第4章

`AndifIdid,(which,however,Iamfarfromallowing)IshouldnotfeelthatIhaddonewrong.Mr.Martinisaveryrespectableyoungman,butIcannotadmithimtobeHarriet\'sequal;andamrathersurprizedindeedthatheshouldhaveventuredtoaddressher.Byyouraccount,hedoesseemtohavehadsomescruples.Itisapitythattheywereevergotover.\'

`NotHarriet\'sequal!\'exclaimedMr.Knightleyloudlyandwarmly;andwithcalmerasperity,added,afewmomentsafterwards,`No,heisnotherequalindeed,forheisasmuchhersuperiorinsenseasinsituation.Emma,yourinfatuationaboutthatgirlblindsyou.WhatareHarrietSmith\'sclaims,eitherofbirth,natureoreducation,toanyconnexionhigherthanRobertMartin?Sheisthenaturaldaughterofnobodyknowswhom,withprobablynosettledprovisionatall,andcertainlynorespectablerelations.Sheisknownonlyasparlour-boarderatacommonschool.Sheisnotasensiblegirl,noragirlofanyinformation.Shehasbeentaughtnothinguseful,andistooyoungandtoosimpletohaveacquiredanythingherself.Atherageshecanhavenoexperience,andwithherlittlewit,isnotverylikelyevertohaveanythatcanavailher.Sheispretty,andsheisgoodtempered,andthatisall.Myonlyscrupleinadvisingthematchwasonhisaccount,asbeingbeneathhisdeserts,andabadconnexionforhim.Ifeltthat,astofortune,inallprobabilityhemightdomuchbetter;andthatastoarationalcompanionorusefulhelpmate,hecouldnotdoworse.ButIcouldnotreasonsotoamaninlove,andwaswillingtotrusttotherebeingnoharminher,toherhavingthatsortofdisposition,which,ingoodhands,likehis,mightbeeasilyledarightandturnoutverywell.TheadvantageofthematchIfelttobeallonherside;andhadnotthesmallestdoubt(norhaveInow)thattherewouldbeageneralcry-outuponherextremegoodluck.EvenyoursatisfactionImadesureof.Itcrossedmymindimmediatelythatyouwouldnotregretyourfriend\'sleavingHighbury,forthesakeofherbeingsettledsowell.Iremembersayingtomyself,``EvenEmma,withallherpartialityforHarriet,willthinkthisagoodmatch.\'\'\'

`IcannothelpwonderingatyourknowingsolittleofEmmaastosayanysuchthing.What!thinkafarmer,(andwithallhissenseandallhismeritMr.Martinisnothingmore,)agoodmatchformyintimatefriend!NotregretherleavingHighburyforthesakeofmarryingamanwhomIcouldneveradmitasanacquaintanceofmyown!Iwonderyoushouldthinkitpossibleformetohavesuchfeelings.Iassureyoumineareverydifferent.Imustthinkyourstatementbynomeansfair.YouarenotjusttoHarriet\'sclaims.Theywouldbeestimatedverydifferentlybyothersaswellasmyself;Mr.Martinmaybetherichestofthetwo,butheisundoubtedlyherinferiorastorankinsociety-Thesphereinwhichshemovesismuchabovehis-Itwouldbeadegradation.\'

`Adegradationtoillegitimacyandignorance,tobemarriedtoarespectable,intelligentgentleman-farmer!\'

`Astothecircumstancesofherbirth,thoughinalegalsenseshemaybecalledNobody,itwillnotholdincommonsense.Sheisnottopayfortheoffenceofothers,bybeingheldbelowthelevelofthosewithwhomsheisbroughtup-Therecanscarcelybeadoubtthatherfatherisagentleman-andagentlemanoffortune-Herallowanceisveryliberal;nothinghaseverbeengrudgedforherimprovementorcomfort-Thatsheisagentleman\'sdaughter,isindubitabletome;thatsheassociateswithgentlemen\'sdaughters,noone,Iapprehend,willdeny-SheissuperiortoMr.RobertMartin.\'

