第10章

`MydearEmma,\'saidhe,movingfromhischairintooneclosebyher,`youarenotgoingtotellme,Ihope,thatyouhadnotapleasantevening.\'

`Oh!no;Iwaspleasedwithmyownperseveranceinaskingquestions;andamusedtothinkhowlittleinformationIobtained.\'

`Iamdisappointed,\'washisonlyanswer.

`Ihopeeverybodyhadapleasantevening,\'saidMr.Woodhouse,inhisquietway.`Ihad.Once,Ifeltthefirerathertoomuch;butthenImovedbackmychairalittle,averylittle,anditdidnotdisturbme.MissBateswasverychattyandgood-humoured,asshealwaysis,thoughshespeaksrathertooquick.However,sheisveryagreeable,andMrs.Batestoo,inadifferentway.Ilikeoldfriends;andMissJaneFairfaxisaveryprettysortofyounglady,averyprettyandaverywell-behavedyoungladyindeed.Shemusthavefoundtheeveningagreeable,Mr.Knightley,becauseshehadEmma.\'

`True,sir;andEmma,becauseshehadMissFairfax.\'

Emmasawhisanxiety,andwishingtoappeaseit,atleastforthepresent,said,andwithasinceritywhichnoonecouldquestion-

`Sheisasortofelegantcreaturethatonecannotkeepone\'seyesfrom.Iamalwayswatchinghertoadmire;andIdopityherfrommyheart.\'

Mr.Knightleylookedasifheweremoregratifiedthanhecaredtoexpress;andbeforehecouldmakeanyreply,Mr.Woodhouse,whosethoughtswereontheBates\'s,said-

`Itisagreatpitythattheircircumstancesshouldbesoconfined!agreatpityindeed!andIhaveoftenwished-butitissolittleonecanventuretodo-small,triflingpresents,ofanythinguncommon-Nowwehavekilledaporker,andEmmathinksofsendingthemaloinoraleg;itisverysmallanddelicate-Hartfieldporkisnotlikeanyotherpork-butstillitispork-and,mydearEmma,unlessonecouldbesureoftheirmakingitintosteaks,nicelyfried,asoursarefried,withoutthesmallestgrease,andnotroastit,fornostomachcanbearroastpork-Ithinkwehadbettersendtheleg-donotyouthinkso,mydear?\'

`Mydearpapa,Isentthewholehind-quarter.Iknewyouwouldwishit.Therewillbethelegtobesalted,youknow,whichissoverynice,andthelointobedresseddirectlyinanymannertheylike.\'

`That\'sright,mydear,veryright.Ihadnotthoughtofitbefore,butthatisthebestway.Theymustnotover-salttheleg;andthen,ifitisnotover-salted,andifitisverythoroughlyboiled,justasSerleboilsours,andeatenverymoderatelyof,withaboiledturnip,andalittlecarrotorparsnip,Idonotconsideritunwholesome.\'

`Emma,\'saidMr.Knightleypresently,`Ihaveapieceofnewsforyou.Youlikenews-andIheardanarticleinmywayhitherthatIthinkwillinterestyou.\'

`News!Oh!yes,Ialwayslikenews.Whatisit?-whydoyousmileso?-wheredidyouhearit?-atRandalls?\'

Hehadtimeonlytosay,

`No,notatRandalls;IhavenotbeennearRandalls,\'whenthedoorwasthrownopen,andMissBatesandMissFairfaxwalkedintotheroom.Fullofthanks,andfullofnews,MissBatesknewnotwhichtogivequickest.Mr.Knightleysoonsawthathehadlosthismoment,andthatnotanothersyllableofcommunicationcouldrestwithhim.

`Oh!mydearsir,howareyouthismorning?MydearMissWoodhouse-Icomequiteover-powered.Suchabeautifulhind-quarterofpork!Youaretoobountiful!Haveyouheardthenews?Mr.Eltonisgoingtobemarried.\'

EmmahadnothadtimeeventothinkofMr.Elton,andshewassocompletelysurprizedthatshecouldnotavoidalittlestart,andalittleblush,atthesound.

`Thereismynews:-Ithoughtitwouldinterestyou,\'saidMr.Knightley,withasmilewhichimpliedaconvictionofsomepartofwhathadpassedbetweenthem.

