第19章

Mrs.Westonsaidnomore;andEmmacouldimaginewithwhatsurprizeandmortificationshemustbereturningtoherseat.ThiswasMr.Elton!theamiable,obliging,gentleMr.Elton-Shelookedroundforamoment;hehadjoinedMr.Knightleyatalittledistance,andwasarranginghimselfforsettledconversation,whilesmilesofhighgleepassedbetweenhimandhiswife.

Shewouldnotlookagain.Herheartwasinaglow,andshefearedherfacemightbeashot.

Inanothermomentahappiersightcaughther;-Mr.KnightleyleadingHarriettotheset!-Neverhadshebeenmoresurprized,seldommoredelighted,thanatthatinstant.Shewasallpleasureandgratitude,bothforHarrietandherself,andlongedtobethankinghim;andthoughtoodistantforspeech,hercountenancesaidmuch,assoonasshecouldcatchhiseyeagain.

Hisdancingprovedtobejustwhatshehadbelievedit,extremelygood;andHarrietwouldhaveseemedalmosttoolucky,ifithadnotbeenforthecruelstateofthingsbefore,andfortheverycompleteenjoymentandveryhighsenseofthedistinctionwhichherhappyfeaturesannounced.Itwasnotthrownawayonher,sheboundedhigherthanever,flewfartherdownthemiddle,andwasinacontinualcourseofsmiles.

Mr.Eltonhadretreatedintothecard-room,looking(Emmatrusted)veryfoolish.Shedidnotthinkhewasquitesohardenedashiswife,thoughgrowingverylikeher;-shespokesomeofherfeelings,byobservingaudiblytoherpartner,

`KnightleyhastakenpityonpoorlittleMissSmith!-Verygoodnatured,Ideclare.\'

Supperwasannounced.Themovebegan;andMissBatesmightbeheardfromthatmoment,withoutinterruption,tillherbeingseatedattableandtakingupherspoon.

`Jane,Jane,mydearJane,whereareyou?-Hereisyourtippet.Mrs.Westonbegsyoutoputonyourtippet.Shesayssheisafraidtherewillbedraughtsinthepassage,thougheverythinghasbeendone-Onedoornailedup-Quantitiesofmatting-MydearJane,indeedyoumust.Mr.Churchill,oh!youaretooobliging!Howwellyouputiton!-sogratified!Excellentdancingindeed!-Yes,mydear,Iranhome,asIsaidIshould,tohelpgrandmamatobed,andgotbackagain,andnobodymissedme-Isetoffwithoutsayingaword,justasItoldyou.Grandmamawasquitewell,hadacharmingeveningwithMr.Woodhouse,avastdealofchat,andbackgammon-Teawasmadedownstairs,biscuitsandbakedapplesandwinebeforeshecameaway:amazingluckinsomeofherthrows:andsheinquiredagreatdealaboutyou,howyouwereamused,andwhowereyourpartners.``Oh!\'\'saidI,``IshallnotforestallJane;IleftherdancingwithMr.GeorgeOtway;shewilllovetotellyouallaboutitherselfto-morrow:herfirstpartnerwasMr.Elton,Idonotknowwhowillaskhernext,perhapsMr.WilliamCox.\'\'

