第11章

`Thisistoobad,\'criedEmma,astheyturnedaway.`Andnowweshalljustmissthem;tooprovoking!-IdonotknowwhenIhavebeensodisappointed.\'Andsheleanedbackinthecorner,toindulgehermurmurs,ortoreasonthemaway;probablyalittleofboth-suchbeingthecommonestprocessofanotill-disposedmind.Presentlythecarriagestopt;shelookedup;itwasstoptbyMr.andMrs.Weston,whowerestandingtospeaktoher.Therewasinstantpleasureinthesightofthem,andstillgreaterpleasurewasconveyedinsound-forMr.Westonimmediatelyaccostedherwith,

`Howd\'yedo?-howd\'yedo?-Wehavebeensittingwithyourfather-gladtoseehimsowell.Frankcomesto-morrow-Ihadaletterthismorning-weseehimto-morrowbydinner-timetoacertainty-heisatOxfordto-day,andhecomesforawholefortnight;Iknewitwouldbeso.IfhehadcomeatChristmashecouldnothavestaidthreedays;IwasalwaysgladhedidnotcomeatChristmas;nowwearegoingtohavejusttherightweatherforhim,fine,dry,settledweather.Weshallenjoyhimcompletely;everythinghasturnedoutexactlyaswecouldwish.\'

Therewasnoresistingsuchnews,nopossibilityofavoidingtheinfluenceofsuchahappyfaceasMr.Weston\'s,confirmedasitallwasbythewordsandthecountenanceofhiswife,fewerandquieter,butnotlesstothepurpose.ToknowthatshethoughthiscomingcertainwasenoughtomakeEmmaconsideritso,andsincerelydidsherejoiceintheirjoy.Itwasamostdelightfulreanimationofexhaustedspirits.Theworn-outpastwassunkinthefreshnessofwhatwascoming;andintherapidityofhalfamoment\'sthought,shehopedMr.Eltonwouldnowbetalkedofnomore.

Mr.WestongaveherthehistoryoftheengagementsatEnscombe,whichallowedhissontoanswerforhavinganentirefortnightathiscommand,aswellastherouteandthemethodofhisjourney;andshelistened,andsmiled,andcongratulated.

`IshallsoonbringhimovertoHartfield,\'saidhe,attheconclusion.

Emmacouldimagineshesawatouchofthearmatthisspeech,fromhiswife.

`Wehadbettermoveon,Mr.Weston,\'saidshe,`wearedetainingthegirls.\'

`Well,well,Iamready;\'-andturningagaintoEmma,`butyoumustnotbeexpectingsuchaveryfineyoungman;youhaveonlyhadmyaccountyouknow;Idaresayheisreallynothingextraordinary:\'-thoughhisownsparklingeyesatthemomentwerespeakingaverydifferentconviction.

Emmacouldlookperfectlyunconsciousandinnocent,andanswerinamannerthatappropriatednothing.

`Thinkofmeto-morrow,mydearEmma,aboutfouro\'clock,\'wasMrs.Weston\'spartinginjunction;spokenwithsomeanxiety,andmeantonlyforher.

`Fouro\'clock!-dependuponithewillbeherebythree,\'wasMr.Weston\'squickamendment;andsoendedamostsatisfactorymeeting.Emma\'sspiritsweremountedquiteuptohappiness;everythingworeadifferentair;Jamesandhishorsesseemednothalfsosluggishasbefore.Whenshelookedatthehedges,shethoughttheelderatleastmustsoonbecomingout;andwhensheturnedroundtoHarriet,shesawsomethinglikealookofspring,atendersmileeventhere.

`WillMr.FrankChurchillpassthroughBathaswellasOxford?\'-wasaquestion,however,whichdidnotaugurmuch.

Butneithergeographynortranquillitycouldcomeallatonce,andEmmawasnowinahumourtoresolvethattheyshouldbothcomeintime.

Themorningoftheinterestingdayarrived,andMrs.Weston\'sfaithfulpupildidnotforgeteitheratten,oreleven,ortwelveo\'clock,thatshewastothinkofheratfour.

`Mydear,dearanxiousfriend,\'-saidshe,inmentalsoliloquy,whilewalkingdownstairsfromherownroom,`alwaysovercarefulforeverybody\'scomfortbutyourown;Iseeyounowinallyourlittlefidgets,goingagainandagainintohisroom,tobesurethatallisright.\'Theclockstrucktwelveasshepassedthroughthehall.`\'Tistwelve;Ishallnotforgettothinkofyoufourhourshence;andbythistimeto-morrow,perhaps,oralittlelater,Imaybethinkingofthepossibilityoftheirallcallinghere.Iamsuretheywillbringhimsoon.\'

Sheopenedtheparlourdoor,andsawtwogentlemensittingwithherfather-Mr.Westonandhisson.Theyhadbeenarrivedonlyafewminutes,andMr.WestonhadscarcelyfinishedhisexplanationofFrank\'sbeingadaybeforehistime,andherfatherwasyetinthemidstofhisverycivilwelcomeandcongratulations,whensheappeared,tohavehershareofsurprize,introduction,andpleasure.