`Butwherecouldyouhearit?\'criedMissBates.`Wherecouldyoupossiblyhearit,Mr.Knightley?ForitisnotfiveminutessinceIreceivedMrs.Cole\'snote-no,itcannotbemorethanfive-oratleastten-forIhadgotmybonnetandspenceron,justreadytocomeout-IwasonlygonedowntospeaktoPattyagainaboutthepork-Janewasstandinginthepassage-werenotyou,Jane?-formymotherwassoafraidthatwehadnotanysalting-panlargeenough.SoIsaidIwouldgodownandsee,andJanesaid,``ShallIgodowninstead?forIthinkyouhavealittlecold,andPattyhasbeenwashingthekitchen.\'\'-``Oh!mydear,\'\'saidI-well,andjustthencamethenote.AMissHawkins-that\'sallIknow.AMissHawkinsofBath.But,Mr.Knightley,howcouldyoupossiblyhaveheardit?fortheverymomentMr.ColetoldMrs.Coleofit,shesatdownandwrotetome.AMissHawkins-\'

`IwaswithMr.Coleonbusinessanhourandahalfago.HehadjustreadElton\'sletterasIwasshewnin,andhandedittomedirectly.\'

`Well!thatisquite-Isupposethereneverwasapieceofnewsmoregenerallyinteresting.Mydearsir,youreallyaretoobountiful.Mymotherdesiresherverybestcomplimentsandregards,andathousandthanks,andsaysyoureallyquiteoppressher.\'

`WeconsiderourHartfieldpork,\'repliedMr.Woodhouse-`indeeditcertainlyis,soverysuperiortoallotherpork,thatEmmaandIcannothaveagreaterpleasurethan——\'

`Oh!mydearsir,asmymothersays,ourfriendsareonlytoogoodtous.Ifevertherewerepeoplewho,withouthavinggreatwealththemselves,hadeverythingtheycouldwishfor,Iamsureitisus.Wemaywellsaythat``ourlotiscastinagoodlyheritage.\'\'Well,Mr.Knightley,andsoyouactuallysawtheletter;well-\'

`Itwasshort-merelytoannounce-butcheerful,exulting,ofcourse.\'-HerewasaslyglanceatEmma.`Hehadbeensofortunateasto-Iforgettheprecisewords-onehasnobusinesstorememberthem.Theinformationwas,asyoustate,thathewasgoingtobemarriedtoaMissHawkins.Byhisstyle,Ishouldimagineitjustsettled.\'

`Mr.Eltongoingtobemarried!\'saidEmma,assoonasshecouldspeak.`Hewillhaveeverybody\'swishesforhishappiness.\'

`Heisveryyoungtosettle,\'wasMr.Woodhouse\'sobservation.`Hehadbetternotbeinahurry.Heseemedtomeverywelloffashewas.WewerealwaysgladtoseehimatHartfield.\'

`Anewneighbourforusall,MissWoodhouse!\'saidMissBates,joyfully;`mymotherissopleased!-shesaysshecannotbeartohavethepooroldVicaragewithoutamistress.Thisisgreatnews,indeed.Jane,youhaveneverseenMr.Elton!-nowonderthatyouhavesuchacuriositytoseehim.\'

Jane\'scuriositydidnotappearofthatabsorbingnatureaswhollytooccupyher.

`No-IhaveneverseenMr.Elton,\'shereplied,startingonthisappeal;`ishe-isheatallman?\'

`Whoshallanswerthatquestion?\'criedEmma.`Myfatherwouldsay``yes,\'\'Mr.Knightley``no;\'\'andMissBatesandIthatheisjustthehappymedium.Whenyouhavebeenherealittlelonger,MissFairfax,youwillunderstandthatMr.EltonisthestandardofperfectioninHighbury,bothinpersonandmind.\'

`Verytrue,MissWoodhouse,soshewill.Heistheverybestyoungman-But,mydearJane,ifyouremember,ItoldyouyesterdayhewaspreciselytheheightofMr.Perry.MissHawkins,-Idaresay,anexcellentyoungwoman.Hisextremeattentiontomymother-wantinghertositinthevicaragepew,thatshemighthearthebetter,formymotherisalittledeaf,youknow-itisnotmuch,butshedoesnothearquitequick.JanesaysthatColonelCampbellisalittledeaf.Hefanciedbathingmightbegoodforit-thewarmbath-butshesaysitdidhimnolastingbenefit.ColonelCampbell,youknow,isquiteourangel.AndMr.Dixonseemsaverycharmingyoungman,quiteworthyofhim.Itissuchahappinesswhengoodpeoplegettogether-andtheyalwaysdo.Now,herewillbeMr.EltonandMissHawkins;andtherearetheColes,suchverygoodpeople;andthePerrys-IsupposethereneverwasahappierorabettercouplethanMr.andMrs.Perry.Isay,sir,\'turningtoMr.Woodhouse,`IthinktherearefewplaceswithsuchsocietyasHighbury.Ialwayssay,wearequiteblessedinourneighbours-Mydearsir,ifthereisonethingmymotherlovesbetterthananother,itispork-aroastloinofpork-\'

