第6章

EmmacouldnotlikewhatborderedonareflectiononMr.Weston,andhadhalfamindtotakeitup;butshestruggled,andletitpass.Shewouldkeepthepeaceifpossible;andtherewassomethinghonourableandvaluableinthestrongdomestichabits,theall-sufficiencyofhometohimself,whenceresultedherbrother\'sdispositiontolookdownonthecommonrateofsocialintercourse,andthosetowhomitwasimportant-Ithadahighclaimtoforbearance.

CHAPTERXII

Mr.Knightleywastodinewiththem-ratheragainsttheinclinationofMr.Woodhouse,whodidnotlikethatanyoneshouldsharewithhiminIsabella\'sfirstday.Emma\'ssenseofrighthoweverhaddecidedit;andbesidestheconsiderationofwhatwasduetoeachbrother,shehadparticularpleasure,fromthecircumstanceofthelatedisagreementbetweenMr.Knightleyandherself,inprocuringhimtheproperinvitation.

Shehopedtheymightnowbecomefriendsagain.Shethoughtitwastimetomakeup.Making-upindeedwouldnotdo.Shecertainlyhadnotbeeninthewrong,andhewouldneverownthathehad.Concessionmustbeoutofthequestion;butitwastimetoappeartoforgetthattheyhadeverquarrelled;andshehopeditmightratherassisttherestorationoffriendship,thatwhenhecameintotheroomshehadoneofthechildrenwithher-theyoungest,anicelittlegirlabouteightmonthsold,whowasnowmakingherfirstvisittoHartfield,andveryhappytobedancedaboutinheraunt\'sarms.Itdidassist;forthoughhebeganwithgravelooksandshortquestions,hewassoonledontotalkofthemallintheusualway,andtotakethechildoutofherarmswithalltheunceremoniousnessofperfectamity.Emmafelttheywerefriendsagain;andtheconvictiongivingheratfirstgreatsatisfaction,andthenalittlesauciness,shecouldnothelpsaying,ashewasadmiringthebaby,

`Whatacomfortitis,thatwethinkalikeaboutournephewsandnieces.Astomenandwomen,ouropinionsaresometimesverydifferent;butwithregardtothesechildren,Iobserveweneverdisagree.\'

`Ifyouwereasmuchguidedbynatureinyourestimateofmenandwomen,andaslittleunderthepoweroffancyandwhiminyourdealingswiththem,asyouarewherethesechildrenareconcerned,wemightalwaysthinkalike.\'

`Tobesure-ourdiscordanciesmustalwaysarisefrommybeinginthewrong.\'

`Yes,\'saidhe,smiling-`andreasongood.Iwassixteenyearsoldwhenyouwereborn.\'

`Amaterialdifferencethen,\'shereplied-`andnodoubtyouweremuchmysuperiorinjudgmentatthatperiodofourlives;butdoesnotthelapseofone-and-twentyyearsbringourunderstandingsagooddealnearer?\'

`Yes-agooddealnearer.\'

`Butstill,notnearenoughtogivemeachanceofbeingright,ifwethinkdifferently.\'

`Ihavestilltheadvantageofyoubysixteenyears\'experience,andbynotbeingaprettyyoungwomanandaspoiledchild.Come,mydearEmma,letusbefriends,andsaynomoreaboutit.Tellyouraunt,littleEmma,thatsheoughttosetyouabetterexamplethantoberenewingoldgrievances,andthatifshewerenotwrongbefore,sheisnow.\'

`That\'strue,\'shecried-`verytrue.LittleEmma,growupabetterwomanthanyouraunt.Beinfinitelyclevererandnothalfsoconceited.Now,Mr.Knightley,awordortwomore,andIhavedone.Asfarasgoodintentionswent,wewerebothright,andImustsaythatnoeffectsonmysideoftheargumenthaveyetprovedwrong.IonlywanttoknowthatMr.Martinisnotvery,verybitterlydisappointed.\'

`Amancannotbemoreso,\'washisshort,fullanswer.

`Ah!-IndeedIamverysorry-Come,shakehandswithme.\'

Thishadjusttakenplaceandwithgreatcordiality,whenJohnKnightleymadehisappearance,and`Howd\'yedo,George?\'and`John,howareyou?\'succeededinthetrueEnglishstyle,buryingunderacalmnessthatseemedallbutindifference,therealattachmentwhichwouldhaveledeitherofthem,ifrequisite,todoeverythingforthegoodoftheother.

