第4章

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，andI

havedone。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，astowhatI

wastellingyouofmyideaofmovingthepathtoLangham，ofturningitmoretotherightthatitmaynotcutthroughthehomemeadows，Icannotconceiveanydifficulty。Ishouldnotattemptit，ifitweretobethemeansofinconveniencetotheHighburypeople，butifyoucalltomindexactlythepresentlineofthepath……

Theonlywayofprovingit，however，willbetoturntoourmaps。

IshallseeyouattheAbbeyto-morrowmorningIhope，andthenwewilllookthemover，andyoushallgivemeyouropinion。”

Mr。WoodhousewasratheragitatedbysuchharshreflectionsonhisfriendPerry，towhomhehad，infact，thoughunconsciously，beenattributingmanyofhisownfeelingsandexpressions；——

butthesoothingattentionsofhisdaughtersgraduallyremovedthepresentevil，andtheimmediatealertnessofonebrother，andbetterrecollectionsoftheother，preventedanyrenewalofit。

Chapter13CHAPTERXIII

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！——AfterI

hadgothimoffsowell，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。”

“Yes。”saidJohnKnightley，“andIthinkweshallhaveagooddealofit。”

“Christmasweather。”observedMr。Elton。“Quiteseasonable；

andextremelyfortunatewemaythinkourselvesthatitdidnotbeginyesterday，andpreventthisday’sparty，whichitmightverypossiblyhavedone，forMr。Woodhousewouldhardlyhaveventuredhadtherebeenmuchsnowontheground；butnowitisofnoconsequence。

Thisisquitetheseasonindeedforfriendlymeetings。AtChristmaseverybodyinvitestheirfriendsaboutthem，andpeoplethinklittleofeventheworstweather。Iwassnowedupatafriend’shouseonceforaweek。Nothingcouldbepleasanter。Iwentforonlyonenight，andcouldnotgetawaytillthatverydayse’nnight。”

Mr。JohnKnightleylookedasifhedidnotcomprehendthepleasure，butsaidonly，coolly，“IcannotwishtobesnowedupaweekatRandalls。”

AtanothertimeEmmamighthavebeenamused，butshewastoomuchastonishednowatMr。Elton’sspiritsforotherfeelings。

Harrietseemedquiteforgottenintheexpectationofapleasantparty。

“Wearesureofexcellentfires。”continuedhe，“andeverythinginthegreatestcomfort。Charmingpeople，Mr。andMrs。Weston；——

Mrs。Westonindeedismuchbeyondpraise，andheisexactlywhatonevalues，sohospitable，andsofondofsociety；——

itwillbeasmallparty，butwheresmallpartiesareselect，theyareperhapsthemostagreeableofany。Mr。Weston’sdining-roomdoesnotaccommodatemorethantencomfortably；andformypart，Iwouldrather，undersuchcircumstances，fallshortbytwothanexceedbytwo。Ithinkyouwillagreewithme，(turningwithasoftairtoEmma，)IthinkIshallcertainlyhaveyourapprobation，thoughMr。Knightleyperhaps，frombeingusedtothelargepartiesofLondon，maynotquiteenterintoourfeelings。”

“IknownothingofthelargepartiesofLondon，sir——Ineverdinewithanybody。”

“Indeed！(inatoneofwonderandpity，)Ihadnoideathatthelawhadbeensogreataslavery。Well，sir，thetimemustcomewhenyouwillbepaidforallthis，whenyouwillhavelittlelabourandgreatenjoyment。”

“Myfirstenjoyment。”repliedJohnKnightley，astheypassedthroughthesweep-gate，“willbetofindmyselfsafeatHartfieldagain。”

