第5章

ButMr。Eltonhadonlydrunkwineenoughtoelevatehisspirits，notatalltoconfusehisintellects。Heperfectlyknewhisownmeaning；

andhavingwarmlyprotestedagainsthersuspicionasmostinjurious，andslightlytoucheduponhisrespectforMissSmithasherfriend，——

butacknowledginghiswonderthatMissSmithshouldbementionedatall，——heresumedthesubjectofhisownpassion，andwasveryurgentforafavourableanswer。

Asshethoughtlessofhisinebriety，shethoughtmoreofhisinconstancyandpresumption；andwithfewerstrugglesforpoliteness，replied，“Itisimpossibleformetodoubtanylonger。Youhavemadeyourselftooclear。Mr。Elton，myastonishmentismuchbeyondanythingIcanexpress。Aftersuchbehaviour，asIhavewitnessedduringthelastmonth，toMissSmith——suchattentionsasI

havebeeninthedailyhabitofobserving——tobeaddressingmeinthismanner——thisisanunsteadinessofcharacter，indeed，whichIhadnotsupposedpossible！Believeme，sir，Iamfar，veryfar，fromgratifiedinbeingtheobjectofsuchprofessions。”

“GoodHeaven！“criedMr。Elton，“whatcanbethemeaningofthis？——

MissSmith！——IneverthoughtofMissSmithinthewholecourseofmyexistence——neverpaidheranyattentions，butasyourfriend：

nevercaredwhethersheweredeadoralive，butasyourfriend。

Ifshehasfanciedotherwise，herownwisheshavemisledher，andIamverysorry——extremelysorry——But，MissSmith，indeed！——Oh！

MissWoodhouse！whocanthinkofMissSmith，whenMissWoodhouseisnear！No，uponmyhonour，thereisnounsteadinessofcharacter。

Ihavethoughtonlyofyou。Iprotestagainsthavingpaidthesmallestattentiontoanyoneelse。EverythingthatIhavesaidordone，formanyweekspast，hasbeenwiththesoleviewofmarkingmyadorationofyourself。Youcannotreally，seriously，doubtit。

No！——(inanaccentmeanttobeinsinuating)——Iamsureyouhaveseenandunderstoodme。”

ItwouldbeimpossibletosaywhatEmmafelt，onhearingthis——

whichofallherunpleasantsensationswasuppermost。Shewastoocompletelyoverpoweredtobeimmediatelyabletoreply：

andtwomomentsofsilencebeingampleencouragementforMr。Elton’ssanguinestateofmind，hetriedtotakeherhandagain，ashejoyouslyexclaimed——

“CharmingMissWoodhouse！allowmetointerpretthisinterestingsilence。

Itconfessesthatyouhavelongunderstoodme。”

“No，sir。”criedEmma，“itconfessesnosuchthing。Sofarfromhavinglongunderstoodyou，Ihavebeeninamostcompleteerrorwithrespecttoyourviews，tillthismoment。Astomyself，I

amverysorrythatyoushouldhavebeengivingwaytoanyfeelings——

Nothingcouldbefartherfrommywishes——yourattachmenttomyfriendHarriet——yourpursuitofher，(pursuit，itappeared，)gavemegreatpleasure，andIhavebeenveryearnestlywishingyousuccess：

buthadIsupposedthatshewerenotyourattractiontoHartfield，Ishouldcertainlyhavethoughtyoujudgedillinmakingyourvisitssofrequent。AmItobelievethatyouhaveneversoughttorecommendyourselfparticularlytoMissSmith？——thatyouhaveneverthoughtseriouslyofher？“

“Never，madam。”criedhe，affrontedinhisturn：“never，Iassureyou。

IthinkseriouslyofMissSmith！——MissSmithisaverygoodsortofgirl；andIshouldbehappytoseeherrespectablysettled。