TheFrankChurchillsolongtalkedof,sohighininterest,wasactuallybeforeher-hewaspresentedtoher,andshedidnotthinktoomuchhadbeensaidinhispraise;hewasaverygoodlookingyoungman;height,air,address,allwereunexceptionable,andhiscountenancehadagreatdealofthespiritandlivelinessofhisfather\'s;helookedquickandsensible.Shefeltimmediatelythatsheshouldlikehim;andtherewasawell-bredeaseofmanner,andareadinesstotalk,whichconvincedherthathecameintendingtobeacquaintedwithher,andthatacquaintedtheysoonmustbe.

HehadreachedRandallstheeveningbefore.Shewaspleasedwiththeeagernesstoarrivewhichhadmadehimalterhisplan,andtravelearlier,later,andquicker,thathemightgainhalfaday.

`Itoldyouyesterday,\'criedMr.Westonwithexultation,`Itoldyouallthathewouldbeherebeforethetimenamed.IrememberedwhatIusedtodomyself.Onecannotcreepuponajourney;onecannothelpgettingonfasterthanonehasplanned;andthepleasureofcominginuponone\'sfriendsbeforethelook-outbegins,isworthagreatdealmorethananylittleexertionitneeds.\'

`Itisagreatpleasurewhereonecanindulgeinit,\'saidtheyoungman,`thoughtherearenotmanyhousesthatIshouldpresumeonsofar;butincominghomeIfeltImightdoanything.\'

Thewordhomemadehisfatherlookonhimwithfreshcomplacency.Emmawasdirectlysurethatheknewhowtomakehimselfagreeable;theconvictionwasstrengthenedbywhatfollowed.HewasverymuchpleasedwithRandalls,thoughtitamostadmirablyarrangedhouse,wouldhardlyallowiteventobeverysmall,admiredthesituation,thewalktoHighbury,Highburyitself,Hartfieldstillmore,andprofessedhimselftohavealwaysfeltthesortofinterestinthecountrywhichnonebutone\'sowncountrygives,andthegreatestcuriositytovisitit.Thatheshouldneverhavebeenabletoindulgesoamiableafeelingbefore,passedsuspiciouslythroughEmma\'sbrain;butstill,ifitwereafalsehood,itwasapleasantone,andpleasantlyhandled.Hismannerhadnoairofstudyorexaggeration.Hedidreallylookandspeakasifinastateofnocommonenjoyment.

Theirsubjectsingeneralweresuchasbelongtoanopeningacquaintance.Onhissideweretheinquiries,-`Wassheahorsewoman?-Pleasantrides?-Pleasantwalks?-Hadtheyalargeneighbourhood?-Highbury,perhaps,affordedsocietyenough?-Therewereseveralveryprettyhousesinandaboutit-Balls-hadtheyballs?-Wasitamusicalsociety?\'

Butwhensatisfiedonallthesepoints,andtheiracquaintanceproportionablyadvanced,hecontrivedtofindanopportunity,whiletheirtwofatherswereengagedwitheachother,ofintroducinghismother-in-law,andspeakingofherwithsomuchhandsomepraise,somuchwarmadmiration,somuchgratitudeforthehappinessshesecuredtohisfather,andherverykindreceptionofhimself,aswasanadditionalproofofhisknowinghowtoplease-andofhiscertainlythinkingitworthwhiletotrytopleaseher.HedidnotadvanceawordofpraisebeyondwhatsheknewtobethoroughlydeservedbyMrs.Weston;but,undoubtedlyhecouldknowverylittleofthematter.Heunderstoodwhatwouldbewelcome;hecouldbesureoflittleelse.`Hisfather\'smarriage,\'hesaid,`hadbeenthewisestmeasure,everyfriendmustrejoiceinit;andthefamilyfromwhomhehadreceivedsuchablessingmustbeeverconsideredashavingconferredthehighestobligationonhim.\'

HegotasnearashecouldtothankingherforMissTaylor\'smerits,withoutseemingquitetoforgetthatinthecommoncourseofthingsitwastoberathersupposedthatMissTaylorhadformedMissWoodhouse\'scharacter,thanMissWoodhouseMissTaylor\'s.Andatlast,asifresolvedtoqualifyhisopinioncompletelyfortravellingroundtoitsobject,hewounditallupwithastonishmentattheyouthandbeautyofherperson.