Mydearsir,youaretooobliging-Istherenobodyyouwouldnotrather?-Iamnothelpless.Sir,youaremostkind.Uponmyword,Janeononearm,andmeontheother!-Stop,stop,letusstandalittleback,Mrs.Eltonisgoing;dearMrs.Elton,howelegantshelooks!-Beautifullace!-Nowweallfollowinhertrain.Quitethequeenoftheevening!-Well,hereweareatthepassage.Twosteps,Jane,takecareofthetwosteps.Oh!no,thereisbutone.Well,Iwaspersuadedthereweretwo.Howveryodd!Iwasconvincedthereweretwo,andthereisbutone.Ineversawanythingequaltothecomfortandstyle-Candleseverywhere-Iwastellingyouofyourgrandmama,Jane,-Therewasalittledisappointment-Thebakedapplesandbiscuits,excellentintheirway,youknow;buttherewasadelicatefricasseeofsweetbreadandsomeasparagusbroughtinatfirst,andgoodMr.Woodhouse,notthinkingtheasparagusquiteboiledenough,sentitalloutagain.Nowthereisnothinggrandmamalovesbetterthansweetbreadandasparagus-soshewasratherdisappointed,butweagreedwewouldnotspeakofittoanybody,forfearofitsgettingroundtodearMissWoodhouse,whowouldbesoverymuchconcerned!-Well,thisisbrilliant!Iamallamazement!couldnothavesupposedanything!-Sucheleganceandprofusion!-Ihaveseennothinglikeitsince-Well,whereshallwesit?whereshallwesit?Anywhere,sothatJaneisnotinadraught.WhereIsitisofnoconsequence.Oh!doyourecommendthisside?-Well,Iamsure,Mr.Churchill-onlyitseemstoogood-butjustasyouplease.Whatyoudirectinthishousecannotbewrong.DearJane,howshallweeverrecollecthalfthedishesforgrandmama?Souptoo!Blessme!Ishouldnotbehelpedsosoon,butitsmellsmostexcellent,andIcannothelpbeginning.\'

EmmahadnoopportunityofspeakingtoMr.Knightleytillaftersupper;but,whentheywereallintheballroomagain,hereyesinvitedhimirresistiblytocometoherandbethanked.HewaswarminhisreprobationofMr.Elton\'sconduct;ithadbeenunpardonablerudeness;andMrs.Elton\'slooksalsoreceivedthedueshareofcensure.

`TheyaimedatwoundingmorethanHarriet,\'saidhe.`Emma,whyisitthattheyareyourenemies?\'

Helookedwithsmilingpenetration;and,onreceivingnoanswer,added,`Sheoughtnottobeangrywithyou,Isuspect,whateverhemaybe-Tothatsurmise,yousaynothing,ofcourse;butconfess,Emma,thatyoudidwanthimtomarryHarriet.\'

`Idid,\'repliedEmma,`andtheycannotforgiveme.\'

Heshookhishead;buttherewasasmileofindulgencewithit,andheonlysaid,

`Ishallnotscoldyou.Ileaveyoutoyourownreflections.\'

`Canyoutrustmewithsuchflatterers?-DoesmyvainspiritevertellmeIamwrong?\'

`Notyourvainspirit,butyourseriousspirit-Ifoneleadsyouwrong,Iamsuretheothertellsyouofit.\'

`IdoownmyselftohavebeencompletelymistakeninMr.Elton.Thereisalittlenessabouthimwhichyoudiscovered,andwhichIdidnot:andIwasfullyconvincedofhisbeinginlovewithHarriet.Itwasthroughaseriesofstrangeblunders!\'

`And,inreturnforyouracknowledgingsomuch,Iwilldoyouthejusticetosay,thatyouwouldhavechosenforhimbetterthanhehaschosenforhimself-HarrietSmithhassomefirst-ratequalities,whichMrs.Eltonistotallywithout.Anunpretending,single-minded,artlessgirl-infinitelytobepreferredbyanymanofsenseandtastetosuchawomanasMrs.Elton.IfoundHarrietmoreconversablethanIexpected.\'

Emmawasextremelygratified-TheywereinterruptedbythebustleofMr.Westoncallingoneverybodytobegindancingagain.

`ComeMissWoodhouse,MissOtway,MissFairfax,whatareyoualldoing?-ComeEmma,setyourcompanionstheexample.Everybodyislazy!Everybodyisasleep!\'

`Iamready,\'saidEmma,`wheneverIamwanted.\'

`Whomareyougoingtodancewith?\'askedMr.Knightley.

Shehesitatedamoment,andthenreplied,`Withyou,ifyouwillaskme.\'

`Willyou?\'saidhe,offeringhishand.