Chapter14CHAPTERXIV

SomechangeofcountenancewasnecessaryforeachgentlemanastheywalkedintoMrs。Weston’sdrawing-room；——Mr。Eltonmustcomposehisjoyouslooks，andMr。JohnKnightleydispersehisill-humour。Mr。Eltonmustsmileless，andMr。JohnKnightleymore，tofitthemfortheplace——Emmaonlymightbeasnatureprompted，andshewherselfjustashappyasshewas。ToheritwasrealenjoymenttobewiththeWestons。Mr。Westonwasagreatfavourite，andtherewasnotacreatureintheworldtowhomshespokewithsuchunreserve，astohiswife；notanyone，towhomsherelatedwithsuchconvictionofbeinglistenedtoandunderstood，ofbeingalwaysinterestingandalwaysintelligible，thelittleaffairs，arrangements，perplexities，andpleasuresofherfatherandherself。

ShecouldtellnothingofHartfield，inwhichMrs。Westonhadnotalivelyconcern；andhalfanhour’suninterruptedcommunicationofallthoselittlemattersonwhichthedailyhappinessofprivatelifedepends，wasoneofthefirstgratificationsofeach。

Thiswasapleasurewhichperhapsthewholeday’svisitmightnotafford，whichcertainlydidnotbelongtothepresenthalf-hour；

buttheverysightofMrs。Weston，hersmile，hertouch，hervoicewasgratefultoEmma，andshedeterminedtothinkaslittleaspossibleofMr。Elton’soddities，orofanythingelseunpleasant，andenjoyallthatwasenjoyabletotheutmost。

ThemisfortuneofHarriet’scoldhadbeenprettywellgonethroughbeforeherarrival。Mr。Woodhousehadbeensafelyseatedlongenoughtogivethehistoryofit，besidesallthehistoryofhisownandIsabella’scoming，andofEmma’sbeingtofollow，andhadindeedjustgottotheendofhissatisfactionthatJamesshouldcomeandseehisdaughter，whentheothersappeared，andMrs。Weston，whohadbeenalmostwhollyengrossedbyherattentionstohim，wasabletoturnawayandwelcomeherdearEmma。

Emma’sprojectofforgettingMr。Eltonforawhilemadeherrathersorrytofind，whentheyhadalltakentheirplaces，thathewasclosetoher。ThedifficultywasgreatofdrivinghisstrangeinsensibilitytowardsHarriet，fromhermind，whilehenotonlysatatherelbow，butwascontinuallyobtrudinghishappycountenanceonhernotice，andsolicitouslyaddressingheruponeveryoccasion。

Insteadofforgettinghim，hisbehaviourwassuchthatshecouldnotavoidtheinternalsuggestionof“Canitreallybeasmybrotherimagined？canitbepossibleforthismantobebeginningtotransferhisaffectionsfromHarriettome？——Absurdandinsufferable！“——

Yethewouldbesoanxiousforherbeingperfectlywarm，wouldbesointerestedaboutherfather，andsodelightedwithMrs。Weston；

andatlastwouldbeginadmiringherdrawingswithsomuchzealandsolittleknowledgeasseemedterriblylikeawould-belover，andmadeitsomeeffortwithhertopreservehergoodmanners。

Forherownsakeshecouldnotberude；andforHarriet’s，inthehopethatallwouldyetturnoutright，shewasevenpositivelycivil；

butitwasaneffort；especiallyassomethingwasgoingonamongsttheothers，inthemostoverpoweringperiodofMr。Elton’snonsense，whichsheparticularlywishedtolistento。SheheardenoughtoknowthatMr。Westonwasgivingsomeinformationabouthisson；

sheheardthewords“myson。”and“Frank。”and“myson。”

repeatedseveraltimesover；and，fromafewotherhalf-syllablesverymuchsuspectedthathewasannouncinganearlyvisitfromhisson；butbeforeshecouldquietMr。Elton，thesubjectwassocompletelypastthatanyrevivingquestionfromherwouldhavebeenawkward。

Now，itsohappenedthatinspiteofEmma’sresolutionofnevermarrying，therewassomethinginthename，intheideaofMr。FrankChurchill，whichalwaysinterestedher。Shehadfrequentlythought——especiallysincehisfather’smarriagewithMissTaylor——thatifsheweretomarry，hewastheverypersontosuitherinage，characterandcondition。

