeed it is, to be walking quite alone. Let my"
## [12109] "father's servant go with you.--Let me order the carriage. It can be"
## [12110] "round in five minutes.\""
## [12111] ""
## [12112] "\"Thank you, thank you--but on no account.--I would rather walk.--And"
## [12113] "for _me_ to be afraid of walking alone!--I, who may so soon have to"
## [12114] "guard others!\""
## [12115] ""
## [12116] "She spoke with great agitation; and Emma very feelingly replied, \"That"
## [12117] "can be no reason for your being exposed to danger now. I must order the"
## [12118] "carriage. The heat even would be danger.--You are fatigued already.\""
## [12119] ""
## [12120] "\"I am,\"--she answered--\"I am fatigued; but it is not the sort of"
## [12121] "fatigue--quick walking will refresh me.--Miss Woodhouse, we all know"
## [12122] "at times what it is to be wearied in spirits. Mine, I confess, are"
## [12123] "exhausted. The greatest kindness you can shew me, will be to let me have"
## [12124] "my own way, and only say that I am gone when it is necessary.\""
## [12125] ""
## [12126] "Emma had not another word to oppose. She saw it all; and entering into"
## [12127] "her feelings, promoted her quitting the house immediately, and"
## [12128] "watched her safely off with the zeal of a friend. Her parting look was"
## [12129] "grateful--and her parting words, \"Oh! Miss Woodhouse, the comfort of"
## [12130] "being sometimes alone!\"--seemed to burst from an overcharged heart, and"
## [12131] "to describe somewhat of the continual endurance to be practised by her,"
## [12132] "even towards some of those who loved her best."
## [12133] ""
## [12134] "\"Such a home, indeed! such an aunt!\" said Emma, as she turned back into"
## [12135] "the hall again. \"I do pity you. And the more sensibility you betray of"
## [12136] "their just horrors, the more I shall like you.\""
## [12137] ""
## [12138] "Jane had not been gone a quarter of an hour, and they had only"
## [12139] "accomplished some views of St. Mark's Place, Venice, when Frank"
## [12140] "Churchill entered the room. Emma had not been thinking of him, she had"
## [12141] "forgotten to think of him--but she was very glad to see him. Mrs. Weston"
## [12142] "would be at ease. The black mare was blameless; _they_ were right"
## [12143] "who had named Mrs. Churchill as the cause. He had been detained by"
## [12144] "a temporary increase of illness in her; a nervous seizure, which had"
## [12145] "lasted some hours--and he had quite given up every thought of coming,"
## [12146] "till very late;--and had he known how hot a ride he should have, and"
## [12147] "how late, with all his hurry, he must be, he believed he should not have"
## [12148] "come at all. The heat was excessive; he had never suffered any thing"
## [12149] "like it--almost wished he had staid at home--nothing killed him"
## [12150] "like heat--he could bear any degree of cold, etc., but heat was"
## [12151] "intolerable--and he sat down, at the greatest possible distance from the"
## [12152] "slight remains of Mr. Woodhouse's fire, looking very deplorable."
## [12153] ""
## [12154] "\"You will soon be cooler, if you sit still,\" said Emma."
## [12155] ""
## [12156] "\"As soon as I am cooler I shall go back again. I could very ill be"
## [12157] "spared--but such a point had been made of my coming! You will all be"
## [12158] "going soon I suppose; the whole party breaking up. I met _one_ as I"
## [12159] "came--Madness in such weather!--absolute madness!\""
## [12160] ""
## [12161] "Emma listened, and looked, and soon perceived that Frank Churchill's"
## [12162] "state might be best defined by the expressive phrase of being out of"
## [12163] "humour. Some people were always cross when they were hot. Such might be"
## [12164] "his constitution; and as she knew that eating and drinking were often"
## [12165] "the cure of such incidental complaints, she recommended his taking"
## [12166] "some refreshment; he would find abundance of every thing in the"
## [12167] "dining-room--and she humanely pointed out the door."
## [12168] ""
## [12169] "\"No--he should not eat. He was not hungry; it would only make him"
## [12170] "hotter.\" In two minutes, however, he relented in his own favour; and"
## [12171] "muttering something about spruce-beer, walked off. Emma returned all her"
## [12172] "attention to her father, saying in secret--"
## [12173] ""
## [12174] "\"I am glad I have done being in love with him. I should not like a man"
## [12175] "who is so soon discomposed by a hot morning. Harriet's sweet easy temper"
## [12176] "will not mind it.\""
## [12177] ""
## [12178] "He was gone long enough to have had a very comfortable meal, and came"
## [12179] "back all the better--grown quite cool--and, with good manners, like"
## [12180] "himself--able to draw a chair close to them, take an interest in their"
## [12181] "employment; and regret, in a reasonable way, that he should be so late."
## [12182] "He was not in his best spirits, but seemed trying to improve them; and,"
## [12183] "at last, made himself talk nonsense very agreeably. They were looking"
## [12184] "over views in Swisserland."
## [12185] ""
## [12186] "\"As soon as my aunt gets well, I shall go abroad,\" said he. \"I shall"
## [12187] "never be easy till I have seen some of these places. You will have my"
## [12188] "sketches, some time or other, to look at--or my tour to read--or my"
## [12189] "poem. I shall do something to expose myself.\""
## [12190] ""
## [12191] "\"That may be--but not by sketches in Swisserland. You will never go to"
## [12192] "Swisserland. Your uncle and aunt will never allow you to leave England.\""
## [12193] ""
## [12194] "\"They may be induced to go too. A warm climate may be prescribed for"
## [12195] "her. I have more than half an expectation of our all going abroad. I"
## [12196] "assure you I have. I feel a strong persuasion, this morning, that I"
## [12197] "shall soon be abroad. I ought to travel. I am tired of doing nothing. I"
## [12198] "want a change. I am serious, Miss Woodhouse, whatever your penetrating"
## [12199] "eyes may fancy--I am sick of England--and would leave it to-morrow, if"
## [12200] "I could.\""
## [12201] ""
## [12202] "\"You are sick of prosperity and indulgence. Cannot you invent a few"
## [12203] "hardships for yourself, and be contented to stay?\""
## [12204] ""
## [12205] "\"_I_ sick of prosperity and indulgence! You are quite mistaken. I do"
## [12206] "not look upon myself as either prosperous or indulged. I am thwarted"
## [12207] "in every thing material. I do not consider myself at all a fortunate"
## [12208] "person.\""
## [12209] ""
## [12210] "\"You are not quite so miserable, though, as when you first came. Go and"
## [12211] "eat and drink a little more, and you will do very well. Another slice of"
## [12212] "cold meat, another draught of Madeira and water, will make you nearly on"
## [12213] "a par with the rest of us.\""
## [12214] ""
## [12215] "\"No--I shall not stir. I shall sit by you. You are my best cure.\""
## [12216] ""
## [12217] "\"We are going to Box Hill to-morrow;--you will join us. It is not"
## [12218] "Swisserland, but it will be something for a young man so much in want of"
## [12219] "a change. You will stay, and go with us?\""
## [12220] ""
## [12221] "\"No, certainly not; I shall go home in the cool of the evening.\""
## [12222] ""
## [12223] "\"But you may come again in the cool of to-morrow morning.\""
## [12224] ""
## [12225] "\"No--It will not be worth while. If I come, I shall be cross.\""
## [12226] ""
## [12227] "\"Then pray stay at Richmond.\""
## [12228] ""
## [12229] "\"But if I do, I shall be crosser still. I can never bear to think of you"
## [12230] "all there without me.\""
## [12231] ""
## [12232] "\"These are difficulties which you must settle for yourself. Chuse your"
## [12233] "own degree of crossness. I shall press you no more.\""
## [12234] ""
## [12235] "The rest of the party were now returning, and all were soon collected."
## [12236] "With some there was great joy at the sight of Frank Churchill; others"
## [12237] "took it very composedly; but there was a very general distress and"
## [12238] "disturbance on Miss Fairfax's disappearance being explained. That it was"
## [12239] "time for every body to go, concluded the subject; and with a short final"
## [12240] "arrangement for the next day's scheme, they parted. Frank Churchill's"
## [12241] "little inclination to exclude himself increased so much, that his last"
## [12242] "words to Emma were,"
## [12243] ""
## [12244] "\"Well;--if _you_ wish me to stay and join the party, I will.\""
## [12245] ""
## [12246] "She smiled her acceptance; and nothing less than a summons from Richmond"
## [12247] "was to take him back before the following evening."
## [12248] ""
## [12249] ""
## [12250] ""
## [12251] "CHAPTER VII"
## [12252] ""
## [12253] ""
## [12254] "They had a very fine day for Box Hill; and all the other outward"
## [12255] "circumstances of arrangement, accommodation, and punctuality, were in"
## [12256] "favour of a pleasant party. Mr. Weston directed the whole, officiating"
## [12257] "safely between Hartfield and the Vicarage, and every body was in good"
## [12258] "time. Emma and Harriet went together; Miss Bates and her niece, with"
## [12259] "the Eltons; the gentlemen on horseback. Mrs. Weston remained with Mr."
## [12260] "Woodhouse. Nothing was wanting but to be happy when they got there."
## [12261] "Seven miles were travelled in expectation of enjoyment, and every body"
## [12262] "had a burst of admiration on first arriving; but in the general amount"
## [12263] "of the day there was deficiency. There was a languor, a want of spirits,"
## [12264] "a want of union, which could not be got over. They separated too much"
## [12265] "into parties. The Eltons walked together; Mr. Knightley took charge of"
## [12266] "Miss Bates and Jane; and Emma and Harriet belonged to Frank Churchill."
## [12267] "And Mr. Weston tried, in vain, to make them harmonise better. It seemed"
## [12268] "at first an accidental division, but it never materially varied. Mr. and"
## [12269] "Mrs. Elton, indeed, shewed no unwillingness to mix, and be as agreeable"
## [12270] "as they could; but during the two whole hours that were spent on the"
## [12271] "hill, there seemed a principle of separation, between the other parties,"
## [12272] "too strong for any fine prospects, or any cold collation, or any"
## [12273] "cheerful Mr. Weston, to remove."
## [12274] ""
## [12275] "At first it was downright dulness to Emma. She had never seen Frank"
## [12276] "Churchill so silent and stupid. He said nothing worth hearing--looked"
## [12277] "without seeing--admired without intelligence--listened without knowing"
## [12278] "what she said. While he was so dull, it was no wonder that Harriet"
## [12279] "should be dull likewise; and they were both insufferable."
## [12280] ""
## [12281] "When they all sat down it was better; to her taste a great deal better,"
## [12282] "for Frank Churchill grew talkative and gay, making her his first object."
## [12283] "Every distinguishing attention that could be paid, was paid to her."
## [12284] "To amuse her, and be agreeable in her eyes, seemed all that he cared"
## [12285] "for--and Emma, glad to be enlivened, not sorry to be flattered, was gay"
## [12286] "and easy too, and gave him all the friendly encouragement, the admission"
## [12287] "to be gallant, which she had ever given in the first and most animating"
## [12288] "period of their acquaintance; but which now, in her own estimation,"
## [12289] "meant nothing, though in the judgment of most people looking on it must"
## [12290] "have had such an appearance as no English word but flirtation could very"
## [12291] "well describe. \"Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse flirted together"
## [12292] "excessively.\" They were laying themselves open to that very phrase--and"
## [12293] "to having it sent off in a letter to Maple Grove by one lady, to"
## [12294] "Ireland by another. Not that Emma was gay and thoughtless from any"
## [12295] "real felicity; it was rather because she felt less happy than she had"
## [12296] "expected. She laughed because she was disappointed; and though she liked"
## [12297] "him for his attentions, and thought them all, whether in friendship,"
## [12298] "admiration, or playfulness, extremely judicious, they were not winning"
## [12299] "back her heart. She still intended him for her friend."
## [12300] ""
## [12301] "\"How much I am obliged to you,\" said he, \"for telling me to come"
## [12302] "to-day!--If it had not been for you, I should certainly have lost all"
## [12303] "the happiness of this party. I had quite determined to go away again.\""
## [12304] ""
## [12305] "\"Yes, you were very cross; and I do not know what about, except that you"
## [12306] "were too late for the best strawberries. I was a kinder friend than you"
## [12307] "deserved. But you were humble. You begged hard to be commanded to come.\""
## [12308] ""
## [12309] "\"Don't say I was cross. I was fatigued. The heat overcame me.\""
## [12310] ""
## [12311] "\"It is hotter to-day.\""
## [12312] ""
## [12313] "\"Not to my feelings. I am perfectly comfortable to-day.\""
## [12314] ""
## [12315] "\"You are comfortable because you are under command.\""
## [12316] ""
## [12317] "\"Your command?--Yes.\""
## [12318] ""
## [12319] "\"Perhaps I intended you to say so, but I meant self-command. You had,"
## [12320] "somehow or other, broken bounds yesterday, and run away from your own"
## [12321] "management; but to-day you are got back again--and as I cannot be always"
## [12322] "with you, it is best to believe your temper under your own command"
## [12323] "rather than mine.\""
## [12324] ""
## [12325] "\"It comes to the same thing. I can have no self-command without a"
## [12326] "motive. You order me, whether you speak or not. And you can be always"
## [12327] "with me. You are always with me.\""
## [12328] ""
## [12329] "\"Dating from three o'clock yesterday. My perpetual influence could not"
## [12330] "begin earlier, or you would not have been so much out of humour before.\""
## [12331] ""
## [12332] "\"Three o'clock yesterday! That is your date. I thought I had seen you"
## [12333] "first in February.\""
## [12334] ""
## [12335] "\"Your gallantry is really unanswerable. But (lowering her voice)--nobody"
## [12336] "speaks except ourselves, and it is rather too much to be talking"
## [12337] "nonsense for the entertainment of seven silent people.\""
## [12338] ""
## [12339] "\"I say nothing of which I am ashamed,\" replied he, with lively"
## [12340] "impudence. \"I saw you first in February. Let every body on the Hill"
## [12341] "hear me if they can. Let my accents swell to Mickleham on one side,"
## [12342] "and Dorking on the other. I saw you first in February.\" And then"
## [12343] "whispering--\"Our companions are excessively stupid. What shall we do"
## [12344] "to rouse them? Any nonsense will serve. They _shall_ talk. Ladies"
## [12345] "and gentlemen, I am ordered by Miss Woodhouse (who, wherever she is,"
## [12346] "presides) to say, that she desires to know what you are all thinking"
## [12347] "of?\""
## [12348] ""
## [12349] "Some laughed, and answered good-humouredly. Miss Bates said a great"
## [12350] "deal; Mrs. Elton swelled at the idea of Miss Woodhouse's presiding; Mr."
## [12351] "Knightley's answer was the most distinct."
## [12352] ""
## [12353] "\"Is Miss Woodhouse sure that she would like to hear what we are all"
## [12354] "thinking of?\""
## [12355] ""
## [12356] "\"Oh! no, no\"--cried Emma, laughing as carelessly as she could--\"Upon no"
## [12357] "account in the world. It is the very last thing I would stand the brunt"
## [12358] "of just now. Let me hear any thing rather than what you are all thinking"
## [12359] "of. I will not say quite all. There are one or two, perhaps, (glancing"
## [12360] "at Mr. Weston and Harriet,) whose thoughts I might not be afraid of"
## [12361] "knowing.\""
## [12362] ""
## [12363] "\"It is a sort of thing,\" cried Mrs. Elton emphatically, \"which _I_"
## [12364] "should not have thought myself privileged to inquire into. Though,"
## [12365] "perhaps, as the _Chaperon_ of the party--_I_ never was in any"
## [12366] "circle--exploring parties--young ladies--married women--\""
## [12367] ""
## [12368] "Her mutterings were chiefly to her husband; and he murmured, in reply,"
## [12369] ""
## [12370] "\"Very true, my love, very true. Exactly so, indeed--quite unheard"
## [12371] "of--but some ladies say any thing. Better pass it off as a joke. Every"
## [12372] "body knows what is due to _you_.\""
## [12373] ""
## [12374] "\"It will not do,\" whispered Frank to Emma; \"they are most of them"
## [12375] "affronted. I will attack them with more address. Ladies and gentlemen--I"
## [12376] "am ordered by Miss Woodhouse to say, that she waives her right of"
## [12377] "knowing exactly what you may all be thinking of, and only requires"
## [12378] "something very entertaining from each of you, in a general way. Here"
## [12379] "are seven of you, besides myself, (who, she is pleased to say, am very"
## [12380] "entertaining already,) and she only demands from each of you either one"
## [12381] "thing very clever, be it prose or verse, original or repeated--or two"
## [12382] "things moderately clever--or three things very dull indeed, and she"
## [12383] "engages to laugh heartily at them all.\""
## [12384] ""
## [12385] "\"Oh! very well,\" exclaimed Miss Bates, \"then I need not be uneasy."
## [12386] "'Three things very dull indeed.' That will just do for me, you know. I"
## [12387] "shall be sure to say three dull things as soon as ever I open my mouth,"
## [12388] "shan't I? (looking round with the most good-humoured dependence on every"
## [12389] "body's assent)--Do not you all think I shall?\""
## [12390] ""
## [12391] "Emma could not resist."
## [12392] ""
## [12393] "\"Ah! ma'am, but there may be a difficulty. Pardon me--but you will be"
## [12394] "limited as to number--only three at once.\""
## [12395] ""
## [12396] "Miss Bates, deceived by the mock ceremony of her manner, did not"
## [12397] "immediately catch her meaning; but, when it burst on her, it could not"
## [12398] "anger, though a slight blush shewed that it could pain her."
## [12399] ""
## [12400] "\"Ah!--well--to be sure. Yes, I see what she means, (turning to Mr."
## [12401] "Knightley,) and I will try to hold my tongue. I must make myself very"
## [12402] "disagreeable, or she would not have said such a thing to an old friend.\""
## [12403] ""
## [12404] "\"I like your plan,\" cried Mr. Weston. \"Agreed, agreed. I will do my"
## [12405] "best. I am making a conundrum. How will a conundrum reckon?\""
## [12406] ""
## [12407] "\"Low, I am afraid, sir, very low,\" answered his son;--\"but we shall be"
## [12408] "indulgent--especially to any one who leads the way.\""
## [12409] ""
## [12410] "\"No, no,\" said Emma, \"it will not reckon low. A conundrum of Mr."
## [12411] "Weston's shall clear him and his next neighbour. Come, sir, pray let me"
## [12412] "hear it.\""
## [12413] ""
## [12414] "\"I doubt its being very clever myself,\" said Mr. Weston. \"It is too much"
## [12415] "a matter of fact, but here it is.--What two letters of the alphabet are"
## [12416] "there, that express perfection?\""
## [12417] ""
## [12418] "\"What two letters!--express perfection! I am sure I do not know.\""
## [12419] ""
## [12420] "\"Ah! you will never guess. You, (to Emma), I am certain, will never"
## [12421] "guess.--I will tell you.--M. and A.--Em-ma.--Do you understand?\""
## [12422] ""
## [12423] "Understanding and gratification came together. It might be a very"
## [12424] "indifferent piece of wit, but Emma found a great deal to laugh at and"
## [12425] "enjoy in it--and so did Frank and Harriet.--It did not seem to touch"
## [12426] "the rest of the party equally; some looked very stupid about it, and Mr."
## [12427] "Knightley gravely said,"
## [12428] ""
## [12429] "\"This explains the sort of clever thing that is wanted, and Mr. Weston"
## [12430] "has done very well for himself; but he must have knocked up every body"
## [12431] "else. _Perfection_ should not have come quite so soon.\""
## [12432] ""
## [12433] "\"Oh! for myself, I protest I must be excused,\" said Mrs. Elton; \"_I_"
## [12434] "really cannot attempt--I am not at all fond of the sort of thing. I had"
## [12435] "an acrostic once sent to me upon my own name, which I was not at all"
## [12436] "pleased with. I knew who it came from. An abominable puppy!--You know"
## [12437] "who I mean (nodding to her husband). These kind of things are very"
## [12438] "well at Christmas, when one is sitting round the fire; but quite out of"
## [12439] "place, in my opinion, when one is exploring about the country in summer."
## [12440] "Miss Woodhouse must excuse me. I am not one of those who have witty"
## [12441] "things at every body's service. I do not pretend to be a wit. I have a"
## [12442] "great deal of vivacity in my own way, but I really must be allowed to"
## [12443] "judge when to speak and when to hold my tongue. Pass us, if you please,"
## [12444] "Mr. Churchill. Pass Mr. E., Knightley, Jane, and myself. We have nothing"
## [12445] "clever to say--not one of us."
## [12446] ""
## [12447] "\"Yes, yes, pray pass _me_,\" added her husband, with a sort of sneering"
## [12448] "consciousness; \"_I_ have nothing to say that can entertain Miss"
## [12449] "Woodhouse, or any other young lady. An old married man--quite good for"
## [12450] "nothing. Shall we walk, Augusta?\""
## [12451] ""
## [12452] "\"With all my heart. I am really tired of exploring so long on one spot."
## [12453] "Come, Jane, take my other arm.\""
## [12454] ""
## [12455] "Jane declined it, however, and the husband and wife walked off."
## [12456] "\"Happy couple!\" said Frank Churchill, as soon as they were out of"
## [12457] "hearing:--\"How well they suit one another!--Very lucky--marrying as they"
## [12458] "did, upon an acquaintance formed only in a public place!--They only knew"
## [12459] "each other, I think, a few weeks in Bath! Peculiarly lucky!--for as to"
## [12460] "any real knowledge of a person's disposition that Bath, or any public"
## [12461] "place, can give--it is all nothing; there can be no knowledge. It is"
## [12462] "only by seeing women in their own homes, among their own set, just as"
## [12463] "they always are, that you can form any just judgment. Short of that, it"
## [12464] "is all guess and luck--and will generally be ill-luck. How many a man"
## [12465] "has committed himself on a short acquaintance, and rued it all the rest"
## [12466] "of his life!\""
## [12467] ""
## [12468] "Miss Fairfax, who had seldom spoken before, except among her own"
## [12469] "confederates, spoke now."
## [12470] ""
## [12471] "\"Such things do occur, undoubtedly.\"--She was stopped by a cough. Frank"
## [12472] "Churchill turned towards her to listen."
## [12473] ""
## [12474] "\"You were speaking,\" said he, gravely. She recovered her voice."
## [12475] ""
## [12476] "\"I was only going to observe, that though such unfortunate circumstances"
## [12477] "do sometimes occur both to men and women, I cannot imagine them to be"
## [12478] "very frequent. A hasty and imprudent attachment may arise--but there is"
## [12479] "generally time to recover from it afterwards. I would be understood to"
## [12480] "mean, that it can be only weak, irresolute characters, (whose happiness"
## [12481] "must be always at the mercy of chance,) who will suffer an unfortunate"
## [12482] "acquaintance to be an inconvenience, an oppression for ever.\""
## [12483] ""
## [12484] "He made no answer; merely looked, and bowed in submission; and soon"
## [12485] "afterwards said, in a lively tone,"
## [12486] ""
## [12487] "\"Well, I have so little confidence in my own judgment, that whenever I"
## [12488] "marry, I hope some body will chuse my wife for me. Will you? (turning to"
## [12489] "Emma.) Will you chuse a wife for me?--I am sure I should like any body"
## [12490] "fixed on by you. You provide for the family, you know, (with a smile at"
## [12491] "his father). Find some body for me. I am in no hurry. Adopt her, educate"
## [12492] "her.\""
## [12493] ""
## [12494] "\"And make her like myself.\""
## [12495] ""
## [12496] "\"By all means, if you can.\""
## [12497] ""
## [12498] "\"Very well. I undertake the commission. You shall have a charming wife.\""
## [12499] ""
## [12500] "\"She must be very lively, and have hazle eyes. I care for nothing else."
## [12501] "I shall go abroad for a couple of years--and when I return, I shall come"
## [12502] "to you for my wife. Remember.\""
## [12503] ""
## [12504] "Emma was in no danger of forgetting. It was a commission to touch every"
## [12505] "favourite feeling. Would not Harriet be the very creature described?"
## [12506] "Hazle eyes excepted, two years more might make her all that he wished."
## [12507] "He might even have Harriet in his thoughts at the moment; who could say?"
## [12508] "Referring the education to her seemed to imply it."
## [12509] ""
## [12510] "\"Now, ma'am,\" said Jane to her aunt, \"shall we join Mrs. Elton?\""
## [12511] ""
## [12512] "\"If you please, my dear. With all my heart. I am quite ready. I was"
## [12513] "ready to have gone with her, but this will do just as well. We shall"
## [12514] "soon overtake her. There she is--no, that's somebody else. That's one"
## [12515] "of the ladies in the Irish car party, not at all like her.--Well, I"
## [12516] "declare--\""
## [12517] ""
## [12518] "They walked off, followed in half a minute by Mr. Knightley. Mr. Weston,"
## [12519] "his son, Emma, and Harriet, only remained; and the young man's spirits"
## [12520] "now rose to a pitch almost unpleasant. Even Emma grew tired at last of"
## [12521] "flattery and merriment, and wished herself rather walking quietly about"
## [12522] "with any of the others, or sitting almost alone, and quite unattended"
## [12523] "to, in tranquil observation of the beautiful views beneath her. The"
## [12524] "appearance of the servants looking out for them to give notice of the"
## [12525] "carriages was a joyful sight; and even the bustle of collecting and"
## [12526] "preparing to depart, and the solicitude of Mrs. Elton to have _her_"
## [12527] "carriage first, were gladly endured, in the prospect of the quiet drive"
## [12528] "home which was to close the very questionable enjoyments of this day of"
## [12529] "pleasure. Such another scheme, composed of so many ill-assorted people,"
## [12530] "she hoped never to be betrayed into again."
## [12531] ""
## [12532] "While waiting for the carriage, she found Mr. Knightley by her side. He"
## [12533] "looked around, as if to see that no one were near, and then said,"
## [12534] ""
## [12535] "\"Emma, I must once more speak to you as I have been used to do: a"
## [12536] "privilege rather endured than allowed, perhaps, but I must still use it."
## [12537] "I cannot see you acting wrong, without a remonstrance. How could you be"
## [12538] "so unfeeling to Miss Bates? How could you be so insolent in your wit to"
## [12539] "a woman of her character, age, and situation?--Emma, I had not thought"
## [12540] "it possible.\""
## [12541] ""
## [12542] "Emma recollected, blushed, was sorry, but tried to laugh it off."
## [12543] ""
## [12544] "\"Nay, how could I help saying what I did?--Nobody could have helped it."
## [12545] "It was not so very bad. I dare say she did not understand me.\""
## [12546] ""
## [12547] "\"I assure you she did. She felt your full meaning. She has talked of"
## [12548] "it since. I wish you could have heard how she talked of it--with what"
## [12549] "candour and generosity. I wish you could have heard her honouring your"
## [12550] "forbearance, in being able to pay her such attentions, as she was for"
## [12551] "ever receiving from yourself and your father, when her society must be"
## [12552] "so irksome.\""
## [12553] ""
## [12554] "\"Oh!\" cried Emma, \"I know there is not a better creature in the world:"
## [12555] "but you must allow, that what is good and what is ridiculous are most"
## [12556] "unfortunately blended in her.\""
## [12557] ""
## [12558] "\"They are blended,\" said he, \"I acknowledge; and, were she prosperous,"
## [12559] "I could allow much for the occasional prevalence of the ridiculous over"
## [12560] "the good. Were she a woman of fortune, I would leave every harmless"
## [12561] "absurdity to take its chance, I would not quarrel with you for any"
## [12562] "liberties of manner. Were she your equal in situation--but, Emma,"
## [12563] "consider how far this is from being the case. She is poor; she has sunk"
## [12564] "from the comforts she was born to; and, if she live to old age, must"
## [12565] "probably sink more. Her situation should secure your compassion. It was"
## [12566] "badly done, indeed! You, whom she had known from an infant, whom she had"
## [12567] "seen grow up from a period when her notice was an honour, to have you"
## [12568] "now, in thoughtless spirits, and the pride of the moment, laugh at her,"
## [12569] "humble her--and before her niece, too--and before others, many of whom"
## [12570] "(certainly _some_,) would be entirely guided by _your_ treatment"
## [12571] "of her.--This is not pleasant to you, Emma--and it is very far from"
## [12572] "pleasant to me; but I must, I will,--I will tell you truths while I can;"
## [12573] "satisfied with proving myself your friend by very faithful counsel, and"
## [12574] "trusting that you will some time or other do me greater justice than you"
## [12575] "can do now.\""
## [12576] ""
## [12577] "While they talked, they were advancing towards the carriage; it was"
## [12578] "ready; and, before she could speak again, he had handed her in. He had"
## [12579] "misinterpreted the feelings which had kept her face averted, and her"
## [12580] "tongue motionless. They were combined only of anger against herself,"
## [12581] "mortification, and deep concern. She had not been able to speak; and, on"
## [12582] "entering the carriage, sunk back for a moment overcome--then reproaching"
## [12583] "herself for having taken no leave, making no acknowledgment, parting in"
## [12584] "apparent sullenness, she looked out with voice and hand eager to shew a"
## [12585] "difference; but it was just too late. He had turned away, and the horses"
## [12586] "were in motion. She continued to look back, but in vain; and soon, with"
## [12587] "what appeared unusual speed, they were half way down the hill, and"
## [12588] "every thing left far behind. She was vexed beyond what could have been"
## [12589] "expressed--almost beyond what she could conceal. Never had she felt so"
## [12590] "agitated, mortified, grieved, at any circumstance in her life. She was"
## [12591] "most forcibly struck. The truth of this representation there was no"
## [12592] "denying. She felt it at her heart. How could she have been so brutal,"
## [12593] "so cruel to Miss Bates! How could she have exposed herself to such ill"
## [12594] "opinion in any one she valued! And how suffer him to leave her without"
## [12595] "saying one word of gratitude, of concurrence, of common kindness!"
## [12596] ""
## [12597] "Time did not compose her. As she reflected more, she seemed but to feel"
## [12598] "it more. She never had been so depressed. Happily it was not necessary"
## [12599] "to speak. There was only Harriet, who seemed not in spirits herself,"
## [12600] "fagged, and very willing to be silent; and Emma felt the tears running"
## [12601] "down her cheeks almost all the way home, without being at any trouble to"
## [12602] "check them, extraordinary as they were."
## [12603] ""
## [12604] ""
## [12605] ""
## [12606] "CHAPTER VIII"
## [12607] ""
## [12608] ""
## [12609] "The wretchedness of a scheme to Box Hill was in Emma's thoughts all the"
## [12610] "evening. How it might be considered by the rest of the party, she could"
## [12611] "not tell. They, in their different homes, and their different ways,"
## [12612] "might be looking back on it with pleasure; but in her view it was"
## [12613] "a morning more completely misspent, more totally bare of rational"
## [12614] "satisfaction at the time, and more to be abhorred in recollection, than"
## [12615] "any she had ever passed. A whole evening of back-gammon with her father,"
## [12616] "was felicity to it. _There_, indeed, lay real pleasure, for there she"
## [12617] "was giving up the sweetest hours of the twenty-four to his comfort; and"
## [12618] "feeling that, unmerited as might be the degree of his fond affection and"
## [12619] "confiding esteem, she could not, in her general conduct, be open to any"
## [12620] "severe reproach. As a daughter, she hoped she was not without a heart."
## [12621] "She hoped no one could have said to her, \"How could you be so unfeeling"
## [12622] "to your father?--I must, I will tell you truths while I can.\" Miss"
## [12623] "Bates should never again--no, never! If attention, in future, could do"
## [12624] "away the past, she might hope to be forgiven. She had been often remiss,"
## [12625] "her conscience told her so; remiss, perhaps, more in thought than fact;"
## [12626] "scornful, ungracious. But it should be so no more. In the warmth of true"
## [12627] "contrition, she would call upon her the very next morning, and it should"
## [12628] "be the beginning, on her side, of a regular, equal, kindly intercourse."
## [12629] ""
## [12630] "She was just as determined when the morrow came, and went early, that"
## [12631] "nothing might prevent her. It was not unlikely, she thought, that she"
## [12632] "might see Mr. Knightley in her way; or, perhaps, he might come in"
## [12633] "while she were paying her visit. She had no objection. She would not be"
## [12634] "ashamed of the appearance of the penitence, so justly and truly hers."
## [12635] "Her eyes were towards Donwell as she walked, but she saw him not."
## [12636] ""
## [12637] "\"The ladies were all at home.\" She had never rejoiced at the sound"
## [12638] "before, nor ever before entered the passage, nor walked up the stairs,"
## [12639] "with any wish of giving pleasure, but in conferring obligation, or of"
## [12640] "deriving it, except in subsequent ridicule."
## [12641] ""
## [12642] "There was a bustle on her approach; a good deal of moving and talking."
## [12643] "She heard Miss Bates's voice, something was to be done in a hurry; the"
## [12644] "maid looked frightened and awkward; hoped she would be pleased to wait a"
## [12645] "moment, and then ushered her in too soon. The aunt and niece seemed both"
## [12646] "escaping into the adjoining room. Jane she had a distinct glimpse of,"
## [12647] "looking extremely ill; and, before the door had shut them out, she heard"
## [12648] "Miss Bates saying, \"Well, my dear, I shall _say_ you are laid down upon"
## [12649] "the bed, and I am sure you are ill enough.\""
## [12650] ""
## [12651] "Poor old Mrs. Bates, civil and humble as usual, looked as if she did not"
## [12652] "quite understand what was going on."
## [12653] ""
## [12654] "\"I am afraid Jane is not very well,\" said she, \"but I do not know; they"
## [12655] "_tell_ me she is well. I dare say my daughter will be here presently,"
## [12656] "Miss Woodhouse. I hope you find a chair. I wish Hetty had not gone. I am"
## [12657] "very little able--Have you a chair, ma'am? Do you sit where you like? I"
## [12658] "am sure she will be here presently.\""
## [12659] ""
## [12660] "Emma seriously hoped she would. She had a moment's fear of Miss Bates"
## [12661] "keeping away from her. But Miss Bates soon came--\"Very happy and"
## [12662] "obliged\"--but Emma's conscience told her that there was not the same"
## [12663] "cheerful volubility as before--less ease of look and manner. A very"
## [12664] "friendly inquiry after Miss Fairfax, she hoped, might lead the way to a"
## [12665] "return of old feelings. The touch seemed immediate."
## [12666] ""
## [12667] "\"Ah! Miss Woodhouse, how kind you are!--I suppose you have heard--and"
## [12668] "are come to give us joy. This does not seem much like joy, indeed, in"
## [12669] "me--(twinkling away a tear or two)--but it will be very trying for us"
## [12670] "to part with her, after having had her so long, and she has a dreadful"
## [12671] "headache just now, writing all the morning:--such long letters, you"
## [12672] "know, to be written to Colonel Campbell, and Mrs. Dixon. 'My dear,' said"
## [12673] "I, 'you will blind yourself'--for tears were in her eyes perpetually."