Iwishherextremelywell：and，nodoubt，therearemenwhomightnotobjectto——Everybodyhastheirlevel：butasformyself，Iamnot，Ithink，quitesomuchataloss。Ineednotsototallydespairofanequalalliance，astobeaddressingmyselftoMissSmith！——

No，madam，myvisitstoHartfieldhavebeenforyourselfonly；

andtheencouragementIreceived——“

“Encouragement！——Igiveyouencouragement！——Sir，youhavebeenentirelymistakeninsupposingit。Ihaveseenyouonlyastheadmirerofmyfriend。Innootherlightcouldyouhavebeenmoretomethanacommonacquaintance。Iamexceedinglysorry：butitiswellthatthemistakeendswhereitdoes。Hadthesamebehaviourcontinued，MissSmithmighthavebeenledintoamisconceptionofyourviews；

notbeingaware，probably，anymorethanmyself，oftheverygreatinequalitywhichyouaresosensibleof。But，asitis，thedisappointmentissingle，and，Itrust，willnotbelasting。

Ihavenothoughtsofmatrimonyatpresent。”

Hewastooangrytosayanotherword；hermannertoodecidedtoinvitesupplication；andinthisstateofswellingresentment，andmutuallydeepmortification，theyhadtocontinuetogetherafewminuteslonger，forthefearsofMr。Woodhousehadconfinedthemtoafoot-pace。Iftherehadnotbeensomuchanger，therewouldhavebeendesperateawkwardness；buttheirstraightforwardemotionsleftnoroomforthelittlezigzagsofembarrassment。WithoutknowingwhenthecarriageturnedintoVicarageLane，orwhenitstopped，theyfoundthemselves，allatonce，atthedoorofhishouse；

andhewasoutbeforeanothersyllablepassed——Emmathenfeltitindispensabletowishhimagoodnight。Thecomplimentwasjustreturned，coldlyandproudly；and，underindescribableirritationofspirits，shewasthenconveyedtoHartfield。

Thereshewaswelcomed，withtheutmostdelight，byherfather，whohadbeentremblingforthedangersofasolitarydrivefromVicarageLane——turningacornerwhichhecouldneverbeartothinkof——

andinstrangehands——amerecommoncoachman——noJames；andthereitseemedasifherreturnonlywerewantedtomakeeverythinggowell：

forMr。JohnKnightley，ashamedofhisill-humour，wasnowallkindnessandattention；andsoparticularlysolicitousforthecomfortofherfather，astoseem——ifnotquitereadytojoinhiminabasinofgruel——perfectlysensibleofitsbeingexceedinglywholesome；

andthedaywasconcludinginpeaceandcomforttoalltheirlittleparty，exceptherself——Buthermindhadneverbeeninsuchperturbation；

anditneededaverystrongefforttoappearattentiveandcheerfultilltheusualhourofseparatingallowedherthereliefofquietreflection。

Chapter16CHAPTERXVI

Thehairwascurled，andthemaidsentaway，andEmmasatdowntothinkandbemiserable——Itwasawretchedbusinessindeed！——Suchanoverthrowofeverythingshehadbeenwishingfor！——Suchadevelopmentofeverythingmostunwelcome！——SuchablowforHarriet！——thatwastheworstofall。Everypartofitbroughtpainandhumiliation，ofsomesortorother；but，comparedwiththeeviltoHarriet，allwaslight；

andshewouldgladlyhavesubmittedtofeelyetmoremistaken——

moreinerror——moredisgracedbymis-judgment，thansheactuallywas，couldtheeffectsofherblundershavebeenconfinedtoherself。

“IfIhadnotpersuadedHarrietintolikingtheman，Icouldhaveborneanything。Hemighthavedoubledhispresumptiontome——

butpoorHarriet！“

Howshecouldhavebeensodeceived！——HeprotestedthathehadneverthoughtseriouslyofHarriet——never！Shelookedbackaswellasshecould；butitwasallconfusion。Shehadtakenuptheidea，shesupposed，andmadeeverythingbendtoit。