Heseemedbythisconnexionbetweenthefamilies，quitetobelongtoher。

Shecouldnotbutsupposeittobeamatchthateverybodywhoknewthemmustthinkof。ThatMr。andMrs。Westondidthinkofit，shewasverystronglypersuaded；andthoughnotmeaningtobeinducedbyhim，orbyanybodyelse，togiveupasituationwhichshebelievedmorerepletewithgoodthananyshecouldchangeitfor，shehadagreatcuriositytoseehim，adecidedintentionoffindinghimpleasant，ofbeinglikedbyhimtoacertaindegree，andasortofpleasureintheideaoftheirbeingcoupledintheirfriends’imaginations。

Withsuchsensations，Mr。Elton’scivilitiesweredreadfullyill-timed；

butshehadthecomfortofappearingverypolite，whilefeelingverycross——andofthinkingthattherestofthevisitcouldnotpossiblypasswithoutbringingforwardthesameinformationagain，orthesubstanceofit，fromtheopen-heartedMr。Weston——Soitproved；——

forwhenhappilyreleasedfromMr。Elton，andseatedbyMr。Weston，atdinner，hemadeuseoftheveryfirstintervalinthecaresofhospitality，theveryfirstleisurefromthesaddleofmutton，tosaytoher，“Wewantonlytwomoretobejusttherightnumber。Ishouldliketoseetwomorehere，——yourprettylittlefriend，MissSmith，andmyson——andthenIshouldsaywewerequitecomplete。

Ibelieveyoudidnothearmetellingtheothersinthedrawing-roomthatweareexpectingFrank。Ihadaletterfromhimthismorning，andhewillbewithuswithinafortnight。”

Emmaspokewithaveryproperdegreeofpleasure；andfullyassentedtohispropositionofMr。FrankChurchillandMissSmithmakingtheirpartyquitecomplete。

“Hehasbeenwantingtocometous。”continuedMr。Weston，“eversinceSeptember：everyletterhasbeenfullofit；

buthecannotcommandhisowntime。Hehasthosetopleasewhomustbepleased，andwho(betweenourselves)aresometimestobepleasedonlybyagoodmanysacrifices。ButnowIhavenodoubtofseeinghimhereaboutthesecondweekinJanuary。”

“Whataverygreatpleasureitwillbetoyou！andMrs。Westonissoanxioustobeacquaintedwithhim，thatshemustbealmostashappyasyourself。”

“Yes，shewouldbe，butthatshethinkstherewillbeanotherput-off。ShedoesnotdependuponhiscomingsomuchasIdo：

butshedoesnotknowthepartiessowellasIdo。Thecase，yousee，is——(butthisisquitebetweenourselves：Ididnotmentionasyllableofitintheotherroom。Therearesecretsinallfamilies，youknow)——Thecaseis，thatapartyoffriendsareinvitedtopayavisitatEnscombeinJanuary；andthatFrank’scomingdependsupontheirbeingputoff。Iftheyarenotputoff，hecannotstir。

ButIknowtheywill，becauseitisafamilythatacertainlady，ofsomeconsequence，atEnscombe，hasaparticulardisliketo：

andthoughitisthoughtnecessarytoinvitethemonceintwoorthreeyears，theyalwaysareputoffwhenitcomestothepoint。

Ihavenotthesmallestdoubtoftheissue。IamasconfidentofseeingFrankherebeforethemiddleofJanuary，asIamofbeingheremyself：butyourgoodfriendthere(noddingtowardstheupperendofthetable)hassofewvagariesherself，andhasbeensolittleusedtothematHartfield，thatshecannotcalculateontheireffects，asIhavebeenlonginthepracticeofdoing。”

“Iamsorrythereshouldbeanythinglikedoubtinthecase。”

repliedEmma；“butamdisposedtosidewithyou，Mr。Weston。Ifyouthinkhewillcome，Ishallthinksotoo；foryouknowEnscombe。”