## [12674] "One cannot wonder, one cannot wonder. It is a great change; and though"
## [12675] "she is amazingly fortunate--such a situation, I suppose, as no"
## [12676] "young woman before ever met with on first going out--do not think us"
## [12677] "ungrateful, Miss Woodhouse, for such surprising good fortune--(again"
## [12678] "dispersing her tears)--but, poor dear soul! if you were to see what a"
## [12679] "headache she has. When one is in great pain, you know one cannot feel"
## [12680] "any blessing quite as it may deserve. She is as low as possible. To"
## [12681] "look at her, nobody would think how delighted and happy she is to have"
## [12682] "secured such a situation. You will excuse her not coming to you--she is"
## [12683] "not able--she is gone into her own room--I want her to lie down upon the"
## [12684] "bed. 'My dear,' said I, 'I shall say you are laid down upon the bed:'"
## [12685] "but, however, she is not; she is walking about the room. But, now that"
## [12686] "she has written her letters, she says she shall soon be well. She will"
## [12687] "be extremely sorry to miss seeing you, Miss Woodhouse, but your"
## [12688] "kindness will excuse her. You were kept waiting at the door--I was quite"
## [12689] "ashamed--but somehow there was a little bustle--for it so happened that"
## [12690] "we had not heard the knock, and till you were on the stairs, we did not"
## [12691] "know any body was coming. 'It is only Mrs. Cole,' said I, 'depend upon"
## [12692] "it. Nobody else would come so early.' 'Well,' said she, 'it must be"
## [12693] "borne some time or other, and it may as well be now.' But then Patty"
## [12694] "came in, and said it was you. 'Oh!' said I, 'it is Miss Woodhouse: I am"
## [12695] "sure you will like to see her.'--'I can see nobody,' said she; and"
## [12696] "up she got, and would go away; and that was what made us keep you"
## [12697] "waiting--and extremely sorry and ashamed we were. 'If you must go, my"
## [12698] "dear,' said I, 'you must, and I will say you are laid down upon the"
## [12699] "bed.'\""
## [12700] ""
## [12701] "Emma was most sincerely interested. Her heart had been long growing"
## [12702] "kinder towards Jane; and this picture of her present sufferings acted"
## [12703] "as a cure of every former ungenerous suspicion, and left her nothing but"
## [12704] "pity; and the remembrance of the less just and less gentle sensations of"
## [12705] "the past, obliged her to admit that Jane might very naturally resolve on"
## [12706] "seeing Mrs. Cole or any other steady friend, when she might not bear"
## [12707] "to see herself. She spoke as she felt, with earnest regret and"
## [12708] "solicitude--sincerely wishing that the circumstances which she collected"
## [12709] "from Miss Bates to be now actually determined on, might be as much for"
## [12710] "Miss Fairfax's advantage and comfort as possible. \"It must be a severe"
## [12711] "trial to them all. She had understood it was to be delayed till Colonel"
## [12712] "Campbell's return.\""
## [12713] ""
## [12714] "\"So very kind!\" replied Miss Bates. \"But you are always kind.\""
## [12715] ""
## [12716] "There was no bearing such an \"always;\" and to break through her dreadful"
## [12717] "gratitude, Emma made the direct inquiry of--"
## [12718] ""
## [12719] "\"Where--may I ask?--is Miss Fairfax going?\""
## [12720] ""
## [12721] "\"To a Mrs. Smallridge--charming woman--most superior--to have the charge"
## [12722] "of her three little girls--delightful children. Impossible that any"
## [12723] "situation could be more replete with comfort; if we except, perhaps,"
## [12724] "Mrs. Suckling's own family, and Mrs. Bragge's; but Mrs. Smallridge is"
## [12725] "intimate with both, and in the very same neighbourhood:--lives only four"
## [12726] "miles from Maple Grove. Jane will be only four miles from Maple Grove.\""
## [12727] ""
## [12728] "\"Mrs. Elton, I suppose, has been the person to whom Miss Fairfax owes--\""
## [12729] ""
## [12730] "\"Yes, our good Mrs. Elton. The most indefatigable, true friend. She"
## [12731] "would not take a denial. She would not let Jane say, 'No;' for when Jane"
## [12732] "first heard of it, (it was the day before yesterday, the very morning"
## [12733] "we were at Donwell,) when Jane first heard of it, she was quite decided"
## [12734] "against accepting the offer, and for the reasons you mention; exactly"
## [12735] "as you say, she had made up her mind to close with nothing till Colonel"
## [12736] "Campbell's return, and nothing should induce her to enter into any"
## [12737] "engagement at present--and so she told Mrs. Elton over and over"
## [12738] "again--and I am sure I had no more idea that she would change her"
## [12739] "mind!--but that good Mrs. Elton, whose judgment never fails her, saw"
## [12740] "farther than I did. It is not every body that would have stood out in"
## [12741] "such a kind way as she did, and refuse to take Jane's answer; but she"
## [12742] "positively declared she would _not_ write any such denial yesterday, as"
## [12743] "Jane wished her; she would wait--and, sure enough, yesterday evening it"
## [12744] "was all settled that Jane should go. Quite a surprize to me! I had not"
## [12745] "the least idea!--Jane took Mrs. Elton aside, and told her at once, that"
## [12746] "upon thinking over the advantages of Mrs. Smallridge's situation, she"
## [12747] "had come to the resolution of accepting it.--I did not know a word of it"
## [12748] "till it was all settled.\""
## [12749] ""
## [12750] "\"You spent the evening with Mrs. Elton?\""
## [12751] ""
## [12752] "\"Yes, all of us; Mrs. Elton would have us come. It was settled so, upon"
## [12753] "the hill, while we were walking about with Mr. Knightley. 'You _must_"
## [12754] "_all_ spend your evening with us,' said she--'I positively must have you"
## [12755] "_all_ come.'\""
## [12756] ""
## [12757] "\"Mr. Knightley was there too, was he?\""
## [12758] ""
## [12759] "\"No, not Mr. Knightley; he declined it from the first; and though I"
## [12760] "thought he would come, because Mrs. Elton declared she would not let him"
## [12761] "off, he did not;--but my mother, and Jane, and I, were all there, and"
## [12762] "a very agreeable evening we had. Such kind friends, you know, Miss"
## [12763] "Woodhouse, one must always find agreeable, though every body seemed"
## [12764] "rather fagged after the morning's party. Even pleasure, you know, is"
## [12765] "fatiguing--and I cannot say that any of them seemed very much to have"
## [12766] "enjoyed it. However, _I_ shall always think it a very pleasant party,"
## [12767] "and feel extremely obliged to the kind friends who included me in it.\""
## [12768] ""
## [12769] "\"Miss Fairfax, I suppose, though you were not aware of it, had been"
## [12770] "making up her mind the whole day?\""
## [12771] ""
## [12772] "\"I dare say she had.\""
## [12773] ""
## [12774] "\"Whenever the time may come, it must be unwelcome to her and all her"
## [12775] "friends--but I hope her engagement will have every alleviation that is"
## [12776] "possible--I mean, as to the character and manners of the family.\""
## [12777] ""
## [12778] "\"Thank you, dear Miss Woodhouse. Yes, indeed, there is every thing"
## [12779] "in the world that can make her happy in it. Except the Sucklings and"
## [12780] "Bragges, there is not such another nursery establishment, so liberal"
## [12781] "and elegant, in all Mrs. Elton's acquaintance. Mrs. Smallridge, a most"
## [12782] "delightful woman!--A style of living almost equal to Maple Grove--and as"
## [12783] "to the children, except the little Sucklings and little Bragges, there"
## [12784] "are not such elegant sweet children anywhere. Jane will be treated with"
## [12785] "such regard and kindness!--It will be nothing but pleasure, a life of"
## [12786] "pleasure.--And her salary!--I really cannot venture to name her salary"
## [12787] "to you, Miss Woodhouse. Even you, used as you are to great sums, would"
## [12788] "hardly believe that so much could be given to a young person like Jane.\""
## [12789] ""
## [12790] "\"Ah! madam,\" cried Emma, \"if other children are at all like what I"
## [12791] "remember to have been myself, I should think five times the amount of"
## [12792] "what I have ever yet heard named as a salary on such occasions, dearly"
## [12793] "earned.\""
## [12794] ""
## [12795] "\"You are so noble in your ideas!\""
## [12796] ""
## [12797] "\"And when is Miss Fairfax to leave you?\""
## [12798] ""
## [12799] "\"Very soon, very soon, indeed; that's the worst of it. Within a"
## [12800] "fortnight. Mrs. Smallridge is in a great hurry. My poor mother does not"
## [12801] "know how to bear it. So then, I try to put it out of her thoughts, and"
## [12802] "say, Come ma'am, do not let us think about it any more.\""
## [12803] ""
## [12804] "\"Her friends must all be sorry to lose her; and will not Colonel and"
## [12805] "Mrs. Campbell be sorry to find that she has engaged herself before their"
## [12806] "return?\""
## [12807] ""
## [12808] "\"Yes; Jane says she is sure they will; but yet, this is such a situation"
## [12809] "as she cannot feel herself justified in declining. I was so astonished"
## [12810] "when she first told me what she had been saying to Mrs. Elton, and when"
## [12811] "Mrs. Elton at the same moment came congratulating me upon it! It was"
## [12812] "before tea--stay--no, it could not be before tea, because we were"
## [12813] "just going to cards--and yet it was before tea, because I remember"
## [12814] "thinking--Oh! no, now I recollect, now I have it; something happened"
## [12815] "before tea, but not that. Mr. Elton was called out of the room before"
## [12816] "tea, old John Abdy's son wanted to speak with him. Poor old John, I"
## [12817] "have a great regard for him; he was clerk to my poor father twenty-seven"
## [12818] "years; and now, poor old man, he is bed-ridden, and very poorly with the"
## [12819] "rheumatic gout in his joints--I must go and see him to-day; and so will"
## [12820] "Jane, I am sure, if she gets out at all. And poor John's son came to"
## [12821] "talk to Mr. Elton about relief from the parish; he is very well to do"
## [12822] "himself, you know, being head man at the Crown, ostler, and every thing"
## [12823] "of that sort, but still he cannot keep his father without some help;"
## [12824] "and so, when Mr. Elton came back, he told us what John ostler had been"
## [12825] "telling him, and then it came out about the chaise having been sent to"
## [12826] "Randalls to take Mr. Frank Churchill to Richmond. That was what happened"
## [12827] "before tea. It was after tea that Jane spoke to Mrs. Elton.\""
## [12828] ""
## [12829] "Miss Bates would hardly give Emma time to say how perfectly new this"
## [12830] "circumstance was to her; but as without supposing it possible that she"
## [12831] "could be ignorant of any of the particulars of Mr. Frank Churchill's"
## [12832] "going, she proceeded to give them all, it was of no consequence."
## [12833] ""
## [12834] "What Mr. Elton had learned from the ostler on the subject, being the"
## [12835] "accumulation of the ostler's own knowledge, and the knowledge of the"
## [12836] "servants at Randalls, was, that a messenger had come over from Richmond"
## [12837] "soon after the return of the party from Box Hill--which messenger,"
## [12838] "however, had been no more than was expected; and that Mr. Churchill had"
## [12839] "sent his nephew a few lines, containing, upon the whole, a tolerable"
## [12840] "account of Mrs. Churchill, and only wishing him not to delay coming"
## [12841] "back beyond the next morning early; but that Mr. Frank Churchill having"
## [12842] "resolved to go home directly, without waiting at all, and his horse"
## [12843] "seeming to have got a cold, Tom had been sent off immediately for the"
## [12844] "Crown chaise, and the ostler had stood out and seen it pass by, the boy"
## [12845] "going a good pace, and driving very steady."
## [12846] ""
## [12847] "There was nothing in all this either to astonish or interest, and it"
## [12848] "caught Emma's attention only as it united with the subject which already"
## [12849] "engaged her mind. The contrast between Mrs. Churchill's importance in"
## [12850] "the world, and Jane Fairfax's, struck her; one was every thing, the"
## [12851] "other nothing--and she sat musing on the difference of woman's destiny,"
## [12852] "and quite unconscious on what her eyes were fixed, till roused by Miss"
## [12853] "Bates's saying,"
## [12854] ""
## [12855] "\"Aye, I see what you are thinking of, the pianoforte. What is to become"
## [12856] "of that?--Very true. Poor dear Jane was talking of it just now.--'You"
## [12857] "must go,' said she. 'You and I must part. You will have no business"
## [12858] "here.--Let it stay, however,' said she; 'give it houseroom till Colonel"
## [12859] "Campbell comes back. I shall talk about it to him; he will settle for"
## [12860] "me; he will help me out of all my difficulties.'--And to this day, I do"
## [12861] "believe, she knows not whether it was his present or his daughter's.\""
## [12862] ""
## [12863] "Now Emma was obliged to think of the pianoforte; and the remembrance of"
## [12864] "all her former fanciful and unfair conjectures was so little pleasing,"
## [12865] "that she soon allowed herself to believe her visit had been long enough;"
## [12866] "and, with a repetition of every thing that she could venture to say of"
## [12867] "the good wishes which she really felt, took leave."
## [12868] ""
## [12869] ""
## [12870] ""
## [12871] "CHAPTER IX"
## [12872] ""
## [12873] ""
## [12874] "Emma's pensive meditations, as she walked home, were not interrupted;"
## [12875] "but on entering the parlour, she found those who must rouse her. Mr."
## [12876] "Knightley and Harriet had arrived during her absence, and were sitting"
## [12877] "with her father.--Mr. Knightley immediately got up, and in a manner"
## [12878] "decidedly graver than usual, said,"
## [12879] ""
## [12880] "\"I would not go away without seeing you, but I have no time to spare,"
## [12881] "and therefore must now be gone directly. I am going to London, to spend"
## [12882] "a few days with John and Isabella. Have you any thing to send or say,"
## [12883] "besides the 'love,' which nobody carries?\""
## [12884] ""
## [12885] "\"Nothing at all. But is not this a sudden scheme?\""
## [12886] ""
## [12887] "\"Yes--rather--I have been thinking of it some little time.\""
## [12888] ""
## [12889] "Emma was sure he had not forgiven her; he looked unlike himself. Time,"
## [12890] "however, she thought, would tell him that they ought to be friends"
## [12891] "again. While he stood, as if meaning to go, but not going--her father"
## [12892] "began his inquiries."
## [12893] ""
## [12894] "\"Well, my dear, and did you get there safely?--And how did you find my"
## [12895] "worthy old friend and her daughter?--I dare say they must have been very"
## [12896] "much obliged to you for coming. Dear Emma has been to call on Mrs."
## [12897] "and Miss Bates, Mr. Knightley, as I told you before. She is always so"
## [12898] "attentive to them!\""
## [12899] ""
## [12900] "Emma's colour was heightened by this unjust praise; and with a"
## [12901] "smile, and shake of the head, which spoke much, she looked at Mr."
## [12902] "Knightley.--It seemed as if there were an instantaneous impression in"
## [12903] "her favour, as if his eyes received the truth from hers, and all that"
## [12904] "had passed of good in her feelings were at once caught and honoured.--"
## [12905] "He looked at her with a glow of regard. She was warmly gratified--and in"
## [12906] "another moment still more so, by a little movement of more than common"
## [12907] "friendliness on his part.--He took her hand;--whether she had not"
## [12908] "herself made the first motion, she could not say--she might, perhaps,"
## [12909] "have rather offered it--but he took her hand, pressed it, and certainly"
## [12910] "was on the point of carrying it to his lips--when, from some fancy or"
## [12911] "other, he suddenly let it go.--Why he should feel such a scruple, why"
## [12912] "he should change his mind when it was all but done, she could not"
## [12913] "perceive.--He would have judged better, she thought, if he had not"
## [12914] "stopped.--The intention, however, was indubitable; and whether it was"
## [12915] "that his manners had in general so little gallantry, or however else it"
## [12916] "happened, but she thought nothing became him more.--It was with him,"
## [12917] "of so simple, yet so dignified a nature.--She could not but recall the"
## [12918] "attempt with great satisfaction. It spoke such perfect amity.--He left"
## [12919] "them immediately afterwards--gone in a moment. He always moved with the"
## [12920] "alertness of a mind which could neither be undecided nor dilatory, but"
## [12921] "now he seemed more sudden than usual in his disappearance."
## [12922] ""
## [12923] "Emma could not regret her having gone to Miss Bates, but she wished she"
## [12924] "had left her ten minutes earlier;--it would have been a great pleasure"
## [12925] "to talk over Jane Fairfax's situation with Mr. Knightley.--Neither"
## [12926] "would she regret that he should be going to Brunswick Square, for she"
## [12927] "knew how much his visit would be enjoyed--but it might have happened"
## [12928] "at a better time--and to have had longer notice of it, would have been"
## [12929] "pleasanter.--They parted thorough friends, however; she could not"
## [12930] "be deceived as to the meaning of his countenance, and his unfinished"
## [12931] "gallantry;--it was all done to assure her that she had fully recovered"
## [12932] "his good opinion.--He had been sitting with them half an hour, she"
## [12933] "found. It was a pity that she had not come back earlier!"
## [12934] ""
## [12935] "In the hope of diverting her father's thoughts from the disagreeableness"
## [12936] "of Mr. Knightley's going to London; and going so suddenly; and going on"
## [12937] "horseback, which she knew would be all very bad; Emma communicated her"
## [12938] "news of Jane Fairfax, and her dependence on the effect was justified;"
## [12939] "it supplied a very useful check,--interested, without disturbing him. He"
## [12940] "had long made up his mind to Jane Fairfax's going out as governess, and"
## [12941] "could talk of it cheerfully, but Mr. Knightley's going to London had"
## [12942] "been an unexpected blow."
## [12943] ""
## [12944] "\"I am very glad, indeed, my dear, to hear she is to be so comfortably"
## [12945] "settled. Mrs. Elton is very good-natured and agreeable, and I dare say"
## [12946] "her acquaintance are just what they ought to be. I hope it is a dry"
## [12947] "situation, and that her health will be taken good care of. It ought to"
## [12948] "be a first object, as I am sure poor Miss Taylor's always was with me."
## [12949] "You know, my dear, she is going to be to this new lady what Miss Taylor"
## [12950] "was to us. And I hope she will be better off in one respect, and not be"
## [12951] "induced to go away after it has been her home so long.\""
## [12952] ""
## [12953] "The following day brought news from Richmond to throw every thing else"
## [12954] "into the background. An express arrived at Randalls to announce the"
## [12955] "death of Mrs. Churchill! Though her nephew had had no particular reason"
## [12956] "to hasten back on her account, she had not lived above six-and-thirty"
## [12957] "hours after his return. A sudden seizure of a different nature from any"
## [12958] "thing foreboded by her general state, had carried her off after a short"
## [12959] "struggle. The great Mrs. Churchill was no more."
## [12960] ""
## [12961] "It was felt as such things must be felt. Every body had a degree of"
## [12962] "gravity and sorrow; tenderness towards the departed, solicitude for the"
## [12963] "surviving friends; and, in a reasonable time, curiosity to know where"
## [12964] "she would be buried. Goldsmith tells us, that when lovely woman stoops"
## [12965] "to folly, she has nothing to do but to die; and when she stoops to be"
## [12966] "disagreeable, it is equally to be recommended as a clearer of ill-fame."
## [12967] "Mrs. Churchill, after being disliked at least twenty-five years, was"
## [12968] "now spoken of with compassionate allowances. In one point she was fully"
## [12969] "justified. She had never been admitted before to be seriously ill. The"
## [12970] "event acquitted her of all the fancifulness, and all the selfishness of"
## [12971] "imaginary complaints."
## [12972] ""
## [12973] "\"Poor Mrs. Churchill! no doubt she had been suffering a great deal:"
## [12974] "more than any body had ever supposed--and continual pain would try the"
## [12975] "temper. It was a sad event--a great shock--with all her faults, what"
## [12976] "would Mr. Churchill do without her? Mr. Churchill's loss would be"
## [12977] "dreadful indeed. Mr. Churchill would never get over it.\"--Even Mr."
## [12978] "Weston shook his head, and looked solemn, and said, \"Ah! poor woman,"
## [12979] "who would have thought it!\" and resolved, that his mourning should be as"
## [12980] "handsome as possible; and his wife sat sighing and moralising over her"
## [12981] "broad hems with a commiseration and good sense, true and steady. How it"
## [12982] "would affect Frank was among the earliest thoughts of both. It was also"
## [12983] "a very early speculation with Emma. The character of Mrs. Churchill,"
## [12984] "the grief of her husband--her mind glanced over them both with awe and"
## [12985] "compassion--and then rested with lightened feelings on how Frank might"
## [12986] "be affected by the event, how benefited, how freed. She saw in a moment"
## [12987] "all the possible good. Now, an attachment to Harriet Smith would have"
## [12988] "nothing to encounter. Mr. Churchill, independent of his wife, was feared"
## [12989] "by nobody; an easy, guidable man, to be persuaded into any thing by his"
## [12990] "nephew. All that remained to be wished was, that the nephew should form"
## [12991] "the attachment, as, with all her goodwill in the cause, Emma could feel"
## [12992] "no certainty of its being already formed."
## [12993] ""
## [12994] "Harriet behaved extremely well on the occasion, with great self-command."
## [12995] "What ever she might feel of brighter hope, she betrayed nothing. Emma"
## [12996] "was gratified, to observe such a proof in her of strengthened character,"
## [12997] "and refrained from any allusion that might endanger its maintenance."
## [12998] "They spoke, therefore, of Mrs. Churchill's death with mutual"
## [12999] "forbearance."
## [13000] ""
## [13001] "Short letters from Frank were received at Randalls, communicating all"
## [13002] "that was immediately important of their state and plans. Mr. Churchill"
## [13003] "was better than could be expected; and their first removal, on the"
## [13004] "departure of the funeral for Yorkshire, was to be to the house of a very"
## [13005] "old friend in Windsor, to whom Mr. Churchill had been promising a"
## [13006] "visit the last ten years. At present, there was nothing to be done for"
## [13007] "Harriet; good wishes for the future were all that could yet be possible"
## [13008] "on Emma's side."
## [13009] ""
## [13010] "It was a more pressing concern to shew attention to Jane Fairfax, whose"
## [13011] "prospects were closing, while Harriet's opened, and whose engagements"
## [13012] "now allowed of no delay in any one at Highbury, who wished to shew her"
## [13013] "kindness--and with Emma it was grown into a first wish. She had scarcely"
## [13014] "a stronger regret than for her past coldness; and the person, whom she"
## [13015] "had been so many months neglecting, was now the very one on whom she"
## [13016] "would have lavished every distinction of regard or sympathy. She wanted"
## [13017] "to be of use to her; wanted to shew a value for her society, and testify"
## [13018] "respect and consideration. She resolved to prevail on her to spend a day"
## [13019] "at Hartfield. A note was written to urge it. The invitation was refused,"
## [13020] "and by a verbal message. \"Miss Fairfax was not well enough to write;\""
## [13021] "and when Mr. Perry called at Hartfield, the same morning, it appeared"
## [13022] "that she was so much indisposed as to have been visited, though against"
## [13023] "her own consent, by himself, and that she was suffering under severe"
## [13024] "headaches, and a nervous fever to a degree, which made him doubt the"
## [13025] "possibility of her going to Mrs. Smallridge's at the time proposed."
## [13026] "Her health seemed for the moment completely deranged--appetite quite"
## [13027] "gone--and though there were no absolutely alarming symptoms, nothing"
## [13028] "touching the pulmonary complaint, which was the standing apprehension"
## [13029] "of the family, Mr. Perry was uneasy about her. He thought she had"
## [13030] "undertaken more than she was equal to, and that she felt it so herself,"
## [13031] "though she would not own it. Her spirits seemed overcome. Her"
## [13032] "present home, he could not but observe, was unfavourable to a nervous"
## [13033] "disorder:--confined always to one room;--he could have wished it"
## [13034] "otherwise--and her good aunt, though his very old friend, he must"
## [13035] "acknowledge to be not the best companion for an invalid of that"
## [13036] "description. Her care and attention could not be questioned; they were,"
## [13037] "in fact, only too great. He very much feared that Miss Fairfax derived"
## [13038] "more evil than good from them. Emma listened with the warmest concern;"
## [13039] "grieved for her more and more, and looked around eager to discover some"
## [13040] "way of being useful. To take her--be it only an hour or two--from"
## [13041] "her aunt, to give her change of air and scene, and quiet rational"
## [13042] "conversation, even for an hour or two, might do her good; and the"
## [13043] "following morning she wrote again to say, in the most feeling language"
## [13044] "she could command, that she would call for her in the carriage at any"
## [13045] "hour that Jane would name--mentioning that she had Mr. Perry's decided"
## [13046] "opinion, in favour of such exercise for his patient. The answer was only"
## [13047] "in this short note:"
## [13048] ""
## [13049] "\"Miss Fairfax's compliments and thanks, but is quite unequal to any"
## [13050] "exercise.\""
## [13051] ""
## [13052] "Emma felt that her own note had deserved something better; but it was"
## [13053] "impossible to quarrel with words, whose tremulous inequality shewed"
## [13054] "indisposition so plainly, and she thought only of how she might best"
## [13055] "counteract this unwillingness to be seen or assisted. In spite of the"
## [13056] "answer, therefore, she ordered the carriage, and drove to Mrs. Bates's,"
## [13057] "in the hope that Jane would be induced to join her--but it would not"
## [13058] "do;--Miss Bates came to the carriage door, all gratitude, and agreeing"
## [13059] "with her most earnestly in thinking an airing might be of the greatest"
## [13060] "service--and every thing that message could do was tried--but all in"
## [13061] "vain. Miss Bates was obliged to return without success; Jane was"
## [13062] "quite unpersuadable; the mere proposal of going out seemed to make her"
## [13063] "worse.--Emma wished she could have seen her, and tried her own powers;"
## [13064] "but, almost before she could hint the wish, Miss Bates made it appear"
## [13065] "that she had promised her niece on no account to let Miss Woodhouse in."
## [13066] "\"Indeed, the truth was, that poor dear Jane could not bear to see any"
## [13067] "body--any body at all--Mrs. Elton, indeed, could not be denied--and"
## [13068] "Mrs. Cole had made such a point--and Mrs. Perry had said so much--but,"
## [13069] "except them, Jane would really see nobody.\""
## [13070] ""
## [13071] "Emma did not want to be classed with the Mrs. Eltons, the Mrs. Perrys,"
## [13072] "and the Mrs. Coles, who would force themselves anywhere; neither could"
## [13073] "she feel any right of preference herself--she submitted, therefore, and"
## [13074] "only questioned Miss Bates farther as to her niece's appetite and diet,"
## [13075] "which she longed to be able to assist. On that subject poor Miss Bates"
## [13076] "was very unhappy, and very communicative; Jane would hardly eat any"
## [13077] "thing:--Mr. Perry recommended nourishing food; but every thing"
## [13078] "they could command (and never had any body such good neighbours) was"
## [13079] "distasteful."
## [13080] ""
## [13081] "Emma, on reaching home, called the housekeeper directly, to an"
## [13082] "examination of her stores; and some arrowroot of very superior quality"
## [13083] "was speedily despatched to Miss Bates with a most friendly note. In half"
## [13084] "an hour the arrowroot was returned, with a thousand thanks from Miss"
## [13085] "Bates, but \"dear Jane would not be satisfied without its being sent"
## [13086] "back; it was a thing she could not take--and, moreover, she insisted on"
## [13087] "her saying, that she was not at all in want of any thing.\""
## [13088] ""
## [13089] "When Emma afterwards heard that Jane Fairfax had been seen wandering"
## [13090] "about the meadows, at some distance from Highbury, on the afternoon of"
## [13091] "the very day on which she had, under the plea of being unequal to any"
## [13092] "exercise, so peremptorily refused to go out with her in the carriage,"
## [13093] "she could have no doubt--putting every thing together--that Jane was"
## [13094] "resolved to receive no kindness from _her_. She was sorry, very sorry."
## [13095] "Her heart was grieved for a state which seemed but the more pitiable"
## [13096] "from this sort of irritation of spirits, inconsistency of action, and"
## [13097] "inequality of powers; and it mortified her that she was given so little"
## [13098] "credit for proper feeling, or esteemed so little worthy as a friend: but"
## [13099] "she had the consolation of knowing that her intentions were good, and of"
## [13100] "being able to say to herself, that could Mr. Knightley have been privy"
## [13101] "to all her attempts of assisting Jane Fairfax, could he even have seen"
## [13102] "into her heart, he would not, on this occasion, have found any thing to"
## [13103] "reprove."
## [13104] ""
## [13105] ""
## [13106] ""
## [13107] "CHAPTER X"
## [13108] ""
## [13109] ""
## [13110] "One morning, about ten days after Mrs. Churchill's decease, Emma was"
## [13111] "called downstairs to Mr. Weston, who \"could not stay five minutes,"
## [13112] "and wanted particularly to speak with her.\"--He met her at the"
## [13113] "parlour-door, and hardly asking her how she did, in the natural key of"
## [13114] "his voice, sunk it immediately, to say, unheard by her father,"
## [13115] ""
## [13116] "\"Can you come to Randalls at any time this morning?--Do, if it be"
## [13117] "possible. Mrs. Weston wants to see you. She must see you.\""
## [13118] ""
## [13119] "\"Is she unwell?\""
## [13120] ""
## [13121] "\"No, no, not at all--only a little agitated. She would have ordered the"
## [13122] "carriage, and come to you, but she must see you _alone_, and that you"
## [13123] "know--(nodding towards her father)--Humph!--Can you come?\""
## [13124] ""
## [13125] "\"Certainly. This moment, if you please. It is impossible to refuse what"
## [13126] "you ask in such a way. But what can be the matter?--Is she really not"
## [13127] "ill?\""
## [13128] ""
## [13129] "\"Depend upon me--but ask no more questions. You will know it all in"
## [13130] "time. The most unaccountable business! But hush, hush!\""
## [13131] ""
## [13132] "To guess what all this meant, was impossible even for Emma. Something"
## [13133] "really important seemed announced by his looks; but, as her friend was"
## [13134] "well, she endeavoured not to be uneasy, and settling it with her father,"
## [13135] "that she would take her walk now, she and Mr. Weston were soon out of"
## [13136] "the house together and on their way at a quick pace for Randalls."
## [13137] ""
## [13138] "\"Now,\"--said Emma, when they were fairly beyond the sweep gates,--\"now"
## [13139] "Mr. Weston, do let me know what has happened.\""
## [13140] ""
## [13141] "\"No, no,\"--he gravely replied.--\"Don't ask me. I promised my wife to"
## [13142] "leave it all to her. She will break it to you better than I can. Do not"
## [13143] "be impatient, Emma; it will all come out too soon.\""
## [13144] ""
## [13145] "\"Break it to me,\" cried Emma, standing still with terror.--\"Good"
## [13146] "God!--Mr. Weston, tell me at once.--Something has happened in Brunswick"
## [13147] "Square. I know it has. Tell me, I charge you tell me this moment what it"
## [13148] "is.\""
## [13149] ""
## [13150] "\"No, indeed you are mistaken.\"--"
## [13151] ""
## [13152] "\"Mr. Weston do not trifle with me.--Consider how many of my dearest"
## [13153] "friends are now in Brunswick Square. Which of them is it?--I charge you"
## [13154] "by all that is sacred, not to attempt concealment.\""
## [13155] ""
## [13156] "\"Upon my word, Emma.\"--"
## [13157] ""
## [13158] "\"Your word!--why not your honour!--why not say upon your honour, that"
## [13159] "it has nothing to do with any of them? Good Heavens!--What can be to be"
## [13160] "_broke_ to me, that does not relate to one of that family?\""
## [13161] ""
## [13162] "\"Upon my honour,\" said he very seriously, \"it does not. It is not in"
## [13163] "the smallest degree connected with any human being of the name of"
## [13164] "Knightley.\""
## [13165] ""
## [13166] "Emma's courage returned, and she walked on."
## [13167] ""
## [13168] "\"I was wrong,\" he continued, \"in talking of its being _broke_ to you."
## [13169] "I should not have used the expression. In fact, it does not concern"
## [13170] "you--it concerns only myself,--that is, we hope.--Humph!--In short, my"
## [13171] "dear Emma, there is no occasion to be so uneasy about it. I don't"
## [13172] "say that it is not a disagreeable business--but things might be much"
## [13173] "worse.--If we walk fast, we shall soon be at Randalls.\""
## [13174] ""
## [13175] "Emma found that she must wait; and now it required little effort. She"
## [13176] "asked no more questions therefore, merely employed her own fancy, and"
## [13177] "that soon pointed out to her the probability of its being some money"
## [13178] "concern--something just come to light, of a disagreeable nature in the"
## [13179] "circumstances of the family,--something which the late event at Richmond"
## [13180] "had brought forward. Her fancy was very active. Half a dozen natural"
## [13181] "children, perhaps--and poor Frank cut off!--This, though very"
## [13182] "undesirable, would be no matter of agony to her. It inspired little more"
## [13183] "than an animating curiosity."
## [13184] ""
## [13185] "\"Who is that gentleman on horseback?\" said she, as they"
## [13186] "proceeded--speaking more to assist Mr. Weston in keeping his secret,"
## [13187] "than with any other view."
## [13188] ""
## [13189] "\"I do not know.--One of the Otways.--Not Frank;--it is not Frank, I"
## [13190] "assure you. You will not see him. He is half way to Windsor by this"
## [13191] "time.\""
## [13192] ""
## [13193] "\"Has your son been with you, then?\""
## [13194] ""
## [13195] "\"Oh! yes--did not you know?--Well, well, never mind.\""
## [13196] ""
## [13197] "For a moment he was silent; and then added, in a tone much more guarded"
## [13198] "and demure,"
## [13199] ""
## [13200] "\"Yes, Frank came over this morning, just to ask us how we did.\""
## [13201] ""
## [13202] "They hurried on, and were speedily at Randalls.--\"Well, my dear,\" said"
## [13203] "he, as they entered the room--\"I have brought her, and now I hope you"
## [13204] "will soon be better. I shall leave you together. There is no use in"
## [13205] "delay. I shall not be far off, if you want me.\"--And Emma distinctly"
## [13206] "heard him add, in a lower tone, before he quitted the room,--\"I have"
## [13207] "been as good as my word. She has not the least idea.\""
## [13208] ""
## [13209] "Mrs. Weston was looking so ill, and had an air of so much perturbation,"
## [13210] "that Emma's uneasiness increased; and the moment they were alone, she"
## [13211] "eagerly said,"
## [13212] ""
## [13213] "\"What is it my dear friend? Something of a very unpleasant nature, I"
## [13214] "find, has occurred;--do let me know directly what it is. I have been"
## [13215] "walking all this way in complete suspense. We both abhor suspense."