`Whoevermightbeherparents,\'saidMr.Knightley,`whoevermayhavehadthechargeofher,itdoesnotappeartohavebeenanypartoftheirplantointroduceherintowhatyouwouldcallgoodsociety.AfterreceivingaveryindifferenteducationsheisleftinMrs.Goddard\'shandstoshiftasshecan;-tomove,inshort,inMrs.Goddard\'sline,tohaveMrs.Goddard\'sacquaintance.Herfriendsevidentlythoughtthisgoodenoughforher;anditwasgoodenough.Shedesirednothingbetterherself.Tillyouchosetoturnherintoafriend,hermindhadnodistasteforherownset,noranyambitionbeyondit.ShewasashappyaspossiblewiththeMartinsinthesummer.Shehadnosenseofsuperioritythen.Ifshehasitnow,youhavegivenit.YouhavebeennofriendtoHarrietSmith,Emma.RobertMartinwouldneverhaveproceededsofar,ifhehadnotfeltpersuadedofhernotbeingdisinclinedtohim.Iknowhimwell.Hehastoomuchrealfeelingtoaddressanywomanonthehaphazardofselfishpassion.Andastoconceit,heisthefarthestfromitofanymanIknow.Dependuponithehadencouragement.\'

ItwasmostconvenienttoEmmanottomakeadirectreplytothisassertion;shechoserathertotakeupherownlineofthesubjectagain.

`YouareaverywarmfriendtoMr.Martin;but,asIsaidbefore,areunjusttoHarriet.Harriet\'sclaimstomarrywellarenotsocontemptibleasyourepresentthem.Sheisnotaclevergirl,butshehasbettersensethanyouareawareof,anddoesnotdeservetohaveherunderstandingspokenofsoslightingly.Waivingthatpoint,however,andsupposinghertobe,asyoudescribeher,onlyprettyandgood-natured,letmetellyou,thatinthedegreeshepossessesthem,theyarenottrivialrecommendationstotheworldingeneral,forsheis,infact,abeautifulgirl,andmustbethoughtsobyninety-ninepeopleoutofanhundred;andtillitappearsthatmenaremuchmorephilosophiconthesubjectofbeautythantheyaregenerallysupposed;tilltheydofallinlovewithwell-informedmindsinsteadofhandsomefaces,agirl,withsuchlovelinessasHarriet,hasacertaintyofbeingadmiredandsoughtafter,ofhavingthepowerofchusingfromamongmany,consequentlyaclaimtobenice.Hergood-nature,too,isnotsoveryslightaclaim,comprehending,asitdoes,real,thoroughsweetnessoftemperandmanner,averyhumbleopinionofherself,andagreatreadinesstobepleasedwithotherpeople.Iamverymuchmistakenifyoursexingeneralwouldnotthinksuchbeauty,andsuchtemper,thehighestclaimsawomancouldpossess.\'

`Uponmyword,Emma,tohearyouabusingthereasonyouhave,isalmostenoughtomakemethinksotoo.Betterbewithoutsense,thanmisapplyitasyoudo.\'

`Tobesure!\'criedsheplayfully.`Iknowthatisthefeelingofyouall.IknowthatsuchagirlasHarrietisexactlywhateverymandelightsin-whatatoncebewitcheshissensesandsatisfieshisjudgment.Oh!Harrietmaypickandchuse.Wereyou,yourself,evertomarry,sheistheverywomanforyou.Andisshe,atseventeen,justenteringintolife,justbeginningtobeknown,tobewonderedatbecauseshedoesnotacceptthefirstoffershereceives?No-prayletherhavetimetolookabouther.\'

`Ihavealwaysthoughtitaveryfoolishintimacy,\'saidMr.Knightleypresently,`thoughIhavekeptmythoughtstomyself;butInowperceivethatitwillbeaveryunfortunateoneforHarriet.Youwillpuffherupwithsuchideasofherownbeauty,andofwhatshehasaclaimto,that,inalittlewhile,nobodywithinherreachwillbegoodenoughforher.Vanityworkingonaweakhead,produceseverysortofmischief.Nothingsoeasyasforayoungladytoraiseherexpectationstoohigh.MissHarrietSmithmaynotfindoffersofmarriageflowinsofast,thoughsheisaveryprettygirl.Menofsense,whateveryoumaychusetosay,donotwantsillywives.Menoffamilywouldnotbeveryfondofconnectingthemselveswithagirlofsuchobscurity-andmostprudentmenwouldbeafraidoftheinconvenienceanddisgracetheymightbeinvolvedin,whenthemysteryofherparentagecametoberevealed.LethermarryRobertMartin,andsheissafe,respectable,andhappyforever;butifyouencouragehertoexpecttomarrygreatly,andteachhertobesatisfiedwithnothinglessthanamanofconsequenceandlargefortune,shemaybeaparlour-boarderatMrs.Goddard\'salltherestofherlife-or,atleast,(forHarrietSmithisagirlwhowillmarrysomebodyorother,)tillshegrowdesperate,andisgladtocatchattheoldwriting-master\'sson.\'