`Astowho,orwhatMissHawkinsis,orhowlonghehasbeenacquaintedwithher,\'saidEmma,`nothingIsupposecanbeknown.Onefeelsthatitcannotbeaverylongacquaintance.Hehasbeengoneonlyfourweeks.\'

Nobodyhadanyinformationtogive;and,afterafewmorewonderings,Emmasaid,

`Youaresilent,MissFairfax-butIhopeyoumeantotakeaninterestinthisnews.You,whohavebeenhearingandseeingsomuchoflateonthesesubjects,whomusthavebeensodeepinthebusinessonMissCampbell\'saccount-weshallnotexcuseyourbeingindifferentaboutMr.EltonandMissHawkins.\'

`WhenIhaveseenMr.Elton,\'repliedJane,`IdaresayIshallbeinterested-butIbelieveitrequiresthatwithme.AndasitissomemonthssinceMissCampbellmarried,theimpressionmaybealittlewornoff.\'

`Yes,hehasbeengonejustfourweeks,asyouobserve,MissWoodhouse,\'saidMissBates,`fourweeksyesterday-AMissHawkins!-Well,Ihadalwaysratherfancieditwouldbesomeyoungladyhereabouts;notthatIever-Mrs.Coleoncewhisperedtome-butIimmediatelysaid,``No,Mr.Eltonisamostworthyyoungman-but\'\'-Inshort,IdonotthinkIamparticularlyquickatthosesortofdiscoveries.Idonotpretendtoit.Whatisbeforeme,Isee.Atthesametime,nobodycouldwonderifMr.Eltonshouldhaveaspired-MissWoodhouseletsmechatteron,sogood-humouredly.SheknowsIwouldnotoffendfortheworld.HowdoesMissSmithdo?Sheseemsquiterecoverednow.HaveyouheardfromMrs.JohnKnightleylately?Oh!thosedearlittlechildren.Jane,doyouknowIalwaysfancyMr.DixonlikeMr.JohnKnightley.Imeaninperson-tall,andwiththatsortoflook-andnotverytalkative.\'

`Quitewrong,mydearaunt;thereisnolikenessatall.\'

`Veryodd!butoneneverdoesformajustideaofanybodybeforehand.Onetakesupanotion,andrunsawaywithit.Mr.Dixon,yousay,isnot,strictlyspeaking,handsome?\'

`Handsome!Oh!no-farfromit-certainlyplain.Itoldyouhewasplain.\'

`Mydear,yousaidthatMissCampbellwouldnotallowhimtobeplain,andthatyouyourself-\'

`Oh!asforme,myjudgmentisworthnothing.WhereIhavearegard,Ialwaysthinkapersonwell-looking.ButIgavewhatIbelievedthegeneralopinion,whenIcalledhimplain.\'

`Well,mydearJane,Ibelievewemustberunningaway.Theweatherdoesnotlookwell,andgrandmamawillbeuneasy.Youaretooobliging,mydearMissWoodhouse;butwereallymusttakeleave.Thishasbeenamostagreeablepieceofnewsindeed.IshalljustgoroundbyMrs.Cole\'s;butIshallnotstopthreeminutes:and,Jane,youhadbettergohomedirectly-Iwouldnothaveyououtinashower!-WethinksheisthebetterforHighburyalready.Thankyou,wedoindeed.IshallnotattemptcallingonMrs.Goddard,forIreallydonotthinkshecaresforanythingbutboiledpork:whenwedressthelegitwillbeanotherthing.Goodmorningtoyou,mydearsir.Oh!Mr.Knightleyiscomingtoo.Well,thatissovery!-IamsureifJaneistired,youwillbesokindastogiveheryourarm-Mr.Elton,andMissHawkins!-Goodmorningtoyou.\'