Theeveningwasquietandconversable,asMr.WoodhousedeclinedcardsentirelyforthesakeofcomfortabletalkwithhisdearIsabella,andthelittlepartymadetwonaturaldivisions;ononesideheandhisdaughter;ontheotherthetwoMr.Knightleys;theirsubjectstotallydistinct,orveryrarelymixing-andEmmaonlyoccasionallyjoininginoneortheother.

Thebrotherstalkedoftheirownconcernsandpursuits,butprincipallyofthoseoftheelder,whosetemperwasbymuchthemostcommunicative,andwhowasalwaysthegreatertalker.Asamagistrate,hehadgenerallysomepointoflawtoconsultJohnabout,or,atleast,somecuriousanecdotetogive;andasafarmer,askeepinginhandthehome-farmatDonwell,hehadtotellwhateveryfieldwastobearnextyear,andtogiveallsuchlocalinformationascouldnotfailofbeinginterestingtoabrotherwhosehomeithadequallybeenthelongestpartofhislife,andwhoseattachmentswerestrong.Theplanofadrain,thechangeofafence,thefellingofatree,andthedestinationofeveryacreforwheat,turnips,orspringcorn,wasenteredintowithasmuchequalityofinterestbyJohn,ashiscoolermannersrenderedpossible;andifhiswillingbrothereverlefthimanythingtoinquireabout,hisinquiriesevenapproachedatoneofeagerness.

Whiletheywerethuscomfortablyoccupied,Mr.Woodhousewasenjoyingafullflowofhappyregretsandfearfulaffectionwithhisdaughter.

`MypoordearIsabella,\'saidhe,fondlytakingherhand,andinterrupting,forafewmoments,herbusylaboursforsomeoneofherfivechildren-`Howlongitis,howterriblylongsinceyouwerehere!Andhowtiredyoumustbeafteryourjourney!Youmustgotobedearly,mydear-andIrecommendalittlegrueltoyoubeforeyougo-YouandIwillhaveanicebasinofgrueltogether.MydearEmma,supposeweallhavealittlegruel.\'

Emmacouldnotsupposeanysuchthing,knowingasshedid,thatboththeMr.Knightleyswereasunpersuadableonthatarticleasherself;-andtwobasinsonlywereordered.Afteralittlemorediscourseinpraiseofgruel,withsomewonderingatitsnotbeingtakeneveryeveningbyeverybody,heproceededtosay,withanairofgravereflection,

`Itwasanawkwardbusiness,mydear,yourspendingtheautumnatSouthEndinsteadofcominghere.Ineverhadmuchopinionoftheseaair.\'

`Mr.Wingfieldmoststrenuouslyrecommendedit,sir-orweshouldnothavegone.Herecommendeditforallthechildren,butparticularlyfortheweaknessinlittleBella\'sthroat,-bothseaairandbathing.\'

`Ah!mydear,butPerryhadmanydoubtsabouttheseadoingheranygood;andastomyself,Ihavebeenlongperfectlyconvinced,thoughperhapsInevertoldyousobefore,thattheseaisveryrarelyofusetoanybody.Iamsureitalmostkilledmeonce.\'

`Come,come,\'criedEmma,feelingthistobeanunsafesubject,`Imustbegyounottotalkofthesea.Itmakesmeenviousandmiserable;-Iwhohaveneverseenit!SouthEndisprohibited,ifyouplease.MydearIsabella,IhavenotheardyoumakeoneinquiryaboutMr.Perryyet;andheneverforgetsyou.\'

`Oh!goodMr.Perry-howishe,sir?\'

`Why,prettywell;butnotquitewell.PoorPerryisbilious,andhehasnottimetotakecareofhimself-hetellsmehehasnottimetotakecareofhimself-whichisverysad-butheisalwayswantedallroundthecountry.Isupposethereisnotamaninsuchpracticeanywhere.Butthenthereisnotsocleveramananywhere.\'

`AndMrs.Perryandthechildren,howarethey?dothechildrengrow?IhaveagreatregardforMr.Perry.Ihopehewillbecallingsoon.Hewillbesopleasedtoseemylittleones.\'

`Ihopehewillbehereto-morrow,forIhaveaquestionortwotoaskhimaboutmyselfofsomeconsequence.And,mydear,wheneverhecomes,youhadbetterlethimlookatlittleBella\'sthroat.\'