`Wethinksoverydifferentlyonthispoint,Mr.Knightley,thattherecanbenouseincanvassingit.Weshallonlybemakingeachothermoreangry.ButastomylettinghermarryRobertMartin,itisimpossible;shehasrefusedhim,andsodecidedly,Ithink,asmustpreventanysecondapplication.Shemustabidebytheevilofhavingrefusedhim,whateveritmaybe;andastotherefusalitself,IwillnotpretendtosaythatImightnotinfluenceheralittle;butIassureyoutherewasverylittleformeorforanybodytodo.Hisappearanceissomuchagainsthim,andhismannersobad,thatifsheeverweredisposedtofavourhim,sheisnotnow.Icanimagine,thatbeforeshehadseenanybodysuperior,shemighttoleratehim.Hewasthebrotherofherfriends,andhetookpainstopleaseher;andaltogether,havingseennobodybetter(thatmusthavebeenhisgreatassistant)shemightnot,whileshewasatAbbey-Mill,findhimdisagreeable.Butthecaseisalterednow.Sheknowsnowwhatgentlemenare;andnothingbutagentlemanineducationandmannerhasanychancewithHarriet.\'

`Nonsense,errantnonsense,aseverwastalked!\'criedMr.Knightley-`RobertMartin\'smannershavesense,sincerity,andgood-humourtorecommendthem;andhismindhasmoretruegentilitythanHarrietSmithcouldunderstand.\'

Emmamadenoanswer,andtriedtolookcheerfullyunconcerned,butwasreallyfeelinguncomfortableandwantinghimverymuchtobegone.Shedidnotrepentwhatshehaddone;shestillthoughtherselfabetterjudgeofsuchapointoffemalerightandrefinementthanhecouldbe;butyetshehadasortofhabitualrespectforhisjudgmentingeneral,whichmadeherdislikehavingitsoloudlyagainsther;andtohavehimsittingjustoppositetoherinangrystate,wasverydisagreeable.Someminutespassedinthisunpleasantsilence,withonlyoneattemptonEmma\'ssidetotalkoftheweather,buthemadenoanswer.Hewasthinking.Theresultofhisthoughtsappearedatlastinthesewords.

`RobertMartinhasnogreatloss-ifhecanbutthinkso;andIhopeitwillnotbelongbeforehedoes.YourviewsforHarrietarebestknowntoyourself;butasyoumakenosecretofyourloveofmatch-making,itisfairtosupposethatviews,andplans,andprojectsyouhave;-andasafriendIshalljusthinttoyouthatifEltonistheman,Ithinkitwillbealllabourinvain.\'

Emmalaughedanddisclaimed.Hecontinued,

`Dependuponit,Eltonwillnotdo.Eltonisaverygoodsortofman,andaveryrespectablevicarofHighbury,butnotatalllikelytomakeanimprudentmatch.Heknowsthevalueofagoodincomeaswellasanybody.Eltonmaytalksentimentally,buthewillactrationally.Heisaswellacquaintedwithhisownclaims,asyoucanbewithHarriet\'s.Heknowsthatheisaveryhandsomeyoungman,andagreatfavouritewhereverhegoes;andfromhisgeneralwayoftalkinginunreservedmoments,whenthereareonlymenpresent,Iamconvincedthathedoesnotmeantothrowhimselfaway.Ihaveheardhimspeakwithgreatanimationofalargefamilyofyoungladiesthathissistersareintimatewith,whohavealltwentythousandpoundsapiece.\'

`Iamverymuchobligedtoyou,\'saidEmma,laughingagain.`IfIhadsetmyheartonMr.Elton\'smarryingHarriet,itwouldhavebeenverykindtoopenmyeyes;butatpresentIonlywanttokeepHarriettomyself.Ihavedonewithmatch-makingindeed.IcouldneverhopetoequalmyowndoingsatRandalls.IshallleaveoffwhileIamwell.\'

`Goodmorningtoyou,\'-saidhe,risingandwalkingoffabruptly.Hewasverymuchvexed.Hefeltthedisappointmentoftheyoungman,andwasmortifiedtohavebeenthemeansofpromotingit,bythesanctionhehadgiven;andthepartwhichhewaspersuadedEmmahadtakenintheaffair,wasprovokinghimexceedingly.