Hismanners，however，musthavebeenunmarked，wavering，dubious，orshecouldnothavebeensomisled。

Thepicture！——Howeagerhehadbeenaboutthepicture！——

andthecharade！——andanhundredothercircumstances；——

howclearlytheyhadseemedtopointatHarriet。Tobesure，thecharade，withits“readywit“——butthenthe“softeyes“——

infactitsuitedneither；itwasajumblewithouttasteortruth。

Whocouldhaveseenthroughsuchthick-headednonsense？

Certainlyshehadoften，especiallyoflate，thoughthismannerstoherselfunnecessarilygallant；butithadpassedashisway，asamereerrorofjudgment，ofknowledge，oftaste，asoneproofamongothersthathehadnotalwayslivedinthebestsociety，thatwithallthegentlenessofhisaddress，trueelegancewassometimeswanting；but，tillthisveryday，shehadnever，foraninstant，suspectedittomeananythingbutgratefulrespecttoherasHarriet’sfriend。

ToMr。JohnKnightleywassheindebtedforherfirstideaonthesubject，forthefirststartofitspossibility。Therewasnodenyingthatthosebrothershadpenetration。SherememberedwhatMr。KnightleyhadoncesaidtoheraboutMr。Elton，thecautionhehadgiven，theconvictionhehadprofessedthatMr。Eltonwouldnevermarryindiscreetly；andblushedtothinkhowmuchtrueraknowledgeofhischaracterhadbeenthereshewnthananyshehadreachedherself。Itwasdreadfullymortifying；butMr。Eltonwasprovinghimself，inmanyrespects，theveryreverseofwhatshehadmeantandbelievedhim；proud，assuming，conceited；veryfullofhisownclaims，andlittleconcernedaboutthefeelingsofothers。

Contrarytotheusualcourseofthings，Mr。Elton’swantingtopayhisaddressestoherhadsunkhiminheropinion。

Hisprofessionsandhisproposalsdidhimnoservice。Shethoughtnothingofhisattachment，andwasinsultedbyhishopes。

Hewantedtomarrywell，andhavingthearrogancetoraisehiseyestoher，pretendedtobeinlove；butshewasperfectlyeasyastohisnotsufferinganydisappointmentthatneedbecaredfor。

Therehadbeennorealaffectioneitherinhislanguageormanners。

Sighsandfinewordshadbeengiveninabundance；butshecouldhardlydeviseanysetofexpressions，orfancyanytoneofvoice，lessalliedwithreallove。Sheneednottroubleherselftopityhim。

Heonlywantedtoaggrandiseandenrichhimself；andifMissWoodhouseofHartfield，theheiressofthirtythousandpounds，werenotquitesoeasilyobtainedashehadfancied，hewouldsoontryforMissSomebodyelsewithtwenty，orwithten。

But——thatheshouldtalkofencouragement，shouldconsiderherasawareofhisviews，acceptinghisattentions，meaning(inshort)，tomarryhim！——shouldsupposehimselfherequalinconnexionormind！——lookdownuponherfriend，sowellunderstandingthegradationsofrankbelowhim，andbesoblindtowhatroseabove，astofancyhimselfshewingnopresumptioninaddressingher！——

Itwasmostprovoking。

Perhapsitwasnotfairtoexpecthimtofeelhowverymuchhewasherinferiorintalent，andalltheeleganciesofmind。

Theverywantofsuchequalitymightpreventhisperceptionofit；

buthemustknowthatinfortuneandconsequenceshewasgreatlyhissuperior。HemustknowthattheWoodhouseshadbeensettledforseveralgenerationsatHartfield，theyoungerbranchofaveryancientfamily——andthattheEltonswerenobody。