“Yes——Ihavesomerighttothatknowledge；thoughIhaveneverbeenattheplaceinmylife——Sheisanoddwoman！——ButIneverallowmyselftospeakillofher，onFrank’saccount；forIdobelievehertobeveryfondofhim。Iusedtothinkshewasnotcapableofbeingfondofanybody，exceptherself：butshehasalwaysbeenkindtohim(inherway——allowingforlittlewhimsandcaprices，andexpectingeverythingtobeasshelikes)。Anditisnosmallcredit，inmyopinion，tohim，thatheshouldexcitesuchanaffection；

for，thoughIwouldnotsayittoanybodyelse，shehasnomoreheartthanastonetopeopleingeneral；andthedevilofatemper。”

Emmalikedthesubjectsowell，thatshebeganuponit，toMrs。Weston，verysoonaftertheirmovingintothedrawing-room：wishingherjoy——

yetobserving，thatsheknewthefirstmeetingmustberatheralarming——

Mrs。Westonagreedtoit；butadded，thatsheshouldbeverygladtobesecureofundergoingtheanxietyofafirstmeetingatthetimetalkedof：“forIcannotdependuponhiscoming。

IcannotbesosanguineasMr。Weston。Iamverymuchafraidthatitwillallendinnothing。Mr。Weston，Idaresay，hasbeentellingyouexactlyhowthematterstands？“

“Yes——itseemstodependuponnothingbuttheill-humourofMrs。Churchill，whichIimaginetobethemostcertainthingintheworld。”

“MyEmma！“repliedMrs。Weston，smiling，“whatisthecertaintyofcaprice？“ThenturningtoIsabella，whohadnotbeenattendingbefore——“Youmustknow，mydearMrs。Knightley，thatwearebynomeanssosureofseeingMr。FrankChurchill，inmyopinion，ashisfatherthinks。Itdependsentirelyuponhisaunt’sspiritsandpleasure；inshort，uponhertemper。

Toyou——tomytwodaughters——Imayventureonthetruth。

Mrs。ChurchillrulesatEnscombe，andisaveryodd-temperedwoman；

andhiscomingnow，dependsuponherbeingwillingtosparehim。”

“Oh，Mrs。Churchill；everybodyknowsMrs。Churchill。”

repliedIsabella：“andIamsureIneverthinkofthatpooryoungmanwithoutthegreatestcompassion。Tobeconstantlylivingwithanill-temperedperson，mustbedreadful。Itiswhatwehappilyhaveneverknownanythingof；butitmustbealifeofmisery。Whatablessing，thatsheneverhadanychildren！

Poorlittlecreatures，howunhappyshewouldhavemadethem！“

EmmawishedshehadbeenalonewithMrs。Weston。Sheshouldthenhaveheardmore：Mrs。Westonwouldspeaktoher，withadegreeofunreservewhichshewouldnothazardwithIsabella；and，shereallybelieved，wouldscarcelytrytoconcealanythingrelativetotheChurchillsfromher，exceptingthoseviewsontheyoungman，ofwhichherownimaginationhadalreadygivenhersuchinstinctiveknowledge。

Butatpresenttherewasnothingmoretobesaid。Mr。Woodhouseverysoonfollowedthemintothedrawing-room。Tobesittinglongafterdinner，wasaconfinementthathecouldnotendure。

Neitherwinenorconversationwasanythingtohim；andgladlydidhemovetothosewithwhomhewasalwayscomfortable。

WhilehetalkedtoIsabella，however，Emmafoundanopportunityofsaying，“Andsoyoudonotconsiderthisvisitfromyoursonasbyanymeanscertain。Iamsorryforit。Theintroductionmustbeunpleasant，wheneverittakesplace；andthesooneritcouldbeover，thebetter。”

“Yes；andeverydelaymakesonemoreapprehensiveofotherdelays。

Evenifthisfamily，theBraithwaites，areputoff，Iamstillafraidthatsomeexcusemaybefoundfordisappointingus。