Emmaremainedinastateofvexationtoo;buttherewasmoreindistinctnessinthecausesofher\'s,thaninhis.Shedidnotalwaysfeelsoabsolutelysatisfiedwithherself,soentirelyconvincedthatheropinionswererightandheradversary\'swrong,asMr.Knightley.Hewalkedoffinmorecompleteself-approbationthanheleftforher.Shewasnotsomateriallycastdown,however,butthatalittletimeandthereturnofHarrietwereveryadequaterestoratives.Harriet\'sstayingawaysolongwasbeginningtomakeheruneasy.Thepossibilityoftheyoungman\'scomingtoMrs.Goddard\'sthatmorning,andmeetingwithHarrietandpleadinghisowncause,gavealarmingideas.Thedreadofsuchafailureafterallbecametheprominentuneasiness;andwhenHarrietappeared,andinverygoodspirits,andwithouthavinganysuchreasontogiveforherlongabsence,shefeltasatisfactionwhichsettledherwithherownmind,andconvincedher,thatletMr.Knightleythinkorsaywhathewould,shehaddonenothingwhichwoman\'sfriendshipandwoman\'sfeelingswouldnotjustify.

HehadfrightenedheralittleaboutMr.Elton;butwhensheconsideredthatMr.Knightleycouldnothaveobservedhimasshehaddone,neitherwiththeinterest,nor(shemustbeallowedtotellherself,inspiteofMr.Knightley\'spretensions)withtheskillofsuchanobserveronsuchaquestionasherself,thathehadspokenithastilyandinanger,shewasabletobelieve,thathehadrathersaidwhathewishedresentfullytobetrue,thanwhatheknewanythingabout.HecertainlymighthaveheardMr.Eltonspeakwithmoreunreservethanshehadeverdone,andMr.Eltonmightnotbeofanimprudent,inconsideratedispositionastomoneymatters;hemightnaturallyberatherattentivethanotherwisetothem;butthen,Mr.Knightleydidnotmakedueallowancefortheinfluenceofastrongpassionatwarwithallinterestedmotives.Mr.Knightleysawnosuchpassion,andofcoursethoughtnothingofitseffects;butshesawtoomuchofittofeeladoubtofitsovercominganyhesitationsthatareasonableprudencemightoriginallysuggest;andmorethanareasonable,becomingdegreeofprudence,shewasverysuredidnotbelongtoMr.Elton.

Harriet\'scheerfullookandmannerestablishedhers:shecameback,nottothinkofMr.Martin,buttotalkofMr.Elton.MissNashhadbeentellinghersomething,whichsherepeatedimmediatelywithgreatdelight.Mr.PerryhadbeentoMrs.Goddard\'stoattendasickchild,andMissNashhadseenhim,andhehadtoldMissNash,thatashewascomingbackyesterdayfromClaytonPark,hehadmetMr.Elton,andfoundtohisgreatsurprize,thatMr.EltonwasactuallyonhisroadtoLondon,andnotmeaningtoreturntillthemorrow,thoughitwasthewhist-clubnight,whichhehadbeenneverknowntomissbefore;andMr.Perryhadremonstratedwithhimaboutit,andtoldhimhowshabbyitwasinhim,theirbestplayer,toabsenthimself,andtriedverymuchtopersuadehimtoputoffhisjourneyonlyoneday;butitwouldnotdo;Mr.Eltonhadbeendeterminedtogoon,andhadsaidinaveryparticularwayindeed,thathewasgoingonbusinesswhichhewouldnotputoffforanyinducementintheworld;andsomethingaboutaveryenviablecommission,andbeingthebearerofsomethingexceedinglyprecious.Mr.Perrycouldnotquiteunderstandhim,buthewasverysuretheremustbealadyinthecase,andhetoldhimso;andMr.Eltononlylookedveryconsciousandsmiling,androdeoffingreatspirits.MissNashhadtoldherallthis,andhadtalkedagreatdealmoreaboutMr.Elton;andsaid,lookingsoverysignificantlyather,`thatshedidnotpretendtounderstandwhathisbusinessmightbe,butsheonlyknewthatanywomanwhomMr.Eltoncouldprefer,sheshouldthinktheluckiestwomanintheworld;for,beyondadoubt,Mr.Eltonhadnothisequalforbeautyoragreeableness.\'

CHAPTERIX

Mr.Knightleymightquarrelwithher,butEmmacouldnotquarrelwithherself.Hewassomuchdispleased,thatitwaslongerthanusualbeforehecametoHartfieldagain;andwhentheydidmeet,hisgravelooksshewedthatshewasnotforgiven.Shewassorry,butcouldnotrepent.Onthecontrary,herplansandproceedingsweremoreandmorejustifiedandendearedtoherbythegeneralappearancesofthenextfewdays.