`Oh!mydearsir,herthroatissomuchbetterthatIhavehardlyanyuneasinessaboutit.Eitherbathinghasbeenofthegreatestservicetoher,orelseitistobeattributedtoanexcellentembrocationofMr.Wingfield\'s,whichwehavebeenapplyingattimeseversinceAugust.\'

`Itisnotverylikely,mydear,thatbathingshouldhavebeenofusetoher-andifIhadknownyouwerewantinganembrocation,Iwouldhavespokento-

`YouseemtometohaveforgottenMrs.andMissBates,\'saidEmma,`Ihavenotheardoneinquiryafterthem.\'

`Oh!thegoodBateses-Iamquiteashamedofmyself-butyoumentiontheminmostofyourletters.Ihopetheyarequitewell.GoodoldMrs.Bates-Iwillcalluponherto-morrow,andtakemychildren-Theyarealwayssopleasedtoseemychildren-AndthatexcellentMissBates!-suchthoroughworthypeople!-Howarethey,sir?\'

`Why,prettywell,mydear,uponthewhole.ButpoorMrs.Bateshadabadcoldaboutamonthago.\'

`HowsorryIam!Butcoldswereneversoprevalentastheyhavebeenthisautumn.Mr.Wingfieldtoldmethathehasneverknownthemmoregeneralorheavy-exceptwhenithasbeenquiteaninfluenza.\'

`Thathasbeenagooddealthecase,mydear;butnottothedegreeyoumention.Perrysaysthatcoldshavebeenverygeneral,butnotsoheavyashehasveryoftenknowntheminNovember.Perrydoesnotcallitaltogetherasicklyseason.\'

`No,IdonotknowthatMr.Wingfieldconsidersitverysicklyexcept-

`Ah!mypoordearchild,thetruthis,thatinLondonitisalwaysasicklyseason.NobodyishealthyinLondon,nobodycanbe.Itisadreadfulthingtohaveyouforcedtolivethere!sofaroff!-andtheairsobad!\'

`No,indeed-wearenotatallinabadair.OurpartofLondonisverysuperiortomostothers!-YoumustnotconfounduswithLondoningeneral,mydearsir.TheneighbourhoodofBrunswickSquareisverydifferentfromalmostalltherest.Wearesoveryairy!Ishouldbeunwilling,Iown,toliveinanyotherpartofthetown;-thereishardlyanyotherthatIcouldbesatisfiedtohavemychildrenin:butwearesoremarkablyairy!-Mr.WingfieldthinksthevicinityofBrunswickSquaredecidedlythemostfavourableastoair.\'

`Ah!mydear,itisnotlikeHartfield.Youmakethebestofit-butafteryouhavebeenaweekatHartfield,youareallofyoudifferentcreatures;youdonotlooklikethesame.NowIcannotsay,thatIthinkyouareanyofyoulookingwellatpresent.\'

`Iamsorrytohearyousayso,sir;butIassureyou,exceptingthoselittlenervoushead-achesandpalpitationswhichIamneverentirelyfreefromanywhere,Iamquitewellmyself;andifthechildrenwereratherpalebeforetheywenttobed,itwasonlybecausetheywerealittlemoretiredthanusual,fromtheirjourneyandthehappinessofcoming.Ihopeyouwillthinkbetteroftheirlooksto-morrow;forIassureyouMr.Wingfieldtoldme,thathedidnotbelievehehadeversentusoffaltogether,insuchgoodcase.Itrust,atleast,thatyoudonotthinkMr.Knightleylookingill,\'turninghereyeswithaffectionateanxietytowardsherhusband.

`Middling,mydear;Icannotcomplimentyou.IthinkMr.JohnKnightleyveryfarfromlookingwell.\'

`Whatisthematter,sir?-Didyouspeaktome?\'criedMr.JohnKnightley,hearinghisownname.

`Iamsorrytofind,mylove,thatmyfatherdoesnotthinkyoulookingwell-butIhopeitisonlyfrombeingalittlefatigued.Icouldhavewished,however,asyouknow,thatyouhadseenMr.Wingfieldbeforeyoulefthome.\'

`MydearIsabella,\'-exclaimedhehastily-`praydonotconcernyourselfaboutmylooks.Besatisfiedwithdoctoringandcoddlingyourselfandthechildren,andletmelookasIchuse.\'

`Ididnotthoroughlyunderstandwhatyouweretellingyourbrother,\'criedEmma,`aboutyourfriendMr.Graham\'sintendingtohaveabailifffromScotland,tolookafterhisnewestate.Whatwillitanswer?Willnottheoldprejudicebetoostrong?\'

Andshetalkedinthiswaysolongandsuccessfullythat,whenforcedtogiveherattentionagaintoherfatherandsister,shehadnothingworsetohearthanIsabella\'skindinquiryafterJaneFairfax;andJaneFairfax,thoughnogreatfavouritewithheringeneral,shewasatthatmomentveryhappytoassistinpraising.