Icannotbeartoimagineanyreluctanceonhisside；butIamsurethereisagreatwishontheChurchills’tokeephimtothemselves。

Thereisjealousy。Theyarejealousevenofhisregardforhisfather。

Inshort，Icanfeelnodependenceonhiscoming，andIwishMr。Westonwerelesssanguine。”

“Heoughttocome。”saidEmma。“Ifhecouldstayonlyacoupleofdays，heoughttocome；andonecanhardlyconceiveayoungman’snothavingitinhispowertodoasmuchasthat。Ayoungwoman，ifshefallintobadhands，maybeteazed，andkeptatadistancefromthoseshewantstobewith；butonecannotcomprehendayoungman’sbeingundersuchrestraint，asnottobeabletospendaweekwithhisfather，ifhelikesit。”

“OneoughttobeatEnscombe，andknowthewaysofthefamily，beforeonedecidesuponwhathecando。”repliedMrs。Weston。

“Oneoughttousethesamecaution，perhaps，injudgingoftheconductofanyoneindividualofanyonefamily；butEnscombe，Ibelieve，certainlymustnotbejudgedbygeneralrules：

sheissoveryunreasonable；andeverythinggiveswaytoher。”

“Butsheissofondofthenephew：heissoverygreatafavourite。

Now，accordingtomyideaofMrs。Churchill，itwouldbemostnatural，thatwhileshemakesnosacrificeforthecomfortofthehusband，towhomsheoweseverything，whilesheexercisesincessantcapricetowardshim，sheshouldfrequentlybegovernedbythenephew，towhomsheowesnothingatall。”

“MydearestEmma，donotpretend，withyoursweettemper，tounderstandabadone，ortolaydownrulesforit：youmustletitgoitsownway。Ihavenodoubtofhishaving，attimes，considerableinfluence；butitmaybeperfectlyimpossibleforhimtoknowbeforehandwhenitwillbe。”

Emmalistened，andthencoollysaid，“Ishallnotbesatisfied，unlesshecomes。”

“Hemayhaveagreatdealofinfluenceonsomepoints。”

continuedMrs。Weston，“andonothers，verylittle：andamongthose，onwhichsheisbeyondhisreach，itisbuttoolikely，maybethisverycircumstanceofhiscomingawayfromthemtovisitus。”

Chapter15CHAPTERXV

Mr。Woodhousewassoonreadyforhistea；andwhenhehaddrankhisteahewasquitereadytogohome；anditwasasmuchashisthreecompanionscoulddo，toentertainawayhisnoticeofthelatenessofthehour，beforetheothergentlemenappeared。Mr。Westonwaschattyandconvivial，andnofriendtoearlyseparationsofanysort；

butatlastthedrawing-roompartydidreceiveanaugmentation。

Mr。Elton，inverygoodspirits，wasoneofthefirsttowalkin。

Mrs。WestonandEmmaweresittingtogetheronasofa。Hejoinedthemimmediately，and，withscarcelyaninvitation，seatedhimselfbetweenthem。

Emma，ingoodspiritstoo，fromtheamusementaffordedhermindbytheexpectationofMr。FrankChurchill，waswillingtoforgethislateimproprieties，andbeaswellsatisfiedwithhimasbefore，andonhismakingHarriethisveryfirstsubject，wasreadytolistenwithmostfriendlysmiles。