ThePicture,elegantlyframed,camesafelytohandsoonafterMr.Elton\'sreturn,andbeinghungoverthemantelpieceofthecommonsitting-room,hegotuptolookatit,andsighedouthishalfsentencesofadmirationjustasheought;andasforHarriet\'sfeelings,theywerevisiblyformingthemselvesintoasstrongandsteadyanattachmentasheryouthandsortofmindadmitted.EmmawassoonperfectlysatisfiedofMr.Martin\'sbeingnootherwiseremembered,thanashefurnishedacontrastwithMr.Elton,oftheutmostadvantagetothelatter.

Herviewsofimprovingherlittlefriend\'smind,byagreatdealofusefulreadingandconversation,hadneveryetledtomorethanafewfirstchapters,andtheintentionofgoingonto-morrow.Itwasmucheasiertochatthantostudy;muchpleasantertoletherimaginationrangeandworkatHarriet\'sfortune,thantobelabouringtoenlargehercomprehensionorexerciseitonsoberfacts;andtheonlyliterarypursuitwhichengagedHarrietatpresent,theonlymentalprovisionshewasmakingfortheeveningoflife,wasthecollectingandtranscribingalltheriddlesofeverysortthatshecouldmeetwith,intoathinquartoofhot-pressedpaper,madeupbyherfriend,andornamentedwithciphersandtrophies.

Inthisageofliterature,suchcollectionsonaverygrandscalearenotuncommon.MissNash,head-teacheratMrs.Goddard\'s,hadwrittenoutatleastthreehundred;andHarriet,whohadtakenthefirsthintofitfromher,hoped,withMissWoodhouse\'shelp,togetagreatmanymore.Emmaassistedwithherinvention,memoryandtaste;andasHarrietwroteaveryprettyhand,itwaslikelytobeanarrangementofthefirstorder,informaswellasquantity.

Mr.Woodhousewasalmostasmuchinterestedinthebusinessasthegirls,andtriedveryoftentorecollectsomethingworththeirputtingin.`Somanycleverriddlesasthereusedtobewhenhewasyoung-hewonderedhecouldnotrememberthem!buthehopedheshouldintime.\'Anditalwaysendedin`Kitty,afairbutfrozenmaid.\'

HisgoodfriendPerry,too,whomhehadspokentoonthesubject,didnotatpresentrecollectanythingoftheriddlekind;buthehaddesiredPerrytobeuponthewatch,andashewentaboutsomuch,something,hethought,mightcomefromthatquarter.

Itwasbynomeanshisdaughter\'swishthattheintellectsofHighburyingeneralshouldbeputunderrequisition.Mr.Eltonwastheonlyonewhoseassistancesheasked.Hewasinvitedtocontributeanyreallygoodenigmas,charades,orconundrumsthathemightrecollect;andshehadthepleasureofseeinghimmostintentlyatworkwithhisrecollections;andatthesametime,asshecouldperceive,mostearnestlycarefulthatnothingungallant,nothingthatdidnotbreatheacomplimenttothesexshouldpasshislips.Theyowedtohimtheirtwoorthreepolitestpuzzles;andthejoyandexultationwithwhichatlastherecalled,andrathersentimentallyrecited,thatwell-knowncharade,

Myfirstdothafflictiondenote,

Whichmysecondisdestin\'dtofeel

Andmywholeisthebestantidote

Thatafflictiontosoftenandheal-

madeherquitesorrytoacknowledgethattheyhadtranscribeditsomepagesagoalready.

`Whywillnotyouwriteoneyourselfforus,Mr.Elton?\'saidshe;`thatistheonlysecurityforitsfreshness;andnothingcouldbeeasiertoyou.\'

`Ohno!hehadneverwritten,hardlyever,anythingofthekindinhislife.Thestupidestfellow!HewasafraidnotevenMissWoodhouse\'-hestoptamoment-`orMissSmithcouldinspirehim.\'

Theverynextdayhoweverproducedsomeproofofinspiration.Hecalledforafewmoments,justtoleaveapieceofpaperonthetablecontaining,ashesaid,acharade,whichafriendofhishadaddressedtoayounglady,theobjectofhisadmiration,butwhich,fromhismanner,Emmawasimmediatelyconvincedmustbehisown.

`IdonotofferitforMissSmith\'scollection,\'saidhe.`Beingmyfriend\'s,Ihavenorighttoexposeitinanydegreetothepubliceye,butperhapsyoumaynotdislikelookingatit.\'

ThespeechwasmoretoEmmathantoHarriet,whichEmmacouldunderstand.Therewasdeepconsciousnessabouthim,andhefounditeasiertomeethereyethanherfriend\'s.Hewasgonethenextmoment:-afteranothermoment\'spause,

`Takeit,\'saidEmma,smiling,andpushingthepapertowardsHarriet-`itisforyou.Takeyourown.\'

ButHarrietwasinatremor,andcouldnottouchit;andEmma,neverlothtobefirst,wasobligedtoexamineitherself.