## [13216] "Do not let mine continue longer. It will do you good to speak of your"
## [13217] "distress, whatever it may be.\""
## [13218] ""
## [13219] "\"Have you indeed no idea?\" said Mrs. Weston in a trembling voice."
## [13220] "\"Cannot you, my dear Emma--cannot you form a guess as to what you are to"
## [13221] "hear?\""
## [13222] ""
## [13223] "\"So far as that it relates to Mr. Frank Churchill, I do guess.\""
## [13224] ""
## [13225] "\"You are right. It does relate to him, and I will tell you directly;\""
## [13226] "(resuming her work, and seeming resolved against looking up.) \"He has"
## [13227] "been here this very morning, on a most extraordinary errand. It is"
## [13228] "impossible to express our surprize. He came to speak to his father on a"
## [13229] "subject,--to announce an attachment--\""
## [13230] ""
## [13231] "She stopped to breathe. Emma thought first of herself, and then of"
## [13232] "Harriet."
## [13233] ""
## [13234] "\"More than an attachment, indeed,\" resumed Mrs. Weston; \"an"
## [13235] "engagement--a positive engagement.--What will you say, Emma--what will"
## [13236] "any body say, when it is known that Frank Churchill and Miss Fairfax are"
## [13237] "engaged;--nay, that they have been long engaged!\""
## [13238] ""
## [13239] "Emma even jumped with surprize;--and, horror-struck, exclaimed,"
## [13240] ""
## [13241] "\"Jane Fairfax!--Good God! You are not serious? You do not mean it?\""
## [13242] ""
## [13243] "\"You may well be amazed,\" returned Mrs. Weston, still averting her eyes,"
## [13244] "and talking on with eagerness, that Emma might have time to recover--"
## [13245] "\"You may well be amazed. But it is even so. There has been a solemn"
## [13246] "engagement between them ever since October--formed at Weymouth, and"
## [13247] "kept a secret from every body. Not a creature knowing it but"
## [13248] "themselves--neither the Campbells, nor her family, nor his.--It is so"
## [13249] "wonderful, that though perfectly convinced of the fact, it is yet almost"
## [13250] "incredible to myself. I can hardly believe it.--I thought I knew him.\""
## [13251] ""
## [13252] "Emma scarcely heard what was said.--Her mind was divided between two"
## [13253] "ideas--her own former conversations with him about Miss Fairfax; and"
## [13254] "poor Harriet;--and for some time she could only exclaim, and require"
## [13255] "confirmation, repeated confirmation."
## [13256] ""
## [13257] "\"Well,\" said she at last, trying to recover herself; \"this is a"
## [13258] "circumstance which I must think of at least half a day, before I can at"
## [13259] "all comprehend it. What!--engaged to her all the winter--before either"
## [13260] "of them came to Highbury?\""
## [13261] ""
## [13262] "\"Engaged since October,--secretly engaged.--It has hurt me, Emma, very"
## [13263] "much. It has hurt his father equally. _Some_ _part_ of his conduct we"
## [13264] "cannot excuse.\""
## [13265] ""
## [13266] "Emma pondered a moment, and then replied, \"I will not pretend _not_ to"
## [13267] "understand you; and to give you all the relief in my power, be assured"
## [13268] "that no such effect has followed his attentions to me, as you are"
## [13269] "apprehensive of.\""
## [13270] ""
## [13271] "Mrs. Weston looked up, afraid to believe; but Emma's countenance was as"
## [13272] "steady as her words."
## [13273] ""
## [13274] "\"That you may have less difficulty in believing this boast, of my"
## [13275] "present perfect indifference,\" she continued, \"I will farther tell you,"
## [13276] "that there was a period in the early part of our acquaintance, when I"
## [13277] "did like him, when I was very much disposed to be attached to him--nay,"
## [13278] "was attached--and how it came to cease, is perhaps the wonder."
## [13279] "Fortunately, however, it did cease. I have really for some time past,"
## [13280] "for at least these three months, cared nothing about him. You may"
## [13281] "believe me, Mrs. Weston. This is the simple truth.\""
## [13282] ""
## [13283] "Mrs. Weston kissed her with tears of joy; and when she could find"
## [13284] "utterance, assured her, that this protestation had done her more good"
## [13285] "than any thing else in the world could do."
## [13286] ""
## [13287] "\"Mr. Weston will be almost as much relieved as myself,\" said she. \"On"
## [13288] "this point we have been wretched. It was our darling wish that you"
## [13289] "might be attached to each other--and we were persuaded that it was so.--"
## [13290] "Imagine what we have been feeling on your account.\""
## [13291] ""
## [13292] "\"I have escaped; and that I should escape, may be a matter of grateful"
## [13293] "wonder to you and myself. But this does not acquit _him_, Mrs. Weston;"
## [13294] "and I must say, that I think him greatly to blame. What right had he"
## [13295] "to come among us with affection and faith engaged, and with manners"
## [13296] "so _very_ disengaged? What right had he to endeavour to please, as"
## [13297] "he certainly did--to distinguish any one young woman with persevering"
## [13298] "attention, as he certainly did--while he really belonged to"
## [13299] "another?--How could he tell what mischief he might be doing?--How could"
## [13300] "he tell that he might not be making me in love with him?--very wrong,"
## [13301] "very wrong indeed.\""
## [13302] ""
## [13303] "\"From something that he said, my dear Emma, I rather imagine--\""
## [13304] ""
## [13305] "\"And how could _she_ bear such behaviour! Composure with a witness!"
## [13306] "to look on, while repeated attentions were offering to another woman,"
## [13307] "before her face, and not resent it.--That is a degree of placidity,"
## [13308] "which I can neither comprehend nor respect.\""
## [13309] ""
## [13310] "\"There were misunderstandings between them, Emma; he said so expressly."
## [13311] "He had not time to enter into much explanation. He was here only a"
## [13312] "quarter of an hour, and in a state of agitation which did not allow"
## [13313] "the full use even of the time he could stay--but that there had been"
## [13314] "misunderstandings he decidedly said. The present crisis, indeed,"
## [13315] "seemed to be brought on by them; and those misunderstandings might very"
## [13316] "possibly arise from the impropriety of his conduct.\""
## [13317] ""
## [13318] "\"Impropriety! Oh! Mrs. Weston--it is too calm a censure. Much, much"
## [13319] "beyond impropriety!--It has sunk him, I cannot say how it has sunk him"
## [13320] "in my opinion. So unlike what a man should be!--None of that upright"
## [13321] "integrity, that strict adherence to truth and principle, that disdain of"
## [13322] "trick and littleness, which a man should display in every transaction of"
## [13323] "his life.\""
## [13324] ""
## [13325] "\"Nay, dear Emma, now I must take his part; for though he has been wrong"
## [13326] "in this instance, I have known him long enough to answer for his having"
## [13327] "many, very many, good qualities; and--\""
## [13328] ""
## [13329] "\"Good God!\" cried Emma, not attending to her.--\"Mrs. Smallridge, too!"
## [13330] "Jane actually on the point of going as governess! What could he mean by"
## [13331] "such horrible indelicacy? To suffer her to engage herself--to suffer her"
## [13332] "even to think of such a measure!\""
## [13333] ""
## [13334] "\"He knew nothing about it, Emma. On this article I can fully acquit"
## [13335] "him. It was a private resolution of hers, not communicated to him--or at"
## [13336] "least not communicated in a way to carry conviction.--Till yesterday, I"
## [13337] "know he said he was in the dark as to her plans. They burst on him, I do"
## [13338] "not know how, but by some letter or message--and it was the discovery of"
## [13339] "what she was doing, of this very project of hers, which determined him"
## [13340] "to come forward at once, own it all to his uncle, throw himself on"
## [13341] "his kindness, and, in short, put an end to the miserable state of"
## [13342] "concealment that had been carrying on so long.\""
## [13343] ""
## [13344] "Emma began to listen better."
## [13345] ""
## [13346] "\"I am to hear from him soon,\" continued Mrs. Weston. \"He told me at"
## [13347] "parting, that he should soon write; and he spoke in a manner which"
## [13348] "seemed to promise me many particulars that could not be given now. Let"
## [13349] "us wait, therefore, for this letter. It may bring many extenuations. It"
## [13350] "may make many things intelligible and excusable which now are not to"
## [13351] "be understood. Don't let us be severe, don't let us be in a hurry to"
## [13352] "condemn him. Let us have patience. I must love him; and now that I am"
## [13353] "satisfied on one point, the one material point, I am sincerely anxious"
## [13354] "for its all turning out well, and ready to hope that it may. They must"
## [13355] "both have suffered a great deal under such a system of secresy and"
## [13356] "concealment.\""
## [13357] ""
## [13358] "\"_His_ sufferings,\" replied Emma dryly, \"do not appear to have done him"
## [13359] "much harm. Well, and how did Mr. Churchill take it?\""
## [13360] ""
## [13361] "\"Most favourably for his nephew--gave his consent with scarcely a"
## [13362] "difficulty. Conceive what the events of a week have done in that family!"
## [13363] "While poor Mrs. Churchill lived, I suppose there could not have been a"
## [13364] "hope, a chance, a possibility;--but scarcely are her remains at rest in"
## [13365] "the family vault, than her husband is persuaded to act exactly opposite"
## [13366] "to what she would have required. What a blessing it is, when undue"
## [13367] "influence does not survive the grave!--He gave his consent with very"
## [13368] "little persuasion.\""
## [13369] ""
## [13370] "\"Ah!\" thought Emma, \"he would have done as much for Harriet.\""
## [13371] ""
## [13372] "\"This was settled last night, and Frank was off with the light this"
## [13373] "morning. He stopped at Highbury, at the Bates's, I fancy, some time--and"
## [13374] "then came on hither; but was in such a hurry to get back to his uncle,"
## [13375] "to whom he is just now more necessary than ever, that, as I tell you,"
## [13376] "he could stay with us but a quarter of an hour.--He was very much"
## [13377] "agitated--very much, indeed--to a degree that made him appear quite"
## [13378] "a different creature from any thing I had ever seen him before.--In"
## [13379] "addition to all the rest, there had been the shock of finding her so"
## [13380] "very unwell, which he had had no previous suspicion of--and there was"
## [13381] "every appearance of his having been feeling a great deal.\""
## [13382] ""
## [13383] "\"And do you really believe the affair to have been carrying on with such"
## [13384] "perfect secresy?--The Campbells, the Dixons, did none of them know of"
## [13385] "the engagement?\""
## [13386] ""
## [13387] "Emma could not speak the name of Dixon without a little blush."
## [13388] ""
## [13389] "\"None; not one. He positively said that it had been known to no being in"
## [13390] "the world but their two selves.\""
## [13391] ""
## [13392] "\"Well,\" said Emma, \"I suppose we shall gradually grow reconciled to the"
## [13393] "idea, and I wish them very happy. But I shall always think it a"
## [13394] "very abominable sort of proceeding. What has it been but a system of"
## [13395] "hypocrisy and deceit,--espionage, and treachery?--To come among us with"
## [13396] "professions of openness and simplicity; and such a league in secret"
## [13397] "to judge us all!--Here have we been, the whole winter and spring,"
## [13398] "completely duped, fancying ourselves all on an equal footing of truth"
## [13399] "and honour, with two people in the midst of us who may have been"
## [13400] "carrying round, comparing and sitting in judgment on sentiments and"
## [13401] "words that were never meant for both to hear.--They must take the"
## [13402] "consequence, if they have heard each other spoken of in a way not"
## [13403] "perfectly agreeable!\""
## [13404] ""
## [13405] "\"I am quite easy on that head,\" replied Mrs. Weston. \"I am very sure"
## [13406] "that I never said any thing of either to the other, which both might not"
## [13407] "have heard.\""
## [13408] ""
## [13409] "\"You are in luck.--Your only blunder was confined to my ear, when you"
## [13410] "imagined a certain friend of ours in love with the lady.\""
## [13411] ""
## [13412] "\"True. But as I have always had a thoroughly good opinion of Miss"
## [13413] "Fairfax, I never could, under any blunder, have spoken ill of her; and"
## [13414] "as to speaking ill of him, there I must have been safe.\""
## [13415] ""
## [13416] "At this moment Mr. Weston appeared at a little distance from the window,"
## [13417] "evidently on the watch. His wife gave him a look which invited him"
## [13418] "in; and, while he was coming round, added, \"Now, dearest Emma, let me"
## [13419] "intreat you to say and look every thing that may set his heart at ease,"
## [13420] "and incline him to be satisfied with the match. Let us make the best of"
## [13421] "it--and, indeed, almost every thing may be fairly said in her favour. It"
## [13422] "is not a connexion to gratify; but if Mr. Churchill does not feel that,"
## [13423] "why should we? and it may be a very fortunate circumstance for him, for"
## [13424] "Frank, I mean, that he should have attached himself to a girl of such"
## [13425] "steadiness of character and good judgment as I have always given her"
## [13426] "credit for--and still am disposed to give her credit for, in spite of"
## [13427] "this one great deviation from the strict rule of right. And how much may"
## [13428] "be said in her situation for even that error!\""
## [13429] ""
## [13430] "\"Much, indeed!\" cried Emma feelingly. \"If a woman can ever be"
## [13431] "excused for thinking only of herself, it is in a situation like Jane"
## [13432] "Fairfax's.--Of such, one may almost say, that 'the world is not their's,"
## [13433] "nor the world's law.'\""
## [13434] ""
## [13435] "She met Mr. Weston on his entrance, with a smiling countenance,"
## [13436] "exclaiming,"
## [13437] ""
## [13438] "\"A very pretty trick you have been playing me, upon my word! This was a"
## [13439] "device, I suppose, to sport with my curiosity, and exercise my talent of"
## [13440] "guessing. But you really frightened me. I thought you had lost half"
## [13441] "your property, at least. And here, instead of its being a matter of"
## [13442] "condolence, it turns out to be one of congratulation.--I congratulate"
## [13443] "you, Mr. Weston, with all my heart, on the prospect of having one of the"
## [13444] "most lovely and accomplished young women in England for your daughter.\""
## [13445] ""
## [13446] "A glance or two between him and his wife, convinced him that all was as"
## [13447] "right as this speech proclaimed; and its happy effect on his spirits was"
## [13448] "immediate. His air and voice recovered their usual briskness: he shook"
## [13449] "her heartily and gratefully by the hand, and entered on the subject in"
## [13450] "a manner to prove, that he now only wanted time and persuasion to think"
## [13451] "the engagement no very bad thing. His companions suggested only what"
## [13452] "could palliate imprudence, or smooth objections; and by the time they"
## [13453] "had talked it all over together, and he had talked it all over again"
## [13454] "with Emma, in their walk back to Hartfield, he was become perfectly"
## [13455] "reconciled, and not far from thinking it the very best thing that Frank"
## [13456] "could possibly have done."
## [13457] ""
## [13458] ""
## [13459] ""
## [13460] "CHAPTER XI"
## [13461] ""
## [13462] ""
## [13463] "\"Harriet, poor Harriet!\"--Those were the words; in them lay the"
## [13464] "tormenting ideas which Emma could not get rid of, and which constituted"
## [13465] "the real misery of the business to her. Frank Churchill had behaved very"
## [13466] "ill by herself--very ill in many ways,--but it was not so much _his_"
## [13467] "behaviour as her _own_, which made her so angry with him. It was the"
## [13468] "scrape which he had drawn her into on Harriet's account, that gave the"
## [13469] "deepest hue to his offence.--Poor Harriet! to be a second time the"
## [13470] "dupe of her misconceptions and flattery. Mr. Knightley had spoken"
## [13471] "prophetically, when he once said, \"Emma, you have been no friend"
## [13472] "to Harriet Smith.\"--She was afraid she had done her nothing but"
## [13473] "disservice.--It was true that she had not to charge herself, in this"
## [13474] "instance as in the former, with being the sole and original author of"
## [13475] "the mischief; with having suggested such feelings as might otherwise"
## [13476] "never have entered Harriet's imagination; for Harriet had acknowledged"
## [13477] "her admiration and preference of Frank Churchill before she had ever"
## [13478] "given her a hint on the subject; but she felt completely guilty"
## [13479] "of having encouraged what she might have repressed. She might have"
## [13480] "prevented the indulgence and increase of such sentiments. Her influence"
## [13481] "would have been enough. And now she was very conscious that she ought"
## [13482] "to have prevented them.--She felt that she had been risking her friend's"
## [13483] "happiness on most insufficient grounds. Common sense would have directed"
## [13484] "her to tell Harriet, that she must not allow herself to think of him,"
## [13485] "and that there were five hundred chances to one against his ever caring"
## [13486] "for her.--\"But, with common sense,\" she added, \"I am afraid I have had"
## [13487] "little to do.\""
## [13488] ""
## [13489] "She was extremely angry with herself. If she could not have been angry"
## [13490] "with Frank Churchill too, it would have been dreadful.--As for Jane"
## [13491] "Fairfax, she might at least relieve her feelings from any present"
## [13492] "solicitude on her account. Harriet would be anxiety enough; she need"
## [13493] "no longer be unhappy about Jane, whose troubles and whose ill-health"
## [13494] "having, of course, the same origin, must be equally under cure.--Her"
## [13495] "days of insignificance and evil were over.--She would soon be well, and"
## [13496] "happy, and prosperous.--Emma could now imagine why her own attentions"
## [13497] "had been slighted. This discovery laid many smaller matters open. No"
## [13498] "doubt it had been from jealousy.--In Jane's eyes she had been a rival;"
## [13499] "and well might any thing she could offer of assistance or regard be"
## [13500] "repulsed. An airing in the Hartfield carriage would have been the rack,"
## [13501] "and arrowroot from the Hartfield storeroom must have been poison. She"
## [13502] "understood it all; and as far as her mind could disengage itself from"
## [13503] "the injustice and selfishness of angry feelings, she acknowledged that"
## [13504] "Jane Fairfax would have neither elevation nor happiness beyond her"
## [13505] "desert. But poor Harriet was such an engrossing charge! There was little"
## [13506] "sympathy to be spared for any body else. Emma was sadly fearful"
## [13507] "that this second disappointment would be more severe than the first."
## [13508] "Considering the very superior claims of the object, it ought; and"
## [13509] "judging by its apparently stronger effect on Harriet's mind, producing"
## [13510] "reserve and self-command, it would.--She must communicate the painful"
## [13511] "truth, however, and as soon as possible. An injunction of secresy had"
## [13512] "been among Mr. Weston's parting words. \"For the present, the whole"
## [13513] "affair was to be completely a secret. Mr. Churchill had made a point of"
## [13514] "it, as a token of respect to the wife he had so very recently lost;"
## [13515] "and every body admitted it to be no more than due decorum.\"--Emma had"
## [13516] "promised; but still Harriet must be excepted. It was her superior duty."
## [13517] ""
## [13518] "In spite of her vexation, she could not help feeling it almost"
## [13519] "ridiculous, that she should have the very same distressing and delicate"
## [13520] "office to perform by Harriet, which Mrs. Weston had just gone through by"
## [13521] "herself. The intelligence, which had been so anxiously announced to her,"
## [13522] "she was now to be anxiously announcing to another. Her heart beat quick"
## [13523] "on hearing Harriet's footstep and voice; so, she supposed, had poor Mrs."
## [13524] "Weston felt when _she_ was approaching Randalls. Could the event of"
## [13525] "the disclosure bear an equal resemblance!--But of that, unfortunately,"
## [13526] "there could be no chance."
## [13527] ""
## [13528] "\"Well, Miss Woodhouse!\" cried Harriet, coming eagerly into the room--\"is"
## [13529] "not this the oddest news that ever was?\""
## [13530] ""
## [13531] "\"What news do you mean?\" replied Emma, unable to guess, by look or"
## [13532] "voice, whether Harriet could indeed have received any hint."
## [13533] ""
## [13534] "\"About Jane Fairfax. Did you ever hear any thing so strange? Oh!--you"
## [13535] "need not be afraid of owning it to me, for Mr. Weston has told me"
## [13536] "himself. I met him just now. He told me it was to be a great secret;"
## [13537] "and, therefore, I should not think of mentioning it to any body but you,"
## [13538] "but he said you knew it.\""
## [13539] ""
## [13540] "\"What did Mr. Weston tell you?\"--said Emma, still perplexed."
## [13541] ""
## [13542] "\"Oh! he told me all about it; that Jane Fairfax and Mr. Frank Churchill"
## [13543] "are to be married, and that they have been privately engaged to one"
## [13544] "another this long while. How very odd!\""
## [13545] ""
## [13546] "It was, indeed, so odd; Harriet's behaviour was so extremely odd,"
## [13547] "that Emma did not know how to understand it. Her character appeared"
## [13548] "absolutely changed. She seemed to propose shewing no agitation, or"
## [13549] "disappointment, or peculiar concern in the discovery. Emma looked at"
## [13550] "her, quite unable to speak."
## [13551] ""
## [13552] "\"Had you any idea,\" cried Harriet, \"of his being in love with her?--You,"
## [13553] "perhaps, might.--You (blushing as she spoke) who can see into every"
## [13554] "body's heart; but nobody else--\""
## [13555] ""
## [13556] "\"Upon my word,\" said Emma, \"I begin to doubt my having any such talent."
## [13557] "Can you seriously ask me, Harriet, whether I imagined him attached"
## [13558] "to another woman at the very time that I was--tacitly, if not"
## [13559] "openly--encouraging you to give way to your own feelings?--I never"
## [13560] "had the slightest suspicion, till within the last hour, of Mr. Frank"
## [13561] "Churchill's having the least regard for Jane Fairfax. You may be very"
## [13562] "sure that if I had, I should have cautioned you accordingly.\""
## [13563] ""
## [13564] "\"Me!\" cried Harriet, colouring, and astonished. \"Why should you caution"
## [13565] "me?--You do not think I care about Mr. Frank Churchill.\""
## [13566] ""
## [13567] "\"I am delighted to hear you speak so stoutly on the subject,\" replied"
## [13568] "Emma, smiling; \"but you do not mean to deny that there was a time--and"
## [13569] "not very distant either--when you gave me reason to understand that you"
## [13570] "did care about him?\""
## [13571] ""
## [13572] "\"Him!--never, never. Dear Miss Woodhouse, how could you so mistake me?\""
## [13573] "turning away distressed."
## [13574] ""
## [13575] "\"Harriet!\" cried Emma, after a moment's pause--\"What do you mean?--Good"
## [13576] "Heaven! what do you mean?--Mistake you!--Am I to suppose then?--\""
## [13577] ""
## [13578] "She could not speak another word.--Her voice was lost; and she sat down,"
## [13579] "waiting in great terror till Harriet should answer."
## [13580] ""
## [13581] "Harriet, who was standing at some distance, and with face turned from"
## [13582] "her, did not immediately say any thing; and when she did speak, it was"
## [13583] "in a voice nearly as agitated as Emma's."
## [13584] ""
## [13585] "\"I should not have thought it possible,\" she began, \"that you could have"
## [13586] "misunderstood me! I know we agreed never to name him--but considering"
## [13587] "how infinitely superior he is to every body else, I should not have"
## [13588] "thought it possible that I could be supposed to mean any other person."
## [13589] "Mr. Frank Churchill, indeed! I do not know who would ever look at him in"
## [13590] "the company of the other. I hope I have a better taste than to think of"
## [13591] "Mr. Frank Churchill, who is like nobody by his side. And that you should"
## [13592] "have been so mistaken, is amazing!--I am sure, but for believing that"
## [13593] "you entirely approved and meant to encourage me in my attachment, I"
## [13594] "should have considered it at first too great a presumption almost,"
## [13595] "to dare to think of him. At first, if you had not told me that more"
## [13596] "wonderful things had happened; that there had been matches of greater"
## [13597] "disparity (those were your very words);--I should not have dared to"
## [13598] "give way to--I should not have thought it possible--But if _you_, who"
## [13599] "had been always acquainted with him--\""
## [13600] ""
## [13601] "\"Harriet!\" cried Emma, collecting herself resolutely--\"Let us understand"
## [13602] "each other now, without the possibility of farther mistake. Are you"
## [13603] "speaking of--Mr. Knightley?\""
## [13604] ""
## [13605] "\"To be sure I am. I never could have an idea of any body else--and so"
## [13606] "I thought you knew. When we talked about him, it was as clear as"
## [13607] "possible.\""
## [13608] ""
## [13609] "\"Not quite,\" returned Emma, with forced calmness, \"for all that you then"
## [13610] "said, appeared to me to relate to a different person. I could almost"
## [13611] "assert that you had _named_ Mr. Frank Churchill. I am sure the service"
## [13612] "Mr. Frank Churchill had rendered you, in protecting you from the"
## [13613] "gipsies, was spoken of.\""
## [13614] ""
## [13615] "\"Oh! Miss Woodhouse, how you do forget!\""
## [13616] ""
## [13617] "\"My dear Harriet, I perfectly remember the substance of what I said on"
## [13618] "the occasion. I told you that I did not wonder at your attachment;"
## [13619] "that considering the service he had rendered you, it was extremely"
## [13620] "natural:--and you agreed to it, expressing yourself very warmly as to"
## [13621] "your sense of that service, and mentioning even what your sensations had"
## [13622] "been in seeing him come forward to your rescue.--The impression of it is"
## [13623] "strong on my memory.\""
## [13624] ""
## [13625] "\"Oh, dear,\" cried Harriet, \"now I recollect what you mean; but I"
## [13626] "was thinking of something very different at the time. It was not the"
## [13627] "gipsies--it was not Mr. Frank Churchill that I meant. No! (with some"
## [13628] "elevation) I was thinking of a much more precious circumstance--of Mr."
## [13629] "Knightley's coming and asking me to dance, when Mr. Elton would not"
## [13630] "stand up with me; and when there was no other partner in the room. That"
## [13631] "was the kind action; that was the noble benevolence and generosity; that"
## [13632] "was the service which made me begin to feel how superior he was to every"
## [13633] "other being upon earth.\""
## [13634] ""
## [13635] "\"Good God!\" cried Emma, \"this has been a most unfortunate--most"
## [13636] "deplorable mistake!--What is to be done?\""
## [13637] ""
## [13638] "\"You would not have encouraged me, then, if you had understood me? At"
## [13639] "least, however, I cannot be worse off than I should have been, if the"
## [13640] "other had been the person; and now--it _is_ possible--\""
## [13641] ""
## [13642] "She paused a few moments. Emma could not speak."
## [13643] ""
## [13644] "\"I do not wonder, Miss Woodhouse,\" she resumed, \"that you should feel a"
## [13645] "great difference between the two, as to me or as to any body. You must"
## [13646] "think one five hundred million times more above me than the other. But"
## [13647] "I hope, Miss Woodhouse, that supposing--that if--strange as it may"
## [13648] "appear--. But you know they were your own words, that _more_ wonderful"
## [13649] "things had happened, matches of _greater_ disparity had taken place than"
## [13650] "between Mr. Frank Churchill and me; and, therefore, it seems as if such"
## [13651] "a thing even as this, may have occurred before--and if I should be so"
## [13652] "fortunate, beyond expression, as to--if Mr. Knightley should really--if"
## [13653] "_he_ does not mind the disparity, I hope, dear Miss Woodhouse, you will"
## [13654] "not set yourself against it, and try to put difficulties in the way. But"
## [13655] "you are too good for that, I am sure.\""
## [13656] ""
## [13657] "Harriet was standing at one of the windows. Emma turned round to look at"
## [13658] "her in consternation, and hastily said,"
## [13659] ""
## [13660] "\"Have you any idea of Mr. Knightley's returning your affection?\""
## [13661] ""
## [13662] "\"Yes,\" replied Harriet modestly, but not fearfully--\"I must say that I"
## [13663] "have.\""
## [13664] ""
## [13665] "Emma's eyes were instantly withdrawn; and she sat silently meditating,"
## [13666] "in a fixed attitude, for a few minutes. A few minutes were sufficient"
## [13667] "for making her acquainted with her own heart. A mind like hers,"
## [13668] "once opening to suspicion, made rapid progress. She touched--she"
## [13669] "admitted--she acknowledged the whole truth. Why was it so much worse"
## [13670] "that Harriet should be in love with Mr. Knightley, than with Frank"
## [13671] "Churchill? Why was the evil so dreadfully increased by Harriet's having"
## [13672] "some hope of a return? It darted through her, with the speed of an"
## [13673] "arrow, that Mr. Knightley must marry no one but herself!"
## [13674] ""
## [13675] "Her own conduct, as well as her own heart, was before her in the same"
## [13676] "few minutes. She saw it all with a clearness which had never blessed"
## [13677] "her before. How improperly had she been acting by Harriet! How"
## [13678] "inconsiderate, how indelicate, how irrational, how unfeeling had been"
## [13679] "her conduct! What blindness, what madness, had led her on! It struck her"
## [13680] "with dreadful force, and she was ready to give it every bad name in the"
## [13681] "world. Some portion of respect for herself, however, in spite of all"
## [13682] "these demerits--some concern for her own appearance, and a strong sense"
## [13683] "of justice by Harriet--(there would be no need of _compassion_ to the"
## [13684] "girl who believed herself loved by Mr. Knightley--but justice required"
## [13685] "that she should not be made unhappy by any coldness now,) gave Emma the"
## [13686] "resolution to sit and endure farther with calmness, with even apparent"
## [13687] "kindness.--For her own advantage indeed, it was fit that the utmost"
## [13688] "extent of Harriet's hopes should be enquired into; and Harriet had done"
## [13689] "nothing to forfeit the regard and interest which had been so voluntarily"
## [13690] "formed and maintained--or to deserve to be slighted by the person, whose"
## [13691] "counsels had never led her right.--Rousing from reflection, therefore,"
## [13692] "and subduing her emotion, she turned to Harriet again, and, in a more"
## [13693] "inviting accent, renewed the conversation; for as to the subject which"
## [13694] "had first introduced it, the wonderful story of Jane Fairfax, that was"
## [13695] "quite sunk and lost.--Neither of them thought but of Mr. Knightley and"
## [13696] "themselves."
## [13697] ""
## [13698] "Harriet, who had been standing in no unhappy reverie, was yet very glad"
## [13699] "to be called from it, by the now encouraging manner of such a judge, and"
## [13700] "such a friend as Miss Woodhouse, and only wanted invitation, to give"
## [13701] "the history of her hopes with great, though trembling delight.--Emma's"
## [13702] "tremblings as she asked, and as she listened, were better concealed than"
## [13703] "Harriet's, but they were not less. Her voice was not unsteady; but her"
## [13704] "mind was in all the perturbation that such a development of self, such"
## [13705] "a burst of threatening evil, such a confusion of sudden and perplexing"
## [13706] "emotions, must create.--She listened with much inward suffering, but"
## [13707] "with great outward patience, to Harriet's detail.--Methodical, or well"
## [13708] "arranged, or very well delivered, it could not be expected to be; but it"
## [13709] "contained, when separated from all the feebleness and tautology of"
## [13710] "the narration, a substance to sink her spirit--especially with the"
## [13711] "corroborating circumstances, which her own memory brought in favour of"
## [13712] "Mr. Knightley's most improved opinion of Harriet."
## [13713] ""
## [13714] "Harriet had been conscious of a difference in his behaviour ever since"
## [13715] "those two decisive dances.--Emma knew that he had, on that occasion,"
## [13716] "found her much superior to his expectation. From that evening, or at"
## [13717] "least from the time of Miss Woodhouse's encouraging her to think of him,"
## [13718] "Harriet had begun to be sensible of his talking to her much more than he"
## [13719] "had been used to do, and of his having indeed quite a different manner"
## [13720] "towards her; a manner of kindness and sweetness!--Latterly she had been"
## [13721] "more and more aware of it. When they had been all walking together,"
## [13722] "he had so often come and walked by her, and talked so very"
## [13723] "delightfully!--He seemed to want to be acquainted with her. Emma knew it"
## [13724] "to have been very much the case. She had often observed the change, to"
## [13725] "almost the same extent.--Harriet repeated expressions of approbation"
## [13726] "and praise from him--and Emma felt them to be in the closest agreement"
## [13727] "with what she had known of his opinion of Harriet. He praised her for"
## [13728] "being without art or affectation, for having simple, honest, generous,"
## [13729] "feelings.--She knew that he saw such recommendations in Harriet; he"
## [13730] "had dwelt on them to her more than once.--Much that lived in Harriet's"
## [13731] "memory, many little particulars of the notice she had received from"
## [13732] "him, a look, a speech, a removal from one chair to another, a compliment"
## [13733] "implied, a preference inferred, had been unnoticed, because unsuspected,"
## [13734] "by Emma. Circumstances that might swell to half an hour's relation,"
## [13735] "and contained multiplied proofs to her who had seen them, had passed"
## [13736] "undiscerned by her who now heard them; but the two latest occurrences to"
## [13737] "be mentioned, the two of strongest promise to Harriet, were not without"
## [13738] "some degree of witness from Emma herself.--The first, was his walking"
## [13739] "with her apart from the others, in the lime-walk at Donwell, where they"
## [13740] "had been walking some time before Emma came, and he had taken pains (as"
## [13741] "she was convinced) to draw her from the rest to himself--and at first,"
## [13742] "he had talked to her in a more particular way than he had ever done"
## [13743] "before, in a very particular way indeed!--(Harriet could not recall"
## [13744] "it without a blush.) He seemed to be almost asking her, whether her"
## [13745] "affections were engaged.--But as soon as she (Miss Woodhouse) appeared"
## [13746] "likely to join them, he changed the subject, and began talking about"
## [13747] "farming:--The second, was his having sat talking with her nearly half"
## [13748] "an hour before Emma came back from her visit, the very last morning of"
## [13749] "his being at Hartfield--though, when he first came in, he had said that"
## [13750] "he could not stay five minutes--and his having told her, during their"
## [13751] "conversation, that though he must go to London, it was very much against"
## [13752] "his inclination that he left home at all, which was much more (as"
## [13753] "Emma felt) than he had acknowledged to _her_. The superior degree of"
## [13754] "confidence towards Harriet, which this one article marked, gave her"
## [13755] "severe pain."
## [13756] ""
## [13757] "On the subject of the first of the two circumstances, she did, after a"
## [13758] "little reflection, venture the following question. \"Might he not?