Emma,alonewithherfather,hadhalfherattentionwantedbyhimwhilehelamentedthatyoungpeoplewouldbeinsuchahurrytomarry-andtomarrystrangerstoo-andtheotherhalfshecouldgivetoherownviewofthesubject.Itwastoherselfanamusingandaverywelcomepieceofnews,asprovingthatMr.Eltoncouldnothavesufferedlong;butshewassorryforHarriet:Harrietmustfeelit-andallthatshecouldhopewas,bygivingthefirstinformationherself,tosaveherfromhearingitabruptlyfromothers.Itwasnowaboutthetimethatshewaslikelytocall.IfsheweretomeetMissBatesinherway!-anduponitsbeginningtorain,EmmawasobligedtoexpectthattheweatherwouldbedetainingheratMrs.Goddard\'s,andthattheintelligencewouldundoubtedlyrushuponherwithoutpreparation.

Theshowerwasheavy,butshort;andithadnotbeenoverfiveminutes,whenincameHarriet,withjusttheheated,agitatedlookwhichhurryingthitherwithafullheartwaslikelytogive;andthe`Oh!MissWoodhouse,whatdoyouthinkhashappened!\'whichinstantlyburstforth,hadalltheevidenceofcorrespondingperturbation.Astheblowwasgiven,Emmafeltthatshecouldnotnowshewgreaterkindnessthaninlistening;andHarriet,unchecked,raneagerlythroughwhatshehadtotell.`ShehadsetoutfromMrs.Goddard\'shalfanhourago-shehadbeenafraiditwouldrain-shehadbeenafraiditwouldpourdowneverymoment-butshethoughtshemightgettoHartfieldfirst-shehadhurriedonasfastaspossible;butthen,asshewaspassingbythehousewhereayoungwomanwasmakingupagownforher,shethoughtshewouldjuststepinandseehowitwenton;andthoughshedidnotseemtostayhalfamomentthere,soonaftershecameoutitbegantorain,andshedidnotknowwhattodo;sosheranondirectly,asfastasshecould,andtookshelteratFord\'s.\'-Ford\'swastheprincipalwoollen-draper,linen-draper,andhaberdasher\'sshopunited;theshopfirstinsizeandfashionintheplace-`Andso,thereshehadset,withoutanideaofanythingintheworld,fulltenminutes,perhaps-when,allofasudden,whoshouldcomein-tobesureitwassoveryodd!-buttheyalwaysdealtatFord\'s-whoshouldcomein,butElizabethMartinandherbrother!-DearMissWoodhouse!onlythink.

IthoughtIshouldhavefainted.Ididnotknowwhattodo.Iwassittingnearthedoor-Elizabethsawmedirectly;buthedidnot;hewasbusywiththeumbrella.Iamsureshesawme,butshelookedawaydirectly,andtooknonotice;andtheybothwenttoquitethefartherendoftheshop;andIkeptsittingnearthedoor!-Oh!dear;Iwassomiserable!IamsureImusthavebeenaswhiteasmygown.Icouldnotgoawayyouknow,becauseoftherain;butIdidsowishmyselfanywhereintheworldbutthere-Oh!dear,MissWoodhouse-well,atlast,Ifancy,helookedroundandsawme;forinsteadofgoingonwithherbuyings,theybeganwhisperingtooneanother.Iamsuretheyweretalkingofme;andIcouldnothelpthinkingthathewaspersuadinghertospeaktome-(doyouthinkhewas,MissWoodhouse?)-forpresentlyshecameforward-camequiteuptome,andaskedmehowIdid,andseemedreadytoshakehands,ifIwould.Shedidnotdoanyofitinthesamewaythatsheused;Icouldseeshewasaltered;but,however,sheseemedtotrytobeveryfriendly,andweshookhands,andstoodtalkingsometime;butIknownomorewhatIsaid-Iwasinsuchatremble!-Iremembershesaidshewassorrywenevermetnow;whichIthoughtalmosttookind!Dear,MissWoodhouse,Iwasabsolutelymiserable!Bythattime,itwasbeginningtoholdup,andIwasdeterminedthatnothingshouldstopmefromgettingaway-andthen-onlythink!-Ifoundhewascominguptowardsmetoo-slowlyyouknow,andasifhedidnotquiteknowwhattodo;andsohecameandspoke,andIanswered-andIstoodforaminute,feelingdreadfully,youknow,onecan\'ttellhow;andthenItookcourage,andsaiditdidnotrain,andImustgo;andsooffIset;andIhadnotgotthreeyardsfromthedoor,whenhecameafterme,onlytosay,ifIwasgoingtoHartfield,hethoughtIhadmuchbettergoroundbyMr.Cole\'sstables,forIshouldfindthenearwayquitefloatedbythisrain.Oh!dear,Ithoughtitwouldhavebeenthedeathofme!SoIsaid,Iwasverymuchobligedtohim:youknowIcouldnotdoless;andthenhewentbacktoElizabeth,andIcameroundbythestables-IbelieveIdid-butIhardlyknewwhereIwas,oranythingaboutit.Oh!MissWoodhouse,Iwouldratherdoneanythingthanhaveithappen:andyet,youknow,therewasasortofsatisfactioninseeinghimbehavesopleasantlyandsokindly.AndElizabeth,too.Oh!MissWoodhouse,dotalktomeandmakemecomfortableagain.\'