`IndeedIwill.Youhaveshewnthatyoucandance,andyouknowwearenotreallysomuchbrotherandsisterastomakeitatallimproper.\'

`Brotherandsister!no,indeed.\'

CHAPTERIII

ThislittleexplanationwithMr.KnightleygaveEmmaconsiderablepleasure.Itwasoneoftheagreeablerecollectionsoftheball,whichshewalkedaboutthelawnthenextmorningtoenjoy-ShewasextremelygladthattheyhadcometosogoodanunderstandingrespectingtheEltons,andthattheiropinionsofbothhusbandandwifeweresomuchalike;andhispraiseofHarriet,hisconcessioninherfavour,waspeculiarlygratifying.TheimpertinenceoftheEltons,whichforafewminuteshadthreatenedtoruintherestofherevening,hadbeentheoccasionofsomeofitshighestsatisfactions;andshelookedforwardtoanotherhappyresult-thecureofHarriet\'sinfatuation-FromHarriet\'smannerofspeakingofthecircumstancebeforetheyquittedtheballroom,shehadstronghopes.Itseemedasifhereyesweresuddenlyopened,andshewereenabledtoseethatMr.Eltonwasnotthesuperiorcreatureshehadbelievedhim.Thefeverwasover,andEmmacouldharbourlittlefearofthepulsebeingquickenedagainbyinjuriouscourtesy.ShedependedontheevilfeelingsoftheEltonsforsupplyingallthedisciplineofpointedneglectthatcouldbefartherrequisite-Harrietrational,FrankChurchillnottoomuchinlove,andMr.Knightleynotwantingtoquarrelwithher,howveryhappyasummermustbebeforeher!

ShewasnottoseeFrankChurchillthismorning.HehadtoldherthathecouldnotallowhimselfthepleasureofstoppingatHartfield,ashewastobeathomebythemiddleoftheday.Shedidnotregretit.

Havingarrangedallthesematters,lookedthemthrough,andputthemalltorights,shewasjustturningtothehousewithspiritsfreshenedupforthedemandsofthetwolittleboys,aswellasoftheirgrandpapa,whenthegreatironsweep-gateopened,andtwopersonsenteredwhomshehadneverlessexpectedtoseetogether-FrankChurchill,withHarrietleaningonhisarm-actuallyHarriet!-Amomentsufficedtoconvinceherthatsomethingextraordinaryhadhappened.Harrietlookedwhiteandfrightened,andhewastryingtocheerher-Theirongatesandthefront-doorwerenottwentyyardsasunder;-theywereallthreesooninthehall,andHarrietimmediatelysinkingintoachairfaintedaway.

Ayoungladywhofaints,mustberecovered;questionsmustbeanswered,andsurprizesbeexplained.Sucheventsareveryinteresting,butthesuspenseofthemcannotlastlong.

AfewminutesmadeEmmaacquaintedwiththewhole.

MissSmith,andMissBickerton,anotherparlourboarderatMrs.Goddard\'s,whohadbeenalsoattheball,hadwalkedouttogether,andtakenaroad,theRichmondroad,which,thoughapparentlypublicenoughforsafety,hadledthemintoalarm-AbouthalfamilebeyondHighbury,makingasuddenturn,anddeeplyshadedbyelmsoneachside,itbecameforaconsiderablestretchveryretired;andwhentheyoungladieshadadvancedsomewayintoit,theyhadsuddenlyperceivedatasmalldistancebeforethem,onabroaderpatchofgreenswardbytheside,apartyofgipsies.Achildonthewatch,cametowardsthemtobeg;andMissBickerton,excessivelyfrightened,gaveagreatscream,andcallingonHarriettofollowher,ranupasteepbank,clearedaslighthedgeatthetop,andmadethebestofherwaybyashortcutbacktoHighbury.ButpoorHarrietcouldnotfollow.Shehadsufferedverymuchfromcrampafterdancing,andherfirstattempttomountthebankbroughtonsuchareturnofitasmadeherabsolutelypowerless-andinthisstate,andexceedinglyterrified,shehadbeenobligedtoremain.

Howthetrampersmighthavebehaved,hadtheyoungladiesbeenmorecourageous,mustbedoubtful;butsuchaninvitationforattackcouldnotberesisted;andHarrietwassoonassailedbyhalfadozenchildren,headedbyastoutwomanandagreatboy,allclamorous,andimpertinentinlook,thoughnotabsolutelyinword-Moreandmorefrightened,sheimmediatelypromisedthemmoney,andtakingoutherpurse,gavethemashilling,andbeggedthemnottowantmore,ortouseherill-Shewasthenabletowalk,thoughbutslowly,andwasmovingaway-butherterrorandherpurseweretootempting,andshewasfollowed,orrathersurrounded,bythewholegang,demandingmore.