`Elegant,agreeablemanners,Iwaspreparedfor,\'saidhe;`butIconfessthat,consideringeverything,Ihadnotexpectedmorethanaverytolerablywell-lookingwomanofacertainage;IdidnotknowthatIwastofindaprettyyoungwomaninMrs.Weston.\'

`YoucannotseetoomuchperfectioninMrs.Westonformyfeelings,\'saidEmma;`wereyoutoguesshertobeeighteen,Ishouldlistenwithpleasure;butshewouldbereadytoquarrelwithyouforusingsuchwords.Don\'tletherimaginethatyouhavespokenofherasaprettyyoungwoman.\'

`IhopeIshouldknowbetter,\'hereplied;`no,dependuponit,(withagallantbow,)thatinaddressingMrs.WestonIshouldunderstandwhomImightpraisewithoutanydangerofbeingthoughtextravagantinmyterms.\'

Emmawonderedwhetherthesamesuspicionofwhatmightbeexpectedfromtheirknowingeachother,whichhadtakenstrongpossessionofhermind,hadevercrossedhis;andwhetherhiscomplimentsweretobeconsideredasmarksofacquiescence,orproofsofdefiance.Shemustseemoreofhimtounderstandhisways;atpresentsheonlyfelttheywereagreeable.

ShehadnodoubtofwhatMr.Westonwasoftenthinkingabout.Hisquickeyeshedetectedagainandagainglancingtowardsthemwithahappyexpression;andeven,whenhemighthavedeterminednottolook,shewasconfidentthathewasoftenlistening.

Herownfather\'sperfectexemptionfromanythoughtofthekind,theentiredeficiencyinhimofallsuchsortofpenetrationorsuspicion,wasamostcomfortablecircumstance.Happilyhewasnotfartherfromapprovingmatrimonythanfromforeseeingit-Thoughalwaysobjectingtoeverymarriagethatwasarranged,heneversufferedbeforehandfromtheapprehensionofany;itseemedasifhecouldnotthinksoillofanytwopersons\'understandingastosupposetheymeanttomarrytillitwereprovedagainstthem.Sheblessedthefavouringblindness.Hecouldnow,withoutthedrawbackofasingleunpleasantsurmise,withoutaglanceforwardatanypossibletreacheryinhisguest,givewaytoallhisnaturalkind-heartedcivilityinsolicitousinquiriesafterMr.FrankChurchill\'saccommodationonhisjourney,throughthesadevilsofsleepingtwonightsontheroad,andexpressverygenuineunmixedanxietytoknowthathehadcertainlyescapedcatchingcold-which,however,hecouldnotallowhimtofeelquiteassuredofhimselftillafteranothernight.

Areasonablevisitpaid,Mr.Westonbegantomove-`Hemustbegoing.HehadbusinessattheCrownabouthishay,andagreatmanyerrandsforMrs.WestonatFord\'s,butheneednothurryanybodyelse.\'Hisson,toowellbredtohearthehint,roseimmediatelyalso,saying,

`Asyouaregoingfartheronbusiness,sir,Iwilltaketheopportunityofpayingavisit,whichmustbepaidsomedayorother,andthereforemayaswellbepaidnow.Ihavethehonourofbeingacquaintedwithaneighbourofyours,(turningtoEmma,)aladyresidinginornearHighbury;afamilyofthenameofFairfax.Ishallhavenodifficulty,Isuppose,infindingthehouse;thoughFairfax,Ibelieve,isnotthepropername-IshouldrathersayBarnes,orBates.Doyouknowanyfamilyofthatname?\'

`Tobesurewedo,\'criedhisfather;`Mrs.Bates-wepassedherhouse-IsawMissBatesatthewindow.True,true,youareacquaintedwithMissFairfax;IrememberyouknewheratWeymouth,andafinegirlsheis.Calluponher,byallmeans.\'

`Thereisnonecessityformycallingthismorning,\'saidtheyoungman;`anotherdaywoulddoaswell;buttherewasthatdegreeofacquaintanceatWeymouthwhich-\'

`Oh!goto-day,goto-day.Donotdeferit.Whatisrighttobedonecannotbedonetoosoon.And,besides,Imustgiveyouahint,Frank;anywantofattentiontoherhereshouldbecarefullyavoided.YousawherwiththeCampbells,whenshewastheequalofeverybodyshemixedwith,butheresheiswithapooroldgrandmother,whohasbarelyenoughtoliveon.Ifyoudonotcallearlyitwillbeaslight.\'

Thesonlookedconvinced.

`Ihaveheardherspeakoftheacquaintance,\'saidEmma;`sheisaveryelegantyoungwoman.\'

Heagreedtoit,butwithsoquieta`Yes,\'asinclinedheralmosttodoubthisrealconcurrence;andyettheremustbeaverydistinctsortofeleganceforthefashionableworld,ifJaneFairfaxcouldbethoughtonlyordinarilygiftedwithit.