VerysincerelydidEmmawishtodoso;butitwasnotimmediatelyinherpower.Shewasobligedtostopandthink.Shewasnotthoroughlycomfortableherself.Theyoungman\'sconduct,andhissister\'s,seemedtheresultofrealfeeling,andshecouldnotbutpitythem.AsHarrietdescribedit,therehadbeenaninterestingmixtureofwoundedaffectionandgenuinedelicacyintheirbehaviour.Butshehadbelievedthemtobewell-meaning,worthypeoplebefore;andwhatdifferencedidthismakeintheevilsoftheconnexion?Itwasfollytobedisturbedbyit.Ofcourse,hemustbesorrytoloseher-theymustbeallsorry.Ambition,aswellaslove,hadprobablybeenmortified.TheymightallhavehopedtorisebyHarriet\'sacquaintance:andbesides,whatwasthevalueofHarriet\'sdescription?-Soeasilypleased-solittlediscerning;-whatsignifiedherpraise?

Sheexertedherself,anddidtrytomakehercomfortable,byconsideringallthathadpassedasameretrifle,andquiteunworthyofbeingdwelton,

`Itmightbedistressing,forthemoment,\'saidshe;`butyouseemtohavebehavedextremelywell;anditisover-andmaynever-cannever,asafirstmeeting,occuragain,andthereforeyouneednotthinkaboutit.\'

Harrietsaid,`verytrue,\'andshe`wouldnotthinkaboutit;\'butstillshetalkedofit-stillshecouldtalkofnothingelse;andEmma,atlast,inordertoputtheMartinsoutofherhead,wasobligedtohurryonthenews,whichshehadmeanttogivewithsomuchtendercaution;hardlyknowingherselfwhethertorejoiceorbeangry,ashamedoronlyamused,atsuchastateofmindinpoorHarriet-suchaconclusionofMr.Elton\'simportancewithher!

Mr.Elton\'srights,however,graduallyrevived.Thoughshedidnotfeelthefirstintelligenceasshemighthavedonethedaybefore,oranhourbefore,itsinterestsoonincreased;andbeforetheirfirstconversationwasover,shehadtalkedherselfintoallthesensationsofcuriosity,wonderandregret,painandpleasure,astothisfortunateMissHawkins,whichcouldconducetoplacetheMartinsunderpropersubordinationinherfancy.

Emmalearnedtoberathergladthattherehadbeensuchameeting.Ithadbeenserviceableindeadeningthefirstshock,withoutretaininganyinfluencetoalarm.AsHarrietnowlived,theMartinscouldnotgetather,withoutseekingher,wherehithertotheyhadwantedeitherthecourageorthecondescensiontoseekher;forsinceherrefusalofthebrother,thesistersneverhadbeenatMrs.Goddard\'s;andatwelvemonthmightpasswithouttheirbeingthrowntogetheragain,withanynecessity,orevenanypowerofspeech.

CHAPTERIV

Humannatureissowelldisposedtowardsthosewhoareininterestingsituations,thatayoungperson,whoeithermarriesordies,issureofbeingkindlyspokenof.

AweekhadnotpassedsinceMissHawkins\'snamewasfirstmentionedinHighbury,beforeshewas,bysomemeansorother,discoveredtohaveeveryrecommendationofpersonandmind;tobehandsome,elegant,highlyaccomplished,andperfectlyamiable:andwhenMr.Eltonhimselfarrivedtotriumphinhishappyprospects,andcirculatethefameofhermerits,therewasverylittlemoreforhimtodo,thantotellherChristianname,andsaywhosemusicsheprincipallyplayed.