ThelandedpropertyofHartfieldcertainlywasinconsiderable，beingbutasortofnotchintheDonwellAbbeyestate，towhichalltherestofHighburybelonged；buttheirfortune，fromothersources，wassuchastomakethemscarcelysecondarytoDonwellAbbeyitself，ineveryotherkindofconsequence；andtheWoodhouseshadlongheldahighplaceintheconsiderationoftheneighbourhoodwhichMr。Eltonhadfirstenterednottwoyearsago，tomakehiswayashecould，withoutanyalliancesbutintrade，oranythingtorecommendhimtonoticebuthissituationandhiscivility——

Buthehadfanciedherinlovewithhim；thatevidentlymusthavebeenhisdependence；andafterravingalittleabouttheseemingincongruityofgentlemannersandaconceitedhead，Emmawasobligedincommonhonestytostopandadmitthatherownbehaviourtohimhadbeensocomplaisantandobliging，sofullofcourtesyandattention，as(supposingherrealmotiveunperceived)

mightwarrantamanofordinaryobservationanddelicacy，likeMr。Elton，infancyinghimselfaverydecidedfavourite。

Ifshehadsomisinterpretedhisfeelings，shehadlittlerighttowonderthathe，withself-interesttoblindhim，shouldhavemistakenhers。

Thefirsterrorandtheworstlayatherdoor。Itwasfoolish，itwaswrong，totakesoactiveapartinbringinganytwopeopletogether。Itwasadventuringtoofar，assumingtoomuch，makinglightofwhatoughttobeserious，atrickofwhatoughttobesimple。Shewasquiteconcernedandashamed，andresolvedtodosuchthingsnomore。

“HerehaveI。”saidshe，“actuallytalkedpoorHarrietintobeingverymuchattachedtothisman。Shemightneverhavethoughtofhimbutforme；andcertainlyneverwouldhavethoughtofhimwithhope，ifIhadnotassuredherofhisattachment，forsheisasmodestandhumbleasIusedtothinkhim。Oh！thatIhadbeensatisfiedwithpersuadinghernottoacceptyoungMartin。ThereIwasquiteright。

Thatwaswelldoneofme；butthereIshouldhavestopped，andlefttheresttotimeandchance。Iwasintroducingherintogoodcompany，andgivinghertheopportunityofpleasingsomeoneworthhaving；

Ioughtnottohaveattemptedmore。Butnow，poorgirl，herpeaceiscutupforsometime。Ihavebeenbuthalfafriendtoher；

andifshewerenottofeelthisdisappointmentsoverymuch，IamsureIhavenotanideaofanybodyelsewhowouldbeatalldesirableforher；——WilliamCoxe——Oh！no，IcouldnotendureWilliamCoxe——

apertyounglawyer。”

Shestopttoblushandlaughatherownrelapse，andthenresumedamoreserious，moredispiritingcogitationuponwhathadbeen，andmightbe，andmustbe。ThedistressingexplanationshehadtomaketoHarriet，andallthatpoorHarrietwouldbesuffering，withtheawkwardnessoffuturemeetings，thedifficultiesofcontinuingordiscontinuingtheacquaintance，ofsubduingfeelings，concealingresentment，andavoidingeclat，wereenoughtooccupyherinmostunmirthfulreflectionssometimelonger，andshewenttobedatlastwithnothingsettledbuttheconvictionofherhavingblunderedmostdreadfully。

ToyouthandnaturalcheerfulnesslikeEmma’s，thoughundertemporarygloomatnight，thereturnofdaywillhardlyfailtobringreturnofspirits。Theyouthandcheerfulnessofmorningareinhappyanalogy，andofpowerfuloperation；andifthedistressbenotpoignantenoughtokeeptheeyesunclosed，theywillbesuretoopentosensationsofsoftenedpainandbrighterhope。

Emmagotuponthemorrowmoredisposedforcomfortthanshehadgonetobed，morereadytoseealleviationsoftheevilbeforeher，andtodependongettingtolerablyoutofit。