`Ifyouwereneverparticularlystruckbyhermannersbefore,\'saidshe,`Ithinkyouwillto-day.Youwillseehertoadvantage;seeherandhearher-no,Iamafraidyouwillnothearheratall,forshehasanauntwhoneverholdshertongue.\'

`YouareacquaintedwithMissJaneFairfax,sir,areyou?\'saidMr.Woodhouse,alwaysthelasttomakehiswayinconversation;`thengivemeleavetoassureyouthatyouwillfindheraveryagreeableyounglady.Sheisstayinghereonavisittohergrandmamaandaunt,veryworthypeople;Ihaveknownthemallmylife.Theywillbeextremelygladtoseeyou,Iamsure;andoneofmyservantsshallgowithyoutoshewyoutheway.\'

`Mydearsir,uponnoaccountintheworld;myfathercandirectme.\'

`Butyourfatherisnotgoingsofar;heisonlygoingtotheCrown,quiteontheothersideofthestreet,andthereareagreatmanyhouses;youmightbeverymuchataloss,anditisaverydirtywalk,unlessyoukeeponthefootpath;butmycoachmancantellyouwhereyouhadbestcrossthestreet.\'

Mr.FrankChurchillstilldeclinedit,lookingasseriousashecould,andhisfathergavehisheartysupportbycallingout,`Mygoodfriend,thisisquiteunnecessary;Frankknowsapuddleofwaterwhenheseesit,andastoMrs.Bates\'s,hemaygettherefromtheCrowninahop,step,andjump.\'

Theywerepermittedtogoalone;andwithacordialnodfromone,andagracefulbowfromtheother,thetwogentlementookleave.Emmaremainedverywellpleasedwiththisbeginningoftheacquaintance,andcouldnowengagetothinkofthemallatRandallsanyhouroftheday,withfullconfidenceintheircomfort.

CHAPTERVI

ThenextmorningbroughtMr.FrankChurchillagain.HecamewithMrs.Weston,towhomandtoHighburyheseemedtotakeverycordially.Hehadbeensittingwithher,itappeared,mostcompanionablyathome,tillherusualhourofexercise;andonbeingdesiredtochusetheirwalk,immediatelyfixedonHighbury-`Hedidnotdoubttherebeingverypleasantwalksineverydirection,butiflefttohim,heshouldalwayschusethesame.Highbury,thatairy,cheerful,happy-lookingHighbury,wouldbehisconstantattraction.\'-Highbury,withMrs.Weston,stoodforHartfield;andshetrustedtoitsbearingthesameconstructionwithhim.Theywalkedthitherdirectly.

Emmahadhardlyexpectedthem:forMr.Weston,whohadcalledinforhalfaminute,inordertohearthathissonwasveryhandsome,knewnothingoftheirplans;anditwasanagreeablesurprizetoher,therefore,toperceivethemwalkinguptothehousetogether,arminarm.Shewaswantingtoseehimagain,andespeciallytoseehimincompanywithMrs.Weston,uponhisbehaviourtowhomheropinionofhimwastodepend.Ifheweredeficientthere,nothingshouldmakeamendsforit.Butonseeingthemtogether,shebecameperfectlysatisfied.Itwasnotmerelyinfinewordsorhyperbolicalcomplimentthathepaidhisduty;nothingcouldbemoreproperorpleasingthanhiswholemannertoher-nothingcouldmoreagreeablydenotehiswishofconsideringherasafriendandsecuringheraffection.AndtherewastimeenoughforEmmatoformareasonablejudgment,astheirvisitincludedalltherestofthemorning.Theywereallthreewalkingabouttogetherforanhourortwo-firstroundtheshrubberiesofHartfield,andafterwardsinHighbury.Hewasdelightedwitheverything;admiredHartfieldsufficientlyforMr.Woodhouse\'sear;andwhentheirgoingfartherwasresolvedon,confessedhiswishtobemadeacquaintedwiththewholevillage,andfoundmatterofcommendationandinterestmuchoftenerthanEmmacouldhavesupposed.

Someoftheobjectsofhiscuriosityspokeveryamiablefeelings.Hebeggedtobeshewnthehousewhichhisfatherhadlivedinsolong,andwhichhadbeenthehomeofhisfather\'sfather;andonrecollectingthatanoldwomanwhohadnursedhimwasstillliving,walkedinquestofhercottagefromoneendofthestreettotheother;andthoughinsomepointsofpursuitorobservationtherewasnopositivemerit,theyshewed,altogether,agood-willtowardsHighburyingeneral,whichmustbeverylikeamerittothosehewaswith.

Emmawatchedanddecided,thatwithsuchfeelingsaswerenowshewn,itcouldnotbefairlysupposedthathehadbeenevervoluntarilyabsentinghimself;thathehadnotbeenactingapart,ormakingaparadeofinsincereprofessions;andthatMr.Knightleycertainlyhadnotdonehimjustice.