`Thatsweet,amiableJaneFairfax!\'saidMrs.JohnKnightley-`ItissolongsinceIhaveseenher,exceptnowandthenforamomentaccidentallyintown!Whathappinessitmustbetohergoodoldgrandmotherandexcellentaunt,whenshecomestovisitthem!IalwaysregretexcessivelyondearEmma\'saccountthatshecannotbemoreatHighbury;butnowtheirdaughterismarried,IsupposeColonelandMrs.Campbellwillnotbeabletopartwithheratall.ShewouldbesuchadelightfulcompanionforEmma.\'

Mr.Woodhouseagreedtoitall,butadded,

`OurlittlefriendHarrietSmith,however,isjustsuchanotherprettykindofyoungperson.YouwilllikeHarriet.EmmacouldnothaveabettercompanionthanHarriet.\'

`Iammosthappytohearit-butonlyJaneFairfaxoneknowstobesoveryaccomplishedandsuperior!-andexactlyEmma\'sage.\'

Thistopicwasdiscussedveryhappily,andotherssucceededofsimilarmoment,andpassedawaywithsimilarharmony;buttheeveningdidnotclosewithoutalittlereturnofagitation.Thegruelcameandsuppliedagreatdealtobesaid-muchpraiseandmanycomments-undoubtingdecisionofitswholesomenessforeveryconstitution,andprettyseverePhilippicsuponthemanyhouseswhereitwasnevermetwithtolerable;-but,unfortunately,amongthefailureswhichthedaughterhadtoinstance,themostrecent,andthereforemostprominent,wasinherowncookatSouthEnd,ayoungwomanhiredforthetime,whoneverhadbeenabletounderstandwhatshemeantbyabasinofnicesmoothgruel,thin,butnottoothin.Oftenasshehadwishedforandorderedit,shehadneverbeenabletogetanythingtolerable.Herewasadangerousopening.

`Ah!\'saidMr.Woodhouse,shakinghisheadandfixinghiseyesonherwithtenderconcern-TheejaculationinEmma\'searexpressed,`Ah!thereisnoendofthesadconsequencesofyourgoingtoSouthEnd.Itdoesnotbeartalkingof.\'Andforalittlewhileshehopedhewouldnottalkofit,andthatasilentruminationmightsufficetorestorehimtotherelishofhisownsmoothgruel.Afteranintervalofsomeminutes,however,hebeganwith,

`Ishallalwaysbeverysorrythatyouwenttotheseathisautumn,insteadofcominghere.\'

`Butwhyshouldyoubesorry,sir?-Iassureyou,itdidthechildrenagreatdealofgood.\'

`And,moreover,ifyoumustgotothesea,ithadbetternothavebeentoSouthEnd.SouthEndisanunhealthyplace.PerrywassurprizedtohearyouhadfixeduponSouthEnd.\'

`Iknowthereissuchanideawithmanypeople,butindeeditisquiteamistake,sir-Weallhadourhealthperfectlywellthere,neverfoundtheleastinconveniencefromthemud;andMr.Wingfieldsaysitisentirelyamistaketosupposetheplaceunhealthy;andIamsurehemaybedependedon,forhethoroughlyunderstandsthenatureoftheair,andhisownbrotherandfamilyhavebeenthererepeatedly.\'

`YoushouldhavegonetoCromer,mydear,ifyouwentanywhere-PerrywasaweekatCromeronce,andheholdsittobethebestofallthesea-bathingplaces.Afineopensea,hesays,andverypureair.And,bywhatIunderstand,youmighthavehadlodgingstherequiteawayfromthesea-aquarterofamileoff-verycomfortable.YoushouldhaveconsultedPerry.\'

`But,mydearsir,thedifferenceofthejourney;-onlyconsiderhowgreatitwouldhavebeen-Anhundredmiles,perhaps,insteadofforty.\'

`Ah!mydear,asPerrysays,wherehealthisatstake,nothingelseshouldbeconsidered;andifoneistotravel,thereisnotmuchtochusebetweenfortymilesandanhundred-Betternotmoveatall,betterstayinLondonaltogetherthantravelfortymilestogetintoaworseair.ThisisjustwhatPerrysaid.Itseemedtohimaveryill-judgedmeasure.\'

Emma\'sattemptstostopherfatherhadbeenvain;andwhenhehadreachedsuchapointasthis,shecouldnotwonderatherbrother-in-law\'sbreakingout.