ItwasagreatconsolationthatMr。Eltonshouldnotbereallyinlovewithher，orsoparticularlyamiableastomakeitshockingtodisappointhim——thatHarriet’snatureshouldnotbeofthatsuperiorsortinwhichthefeelingsaremostacuteandretentive——

andthattherecouldbenonecessityforanybody’sknowingwhathadpassedexceptthethreeprincipals，andespeciallyforherfather’sbeinggivenamoment’suneasinessaboutit。

Thesewereverycheeringthoughts；andthesightofagreatdealofsnowonthegrounddidherfurtherservice，foranythingwaswelcomethatmightjustifytheirallthreebeingquiteasunderatpresent。

Theweatherwasmostfavourableforher；thoughChristmasDay，shecouldnotgotochurch。Mr。Woodhousewouldhavebeenmiserablehadhisdaughterattemptedit，andshewasthereforesafefromeitherexcitingorreceivingunpleasantandmostunsuitableideas。

Thegroundcoveredwithsnow，andtheatmosphereinthatunsettledstatebetweenfrostandthaw，whichisofallothersthemostunfriendlyforexercise，everymorningbeginninginrainorsnow，andeveryeveningsettingintofreeze，shewasformanydaysamosthonourableprisoner。NointercoursewithHarrietpossiblebutbynote；

nochurchforheronSundayanymorethanonChristmasDay；andnoneedtofindexcusesforMr。Elton’sabsentinghimself。

Itwasweatherwhichmightfairlyconfineeverybodyathome；

andthoughshehopedandbelievedhimtobereallytakingcomfortinsomesocietyorother，itwasverypleasanttohaveherfathersowellsatisfiedwithhisbeingallaloneinhisownhouse，toowisetostirout；andtohearhimsaytoMr。Knightley，whomnoweathercouldkeepentirelyfromthem，——

“Ah！Mr。Knightley，whydonotyoustayathomelikepoorMr。

Elton？“

Thesedaysofconfinementwouldhavebeen，butforherprivateperplexities，remarkablycomfortable，assuchseclusionexactlysuitedherbrother，whosefeelingsmustalwaysbeofgreatimportancetohiscompanions；andhehad，besides，sothoroughlyclearedoffhisill-humouratRandalls，thathisamiablenessneverfailedhimduringtherestofhisstayatHartfield。Hewasalwaysagreeableandobliging，andspeakingpleasantlyofeverybody。Butwithallthehopesofcheerfulness，andallthepresentcomfortofdelay，therewasstillsuchanevilhangingoverherinthehourofexplanationwithHarriet，asmadeitimpossibleforEmmatobeeverperfectlyatease。

Chapter17CHAPTERXVII

Mr。andMrs。JohnKnightleywerenotdetainedlongatHartfield。

Theweathersoonimprovedenoughforthosetomovewhomustmove；

andMr。Woodhousehaving，asusual，triedtopersuadehisdaughtertostaybehindwithallherchildren，wasobligedtoseethewholepartysetoff，andreturntohislamentationsoverthedestinyofpoorIsabella；——whichpoorIsabella，passingherlifewiththoseshedoatedon，fulloftheirmerits，blindtotheirfaults，andalwaysinnocentlybusy，mighthavebeenamodelofrightfemininehappiness。

TheeveningoftheverydayonwhichtheywentbroughtanotefromMr。EltontoMr。Woodhouse，along，civil，ceremoniousnote，tosay，withMr。Elton’sbestcompliments，“thathewasproposingtoleaveHighburythefollowingmorninginhiswaytoBath；

where，incompliancewiththepressingentreatiesofsomefriends，hehadengagedtospendafewweeks，andverymuchregrettedtheimpossibilityhewasunder，fromvariouscircumstancesofweatherandbusiness，oftakingapersonalleaveofMr。Woodhouse，ofwhosefriendlycivilitiesheshouldeverretainagratefulsense——

andhadMr。Woodhouseanycommands，shouldbehappytoattendtothem。”