TheirfirstpausewasattheCrownInn,aninconsiderablehouse,thoughtheprincipaloneofthesort,whereacoupleofpairofpost-horseswerekept,morefortheconvenienceoftheneighbourhoodthanfromanyrunontheroad;andhiscompanionshadnotexpectedtobedetainedbyanyinterestexcitedthere;butinpassingittheygavethehistoryofthelargeroomvisiblyadded;ithadbeenbuiltmanyyearsagoforaball-room,andwhiletheneighbourhoodhadbeeninaparticularlypopulous,dancingstate,hadbeenoccasionallyusedassuch;-butsuchbrilliantdayshadlongpassedaway,andnowthehighestpurposeforwhichitwaseverwantedwastoaccommodateawhistclubestablishedamongthegentlemenandhalf-gentlemenoftheplace.Hewasimmediatelyinterested.Itscharacterasaball-roomcaughthim;andinsteadofpassingon,hestoptforseveralminutesatthetwosuperiorsashedwindowswhichwereopen,tolookinandcontemplateitscapabilities,andlamentthatitsoriginalpurposeshouldhaveceased.Hesawnofaultintheroom,hewouldacknowledgenonewhichtheysuggested.No,itwaslongenough,broadenough,handsomeenough.Itwouldholdtheverynumberforcomfort.Theyoughttohaveballsthereatleasteveryfortnightthroughthewinter.WhyhadnotMissWoodhouserevivedtheformergoodolddaysoftheroom?-ShewhocoulddoanythinginHighbury!Thewantofproperfamiliesintheplace,andtheconvictionthatnonebeyondtheplaceanditsimmediateenvironscouldbetemptedtoattend,werementioned;buthewasnotsatisfied.Hecouldnotbepersuadedthatsomanygood-lookinghousesashesawaroundhim,couldnotfurnishnumbersenoughforsuchameeting;andevenwhenparticularsweregivenandfamiliesdescribed,hewasstillunwillingtoadmitthattheinconvenienceofsuchamixturewouldbeanything,orthattherewouldbethesmallestdifficultyineverybody\'sreturningintotheirproperplacethenextmorning.Hearguedlikeayoungmanverymuchbentondancing;andEmmawasrathersurprizedtoseetheconstitutionoftheWestonprevailsodecidedlyagainstthehabitsoftheChurchills.Heseemedtohaveallthelifeandspirit,cheerfulfeelings,andsocialinclinationsofhisfather,andnothingoftheprideorreserveofEnscombe.Ofpride,indeed,therewas,perhaps,scarcelyenough;hisindifferencetoaconfusionofrank,borderedtoomuchonineleganceofmind.Hecouldbenojudge,however,oftheevilhewasholdingcheap.Itwasbutaneffusionoflivelyspirits.

AtlasthewaspersuadedtomoveonfromthefrontoftheCrown;andbeingnowalmostfacingthehousewheretheBateseslodged,Emmarecollectedhisintendedvisitthedaybefore,andaskedhimifhehadpaidit.

`Yes,oh!yes\'-hereplied;`Iwasjustgoingtomentionit.Averysuccessfulvisit:-Isawallthethreeladies;andfeltverymuchobligedtoyouforyourpreparatoryhint.Ifthetalkingaunthadtakenmequitebysurprize,itmusthavebeenthedeathofme.Asitwas,Iwasonlybetrayedintopayingamostunreasonablevisit.Tenminuteswouldhavebeenallthatwasnecessary,perhapsallthatwasproper;andIhadtoldmyfatherIshouldcertainlybeathomebeforehim-buttherewasnogettingaway,nopause;and,tomyutterastonishment,Ifound,whenhe(findingmenowhereelse)joinedmethereatlast,thatIhadbeenactuallysittingwiththemverynearlythree-quartersofanhour.Thegoodladyhadnotgivenmethepossibilityofescapebefore.\'

`AndhowdidyouthinkMissFairfaxlooking?\'

`Ill,veryill-thatis,ifayoungladycaneverbeallowedtolookill.Buttheexpressionishardlyadmissible,Mrs.Weston,isit?Ladiescanneverlookill.And,seriously,MissFairfaxisnaturallysopale,asalmostalwaystogivetheappearanceofillhealth-Amostdeplorablewantofcomplexion.\'

Emmawouldnotagreetothis,andbeganawarmdefenceofMissFairfax\'scomplexion.`Itwascertainlyneverbrilliant,butshewouldnotallowittohaveasicklyhueingeneral;andtherewasasoftnessanddelicacyinherskinwhichgavepeculiarelegancetothecharacterofherface.\'Helistenedwithallduedeference;acknowledgedthathehadheardmanypeoplesaythesame-butyethemustconfess,thattohimnothingcouldmakeamendsforthewantofthefineglowofhealth.Wherefeatureswereindifferent,afinecomplexiongavebeautytothemall;andwheretheyweregood,theeffectwas-fortunatelyheneednotattempttodescribewhattheeffectwas.