InthisstateFrankChurchillhadfoundher,shetremblingandconditioning,theyloudandinsolent.ByamostfortunatechancehisleavingHighburyhadbeendelayedsoastobringhimtoherassistanceatthiscriticalmoment.Thepleasantnessofthemorninghadinducedhimtowalkforward,andleavehishorsestomeethimbyanotherroad,amileortwobeyondHighbury-andhappeningtohaveborrowedapairofscissorsthenightbeforeofMissBates,andtohaveforgottentorestorethem,hehadbeenobligedtostopatherdoor,andgoinforafewminutes:hewasthereforelaterthanhehadintended;andbeingonfoot,wasunseenbythewholepartytillalmostclosetothem.TheterrorwhichthewomanandboyhadbeencreatinginHarrietwasthentheirownportion.Hehadleftthemcompletelyfrightened;andHarrieteagerlyclingingtohim,andhardlyabletospeak,hadjuststrengthenoughtoreachHartfield,beforeherspiritswerequiteovercome.ItwashisideatobringhertoHartfield:hehadthoughtofnootherplace.

Thiswastheamountofthewholestory,-ofhiscommunicationandofHarriet\'sassoonasshehadrecoveredhersensesandspeech-Hedarednotstaylongerthantoseeherwell;theseseveraldelayslefthimnotanotherminutetolose;andEmmaengagingtogiveassuranceofhersafetytoMrs.Goddard,andnoticeoftherebeingsuchasetofpeopleintheneighbourhoodtoMr.Knightley,hesetoff,withallthegratefulblessingsthatshecouldutterforherfriendandherself.

Suchanadventureasthis,-afineyoungmanandalovelyyoungwomanthrowntogetherinsuchaway,couldhardlyfailofsuggestingcertainideastothecoldestheartandthesteadiestbrain.SoEmmathought,atleast.Couldalinguist,couldagrammarian,couldevenamathematicianhaveseenwhatshedid,havewitnessedtheirappearancetogether,andheardtheirhistoryofit,withoutfeelingthatcircumstanceshadbeenatworktomakethempeculiarlyinterestingtoeachother?-Howmuchmoremustanimaginist,likeherself,beonfirewithspeculationandforesight!-especiallywithsuchagroundworkofanticipationashermindhadalreadymade.

Itwasaveryextraordinarything!Nothingofthesorthadeveroccurredbeforetoanyyoungladiesintheplace,withinhermemory;norencontre,noalarmofthekind;-andnowithadhappenedtotheveryperson,andattheveryhour,whentheotherverypersonwaschancingtopassbytorescueher!-Itcertainlywasveryextraordinary!-Andknowing,asshedid,thefavourablestateofmindofeachatthisperiod,itstruckherthemore.Hewaswishingtogetthebetterofhisattachmenttoherself,shejustrecoveringfromhermaniaforMr.Elton.Itseemedasifeverythingunitedtopromisethemostinterestingconsequences.Itwasnotpossiblethattheoccurrenceshouldnotbestronglyrecommendingeachtotheother.

Inthefewminutes\'conversationwhichshehadyethadwithhim,whileHarriethadbeenpartiallyinsensible,hehadspokenofherterror,hernaivete,herfervourassheseizedandclungtohisarm,withasensibilityamusedanddelighted;andjustatlast,afterHarriet\'sownaccounthadbeengiven,hehadexpressedhisindignationattheabominablefollyofMissBickertoninthewarmestterms.Everythingwastotakeitsnaturalcourse,however,neitherimpellednorassisted.Shewouldnotstirastep,nordropahint.No,shehadhadenoughofinterference.Therecouldbenoharminascheme,amerepassivescheme.Itwasnomorethanawish.Beyonditshewouldonnoaccountproceed.

Emma\'sfirstresolutionwastokeepherfatherfromtheknowledgeofwhathadpassed,-awareoftheanxietyandalarmitwouldoccasion:butshesoonfeltthatconcealmentmustbeimpossible.