`Mr.Perry,\'saidhe,inavoiceofverystrongdispleasure,`woulddoaswelltokeephisopiniontillitisaskedfor.Whydoeshemakeitanybusinessofhis,towonderatwhatIdo?-atmytakingmyfamilytoonepartofthecoastoranother?-Imaybeallowed,Ihope,theuseofmyjudgmentaswellasMr.Perry-Iwanthisdirectionsnomorethanhisdrugs.\'Hepaused-andgrowingcoolerinamoment,added,withonlysarcasticdryness,`IfMr.Perrycantellmehowtoconveyawifeandfivechildrenadistanceofanhundredandthirtymileswithnogreaterexpenseorinconveniencethanadistanceofforty,IshouldbeaswillingtopreferCromertoSouthEndashecouldhimself.\'

`True,true,\'criedMr.Knightley,withmostreadyinterposition-`verytrue.That\'saconsiderationindeed-ButJohn,astowhatIwastellingyouofmyideaofmovingthepathtoLangham,ofturningitmoretotherightthatitmaynotcutthroughthehomemeadows,Icannotconceiveanydifficulty.Ishouldnotattemptit,ifitweretobethemeansofinconveniencetotheHighburypeople,butifyoucalltomindexactlythepresentlineofthepathTheonlywayofprovingit,however,willbetoturntoourmaps.IshallseeyouattheAbbeyto-morrowmorningIhope,andthenwewilllookthemover,andyoushallgivemeyouropinion.\'

Mr.WoodhousewasratheragitatedbysuchharshreflectionsonhisfriendPerry,towhomhehad,infact,thoughunconsciously,beenattributingmanyofhisownfeelingsandexpressions;-butthesoothingattentionsofhisdaughtersgraduallyremovedthepresentevil,andtheimmediatealertnessofonebrother,andbetterrecollectionsoftheother,preventedanyrenewalofit.

CHAPTERXIII

TherecouldhardlybeahappiercreatureintheworldthanMrs.JohnKnightley,inthisshortvisittoHartfield,goingabouteverymorningamongheroldacquaintancewithherfivechildren,andtalkingoverwhatshehaddoneeveryeveningwithherfatherandsister.Shehadnothingtowishotherwise,butthatthedaysdidnotpasssoswiftly.Itwasadelightfulvisit;-perfect,inbeingmuchtooshort.

Ingeneraltheireveningswerelessengagedwithfriendsthantheirmornings;butonecompletedinnerengagement,andoutofthehousetoo,therewasnoavoiding,thoughatChristmas.Mr.Westonwouldtakenodenial;theymustalldineatRandallsoneday;-evenMr.Woodhousewaspersuadedtothinkitapossiblethinginpreferencetoadivisionoftheparty.

Howtheywerealltobeconveyed,hewouldhavemadeadifficultyifhecould,butashissonanddaughter\'scarriageandhorseswereactuallyatHartfield,hewasnotabletomakemorethanasimplequestiononthathead;ithardlyamountedtoadoubt;nordiditoccupyEmmalongtoconvincehimthattheymightinoneofthecarriagesfindroomforHarrietalso.

Harriet,Mr.Elton,andMr.Knightley,theirownespecialset,weretheonlypersonsinvitedtomeetthem;-thehoursweretobeearly,aswellasthenumbersfew;Mr.Woodhouse\'shabitsandinclinationbeingconsultedineverything.

Theeveningbeforethisgreatevent(foritwasaverygreateventthatMr.Woodhouseshoulddineout,onthe24thofDecember)hadbeenspentbyHarrietatHartfield,andshehadgonehomesomuchindisposedwithacold,that,butforherownearnestwishofbeingnursedbyMrs.Goddard,Emmacouldnothaveallowedhertoleavethehouse.Emmacalledonherthenextday,andfoundherdoomalreadysignedwithregardtoRandalls.Shewasveryfeverishandhadabadsorethroat:Mrs.Goddardwasfullofcareandaffection,Mr.Perrywastalkedof,andHarrietherselfwastooillandlowtoresisttheauthoritywhichexcludedherfromthisdelightfulengagement,thoughshecouldnotspeakofherlosswithoutmanytears.