`Well,\'saidEmma,`thereisnodisputingabouttaste-Atleastyouadmireherexcepthercomplexion.\'

Heshookhisheadandlaughed-`IcannotseparateMissFairfaxandhercomplexion.\'

`DidyouseeheroftenatWeymouth?Wereyouofteninthesamesociety?\'

AtthismomenttheywereapproachingFord\'s,andhehastilyexclaimed,`Ha!thismustbetheveryshopthateverybodyattendseverydayoftheirlives,asmyfatherinformsme.HecomestoHighburyhimself,hesays,sixdaysoutoftheseven,andhasalwaysbusinessatFord\'s.Ifitbenotinconvenienttoyou,prayletusgoin,thatImayprovemyselftobelongtotheplace,tobeatruecitizenofHighbury.ImustbuysomethingatFord\'s.Itwillbetakingoutmyfreedom-Idaresaytheysellgloves.\'

`Oh!yes,glovesandeverything.Idoadmireyourpatriotism.YouwillbeadoredinHighbury.Youwereverypopularbeforeyoucame,becauseyouwereMr.Weston\'sson-butlayouthalfaguineaatFord\'s,andyourpopularitywillstanduponyourownvirtues.\'

Theywentin;andwhilethesleek,well-tiedparcelsof`Men\'sBeavers\'and`YorkTan\'werebringingdownanddisplayingonthecounter,hesaid-`ButIbegyourpardon,MissWoodhouse,youwerespeakingtome,youweresayingsomethingattheverymomentofthisburstofmyamorpatriae.Donotletmeloseit.Iassureyoutheutmoststretchofpublicfamewouldnotmakemeamendsforthelossofanyhappinessinprivatelife.\'

`Imerelyasked,whetheryouhadknownmuchofMissFairfaxandherpartyatWeymouth.\'

`AndnowthatIunderstandyourquestion,Imustpronounceittobeaveryunfairone.Itisalwaysthelady\'srighttodecideonthedegreeofacquaintance.MissFairfaxmustalreadyhavegivenheraccount-Ishallnotcommitmyselfbyclaimingmorethanshemaychusetoallow.\'

`Uponmyword!youanswerasdiscreetlyasshecoulddoherself.Butheraccountofeverythingleavessomuchtobeguessed,sheissoveryreserved,soveryunwillingtogivetheleastinformationaboutanybody,thatIreallythinkyoumaysaywhatyoulikeofyouracquaintancewithher.\'

`MayI,indeed?-ThenIwillspeakthetruth,andnothingsuitsmesowell.ImetherfrequentlyatWeymouth.IhadknowntheCampbellsalittleintown;andatWeymouthwewereverymuchinthesameset.ColonelCampbellisaveryagreeableman,andMrs.Campbellafriendly,warm-heartedwoman.Ilikethemall.\'

`YouknowMissFairfax\'ssituationinlife,Iconclude;whatsheisdestinedtobe?\'

`Yes-(ratherhesitatingly)-IbelieveIdo.\'

`Yougetupondelicatesubjects,Emma,\'saidMrs.Westonsmiling;`rememberthatIamhere-Mr.FrankChurchillhardlyknowswhattosaywhenyouspeakofMissFairfax\'ssituationinlife.Iwillmovealittlefartheroff.\'

`Icertainlydoforgettothinkofher,\'saidEmma,`ashavingeverbeenanythingbutmyfriendandmydearestfriend.\'

Helookedasifhefullyunderstoodandhonouredsuchasentiment.

Whenthegloveswerebought,andtheyhadquittedtheshopagain,`Didyoueverheartheyoungladywewerespeakingof,play?\'saidFrankChurchill.

`Everhearher!\'repeatedEmma.`YouforgethowmuchshebelongstoHighbury.Ihaveheardhereveryyearofourlivessincewebothbegan.Sheplayscharmingly.\'

`Youthinkso,doyou?-Iwantedtheopinionofsomeonewhocouldreallyjudge.Sheappearedtometoplaywell,thatis,withconsiderabletaste,butIknownothingofthemattermyself-Iamexcessivelyfondofmusic,butwithoutthesmallestskillorrightofjudgingofanybody\'sperformance-Ihavebeenusedtohearher\'sadmired;andIrememberoneproofofherbeingthoughttoplaywell:-aman,averymusicalman,andinlovewithanotherwoman-engagedtoher-onthepointofmarriage-wouldyetneveraskthatotherwomantositdowntotheinstrument,iftheladyinquestioncouldsitdowninstead-neverseemedtoliketohearoneifhecouldheartheother.That,Ithought,inamanofknownmusicaltalent,wassomeproof.\'