WithinhalfanhouritwasknownalloverHighbury.Itwastheveryeventtoengagethosewhotalkmost,theyoungandthelow;andalltheyouthandservantsintheplaceweresooninthehappinessoffrightfulnews.Thelastnight\'sballseemedlostinthegipsies.PoorMr.Woodhousetrembledashesat,and,asEmmahadforeseen,wouldscarcelybesatisfiedwithouttheirpromisingnevertogobeyondtheshrubberyagain.ItwassomecomforttohimthatmanyinquiriesafterhimselfandMissWoodhouse(forhisneighboursknewthathelovedtobeinquiredafter),aswellasMissSmith,werecominginduringtherestoftheday;andhehadthepleasureofreturningforanswer,thattheywereallveryindifferent-which,thoughnotexactlytrue,forshewasperfectlywell,andHarrietnotmuchotherwise,Emmawouldnotinterferewith.Shehadanunhappystateofhealthingeneralforthechildofsuchaman,forshehardlyknewwhatindispositionwas;andifhedidnotinventillnessesforher,shecouldmakenofigureinamessage.

Thegipsiesdidnotwaitfortheoperationsofjustice;theytookthemselvesoffinahurry.TheyoungladiesofHighburymighthavewalkedagaininsafetybeforetheirpanicbegan,andthewholehistorydwindledsoonintoamatteroflittleimportancebuttoEmmaandhernephews:-inherimaginationitmaintaineditsground,andHenryandJohnwerestillaskingeverydayforthestoryofHarrietandthegipsies,andstilltenaciouslysettingherrightifshevariedintheslightestparticularfromtheoriginalrecital.

CHAPTERIV

Averyfewdayshadpassedafterthisadventure,whenHarrietcameonemorningtoEmmawithasmallparcelinherhand,andaftersittingdownandhesitating,thusbegan:

`MissWoodhouse-ifyouareatleisure-IhavesomethingthatIshouldliketotellyou-asortofconfessiontomake-andthen,youknow,itwillbeover.\'

Emmawasagooddealsurprized;butbeggedhertospeak.TherewasaseriousnessinHarriet\'smannerwhichpreparedher,quiteasmuchasherwords,forsomethingmorethanordinary.

`Itismyduty,andIamsureitismywish,\'shecontinued,`tohavenoreserveswithyouonthissubject.AsIamhappilyquiteanalteredcreatureinonerespect,itisveryfitthatyoushouldhavethesatisfactionofknowingit.Idonotwanttosaymorethanisnecessary-IamtoomuchashamedofhavinggivenwayasIhavedone,andIdaresayyouunderstandme.\'

`Yes,\'saidEmma,`IhopeIdo.\'

`HowIcouldsolongatimebefancyingmyself!\'criedHarriet,warmly.`Itseemslikemadness!Icanseenothingatallextraordinaryinhimnow-IdonotcarewhetherImeethimornot-exceptthatofthetwoIhadrathernotseehim-andindeedIwouldgoanydistanceroundtoavoidhim-butIdonotenvyhiswifeintheleast;Ineitheradmirehernorenvyher,asIhavedone:sheisverycharming,Idaresay,andallthat,butIthinkherveryill-temperedanddisagreeable-Ishallneverforgetherlooktheothernight!-However,Iassureyou,MissWoodhouse,Iwishhernoevil-No,letthembeeversohappytogether,itwillnotgivemeanothermoment\'spang:andtoconvinceyouthatIhavebeenspeakingtruth,Iamnowgoingtodestroy-whatIoughttohavedestroyedlongago-whatIoughtnevertohavekept-Iknowthatverywell(blushingasshespoke)-However,nowIwilldestroyitall-anditismyparticularwishtodoitinyourpresence,thatyoumayseehowrationalIamgrown.Cannotyouguesswhatthisparcelholds?\'saidshe,withaconsciouslook.