Emmasatwithheraslongasshecould,toattendherinMrs.Goddard\'sunavoidableabsences,andraiseherspiritsbyrepresentinghowmuchMr.Elton\'swouldbedepressedwhenheknewherstate;andleftheratlasttolerablycomfortable,inthesweetdependenceofhishavingamostcomfortlessvisit,andoftheirallmissingherverymuch.ShehadnotadvancedmanyyardsfromMrs.Goddard\'sdoor,whenshewasmetbyMr.Eltonhimself,evidentlycomingtowardsit,andastheywalkedonslowlytogetherinconversationabouttheinvalid-ofwhomhe,ontherumourofconsiderableillness,hadbeengoingtoinquire,thathemightcarrysomereportofhertoHartfield-theywereovertakenbyMr.JohnKnightleyreturningfromthedailyvisittoDonwell,withhistwoeldestboys,whosehealthy,glowingfacesshewedallthebenefitofacountryrun,andseemedtoensureaquickdespatchoftheroastmuttonandricepuddingtheywerehasteninghomefor.Theyjoinedcompanyandproceededtogether.Emmawasjustdescribingthenatureofherfriend\'scomplaint;-`athroatverymuchinflamed,withagreatdealofheatabouther,aquick,lowpulse,&c.andshewassorrytofindfromMrs.GoddardthatHarrietwasliabletoverybadsore-throats,andhadoftenalarmedherwiththem.\'Mr.Eltonlookedallalarmontheoccasion,asheexclaimed,

`Asore-throat!-Ihopenotinfectious.Ihopenotofaputridinfectioussort.HasPerryseenher?Indeedyoushouldtakecareofyourselfaswellasofyourfriend.Letmeentreatyoutorunnorisks.WhydoesnotPerryseeher?\'

Emma,whowasnotreallyatallfrightenedherself,tranquillisedthisexcessofapprehensionbyassurancesofMrs.Goddard\'sexperienceandcare;butastheremuststillremainadegreeofuneasinesswhichshecouldnotwishtoreasonaway,whichshewouldratherfeedandassistthannot,sheaddedsoonafterwards-asifquiteanothersubject,

`Itissocold,soverycold-andlooksandfeelssoverymuchlikesnow,thatifitweretoanyotherplaceorwithanyotherparty,Ishouldreallytrynottogooutto-day-anddissuademyfatherfromventuring;butashehasmadeuphismind,anddoesnotseemtofeelthecoldhimself,Idonotliketointerfere,asIknowitwouldbesogreatadisappointmenttoMr.andMrs.Weston.But,uponmyword,Mr.Elton,inyourcase,Ishouldcertainlyexcusemyself.Youappeartomealittlehoarsealready,andwhenyouconsiderwhatdemandofvoiceandwhatfatiguesto-morrowwillbring,Ithinkitwouldbenomorethancommonprudencetostayathomeandtakecareofyourselfto-night.\'

Mr.Eltonlookedasifhedidnotverywellknowwhatanswertomake;whichwasexactlythecase;forthoughverymuchgratifiedbythekindcareofsuchafairlady,andnotlikingtoresistanyadviceofher\'s,hehadnotreallytheleastinclinationtogiveupthevisit;-butEmma,tooeagerandbusyinherownpreviousconceptionsandviewstohearhimimpartially,orseehimwithclearvision,wasverywellsatisfiedwithhismutteringacknowledgmentofitsbeing`verycold,certainlyverycold,\'andwalkedon,rejoicinginhavingextricatedhimfromRandalls,andsecuredhimthepowerofsendingtoinquireafterHarrieteveryhouroftheevening.

`Youdoquiteright,\'saidshe;-`wewillmakeyourapologiestoMr.andMrs.Weston.\'

Buthardlyhadshesospoken,whenshefoundherbrotherwascivillyofferingaseatinhiscarriage,iftheweatherwereMr.Elton\'sonlyobjection,andMr.Eltonactuallyacceptingtheofferwithmuchpromptsatisfaction.Itwasadonething;Mr.Eltonwastogo,andneverhadhisbroadhandsomefaceexpressedmorepleasurethanatthismoment;neverhadhissmilebeenstronger,norhiseyesmoreexultingthanwhenhenextlookedather.