ToMiss-CHARADE.

Myfirstdisplaysthewealthandpompofkings,

Lordsoftheearth!theirluxuryandease.

Anotherviewofman,mysecondbrings,

Beholdhimthere,themonarchoftheseas!,p>Butah!united,whatreversewehave!

Man\'sboastedpowerandfreedom,allareflown;

Lordoftheearthandsea,hebendsaslave,

Andwoman,lovelywoman,reignsalone.

Thyreadywitthewordwillsoonsupply,

Mayitsapprovalbeaminthatsofteye!

Shecasthereyeoverit,pondered,caughtthemeaning,readitthroughagaintobequitecertain,andquitemistressofthelines,andthenpassingittoHarriet,sathappilysmiling,andsayingtoherself,whileHarrietwaspuzzlingoverthepaperinalltheconfusionofhopeanddulness,`Verywell,Mr.Elton,verywellindeed.Ihavereadworsecharades.Courtship-averygoodhint.Igiveyoucreditforit.Thisisfeelingyourway.Thisissayingveryplainly-``Pray,MissSmith,givemeleavetopaymyaddressestoyou.Approvemycharadeandmyintentionsinthesameglance.\'\'

Mayitsapprovalbeaminthatsofteye!

Harrietexactly.Softistheverywordforhereye-ofallepithets,thejustestthatcouldbegiven.

Thyreadywitthewordwillsoonsupply.

Humph-Harriet\'sreadywit!Allthebetter.Amanmustbeverymuchinlove,indeed,todescribeherso.Ah!Mr.Knightley,Iwishyouhadthebenefitofthis;Ithinkthiswouldconvinceyou.Foronceinyourlifeyouwouldbeobligedtoownyourselfmistaken.Anexcellentcharadeindeed!andverymuchtothepurpose.Thingsmustcometoacrisissoonnow.\'

Shewasobligedtobreakofffromtheseverypleasantobservations,whichwereotherwiseofasorttorunintogreatlength,bytheeagernessofHarriet\'swonderingquestions.

`Whatcanitbe,MissWoodhouse?-whatcanitbe?Ihavenotanidea-Icannotguessitintheleast.Whatcanitpossiblybe?Dotrytofinditout,MissWoodhouse.Dohelpme.Ineversawanythingsohard.Isitkingdom?Iwonderwhothefriendwas-andwhocouldbetheyounglady.Doyouthinkitisagoodone?Canitbewoman?

Andwoman,lovelywoman,reignsalone.

CanitbeNeptune?

Beholdhimthere,themonarchoftheseas!

Oratrident?oramermaid?orashark?Oh,no!sharkisonlyonesyllable.Itmustbeveryclever,orhewouldnothavebroughtit.Oh!MissWoodhouse,doyouthinkweshalleverfinditout?\'

`Mermaidsandsharks!Nonsense!MydearHarriet,whatareyouthinkingof?Wherewouldbetheuseofhisbringingusacharademadebyafrienduponamermaidorashark?Givemethepaperandlisten.

ForMiss——readMissSmith.

Myfirstdisplaysthewealthandpompofkings,

Lordsoftheearth!theirluxuryandease.

Thatiscourt.

Anotherviewofman,mysecondbrings;

Beholdhimthere,themonarchoftheseas!

Thatisship;-plainasitcanbe-Nowforthecream.

Butah!united,(courtship,youknow,)whatreversewehave!

Man\'sboastedpowerandfreedom,allareflown.

Lordoftheearthandsea,hebendsaslave,

Andwoman,lovelywoman,reignsalone.

Averypropercompliment!-andthenfollowstheapplication,whichIthink,mydearHarriet,youcannotfindmuchdifficultyincomprehending.Readitincomforttoyourself.Therecanbenodoubtofitsbeingwrittenforyouandtoyou.\'

Harrietcouldnotlongresistsodelightfulapersuasion.Shereadtheconcludinglines,andwasallflutterandhappiness.Shecouldnotspeak.Butshewasnotwantedtospeak.Itwasenoughforhertofeel.Emmaspokeforher.