Mr.Eltonreturned,averyhappyman.Hehadgoneawayrejectedandmortified-disappointedinaverysanguinehope,afteraseriesofwhatappearedtohimstrongencouragement;andnotonlylosingtherightlady,butfindinghimselfdebasedtothelevelofaverywrongone.

Hehadgoneawaydeeplyoffended-hecamebackengagedtoanother-andtoanotherassuperior,ofcourse,tothefirst,asundersuchcircumstanceswhatisgainedalwaysistowhatislost.Hecamebackgayandself-satisfied,eagerandbusy,caringnothingforMissWoodhouse,anddefyingMissSmith.

ThecharmingAugustaHawkins,inadditiontoalltheusualadvantagesofperfectbeautyandmerit,wasinpossessionofanindependentfortune,ofsomanythousandsaswouldalwaysbecalledten;apointofsomedignity,aswellassomeconvenience:thestorytoldwell;hehadnotthrownhimselfaway-hehadgainedawomanof10,000l.orthereabouts;andhehadgainedherwithsuchdelightfulrapidity-thefirsthourofintroductionhadbeensoverysoonfollowedbydistinguishingnotice;thehistorywhichhehadtogiveMrs.Coleoftheriseandprogressoftheaffairwassoglorious-thestepssoquick,fromtheaccidentalrencontre,tothedinneratMr.Green\'s,andthepartyatMrs.Brown\'s-smilesandblushesrisinginimportance-withconsciousnessandagitationrichlyscattered-theladyhadbeensoeasilyimpressed-sosweetlydisposed-hadinshort,touseamostintelligiblephrase,beensoveryreadytohavehim,thatvanityandprudencewereequallycontented.

Hehadcaughtbothsubstanceandshadow-bothfortuneandaffection,andwasjustthehappymanheoughttobe;talkingonlyofhimselfandhisownconcerns-expectingtobecongratulated-readytobelaughedat-and,withcordial,fearlesssmiles,nowaddressingalltheyoungladiesoftheplace,towhom,afewweeksago,hewouldhavebeenmorecautiouslygallant.

Theweddingwasnodistantevent,asthepartieshadonlythemselvestoplease,andnothingbutthenecessarypreparationstowaitfor;andwhenhesetoutforBathagain,therewasageneralexpectation,whichacertainglanceofMrs.Cole\'sdidnotseemtocontradict,thatwhenhenextenteredHighburyhewouldbringhisbride.

Duringhispresentshortstay,Emmahadbarelyseenhim;butjustenoughtofeelthatthefirstmeetingwasover,andtogivehertheimpressionofhisnotbeingimprovedbythemixtureofpiqueandpretension,nowspreadoverhisair.Shewas,infact,beginningverymuchtowonderthatshehadeverthoughthimpleasingatall;andhissightwassoinseparablyconnectedwithsomeverydisagreeablefeelings,that,exceptinamorallight,asapenance,alesson,asourceofprofitablehumiliationtoherownmind,shewouldhavebeenthankfultobeassuredofneverseeinghimagain.Shewishedhimverywell;buthegaveherpain,andhiswelfaretwentymilesoffwouldadministermostsatisfaction.

ThepainofhiscontinuedresidenceinHighbury,however,mustcertainlybelessenedbyhismarriage.Manyvainsolicitudeswouldbeprevented-manyawkwardnessessmoothedbyit.AMrs.Eltonwouldbeanexcuseforanychangeofintercourse;formerintimacymightsinkwithoutremark.Itwouldbealmostbeginningtheirlifeofcivilityagain.

Ofthelady,individually,Emmathoughtverylittle.