--Is"
## [13759] "not it possible, that when enquiring, as you thought, into the state of"
## [13760] "your affections, he might be alluding to Mr. Martin--he might have"
## [13761] "Mr. Martin's interest in view? But Harriet rejected the suspicion with"
## [13762] "spirit."
## [13763] ""
## [13764] "\"Mr. Martin! No indeed!--There was not a hint of Mr. Martin. I hope I"
## [13765] "know better now, than to care for Mr. Martin, or to be suspected of it.\""
## [13766] ""
## [13767] "When Harriet had closed her evidence, she appealed to her dear Miss"
## [13768] "Woodhouse, to say whether she had not good ground for hope."
## [13769] ""
## [13770] "\"I never should have presumed to think of it at first,\" said she, \"but"
## [13771] "for you. You told me to observe him carefully, and let his behaviour"
## [13772] "be the rule of mine--and so I have. But now I seem to feel that I may"
## [13773] "deserve him; and that if he does chuse me, it will not be any thing so"
## [13774] "very wonderful.\""
## [13775] ""
## [13776] "The bitter feelings occasioned by this speech, the many bitter feelings,"
## [13777] "made the utmost exertion necessary on Emma's side, to enable her to say"
## [13778] "on reply,"
## [13779] ""
## [13780] "\"Harriet, I will only venture to declare, that Mr. Knightley is the last"
## [13781] "man in the world, who would intentionally give any woman the idea of his"
## [13782] "feeling for her more than he really does.\""
## [13783] ""
## [13784] "Harriet seemed ready to worship her friend for a sentence so"
## [13785] "satisfactory; and Emma was only saved from raptures and fondness, which"
## [13786] "at that moment would have been dreadful penance, by the sound of her"
## [13787] "father's footsteps. He was coming through the hall. Harriet was too"
## [13788] "much agitated to encounter him. \"She could not compose herself--"
## [13789] "Mr. Woodhouse would be alarmed--she had better go;\"--with most ready"
## [13790] "encouragement from her friend, therefore, she passed off through another"
## [13791] "door--and the moment she was gone, this was the spontaneous burst of"
## [13792] "Emma's feelings: \"Oh God! that I had never seen her!\""
## [13793] ""
## [13794] "The rest of the day, the following night, were hardly enough for her"
## [13795] "thoughts.--She was bewildered amidst the confusion of all that had"
## [13796] "rushed on her within the last few hours. Every moment had brought a"
## [13797] "fresh surprize; and every surprize must be matter of humiliation to"
## [13798] "her.--How to understand it all! How to understand the deceptions she had"
## [13799] "been thus practising on herself, and living under!--The blunders, the"
## [13800] "blindness of her own head and heart!--she sat still, she walked about,"
## [13801] "she tried her own room, she tried the shrubbery--in every place, every"
## [13802] "posture, she perceived that she had acted most weakly; that she had"
## [13803] "been imposed on by others in a most mortifying degree; that she had"
## [13804] "been imposing on herself in a degree yet more mortifying; that she"
## [13805] "was wretched, and should probably find this day but the beginning of"
## [13806] "wretchedness."
## [13807] ""
## [13808] "To understand, thoroughly understand her own heart, was the first"
## [13809] "endeavour. To that point went every leisure moment which her father's"
## [13810] "claims on her allowed, and every moment of involuntary absence of mind."
## [13811] ""
## [13812] "How long had Mr. Knightley been so dear to her, as every feeling"
## [13813] "declared him now to be? When had his influence, such influence begun?--"
## [13814] "When had he succeeded to that place in her affection, which Frank"
## [13815] "Churchill had once, for a short period, occupied?--She looked back;"
## [13816] "she compared the two--compared them, as they had always stood in her"
## [13817] "estimation, from the time of the latter's becoming known to her--and as"
## [13818] "they must at any time have been compared by her, had it--oh! had it, by"
## [13819] "any blessed felicity, occurred to her, to institute the comparison.--She"
## [13820] "saw that there never had been a time when she did not consider Mr."
## [13821] "Knightley as infinitely the superior, or when his regard for her had not"
## [13822] "been infinitely the most dear. She saw, that in persuading herself,"
## [13823] "in fancying, in acting to the contrary, she had been entirely under a"
## [13824] "delusion, totally ignorant of her own heart--and, in short, that she had"
## [13825] "never really cared for Frank Churchill at all!"
## [13826] ""
## [13827] "This was the conclusion of the first series of reflection. This was"
## [13828] "the knowledge of herself, on the first question of inquiry, which"
## [13829] "she reached; and without being long in reaching it.--She was most"
## [13830] "sorrowfully indignant; ashamed of every sensation but the one revealed"
## [13831] "to her--her affection for Mr. Knightley.--Every other part of her mind"
## [13832] "was disgusting."
## [13833] ""
## [13834] "With insufferable vanity had she believed herself in the secret of every"
## [13835] "body's feelings; with unpardonable arrogance proposed to arrange every"
## [13836] "body's destiny. She was proved to have been universally mistaken; and"
## [13837] "she had not quite done nothing--for she had done mischief. She had"
## [13838] "brought evil on Harriet, on herself, and she too much feared, on Mr."
## [13839] "Knightley.--Were this most unequal of all connexions to take place, on"
## [13840] "her must rest all the reproach of having given it a beginning; for his"
## [13841] "attachment, she must believe to be produced only by a consciousness of"
## [13842] "Harriet's;--and even were this not the case, he would never have known"
## [13843] "Harriet at all but for her folly."
## [13844] ""
## [13845] "Mr. Knightley and Harriet Smith!--It was a union to distance every"
## [13846] "wonder of the kind.--The attachment of Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax"
## [13847] "became commonplace, threadbare, stale in the comparison, exciting no"
## [13848] "surprize, presenting no disparity, affording nothing to be said or"
## [13849] "thought.--Mr. Knightley and Harriet Smith!--Such an elevation on her"
## [13850] "side! Such a debasement on his! It was horrible to Emma to think how it"
## [13851] "must sink him in the general opinion, to foresee the smiles, the sneers,"
## [13852] "the merriment it would prompt at his expense; the mortification and"
## [13853] "disdain of his brother, the thousand inconveniences to himself.--Could"
## [13854] "it be?--No; it was impossible. And yet it was far, very far, from"
## [13855] "impossible.--Was it a new circumstance for a man of first-rate abilities"
## [13856] "to be captivated by very inferior powers? Was it new for one, perhaps"
## [13857] "too busy to seek, to be the prize of a girl who would seek him?--Was"
## [13858] "it new for any thing in this world to be unequal, inconsistent,"
## [13859] "incongruous--or for chance and circumstance (as second causes) to direct"
## [13860] "the human fate?"
## [13861] ""
## [13862] "Oh! had she never brought Harriet forward! Had she left her where she"
## [13863] "ought, and where he had told her she ought!--Had she not, with a"
## [13864] "folly which no tongue could express, prevented her marrying the"
## [13865] "unexceptionable young man who would have made her happy and respectable"
## [13866] "in the line of life to which she ought to belong--all would have been"
## [13867] "safe; none of this dreadful sequel would have been."
## [13868] ""
## [13869] "How Harriet could ever have had the presumption to raise her thoughts to"
## [13870] "Mr. Knightley!--How she could dare to fancy herself the chosen of such"
## [13871] "a man till actually assured of it!--But Harriet was less humble, had"
## [13872] "fewer scruples than formerly.--Her inferiority, whether of mind or"
## [13873] "situation, seemed little felt.--She had seemed more sensible of Mr."
## [13874] "Elton's being to stoop in marrying her, than she now seemed of Mr."
## [13875] "Knightley's.--Alas! was not that her own doing too? Who had been at"
## [13876] "pains to give Harriet notions of self-consequence but herself?--Who but"
## [13877] "herself had taught her, that she was to elevate herself if possible,"
## [13878] "and that her claims were great to a high worldly establishment?--If"
## [13879] "Harriet, from being humble, were grown vain, it was her doing too."
## [13880] ""
## [13881] ""
## [13882] ""
## [13883] "CHAPTER XII"
## [13884] ""
## [13885] ""
## [13886] "Till now that she was threatened with its loss, Emma had never known"
## [13887] "how much of her happiness depended on being _first_ with Mr. Knightley,"
## [13888] "first in interest and affection.--Satisfied that it was so, and feeling"
## [13889] "it her due, she had enjoyed it without reflection; and only in the"
## [13890] "dread of being supplanted, found how inexpressibly important it had"
## [13891] "been.--Long, very long, she felt she had been first; for, having no"
## [13892] "female connexions of his own, there had been only Isabella whose claims"
## [13893] "could be compared with hers, and she had always known exactly how far"
## [13894] "he loved and esteemed Isabella. She had herself been first with him for"
## [13895] "many years past. She had not deserved it; she had often been negligent"
## [13896] "or perverse, slighting his advice, or even wilfully opposing him,"
## [13897] "insensible of half his merits, and quarrelling with him because he would"
## [13898] "not acknowledge her false and insolent estimate of her own--but still,"
## [13899] "from family attachment and habit, and thorough excellence of mind, he"
## [13900] "had loved her, and watched over her from a girl, with an endeavour to"
## [13901] "improve her, and an anxiety for her doing right, which no other creature"
## [13902] "had at all shared. In spite of all her faults, she knew she was dear"
## [13903] "to him; might she not say, very dear?--When the suggestions of hope,"
## [13904] "however, which must follow here, presented themselves, she could not"
## [13905] "presume to indulge them. Harriet Smith might think herself not unworthy"
## [13906] "of being peculiarly, exclusively, passionately loved by Mr. Knightley."
## [13907] "_She_ could not. She could not flatter herself with any idea of"
## [13908] "blindness in his attachment to _her_. She had received a very recent"
## [13909] "proof of its impartiality.--How shocked had he been by her behaviour to"
## [13910] "Miss Bates! How directly, how strongly had he expressed himself to her"
## [13911] "on the subject!--Not too strongly for the offence--but far, far too"
## [13912] "strongly to issue from any feeling softer than upright justice and"
## [13913] "clear-sighted goodwill.--She had no hope, nothing to deserve the name"
## [13914] "of hope, that he could have that sort of affection for herself which was"
## [13915] "now in question; but there was a hope (at times a slight one, at"
## [13916] "times much stronger,) that Harriet might have deceived herself, and be"
## [13917] "overrating his regard for _her_.--Wish it she must, for his sake--be the"
## [13918] "consequence nothing to herself, but his remaining single all his life."
## [13919] "Could she be secure of that, indeed, of his never marrying at all, she"
## [13920] "believed she should be perfectly satisfied.--Let him but continue the"
## [13921] "same Mr. Knightley to her and her father, the same Mr. Knightley to"
## [13922] "all the world; let Donwell and Hartfield lose none of their precious"
## [13923] "intercourse of friendship and confidence, and her peace would be"
## [13924] "fully secured.--Marriage, in fact, would not do for her. It would be"
## [13925] "incompatible with what she owed to her father, and with what she felt"
## [13926] "for him. Nothing should separate her from her father. She would not"
## [13927] "marry, even if she were asked by Mr. Knightley."
## [13928] ""
## [13929] "It must be her ardent wish that Harriet might be disappointed; and she"
## [13930] "hoped, that when able to see them together again, she might at least"
## [13931] "be able to ascertain what the chances for it were.--She should see them"
## [13932] "henceforward with the closest observance; and wretchedly as she had"
## [13933] "hitherto misunderstood even those she was watching, she did not know how"
## [13934] "to admit that she could be blinded here.--He was expected back every"
## [13935] "day. The power of observation would be soon given--frightfully soon it"
## [13936] "appeared when her thoughts were in one course. In the meanwhile, she"
## [13937] "resolved against seeing Harriet.--It would do neither of them good,"
## [13938] "it would do the subject no good, to be talking of it farther.--She was"
## [13939] "resolved not to be convinced, as long as she could doubt, and yet had"
## [13940] "no authority for opposing Harriet's confidence. To talk would be only to"
## [13941] "irritate.--She wrote to her, therefore, kindly, but decisively, to beg"
## [13942] "that she would not, at present, come to Hartfield; acknowledging it to"
## [13943] "be her conviction, that all farther confidential discussion of _one_"
## [13944] "topic had better be avoided; and hoping, that if a few days were allowed"
## [13945] "to pass before they met again, except in the company of others--she"
## [13946] "objected only to a tete-a-tete--they might be able to act as if they"
## [13947] "had forgotten the conversation of yesterday.--Harriet submitted, and"
## [13948] "approved, and was grateful."
## [13949] ""
## [13950] "This point was just arranged, when a visitor arrived to tear Emma's"
## [13951] "thoughts a little from the one subject which had engrossed them,"
## [13952] "sleeping or waking, the last twenty-four hours--Mrs. Weston, who had"
## [13953] "been calling on her daughter-in-law elect, and took Hartfield in her"
## [13954] "way home, almost as much in duty to Emma as in pleasure to herself, to"
## [13955] "relate all the particulars of so interesting an interview."
## [13956] ""
## [13957] "Mr. Weston had accompanied her to Mrs. Bates's, and gone through his"
## [13958] "share of this essential attention most handsomely; but she having then"
## [13959] "induced Miss Fairfax to join her in an airing, was now returned with"
## [13960] "much more to say, and much more to say with satisfaction, than a quarter"
## [13961] "of an hour spent in Mrs. Bates's parlour, with all the encumbrance of"
## [13962] "awkward feelings, could have afforded."
## [13963] ""
## [13964] "A little curiosity Emma had; and she made the most of it while her"
## [13965] "friend related. Mrs. Weston had set off to pay the visit in a good deal"
## [13966] "of agitation herself; and in the first place had wished not to go at all"
## [13967] "at present, to be allowed merely to write to Miss Fairfax instead, and"
## [13968] "to defer this ceremonious call till a little time had passed, and Mr."
## [13969] "Churchill could be reconciled to the engagement's becoming known; as,"
## [13970] "considering every thing, she thought such a visit could not be paid"
## [13971] "without leading to reports:--but Mr. Weston had thought differently; he"
## [13972] "was extremely anxious to shew his approbation to Miss Fairfax and her"
## [13973] "family, and did not conceive that any suspicion could be excited by it;"
## [13974] "or if it were, that it would be of any consequence; for \"such things,\""
## [13975] "he observed, \"always got about.\" Emma smiled, and felt that Mr. Weston"
## [13976] "had very good reason for saying so. They had gone, in short--and very"
## [13977] "great had been the evident distress and confusion of the lady. She had"
## [13978] "hardly been able to speak a word, and every look and action had shewn"
## [13979] "how deeply she was suffering from consciousness. The quiet, heart-felt"
## [13980] "satisfaction of the old lady, and the rapturous delight of her"
## [13981] "daughter--who proved even too joyous to talk as usual, had been a"
## [13982] "gratifying, yet almost an affecting, scene. They were both so truly"
## [13983] "respectable in their happiness, so disinterested in every sensation;"
## [13984] "thought so much of Jane; so much of every body, and so little of"
## [13985] "themselves, that every kindly feeling was at work for them. Miss"
## [13986] "Fairfax's recent illness had offered a fair plea for Mrs. Weston to"
## [13987] "invite her to an airing; she had drawn back and declined at first, but,"
## [13988] "on being pressed had yielded; and, in the course of their drive,"
## [13989] "Mrs. Weston had, by gentle encouragement, overcome so much of her"
## [13990] "embarrassment, as to bring her to converse on the important subject."
## [13991] "Apologies for her seemingly ungracious silence in their first reception,"
## [13992] "and the warmest expressions of the gratitude she was always feeling"
## [13993] "towards herself and Mr. Weston, must necessarily open the cause; but"
## [13994] "when these effusions were put by, they had talked a good deal of the"
## [13995] "present and of the future state of the engagement. Mrs. Weston was"
## [13996] "convinced that such conversation must be the greatest relief to her"
## [13997] "companion, pent up within her own mind as every thing had so long been,"
## [13998] "and was very much pleased with all that she had said on the subject."
## [13999] ""
## [14000] "\"On the misery of what she had suffered, during the concealment of so"
## [14001] "many months,\" continued Mrs. Weston, \"she was energetic. This was one"
## [14002] "of her expressions. 'I will not say, that since I entered into the"
## [14003] "engagement I have not had some happy moments; but I can say, that I have"
## [14004] "never known the blessing of one tranquil hour:'--and the quivering lip,"
## [14005] "Emma, which uttered it, was an attestation that I felt at my heart.\""
## [14006] ""
## [14007] "\"Poor girl!\" said Emma. \"She thinks herself wrong, then, for having"
## [14008] "consented to a private engagement?\""
## [14009] ""
## [14010] "\"Wrong! No one, I believe, can blame her more than she is disposed"
## [14011] "to blame herself. 'The consequence,' said she, 'has been a state of"
## [14012] "perpetual suffering to me; and so it ought. But after all the punishment"
## [14013] "that misconduct can bring, it is still not less misconduct. Pain is no"
## [14014] "expiation. I never can be blameless. I have been acting contrary to all"
## [14015] "my sense of right; and the fortunate turn that every thing has taken,"
## [14016] "and the kindness I am now receiving, is what my conscience tells me"
## [14017] "ought not to be.' 'Do not imagine, madam,' she continued, 'that I was"
## [14018] "taught wrong. Do not let any reflection fall on the principles or the"
## [14019] "care of the friends who brought me up. The error has been all my own;"
## [14020] "and I do assure you that, with all the excuse that present circumstances"
## [14021] "may appear to give, I shall yet dread making the story known to Colonel"
## [14022] "Campbell.'\""
## [14023] ""
## [14024] "\"Poor girl!\" said Emma again. \"She loves him then excessively, I"
## [14025] "suppose. It must have been from attachment only, that she could be"
## [14026] "led to form the engagement. Her affection must have overpowered her"
## [14027] "judgment.\""
## [14028] ""
## [14029] "\"Yes, I have no doubt of her being extremely attached to him.\""
## [14030] ""
## [14031] "\"I am afraid,\" returned Emma, sighing, \"that I must often have"
## [14032] "contributed to make her unhappy.\""
## [14033] ""
## [14034] "\"On your side, my love, it was very innocently done. But she"
## [14035] "probably had something of that in her thoughts, when alluding to the"
## [14036] "misunderstandings which he had given us hints of before. One natural"
## [14037] "consequence of the evil she had involved herself in,\" she said, \"was"
## [14038] "that of making her _unreasonable_. The consciousness of having done"
## [14039] "amiss, had exposed her to a thousand inquietudes, and made her captious"
## [14040] "and irritable to a degree that must have been--that had been--hard for"
## [14041] "him to bear. 'I did not make the allowances,' said she, 'which I ought"
## [14042] "to have done, for his temper and spirits--his delightful spirits, and"
## [14043] "that gaiety, that playfulness of disposition, which, under any other"
## [14044] "circumstances, would, I am sure, have been as constantly bewitching to"
## [14045] "me, as they were at first.' She then began to speak of you, and of the"
## [14046] "great kindness you had shewn her during her illness; and with a blush"
## [14047] "which shewed me how it was all connected, desired me, whenever I had"
## [14048] "an opportunity, to thank you--I could not thank you too much--for every"
## [14049] "wish and every endeavour to do her good. She was sensible that you had"
## [14050] "never received any proper acknowledgment from herself.\""
## [14051] ""
## [14052] "\"If I did not know her to be happy now,\" said Emma, seriously, \"which,"
## [14053] "in spite of every little drawback from her scrupulous conscience, she"
## [14054] "must be, I could not bear these thanks;--for, oh! Mrs. Weston, if there"
## [14055] "were an account drawn up of the evil and the good I have done Miss"
## [14056] "Fairfax!--Well (checking herself, and trying to be more lively), this"
## [14057] "is all to be forgotten. You are very kind to bring me these interesting"
## [14058] "particulars. They shew her to the greatest advantage. I am sure she is"
## [14059] "very good--I hope she will be very happy. It is fit that the fortune"
## [14060] "should be on his side, for I think the merit will be all on hers.\""
## [14061] ""
## [14062] "Such a conclusion could not pass unanswered by Mrs. Weston. She thought"
## [14063] "well of Frank in almost every respect; and, what was more, she loved him"
## [14064] "very much, and her defence was, therefore, earnest. She talked with a"
## [14065] "great deal of reason, and at least equal affection--but she had too much"
## [14066] "to urge for Emma's attention; it was soon gone to Brunswick Square or"
## [14067] "to Donwell; she forgot to attempt to listen; and when Mrs. Weston ended"
## [14068] "with, \"We have not yet had the letter we are so anxious for, you know,"
## [14069] "but I hope it will soon come,\" she was obliged to pause before she"
## [14070] "answered, and at last obliged to answer at random, before she could at"
## [14071] "all recollect what letter it was which they were so anxious for."
## [14072] ""
## [14073] "\"Are you well, my Emma?\" was Mrs. Weston's parting question."
## [14074] ""
## [14075] "\"Oh! perfectly. I am always well, you know. Be sure to give me"
## [14076] "intelligence of the letter as soon as possible.\""
## [14077] ""
## [14078] "Mrs. Weston's communications furnished Emma with more food for"
## [14079] "unpleasant reflection, by increasing her esteem and compassion, and her"
## [14080] "sense of past injustice towards Miss Fairfax. She bitterly regretted"
## [14081] "not having sought a closer acquaintance with her, and blushed for the"
## [14082] "envious feelings which had certainly been, in some measure, the cause."
## [14083] "Had she followed Mr. Knightley's known wishes, in paying that attention"
## [14084] "to Miss Fairfax, which was every way her due; had she tried to know her"
## [14085] "better; had she done her part towards intimacy; had she endeavoured"
## [14086] "to find a friend there instead of in Harriet Smith; she must, in all"
## [14087] "probability, have been spared from every pain which pressed on her"
## [14088] "now.--Birth, abilities, and education, had been equally marking one as"
## [14089] "an associate for her, to be received with gratitude; and the other--what"
## [14090] "was she?--Supposing even that they had never become intimate friends;"
## [14091] "that she had never been admitted into Miss Fairfax's confidence on this"
## [14092] "important matter--which was most probable--still, in knowing her as"
## [14093] "she ought, and as she might, she must have been preserved from the"
## [14094] "abominable suspicions of an improper attachment to Mr. Dixon, which she"
## [14095] "had not only so foolishly fashioned and harboured herself, but had so"
## [14096] "unpardonably imparted; an idea which she greatly feared had been made a"
## [14097] "subject of material distress to the delicacy of Jane's feelings, by the"
## [14098] "levity or carelessness of Frank Churchill's. Of all the sources of evil"
## [14099] "surrounding the former, since her coming to Highbury, she was persuaded"
## [14100] "that she must herself have been the worst. She must have been a"
## [14101] "perpetual enemy. They never could have been all three together, without"
## [14102] "her having stabbed Jane Fairfax's peace in a thousand instances; and on"
## [14103] "Box Hill, perhaps, it had been the agony of a mind that would bear no"
## [14104] "more."
## [14105] ""
## [14106] "The evening of this day was very long, and melancholy, at Hartfield."
## [14107] "The weather added what it could of gloom. A cold stormy rain set in, and"
## [14108] "nothing of July appeared but in the trees and shrubs, which the wind was"
## [14109] "despoiling, and the length of the day, which only made such cruel sights"
## [14110] "the longer visible."
## [14111] ""
## [14112] "The weather affected Mr. Woodhouse, and he could only be kept tolerably"
## [14113] "comfortable by almost ceaseless attention on his daughter's side, and by"
## [14114] "exertions which had never cost her half so much before. It reminded"
## [14115] "her of their first forlorn tete-a-tete, on the evening of Mrs. Weston's"
## [14116] "wedding-day; but Mr. Knightley had walked in then, soon after tea,"
## [14117] "and dissipated every melancholy fancy. Alas! such delightful proofs of"
## [14118] "Hartfield's attraction, as those sort of visits conveyed, might shortly"
## [14119] "be over. The picture which she had then drawn of the privations of the"
## [14120] "approaching winter, had proved erroneous; no friends had deserted them,"
## [14121] "no pleasures had been lost.--But her present forebodings she feared"
## [14122] "would experience no similar contradiction. The prospect before her now,"
## [14123] "was threatening to a degree that could not be entirely dispelled--that"
## [14124] "might not be even partially brightened. If all took place that"
## [14125] "might take place among the circle of her friends, Hartfield must be"
## [14126] "comparatively deserted; and she left to cheer her father with the"
## [14127] "spirits only of ruined happiness."
## [14128] ""
## [14129] "The child to be born at Randalls must be a tie there even dearer than"
## [14130] "herself; and Mrs. Weston's heart and time would be occupied by it."
## [14131] "They should lose her; and, probably, in great measure, her husband"
## [14132] "also.--Frank Churchill would return among them no more; and Miss"
## [14133] "Fairfax, it was reasonable to suppose, would soon cease to belong to"
## [14134] "Highbury. They would be married, and settled either at or near Enscombe."
## [14135] "All that were good would be withdrawn; and if to these losses, the"
## [14136] "loss of Donwell were to be added, what would remain of cheerful or"
## [14137] "of rational society within their reach? Mr. Knightley to be no longer"
## [14138] "coming there for his evening comfort!--No longer walking in at all"
## [14139] "hours, as if ever willing to change his own home for their's!--How was"
## [14140] "it to be endured? And if he were to be lost to them for Harriet's sake;"
## [14141] "if he were to be thought of hereafter, as finding in Harriet's society"
## [14142] "all that he wanted; if Harriet were to be the chosen, the first,"
## [14143] "the dearest, the friend, the wife to whom he looked for all the best"
## [14144] "blessings of existence; what could be increasing Emma's wretchedness but"
## [14145] "the reflection never far distant from her mind, that it had been all her"
## [14146] "own work?"
## [14147] ""
## [14148] "When it came to such a pitch as this, she was not able to refrain from"
## [14149] "a start, or a heavy sigh, or even from walking about the room for a"
## [14150] "few seconds--and the only source whence any thing like consolation"
## [14151] "or composure could be drawn, was in the resolution of her own better"
## [14152] "conduct, and the hope that, however inferior in spirit and gaiety might"
## [14153] "be the following and every future winter of her life to the past, it"
## [14154] "would yet find her more rational, more acquainted with herself, and"
## [14155] "leave her less to regret when it were gone."
## [14156] ""
## [14157] ""
## [14158] ""
## [14159] "CHAPTER XIII"
## [14160] ""
## [14161] ""
## [14162] "The weather continued much the same all the following morning; and"
## [14163] "the same loneliness, and the same melancholy, seemed to reign at"
## [14164] "Hartfield--but in the afternoon it cleared; the wind changed into a"
## [14165] "softer quarter; the clouds were carried off; the sun appeared; it was"
## [14166] "summer again. With all the eagerness which such a transition gives, Emma"
## [14167] "resolved to be out of doors as soon as possible. Never had the exquisite"
## [14168] "sight, smell, sensation of nature, tranquil, warm, and brilliant after"
## [14169] "a storm, been more attractive to her. She longed for the serenity they"
## [14170] "might gradually introduce; and on Mr. Perry's coming in soon after"
## [14171] "dinner, with a disengaged hour to give her father, she lost no time"
## [14172] "in hurrying into the shrubbery.--There, with spirits freshened, and"
## [14173] "thoughts a little relieved, she had taken a few turns, when she saw Mr."
## [14174] "Knightley passing through the garden door, and coming towards her.--It"
## [14175] "was the first intimation of his being returned from London. She had"
## [14176] "been thinking of him the moment before, as unquestionably sixteen miles"
## [14177] "distant.--There was time only for the quickest arrangement of mind. She"
## [14178] "must be collected and calm. In half a minute they were together. The"
## [14179] "\"How d'ye do's\" were quiet and constrained on each side. She asked after"
## [14180] "their mutual friends; they were all well.--When had he left them?--Only"
## [14181] "that morning. He must have had a wet ride.--Yes.--He meant to walk with"
## [14182] "her, she found. \"He had just looked into the dining-room, and as he was"
## [14183] "not wanted there, preferred being out of doors.\"--She thought he neither"
## [14184] "looked nor spoke cheerfully; and the first possible cause for it,"
## [14185] "suggested by her fears, was, that he had perhaps been communicating his"
## [14186] "plans to his brother, and was pained by the manner in which they had"
## [14187] "been received."
## [14188] ""
## [14189] "They walked together. He was silent. She thought he was often looking"
## [14190] "at her, and trying for a fuller view of her face than it suited her to"
## [14191] "give. And this belief produced another dread. Perhaps he wanted to"
## [14192] "speak to her, of his attachment to Harriet; he might be watching for"
## [14193] "encouragement to begin.--She did not, could not, feel equal to lead the"
## [14194] "way to any such subject. He must do it all himself. Yet she could"
## [14195] "not bear this silence. With him it was most unnatural. She"
## [14196] "considered--resolved--and, trying to smile, began--"
## [14197] ""
## [14198] "\"You have some news to hear, now you are come back, that will rather"
## [14199] "surprize you.\""
## [14200] ""
## [14201] "\"Have I?\" said he quietly, and looking at her; \"of what nature?\""
## [14202] ""
## [14203] "\"Oh! the best nature in the world--a wedding.\""
## [14204] ""
## [14205] "After waiting a moment, as if to be sure she intended to say no more, he"
## [14206] "replied,"
## [14207] ""
## [14208] "\"If you mean Miss Fairfax and Frank Churchill, I have heard that"
## [14209] "already.\""
## [14210] ""
## [14211] "\"How is it possible?\" cried Emma, turning her glowing cheeks towards"
## [14212] "him; for, while she spoke, it occurred to her that he might have called"
## [14213] "at Mrs. Goddard's in his way."
## [14214] ""
## [14215] "\"I had a few lines on parish business from Mr. Weston this morning, and"
## [14216] "at the end of them he gave me a brief account of what had happened.\""
## [14217] ""
## [14218] "Emma was quite relieved, and could presently say, with a little more"
## [14219] "composure,"
## [14220] ""
## [14221] "\"_You_ probably have been less surprized than any of us, for you have"
## [14222] "had your suspicions.--I have not forgotten that you once tried to give"
## [14223] "me a caution.--I wish I had attended to it--but--(with a sinking voice"
## [14224] "and a heavy sigh) I seem to have been doomed to blindness.\""
## [14225] ""
## [14226] "For a moment or two nothing was said, and she was unsuspicious of having"
## [14227] "excited any particular interest, till she found her arm drawn within"
## [14228] "his, and pressed against his heart, and heard him thus saying, in a tone"
## [14229] "of great sensibility, speaking low,"
## [14230] ""
## [14231] "\"Time, my dearest Emma, time will heal the wound.--Your own excellent"
## [14232] "sense--your exertions for your father's sake--I know you will not allow"
## [14233] "yourself--.\" Her arm was pressed again, as he added, in a more"
## [14234] "broken and subdued accent, \"The feelings of the warmest"
## [14235] "friendship--Indignation--Abominable scoundrel!\"--And in a louder,"
## [14236] "steadier tone, he concluded with, \"He will soon be gone. They will soon"
## [14237] "be in Yorkshire. I am sorry for _her_. She deserves a better fate.\""
## [14238] ""
## [14239] "Emma understood him; and as soon as she could recover from the flutter"
## [14240] "of pleasure, excited by such tender consideration, replied,"
## [14241] ""
## [14242] "\"You are very kind--but you are mistaken--and I must set you right.--"
## [14243] "I am not in want of that sort of compassion. My blindness to what was"
## [14244] "going on, led me to act by them in a way that I must always be ashamed"
## [14245] "of, and I was very foolishly tempted to say and do many things which may"
## [14246] "well lay me open to unpleasant conjectures, but I have no other reason"
## [14247] "to regret that I was not in the secret earlier.\""
## [14248] ""
## [14249] "\"Emma!\" cried he, looking eagerly at her, \"are you, indeed?\"--but"
## [14250] "checking himself--\"No, no, I understand you--forgive me--I am pleased"
## [14251] "that you can say even so much.--He is no object of regret, indeed! and"
## [14252] "it will not be very long, I hope, before that becomes the acknowledgment"
## [14253] "of more than your reason.--Fortunate that your affections were not"
## [14254] "farther entangled!--I could never, I confess, from your manners, assure"
## [14255] "myself as to the degree of what you felt--I could only be certain that"
## [14256] "there was a preference--and a preference which I never believed him to"
## [14257] "deserve.--He is a disgrace to the name of man.--And is he to be rewarded"
## [14258] "with that sweet young woman?--Jane, Jane, you will be a miserable"
## [14259] "creature.\""
## [14260] ""
## [14261] "\"Mr. Knightley,\" said Emma, trying to be lively, but really confused--\"I"
## [14262] "am in a very extraordinary situation. I cannot let you continue in your"
## [14263] "error; and yet, perhaps, since my manners gave such an impression, I"
## [14264] "have as much reason to be ashamed of confessing that I never have been"
## [14265] "at all attached to the person we are speaking of, as it might be natural"
## [14266] "for a woman to feel in confessing exactly the reverse.--But I never"
## [14267] "have.\""
## [14268] ""
## [14269] "He listened in perfect silence. She wished him to speak, but he would"
## [14270] "not. She supposed she must say more before she were entitled to his"
## [14271] "clemency; but it was a hard case to be obliged still to lower herself in"
## [14272] "his opinion. She went on, however."
## [14273] ""
## [14274] "\"I have very little to say for my own conduct.--I was tempted by his"
## [14275] "attentions, and allowed myself to appear pleased.--An old story,"
## [14276] "probably--a common case--and no more than has happened to hundreds of my"
## [14277] "sex before; and yet it may not be the more excusable in one who sets up"
## [14278] "as I do for Understanding. Many circumstances assisted the temptation."