`Proofindeed!\'saidEmma,highlyamused-`Mr.Dixonisverymusical,ishe?Weshallknowmoreaboutthemall,inhalfanhour,fromyou,thanMissFairfaxwouldhavevouchsafedinhalfayear.\'

`Yes,Mr.DixonandMissCampbellwerethepersons;andIthoughtitaverystrongproof.\'

`Certainly-verystrongitwas;toownthetruth,agreatdealstrongerthan,ifIhadbeenMissCampbell,wouldhavebeenatallagreeabletome.Icouldnotexcuseaman\'shavingmoremusicthanlove-moreearthaneye-amoreacutesensibilitytofinesoundsthantomyfeelings.HowdidMissCampbellappeartolikeit?\'

`Itwasherveryparticularfriend,youknow.\'

`Poorcomfort!\'saidEmma,laughing.`Onewouldratherhaveastrangerpreferredthanone\'sveryparticularfriend-withastrangeritmightnotrecuragain-butthemiseryofhavingaveryparticularfriendalwaysathand,todoeverythingbetterthanonedoesoneself!-PoorMrs.Dixon!Well,IamgladsheisgonetosettleinIreland.\'

`Youareright.ItwasnotveryflatteringtoMissCampbell;butshereallydidnotseemtofeelit.\'

`Somuchthebetter-orsomuchtheworse:-Idonotknowwhich.Butbeitsweetnessorbeitstupidityinher-quicknessoffriendship,ordulnessoffeeling-therewasoneperson,Ithink,whomusthavefeltit:MissFairfaxherself.Shemusthavefelttheimproperanddangerousdistinction.\'

`Astothat-Idonot-\'

`Oh!donotimaginethatIexpectanaccountofMissFairfax\'ssensationsfromyou,orfromanybodyelse.Theyareknowntonohumanbeing,Iguess,butherself.ButifshecontinuedtoplaywhenevershewasaskedbyMr.Dixon,onemayguesswhatonechuses.\'

`Thereappearedsuchaperfectlygoodunderstandingamongthemall-`hebeganratherquickly,butcheckinghimself,added,`however,itisimpossibleformetosayonwhattermstheyreallywere-howitmightallbebehindthescenes.Icanonlysaythattherewassmoothnessoutwardly.Butyou,whohaveknownMissFairfaxfromachild,mustbeabetterjudgeofhercharacter,andofhowsheislikelytoconductherselfincriticalsituations,thanIcanbe.\'

`Ihaveknownherfromachild,undoubtedly;wehavebeenchildrenandwomentogether;anditisnaturaltosupposethatweshouldbeintimate,-thatweshouldhavetakentoeachotherwhenevershevisitedherfriends.Butweneverdid.Ihardlyknowhowithashappened;alittle,perhaps,fromthatwickednessonmysidewhichwaspronetotakedisgusttowardsagirlsoidolizedandsocriedupasshealwayswas,byherauntandgrandmother,andalltheirset.Andthen,herreserve-Inevercouldattachmyselftoanyonesocompletelyreserved.\'

`Itisamostrepulsivequality,indeed,\'saidhe.`Oftentimesveryconvenient,nodoubt,butneverpleasing.Thereissafetyinreserve,butnoattraction.Onecannotloveareservedperson.\'

`Nottillthereserveceasestowardsoneself;andthentheattractionmaybethegreater.ButImustbemoreinwantofafriend,oranagreeablecompanion,thanIhaveyetbeen,totakethetroubleofconqueringanybody\'sreservetoprocureone.IntimacybetweenMissFairfaxandmeisquiteoutofthequestion.Ihavenoreasontothinkillofher-nottheleast-exceptthatsuchextremeandperpetualcautiousnessofwordandmanner,suchadreadofgivingadistinctideaaboutanybody,isapttosuggestsuspicionsoftherebeingsomethingtoconceal.\'

Heperfectlyagreedwithher:andafterwalkingtogethersolong,andthinkingsomuchalike,Emmafeltherselfsowellacquaintedwithhim,thatshecouldhardlybelieveittobeonlytheirsecondmeeting.Hewasnotexactlywhatshehadexpected;lessofthemanoftheworldinsomeofhisnotions,lessofthespoiledchildoffortune,thereforebetterthanshehadexpected.Hisideasseemedmoremoderate-hisfeelingswarmer.ShewasparticularlystruckbyhismannerofconsideringMr.Elton\'shouse,which,aswellasthechurch,hewouldgoandlookat,andwouldnotjointheminfindingmuchfaultwith.No,hecouldnotbelieveitabadhouse;notsuchahouseasamanwastobepitiedforhaving.Ifitweretobesharedwiththewomanheloved,hecouldnotthinkanymantobepitiedforhavingthathouse.Theremustbeampleroominitforeveryrealcomfort.Themanmustbeablockheadwhowantedmore.