Emmawasmostagreeablysurprized——Mr。Elton’sabsencejustatthistimewastheverythingtobedesired。Sheadmiredhimforcontrivingit，thoughnotabletogivehimmuchcreditforthemannerinwhichitwasannounced。Resentmentcouldnothavebeenmoreplainlyspokenthaninacivilitytoherfather，fromwhichshewassopointedlyexcluded。Shehadnotevenashareinhisopeningcompliments——Hernamewasnotmentioned；——

andtherewassostrikingachangeinallthis，andsuchanill-judgedsolemnityofleave-takinginhisgracefulacknowledgments，asshethought，atfirst，couldnotescapeherfather’ssuspicion。

Itdid，however——Herfatherwasquitetakenupwiththesurprizeofsosuddenajourney，andhisfearsthatMr。Eltonmightnevergetsafelytotheendofit，andsawnothingextraordinaryinhislanguage。

Itwasaveryusefulnote，foritsuppliedthemwithfreshmatterforthoughtandconversationduringtherestoftheirlonelyevening。

Mr。Woodhousetalkedoverhisalarms，andEmmawasinspiritstopersuadethemawaywithallherusualpromptitude。

ShenowresolvedtokeepHarrietnolongerinthedark。Shehadreasontobelievehernearlyrecoveredfromhercold，anditwasdesirablethatsheshouldhaveasmuchtimeaspossibleforgettingthebetterofherothercomplaintbeforethegentleman’sreturn。

ShewenttoMrs。Goddard’saccordinglytheverynextday，toundergothenecessarypenanceofcommunication；andasevereoneitwas——

Shehadtodestroyallthehopeswhichshehadbeensoindustriouslyfeeding——toappearintheungraciouscharacteroftheonepreferred——

andacknowledgeherselfgrosslymistakenandmis-judginginallherideasononesubject，allherobservations，allherconvictions，allherpropheciesforthelastsixweeks。

Theconfessioncompletelyrenewedherfirstshame——andthesightofHarriet’stearsmadeherthinkthatsheshouldneverbeincharitywithherselfagain。

Harrietboretheintelligenceverywell——blamingnobody——

andineverythingtestifyingsuchaningenuousnessofdispositionandlowlyopinionofherself，asmustappearwithparticularadvantageatthatmomenttoherfriend。

Emmawasinthehumourtovaluesimplicityandmodestytotheutmost；

andallthatwasamiable，allthatoughttobeattaching，seemedonHarriet’sside，notherown。Harrietdidnotconsiderherselfashavinganythingtocomplainof。TheaffectionofsuchamanasMr。Eltonwouldhavebeentoogreatadistinction——

Shenevercouldhavedeservedhim——andnobodybutsopartialandkindafriendasMissWoodhousewouldhavethoughtitpossible。

Hertearsfellabundantly——buthergriefwassotrulyartless，thatnodignitycouldhavemadeitmorerespectableinEmma’seyes——

andshelistenedtoherandtriedtoconsoleherwithallherheartandunderstanding——reallyforthetimeconvincedthatHarrietwasthesuperiorcreatureofthetwo——andthattoresembleherwouldbemoreforherownwelfareandhappinessthanallthatgeniusorintelligencecoulddo。

Itwasrathertoolateinthedaytosetaboutbeingsimple-mindedandignorant；butsheleftherwitheverypreviousresolutionconfirmedofbeinghumbleanddiscreet，andrepressingimaginationalltherestofherlife。Herseconddutynow，inferioronlytoherfather’sclaims，wastopromoteHarriet’scomfort，andendeavourtoproveherownaffectioninsomebettermethodthanbymatch-making。

ShegothertoHartfield，andshewedherthemostunvaryingkindness，strivingtooccupyandamuseher，andbybooksandconversation，todriveMr。Eltonfromherthoughts。