## [14279] "He was the son of Mr. Weston--he was continually here--I always found"
## [14280] "him very pleasant--and, in short, for (with a sigh) let me swell out the"
## [14281] "causes ever so ingeniously, they all centre in this at last--my vanity"
## [14282] "was flattered, and I allowed his attentions. Latterly, however--for some"
## [14283] "time, indeed--I have had no idea of their meaning any thing.--I thought"
## [14284] "them a habit, a trick, nothing that called for seriousness on my side."
## [14285] "He has imposed on me, but he has not injured me. I have never been"
## [14286] "attached to him. And now I can tolerably comprehend his behaviour. He"
## [14287] "never wished to attach me. It was merely a blind to conceal his real"
## [14288] "situation with another.--It was his object to blind all about him; and"
## [14289] "no one, I am sure, could be more effectually blinded than myself--except"
## [14290] "that I was _not_ blinded--that it was my good fortune--that, in short, I"
## [14291] "was somehow or other safe from him.\""
## [14292] ""
## [14293] "She had hoped for an answer here--for a few words to say that her"
## [14294] "conduct was at least intelligible; but he was silent; and, as far as she"
## [14295] "could judge, deep in thought. At last, and tolerably in his usual tone,"
## [14296] "he said,"
## [14297] ""
## [14298] "\"I have never had a high opinion of Frank Churchill.--I can suppose,"
## [14299] "however, that I may have underrated him. My acquaintance with him has"
## [14300] "been but trifling.--And even if I have not underrated him hitherto, he"
## [14301] "may yet turn out well.--With such a woman he has a chance.--I have no"
## [14302] "motive for wishing him ill--and for her sake, whose happiness will be"
## [14303] "involved in his good character and conduct, I shall certainly wish him"
## [14304] "well.\""
## [14305] ""
## [14306] "\"I have no doubt of their being happy together,\" said Emma; \"I believe"
## [14307] "them to be very mutually and very sincerely attached.\""
## [14308] ""
## [14309] "\"He is a most fortunate man!\" returned Mr. Knightley, with energy. \"So"
## [14310] "early in life--at three-and-twenty--a period when, if a man chuses a"
## [14311] "wife, he generally chuses ill. At three-and-twenty to have drawn such"
## [14312] "a prize! What years of felicity that man, in all human calculation,"
## [14313] "has before him!--Assured of the love of such a woman--the disinterested"
## [14314] "love, for Jane Fairfax's character vouches for her disinterestedness;"
## [14315] "every thing in his favour,--equality of situation--I mean, as far as"
## [14316] "regards society, and all the habits and manners that are important;"
## [14317] "equality in every point but one--and that one, since the purity of her"
## [14318] "heart is not to be doubted, such as must increase his felicity, for it"
## [14319] "will be his to bestow the only advantages she wants.--A man would always"
## [14320] "wish to give a woman a better home than the one he takes her from;"
## [14321] "and he who can do it, where there is no doubt of _her_ regard, must,"
## [14322] "I think, be the happiest of mortals.--Frank Churchill is, indeed, the"
## [14323] "favourite of fortune. Every thing turns out for his good.--He meets"
## [14324] "with a young woman at a watering-place, gains her affection, cannot even"
## [14325] "weary her by negligent treatment--and had he and all his family sought"
## [14326] "round the world for a perfect wife for him, they could not have found"
## [14327] "her superior.--His aunt is in the way.--His aunt dies.--He has only to"
## [14328] "speak.--His friends are eager to promote his happiness.--He had used"
## [14329] "every body ill--and they are all delighted to forgive him.--He is a"
## [14330] "fortunate man indeed!\""
## [14331] ""
## [14332] "\"You speak as if you envied him.\""
## [14333] ""
## [14334] "\"And I do envy him, Emma. In one respect he is the object of my envy.\""
## [14335] ""
## [14336] "Emma could say no more. They seemed to be within half a sentence"
## [14337] "of Harriet, and her immediate feeling was to avert the subject, if"
## [14338] "possible. She made her plan; she would speak of something totally"
## [14339] "different--the children in Brunswick Square; and she only waited for"
## [14340] "breath to begin, when Mr. Knightley startled her, by saying,"
## [14341] ""
## [14342] "\"You will not ask me what is the point of envy.--You are determined, I"
## [14343] "see, to have no curiosity.--You are wise--but _I_ cannot be wise. Emma,"
## [14344] "I must tell you what you will not ask, though I may wish it unsaid the"
## [14345] "next moment.\""
## [14346] ""
## [14347] "\"Oh! then, don't speak it, don't speak it,\" she eagerly cried. \"Take a"
## [14348] "little time, consider, do not commit yourself.\""
## [14349] ""
## [14350] "\"Thank you,\" said he, in an accent of deep mortification, and not"
## [14351] "another syllable followed."
## [14352] ""
## [14353] "Emma could not bear to give him pain. He was wishing to confide in"
## [14354] "her--perhaps to consult her;--cost her what it would, she would listen."
## [14355] "She might assist his resolution, or reconcile him to it; she might give"
## [14356] "just praise to Harriet, or, by representing to him his own independence,"
## [14357] "relieve him from that state of indecision, which must be more"
## [14358] "intolerable than any alternative to such a mind as his.--They had"
## [14359] "reached the house."
## [14360] ""
## [14361] "\"You are going in, I suppose?\" said he."
## [14362] ""
## [14363] "\"No,\"--replied Emma--quite confirmed by the depressed manner in which"
## [14364] "he still spoke--\"I should like to take another turn. Mr. Perry is not"
## [14365] "gone.\" And, after proceeding a few steps, she added--\"I stopped you"
## [14366] "ungraciously, just now, Mr. Knightley, and, I am afraid, gave you"
## [14367] "pain.--But if you have any wish to speak openly to me as a friend, or"
## [14368] "to ask my opinion of any thing that you may have in contemplation--as"
## [14369] "a friend, indeed, you may command me.--I will hear whatever you like. I"
## [14370] "will tell you exactly what I think.\""
## [14371] ""
## [14372] "\"As a friend!\"--repeated Mr. Knightley.--\"Emma, that I fear is a"
## [14373] "word--No, I have no wish--Stay, yes, why should I hesitate?--I"
## [14374] "have gone too far already for concealment.--Emma, I accept your"
## [14375] "offer--Extraordinary as it may seem, I accept it, and refer myself to"
## [14376] "you as a friend.--Tell me, then, have I no chance of ever succeeding?\""
## [14377] ""
## [14378] "He stopped in his earnestness to look the question, and the expression"
## [14379] "of his eyes overpowered her."
## [14380] ""
## [14381] "\"My dearest Emma,\" said he, \"for dearest you will always be, whatever"
## [14382] "the event of this hour's conversation, my dearest, most beloved"
## [14383] "Emma--tell me at once. Say 'No,' if it is to be said.\"--She could"
## [14384] "really say nothing.--\"You are silent,\" he cried, with great animation;"
## [14385] "\"absolutely silent! at present I ask no more.\""
## [14386] ""
## [14387] "Emma was almost ready to sink under the agitation of this moment. The"
## [14388] "dread of being awakened from the happiest dream, was perhaps the most"
## [14389] "prominent feeling."
## [14390] ""
## [14391] "\"I cannot make speeches, Emma:\" he soon resumed; and in a tone of"
## [14392] "such sincere, decided, intelligible tenderness as was tolerably"
## [14393] "convincing.--\"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it"
## [14394] "more. But you know what I am.--You hear nothing but truth from me.--I"
## [14395] "have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other"
## [14396] "woman in England would have borne it.--Bear with the truths I would"
## [14397] "tell you now, dearest Emma, as well as you have borne with them. The"
## [14398] "manner, perhaps, may have as little to recommend them. God knows, I have"
## [14399] "been a very indifferent lover.--But you understand me.--Yes, you see,"
## [14400] "you understand my feelings--and will return them if you can. At present,"
## [14401] "I ask only to hear, once to hear your voice.\""
## [14402] ""
## [14403] "While he spoke, Emma's mind was most busy, and, with all the wonderful"
## [14404] "velocity of thought, had been able--and yet without losing a word--to"
## [14405] "catch and comprehend the exact truth of the whole; to see that Harriet's"
## [14406] "hopes had been entirely groundless, a mistake, a delusion, as complete a"
## [14407] "delusion as any of her own--that Harriet was nothing; that she was every"
## [14408] "thing herself; that what she had been saying relative to Harriet"
## [14409] "had been all taken as the language of her own feelings; and that her"
## [14410] "agitation, her doubts, her reluctance, her discouragement, had been all"
## [14411] "received as discouragement from herself.--And not only was there time"
## [14412] "for these convictions, with all their glow of attendant happiness; there"
## [14413] "was time also to rejoice that Harriet's secret had not escaped her, and"
## [14414] "to resolve that it need not, and should not.--It was all the service"
## [14415] "she could now render her poor friend; for as to any of that heroism of"
## [14416] "sentiment which might have prompted her to entreat him to transfer his"
## [14417] "affection from herself to Harriet, as infinitely the most worthy of the"
## [14418] "two--or even the more simple sublimity of resolving to refuse him at"
## [14419] "once and for ever, without vouchsafing any motive, because he could not"
## [14420] "marry them both, Emma had it not. She felt for Harriet, with pain and"
## [14421] "with contrition; but no flight of generosity run mad, opposing all that"
## [14422] "could be probable or reasonable, entered her brain. She had led her"
## [14423] "friend astray, and it would be a reproach to her for ever; but her"
## [14424] "judgment was as strong as her feelings, and as strong as it had ever"
## [14425] "been before, in reprobating any such alliance for him, as most unequal"
## [14426] "and degrading. Her way was clear, though not quite smooth.--She spoke"
## [14427] "then, on being so entreated.--What did she say?--Just what she ought,"
## [14428] "of course. A lady always does.--She said enough to shew there need not"
## [14429] "be despair--and to invite him to say more himself. He _had_ despaired at"
## [14430] "one period; he had received such an injunction to caution and silence,"
## [14431] "as for the time crushed every hope;--she had begun by refusing to hear"
## [14432] "him.--The change had perhaps been somewhat sudden;--her proposal of"
## [14433] "taking another turn, her renewing the conversation which she had"
## [14434] "just put an end to, might be a little extraordinary!--She felt its"
## [14435] "inconsistency; but Mr. Knightley was so obliging as to put up with it,"
## [14436] "and seek no farther explanation."
## [14437] ""
## [14438] "Seldom, very seldom, does complete truth belong to any human disclosure;"
## [14439] "seldom can it happen that something is not a little disguised, or a"
## [14440] "little mistaken; but where, as in this case, though the conduct is"
## [14441] "mistaken, the feelings are not, it may not be very material.--Mr."
## [14442] "Knightley could not impute to Emma a more relenting heart than she"
## [14443] "possessed, or a heart more disposed to accept of his."
## [14444] ""
## [14445] "He had, in fact, been wholly unsuspicious of his own influence. He had"
## [14446] "followed her into the shrubbery with no idea of trying it. He had come,"
## [14447] "in his anxiety to see how she bore Frank Churchill's engagement, with no"
## [14448] "selfish view, no view at all, but of endeavouring, if she allowed him an"
## [14449] "opening, to soothe or to counsel her.--The rest had been the work of"
## [14450] "the moment, the immediate effect of what he heard, on his feelings. The"
## [14451] "delightful assurance of her total indifference towards Frank Churchill,"
## [14452] "of her having a heart completely disengaged from him, had given birth"
## [14453] "to the hope, that, in time, he might gain her affection himself;--but"
## [14454] "it had been no present hope--he had only, in the momentary conquest of"
## [14455] "eagerness over judgment, aspired to be told that she did not forbid his"
## [14456] "attempt to attach her.--The superior hopes which gradually opened were"
## [14457] "so much the more enchanting.--The affection, which he had been asking"
## [14458] "to be allowed to create, if he could, was already his!--Within half"
## [14459] "an hour, he had passed from a thoroughly distressed state of mind, to"
## [14460] "something so like perfect happiness, that it could bear no other name."
## [14461] ""
## [14462] "_Her_ change was equal.--This one half-hour had given to each the same"
## [14463] "precious certainty of being beloved, had cleared from each the same"
## [14464] "degree of ignorance, jealousy, or distrust.--On his side, there had been"
## [14465] "a long-standing jealousy, old as the arrival, or even the expectation,"
## [14466] "of Frank Churchill.--He had been in love with Emma, and jealous of Frank"
## [14467] "Churchill, from about the same period, one sentiment having probably"
## [14468] "enlightened him as to the other. It was his jealousy of Frank Churchill"
## [14469] "that had taken him from the country.--The Box Hill party had decided"
## [14470] "him on going away. He would save himself from witnessing again"
## [14471] "such permitted, encouraged attentions.--He had gone to learn to be"
## [14472] "indifferent.--But he had gone to a wrong place. There was too much"
## [14473] "domestic happiness in his brother's house; woman wore too amiable a form"
## [14474] "in it; Isabella was too much like Emma--differing only in those striking"
## [14475] "inferiorities, which always brought the other in brilliancy before"
## [14476] "him, for much to have been done, even had his time been longer.--He had"
## [14477] "stayed on, however, vigorously, day after day--till this very morning's"
## [14478] "post had conveyed the history of Jane Fairfax.--Then, with the gladness"
## [14479] "which must be felt, nay, which he did not scruple to feel, having never"
## [14480] "believed Frank Churchill to be at all deserving Emma, was there so much"
## [14481] "fond solicitude, so much keen anxiety for her, that he could stay no"
## [14482] "longer. He had ridden home through the rain; and had walked up directly"
## [14483] "after dinner, to see how this sweetest and best of all creatures,"
## [14484] "faultless in spite of all her faults, bore the discovery."
## [14485] ""
## [14486] "He had found her agitated and low.--Frank Churchill was a villain.--"
## [14487] "He heard her declare that she had never loved him. Frank Churchill's"
## [14488] "character was not desperate.--She was his own Emma, by hand and word,"
## [14489] "when they returned into the house; and if he could have thought of Frank"
## [14490] "Churchill then, he might have deemed him a very good sort of fellow."
## [14491] ""
## [14492] ""
## [14493] ""
## [14494] "CHAPTER XIV"
## [14495] ""
## [14496] ""
## [14497] "What totally different feelings did Emma take back into the house from"
## [14498] "what she had brought out!--she had then been only daring to hope for"
## [14499] "a little respite of suffering;--she was now in an exquisite flutter of"
## [14500] "happiness, and such happiness moreover as she believed must still be"
## [14501] "greater when the flutter should have passed away."
## [14502] ""
## [14503] "They sat down to tea--the same party round the same table--how often"
## [14504] "it had been collected!--and how often had her eyes fallen on the same"
## [14505] "shrubs in the lawn, and observed the same beautiful effect of the"
## [14506] "western sun!--But never in such a state of spirits, never in any thing"
## [14507] "like it; and it was with difficulty that she could summon enough of her"
## [14508] "usual self to be the attentive lady of the house, or even the attentive"
## [14509] "daughter."
## [14510] ""
## [14511] "Poor Mr. Woodhouse little suspected what was plotting against him in the"
## [14512] "breast of that man whom he was so cordially welcoming, and so anxiously"
## [14513] "hoping might not have taken cold from his ride.--Could he have seen the"
## [14514] "heart, he would have cared very little for the lungs; but without the"
## [14515] "most distant imagination of the impending evil, without the slightest"
## [14516] "perception of any thing extraordinary in the looks or ways of either,"
## [14517] "he repeated to them very comfortably all the articles of news he had"
## [14518] "received from Mr. Perry, and talked on with much self-contentment,"
## [14519] "totally unsuspicious of what they could have told him in return."
## [14520] ""
## [14521] "As long as Mr. Knightley remained with them, Emma's fever continued;"
## [14522] "but when he was gone, she began to be a little tranquillised and"
## [14523] "subdued--and in the course of the sleepless night, which was the tax"
## [14524] "for such an evening, she found one or two such very serious points"
## [14525] "to consider, as made her feel, that even her happiness must have some"
## [14526] "alloy. Her father--and Harriet. She could not be alone without feeling"
## [14527] "the full weight of their separate claims; and how to guard the comfort"
## [14528] "of both to the utmost, was the question. With respect to her father,"
## [14529] "it was a question soon answered. She hardly knew yet what Mr. Knightley"
## [14530] "would ask; but a very short parley with her own heart produced the most"
## [14531] "solemn resolution of never quitting her father.--She even wept over"
## [14532] "the idea of it, as a sin of thought. While he lived, it must be only an"
## [14533] "engagement; but she flattered herself, that if divested of the danger of"
## [14534] "drawing her away, it might become an increase of comfort to him.--How"
## [14535] "to do her best by Harriet, was of more difficult decision;--how to spare"
## [14536] "her from any unnecessary pain; how to make her any possible atonement;"
## [14537] "how to appear least her enemy?--On these subjects, her perplexity"
## [14538] "and distress were very great--and her mind had to pass again and"
## [14539] "again through every bitter reproach and sorrowful regret that had ever"
## [14540] "surrounded it.--She could only resolve at last, that she would still"
## [14541] "avoid a meeting with her, and communicate all that need be told by"
## [14542] "letter; that it would be inexpressibly desirable to have her removed"
## [14543] "just now for a time from Highbury, and--indulging in one scheme"
## [14544] "more--nearly resolve, that it might be practicable to get an invitation"
## [14545] "for her to Brunswick Square.--Isabella had been pleased with Harriet;"
## [14546] "and a few weeks spent in London must give her some amusement.--She did"
## [14547] "not think it in Harriet's nature to escape being benefited by novelty"
## [14548] "and variety, by the streets, the shops, and the children.--At any rate,"
## [14549] "it would be a proof of attention and kindness in herself, from whom"
## [14550] "every thing was due; a separation for the present; an averting of the"
## [14551] "evil day, when they must all be together again."
## [14552] ""
## [14553] "She rose early, and wrote her letter to Harriet; an employment which"
## [14554] "left her so very serious, so nearly sad, that Mr. Knightley, in walking"
## [14555] "up to Hartfield to breakfast, did not arrive at all too soon; and half"
## [14556] "an hour stolen afterwards to go over the same ground again with him,"
## [14557] "literally and figuratively, was quite necessary to reinstate her in a"
## [14558] "proper share of the happiness of the evening before."
## [14559] ""
## [14560] "He had not left her long, by no means long enough for her to have the"
## [14561] "slightest inclination for thinking of any body else, when a letter was"
## [14562] "brought her from Randalls--a very thick letter;--she guessed what it"
## [14563] "must contain, and deprecated the necessity of reading it.--She was now"
## [14564] "in perfect charity with Frank Churchill; she wanted no explanations, she"
## [14565] "wanted only to have her thoughts to herself--and as for understanding"
## [14566] "any thing he wrote, she was sure she was incapable of it.--It must be"
## [14567] "waded through, however. She opened the packet; it was too surely so;--a"
## [14568] "note from Mrs. Weston to herself, ushered in the letter from Frank to"
## [14569] "Mrs. Weston."
## [14570] ""
## [14571] "\"I have the greatest pleasure, my dear Emma, in forwarding to you the"
## [14572] "enclosed. I know what thorough justice you will do it, and have scarcely"
## [14573] "a doubt of its happy effect.--I think we shall never materially disagree"
## [14574] "about the writer again; but I will not delay you by a long preface.--We"
## [14575] "are quite well.--This letter has been the cure of all the little"
## [14576] "nervousness I have been feeling lately.--I did not quite like your looks"
## [14577] "on Tuesday, but it was an ungenial morning; and though you will never"
## [14578] "own being affected by weather, I think every body feels a north-east"
## [14579] "wind.--I felt for your dear father very much in the storm of Tuesday"
## [14580] "afternoon and yesterday morning, but had the comfort of hearing last"
## [14581] "night, by Mr. Perry, that it had not made him ill."
## [14582] ""
## [14583] " \"Yours ever,"
## [14584] " \"A. W.\""
## [14585] ""
## [14586] " [To Mrs. Weston.]"
## [14587] ""
## [14588] ""
## [14589] " WINDSOR-JULY."
## [14590] "MY DEAR MADAM,"
## [14591] ""
## [14592] "\"If I made myself intelligible yesterday, this letter will be"
## [14593] "expected; but expected or not, I know it will be read with candour and"
## [14594] "indulgence.--You are all goodness, and I believe there will be need of"
## [14595] "even all your goodness to allow for some parts of my past conduct.--But"
## [14596] "I have been forgiven by one who had still more to resent. My courage"
## [14597] "rises while I write. It is very difficult for the prosperous to be"
## [14598] "humble. I have already met with such success in two applications for"
## [14599] "pardon, that I may be in danger of thinking myself too sure of yours,"
## [14600] "and of those among your friends who have had any ground of offence.--You"
## [14601] "must all endeavour to comprehend the exact nature of my situation when I"
## [14602] "first arrived at Randalls; you must consider me as having a secret which"
## [14603] "was to be kept at all hazards. This was the fact. My right to place"
## [14604] "myself in a situation requiring such concealment, is another question."
## [14605] "I shall not discuss it here. For my temptation to _think_ it a right,"
## [14606] "I refer every caviller to a brick house, sashed windows below, and"
## [14607] "casements above, in Highbury. I dared not address her openly; my"
## [14608] "difficulties in the then state of Enscombe must be too well known to"
## [14609] "require definition; and I was fortunate enough to prevail, before we"
## [14610] "parted at Weymouth, and to induce the most upright female mind in the"
## [14611] "creation to stoop in charity to a secret engagement.--Had she refused, I"
## [14612] "should have gone mad.--But you will be ready to say, what was your"
## [14613] "hope in doing this?--What did you look forward to?--To any thing, every"
## [14614] "thing--to time, chance, circumstance, slow effects, sudden bursts,"
## [14615] "perseverance and weariness, health and sickness. Every possibility of"
## [14616] "good was before me, and the first of blessings secured, in obtaining her"
## [14617] "promises of faith and correspondence. If you need farther explanation,"
## [14618] "I have the honour, my dear madam, of being your husband's son, and"
## [14619] "the advantage of inheriting a disposition to hope for good, which no"
## [14620] "inheritance of houses or lands can ever equal the value of.--See"
## [14621] "me, then, under these circumstances, arriving on my first visit to"
## [14622] "Randalls;--and here I am conscious of wrong, for that visit might have"
## [14623] "been sooner paid. You will look back and see that I did not come till"
## [14624] "Miss Fairfax was in Highbury; and as _you_ were the person slighted, you"
## [14625] "will forgive me instantly; but I must work on my father's compassion, by"
## [14626] "reminding him, that so long as I absented myself from his house, so long"
## [14627] "I lost the blessing of knowing you. My behaviour, during the very"
## [14628] "happy fortnight which I spent with you, did not, I hope, lay me open to"
## [14629] "reprehension, excepting on one point. And now I come to the principal,"
## [14630] "the only important part of my conduct while belonging to you, which"
## [14631] "excites my own anxiety, or requires very solicitous explanation. With"
## [14632] "the greatest respect, and the warmest friendship, do I mention Miss"
## [14633] "Woodhouse; my father perhaps will think I ought to add, with the deepest"
## [14634] "humiliation.--A few words which dropped from him yesterday spoke his"
## [14635] "opinion, and some censure I acknowledge myself liable to.--My behaviour"
## [14636] "to Miss Woodhouse indicated, I believe, more than it ought.--In order to"
## [14637] "assist a concealment so essential to me, I was led on to make more than"
## [14638] "an allowable use of the sort of intimacy into which we were immediately"
## [14639] "thrown.--I cannot deny that Miss Woodhouse was my ostensible object--but"
## [14640] "I am sure you will believe the declaration, that had I not been"
## [14641] "convinced of her indifference, I would not have been induced by any"
## [14642] "selfish views to go on.--Amiable and delightful as Miss Woodhouse is,"
## [14643] "she never gave me the idea of a young woman likely to be attached; and"
## [14644] "that she was perfectly free from any tendency to being attached to me,"
## [14645] "was as much my conviction as my wish.--She received my attentions with"
## [14646] "an easy, friendly, goodhumoured playfulness, which exactly suited me."
## [14647] "We seemed to understand each other. From our relative situation, those"
## [14648] "attentions were her due, and were felt to be so.--Whether Miss Woodhouse"
## [14649] "began really to understand me before the expiration of that fortnight,"
## [14650] "I cannot say;--when I called to take leave of her, I remember that I was"
## [14651] "within a moment of confessing the truth, and I then fancied she was not"
## [14652] "without suspicion; but I have no doubt of her having since detected me,"
## [14653] "at least in some degree.--She may not have surmised the whole, but her"
## [14654] "quickness must have penetrated a part. I cannot doubt it. You will find,"
## [14655] "whenever the subject becomes freed from its present restraints, that it"
## [14656] "did not take her wholly by surprize. She frequently gave me hints of it."
## [14657] "I remember her telling me at the ball, that I owed Mrs. Elton gratitude"
## [14658] "for her attentions to Miss Fairfax.--I hope this history of my conduct"
## [14659] "towards her will be admitted by you and my father as great extenuation"
## [14660] "of what you saw amiss. While you considered me as having sinned against"
## [14661] "Emma Woodhouse, I could deserve nothing from either. Acquit me here, and"
## [14662] "procure for me, when it is allowable, the acquittal and good wishes"
## [14663] "of that said Emma Woodhouse, whom I regard with so much brotherly"
## [14664] "affection, as to long to have her as deeply and as happily in love as"
## [14665] "myself.--Whatever strange things I said or did during that fortnight,"
## [14666] "you have now a key to. My heart was in Highbury, and my business was to"
## [14667] "get my body thither as often as might be, and with the least suspicion."
## [14668] "If you remember any queernesses, set them all to the right account.--Of"
## [14669] "the pianoforte so much talked of, I feel it only necessary to say, that"
## [14670] "its being ordered was absolutely unknown to Miss F--, who would never"
## [14671] "have allowed me to send it, had any choice been given her.--The"
## [14672] "delicacy of her mind throughout the whole engagement, my dear madam,"
## [14673] "is much beyond my power of doing justice to. You will soon, I earnestly"
## [14674] "hope, know her thoroughly yourself.--No description can describe her."
## [14675] "She must tell you herself what she is--yet not by word, for never"
## [14676] "was there a human creature who would so designedly suppress her own"
## [14677] "merit.--Since I began this letter, which will be longer than I foresaw,"
## [14678] "I have heard from her.--She gives a good account of her own health; but"
## [14679] "as she never complains, I dare not depend. I want to have your opinion"
## [14680] "of her looks. I know you will soon call on her; she is living in dread"
## [14681] "of the visit. Perhaps it is paid already. Let me hear from you without"
## [14682] "delay; I am impatient for a thousand particulars. Remember how few"
## [14683] "minutes I was at Randalls, and in how bewildered, how mad a state: and"
## [14684] "I am not much better yet; still insane either from happiness or"
## [14685] "misery. When I think of the kindness and favour I have met with, of her"
## [14686] "excellence and patience, and my uncle's generosity, I am mad with joy:"
## [14687] "but when I recollect all the uneasiness I occasioned her, and how little"
## [14688] "I deserve to be forgiven, I am mad with anger. If I could but see her"
## [14689] "again!--But I must not propose it yet. My uncle has been too good for me"
## [14690] "to encroach.--I must still add to this long letter. You have not heard"
## [14691] "all that you ought to hear. I could not give any connected detail"
## [14692] "yesterday; but the suddenness, and, in one light, the unseasonableness"
## [14693] "with which the affair burst out, needs explanation; for though the event"
## [14694] "of the 26th ult., as you will conclude, immediately opened to me the"
## [14695] "happiest prospects, I should not have presumed on such early measures,"
## [14696] "but from the very particular circumstances, which left me not an hour to"
## [14697] "lose. I should myself have shrunk from any thing so hasty, and she"
## [14698] "would have felt every scruple of mine with multiplied strength and"
## [14699] "refinement.--But I had no choice. The hasty engagement she had entered"
## [14700] "into with that woman--Here, my dear madam, I was obliged to leave off"
## [14701] "abruptly, to recollect and compose myself.--I have been walking over"
## [14702] "the country, and am now, I hope, rational enough to make the rest of"
## [14703] "my letter what it ought to be.--It is, in fact, a most mortifying"
## [14704] "retrospect for me. I behaved shamefully. And here I can admit, that"
## [14705] "my manners to Miss W., in being unpleasant to Miss F., were highly"
## [14706] "blameable. _She_ disapproved them, which ought to have been enough.--My"
## [14707] "plea of concealing the truth she did not think sufficient.--She was"
## [14708] "displeased; I thought unreasonably so: I thought her, on a thousand"
## [14709] "occasions, unnecessarily scrupulous and cautious: I thought her even"
## [14710] "cold. But she was always right. If I had followed her judgment, and"
## [14711] "subdued my spirits to the level of what she deemed proper, I should have"
## [14712] "escaped the greatest unhappiness I have ever known.--We quarrelled.--"
## [14713] "Do you remember the morning spent at Donwell?--_There_ every little"
## [14714] "dissatisfaction that had occurred before came to a crisis. I was late;"
## [14715] "I met her walking home by herself, and wanted to walk with her, but she"
## [14716] "would not suffer it. She absolutely refused to allow me, which I then"
## [14717] "thought most unreasonable. Now, however, I see nothing in it but a very"
## [14718] "natural and consistent degree of discretion. While I, to blind the"
## [14719] "world to our engagement, was behaving one hour with objectionable"
## [14720] "particularity to another woman, was she to be consenting the next to a"
## [14721] "proposal which might have made every previous caution useless?--Had we"
## [14722] "been met walking together between Donwell and Highbury, the truth must"
## [14723] "have been suspected.--I was mad enough, however, to resent.--I doubted"
## [14724] "her affection. I doubted it more the next day on Box Hill; when,"
## [14725] "provoked by such conduct on my side, such shameful, insolent neglect"
## [14726] "of her, and such apparent devotion to Miss W., as it would have been"
## [14727] "impossible for any woman of sense to endure, she spoke her resentment in"
## [14728] "a form of words perfectly intelligible to me.--In short, my dear"
## [14729] "madam, it was a quarrel blameless on her side, abominable on mine; and"
## [14730] "I returned the same evening to Richmond, though I might have staid with"
## [14731] "you till the next morning, merely because I would be as angry with"
## [14732] "her as possible. Even then, I was not such a fool as not to mean to"
## [14733] "be reconciled in time; but I was the injured person, injured by her"
## [14734] "coldness, and I went away determined that she should make the first"
## [14735] "advances.--I shall always congratulate myself that you were not of"
## [14736] "the Box Hill party. Had you witnessed my behaviour there, I can hardly"
## [14737] "suppose you would ever have thought well of me again. Its effect upon"
## [14738] "her appears in the immediate resolution it produced: as soon as she"
## [14739] "found I was really gone from Randalls, she closed with the offer of that"
## [14740] "officious Mrs. Elton; the whole system of whose treatment of her, by the"
## [14741] "bye, has ever filled me with indignation and hatred. I must not quarrel"
## [14742] "with a spirit of forbearance which has been so richly extended towards"
## [14743] "myself; but, otherwise, I should loudly protest against the share of it"
## [14744] "which that woman has known.--'Jane,' indeed!--You will observe that I"
## [14745] "have not yet indulged myself in calling her by that name, even to you."
## [14746] "Think, then, what I must have endured in hearing it bandied between"
## [14747] "the Eltons with all the vulgarity of needless repetition, and all the"
## [14748] "insolence of imaginary superiority. Have patience with me, I shall soon"
## [14749] "have done.--She closed with this offer, resolving to break with me"
## [14750] "entirely, and wrote the next day to tell me that we never were to meet"
## [14751] "again.--_She_ _felt_ _the_ _engagement_ _to_ _be_ _a_ _source_ _of_"
## [14752] "_repentance_ _and_ _misery_ _to_ _each_: _she_ _dissolved_ _it_.--This"
## [14753] "letter reached me on the very morning of my poor aunt's death. I"
## [14754] "answered it within an hour; but from the confusion of my mind, and the"
## [14755] "multiplicity of business falling on me at once, my answer, instead of"
## [14756] "being sent with all the many other letters of that day, was locked up in"
## [14757] "my writing-desk; and I, trusting that I had written enough, though but"
## [14758] "a few lines, to satisfy her, remained without any uneasiness.--I was"
## [14759] "rather disappointed that I did not hear from her again speedily; but I"
## [14760] "made excuses for her, and was too busy, and--may I add?--too cheerful"
## [14761] "in my views to be captious.--We removed to Windsor; and two"
## [14762] "days afterwards I received a parcel from her, my own letters all"
## [14763] "returned!--and a few lines at the same time by the post, stating her"
## [14764] "extreme surprize at not having had the smallest reply to her last; and"
## [14765] "adding, that as silence on such a point could not be misconstrued,"
## [14766] "and as it must be equally desirable to both to have every subordinate"
## [14767] "arrangement concluded as soon as possible, she now sent me, by a safe"
## [14768] "conveyance, all my letters, and requested, that if I could not directly"
## [14769] "command hers, so as to send them to Highbury within a week, I would"
## [14770] "forward them after that period to her at--: in short, the full direction"
## [14771] "to Mr. Smallridge's, near Bristol, stared me in the face. I knew the"
## [14772] "name, the place, I knew all about it, and instantly saw what she had"
## [14773] "been doing. It was perfectly accordant with that resolution of character"
## [14774] "which I knew her to possess; and the secrecy she had maintained, as to"
## [14775] "any such design in her former letter, was equally descriptive of its"
## [14776] "anxious delicacy. For the world would not she have seemed to threaten"
## [14777] "me.