`Nottheleastintheworld-Didheevergiveyouanything?\'

`No-Icannotcallthemgifts;buttheyarethingsthatIhavevaluedverymuch.\'

Sheheldtheparceltowardsher,andEmmareadthewordsMostprecioustreasuresonthetop.Hercuriositywasgreatlyexcited.Harrietunfoldedtheparcel,andshelookedonwithimpatience.WithinabundanceofsilverpaperwasaprettylittleTunbridge-warebox,whichHarrietopened:itwaswelllinedwiththesoftestcotton;but,exceptingthecotton,Emmasawonlyasmallpieceofcourt-plaister.

`Now,\'saidHarriet,`youmustrecollect.\'

`No,indeedIdonot.\'

`Dearme!Ishouldnothavethoughtitpossibleyoucouldforgetwhatpassedinthisveryroomaboutcourt-plaister,oneoftheverylasttimesweevermetinit!-ItwasbutaveryfewdaysbeforeIhadmysorethroat-justbeforeMr.andMrs.JohnKnightleycame-Ithinktheveryevening-Donotyourememberhiscuttinghisfingerwithyournewpenknife,andyourrecommendingcourt-plaister?-But,asyouhadnoneaboutyou,andknewIhad,youdesiredmetosupplyhim;andsoItookmineoutandcuthimapiece;butitwasagreatdealtoolarge,andhecutitsmaller,andkeptplayingsometimewithwhatwasleft,beforehegaveitbacktome.Andsothen,inmynonsense,Icouldnothelpmakingatreasureofit-soIputitbynevertobeused,andlookedatitnowandthenasagreattreat.\'

`MydearestHarriet!\'criedEmma,puttingherhandbeforeherface,andjumpingup,`youmakememoreashamedofmyselfthanIcanbear.Rememberit?Aye,Irememberitallnow;all,exceptyoursavingthisrelic-Iknewnothingofthattillthismoment-butthecuttingthefinger,andmyrecommendingcourt-plaister,andsayingIhadnoneaboutme!-Oh!mysins,mysins!-AndIhadplentyallthewhileinmypocket!-Oneofmysenselesstricks!-Ideservetobeunderacontinualblushalltherestofmylife-Well-(sittingdownagain)-goon-whatelse?\'

`Andhadyoureallysomeathandyourself?IamsureIneversuspectedit,youdiditsonaturally.\'

`Andsoyouactuallyputthispieceofcourt-plaisterbyforhissake!\'saidEmma,recoveringfromherstateofshameandfeelingdividedbetweenwonderandamusement.Andsecretlysheaddedtoherself,`Lordblessme!whenshouldIeverhavethoughtofputtingbyincottonapieceofcourt-plaisterthatFrankChurchillhadbeenpullingabout!Ineverwasequaltothis.\'

`Here,\'resumedHarriet,turningtoherboxagain,`hereissomethingstillmorevaluable,Imeanthathasbeenmorevaluable,becausethisiswhatdidreallyoncebelongtohim,whichthecourt-plaisterneverdid.\'

Emmawasquiteeagertoseethissuperiortreasure.Itwastheendofanoldpencil,-thepartwithoutanylead.

`Thiswasreallyhis,\'saidHarriet-`Donotyourememberonemorning?-no,Idaresayyoudonot.Butonemorning-Iforgetexactlytheday-butperhapsitwastheTuesdayorWednesdaybeforethatevening,hewantedtomakeamemoranduminhispocket-book;itwasaboutspruce-beer.Mr.Knightleyhadbeentellinghimsomethingaboutbrewingspruce-beer,andhewantedtoputitdown;butwhenhetookouthispencil,therewassolittleleadthathesooncutitallaway,anditwouldnotdo,soyoulenthimanother,andthiswasleftuponthetableasgoodfornothing.ButIkeptmyeyeonit;and,assoonasIdared,caughtitup,andneverpartedwithitagainfromthatmoment.\'

`Idorememberit,\'criedEmma;`Iperfectlyrememberit-Talkingaboutspruce-beer-Oh!yes-Mr.KnightleyandIbothsayingwelikedit,andMr.Elton\'sseemingresolvedtolearntolikeittoo.Iperfectlyrememberit-Stop;Mr.Knightleywasstandingjusthere,wasnothe?Ihaveanideahewasstandingjusthere.\'

`Ah!Idonotknow.Icannotrecollect-Itisveryodd,butIcannotrecollect-Mr.Eltonwassittinghere,Iremember,muchaboutwhereIamnow.\'-