`Thereissopointed,andsoparticularameaninginthiscompliment,\'saidshe,`thatIcannothaveadoubtastoMr.Elton\'sintentions.Youarehisobject-andyouwillsoonreceivethecompletestproofofit.Ithoughtitmustbeso.IthoughtIcouldnotbesodeceived;butnow,itisclear;thestateofhismindisasclearanddecided,asmywishesonthesubjecthavebeeneversinceIknewyou.Yes,Harriet,justsolonghaveIbeenwantingtheverycircumstancetohappenwhathashappened.IcouldnevertellwhetheranattachmentbetweenyouandMr.Eltonweremostdesirableormostnatural.Itsprobabilityanditseligibilityhavereallysoequalledeachother!Iamveryhappy.Icongratulateyou,mydearHarriet,withallmyheart.Thisisanattachmentwhichawomanmaywellfeelprideincreating.Thisisaconnexionwhichoffersnothingbutgood.Itwillgiveyoueverythingthatyouwant-consideration,independence,aproperhome-itwillfixyouinthecentreofallyourrealfriends,closetoHartfieldandtome,andconfirmourintimacyforever.This,Harriet,isanalliancewhichcanneverraiseablushineitherofus.\'

`DearMissWoodhouse!\'-and`DearMissWoodhouse,\'wasallthatHarriet,withmanytenderembracescouldarticulateatfirst;butwhentheydidarriveatsomethingmorelikeconversation,itwassufficientlycleartoherfriendthatshesaw,felt,anticipated,andrememberedjustassheought.Mr.Elton\'ssuperiorityhadveryampleacknowledgment.

`Whateveryousayisalwaysright,\'criedHarriet,`andthereforeIsuppose,andbelieve,andhopeitmustbeso;butotherwiseIcouldnothaveimaginedit.ItissomuchbeyondanythingIdeserve.Mr.Elton,whomightmarryanybody!Therecannotbetwoopinionsabouthim.Heissoverysuperior.Onlythinkofthosesweetverses-`ToMiss.\'Dearme,howclever!-Coulditreallybemeantforme?\'

`Icannotmakeaquestion,orlistentoaquestionaboutthat.Itisacertainty.Receiveitonmyjudgment.Itisasortofprologuetotheplay,amottotothechapter;andwillbesoonfollowedbymatter-of-factprose.\'

`Itisasortofthingwhichnobodycouldhaveexpected.Iamsure,amonthago,Ihadnomoreideamyself!-Thestrangestthingsdotakeplace!\'

`WhenMissSmithsandMr.Eltonsgetacquainted-theydoindeed-andreallyitisstrange;itisoutofthecommoncoursethatwhatissoevidently,sopalpablydesirable-whatcourtsthepre-arrangementofotherpeople,shouldsoimmediatelyshapeitselfintotheproperform.YouandMr.Eltonarebysituationcalledtogether;youbelongtooneanotherbyeverycircumstanceofyourrespectivehomes.YourmarryingwillbeequaltothematchatRandalls.TheredoesseemtobeasomethingintheairofHartfieldwhichgivesloveexactlytherightdirection,andsendsitintotheverychannelwhereitoughttoflow.

Thecourseoftrueloveneverdidrunsmooth-

AHartfieldeditionofShakespearewouldhavealongnoteonthatpassage.\'

`ThatMr.Eltonshouldreallybeinlovewithme,-me,ofallpeople,whodidnotknowhim,tospeaktohim,atMichaelmas!Andhe,theveryhandsomestmanthateverwas,andamanthateverybodylooksupto,quitelikeMr.Knightley!Hiscompanysosoughtafter,thateverybodysaysheneednoteatasinglemealbyhimselfifhedoesnotchuseit;thathehasmoreinvitationsthantherearedaysintheweek.AndsoexcellentintheChurch!MissNashhasputdownallthetextshehaseverpreachedfromsincehecametoHighbury.Dearme!WhenIlookbacktothefirsttimeIsawhim!HowlittledidIthink!-ThetwoAbbotsandIranintothefrontroomandpeepedthroughtheblindwhenweheardhewasgoingby,andMissNashcameandscoldedusaway,andstaidtolookthroughherself;however,shecalledmebackpresently,andletmelooktoo,whichwasverygood-natured.Andhowbeautifulwethoughthelooked!Hewasarm-in-armwithMr.Cole.\'

`Thisisanalliancewhich,whoever-whateveryourfriendsmaybe,mustbeagreeabletothem,providedatleasttheyhavecommonsense;andwearenottobeaddressingourconducttofools.Iftheyareanxioustoseeyouhappilymarried,hereisamanwhoseamiablecharactergiveseveryassuranceofit;-iftheywishtohaveyousettledinthesamecountryandcirclewhichtheyhavechosentoplaceyouin,hereitwillbeaccomplished;andiftheironlyobjectisthatyoushould,inthecommonphrase,bewellmarried,hereisthecomfortablefortune,therespectableestablishment,theriseintheworldwhichmustsatisfythem.\'