--Imagine the shock; imagine how, till I had actually detected my"
## [14778] "own blunder, I raved at the blunders of the post.--What was to be"
## [14779] "done?--One thing only.--I must speak to my uncle. Without his sanction I"
## [14780] "could not hope to be listened to again.--I spoke; circumstances were"
## [14781] "in my favour; the late event had softened away his pride, and he was,"
## [14782] "earlier than I could have anticipated, wholly reconciled and complying;"
## [14783] "and could say at last, poor man! with a deep sigh, that he wished I"
## [14784] "might find as much happiness in the marriage state as he had done.--I"
## [14785] "felt that it would be of a different sort.--Are you disposed to pity"
## [14786] "me for what I must have suffered in opening the cause to him, for my"
## [14787] "suspense while all was at stake?--No; do not pity me till I reached"
## [14788] "Highbury, and saw how ill I had made her. Do not pity me till I saw her"
## [14789] "wan, sick looks.--I reached Highbury at the time of day when, from my"
## [14790] "knowledge of their late breakfast hour, I was certain of a good chance"
## [14791] "of finding her alone.--I was not disappointed; and at last I was not"
## [14792] "disappointed either in the object of my journey. A great deal of very"
## [14793] "reasonable, very just displeasure I had to persuade away. But it is"
## [14794] "done; we are reconciled, dearer, much dearer, than ever, and no moment's"
## [14795] "uneasiness can ever occur between us again. Now, my dear madam, I will"
## [14796] "release you; but I could not conclude before. A thousand and a thousand"
## [14797] "thanks for all the kindness you have ever shewn me, and ten thousand for"
## [14798] "the attentions your heart will dictate towards her.--If you think me in"
## [14799] "a way to be happier than I deserve, I am quite of your opinion.--Miss"
## [14800] "W. calls me the child of good fortune. I hope she is right.--In one"
## [14801] "respect, my good fortune is undoubted, that of being able to subscribe"
## [14802] "myself,"
## [14803] ""
## [14804] " Your obliged and affectionate Son,"
## [14805] ""
## [14806] " F. C. WESTON CHURCHILL."
## [14807] ""
## [14808] ""
## [14809] ""
## [14810] "CHAPTER XV"
## [14811] ""
## [14812] ""
## [14813] "This letter must make its way to Emma's feelings. She was obliged, in"
## [14814] "spite of her previous determination to the contrary, to do it all the"
## [14815] "justice that Mrs. Weston foretold. As soon as she came to her own name,"
## [14816] "it was irresistible; every line relating to herself was interesting,"
## [14817] "and almost every line agreeable; and when this charm ceased, the subject"
## [14818] "could still maintain itself, by the natural return of her former regard"
## [14819] "for the writer, and the very strong attraction which any picture of"
## [14820] "love must have for her at that moment. She never stopt till she had gone"
## [14821] "through the whole; and though it was impossible not to feel that he had"
## [14822] "been wrong, yet he had been less wrong than she had supposed--and he had"
## [14823] "suffered, and was very sorry--and he was so grateful to Mrs. Weston, and"
## [14824] "so much in love with Miss Fairfax, and she was so happy herself, that"
## [14825] "there was no being severe; and could he have entered the room, she must"
## [14826] "have shaken hands with him as heartily as ever."
## [14827] ""
## [14828] "She thought so well of the letter, that when Mr. Knightley came again,"
## [14829] "she desired him to read it. She was sure of Mrs. Weston's wishing it to"
## [14830] "be communicated; especially to one, who, like Mr. Knightley, had seen so"
## [14831] "much to blame in his conduct."
## [14832] ""
## [14833] "\"I shall be very glad to look it over,\" said he; \"but it seems long. I"
## [14834] "will take it home with me at night.\""
## [14835] ""
## [14836] "But that would not do. Mr. Weston was to call in the evening, and she"
## [14837] "must return it by him."
## [14838] ""
## [14839] "\"I would rather be talking to you,\" he replied; \"but as it seems a"
## [14840] "matter of justice, it shall be done.\""
## [14841] ""
## [14842] "He began--stopping, however, almost directly to say, \"Had I been offered"
## [14843] "the sight of one of this gentleman's letters to his mother-in-law a few"
## [14844] "months ago, Emma, it would not have been taken with such indifference.\""
## [14845] ""
## [14846] "He proceeded a little farther, reading to himself; and then, with a"
## [14847] "smile, observed, \"Humph! a fine complimentary opening: But it is his"
## [14848] "way. One man's style must not be the rule of another's. We will not be"
## [14849] "severe.\""
## [14850] ""
## [14851] "\"It will be natural for me,\" he added shortly afterwards, \"to speak my"
## [14852] "opinion aloud as I read. By doing it, I shall feel that I am near you."
## [14853] "It will not be so great a loss of time: but if you dislike it--\""
## [14854] ""
## [14855] "\"Not at all. I should wish it.\""
## [14856] ""
## [14857] "Mr. Knightley returned to his reading with greater alacrity."
## [14858] ""
## [14859] "\"He trifles here,\" said he, \"as to the temptation. He knows he is wrong,"
## [14860] "and has nothing rational to urge.--Bad.--He ought not to have formed the"
## [14861] "engagement.--'His father's disposition:'--he is unjust, however, to his"
## [14862] "father. Mr. Weston's sanguine temper was a blessing on all his upright"
## [14863] "and honourable exertions; but Mr. Weston earned every present comfort"
## [14864] "before he endeavoured to gain it.--Very true; he did not come till Miss"
## [14865] "Fairfax was here.\""
## [14866] ""
## [14867] "\"And I have not forgotten,\" said Emma, \"how sure you were that he might"
## [14868] "have come sooner if he would. You pass it over very handsomely--but you"
## [14869] "were perfectly right.\""
## [14870] ""
## [14871] "\"I was not quite impartial in my judgment, Emma:--but yet, I think--had"
## [14872] "_you_ not been in the case--I should still have distrusted him.\""
## [14873] ""
## [14874] "When he came to Miss Woodhouse, he was obliged to read the whole of it"
## [14875] "aloud--all that related to her, with a smile; a look; a shake of the"
## [14876] "head; a word or two of assent, or disapprobation; or merely of love, as"
## [14877] "the subject required; concluding, however, seriously, and, after steady"
## [14878] "reflection, thus--"
## [14879] ""
## [14880] "\"Very bad--though it might have been worse.--Playing a most dangerous"
## [14881] "game. Too much indebted to the event for his acquittal.--No judge of"
## [14882] "his own manners by you.--Always deceived in fact by his own wishes, and"
## [14883] "regardless of little besides his own convenience.--Fancying you to have"
## [14884] "fathomed his secret. Natural enough!--his own mind full of intrigue,"
## [14885] "that he should suspect it in others.--Mystery; Finesse--how they pervert"
## [14886] "the understanding! My Emma, does not every thing serve to prove more"
## [14887] "and more the beauty of truth and sincerity in all our dealings with each"
## [14888] "other?\""
## [14889] ""
## [14890] "Emma agreed to it, and with a blush of sensibility on Harriet's account,"
## [14891] "which she could not give any sincere explanation of."
## [14892] ""
## [14893] "\"You had better go on,\" said she."
## [14894] ""
## [14895] "He did so, but very soon stopt again to say, \"the pianoforte! Ah! That"
## [14896] "was the act of a very, very young man, one too young to consider whether"
## [14897] "the inconvenience of it might not very much exceed the pleasure. A"
## [14898] "boyish scheme, indeed!--I cannot comprehend a man's wishing to give a"
## [14899] "woman any proof of affection which he knows she would rather dispense"
## [14900] "with; and he did know that she would have prevented the instrument's"
## [14901] "coming if she could.\""
## [14902] ""
## [14903] "After this, he made some progress without any pause. Frank Churchill's"
## [14904] "confession of having behaved shamefully was the first thing to call for"
## [14905] "more than a word in passing."
## [14906] ""
## [14907] "\"I perfectly agree with you, sir,\"--was then his remark. \"You did behave"
## [14908] "very shamefully. You never wrote a truer line.\" And having gone through"
## [14909] "what immediately followed of the basis of their disagreement, and his"
## [14910] "persisting to act in direct opposition to Jane Fairfax's sense of right,"
## [14911] "he made a fuller pause to say, \"This is very bad.--He had induced her"
## [14912] "to place herself, for his sake, in a situation of extreme difficulty and"
## [14913] "uneasiness, and it should have been his first object to prevent her from"
## [14914] "suffering unnecessarily.--She must have had much more to contend"
## [14915] "with, in carrying on the correspondence, than he could. He should have"
## [14916] "respected even unreasonable scruples, had there been such; but hers were"
## [14917] "all reasonable. We must look to her one fault, and remember that she"
## [14918] "had done a wrong thing in consenting to the engagement, to bear that she"
## [14919] "should have been in such a state of punishment.\""
## [14920] ""
## [14921] "Emma knew that he was now getting to the Box Hill party, and grew"
## [14922] "uncomfortable. Her own behaviour had been so very improper! She was"
## [14923] "deeply ashamed, and a little afraid of his next look. It was all read,"
## [14924] "however, steadily, attentively, and without the smallest remark; and,"
## [14925] "excepting one momentary glance at her, instantly withdrawn, in the fear"
## [14926] "of giving pain--no remembrance of Box Hill seemed to exist."
## [14927] ""
## [14928] "\"There is no saying much for the delicacy of our good friends, the"
## [14929] "Eltons,\" was his next observation.--\"His feelings are natural.--What!"
## [14930] "actually resolve to break with him entirely!--She felt the engagement to"
## [14931] "be a source of repentance and misery to each--she dissolved it.--What a"
## [14932] "view this gives of her sense of his behaviour!--Well, he must be a most"
## [14933] "extraordinary--\""
## [14934] ""
## [14935] "\"Nay, nay, read on.--You will find how very much he suffers.\""
## [14936] ""
## [14937] "\"I hope he does,\" replied Mr. Knightley coolly, and resuming the letter."
## [14938] "\"'Smallridge!'--What does this mean? What is all this?\""
## [14939] ""
## [14940] "\"She had engaged to go as governess to Mrs. Smallridge's children--a"
## [14941] "dear friend of Mrs. Elton's--a neighbour of Maple Grove; and, by the"
## [14942] "bye, I wonder how Mrs. Elton bears the disappointment?\""
## [14943] ""
## [14944] "\"Say nothing, my dear Emma, while you oblige me to read--not even of"
## [14945] "Mrs. Elton. Only one page more. I shall soon have done. What a letter"
## [14946] "the man writes!\""
## [14947] ""
## [14948] "\"I wish you would read it with a kinder spirit towards him.\""
## [14949] ""
## [14950] "\"Well, there _is_ feeling here.--He does seem to have suffered in"
## [14951] "finding her ill.--Certainly, I can have no doubt of his being fond of"
## [14952] "her. 'Dearer, much dearer than ever.' I hope he may long continue to"
## [14953] "feel all the value of such a reconciliation.--He is a very liberal"
## [14954] "thanker, with his thousands and tens of thousands.--'Happier than I"
## [14955] "deserve.' Come, he knows himself there. 'Miss Woodhouse calls me the"
## [14956] "child of good fortune.'--Those were Miss Woodhouse's words, were they?--"
## [14957] "And a fine ending--and there is the letter. The child of good fortune!"
## [14958] "That was your name for him, was it?\""
## [14959] ""
## [14960] "\"You do not appear so well satisfied with his letter as I am; but still"
## [14961] "you must, at least I hope you must, think the better of him for it. I"
## [14962] "hope it does him some service with you.\""
## [14963] ""
## [14964] "\"Yes, certainly it does. He has had great faults, faults of"
## [14965] "inconsideration and thoughtlessness; and I am very much of his opinion"
## [14966] "in thinking him likely to be happier than he deserves: but still as he"
## [14967] "is, beyond a doubt, really attached to Miss Fairfax, and will soon, it"
## [14968] "may be hoped, have the advantage of being constantly with her, I am very"
## [14969] "ready to believe his character will improve, and acquire from hers the"
## [14970] "steadiness and delicacy of principle that it wants. And now, let me talk"
## [14971] "to you of something else. I have another person's interest at present"
## [14972] "so much at heart, that I cannot think any longer about Frank Churchill."
## [14973] "Ever since I left you this morning, Emma, my mind has been hard at work"
## [14974] "on one subject.\""
## [14975] ""
## [14976] "The subject followed; it was in plain, unaffected, gentlemanlike"
## [14977] "English, such as Mr. Knightley used even to the woman he was in love"
## [14978] "with, how to be able to ask her to marry him, without attacking the"
## [14979] "happiness of her father. Emma's answer was ready at the first word."
## [14980] "\"While her dear father lived, any change of condition must be impossible"
## [14981] "for her. She could never quit him.\" Part only of this answer, however,"
## [14982] "was admitted. The impossibility of her quitting her father, Mr."
## [14983] "Knightley felt as strongly as herself; but the inadmissibility of any"
## [14984] "other change, he could not agree to. He had been thinking it over most"
## [14985] "deeply, most intently; he had at first hoped to induce Mr. Woodhouse to"
## [14986] "remove with her to Donwell; he had wanted to believe it feasible, but"
## [14987] "his knowledge of Mr. Woodhouse would not suffer him to deceive himself"
## [14988] "long; and now he confessed his persuasion, that such a transplantation"
## [14989] "would be a risk of her father's comfort, perhaps even of his life, which"
## [14990] "must not be hazarded. Mr. Woodhouse taken from Hartfield!--No, he felt"
## [14991] "that it ought not to be attempted. But the plan which had arisen on the"
## [14992] "sacrifice of this, he trusted his dearest Emma would not find in any"
## [14993] "respect objectionable; it was, that he should be received at Hartfield;"
## [14994] "that so long as her father's happiness--in other words, his life--required"
## [14995] "Hartfield to continue her home, it should be his likewise."
## [14996] ""
## [14997] "Of their all removing to Donwell, Emma had already had her own passing"
## [14998] "thoughts. Like him, she had tried the scheme and rejected it; but such"
## [14999] "an alternative as this had not occurred to her. She was sensible of all"
## [15000] "the affection it evinced. She felt that, in quitting Donwell, he must"
## [15001] "be sacrificing a great deal of independence of hours and habits; that"
## [15002] "in living constantly with her father, and in no house of his own, there"
## [15003] "would be much, very much, to be borne with. She promised to think of it,"
## [15004] "and advised him to think of it more; but he was fully convinced, that no"
## [15005] "reflection could alter his wishes or his opinion on the subject. He had"
## [15006] "given it, he could assure her, very long and calm consideration; he had"
## [15007] "been walking away from William Larkins the whole morning, to have his"
## [15008] "thoughts to himself."
## [15009] ""
## [15010] "\"Ah! there is one difficulty unprovided for,\" cried Emma. \"I am sure"
## [15011] "William Larkins will not like it. You must get his consent before you"
## [15012] "ask mine.\""
## [15013] ""
## [15014] "She promised, however, to think of it; and pretty nearly promised,"
## [15015] "moreover, to think of it, with the intention of finding it a very good"
## [15016] "scheme."
## [15017] ""
## [15018] "It is remarkable, that Emma, in the many, very many, points of view in"
## [15019] "which she was now beginning to consider Donwell Abbey, was never"
## [15020] "struck with any sense of injury to her nephew Henry, whose rights as"
## [15021] "heir-expectant had formerly been so tenaciously regarded. Think she must"
## [15022] "of the possible difference to the poor little boy; and yet she only"
## [15023] "gave herself a saucy conscious smile about it, and found amusement in"
## [15024] "detecting the real cause of that violent dislike of Mr. Knightley's"
## [15025] "marrying Jane Fairfax, or any body else, which at the time she had"
## [15026] "wholly imputed to the amiable solicitude of the sister and the aunt."
## [15027] ""
## [15028] "This proposal of his, this plan of marrying and continuing at"
## [15029] "Hartfield--the more she contemplated it, the more pleasing it became."
## [15030] "His evils seemed to lessen, her own advantages to increase, their mutual"
## [15031] "good to outweigh every drawback. Such a companion for herself in the"
## [15032] "periods of anxiety and cheerlessness before her!--Such a partner in"
## [15033] "all those duties and cares to which time must be giving increase of"
## [15034] "melancholy!"
## [15035] ""
## [15036] "She would have been too happy but for poor Harriet; but every blessing"
## [15037] "of her own seemed to involve and advance the sufferings of her friend,"
## [15038] "who must now be even excluded from Hartfield. The delightful family"
## [15039] "party which Emma was securing for herself, poor Harriet must, in mere"
## [15040] "charitable caution, be kept at a distance from. She would be a loser in"
## [15041] "every way. Emma could not deplore her future absence as any deduction"
## [15042] "from her own enjoyment. In such a party, Harriet would be rather a"
## [15043] "dead weight than otherwise; but for the poor girl herself, it seemed a"
## [15044] "peculiarly cruel necessity that was to be placing her in such a state of"
## [15045] "unmerited punishment."
## [15046] ""
## [15047] "In time, of course, Mr. Knightley would be forgotten, that is,"
## [15048] "supplanted; but this could not be expected to happen very early. Mr."
## [15049] "Knightley himself would be doing nothing to assist the cure;--not"
## [15050] "like Mr. Elton. Mr. Knightley, always so kind, so feeling, so truly"
## [15051] "considerate for every body, would never deserve to be less worshipped"
## [15052] "than now; and it really was too much to hope even of Harriet, that she"
## [15053] "could be in love with more than _three_ men in one year."
## [15054] ""
## [15055] ""
## [15056] ""
## [15057] "CHAPTER XVI"
## [15058] ""
## [15059] ""
## [15060] "It was a very great relief to Emma to find Harriet as desirous as"
## [15061] "herself to avoid a meeting. Their intercourse was painful enough by"
## [15062] "letter. How much worse, had they been obliged to meet!"
## [15063] ""
## [15064] "Harriet expressed herself very much as might be supposed, without"
## [15065] "reproaches, or apparent sense of ill-usage; and yet Emma fancied there"
## [15066] "was a something of resentment, a something bordering on it in her style,"
## [15067] "which increased the desirableness of their being separate.--It might be"
## [15068] "only her own consciousness; but it seemed as if an angel only could have"
## [15069] "been quite without resentment under such a stroke."
## [15070] ""
## [15071] "She had no difficulty in procuring Isabella's invitation; and she was"
## [15072] "fortunate in having a sufficient reason for asking it, without resorting"
## [15073] "to invention.--There was a tooth amiss. Harriet really wished, and"
## [15074] "had wished some time, to consult a dentist. Mrs. John Knightley was"
## [15075] "delighted to be of use; any thing of ill health was a recommendation to"
## [15076] "her--and though not so fond of a dentist as of a Mr. Wingfield, she was"
## [15077] "quite eager to have Harriet under her care.--When it was thus settled"
## [15078] "on her sister's side, Emma proposed it to her friend, and found her"
## [15079] "very persuadable.--Harriet was to go; she was invited for at least a"
## [15080] "fortnight; she was to be conveyed in Mr. Woodhouse's carriage.--It was"
## [15081] "all arranged, it was all completed, and Harriet was safe in Brunswick"
## [15082] "Square."
## [15083] ""
## [15084] "Now Emma could, indeed, enjoy Mr. Knightley's visits; now she could"
## [15085] "talk, and she could listen with true happiness, unchecked by that sense"
## [15086] "of injustice, of guilt, of something most painful, which had haunted her"
## [15087] "when remembering how disappointed a heart was near her, how much might"
## [15088] "at that moment, and at a little distance, be enduring by the feelings"
## [15089] "which she had led astray herself."
## [15090] ""
## [15091] "The difference of Harriet at Mrs. Goddard's, or in London, made perhaps"
## [15092] "an unreasonable difference in Emma's sensations; but she could not think"
## [15093] "of her in London without objects of curiosity and employment, which must"
## [15094] "be averting the past, and carrying her out of herself."
## [15095] ""
## [15096] "She would not allow any other anxiety to succeed directly to the place"
## [15097] "in her mind which Harriet had occupied. There was a communication before"
## [15098] "her, one which _she_ only could be competent to make--the confession of"
## [15099] "her engagement to her father; but she would have nothing to do with it"
## [15100] "at present.--She had resolved to defer the disclosure till Mrs. Weston"
## [15101] "were safe and well. No additional agitation should be thrown at this"
## [15102] "period among those she loved--and the evil should not act on herself"
## [15103] "by anticipation before the appointed time.--A fortnight, at least, of"
## [15104] "leisure and peace of mind, to crown every warmer, but more agitating,"
## [15105] "delight, should be hers."
## [15106] ""
## [15107] "She soon resolved, equally as a duty and a pleasure, to employ half an"
## [15108] "hour of this holiday of spirits in calling on Miss Fairfax.--She ought"
## [15109] "to go--and she was longing to see her; the resemblance of their present"
## [15110] "situations increasing every other motive of goodwill. It would be a"
## [15111] "_secret_ satisfaction; but the consciousness of a similarity of prospect"
## [15112] "would certainly add to the interest with which she should attend to any"
## [15113] "thing Jane might communicate."
## [15114] ""
## [15115] "She went--she had driven once unsuccessfully to the door, but had not"
## [15116] "been into the house since the morning after Box Hill, when poor Jane had"
## [15117] "been in such distress as had filled her with compassion, though all the"
## [15118] "worst of her sufferings had been unsuspected.--The fear of being still"
## [15119] "unwelcome, determined her, though assured of their being at home, to"
## [15120] "wait in the passage, and send up her name.--She heard Patty announcing"
## [15121] "it; but no such bustle succeeded as poor Miss Bates had before made so"
## [15122] "happily intelligible.--No; she heard nothing but the instant reply of,"
## [15123] "\"Beg her to walk up;\"--and a moment afterwards she was met on the stairs"
## [15124] "by Jane herself, coming eagerly forward, as if no other reception of her"
## [15125] "were felt sufficient.--Emma had never seen her look so well, so lovely,"
## [15126] "so engaging. There was consciousness, animation, and warmth; there was"
## [15127] "every thing which her countenance or manner could ever have wanted.--"
## [15128] "She came forward with an offered hand; and said, in a low, but very"
## [15129] "feeling tone,"
## [15130] ""
## [15131] "\"This is most kind, indeed!--Miss Woodhouse, it is impossible for me"
## [15132] "to express--I hope you will believe--Excuse me for being so entirely"
## [15133] "without words.\""
## [15134] ""
## [15135] "Emma was gratified, and would soon have shewn no want of words, if the"
## [15136] "sound of Mrs. Elton's voice from the sitting-room had not checked"
## [15137] "her, and made it expedient to compress all her friendly and all her"
## [15138] "congratulatory sensations into a very, very earnest shake of the hand."
## [15139] ""
## [15140] "Mrs. Bates and Mrs. Elton were together. Miss Bates was out, which"
## [15141] "accounted for the previous tranquillity. Emma could have wished Mrs."
## [15142] "Elton elsewhere; but she was in a humour to have patience with every"
## [15143] "body; and as Mrs. Elton met her with unusual graciousness, she hoped the"
## [15144] "rencontre would do them no harm."
## [15145] ""
## [15146] "She soon believed herself to penetrate Mrs. Elton's thoughts, and"
## [15147] "understand why she was, like herself, in happy spirits; it was being in"
## [15148] "Miss Fairfax's confidence, and fancying herself acquainted with what was"
## [15149] "still a secret to other people. Emma saw symptoms of it immediately in"
## [15150] "the expression of her face; and while paying her own compliments to Mrs."
## [15151] "Bates, and appearing to attend to the good old lady's replies, she saw"
## [15152] "her with a sort of anxious parade of mystery fold up a letter which she"
## [15153] "had apparently been reading aloud to Miss Fairfax, and return it into"
## [15154] "the purple and gold reticule by her side, saying, with significant nods,"
## [15155] ""
## [15156] "\"We can finish this some other time, you know. You and I shall not want"
## [15157] "opportunities. And, in fact, you have heard all the essential already. I"
## [15158] "only wanted to prove to you that Mrs. S. admits our apology, and is"
## [15159] "not offended. You see how delightfully she writes. Oh! she is a sweet"
## [15160] "creature! You would have doated on her, had you gone.--But not a word"
## [15161] "more. Let us be discreet--quite on our good behaviour.--Hush!--You"
## [15162] "remember those lines--I forget the poem at this moment:"
## [15163] ""
## [15164] " \"For when a lady's in the case,"
## [15165] " \"You know all other things give place.\""
## [15166] ""
## [15167] "Now I say, my dear, in _our_ case, for _lady_, read----mum! a word to"
## [15168] "the wise.--I am in a fine flow of spirits, an't I? But I want to set"
## [15169] "your heart at ease as to Mrs. S.--_My_ representation, you see, has"
## [15170] "quite appeased her.\""
## [15171] ""
## [15172] "And again, on Emma's merely turning her head to look at Mrs. Bates's"
## [15173] "knitting, she added, in a half whisper,"
## [15174] ""
## [15175] "\"I mentioned no _names_, you will observe.--Oh! no; cautious as a"
## [15176] "minister of state. I managed it extremely well.\""
## [15177] ""
## [15178] "Emma could not doubt. It was a palpable display, repeated on every"
## [15179] "possible occasion. When they had all talked a little while in harmony of"
## [15180] "the weather and Mrs. Weston, she found herself abruptly addressed with,"
## [15181] ""
## [15182] "\"Do not you think, Miss Woodhouse, our saucy little friend here is"
## [15183] "charmingly recovered?--Do not you think her cure does Perry the highest"
## [15184] "credit?--(here was a side-glance of great meaning at Jane.) Upon my"
## [15185] "word, Perry has restored her in a wonderful short time!--Oh! if you had"
## [15186] "seen her, as I did, when she was at the worst!\"--And when Mrs. Bates"
## [15187] "was saying something to Emma, whispered farther, \"We do not say a word"
## [15188] "of any _assistance_ that Perry might have; not a word of a certain young"
## [15189] "physician from Windsor.--Oh! no; Perry shall have all the credit.\""
## [15190] ""
## [15191] "\"I have scarce had the pleasure of seeing you, Miss Woodhouse,\" she"
## [15192] "shortly afterwards began, \"since the party to Box Hill. Very pleasant"
## [15193] "party. But yet I think there was something wanting. Things did not"
## [15194] "seem--that is, there seemed a little cloud upon the spirits of some.--So"
## [15195] "it appeared to me at least, but I might be mistaken. However, I think"
## [15196] "it answered so far as to tempt one to go again. What say you both to our"
## [15197] "collecting the same party, and exploring to Box Hill again, while the"
## [15198] "fine weather lasts?--It must be the same party, you know, quite the"
## [15199] "same party, not _one_ exception.\""
## [15200] ""
## [15201] "Soon after this Miss Bates came in, and Emma could not help being"
## [15202] "diverted by the perplexity of her first answer to herself, resulting,"
## [15203] "she supposed, from doubt of what might be said, and impatience to say"
## [15204] "every thing."
## [15205] ""
## [15206] "\"Thank you, dear Miss Woodhouse, you are all kindness.--It is impossible"
## [15207] "to say--Yes, indeed, I quite understand--dearest Jane's prospects--that"
## [15208] "is, I do not mean.--But she is charmingly recovered.--How is Mr."
## [15209] "Woodhouse?--I am so glad.--Quite out of my power.--Such a happy little"
## [15210] "circle as you find us here.--Yes, indeed.--Charming young man!--that"
## [15211] "is--so very friendly; I mean good Mr. Perry!--such attention to"
## [15212] "Jane!\"--And from her great, her more than commonly thankful delight"
## [15213] "towards Mrs. Elton for being there, Emma guessed that there had been a"
## [15214] "little show of resentment towards Jane, from the vicarage quarter,"
## [15215] "which was now graciously overcome.--After a few whispers, indeed, which"
## [15216] "placed it beyond a guess, Mrs. Elton, speaking louder, said,"
## [15217] ""
## [15218] "\"Yes, here I am, my good friend; and here I have been so long, that"
## [15219] "anywhere else I should think it necessary to apologise; but, the truth"
## [15220] "is, that I am waiting for my lord and master. He promised to join me"
## [15221] "here, and pay his respects to you.\""
## [15222] ""
## [15223] "\"What! are we to have the pleasure of a call from Mr. Elton?--That will"
## [15224] "be a favour indeed! for I know gentlemen do not like morning visits, and"
## [15225] "Mr. Elton's time is so engaged.\""
## [15226] ""
## [15227] "\"Upon my word it is, Miss Bates.--He really is engaged from morning to"
## [15228] "night.--There is no end of people's coming to him, on some pretence or"
## [15229] "other.--The magistrates, and overseers, and churchwardens, are always"
## [15230] "wanting his opinion. They seem not able to do any thing without"
## [15231] "him.--'Upon my word, Mr. E.,' I often say, 'rather you than I.--I do"
## [15232] "not know what would become of my crayons and my instrument, if I had"
## [15233] "half so many applicants.'--Bad enough as it is, for I absolutely neglect"
## [15234] "them both to an unpardonable degree.--I believe I have not played a bar"
## [15235] "this fortnight.--However, he is coming, I assure you: yes, indeed, on"
## [15236] "purpose to wait on you all.\" And putting up her hand to screen her"
## [15237] "words from Emma--\"A congratulatory visit, you know.--Oh! yes, quite"
## [15238] "indispensable.\""
## [15239] ""
## [15240] "Miss Bates looked about her, so happily--!"
## [15241] ""
## [15242] "\"He promised to come to me as soon as he could disengage himself"
## [15243] "from Knightley; but he and Knightley are shut up together in deep"
## [15244] "consultation.--Mr. E. is Knightley's right hand.\""
## [15245] ""
## [15246] "Emma would not have smiled for the world, and only said, \"Is Mr. Elton"
## [15247] "gone on foot to Donwell?--He will have a hot walk.\""
## [15248] ""
## [15249] "\"Oh! no, it is a meeting at the Crown, a regular meeting. Weston and"
## [15250] "Cole will be there too; but one is apt to speak only of those who"
## [15251] "lead.--I fancy Mr. E. and Knightley have every thing their own way.\""
## [15252] ""
## [15253] "\"Have not you mistaken the day?\" said Emma. \"I am almost certain that"
## [15254] "the meeting at the Crown is not till to-morrow.--Mr. Knightley was at"
## [15255] "Hartfield yesterday, and spoke of it as for Saturday.\""
## [15256] ""
## [15257] "\"Oh! no, the meeting is certainly to-day,\" was the abrupt answer, which"
## [15258] "denoted the impossibility of any blunder on Mrs. Elton's side.--\"I do"
## [15259] "believe,\" she continued, \"this is the most troublesome parish that ever"
## [15260] "was. We never heard of such things at Maple Grove.\""
## [15261] ""
## [15262] "\"Your parish there was small,\" said Jane."
## [15263] ""
## [15264] "\"Upon my word, my dear, I do not know, for I never heard the subject"
## [15265] "talked of.\""
## [15266] ""
## [15267] "\"But it is proved by the smallness of the school, which I have heard"
## [15268] "you speak of, as under the patronage of your sister and Mrs. Bragge; the"
## [15269] "only school, and not more than five-and-twenty children.\""
## [15270] ""
## [15271] "\"Ah! you clever creature, that's very true. What a thinking brain you"
## [15272] "have! I say, Jane, what a perfect character you and I should make, if we"
## [15273] "could be shaken together. My liveliness and your solidity would produce"
## [15274] "perfection.--Not that I presume to insinuate, however, that _some_"
## [15275] "people may not think _you_ perfection already.--But hush!--not a word,"
## [15276] "if you please.\""
## [15277] ""
## [15278] "It seemed an unnecessary caution; Jane was wanting to give her words,"
## [15279] "not to Mrs. Elton, but to Miss Woodhouse, as the latter plainly saw."
## [15280] "The wish of distinguishing her, as far as civility permitted, was very"
## [15281] "evident, though it could not often proceed beyond a look."
## [15282] ""
## [15283] "Mr. Elton made his appearance. His lady greeted him with some of her"
## [15284] "sparkling vivacity."
## [15285] ""
## [15286] "\"Very pretty, sir, upon my word; to send me on here, to be an"
## [15287] "encumbrance to my friends, so long before you vouchsafe to come!--But"
## [15288] "you knew what a dutiful creature you had to deal with. You knew I should"
## [15289] "not stir till my lord and master appeared.--Here have I been sitting"
## [15290] "this hour, giving these young ladies a sample of true conjugal"
## [15291] "obedience--for who can say, you know, how soon it may be wanted?\""
## [15292] ""
## [15293] "Mr. Elton was so hot and tired, that all this wit seemed thrown away."
## [15294] "His civilities to the other ladies must be paid; but his subsequent"
## [15295] "object was to lament over himself for the heat he was suffering, and the"
## [15296] "walk he had had for nothing."
## [15297] ""
## [15298] "\"When I got to Donwell,\" said he, \"Knightley could not be found. Very"
## [15299] "odd! very unaccountable! after the note I sent him this morning, and the"
## [15300] "message he returned, that he should certainly be at home till one.\""
## [15301] ""
## [15302] "\"Donwell!\" cried his wife.--\"My dear Mr. E., you have not been to"
## [15303] "Donwell!--You mean the Crown; you come from the meeting at the Crown.\""
## [15304] ""
## [15305] "\"No, no, that's to-morrow; and I particularly wanted to see Knightley"
## [15306] "to-day on that very account.--Such a dreadful broiling morning!--I went"
## [15307] "over the fields too--(speaking in a tone of great ill-usage,) which made"
## [15308] "it so much the worse. And then not to find him at home! I assure you"
## [15309] "I am not at all pleased. And no apology left, no message for me. The"
## [15310] "housekeeper declared she knew nothing of my being expected.--Very"
## [15311] "extraordinary!--And nobody knew at all which way he was gone. Perhaps"
## [15312] "to Hartfield, perhaps to the Abbey Mill, perhaps into his woods.--Miss"
## [15313] "Woodhouse, this is not like our friend Knightley!--Can you explain it?\""
## [15314] ""
## [15315] "Emma amused herself by protesting that it was very extraordinary,"
## [15316] "indeed, and that she had not a syllable to say for him."
## [15317] ""
## [15318] "\"I cannot imagine,\" said Mrs. Elton, (feeling the indignity as a wife"
## [15319] "ought to do,) \"I cannot imagine how he could do such a thing by you, of"
## [15320] "all people in the world! The very last person whom one should expect to"
## [15321] "be forgotten!--My dear Mr. E., he must have left a message for you, I am"
## [15322] "sure he must.