`Well,goon.\'

`Oh!that\'sall.Ihavenothingmoretoshewyou,ortosay-exceptthatIamnowgoingtothrowthembothbehindthefire,andIwishyoutoseemedoit.\'

`MypoordearHarriet!andhaveyouactuallyfoundhappinessintreasuringupthesethings?\'

`Yes,simpletonasIwas!-butIamquiteashamedofitnow,andwishIcouldforgetaseasilyasIcanburnthem.Itwasverywrongofme,youknow,tokeepanyremembrances,afterhewasmarried.Iknewitwas-buthadnotresolutionenoughtopartwiththem.\'

`But,Harriet,isitnecessarytoburnthecourt-plaister?-Ihavenotawordtosayforthebitofoldpencil,butthecourt-plaistermightbeuseful.\'

`Ishallbehappiertoburnit,\'repliedHarriet.`Ithasadisagreeablelooktome.Imustgetridofeverything-Thereitgoes,andthereisanend,thankHeaven!ofMr.Elton.\'

`Andwhen,\'thoughtEmma,`willtherebeabeginningofMr.Churchill?\'

Shehadsoonafterwardsreasontobelievethatthebeginningwasalreadymade,andcouldnotbuthopethatthegipsy,thoughshehadtoldnofortune,mightbeprovedtohavemadeHarriet\'s-Aboutafortnightafterthealarm,theycametoasufficientexplanation,andquiteundesignedly.Emmawasnotthinkingofitatthemoment,whichmadetheinformationshereceivedmorevaluable.Shemerelysaid,inthecourseofsometrivialchat,`Well,Harriet,wheneveryoumarryIwouldadviseyoutodosoandso\'-andthoughtnomoreofit,tillafteraminute\'ssilencesheheardHarrietsayinaveryserioustone,`Ishallnevermarry.\'

Emmathenlookedup,andimmediatelysawhowitwas;andafteramoment\'sdebate,astowhetheritshouldpassunnoticedornot,replied,

`Nevermarry!-Thisisanewresolution.\'

`ItisonethatIshallneverchange,however.\'

Afteranothershorthesitation,`Ihopeitdoesnotproceedfrom-IhopeitisnotincomplimenttoMr.Elton?\'

`Mr.Eltonindeed!\'criedHarrietindignantly-`Oh!no\'-andEmmacouldjustcatchthewords,`sosuperiortoMr.Elton!\'

Shethentookalongertimeforconsideration.Shouldsheproceednofarther?-shouldsheletitpass,andseemtosuspectnothing?-PerhapsHarrietmightthinkhercoldorangryifshedid;orperhapsifsheweretotallysilent,itmightonlydriveHarrietintoaskinghertoheartoomuch;andagainstanythinglikesuchanunreserveashadbeen,suchanopenandfrequentdiscussionofhopesandchances,shewasperfectlyresolved-Shebelieveditwouldbewiserforhertosayandknowatonce,allthatshemeanttosayandknow.Plaindealingwasalwaysbest.Shehadpreviouslydeterminedhowfarshewouldproceed,onanyapplicationofthesort;anditwouldbesaferforboth,tohavethejudiciouslawofherownbrainlaiddownwithspeed-Shewasdecided,andthusspoke-

`Harriet,Iwillnotaffecttobeindoubtofyourmeaning.Yourresolution,orratheryourexpectationofnevermarrying,resultsfromanideathatthepersonwhomyoumightprefer,wouldbetoogreatlyyoursuperiorinsituationtothinkofyou.Isnotitso?\'

`Oh!MissWoodhouse,believemeIhavenotthepresumptiontosuppose-IndeedIamnotsomad-Butitisapleasuretometoadmirehimatadistance-andtothinkofhisinfinitesuperioritytoalltherestoftheworld,withthegratitude,wonder,andveneration,whicharesoproper,inmeespecially.\'

`Iamnotatallsurprizedatyou,Harriet.Theserviceherenderedyouwasenoughtowarmyourheart.\'