`Well,\'saidshetoherself,`thisismoststrange!-AfterIhadgothimoffsowell,tochusetogointocompany,andleaveHarrietillbehind!-Moststrangeindeed!-Butthereis,Ibelieve,inmanymen,especiallysinglemen,suchaninclination-suchapassionfordiningout-adinnerengagementissohighintheclassoftheirpleasures,theiremployments,theirdignities,almosttheirduties,thatanythinggiveswaytoit-andthismustbethecasewithMr.Elton;amostvaluable,amiable,pleasingyoungmanundoubtedly,andverymuchinlovewithHarriet;butstill,hecannotrefuseaninvitation,hemustdineoutwhereverheisasked.Whatastrangethingloveis!hecanseereadywitinHarriet,butwillnotdinealoneforher.\'

SoonafterwardsMr.Eltonquittedthem,andshecouldnotbutdohimthejusticeoffeelingthattherewasagreatdealofsentimentinhismannerofnamingHarrietatparting;inthetoneofhisvoicewhileassuringherthatheshouldcallatMrs.Goddard\'sfornewsofherfairfriend,thelastthingbeforehepreparedforthehappinessofmeetingheragain,whenhehopedtobeabletogiveabetterreport;andhesighedandsmiledhimselfoffinawaythatleftthebalanceofapprobationmuchinhisfavour.

Afterafewminutesofentiresilencebetweenthem,JohnKnightleybeganwith-

`IneverinmylifesawamanmoreintentonbeingagreeablethanMr.Elton.Itisdownrightlabourtohimwhereladiesareconcerned.Withmenhecanberationalandunaffected,butwhenhehasladiestoplease,everyfeatureworks.\'

`Mr.Elton\'smannersarenotperfect,\'repliedEmma;`butwherethereisawishtoplease,oneoughttooverlook,andonedoesoverlookagreatdeal.Whereamandoeshisbestwithonlymoderatepowers,hewillhavetheadvantageovernegligentsuperiority.Thereissuchperfectgood-temperandgood-willinMr.Eltonasonecannotbutvalue.\'

`Yes,\'saidMr.JohnKnightleypresently,withsomeslyness,`heseemstohaveagreatdealofgood-willtowardsyou.\'

`Me!\'sherepliedwithasmileofastonishment,`areyouimaginingmetobeMr.Elton\'sobject?\'

`Suchanimaginationhascrossedme,Iown,Emma;andifitneveroccurredtoyoubefore,youmayaswelltakeitintoconsiderationnow.\'

`Mr.Eltoninlovewithme!-Whatanidea!\'

`Idonotsayitisso;butyouwilldowelltoconsiderwhetheritissoornot,andtoregulateyourbehaviouraccordingly.Ithinkyourmannerstohimencouraging.Ispeakasafriend,Emma.Youhadbetterlookaboutyou,andascertainwhatyoudo,andwhatyoumeantodo.\'

`Ithankyou;butIassureyouyouarequitemistaken.Mr.EltonandIareverygoodfriends,andnothingmore;\'andshewalkedon,amusingherselfintheconsiderationoftheblunderswhichoftenarisefromapartialknowledgeofcircumstances,ofthemistakeswhichpeopleofhighpretensionstojudgmentareforeverfallinginto;andnotverywellpleasedwithherbrotherforimaginingherblindandignorant,andinwantofcounsel.Hesaidnomore.

Mr.Woodhousehadsocompletelymadeuphismindtothevisit,thatinspiteoftheincreasingcoldness,heseemedtohavenoideaofshrinkingfromit,andsetforwardatlastmostpunctuallywithhiseldestdaughterinhisowncarriage,withlessapparentconsciousnessoftheweatherthaneitheroftheothers;toofullofthewonderofhisowngoing,andthepleasureitwastoaffordatRandallstoseethatitwascold,andtoowellwraptuptofeelit.Thecold,however,wassevere;andbythetimethesecondcarriagewasinmotion,afewflakesofsnowwerefindingtheirwaydown,andtheskyhadtheappearanceofbeingsooverchargedastowantonlyamilderairtoproduceaverywhiteworldinaveryshorttime.

Emmasoonsawthathercompanionwasnotinthehappiesthumour.Thepreparingandthegoingabroadinsuchweather,withthesacrificeofhischildrenafterdinner,wereevils,weredisagreeablesatleast,whichMr.JohnKnightleydidnotbyanymeanslike;heanticipatednothinginthevisitthatcouldbeatallworththepurchase;andthewholeoftheirdrivetothevicaragewasspentbyhiminexpressinghisdiscontent.