Time，sheknew，mustbeallowedforthisbeingthoroughlydone；andshecouldsupposeherselfbutanindifferentjudgeofsuchmattersingeneral，andveryinadequatetosympathiseinanattachmenttoMr。Eltoninparticular；butitseemedtoherreasonablethatatHarriet’sage，andwiththeentireextinctionofallhope，suchaprogressmightbemadetowardsastateofcomposurebythetimeofMr。Elton’sreturn，astoallowthemalltomeetagaininthecommonroutineofacquaintance，withoutanydangerofbetrayingsentimentsorincreasingthem。

Harrietdidthinkhimallperfection，andmaintainedthenon-existenceofanybodyequaltohiminpersonorgoodness——anddid，intruth，proveherselfmoreresolutelyinlovethanEmmahadforeseen；

butyetitappearedtohersonatural，soinevitabletostriveagainstaninclinationofthatsortunrequited，thatshecouldnotcomprehenditscontinuingverylonginequalforce。

IfMr。Elton，onhisreturn，madehisownindifferenceasevidentandindubitableasshecouldnotdoubthewouldanxiouslydo，shecouldnotimagineHarriet’spersistingtoplaceherhappinessinthesightortherecollectionofhim。

Theirbeingfixed，soabsolutelyfixed，inthesameplace，wasbadforeach，forallthree。Notoneofthemhadthepowerofremoval，orofeffectinganymaterialchangeofsociety。Theymustencountereachother，andmakethebestofit。

HarrietwasfartherunfortunateinthetoneofhercompanionsatMrs。Goddard’s；Mr。Eltonbeingtheadorationofalltheteachersandgreatgirlsintheschool；anditmustbeatHartfieldonlythatshecouldhaveanychanceofhearinghimspokenofwithcoolingmoderationorrepellenttruth。Wherethewoundhadbeengiven，theremustthecurebefoundifanywhere；andEmmafeltthat，tillshesawherinthewayofcure，therecouldbenotruepeaceforherself。

Chapter18CHAPTERXVIII

Mr。FrankChurchilldidnotcome。Whenthetimeproposeddrewnear，Mrs。Weston’sfearswerejustifiedinthearrivalofaletterofexcuse。Forthepresent，hecouldnotbespared，tohis“verygreatmortificationandregret；butstillhelookedforwardwiththehopeofcomingtoRandallsatnodistantperiod。”

Mrs。Westonwasexceedinglydisappointed——muchmoredisappointed，infact，thanherhusband，thoughherdependenceonseeingtheyoungmanhadbeensomuchmoresober：butasanguinetemper，thoughforeverexpectingmoregoodthanoccurs，doesnotalwayspayforitshopesbyanyproportionatedepression。

Itsoonfliesoverthepresentfailure，andbeginstohopeagain。

ForhalfanhourMr。Westonwassurprizedandsorry；butthenhebegantoperceivethatFrank’scomingtwoorthreemonthslaterwouldbeamuchbetterplan；bettertimeofyear；betterweather；

andthathewouldbeable，withoutanydoubt，tostayconsiderablylongerwiththemthanifhehadcomesooner。

Thesefeelingsrapidlyrestoredhiscomfort，whileMrs。Weston，ofamoreapprehensivedisposition，foresawnothingbutarepetitionofexcusesanddelays；andafterallherconcernforwhatherhusbandwastosuffer，sufferedagreatdealmoreherself。

EmmawasnotatthistimeinastateofspiritstocarereallyaboutMr。FrankChurchill’snotcoming，exceptasadisappointmentatRandalls。Theacquaintanceatpresenthadnocharmforher。

Shewanted，rather，tobequiet，andoutoftemptation；butstill，asitwasdesirablethatsheshouldappear，ingeneral，likeherusualself，shetookcaretoexpressasmuchinterestinthecircumstance，andenteraswarmlyintoMr。andMrs。Weston’sdisappointment，asmightnaturallybelongtotheirfriendship。

ShewasthefirsttoannounceittoMr。Knightley；andexclaimedquiteasmuchaswasnecessary，(or，beingactingapart，perhapsrathermore，)attheconductoftheChurchills，inkeepinghimaway。