`Service!oh!itwassuchaninexpressibleobligation!-Theveryrecollectionofit,andallthatIfeltatthetime-whenIsawhimcoming-hisnoblelook-andmywretchednessbefore.Suchachange!Inonemomentsuchachange!Fromperfectmiserytoperfecthappiness!\'

`Itisverynatural.Itisnatural,anditishonourable-Yes,honourable,Ithink,tochusesowellandsogratefully-ButthatitwillbeafortunatepreferenceismorethatIcanpromise.Idonotadviseyoutogivewaytoit,Harriet.Idonotbyanymeansengageforitsbeingreturned.Considerwhatyouareabout.Perhapsitwillbewisestinyoutocheckyourfeelingswhileyoucan:atanyratedonotletthemcarryyoufar,unlessyouarepersuadedofhislikingyou.Beobservantofhim.Lethisbehaviourbetheguideofyoursensations.Igiveyouthiscautionnow,becauseIshallneverspeaktoyouagainonthesubject.Iamdeterminedagainstallinterference.HenceforwardIknownothingofthematter.Letnonameeverpassourlips.Wewereverywrongbefore;wewillbecautiousnow-Heisyoursuperior,nodoubt,andtheredoseemobjectionsandobstaclesofaveryseriousnature;butyet,Harriet,morewonderfulthingshavetakenplace,therehavebeenmatchesofgreaterdisparity.Buttakecareofyourself.Iwouldnothaveyoutoosanguine;though,howeveritmayend,beassuredyourraisingyourthoughtstohim,isamarkofgoodtastewhichIshallalwaysknowhowtovalue.\'

Harrietkissedherhandinsilentandsubmissivegratitude.Emmawasverydecidedinthinkingsuchanattachmentnobadthingforherfriend.Itstendencywouldbetoraiseandrefinehermind-anditmustbesavingherfromthedangerofdegradation.

CHAPTERV

Inthisstateofschemes,andhopes,andconnivance,JuneopeneduponHartfield.ToHighburyingeneralitbroughtnomaterialchange.TheEltonswerestilltalkingofavisitfromtheSucklings,andoftheusetobemadeoftheirbarouche-landau;andJaneFairfaxwasstillathergrandmother\'s;andasthereturnoftheCampbellsfromIrelandwasagaindelayed,andAugust,insteadofMidsummer,fixedforit,shewaslikelytoremaintherefulltwomonthslonger,providedatleastshewereabletodefeatMrs.Elton\'sactivityinherservice,andsaveherselffrombeinghurriedintoadelightfulsituationagainstherwill.

Mr.Knightley,who,forsomereasonbestknowntohimself,hadcertainlytakenanearlydisliketoFrankChurchill,wasonlygrowingtodislikehimmore.HebegantosuspecthimofsomedoubledealinginhispursuitofEmma.ThatEmmawashisobjectappearedindisputable.Everythingdeclaredit;hisownattentions,hisfather\'shints,hismother-in-law\'sguardedsilence;itwasallinunison;words,conduct,discretion,andindiscretion,toldthesamestory.ButwhilesomanyweredevotinghimtoEmma,andEmmaherselfmakinghimovertoHarriet,Mr.KnightleybegantosuspecthimofsomeinclinationtotriflewithJaneFairfax.Hecouldnotunderstandit;butthereweresymptomsofintelligencebetweenthem-hethoughtsoatleast-symptomsofadmirationonhisside,which,havingonceobserved,hecouldnotpersuadehimselftothinkentirelyvoidofmeaning,howeverhemightwishtoescapeanyofEmma\'serrorsofimagination.Shewasnotpresentwhenthesuspicionfirstarose.HewasdiningwiththeRandallsfamily,andJane,attheEltons\';andhehadseenalook,morethanasinglelook,atMissFairfax,which,fromtheadmirerofMissWoodhouse,seemedsomewhatoutofplace.Whenhewasagainintheircompany,hecouldnothelprememberingwhathehadseen;norcouldheavoidobservationswhich,unlessitwerelikeCowperandhisfireattwilight,

`MyselfcreatingwhatIsaw,\'

broughthimyetstrongersuspicionoftherebeingasomethingofprivateliking,ofprivateunderstandingeven,betweenFrankChurchillandJane.