Mrs.Westonlaughed,andsaidhedidnotknowwhathewastalkingabout.Usedonlytoalargehousehimself,andwithouteverthinkinghowmanyadvantagesandaccommodationswereattachedtoitssize,hecouldbenojudgeoftheprivationsinevitablybelongingtoasmallone.ButEmma,inherownmind,determinedthathedidknowwhathewastalkingabout,andthatheshewedaveryamiableinclinationtosettleearlyinlife,andtomarry,fromworthymotives.Hemightnotbeawareoftheinroadsondomesticpeacetobeoccasionedbynohousekeeper\'sroom,orabadbutler\'spantry,butnodoubthedidperfectlyfeelthatEnscombecouldnotmakehimhappy,andthatwheneverhewereattached,hewouldwillinglygiveupmuchofwealthtobeallowedanearlyestablishment.

CHAPTERVII

Emma\'sverygoodopinionofFrankChurchillwasalittleshakenthefollowingday,byhearingthathewasgoneofftoLondon,merelytohavehishaircut.Asuddenfreakseemedtohaveseizedhimatbreakfast,andhehadsentforachaiseandsetoff,intendingtoreturntodinner,butwithnomoreimportantviewthatappearedthanhavinghishaircut.Therewascertainlynoharminhistravellingsixteenmilestwiceoveronsuchanerrand;buttherewasanairoffopperyandnonsenseinitwhichshecouldnotapprove.Itdidnotaccordwiththerationalityofplan,themoderationinexpense,oreventheunselfishwarmthofheart,whichshehadbelievedherselftodiscerninhimyesterday.Vanity,extravagance,loveofchange,restlessnessoftemper,whichmustbedoingsomething,goodorbad;heedlessnessastothepleasureofhisfatherandMrs.Weston,indifferentastohowhisconductmightappearingeneral;hebecameliabletoallthesecharges.Hisfatheronlycalledhimacoxcomb,andthoughtitaverygoodstory;butthatMrs.Westondidnotlikeit,wasclearenough,byherpassingitoverasquicklyaspossible,andmakingnoothercommentthanthat`allyoungpeoplewouldhavetheirlittlewhims.\'

Withtheexceptionofthislittleblot,Emmafoundthathisvisithithertohadgivenherfriendonlygoodideasofhim.Mrs.Westonwasveryreadytosayhowattentiveandpleasantacompanionhemadehimself-howmuchshesawtolikeinhisdispositionaltogether.Heappearedtohaveaveryopentemper-certainlyaverycheerfulandlivelyone;shecouldobservenothingwronginhisnotions,agreatdealdecidedlyright;hespokeofhisunclewithwarmregard,wasfondoftalkingofhim-saidhewouldbethebestmanintheworldifhewerelefttohimself;andthoughtherewasnobeingattachedtotheaunt,heacknowledgedherkindnesswithgratitude,andseemedtomeanalwaystospeakofherwithrespect.Thiswasallverypromising;and,butforsuchanunfortunatefancyforhavinghishaircut,therewasnothingtodenotehimunworthyofthedistinguishedhonourwhichherimaginationhadgivenhim;thehonour,ifnotofbeingreallyinlovewithher,ofbeingatleastverynearit,andsavedonlybyherownindifference-(forstillherresolutionheldofnevermarrying)-thehonour,inshort,ofbeingmarkedoutforherbyalltheirjointacquaintance.

Mr.Weston,onhisside,addedavirtuetotheaccountwhichmusthavesomeweight.HegavehertounderstandthatFrankadmiredherextremely-thoughtherverybeautifulandverycharming;andwithsomuchtobesaidforhimaltogether,shefoundshemustnotjudgehimharshly.AsMrs.Westonobserved,`allyoungpeoplewouldhavetheirlittlewhims.\'

TherewasonepersonamonghisnewacquaintanceinSurry,notsolenientlydisposed.Ingeneralhewasjudged,throughouttheparishesofDonwellandHighbury,withgreatcandour;liberalallowancesweremadeforthelittleexcessesofsuchahandsomeyoungman-onewhosmiledsooftenandbowedsowell;buttherewasonespiritamongthemnottobesoftened,fromitspowerofcensure,bybowsorsmiles-Mr.Knightley.ThecircumstancewastoldhimatHartfield;forthemoment,hewassilent;butEmmaheardhimalmostimmediatelyafterwardssaytohimself,overanewspaperheheldinhishand,`Hum!justthetrifling,sillyfellowItookhimfor.\'Shehadhalfamindtoresent;butaninstant\'sobservationconvincedherthatitwasreallysaidonlytorelievehisownfeelings,andnotmeanttoprovoke;andthereforesheletitpass.