Heprofessedhimselfextremelyanxiousaboutherfairfriend——

herfair，lovely，amiablefriend。“Didsheknow？——hadsheheardanythingabouther，sincetheirbeingatRandalls？——

hefeltmuchanxiety——hemustconfessthatthenatureofhercomplaintalarmedhimconsiderably。”Andinthisstylehetalkedonforsometimeveryproperly，notmuchattendingtoanyanswer，butaltogethersufficientlyawaketotheterrorofabadsorethroat；

andEmmawasquiteincharitywithhim。

Butatlastthereseemedaperverseturn；itseemedallatonceasifheweremoreafraidofitsbeingabadsorethroatonheraccount，thanonHarriet’s——moreanxiousthatsheshouldescapetheinfection，thanthatthereshouldbenoinfectioninthecomplaint。Hebeganwithgreatearnestnesstoentreathertorefrainfromvisitingthesick-chamberagain，forthepresent——toentreathertopromisehimnottoventureintosuchhazardtillhehadseenMr。Perryandlearnthisopinion；andthoughshetriedtolaughitoffandbringthesubjectbackintoitspropercourse，therewasnoputtinganendtohisextremesolicitudeabouther。Shewasvexed。

Itdidappear——therewasnoconcealingit——exactlylikethepretenceofbeinginlovewithher，insteadofHarriet；aninconstancy，ifreal，themostcontemptibleandabominable！andshehaddifficultyinbehavingwithtemper。HeturnedtoMrs。Westontoimploreherassistance，“Wouldnotshegivehimhersupport？——wouldnotsheaddherpersuasionstohis，toinduceMissWoodhousenottogotoMrs。Goddard’stillitwerecertainthatMissSmith’sdisorderhadnoinfection？Hecouldnotbesatisfiedwithoutapromise——

wouldnotshegivehimherinfluenceinprocuringit？“

“Soscrupulousforothers。”hecontinued，“andyetsocarelessforherself！Shewantedmetonursemycoldbystayingathometo-day，andyetwillnotpromisetoavoidthedangerofcatchinganulceratedsorethroatherself。Isthisfair，Mrs。Weston？——Judgebetweenus。

HavenotIsomerighttocomplain？Iamsureofyourkindsupportandaid。”

EmmasawMrs。Weston’ssurprize，andfeltthatitmustbegreat，atanaddresswhich，inwordsandmanner，wasassumingtohimselftherightoffirstinterestinher；andasforherself，shewastoomuchprovokedandoffendedtohavethepowerofdirectlysayinganythingtothepurpose。Shecouldonlygivehimalook；

butitwassuchalookasshethoughtmustrestorehimtohissenses，andthenleftthesofa，removingtoaseatbyhersister，andgivingherallherattention。

ShehadnottimetoknowhowMr。Eltontookthereproof，sorapidlydidanothersubjectsucceed；forMr。JohnKnightleynowcameintotheroomfromexaminingtheweather，andopenedonthemallwiththeinformationofthegroundbeingcoveredwithsnow，andofitsstillsnowingfast，withastrongdriftingwind；

concludingwiththesewordstoMr。Woodhouse：

“Thiswillproveaspiritedbeginningofyourwinterengagements，sir。Somethingnewforyourcoachmanandhorsestobemakingtheirwaythroughastormofsnow。”

PoorMr。Woodhousewassilentfromconsternation；buteverybodyelsehadsomethingtosay；everybodywaseithersurprizedornotsurprized，andhadsomequestiontoask，orsomecomforttooffer。Mrs。WestonandEmmatriedearnestlytocheerhimandturnhisattentionfromhisson-in-law，whowaspursuinghistriumphratherunfeelingly。

“Iadmiredyourresolutionverymuch，sir。”saidhe，“inventuringoutinsuchweather，forofcourseyousawtherewouldbesnowverysoon。Everybodymusthaveseenthesnowcomingon。

Iadmiredyourspirit；andIdaresayweshallgethomeverywell。

Anotherhourortwo’ssnowcanhardlymaketheroadimpassable；

andwearetwocarriages；ifoneisblownoverinthebleakpartofthecommonfieldtherewillbetheotherathand。IdaresayweshallbeallsafeatHartfieldbeforemidnight。”