ShewasgoodenoughforMr.Elton,nodoubt;accomplishedenoughforHighbury-handsomeenough-tolookplain,probably,byHarriet\'sside.Astoconnexion,thereEmmawasperfectlyeasy;persuaded,thatafterallhisownvauntedclaimsanddisdainofHarriet,hehaddonenothing.Onthatarticle,truthseemedattainable.Whatshewas,mustbeuncertain;butwhoshewas,mightbefoundout;andsettingasidethe10,000l.,itdidnotappearthatshewasatallHarriet\'ssuperior.Shebroughtnoname,noblood,noalliance.MissHawkinswastheyoungestofthetwodaughtersofaBristol-merchant,ofcourse,hemustbecalled;but,asthewholeoftheprofitsofhismercantilelifeappearedsoverymoderate,itwasnotunfairtoguessthedignityofhislineoftradehadbeenverymoderatealso.PartofeverywintershehadbeenusedtospendinBath;butBristolwasherhome,theveryheartofBristol;forthoughthefatherandmotherhaddiedsomeyearsago,anuncleremained-inthelawline-nothingmoredistinctlyhonourablewashazardedofhim,thanthathewasinthelawline;andwithhimthedaughterhadlived.Emmaguessedhimtobethedrudgeofsomeattorney,andtoostupidtorise.Andallthegrandeuroftheconnexionseemeddependentontheeldersister,whowasverywellmarried,toagentlemaninagreatway,nearBristol,whokepttwocarriages!Thatwasthewind-upofthehistory;thatwasthegloryofMissHawkins.

CouldshebuthavegivenHarrietherfeelingsaboutitall!Shehadtalkedherintolove;but,alas!shewasnotsoeasilytobetalkedoutofit.ThecharmofanobjecttooccupythemanyvacanciesofHarriet\'smindwasnottobetalkedaway.Hemightbesupersededbyanother;hecertainlywouldindeed;nothingcouldbeclearer;evenaRobertMartinwouldhavebeensufficient;butnothingelse,shefeared,wouldcureher.Harrietwasoneofthose,who,havingoncebegun,wouldbealwaysinlove.Andnow,poorgirl!shewasconsiderablyworsefromthisreappearanceofMr.Elton.Shewasalwayshavingaglimpseofhimsomewhereorother.Emmasawhimonlyonce;buttwoorthreetimeseverydayHarrietwassurejusttomeetwithhim,orjusttomisshim,justtohearhisvoice,orseehisshoulder,justtohavesomethingoccurtopreservehiminherfancy,inallthefavouringwarmthofsurprizeandconjecture.Shewas,moreover,perpetuallyhearingabouthim;for,exceptingwhenatHartfield,shewasalwaysamongthosewhosawnofaultinMr.Elton,andfoundnothingsointerestingasthediscussionofhisconcerns;andeveryreport,therefore,everyguess-allthathadalreadyoccurred,allthatmightoccurinthearrangementofhisaffairs,comprehendingincome,servants,andfurniture,wascontinuallyinagitationaroundher.

Herregardwasreceivingstrengthbyinvariablepraiseofhim,andherregretskeptalive,andfeelingsirritatedbyceaselessrepetitionsofMissHawkins\'shappiness,andcontinualobservationof,howmuchheseemedattached!-hisairashewalkedbythehouse-theverysittingofhishat,beingallinproofofhowmuchhewasinlove!

Haditbeenallowableentertainment,hadtherebeennopaintoherfriend,orreproachtoherself,inthewaveringsofHarriet\'smind,Emmawouldhavebeenamusedbyitsvariations.SometimesMr.Eltonpredominated,sometimestheMartins;andeachwasoccasionallyusefulasachecktotheother.Mr.Elton\'sengagementhadbeenthecureoftheagitationofmeetingMr.Martin.TheunhappinessproducedbytheknowledgeofthatengagementhadbeenalittleputasidebyElizabethMartin\'scallingatMrs.Goddard\'safewdaysafterwards.Harriethadnotbeenathome;butanotehadbeenpreparedandleftforher,writtenintheverystyletotouch;asmallmixtureofreproach,withagreatdealofkindness;andtillMr.Eltonhimselfappeared,shehadbeenmuchoccupiedbyit,continuallyponderingoverwhatcouldbedoneinreturn,andwishingtodomorethanshedaredtoconfess.ButMr.Elton,inperson,haddrivenawayallsuchcares.Whilehestaid,theMartinswereforgotten;andontheverymorningofhissettingoffforBathagain,Emma,todissipatesomeofthedistressitoccasioned,judgeditbestforhertoreturnElizabethMartin\'svisit.

Howthatvisitwastobeacknowledged-whatwouldbenecessary-andwhatmightbesafest,hadbeenapointofsomedoubtfulconsideration.Absoluteneglectofthemotherandsisters,wheninvitedtocome,wouldbeingratitude.Itmustnotbe:andyetthedangerofarenewaloftheacquaintance!-

Aftermuchthinking,shecoulddetermineonnothingbetter,thanHarriet\'sreturningthevisit;butinawaythat,iftheyhadunderstanding,shouldconvincethemthatitwastobeonlyaformalacquaintance.Shemeanttotakeherinthecarriage,leaveherattheAbbeyMill,whileshedrovealittlefarther,andcallforheragainsosoon,astoallownotimeforinsidiousapplicationsordangerousrecurrencestothepast,andgivethemostdecidedproofofwhatdegreeofintimacywaschosenforthefuture.