--Not even Knightley could be so very eccentric;--and his"
## [15323] "servants forgot it. Depend upon it, that was the case: and very likely"
## [15324] "to happen with the Donwell servants, who are all, I have often observed,"
## [15325] "extremely awkward and remiss.--I am sure I would not have such a"
## [15326] "creature as his Harry stand at our sideboard for any consideration. And"
## [15327] "as for Mrs. Hodges, Wright holds her very cheap indeed.--She promised"
## [15328] "Wright a receipt, and never sent it.\""
## [15329] ""
## [15330] "\"I met William Larkins,\" continued Mr. Elton, \"as I got near the house,"
## [15331] "and he told me I should not find his master at home, but I did not"
## [15332] "believe him.--William seemed rather out of humour. He did not know what"
## [15333] "was come to his master lately, he said, but he could hardly ever get the"
## [15334] "speech of him. I have nothing to do with William's wants, but it really"
## [15335] "is of very great importance that _I_ should see Knightley to-day; and it"
## [15336] "becomes a matter, therefore, of very serious inconvenience that I should"
## [15337] "have had this hot walk to no purpose.\""
## [15338] ""
## [15339] "Emma felt that she could not do better than go home directly. In"
## [15340] "all probability she was at this very time waited for there; and Mr."
## [15341] "Knightley might be preserved from sinking deeper in aggression towards"
## [15342] "Mr. Elton, if not towards William Larkins."
## [15343] ""
## [15344] "She was pleased, on taking leave, to find Miss Fairfax determined to"
## [15345] "attend her out of the room, to go with her even downstairs; it gave her"
## [15346] "an opportunity which she immediately made use of, to say,"
## [15347] ""
## [15348] "\"It is as well, perhaps, that I have not had the possibility. Had you"
## [15349] "not been surrounded by other friends, I might have been tempted to"
## [15350] "introduce a subject, to ask questions, to speak more openly than might"
## [15351] "have been strictly correct.--I feel that I should certainly have been"
## [15352] "impertinent.\""
## [15353] ""
## [15354] "\"Oh!\" cried Jane, with a blush and an hesitation which Emma thought"
## [15355] "infinitely more becoming to her than all the elegance of all her usual"
## [15356] "composure--\"there would have been no danger. The danger would have"
## [15357] "been of my wearying you. You could not have gratified me more than"
## [15358] "by expressing an interest--. Indeed, Miss Woodhouse, (speaking more"
## [15359] "collectedly,) with the consciousness which I have of misconduct, very"
## [15360] "great misconduct, it is particularly consoling to me to know that those"
## [15361] "of my friends, whose good opinion is most worth preserving, are not"
## [15362] "disgusted to such a degree as to--I have not time for half that I could"
## [15363] "wish to say. I long to make apologies, excuses, to urge something for"
## [15364] "myself. I feel it so very due. But, unfortunately--in short, if your"
## [15365] "compassion does not stand my friend--\""
## [15366] ""
## [15367] "\"Oh! you are too scrupulous, indeed you are,\" cried Emma warmly, and"
## [15368] "taking her hand. \"You owe me no apologies; and every body to whom you"
## [15369] "might be supposed to owe them, is so perfectly satisfied, so delighted"
## [15370] "even--\""
## [15371] ""
## [15372] "\"You are very kind, but I know what my manners were to you.--So"
## [15373] "cold and artificial!--I had always a part to act.--It was a life of"
## [15374] "deceit!--I know that I must have disgusted you.\""
## [15375] ""
## [15376] "\"Pray say no more. I feel that all the apologies should be on my side."
## [15377] "Let us forgive each other at once. We must do whatever is to be done"
## [15378] "quickest, and I think our feelings will lose no time there. I hope you"
## [15379] "have pleasant accounts from Windsor?\""
## [15380] ""
## [15381] "\"Very.\""
## [15382] ""
## [15383] "\"And the next news, I suppose, will be, that we are to lose you--just as"
## [15384] "I begin to know you.\""
## [15385] ""
## [15386] "\"Oh! as to all that, of course nothing can be thought of yet. I am here"
## [15387] "till claimed by Colonel and Mrs. Campbell.\""
## [15388] ""
## [15389] "\"Nothing can be actually settled yet, perhaps,\" replied Emma,"
## [15390] "smiling--\"but, excuse me, it must be thought of.\""
## [15391] ""
## [15392] "The smile was returned as Jane answered,"
## [15393] ""
## [15394] "\"You are very right; it has been thought of. And I will own to you, (I"
## [15395] "am sure it will be safe), that so far as our living with Mr. Churchill"
## [15396] "at Enscombe, it is settled. There must be three months, at least, of"
## [15397] "deep mourning; but when they are over, I imagine there will be nothing"
## [15398] "more to wait for.\""
## [15399] ""
## [15400] "\"Thank you, thank you.--This is just what I wanted to be assured"
## [15401] "of.--Oh! if you knew how much I love every thing that is decided and"
## [15402] "open!--Good-bye, good-bye.\""
## [15403] ""
## [15404] ""
## [15405] ""
## [15406] "CHAPTER XVII"
## [15407] ""
## [15408] ""
## [15409] "Mrs. Weston's friends were all made happy by her safety; and if the"
## [15410] "satisfaction of her well-doing could be increased to Emma, it was by"
## [15411] "knowing her to be the mother of a little girl. She had been decided in"
## [15412] "wishing for a Miss Weston. She would not acknowledge that it was with"
## [15413] "any view of making a match for her, hereafter, with either of Isabella's"
## [15414] "sons; but she was convinced that a daughter would suit both father"
## [15415] "and mother best. It would be a great comfort to Mr. Weston, as he grew"
## [15416] "older--and even Mr. Weston might be growing older ten years hence--to"
## [15417] "have his fireside enlivened by the sports and the nonsense, the freaks"
## [15418] "and the fancies of a child never banished from home; and Mrs. Weston--no"
## [15419] "one could doubt that a daughter would be most to her; and it would be"
## [15420] "quite a pity that any one who so well knew how to teach, should not have"
## [15421] "their powers in exercise again."
## [15422] ""
## [15423] "\"She has had the advantage, you know, of practising on me,\" she"
## [15424] "continued--\"like La Baronne d'Almane on La Comtesse d'Ostalis, in Madame"
## [15425] "de Genlis' Adelaide and Theodore, and we shall now see her own little"
## [15426] "Adelaide educated on a more perfect plan.\""
## [15427] ""
## [15428] "\"That is,\" replied Mr. Knightley, \"she will indulge her even more than"
## [15429] "she did you, and believe that she does not indulge her at all. It will"
## [15430] "be the only difference.\""
## [15431] ""
## [15432] "\"Poor child!\" cried Emma; \"at that rate, what will become of her?\""
## [15433] ""
## [15434] "\"Nothing very bad.--The fate of thousands. She will be disagreeable"
## [15435] "in infancy, and correct herself as she grows older. I am losing all my"
## [15436] "bitterness against spoilt children, my dearest Emma. I, who am owing all"
## [15437] "my happiness to _you_, would not it be horrible ingratitude in me to be"
## [15438] "severe on them?\""
## [15439] ""
## [15440] "Emma laughed, and replied: \"But I had the assistance of all your"
## [15441] "endeavours to counteract the indulgence of other people. I doubt whether"
## [15442] "my own sense would have corrected me without it.\""
## [15443] ""
## [15444] "\"Do you?--I have no doubt. Nature gave you understanding:--Miss Taylor"
## [15445] "gave you principles. You must have done well. My interference was quite"
## [15446] "as likely to do harm as good. It was very natural for you to say, what"
## [15447] "right has he to lecture me?--and I am afraid very natural for you to"
## [15448] "feel that it was done in a disagreeable manner. I do not believe I did"
## [15449] "you any good. The good was all to myself, by making you an object of the"
## [15450] "tenderest affection to me. I could not think about you so much without"
## [15451] "doating on you, faults and all; and by dint of fancying so many errors,"
## [15452] "have been in love with you ever since you were thirteen at least.\""
## [15453] ""
## [15454] "\"I am sure you were of use to me,\" cried Emma. \"I was very often"
## [15455] "influenced rightly by you--oftener than I would own at the time. I"
## [15456] "am very sure you did me good. And if poor little Anna Weston is to be"
## [15457] "spoiled, it will be the greatest humanity in you to do as much for her"
## [15458] "as you have done for me, except falling in love with her when she is"
## [15459] "thirteen.\""
## [15460] ""
## [15461] "\"How often, when you were a girl, have you said to me, with one of your"
## [15462] "saucy looks--'Mr. Knightley, I am going to do so-and-so; papa says I"
## [15463] "may, or I have Miss Taylor's leave'--something which, you knew, I"
## [15464] "did not approve. In such cases my interference was giving you two bad"
## [15465] "feelings instead of one.\""
## [15466] ""
## [15467] "\"What an amiable creature I was!--No wonder you should hold my speeches"
## [15468] "in such affectionate remembrance.\""
## [15469] ""
## [15470] "\"'Mr. Knightley.'--You always called me, 'Mr. Knightley;' and, from"
## [15471] "habit, it has not so very formal a sound.--And yet it is formal. I want"
## [15472] "you to call me something else, but I do not know what.\""
## [15473] ""
## [15474] "\"I remember once calling you 'George,' in one of my amiable fits, about"
## [15475] "ten years ago. I did it because I thought it would offend you; but, as"
## [15476] "you made no objection, I never did it again.\""
## [15477] ""
## [15478] "\"And cannot you call me 'George' now?\""
## [15479] ""
## [15480] "\"Impossible!--I never can call you any thing but 'Mr. Knightley.' I"
## [15481] "will not promise even to equal the elegant terseness of Mrs. Elton, by"
## [15482] "calling you Mr. K.--But I will promise,\" she added presently, laughing"
## [15483] "and blushing--\"I will promise to call you once by your Christian name."
## [15484] "I do not say when, but perhaps you may guess where;--in the building in"
## [15485] "which N. takes M. for better, for worse.\""
## [15486] ""
## [15487] "Emma grieved that she could not be more openly just to one important"
## [15488] "service which his better sense would have rendered her, to the"
## [15489] "advice which would have saved her from the worst of all her womanly"
## [15490] "follies--her wilful intimacy with Harriet Smith; but it was too tender a"
## [15491] "subject.--She could not enter on it.--Harriet was very seldom mentioned"
## [15492] "between them. This, on his side, might merely proceed from her not being"
## [15493] "thought of; but Emma was rather inclined to attribute it to delicacy,"
## [15494] "and a suspicion, from some appearances, that their friendship were"
## [15495] "declining. She was aware herself, that, parting under any other"
## [15496] "circumstances, they certainly should have corresponded more, and that"
## [15497] "her intelligence would not have rested, as it now almost wholly did, on"
## [15498] "Isabella's letters. He might observe that it was so. The pain of being"
## [15499] "obliged to practise concealment towards him, was very little inferior to"
## [15500] "the pain of having made Harriet unhappy."
## [15501] ""
## [15502] "Isabella sent quite as good an account of her visitor as could be"
## [15503] "expected; on her first arrival she had thought her out of spirits, which"
## [15504] "appeared perfectly natural, as there was a dentist to be consulted; but,"
## [15505] "since that business had been over, she did not appear to find Harriet"
## [15506] "different from what she had known her before.--Isabella, to be sure,"
## [15507] "was no very quick observer; yet if Harriet had not been equal to playing"
## [15508] "with the children, it would not have escaped her. Emma's comforts and"
## [15509] "hopes were most agreeably carried on, by Harriet's being to stay longer;"
## [15510] "her fortnight was likely to be a month at least. Mr. and Mrs. John"
## [15511] "Knightley were to come down in August, and she was invited to remain"
## [15512] "till they could bring her back."
## [15513] ""
## [15514] "\"John does not even mention your friend,\" said Mr. Knightley. \"Here is"
## [15515] "his answer, if you like to see it.\""
## [15516] ""
## [15517] "It was the answer to the communication of his intended marriage. Emma"
## [15518] "accepted it with a very eager hand, with an impatience all alive to know"
## [15519] "what he would say about it, and not at all checked by hearing that her"
## [15520] "friend was unmentioned."
## [15521] ""
## [15522] "\"John enters like a brother into my happiness,\" continued Mr. Knightley,"
## [15523] "\"but he is no complimenter; and though I well know him to have,"
## [15524] "likewise, a most brotherly affection for you, he is so far from making"
## [15525] "flourishes, that any other young woman might think him rather cool in"
## [15526] "her praise. But I am not afraid of your seeing what he writes.\""
## [15527] ""
## [15528] "\"He writes like a sensible man,\" replied Emma, when she had read the"
## [15529] "letter. \"I honour his sincerity. It is very plain that he considers the"
## [15530] "good fortune of the engagement as all on my side, but that he is not"
## [15531] "without hope of my growing, in time, as worthy of your affection, as"
## [15532] "you think me already. Had he said any thing to bear a different"
## [15533] "construction, I should not have believed him.\""
## [15534] ""
## [15535] "\"My Emma, he means no such thing. He only means--\""
## [15536] ""
## [15537] "\"He and I should differ very little in our estimation of the two,\""
## [15538] "interrupted she, with a sort of serious smile--\"much less, perhaps, than"
## [15539] "he is aware of, if we could enter without ceremony or reserve on the"
## [15540] "subject.\""
## [15541] ""
## [15542] "\"Emma, my dear Emma--\""
## [15543] ""
## [15544] "\"Oh!\" she cried with more thorough gaiety, \"if you fancy your brother"
## [15545] "does not do me justice, only wait till my dear father is in the secret,"
## [15546] "and hear his opinion. Depend upon it, he will be much farther from doing"
## [15547] "_you_ justice. He will think all the happiness, all the advantage, on"
## [15548] "your side of the question; all the merit on mine. I wish I may not"
## [15549] "sink into 'poor Emma' with him at once.--His tender compassion towards"
## [15550] "oppressed worth can go no farther.\""
## [15551] ""
## [15552] "\"Ah!\" he cried, \"I wish your father might be half as easily convinced as"
## [15553] "John will be, of our having every right that equal worth can give, to be"
## [15554] "happy together. I am amused by one part of John's letter--did you notice"
## [15555] "it?--where he says, that my information did not take him wholly by"
## [15556] "surprize, that he was rather in expectation of hearing something of the"
## [15557] "kind.\""
## [15558] ""
## [15559] "\"If I understand your brother, he only means so far as your having"
## [15560] "some thoughts of marrying. He had no idea of me. He seems perfectly"
## [15561] "unprepared for that.\""
## [15562] ""
## [15563] "\"Yes, yes--but I am amused that he should have seen so far into my"
## [15564] "feelings. What has he been judging by?--I am not conscious of any"
## [15565] "difference in my spirits or conversation that could prepare him at"
## [15566] "this time for my marrying any more than at another.--But it was so, I"
## [15567] "suppose. I dare say there was a difference when I was staying with them"
## [15568] "the other day. I believe I did not play with the children quite so much"
## [15569] "as usual. I remember one evening the poor boys saying, 'Uncle seems"
## [15570] "always tired now.'\""
## [15571] ""
## [15572] "The time was coming when the news must spread farther, and other"
## [15573] "persons' reception of it tried. As soon as Mrs. Weston was sufficiently"
## [15574] "recovered to admit Mr. Woodhouse's visits, Emma having it in view that"
## [15575] "her gentle reasonings should be employed in the cause, resolved first to"
## [15576] "announce it at home, and then at Randalls.--But how to break it to her"
## [15577] "father at last!--She had bound herself to do it, in such an hour of Mr."
## [15578] "Knightley's absence, or when it came to the point her heart would have"
## [15579] "failed her, and she must have put it off; but Mr. Knightley was to come"
## [15580] "at such a time, and follow up the beginning she was to make.--She was"
## [15581] "forced to speak, and to speak cheerfully too. She must not make it a"
## [15582] "more decided subject of misery to him, by a melancholy tone herself."
## [15583] "She must not appear to think it a misfortune.--With all the spirits she"
## [15584] "could command, she prepared him first for something strange, and then,"
## [15585] "in a few words, said, that if his consent and approbation could be"
## [15586] "obtained--which, she trusted, would be attended with no difficulty,"
## [15587] "since it was a plan to promote the happiness of all--she and Mr."
## [15588] "Knightley meant to marry; by which means Hartfield would receive the"
## [15589] "constant addition of that person's company whom she knew he loved, next"
## [15590] "to his daughters and Mrs. Weston, best in the world."
## [15591] ""
## [15592] "Poor man!--it was at first a considerable shock to him, and he tried"
## [15593] "earnestly to dissuade her from it. She was reminded, more than once, of"
## [15594] "having always said she would never marry, and assured that it would be"
## [15595] "a great deal better for her to remain single; and told of poor Isabella,"
## [15596] "and poor Miss Taylor.--But it would not do. Emma hung about him"
## [15597] "affectionately, and smiled, and said it must be so; and that he must"
## [15598] "not class her with Isabella and Mrs. Weston, whose marriages taking them"
## [15599] "from Hartfield, had, indeed, made a melancholy change: but she was not"
## [15600] "going from Hartfield; she should be always there; she was introducing"
## [15601] "no change in their numbers or their comforts but for the better; and she"
## [15602] "was very sure that he would be a great deal the happier for having Mr."
## [15603] "Knightley always at hand, when he were once got used to the idea.--Did"
## [15604] "he not love Mr. Knightley very much?--He would not deny that he did,"
## [15605] "she was sure.--Whom did he ever want to consult on business but Mr."
## [15606] "Knightley?--Who was so useful to him, who so ready to write his letters,"
## [15607] "who so glad to assist him?--Who so cheerful, so attentive, so attached"
## [15608] "to him?--Would not he like to have him always on the spot?--Yes. That"
## [15609] "was all very true. Mr. Knightley could not be there too often; he should"
## [15610] "be glad to see him every day;--but they did see him every day as it"
## [15611] "was.--Why could not they go on as they had done?"
## [15612] ""
## [15613] "Mr. Woodhouse could not be soon reconciled; but the worst was overcome,"
## [15614] "the idea was given; time and continual repetition must do the rest.--To"
## [15615] "Emma's entreaties and assurances succeeded Mr. Knightley's, whose fond"
## [15616] "praise of her gave the subject even a kind of welcome; and he was soon"
## [15617] "used to be talked to by each, on every fair occasion.--They had all"
## [15618] "the assistance which Isabella could give, by letters of the strongest"
## [15619] "approbation; and Mrs. Weston was ready, on the first meeting, to"
## [15620] "consider the subject in the most serviceable light--first, as a settled,"
## [15621] "and, secondly, as a good one--well aware of the nearly equal importance"
## [15622] "of the two recommendations to Mr. Woodhouse's mind.--It was agreed"
## [15623] "upon, as what was to be; and every body by whom he was used to be"
## [15624] "guided assuring him that it would be for his happiness; and having some"
## [15625] "feelings himself which almost admitted it, he began to think that some"
## [15626] "time or other--in another year or two, perhaps--it might not be so very"
## [15627] "bad if the marriage did take place."
## [15628] ""
## [15629] "Mrs. Weston was acting no part, feigning no feelings in all that she"
## [15630] "said to him in favour of the event.--She had been extremely surprized,"
## [15631] "never more so, than when Emma first opened the affair to her; but she"
## [15632] "saw in it only increase of happiness to all, and had no scruple in"
## [15633] "urging him to the utmost.--She had such a regard for Mr. Knightley, as"
## [15634] "to think he deserved even her dearest Emma; and it was in every respect"
## [15635] "so proper, suitable, and unexceptionable a connexion, and in one"
## [15636] "respect, one point of the highest importance, so peculiarly eligible,"
## [15637] "so singularly fortunate, that now it seemed as if Emma could not safely"
## [15638] "have attached herself to any other creature, and that she had herself"
## [15639] "been the stupidest of beings in not having thought of it, and wished it"
## [15640] "long ago.--How very few of those men in a rank of life to address Emma"
## [15641] "would have renounced their own home for Hartfield! And who but Mr."
## [15642] "Knightley could know and bear with Mr. Woodhouse, so as to make such"
## [15643] "an arrangement desirable!--The difficulty of disposing of poor Mr."
## [15644] "Woodhouse had been always felt in her husband's plans and her own, for"
## [15645] "a marriage between Frank and Emma. How to settle the claims of Enscombe"
## [15646] "and Hartfield had been a continual impediment--less acknowledged by Mr."
## [15647] "Weston than by herself--but even he had never been able to finish"
## [15648] "the subject better than by saying--\"Those matters will take care of"
## [15649] "themselves; the young people will find a way.\" But here there was"
## [15650] "nothing to be shifted off in a wild speculation on the future. It was"
## [15651] "all right, all open, all equal. No sacrifice on any side worth the name."
## [15652] "It was a union of the highest promise of felicity in itself, and without"
## [15653] "one real, rational difficulty to oppose or delay it."
## [15654] ""
## [15655] "Mrs. Weston, with her baby on her knee, indulging in such reflections"
## [15656] "as these, was one of the happiest women in the world. If any thing could"
## [15657] "increase her delight, it was perceiving that the baby would soon have"
## [15658] "outgrown its first set of caps."
## [15659] ""
## [15660] "The news was universally a surprize wherever it spread; and Mr. Weston"
## [15661] "had his five minutes share of it; but five minutes were enough to"
## [15662] "familiarise the idea to his quickness of mind.--He saw the advantages"
## [15663] "of the match, and rejoiced in them with all the constancy of his wife;"
## [15664] "but the wonder of it was very soon nothing; and by the end of an hour he"
## [15665] "was not far from believing that he had always foreseen it."
## [15666] ""
## [15667] "\"It is to be a secret, I conclude,\" said he. \"These matters are always a"
## [15668] "secret, till it is found out that every body knows them. Only let me be"
## [15669] "told when I may speak out.--I wonder whether Jane has any suspicion.\""
## [15670] ""
## [15671] "He went to Highbury the next morning, and satisfied himself on that"
## [15672] "point. He told her the news. Was not she like a daughter, his eldest"
## [15673] "daughter?--he must tell her; and Miss Bates being present, it passed,"
## [15674] "of course, to Mrs. Cole, Mrs. Perry, and Mrs. Elton, immediately"
## [15675] "afterwards. It was no more than the principals were prepared for; they"
## [15676] "had calculated from the time of its being known at Randalls, how soon it"
## [15677] "would be over Highbury; and were thinking of themselves, as the evening"
## [15678] "wonder in many a family circle, with great sagacity."
## [15679] ""
## [15680] "In general, it was a very well approved match. Some might think him, and"
## [15681] "others might think her, the most in luck. One set might recommend their"
## [15682] "all removing to Donwell, and leaving Hartfield for the John Knightleys;"
## [15683] "and another might predict disagreements among their servants; but yet,"
## [15684] "upon the whole, there was no serious objection raised, except in one"
## [15685] "habitation, the Vicarage.--There, the surprize was not softened by any"
## [15686] "satisfaction. Mr. Elton cared little about it, compared with his wife;"
## [15687] "he only hoped \"the young lady's pride would now be contented;\" and"
## [15688] "supposed \"she had always meant to catch Knightley if she could;\" and,"
## [15689] "on the point of living at Hartfield, could daringly exclaim, \"Rather"
## [15690] "he than I!\"--But Mrs. Elton was very much discomposed indeed.--\"Poor"
## [15691] "Knightley! poor fellow!--sad business for him.\"--She was extremely"
## [15692] "concerned; for, though very eccentric, he had a thousand good"
## [15693] "qualities.--How could he be so taken in?--Did not think him at all in"
## [15694] "love--not in the least.--Poor Knightley!--There would be an end of all"
## [15695] "pleasant intercourse with him.--How happy he had been to come and dine"
## [15696] "with them whenever they asked him! But that would be all over now.--Poor"
## [15697] "fellow!--No more exploring parties to Donwell made for _her_. Oh!"
## [15698] "no; there would be a Mrs. Knightley to throw cold water on every"
## [15699] "thing.--Extremely disagreeable! But she was not at all sorry that"
## [15700] "she had abused the housekeeper the other day.--Shocking plan, living"
## [15701] "together. It would never do. She knew a family near Maple Grove who"
## [15702] "had tried it, and been obliged to separate before the end of the first"
## [15703] "quarter."
## [15704] ""
## [15705] ""
## [15706] ""
## [15707] "CHAPTER XVIII"
## [15708] ""
## [15709] ""
## [15710] "Time passed on. A few more to-morrows, and the party from London would"
## [15711] "be arriving. It was an alarming change; and Emma was thinking of it one"
## [15712] "morning, as what must bring a great deal to agitate and grieve her, when"
## [15713] "Mr. Knightley came in, and distressing thoughts were put by. After the"
## [15714] "first chat of pleasure he was silent; and then, in a graver tone, began"
## [15715] "with,"
## [15716] ""
## [15717] "\"I have something to tell you, Emma; some news.\""
## [15718] ""
## [15719] "\"Good or bad?\" said she, quickly, looking up in his face."
## [15720] ""
## [15721] "\"I do not know which it ought to be called.\""
## [15722] ""
## [15723] "\"Oh! good I am sure.--I see it in your countenance. You are trying not"
## [15724] "to smile.\""
## [15725] ""
## [15726] "\"I am afraid,\" said he, composing his features, \"I am very much afraid,"
## [15727] "my dear Emma, that you will not smile when you hear it.\""
## [15728] ""
## [15729] "\"Indeed! but why so?--I can hardly imagine that any thing which pleases"
## [15730] "or amuses you, should not please and amuse me too.\""
## [15731] ""
## [15732] "\"There is one subject,\" he replied, \"I hope but one, on which we do not"
## [15733] "think alike.\" He paused a moment, again smiling, with his eyes fixed on"
## [15734] "her face. \"Does nothing occur to you?--Do not you recollect?--Harriet"
## [15735] "Smith.\""
## [15736] ""
## [15737] "Her cheeks flushed at the name, and she felt afraid of something, though"
## [15738] "she knew not what."
## [15739] ""
## [15740] "\"Have you heard from her yourself this morning?\" cried he. \"You have, I"
## [15741] "believe, and know the whole.\""
## [15742] ""
## [15743] "\"No, I have not; I know nothing; pray tell me.\""
## [15744] ""
## [15745] "\"You are prepared for the worst, I see--and very bad it is. Harriet"
## [15746] "Smith marries Robert Martin.\""
## [15747] ""
## [15748] "Emma gave a start, which did not seem like being prepared--and her eyes,"
## [15749] "in eager gaze, said, \"No, this is impossible!\" but her lips were closed."
## [15750] ""
## [15751] "\"It is so, indeed,\" continued Mr. Knightley; \"I have it from Robert"
## [15752] "Martin himself. He left me not half an hour ago.\""
## [15753] ""
## [15754] "She was still looking at him with the most speaking amazement."
## [15755] ""
## [15756] "\"You like it, my Emma, as little as I feared.--I wish our opinions were"
## [15757] "the same. But in time they will. Time, you may be sure, will make one"
## [15758] "or the other of us think differently; and, in the meanwhile, we need not"
## [15759] "talk much on the subject.\""
## [15760] ""
## [15761] "\"You mistake me, you quite mistake me,\" she replied, exerting herself."
## [15762] "\"It is not that such a circumstance would now make me unhappy, but I"
## [15763] "cannot believe it. It seems an impossibility!--You cannot mean to say,"
## [15764] "that Harriet Smith has accepted Robert Martin. You cannot mean that he"
## [15765] "has even proposed to her again--yet. You only mean, that he intends it.\""
## [15766] ""
## [15767] "\"I mean that he has done it,\" answered Mr. Knightley, with smiling but"
## [15768] "determined decision, \"and been accepted.\""
## [15769] ""
## [15770] "\"Good God!\" she cried.--\"Well!\"--Then having recourse to her workbasket,"
## [15771] "in excuse for leaning down her face, and concealing all the exquisite"
## [15772] "feelings of delight and entertainment which she knew she must be"
## [15773] "expressing, she added, \"Well, now tell me every thing; make this"
## [15774] "intelligible to me. How, where, when?--Let me know it all. I never was"
## [15775] "more surprized--but it does not make me unhappy, I assure you.--How--how"
## [15776] "has it been possible?\""
## [15777] ""
## [15778] "\"It is a very simple story. He went to town on business three days ago,"
## [15779] "and I got him to take charge of some papers which I was wanting to send"
## [15780] "to John.--He delivered these papers to John, at his chambers, and was"
## [15781] "asked by him to join their party the same evening to Astley's. They were"
## [15782] "going to take the two eldest boys to Astley's. The party was to be our"
## [15783] "brother and sister, Henry, John--and Miss Smith. My friend Robert could"
## [15784] "not resist. They called for him in their way; were all extremely amused;"
## [15785] "and my brother asked him to dine with them the next day--which he"
## [15786] "did--and in the course of that visit (as I understand) he found an"
## [15787] "opportunity of speaking to Harriet; and certainly did not speak"
## [15788] "in vain.--She made him, by her acceptance, as happy even as he is"
## [15789] "deserving. He came down by yesterday's coach, and was with me this"
## [15790] "morning immediately after breakfast, to report his proceedings, first"
## [15791] "on my affairs, and then on his own. This is all that I can relate of"
## [15792] "the how, where, and when. Your friend Harriet will make a much"
## [15793] "longer history when you see her.--She will give you all the minute"
## [15794] "particulars, which only woman's language can make interesting.--In our"
## [15795] "communications we deal only in the great.--However, I must say, that"
## [15796] "Robert Martin's heart seemed for _him_, and to _me_, very overflowing;"
## [15797] "and that he did mention, without its being much to the purpose, that"
## [15798] "on quitting their box at Astley's, my brother took charge of Mrs. John"
## [15799] "Knightley and little John, and he followed with Miss Smith and Henry;"
## [15800] "and that at one time they were in such a crowd, as to make Miss Smith"
## [15801] "rather uneasy.\""
## [15802] ""
## [15803] "He stopped.--Emma dared not attempt any immediate reply. To speak, she"
## [15804] "was sure would be to betray a most unreasonable degree of happiness."
## [15805] "She must wait a moment, or he would think her mad. Her silence disturbed"
## [15806] "him; and after observing her a little while, he added,"
## [15807] ""
## [15808] "\"Emma, my love, you said that this circumstance would not now make you"
## [15809] "unhappy; but I am afraid it gives you more pain than you expected. His"
## [15810] "situation is an evil--but you must consider it as what satisfies your"
## [15811] "friend; and I will answer for your thinking better and better of him"
## [15812] "as you know him more. His good sense and good principles would delight"
## [15813] "you.--As far as the man is concerned, you could not wish your friend"
## [15814] "in better hands. His rank in society I would alter if I could, which is"
## [15815] "saying a great deal I assure you, Emma.--You laugh at me about William"
## [15816] "Larkins; but I could quite as ill spare Robert Martin.\""
## [15817] ""
## [15818] "He wanted her to look up and smile; and having now brought herself not"
## [15819] "to smile too broadly--she did--cheerfully answering,"
## [15820] ""
## [15821] "\"You need not be at any pains to reconcile me to the match. I think"
## [15822] "Harriet is doing extremely well. _Her_ connexions may be worse than"
## [15823] "_his_. In respectability of character, there can be no doubt that they"
## [15824] "are. I have been silent from surprize merely, excessive surprize. You"
## [15825] "cannot imagine how suddenly it has come on me! how peculiarly unprepared"
## [15826] "I was!--for I had reason to believe her very lately more determined"
## [15827] "against him, much more, than she was before.\""
## [15828] ""
## [15829] "\"You ought to know your friend best,\" replied Mr. Knightley; \"but I"
## [15830] "should say she was a good-tempered, soft-hearted girl, not likely to be"
## [15831] "very, very determined against any young man who told her he loved her.\""
## [15832] ""
## [15833] "Emma could not help laughing as she answered, \"Upon my word, I believe"
## [15834] "you know her quite as well as I do.--But, Mr. Knightley, are you"
## [15835] "perfectly sure that she has absolutely and downright _accepted_ him."
## [15836] "I could suppose she might in time--but can she already?--Did not you"
## [15837] "misunderstand him?--You were both talking of other things; of business,"
## [15838] "shows of cattle, or new drills--and might not you, in the confusion of"
## [15839] "so many subjects, mistake him?--It was not Harriet's hand that he was"
## [15840] "certain of--it was the dimensions of some famous ox.\""
## [15841] ""
## [15842] "The contrast between the countenance and air of Mr. Knightley and Robert"
## [15843] "Martin was, at this moment, so strong to Emma's feelings, and so strong"
## [15844] "was the recollection of all that had so recently passed on Harriet's"
## [15845] "side, so fresh the sound of those words, spoken with such emphasis,"
## [15846] "\"No, I hope I know better than to think of Robert Martin,\" that she was"
## [15847] "really expecting the intelligence to prove, in some measure, premature."
## [15848] "It could not be otherwise."
## [15849] ""
## [15850] "\"Do you dare say this?\" cried Mr. Knightley. \"Do you dare to suppose me"
## [15851] "so great a blockhead, as not to know what a man is talking of?--What do"
## [15852] "you deserve?\""
## [15853] ""
## [15854] "\"Oh! I always deserve the best treatment, because I never put up with"
## [15855] "any other; and, therefore, you must give me a plain, direct answer. Are"
## [15856] "you quite sure that you understand the terms on which Mr. Martin and"
## [15857] "Harriet now are?\""
## [15858] ""
## [15859] "\"I am quite sure,\" he replied, speaking very distinctly, \"that he"
## [15860] "told me she had accepted him; and that there was no obscurity, nothing"
## [15861] "doubtful, in the words he used; and I think I can give you a proof that"
## [15862] "it must be so. He asked my opinion as to what he was now to do. He knew"
## [15863] "of no one but Mrs. Goddard to whom he could apply for information of"
## [15864] "her relations or friends. Could I mention any thing more fit to be done,"
## [15865] "than to go to Mrs. Goddard? I assured him that I could not. Then, he"
## [15866] "said, he would endeavour to see her in the course of this day.\""
## [15867] ""
## [15868] "\"I am perfectly satisfied,\" replied Emma, with the brightest smiles,"
## [15869] "\"and most sincerely wish them happy.\""
## [15870] ""
## [15871] "\"You are materially changed since we talked on this subject before.\""
## [15872] ""
## [15873] "\"I hope so--for at that time I was a fool.