Mr。Weston，withtriumphofadifferentsort，wasconfessingthathehadknownittobesnowingsometime，buthadnotsaidaword，lestitshouldmakeMr。Woodhouseuncomfortable，andbeanexcuseforhishurryingaway。Astotherebeinganyquantityofsnowfallenorlikelytofalltoimpedetheirreturn，thatwasamerejoke；

hewasafraidtheywouldfindnodifficulty。Hewishedtheroadmightbeimpassable，thathemightbeabletokeepthemallatRandalls；

andwiththeutmostgood-willwassurethataccommodationmightbefoundforeverybody，callingonhiswifetoagreewithhim，thatwithalittlecontrivance，everybodymightbelodged，whichshehardlyknewhowtodo，fromtheconsciousnessoftherebeingbuttwospareroomsinthehouse。

“Whatistobedone，mydearEmma？——whatistobedone？“

wasMr。Woodhouse’sfirstexclamation，andallthathecouldsayforsometime。Toherhelookedforcomfort；andherassurancesofsafety，herrepresentationoftheexcellenceofthehorses，andofJames，andoftheirhavingsomanyfriendsaboutthem，revivedhimalittle。

Hiseldestdaughter’salarmwasequaltohisown。ThehorrorofbeingblockedupatRandalls，whileherchildrenwereatHartfield，wasfullinherimagination；andfancyingtheroadtobenowjustpassableforadventurouspeople，butinastatethatadmittednodelay，shewaseagertohaveitsettled，thatherfatherandEmmashouldremainatRandalls，whilesheandherhusbandsetforwardinstantlythroughallthepossibleaccumulationsofdriftedsnowthatmightimpedethem。

“Youhadbetterorderthecarriagedirectly，mylove。”saidshe；

“Idaresayweshallbeabletogetalong，ifwesetoffdirectly；

andifwedocometoanythingverybad，Icangetoutandwalk。

Iamnotatallafraid。Ishouldnotmindwalkinghalftheway。

Icouldchangemyshoes，youknow，themomentIgothome；anditisnotthesortofthingthatgivesmecold。”

“Indeed！“repliedhe。“Then，mydearIsabella，itisthemostextraordinarysortofthingintheworld，foringeneraleverythingdoesgiveyoucold。Walkhome！——youareprettilyshodforwalkinghome，Idaresay。Itwillbebadenoughforthehorses。”

IsabellaturnedtoMrs。Westonforherapprobationoftheplan。

Mrs。Westoncouldonlyapprove。IsabellathenwenttoEmma；

butEmmacouldnotsoentirelygiveupthehopeoftheirbeingallabletogetaway；andtheywerestilldiscussingthepoint，whenMr。Knightley，whohadlefttheroomimmediatelyafterhisbrother’sfirstreportofthesnow，camebackagain，andtoldthemthathehadbeenoutofdoorstoexamine，andcouldanswerfortherenotbeingthesmallestdifficultyintheirgettinghome，whenevertheylikedit，eithernoworanhourhence。Hehadgonebeyondthesweep——

somewayalongtheHighburyroad——thesnowwasnowhereabovehalfaninchdeep——inmanyplaceshardlyenoughtowhitentheground；

averyfewflakeswerefallingatpresent，butthecloudswereparting，andtherewaseveryappearanceofitsbeingsoonover。Hehadseenthecoachmen，andtheybothagreedwithhimintherebeingnothingtoapprehend。

ToIsabella，thereliefofsuchtidingswasverygreat，andtheywerescarcelylessacceptabletoEmmaonherfather’saccount，whowasimmediatelysetasmuchateaseonthesubjectashisnervousconstitutionallowed；butthealarmthathadbeenraisedcouldnotbeappeasedsoastoadmitofanycomfortforhimwhilehecontinuedatRandalls。Hewassatisfiedoftherebeingnopresentdangerinreturninghome，butnoassurancescouldconvincehimthatitwassafetostay；andwhiletheotherswerevariouslyurgingandrecommending，Mr。KnightleyandEmmasettleditinafewbriefsentences：thus——

“Yourfatherwillnotbeeasy；whydonotyougo？“

“Iamready，iftheothersare。”

“ShallIringthebell？“

“Yes，do。”