Shecouldthinkofnothingbetter:andthoughtherewassomethinginitwhichherownheartcouldnotapprove-somethingofingratitude,merelyglossedover-itmustbedone,orwhatwouldbecomeofHarriet?

CHAPTERV

SmallhearthadHarrietforvisiting.OnlyhalfanhourbeforeherfriendcalledforheratMrs.Goddard\'s,herevilstarshadledhertotheveryspotwhere,atthatmoment,atrunk,directedtoTheRev.PhilipElton,White-Hart,Bath,wastobeseenundertheoperationofbeingliftedintothebutcher\'scart,whichwastoconveyittowherethecoachespast;andeverythinginthisworld,exceptingthattrunkandthedirection,wasconsequentlyablank.

Shewent,however;andwhentheyreachedthefarm,andshewastobeputdown,attheendofthebroad,neatgravelwalk,whichledbetweenespalierapple-treestothefrontdoor,thesightofeverythingwhichhadgivenhersomuchpleasuretheautumnbefore,wasbeginningtorevivealittlelocalagitation;andwhentheyparted,Emmaobservedhertobelookingaroundwithasortoffearfulcuriosity,whichdeterminedhernottoallowthevisittoexceedtheproposedquarterofanhour.Shewentonherself,togivethatportionoftimetoanoldservantwhowasmarried,andsettledinDonwell.

Thequarterofanhourbroughtherpunctuallytothewhitegateagain;andMissSmithreceivinghersummons,waswithherwithoutdelay,andunattendedbyanyalarmingyoungman.Shecamesolitarilydownthegravelwalk-aMissMartinjustappearingatthedoor,andpartingwithherseeminglywithceremoniouscivility.

Harrietcouldnotverysoongiveanintelligibleaccount.Shewasfeelingtoomuch;butatlastEmmacollectedfromherenoughtounderstandthesortofmeeting,andthesortofpainitwascreating.ShehadseenonlyMrs.Martinandthetwogirls.Theyhadreceivedherdoubtingly,ifnotcoolly;andnothingbeyondthemerestcommonplacehadbeentalkedalmostallthetime-tilljustatlast,whenMrs.Martin\'ssaying,allofasudden,thatshethoughtMissSmithwasgrown,hadbroughtonamoreinterestingsubject,andawarmermanner.InthatveryroomshehadbeenmeasuredlastSeptember,withhertwofriends.Therewerethepencilledmarksandmemorandumsonthewainscotbythewindow.Hehaddoneit.Theyallseemedtoremembertheday,thehour,theparty,theoccasion-tofeelthesameconsciousness,thesameregrets-tobereadytoreturntothesamegoodunderstanding;andtheywerejustgrowingagainlikethemselves,(Harriet,asEmmamustsuspect,asreadyasthebestofthemtobecordialandhappy,)whenthecarriagereappeared,andallwasover.Thestyleofthevisit,andtheshortnessofit,werethenfelttobedecisive.

Fourteenminutestobegiventothosewithwhomshehadthankfullypassedsixweeksnotsixmonthsago!-Emmacouldnotbutpictureitall,andfeelhowjustlytheymightresent,hownaturallyHarrietmustsuffer.Itwasabadbusiness.Shewouldhavegivenagreatdeal,orenduredagreatdeal,tohavehadtheMartinsinahigherrankoflife.Theyweresodeserving,thatalittlehighershouldhavebeenenough:butasitwas,howcouldshehavedoneotherwise?-Impossible!-Shecouldnotrepent.Theymustbeseparated;buttherewasagreatdealofpainintheprocess-somuchtoherselfatthistime,thatshesoonfeltthenecessityofalittleconsolation,andresolvedongoinghomebywayofRandallstoprocureit.HermindwasquitesickofMr.EltonandtheMartins.TherefreshmentofRandallswasabsolutelynecessary.

Itwasagoodscheme;butondrivingtothedoortheyheardthatneither`masternormistresswasathome;\'theyhadbothbeenoutsometime;themanbelievedtheyweregonetoHartfield.