\""
## [15874] ""
## [15875] "\"And I am changed also; for I am now very willing to grant you all"
## [15876] "Harriet's good qualities. I have taken some pains for your sake, and for"
## [15877] "Robert Martin's sake, (whom I have always had reason to believe as much"
## [15878] "in love with her as ever,) to get acquainted with her. I have often"
## [15879] "talked to her a good deal. You must have seen that I did. Sometimes,"
## [15880] "indeed, I have thought you were half suspecting me of pleading poor"
## [15881] "Martin's cause, which was never the case; but, from all my observations,"
## [15882] "I am convinced of her being an artless, amiable girl, with very good"
## [15883] "notions, very seriously good principles, and placing her happiness in"
## [15884] "the affections and utility of domestic life.--Much of this, I have no"
## [15885] "doubt, she may thank you for.\""
## [15886] ""
## [15887] "\"Me!\" cried Emma, shaking her head.--\"Ah! poor Harriet!\""
## [15888] ""
## [15889] "She checked herself, however, and submitted quietly to a little more"
## [15890] "praise than she deserved."
## [15891] ""
## [15892] "Their conversation was soon afterwards closed by the entrance of her"
## [15893] "father. She was not sorry. She wanted to be alone. Her mind was in a"
## [15894] "state of flutter and wonder, which made it impossible for her to be"
## [15895] "collected. She was in dancing, singing, exclaiming spirits; and till she"
## [15896] "had moved about, and talked to herself, and laughed and reflected, she"
## [15897] "could be fit for nothing rational."
## [15898] ""
## [15899] "Her father's business was to announce James's being gone out to put the"
## [15900] "horses to, preparatory to their now daily drive to Randalls; and she"
## [15901] "had, therefore, an immediate excuse for disappearing."
## [15902] ""
## [15903] "The joy, the gratitude, the exquisite delight of her sensations may be"
## [15904] "imagined. The sole grievance and alloy thus removed in the prospect of"
## [15905] "Harriet's welfare, she was really in danger of becoming too happy for"
## [15906] "security.--What had she to wish for? Nothing, but to grow more worthy of"
## [15907] "him, whose intentions and judgment had been ever so superior to her own."
## [15908] "Nothing, but that the lessons of her past folly might teach her humility"
## [15909] "and circumspection in future."
## [15910] ""
## [15911] "Serious she was, very serious in her thankfulness, and in her"
## [15912] "resolutions; and yet there was no preventing a laugh, sometimes in the"
## [15913] "very midst of them. She must laugh at such a close! Such an end of the"
## [15914] "doleful disappointment of five weeks back! Such a heart--such a Harriet!"
## [15915] ""
## [15916] "Now there would be pleasure in her returning--Every thing would be a"
## [15917] "pleasure. It would be a great pleasure to know Robert Martin."
## [15918] ""
## [15919] "High in the rank of her most serious and heartfelt felicities, was the"
## [15920] "reflection that all necessity of concealment from Mr. Knightley would"
## [15921] "soon be over. The disguise, equivocation, mystery, so hateful to her to"
## [15922] "practise, might soon be over. She could now look forward to giving him"
## [15923] "that full and perfect confidence which her disposition was most ready to"
## [15924] "welcome as a duty."
## [15925] ""
## [15926] "In the gayest and happiest spirits she set forward with her father; not"
## [15927] "always listening, but always agreeing to what he said; and, whether in"
## [15928] "speech or silence, conniving at the comfortable persuasion of his"
## [15929] "being obliged to go to Randalls every day, or poor Mrs. Weston would be"
## [15930] "disappointed."
## [15931] ""
## [15932] "They arrived.--Mrs. Weston was alone in the drawing-room:--but hardly"
## [15933] "had they been told of the baby, and Mr. Woodhouse received the thanks"
## [15934] "for coming, which he asked for, when a glimpse was caught through the"
## [15935] "blind, of two figures passing near the window."
## [15936] ""
## [15937] "\"It is Frank and Miss Fairfax,\" said Mrs. Weston. \"I was just going to"
## [15938] "tell you of our agreeable surprize in seeing him arrive this morning. He"
## [15939] "stays till to-morrow, and Miss Fairfax has been persuaded to spend the"
## [15940] "day with us.--They are coming in, I hope.\""
## [15941] ""
## [15942] "In half a minute they were in the room. Emma was extremely glad to"
## [15943] "see him--but there was a degree of confusion--a number of embarrassing"
## [15944] "recollections on each side. They met readily and smiling, but with a"
## [15945] "consciousness which at first allowed little to be said; and having all"
## [15946] "sat down again, there was for some time such a blank in the circle, that"
## [15947] "Emma began to doubt whether the wish now indulged, which she had long"
## [15948] "felt, of seeing Frank Churchill once more, and of seeing him with Jane,"
## [15949] "would yield its proportion of pleasure. When Mr. Weston joined the"
## [15950] "party, however, and when the baby was fetched, there was no longer a"
## [15951] "want of subject or animation--or of courage and opportunity for Frank"
## [15952] "Churchill to draw near her and say,"
## [15953] ""
## [15954] "\"I have to thank you, Miss Woodhouse, for a very kind forgiving message"
## [15955] "in one of Mrs. Weston's letters. I hope time has not made you less"
## [15956] "willing to pardon. I hope you do not retract what you then said.\""
## [15957] ""
## [15958] "\"No, indeed,\" cried Emma, most happy to begin, \"not in the least. I am"
## [15959] "particularly glad to see and shake hands with you--and to give you joy"
## [15960] "in person.\""
## [15961] ""
## [15962] "He thanked her with all his heart, and continued some time to speak with"
## [15963] "serious feeling of his gratitude and happiness."
## [15964] ""
## [15965] "\"Is not she looking well?\" said he, turning his eyes towards Jane."
## [15966] "\"Better than she ever used to do?--You see how my father and Mrs. Weston"
## [15967] "doat upon her.\""
## [15968] ""
## [15969] "But his spirits were soon rising again, and with laughing eyes, after"
## [15970] "mentioning the expected return of the Campbells, he named the name of"
## [15971] "Dixon.--Emma blushed, and forbade its being pronounced in her hearing."
## [15972] ""
## [15973] "\"I can never think of it,\" she cried, \"without extreme shame.\""
## [15974] ""
## [15975] "\"The shame,\" he answered, \"is all mine, or ought to be. But is it"
## [15976] "possible that you had no suspicion?--I mean of late. Early, I know, you"
## [15977] "had none.\""
## [15978] ""
## [15979] "\"I never had the smallest, I assure you.\""
## [15980] ""
## [15981] "\"That appears quite wonderful. I was once very near--and I wish I"
## [15982] "had--it would have been better. But though I was always doing wrong"
## [15983] "things, they were very bad wrong things, and such as did me no"
## [15984] "service.--It would have been a much better transgression had I broken"
## [15985] "the bond of secrecy and told you every thing.\""
## [15986] ""
## [15987] "\"It is not now worth a regret,\" said Emma."
## [15988] ""
## [15989] "\"I have some hope,\" resumed he, \"of my uncle's being persuaded to pay a"
## [15990] "visit at Randalls; he wants to be introduced to her. When the Campbells"
## [15991] "are returned, we shall meet them in London, and continue there, I trust,"
## [15992] "till we may carry her northward.--But now, I am at such a distance from"
## [15993] "her--is not it hard, Miss Woodhouse?--Till this morning, we have not"
## [15994] "once met since the day of reconciliation. Do not you pity me?\""
## [15995] ""
## [15996] "Emma spoke her pity so very kindly, that with a sudden accession of gay"
## [15997] "thought, he cried,"
## [15998] ""
## [15999] "\"Ah! by the bye,\" then sinking his voice, and looking demure for the"
## [16000] "moment--\"I hope Mr. Knightley is well?\" He paused.--She coloured and"
## [16001] "laughed.--\"I know you saw my letter, and think you may remember my wish"
## [16002] "in your favour. Let me return your congratulations.--I assure you that"
## [16003] "I have heard the news with the warmest interest and satisfaction.--He is"
## [16004] "a man whom I cannot presume to praise.\""
## [16005] ""
## [16006] "Emma was delighted, and only wanted him to go on in the same style; but"
## [16007] "his mind was the next moment in his own concerns and with his own Jane,"
## [16008] "and his next words were,"
## [16009] ""
## [16010] "\"Did you ever see such a skin?--such smoothness! such delicacy!--and"
## [16011] "yet without being actually fair.--One cannot call her fair. It is a"
## [16012] "most uncommon complexion, with her dark eye-lashes and hair--a most"
## [16013] "distinguishing complexion! So peculiarly the lady in it.--Just colour"
## [16014] "enough for beauty.\""
## [16015] ""
## [16016] "\"I have always admired her complexion,\" replied Emma, archly; \"but"
## [16017] "do not I remember the time when you found fault with her for being so"
## [16018] "pale?--When we first began to talk of her.--Have you quite forgotten?\""
## [16019] ""
## [16020] "\"Oh! no--what an impudent dog I was!--How could I dare--\""
## [16021] ""
## [16022] "But he laughed so heartily at the recollection, that Emma could not help"
## [16023] "saying,"
## [16024] ""
## [16025] "\"I do suspect that in the midst of your perplexities at that time, you"
## [16026] "had very great amusement in tricking us all.--I am sure you had.--I am"
## [16027] "sure it was a consolation to you.\""
## [16028] ""
## [16029] "\"Oh! no, no, no--how can you suspect me of such a thing? I was the most"
## [16030] "miserable wretch!\""
## [16031] ""
## [16032] "\"Not quite so miserable as to be insensible to mirth. I am sure it was a"
## [16033] "source of high entertainment to you, to feel that you were taking us"
## [16034] "all in.--Perhaps I am the readier to suspect, because, to tell you the"
## [16035] "truth, I think it might have been some amusement to myself in the same"
## [16036] "situation. I think there is a little likeness between us.\""
## [16037] ""
## [16038] "He bowed."
## [16039] ""
## [16040] "\"If not in our dispositions,\" she presently added, with a look of true"
## [16041] "sensibility, \"there is a likeness in our destiny; the destiny which bids"
## [16042] "fair to connect us with two characters so much superior to our own.\""
## [16043] ""
## [16044] "\"True, true,\" he answered, warmly. \"No, not true on your side. You can"
## [16045] "have no superior, but most true on mine.--She is a complete angel. Look"
## [16046] "at her. Is not she an angel in every gesture? Observe the turn of her"
## [16047] "throat. Observe her eyes, as she is looking up at my father.--You will"
## [16048] "be glad to hear (inclining his head, and whispering seriously) that my"
## [16049] "uncle means to give her all my aunt's jewels. They are to be new set."
## [16050] "I am resolved to have some in an ornament for the head. Will not it be"
## [16051] "beautiful in her dark hair?\""
## [16052] ""
## [16053] "\"Very beautiful, indeed,\" replied Emma; and she spoke so kindly, that he"
## [16054] "gratefully burst out,"
## [16055] ""
## [16056] "\"How delighted I am to see you again! and to see you in such excellent"
## [16057] "looks!--I would not have missed this meeting for the world. I should"
## [16058] "certainly have called at Hartfield, had you failed to come.\""
## [16059] ""
## [16060] "The others had been talking of the child, Mrs. Weston giving an account"
## [16061] "of a little alarm she had been under, the evening before, from the"
## [16062] "infant's appearing not quite well. She believed she had been foolish,"
## [16063] "but it had alarmed her, and she had been within half a minute of sending"
## [16064] "for Mr. Perry. Perhaps she ought to be ashamed, but Mr. Weston had been"
## [16065] "almost as uneasy as herself.--In ten minutes, however, the child had"
## [16066] "been perfectly well again. This was her history; and particularly"
## [16067] "interesting it was to Mr. Woodhouse, who commended her very much for"
## [16068] "thinking of sending for Perry, and only regretted that she had not done"
## [16069] "it. \"She should always send for Perry, if the child appeared in the"
## [16070] "slightest degree disordered, were it only for a moment. She could not be"
## [16071] "too soon alarmed, nor send for Perry too often. It was a pity, perhaps,"
## [16072] "that he had not come last night; for, though the child seemed well now,"
## [16073] "very well considering, it would probably have been better if Perry had"
## [16074] "seen it.\""
## [16075] ""
## [16076] "Frank Churchill caught the name."
## [16077] ""
## [16078] "\"Perry!\" said he to Emma, and trying, as he spoke, to catch Miss"
## [16079] "Fairfax's eye. \"My friend Mr. Perry! What are they saying about Mr."
## [16080] "Perry?--Has he been here this morning?--And how does he travel now?--Has"
## [16081] "he set up his carriage?\""
## [16082] ""
## [16083] "Emma soon recollected, and understood him; and while she joined in the"
## [16084] "laugh, it was evident from Jane's countenance that she too was really"
## [16085] "hearing him, though trying to seem deaf."
## [16086] ""
## [16087] "\"Such an extraordinary dream of mine!\" he cried. \"I can never think of"
## [16088] "it without laughing.--She hears us, she hears us, Miss Woodhouse. I see"
## [16089] "it in her cheek, her smile, her vain attempt to frown. Look at her. Do"
## [16090] "not you see that, at this instant, the very passage of her own letter,"
## [16091] "which sent me the report, is passing under her eye--that the whole"
## [16092] "blunder is spread before her--that she can attend to nothing else,"
## [16093] "though pretending to listen to the others?\""
## [16094] ""
## [16095] "Jane was forced to smile completely, for a moment; and the smile partly"
## [16096] "remained as she turned towards him, and said in a conscious, low, yet"
## [16097] "steady voice,"
## [16098] ""
## [16099] "\"How you can bear such recollections, is astonishing to me!--They"
## [16100] "_will_ sometimes obtrude--but how you can court them!\""
## [16101] ""
## [16102] "He had a great deal to say in return, and very entertainingly; but"
## [16103] "Emma's feelings were chiefly with Jane, in the argument; and on leaving"
## [16104] "Randalls, and falling naturally into a comparison of the two men, she"
## [16105] "felt, that pleased as she had been to see Frank Churchill, and really"
## [16106] "regarding him as she did with friendship, she had never been more"
## [16107] "sensible of Mr. Knightley's high superiority of character. The happiness"
## [16108] "of this most happy day, received its completion, in the animated"
## [16109] "contemplation of his worth which this comparison produced."
## [16110] ""
## [16111] ""
## [16112] ""
## [16113] "CHAPTER XIX"
## [16114] ""
## [16115] ""
## [16116] "If Emma had still, at intervals, an anxious feeling for Harriet, a"
## [16117] "momentary doubt of its being possible for her to be really cured of her"
## [16118] "attachment to Mr. Knightley, and really able to accept another man from"
## [16119] "unbiased inclination, it was not long that she had to suffer from the"
## [16120] "recurrence of any such uncertainty. A very few days brought the party"
## [16121] "from London, and she had no sooner an opportunity of being one hour"
## [16122] "alone with Harriet, than she became perfectly satisfied--unaccountable"
## [16123] "as it was!--that Robert Martin had thoroughly supplanted Mr. Knightley,"
## [16124] "and was now forming all her views of happiness."
## [16125] ""
## [16126] "Harriet was a little distressed--did look a little foolish at first:"
## [16127] "but having once owned that she had been presumptuous and silly, and"
## [16128] "self-deceived, before, her pain and confusion seemed to die away with"
## [16129] "the words, and leave her without a care for the past, and with the"
## [16130] "fullest exultation in the present and future; for, as to her friend's"
## [16131] "approbation, Emma had instantly removed every fear of that nature, by"
## [16132] "meeting her with the most unqualified congratulations.--Harriet was"
## [16133] "most happy to give every particular of the evening at Astley's, and the"
## [16134] "dinner the next day; she could dwell on it all with the utmost delight."
## [16135] "But what did such particulars explain?--The fact was, as Emma could now"
## [16136] "acknowledge, that Harriet had always liked Robert Martin; and that his"
## [16137] "continuing to love her had been irresistible.--Beyond this, it must ever"
## [16138] "be unintelligible to Emma."
## [16139] ""
## [16140] "The event, however, was most joyful; and every day was giving her fresh"
## [16141] "reason for thinking so.--Harriet's parentage became known. She proved"
## [16142] "to be the daughter of a tradesman, rich enough to afford her the"
## [16143] "comfortable maintenance which had ever been hers, and decent enough to"
## [16144] "have always wished for concealment.--Such was the blood of gentility"
## [16145] "which Emma had formerly been so ready to vouch for!--It was likely to"
## [16146] "be as untainted, perhaps, as the blood of many a gentleman: but what"
## [16147] "a connexion had she been preparing for Mr. Knightley--or for the"
## [16148] "Churchills--or even for Mr. Elton!--The stain of illegitimacy,"
## [16149] "unbleached by nobility or wealth, would have been a stain indeed."
## [16150] ""
## [16151] "No objection was raised on the father's side; the young man was treated"
## [16152] "liberally; it was all as it should be: and as Emma became acquainted"
## [16153] "with Robert Martin, who was now introduced at Hartfield, she fully"
## [16154] "acknowledged in him all the appearance of sense and worth which could"
## [16155] "bid fairest for her little friend. She had no doubt of Harriet's"
## [16156] "happiness with any good-tempered man; but with him, and in the home he"
## [16157] "offered, there would be the hope of more, of security, stability, and"
## [16158] "improvement. She would be placed in the midst of those who loved her,"
## [16159] "and who had better sense than herself; retired enough for safety,"
## [16160] "and occupied enough for cheerfulness. She would be never led into"
## [16161] "temptation, nor left for it to find her out. She would be respectable"
## [16162] "and happy; and Emma admitted her to be the luckiest creature in the"
## [16163] "world, to have created so steady and persevering an affection in such a"
## [16164] "man;--or, if not quite the luckiest, to yield only to herself."
## [16165] ""
## [16166] "Harriet, necessarily drawn away by her engagements with the Martins,"
## [16167] "was less and less at Hartfield; which was not to be regretted.--The"
## [16168] "intimacy between her and Emma must sink; their friendship must change"
## [16169] "into a calmer sort of goodwill; and, fortunately, what ought to be,"
## [16170] "and must be, seemed already beginning, and in the most gradual, natural"
## [16171] "manner."
## [16172] ""
## [16173] "Before the end of September, Emma attended Harriet to church, and saw"
## [16174] "her hand bestowed on Robert Martin with so complete a satisfaction, as"
## [16175] "no remembrances, even connected with Mr. Elton as he stood before them,"
## [16176] "could impair.--Perhaps, indeed, at that time she scarcely saw Mr. Elton,"
## [16177] "but as the clergyman whose blessing at the altar might next fall on"
## [16178] "herself.--Robert Martin and Harriet Smith, the latest couple engaged of"
## [16179] "the three, were the first to be married."
## [16180] ""
## [16181] "Jane Fairfax had already quitted Highbury, and was restored to the"
## [16182] "comforts of her beloved home with the Campbells.--The Mr. Churchills"
## [16183] "were also in town; and they were only waiting for November."
## [16184] ""
## [16185] "The intermediate month was the one fixed on, as far as they dared, by"
## [16186] "Emma and Mr. Knightley.--They had determined that their marriage ought"
## [16187] "to be concluded while John and Isabella were still at Hartfield, to"
## [16188] "allow them the fortnight's absence in a tour to the seaside, which was"
## [16189] "the plan.--John and Isabella, and every other friend, were agreed in"
## [16190] "approving it. But Mr. Woodhouse--how was Mr. Woodhouse to be induced"
## [16191] "to consent?--he, who had never yet alluded to their marriage but as a"
## [16192] "distant event."
## [16193] ""
## [16194] "When first sounded on the subject, he was so miserable, that they were"
## [16195] "almost hopeless.--A second allusion, indeed, gave less pain.--He"
## [16196] "began to think it was to be, and that he could not prevent it--a very"
## [16197] "promising step of the mind on its way to resignation. Still, however, he"
## [16198] "was not happy. Nay, he appeared so much otherwise, that his daughter's"
## [16199] "courage failed. She could not bear to see him suffering, to know"
## [16200] "him fancying himself neglected; and though her understanding almost"
## [16201] "acquiesced in the assurance of both the Mr. Knightleys, that when"
## [16202] "once the event were over, his distress would be soon over too, she"
## [16203] "hesitated--she could not proceed."
## [16204] ""
## [16205] "In this state of suspense they were befriended, not by any sudden"
## [16206] "illumination of Mr. Woodhouse's mind, or any wonderful change of his"
## [16207] "nervous system, but by the operation of the same system in another"
## [16208] "way.--Mrs. Weston's poultry-house was robbed one night of all her"
## [16209] "turkeys--evidently by the ingenuity of man. Other poultry-yards in"
## [16210] "the neighbourhood also suffered.--Pilfering was _housebreaking_ to Mr."
## [16211] "Woodhouse's fears.--He was very uneasy; and but for the sense of his"
## [16212] "son-in-law's protection, would have been under wretched alarm every"
## [16213] "night of his life. The strength, resolution, and presence of mind of the"
## [16214] "Mr. Knightleys, commanded his fullest dependence. While either of them"
## [16215] "protected him and his, Hartfield was safe.--But Mr. John Knightley must"
## [16216] "be in London again by the end of the first week in November."
## [16217] ""
## [16218] "The result of this distress was, that, with a much more voluntary,"
## [16219] "cheerful consent than his daughter had ever presumed to hope for at the"
## [16220] "moment, she was able to fix her wedding-day--and Mr. Elton was called"
## [16221] "on, within a month from the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Martin, to"
## [16222] "join the hands of Mr. Knightley and Miss Woodhouse."
## [16223] ""
## [16224] "The wedding was very much like other weddings, where the parties have"
## [16225] "no taste for finery or parade; and Mrs. Elton, from the particulars"
## [16226] "detailed by her husband, thought it all extremely shabby, and very"
## [16227] "inferior to her own.--\"Very little white satin, very few lace veils; a"
## [16228] "most pitiful business!--Selina would stare when she heard of it.\"--But,"
## [16229] "in spite of these deficiencies, the wishes, the hopes, the confidence,"
## [16230] "the predictions of the small band of true friends who witnessed the"
## [16231] "ceremony, were fully answered in the perfect happiness of the union."
## [16232] ""
## [16233] ""
## [16234] ""
## [16235] "FINIS"my_dir <- "/Volumes/GoogleDrive/My Drive/Reilly_RData/TM_MultidocumentCorpora/classfiles/"
janedat <- readtext(paste0(my_dir, "*.txt"))
str(janedat)## Classes 'readtext' and 'data.frame': 2 obs. of 2 variables:
## $ doc_id: chr "emma_structured.txt" "pride_structured.txt"
## $ text : chr "EMMA\n\nBy Jane Austen\n\n\n\n\nVOLUME I\n\n\n\nCHAPTER I\n\n\nEmma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with"| __truncated__ "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE\n\nBy Jane Austen\n\n\n\nChapter 1\n\n\nIt is a truth universally acknowledged, that a sing"| __truncated__Dataframe to corpus
janecorp <- corpus(janedat)
summary(janecorp)Explore patterns and word contexts
try <- kwic(janecorp, pattern = "such a vex*")
print(try)## kwic object with 0 rowsTokenize by words
janewords <- tokens(janecorp, remove_numbers = TRUE, remove_punct = TRUE)
print(janewords)## Tokens consisting of 2 documents.
## emma_structured.txt :
## [1] "EMMA" "By" "Jane" "Austen" "VOLUME" "I"
## [7] "CHAPTER" "I" "Emma" "Woodhouse" "handsome" "clever"
## [ ... and 160,407 more ]
##
## pride_structured.txt :
## [1] "PRIDE" "AND" "PREJUDICE" "By" "Jane"
## [6] "Austen" "Chapter" "It" "is" "a"
## [11] "truth" "universally"
## [ ... and 121,801 more ]str(janewords)## List of 2
## $ emma_structured.txt : chr [1:160419] "EMMA" "By" "Jane" "Austen" ...
## $ pride_structured.txt: chr [1:121813] "PRIDE" "AND" "PREJUDICE" "By" ...
## - attr(*, "types")= chr [1:10385] "EMMA" "By" "Jane" "Austen" ...
## - attr(*, "padding")= logi FALSE
## - attr(*, "class")= chr "tokens"
## - attr(*, "docvars")='data.frame': 2 obs. of 3 variables:
## ..$ docname_: chr [1:2] "emma_structured.txt" "pride_structured.txt"
## ..$ docid_ : Factor w/ 2 levels "emma_structured.txt",..: 1 2
## ..$ segid_ : int [1:2] 1 1
## - attr(*, "meta")=List of 3
## ..$ system:List of 5
## .. ..$ package-version:Classes 'package_version', 'numeric_version' hidden list of 1
## .. .. ..$ : int [1:3] 2 1 2
## .. ..$ r-version :Classes 'R_system_version', 'package_version', 'numeric_version' hidden list of 1
## .. .. ..$ : int [1:3] 4 0 2
## .. ..$ system : Named chr [1:3] "Darwin" "x86_64" "Jamie"
## .. .. ..- attr(*, "names")= chr [1:3] "sysname" "machine" "user"
## .. ..$ directory : chr "/Volumes/GoogleDrive/My Drive/Reilly_RData/TM_MultidocumentCorpora"
## .. ..$ created : Date[1:1], format: "2020-10-08"
## ..$ object:List of 6
## .. ..$ unit : chr "documents"
## .. ..$ what : chr "word"
## .. ..$ ngram : int 1
## .. ..$ skip : int 0
## .. ..$ concatenator: chr "_"
## .. ..$ summary :List of 2
## .. .. ..$ hash: chr(0)
## .. .. ..$ data: NULL
## ..$ user : list()Tokenize by sentences
janesents <- tokens(janecorp, remove_numbers = TRUE, remove_punct = TRUE, what = "sentence")
print(janesents)## Tokens consisting of 2 documents.
## emma_structured.txt :
## [1] "EMMA By Jane Austen VOLUME I CHAPTER I Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her."
## [2] "She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate, indulgent father; and had, in consequence of her sister's marriage, been mistress of his house from a very early period."
## [3] "Her mother had died too long ago for her to have more than an indistinct remembrance of her caresses; and her place had been supplied by an excellent woman as governess, who had fallen little short of a mother in affection."
## [4] "Sixteen years had Miss Taylor been in Mr. Woodhouse's family, less as a governess than a friend, very fond of both daughters, but particularly of Emma."
## [5] "Between _them_ it was more the intimacy of sisters."
## [6] "Even before Miss Taylor had ceased to hold the nominal office of governess, the mildness of her temper had hardly allowed her to impose any restraint; and the shadow of authority being now long passed away, they had been living together as friend and friend very mutually attached, and Emma doing just what she liked; highly esteeming Miss Taylor's judgment, but directed chiefly by her own."
## [7] "The real evils, indeed, of Emma's situation were the power of having rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself; these were the disadvantages which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments."
## [8] "The danger, however, was at present so unperceived, that they did not by any means rank as misfortunes with her."
## [9] "Sorrow came - a gentle sorrow - but not at all in the shape of any disagreeable consciousness. - Miss Taylor married."
## [10] "It was Miss Taylor's loss which first brought grief."
## [11] "It was on the wedding-day of this beloved friend that Emma first sat in mournful thought of any continuance."
## [12] "The wedding over, and the bride-people gone, her father and herself were left to dine together, with no prospect of a third to cheer a long evening."
## [ ... and 7,308 more ]
##
## pride_structured.txt :
## [1] "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE By Jane Austen Chapter 1 It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
## [2] "However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters."
## [3] "\"My dear Mr. Bennet,\" said his lady to him one day, \"have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?\""
## [4] "Mr. Bennet replied that he had not."
## [5] "\"But it is,\" returned she; \"for Mrs. Long has just been here, and she told me all about it.\""
## [6] "Mr. Bennet made no answer."
## [7] "\"Do you not want to know who has taken it?\""
## [8] "cried his wife impatiently."
## [9] "\"_You_ want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.\""
## [10] "This was invitation enough."
## [11] "\"Why, my dear, you must know, Mrs. Long says that Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Morris immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, and some of his servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.\""
## [12] "\"What is his name?\""
## [ ... and 5,942 more ]str(janesents)## List of 2
## $ emma_structured.txt : chr [1:7320] "EMMA By Jane Austen VOLUME I CHAPTER I Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable"| __truncated__ "She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate, indulgent father; and had, in consequence of "| __truncated__ "Her mother had died too long ago for her to have more than an indistinct remembrance of her caresses; and her p"| __truncated__ "Sixteen years had Miss Taylor been in Mr. Woodhouse's family, less as a governess than a friend, very fond of b"| __truncated__ ...
## $ pride_structured.txt: chr [1:5954] "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE By Jane Austen Chapter 1 It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in"| __truncated__ "However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this tru"| __truncated__ "\"My dear Mr. Bennet,\" said his lady to him one day, \"have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?\"" "Mr. Bennet replied that he had not." ...
## - attr(*, "types")= chr [1:13014] "EMMA By Jane Austen VOLUME I CHAPTER I Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable"| __truncated__ "She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate, indulgent father; and had, in consequence of "| __truncated__ "Her mother had died too long ago for her to have more than an indistinct remembrance of her caresses; and her p"| __truncated__ "Sixteen years had Miss Taylor been in Mr. Woodhouse's family, less as a governess than a friend, very fond of b"| __truncated__ ...
## - attr(*, "padding")= logi FALSE
## - attr(*, "class")= chr "tokens"
## - attr(*, "docvars")='data.frame': 2 obs. of 3 variables:
## ..$ docname_: chr [1:2] "emma_structured.txt" "pride_structured.txt"
## ..$ docid_ : Factor w/ 2 levels "emma_structured.txt",..: 1 2
## ..$ segid_ : int [1:2] 1 1
## - attr(*, "meta")=List of 3
## ..$ system:List of 5
## .. ..$ package-version:Classes 'package_version', 'numeric_version' hidden list of 1
## .. .. ..$ : int [1:3] 2 1 2
## .. ..$ r-version :Classes 'R_system_version', 'package_version', 'numeric_version' hidden list of 1
## .. .. ..$ : int [1:3] 4 0 2
## .. ..$ system : Named chr [1:3] "Darwin" "x86_64" "Jamie"
## .. .. ..- attr(*, "names")= chr [1:3] "sysname" "machine" "user"
## .. ..$ directory : chr "/Volumes/GoogleDrive/My Drive/Reilly_RData/TM_MultidocumentCorpora"
## .. ..$ created : Date[1:1], format: "2020-10-08"
## ..$ object:List of 6
## .. ..$ unit : chr "documents"
## .. ..$ what : chr "sentence"
## .. ..$ ngram : int 1
## .. ..$ skip : int 0
## .. ..$ concatenator: chr "_"
## .. ..$ summary :List of 2
## .. .. ..$ hash: chr(0)
## .. .. ..$ data: NULL
## ..$ user : list()Corpus to document feature matrix (DFM)
Convert the corpus to a document term matrix – well to be more precise, a document feature matrix because elements that are not words are also included
jane_DFM_raw <- dfm(janecorp)
jane_DFM_granular <- dfm(janecorp, remove = stopwords("SMART"), stem = TRUE, remove_punct = TRUE)
jane_DFM_granular[, 1:10] #prints all rows of the DFM and columns 1-10## Document-feature matrix of: 2 documents, 10 features (10.0% sparse).
## features
## docs emma jane austen volum chapter woodhous handsom clever
## emma_structured.txt 865 301 1 3 57 316 42 31
## pride_structured.txt 0 292 1 2 61 0 42 7
## features
## docs rich comfort
## emma_structured.txt 16 121
## pride_structured.txt 13 50str(jane_DFM_granular)## Formal class 'dfm' [package "quanteda"] with 8 slots
## ..@ docvars :'data.frame': 2 obs. of 3 variables:
## .. ..$ docname_: chr [1:2] "emma_structured.txt" "pride_structured.txt"
## .. ..$ docid_ : Factor w/ 2 levels "emma_structured.txt",..: 1 2
## .. ..$ segid_ : int [1:2] 1 1
## ..@ meta :List of 3
## .. ..$ system:List of 5
## .. .. ..$ package-version:Classes 'package_version', 'numeric_version' hidden list of 1
## .. .. .. ..$ : int [1:3] 2 1 2
## .. .. ..$ r-version :Classes 'R_system_version', 'package_version', 'numeric_version' hidden list of 1
## .. .. .. ..$ : int [1:3] 4 0 2
## .. .. ..$ system : Named chr [1:3] "Darwin" "x86_64" "Jamie"
## .. .. .. ..- attr(*, "names")= chr [1:3] "sysname" "machine" "user"
## .. .. ..$ directory : chr "/Volumes/GoogleDrive/My Drive/Reilly_RData/TM_MultidocumentCorpora"
## .. .. ..$ created : Date[1:1], format: "2020-10-08"
## .. ..$ object:List of 9
## .. .. ..$ unit : chr "documents"
## .. .. ..$ what : chr "word"
## .. .. ..$ ngram : int 1
## .. .. ..$ skip : int 0
## .. .. ..$ concatenator: chr "_"
## .. .. ..$ weight_tf :List of 3
## .. .. .. ..$ scheme: chr "count"
## .. .. .. ..$ base : NULL
## .. .. .. ..$ k : NULL
## .. .. ..$ weight_df :List of 5
## .. .. .. ..$ scheme : chr "unary"
## .. .. .. ..$ base : NULL
## .. .. .. ..$ c : NULL
## .. .. .. ..$ smoothing: NULL
## .. .. .. ..$ threshold: NULL
## .. .. ..$ smooth : num 0
## .. .. ..$ summary :List of 2
## .. .. .. ..$ hash: chr(0)
## .. .. .. ..$ data: NULL
## .. ..$ user : list()
## ..@ i : int [1:8324] 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 ...
## ..@ p : int [1:5629] 0 1 3 5 7 9 10 12 14 16 ...
## ..@ Dim : int [1:2] 2 5628
## ..@ Dimnames:List of 2
## .. ..$ docs : chr [1:2] "emma_structured.txt" "pride_structured.txt"
## .. ..$ features: chr [1:5628] "emma" "jane" "austen" "volum" ...
## ..@ x : num [1:8324] 865 301 292 1 1 3 2 57 61 316 ...
## ..@ factors : list()Viewing the DFM
textplot_wordcloud(jane_DFM_granular, random_order = FALSE, rotation = 0.25) #word cloud or another way
topfeatures(jane_DFM_granular, 50)## mr mrs miss emma elizabeth jane thing time
## 1938 1042 898 865 643 593 530 526
## good harriet friend weston feel great make darci
## 515 508 451 447 433 429 427 417
## thought elton dear knightley man hope ladi day
## 410 408 406 396 385 382 382 375
## happi give father sister bennet young made woodhous
## 355 353 342 339 333 326 325 316
## bingley talk walk long letter love manner marri
## 311 293 280 279 278 272 270 264
## speak famili fairfax churchil hear repli kind pleasur
## 256 245 241 238 232 230 226 223
## word return
## 222 220write.csv(jane_DFM_granular, "CheckMyDFM.csv")Simple topic modeling
janes_topics <- dfm_trim(jane_DFM_granular, min_termfreq = 20, max_docfreq = 150)
janes_topics## Document-feature matrix of: 2 documents, 973 features (3.03% sparse).
## features
## docs emma jane chapter woodhous handsom clever rich comfort
## emma_structured.txt 865 301 57 316 42 31 16 121
## pride_structured.txt 0 292 61 0 42 7 13 50
## features
## docs home happi
## emma_structured.txt 132 200
## pride_structured.txt 66 155
## [ reached max_nfeat ... 963 more features ]set.seed(100)
if (require("stm")) {
janefit15 <- stm(janes_topics, K = 15, verbose = TRUE) #model 15 possible topics
plot(janefit15)
}## Beginning Spectral Initialization
## Calculating the gram matrix...
## Finding anchor words...
## ...............
## Recovering initialization...
## .........
## Initialization complete.
## ..
## Completed E-Step (0 seconds).
## Completed M-Step.
## Completing Iteration 1 (approx. per word bound = -6.304)
## ..
## Completed E-Step (0 seconds).
## Completed M-Step.
## Completing Iteration 2 (approx. per word bound = -6.302, relative change = 3.719e-04)
## ..
## Completed E-Step (0 seconds).
## Completed M-Step.
## Completing Iteration 3 (approx. per word bound = -6.302, relative change = 1.047e-05)
## ..
## Completed E-Step (0 seconds).
## Completed M-Step.
## Model Converged