`Yes,verytrue.Hownicelyyoutalk;Ilovetohearyou.Youunderstandeverything.YouandMr.Eltonareoneascleverastheother.Thischarade!-IfIhadstudiedatwelvemonth,Icouldneverhavemadeanythinglikeit.\'

`Ithoughthemeanttotryhisskill,byhismannerofdecliningityesterday.\'

`Idothinkitis,withoutexception,thebestcharadeIeverread.\'

`Ineverreadonemoretothepurpose,certainly.\'

`Itisaslongagainasalmostallwehavehadbefore.\'

`Idonotconsideritslengthasparticularlyinitsfavour.Suchthingsingeneralcannotbetooshort.\'

Harrietwastoointentonthelinestohear.Themostsatisfactorycomparisonswererisinginhermind.

`Itisonething,\'saidshe,presently-hercheeksinaglow-`tohaveverygoodsenseinacommonway,likeeverybodyelse,andifthereisanythingtosay,tositdownandwritealetter,andsayjustwhatyoumust,inashortway;andanother,towriteversesandcharadeslikethis.\'

EmmacouldnothavedesiredamorespiritedrejectionofMr.Martin\'sprose.

`Suchsweetlines!\'continuedHarriet-`thesetwolast!-ButhowshallIeverbeabletoreturnthepaper,orsayIhavefounditout?-Oh!MissWoodhouse,whatcanwedoaboutthat?\'

`Leaveittome.Youdonothing.Hewillbeherethisevening,Idaresay,andthenIwillgiveithimback,andsomenonsenseorotherwillpassbetweenus,andyoushallnotbecommitted-Yoursofteyesshallchusetheirowntimeforbeaming.Trusttome.\'

`Oh!MissWoodhouse,whatapitythatImustnotwritethisbeautifulcharadeintomybook!IamsureIhavenotgotonehalfsogood.\'

`Leaveoutthetwolastlines,andthereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldnotwriteitintoyourbook.\'

`Oh!butthosetwolinesare\'——

`Thebestofall.Granted;-forprivateenjoyment;andforprivateenjoymentkeepthem.Theyarenotatallthelesswrittenyouknow,becauseyoudividethem.Thecoupletdoesnotceasetobe,nordoesitsmeaningchange.Buttakeitaway,andallappropriationceases,andaveryprettygallantcharaderemains,fitforanycollection.Dependuponit,hewouldnotliketohavehischaradeslighted,muchbetterthanhispassion.Apoetinlovemustbeencouragedinbothcapacities,orneither.Givemethebook,Iwillwriteitdown,andthentherecanbenopossiblereflectiononyou.\'

Harrietsubmitted,thoughhermindcouldhardlyseparatetheparts,soastofeelquitesurethatherfriendwerenotwritingdownadeclarationoflove.Itseemedtoopreciousanofferingforanydegreeofpublicity.

`Ishallneverletthatbookgooutofmyownhands,\'saidshe.

`Verywell,\'repliedEmma;`amostnaturalfeeling;andthelongeritlasts,thebetterIshallbepleased.Buthereismyfathercoming:youwillnotobjecttomyreadingthecharadetohim.Itwillbegivinghimsomuchpleasure!Helovesanythingofthesort,andespeciallyanythingthatpayswomanacompliment.Hehasthetenderestspiritofgallantrytowardsusall!-Youmustletmereadittohim.\'

Harrietlookedgrave.

`MydearHarriet,youmustnotrefinetoomuchuponthischarade-Youwillbetrayyourfeelingsimproperly,ifyouaretooconsciousandtooquick,andappeartoaffixmoremeaning,orevenquiteallthemeaningwhichmaybeaffixedtoit.Donotbeoverpoweredbysuchalittletributeofadmiration.Ifhehadbeenanxiousforsecrecy,hewouldnothaveleftthepaperwhileIwasby;butheratherpushedittowardsmethantowardsyou.Donotletusbetoosolemnonthebusiness.Hehasencouragementenoughtoproceed,withoutoursighingoutoursoulsoverthischarade.\'

`Oh!no-IhopeIshallnotberidiculousaboutit.Doasyouplease.\'

Mr.Woodhousecamein,andverysoonledtothesubjectagain,bytherecurrenceofhisveryfrequentinquiryof`Well,mydears,howdoesyourbookgoon?-Haveyougotanythingfresh?\'