`Aman,\'saidhe,`musthaveaverygoodopinionofhimselfwhenheaskspeopletoleavetheirownfireside,andencountersuchadayasthis,forthesakeofcomingtoseehim.Hemustthinkhimselfamostagreeablefellow;Icouldnotdosuchathing.Itisthegreatestabsurdity-Actuallysnowingatthismoment!-Thefollyofnotallowingpeopletobecomfortableathome-andthefollyofpeople\'snotstayingcomfortablyathomewhentheycan!Ifwewereobligedtogooutsuchaneveningasthis,byanycallofdutyorbusiness,whatahardshipweshoulddeemit;-andherearewe,probablywithratherthinnerclothingthanusual,settingforwardvoluntarily,withoutexcuse,indefianceofthevoiceofnature,whichtellsman,ineverythinggiventohisvieworhisfeelings,tostayathomehimself,andkeepallundershelterthathecan;-herearewesettingforwardtospendfivedullhoursinanotherman\'shouse,withnothingtosayortohearthatwasnotsaidandheardyesterday,andmaynotbesaidandheardagainto-morrow.Goingindismalweather,toreturnprobablyinworse;-fourhorsesandfourservantstakenoutfornothingbuttoconveyfiveidle,shiveringcreaturesintocolderroomsandworsecompanythantheymighthavehadathome.\'

Emmadidnotfindherselfequaltogivethepleasedassent,whichnodoubthewasinthehabitofreceiving,toemulatethe`Verytrue,mylove,\'whichmusthavebeenusuallyadministeredbyhistravellingcompanion;butshehadresolutionenoughtorefrainfrommakinganyansweratall.Shecouldnotbecomplying,shedreadedbeingquarrelsome;herheroismreachedonlytosilence.Sheallowedhimtotalk,andarrangedtheglasses,andwrappedherselfup,withoutopeningherlips.

Theyarrived,thecarriageturned,thestepwasletdown,andMr.Elton,spruce,black,andsmiling,waswiththeminstantly.Emmathoughtwithpleasureofsomechangeofsubject.Mr.Eltonwasallobligationandcheerfulness;hewassoverycheerfulinhiscivilitiesindeed,thatshebegantothinkhemusthavereceivedadifferentaccountofHarrietfromwhathadreachedher.Shehadsentwhiledressing,andtheanswerhadbeen,`Muchthesame-notbetter.\'

`MyreportfromMrs.Goddard\'s,\'saidshepresently,`wasnotsopleasantasIhadhoped-``Notbetter\'\'wasmyanswer.\'

Hisfacelengthenedimmediately;andhisvoicewasthevoiceofsentimentasheanswered.

`Oh!no-Iamgrievedtofind-IwasonthepointoftellingyouthatwhenIcalledatMrs.Goddard\'sdoor,whichIdidtheverylastthingbeforeIreturnedtodress,IwastoldthatMissSmithwasnotbetter,bynomeansbetter,ratherworse.Verymuchgrievedandconcerned-IhadflatteredmyselfthatshemustbebetteraftersuchacordialasIknewhadbeengivenherinthemorning.\'

Emmasmiledandanswered-`Myvisitwasofusetothenervouspartofhercomplaint,Ihope;butnotevenIcancharmawayasorethroat;itisamostseverecoldindeed.Mr.Perryhasbeenwithher,asyouprobablyheard.\'

`Yes-Iimagined-thatis-Ididnot-\'

`Hehasbeenusedtoherinthesecomplaints,andIhopeto-morrowmorningwillbringusbothamorecomfortablereport.Butitisimpossiblenottofeeluneasiness.Suchasadlosstoourpartyto-day!\'

`Dreadful!-Exactlyso,indeed-Shewillbemissedeverymoment.\'

Thiswasveryproper;thesighwhichaccompanieditwasreallyestimable;butitshouldhavelastedlonger.Emmawasratherindismaywhenonlyhalfaminuteafterwardshebegantospeakofotherthings,andinavoiceofthegreatestalacrityandenjoyment.

`Whatanexcellentdevice,\'saidhe,`theuseofasheepskinforcarriages.Howverycomfortabletheymakeit;-impossibletofeelcoldwithsuchprecautions.Thecontrivancesofmoderndaysindeedhaverenderedagentleman\'scarriageperfectlycomplete.Oneissofencedandguardedfromtheweather,thatnotabreathofaircanfinditswayunpermitted.Weatherbecomesabsolutelyofnoconsequence.Itisaverycoldafternoon-butinthiscarriageweknownothingofthematter-Ha!snowsalittleIsee.\'