Andthebellwasrung，andthecarriagesspokenfor。Afewminutesmore，andEmmahopedtoseeonetroublesomecompaniondepositedinhisownhouse，togetsoberandcool，andtheotherrecoverhistemperandhappinesswhenthisvisitofhardshipwereover。

Thecarriagecame：andMr。Woodhouse，alwaysthefirstobjectonsuchoccasions，wascarefullyattendedtohisownbyMr。KnightleyandMr。Weston；butnotallthateithercouldsaycouldpreventsomerenewalofalarmatthesightofthesnowwhichhadactuallyfallen，andthediscoveryofamuchdarkernightthanhehadbeenpreparedfor。

“Hewasafraidtheyshouldhaveaverybaddrive。HewasafraidpoorIsabellawouldnotlikeit。AndtherewouldbepoorEmmainthecarriagebehind。Hedidnotknowwhattheyhadbestdo。

Theymustkeepasmuchtogetherastheycould；“andJameswastalkedto，andgivenachargetogoveryslowandwaitfortheothercarriage。

Isabellasteptinafterherfather；JohnKnightley，forgettingthathedidnotbelongtotheirparty，steptinafterhiswifeverynaturally；

sothatEmmafound，onbeingescortedandfollowedintothesecondcarriagebyMr。Elton，thatthedoorwastobelawfullyshutonthem，andthattheyweretohaveatete-a-tetedrive。Itwouldnothavebeentheawkwardnessofamoment，itwouldhavebeenratherapleasure，previoustothesuspicionsofthisveryday；shecouldhavetalkedtohimofHarriet，andthethree-quartersofamilewouldhaveseemedbutone。Butnow，shewouldratherithadnothappened。

ShebelievedhehadbeendrinkingtoomuchofMr。Weston’sgoodwine，andfeltsurethathewouldwanttobetalkingnonsense。

Torestrainhimasmuchasmightbe，byherownmanners，shewasimmediatelypreparingtospeakwithexquisitecalmnessandgravityoftheweatherandthenight；butscarcelyhadshebegun，scarcelyhadtheypassedthesweep-gateandjoinedtheothercarriage，thanshefoundhersubjectcutup——herhandseized——herattentiondemanded，andMr。Eltonactuallymakingviolentlovetoher：availinghimselfofthepreciousopportunity，declaringsentimentswhichmustbealreadywellknown，hoping——fearing——adoring——readytodieifsherefusedhim；

butflatteringhimselfthathisardentattachmentandunequalledloveandunexampledpassioncouldnotfailofhavingsomeeffect，andinshort，verymuchresolvedonbeingseriouslyacceptedassoonaspossible。Itreallywasso。Withoutscruple——withoutapology——

withoutmuchapparentdiffidence，Mr。Elton，theloverofHarriet，wasprofessinghimselfherlover。Shetriedtostophim；butvainly；

hewouldgoon，andsayitall。Angryasshewas，thethoughtofthemomentmadeherresolvetorestrainherselfwhenshedidspeak。

Shefeltthathalfthisfollymustbedrunkenness，andthereforecouldhopethatitmightbelongonlytothepassinghour。

Accordingly，withamixtureoftheseriousandtheplayful，whichshehopedwouldbestsuithishalfandhalfstate，shereplied，“Iamverymuchastonished，Mr。Elton。Thistome！youforgetyourself——

youtakemeformyfriend——anymessagetoMissSmithIshallbehappytodeliver；butnomoreofthistome，ifyouplease。”

“MissSmith！——messagetoMissSmith！——Whatcouldshepossiblymean！“——

Andherepeatedherwordswithsuchassuranceofaccent，suchboastfulpretenceofamazement，thatshecouldnothelpreplyingwithquickness，“Mr。Elton，thisisthemostextraordinaryconduct！andIcanaccountforitonlyinoneway；youarenotyourself，oryoucouldnotspeakeithertome，orofHarriet，insuchamanner。Commandyourselfenoughtosaynomore，andIwillendeavourtoforgetit。”