Shethenproceededtosayagooddealmorethanshefelt，oftheadvantageofsuchanadditiontotheirconfinedsocietyinSurry；

thepleasureoflookingatsomebodynew；thegala-daytoHighburyentire，whichthesightofhimwouldhavemade；andendingwithreflectionsontheChurchillsagain，foundherselfdirectlyinvolvedinadisagreementwithMr。Knightley；and，tohergreatamusement，perceivedthatshewastakingtheothersideofthequestionfromherrealopinion，andmakinguseofMrs。Weston’sargumentsagainstherself。

“TheChurchillsareverylikelyinfault。”saidMr。Knightley，coolly；“butIdaresayhemightcomeifhewould。”

“Idonotknowwhyyoushouldsayso。Hewishesexceedinglytocome；

buthisuncleandauntwillnotsparehim。”

“Icannotbelievethathehasnotthepowerofcoming，ifhemadeapointofit。Itistoounlikely，formetobelieveitwithoutproof。”

“Howoddyouare！WhathasMr。FrankChurchilldone，tomakeyousupposehimsuchanunnaturalcreature？“

“Iamnotsupposinghimatallanunnaturalcreature，insuspectingthathemayhavelearnttobeabovehisconnexions，andtocareverylittleforanythingbuthisownpleasure，fromlivingwiththosewhohavealwayssethimtheexampleofit。Itisagreatdealmorenaturalthanonecouldwish，thatayoungman，broughtupbythosewhoareproud，luxurious，andselfish，shouldbeproud，luxurious，andselfishtoo。IfFrankChurchillhadwantedtoseehisfather，hewouldhavecontriveditbetweenSeptemberandJanuary。

Amanathisage——whatishe？——threeorfour-and-twenty——cannotbewithoutthemeansofdoingasmuchasthat。Itisimpossible。”

“That’seasilysaid，andeasilyfeltbyyou，whohavealwaysbeenyourownmaster。Youaretheworstjudgeintheworld，Mr。Knightley，ofthedifficultiesofdependence。Youdonotknowwhatitistohavetemperstomanage。”

“Itisnottobeconceivedthatamanofthreeorfour-and-twentyshouldnothavelibertyofmindorlimbtothatamount。Hecannotwantmoney——hecannotwantleisure。Weknow，onthecontrary，thathehassomuchofboth，thatheisgladtogetridofthemattheidlesthauntsinthekingdom。Wehearofhimforeveratsomewatering-placeorother。Alittlewhileago，hewasatWeymouth。

ThisprovesthathecanleavetheChurchills。”

“Yes，sometimeshecan。”

“Andthosetimesarewheneverhethinksitworthhiswhile；

wheneverthereisanytemptationofpleasure。”

“Itisveryunfairtojudgeofanybody’sconduct，withoutanintimateknowledgeoftheirsituation。Nobody，whohasnotbeenintheinteriorofafamily，cansaywhatthedifficultiesofanyindividualofthatfamilymaybe。WeoughttobeacquaintedwithEnscombe，andwithMrs。Churchill’stemper，beforewepretendtodecideuponwhathernephewcando。

Hemay，attimes，beabletodoagreatdealmorethanhecanatothers。”

“Thereisonething，Emma，whichamancanalwaysdo，ifhechuses，andthatis，hisduty；notbymanoeuvringandfinessing，butbyvigourandresolution。ItisFrankChurchill’sdutytopaythisattentiontohisfather。Heknowsittobeso，byhispromisesandmessages；

butifhewishedtodoit，itmightbedone。Amanwhofeltrightlywouldsayatonce，simplyandresolutely，toMrs。Churchill——

`Everysacrificeofmerepleasureyouwillalwaysfindmereadytomaketoyourconvenience；butImustgoandseemyfatherimmediately。

Iknowhewouldbehurtbymyfailinginsuchamarkofrespecttohimonthepresentoccasion。Ishall，therefore，setoffto-morrow。’——

Ifhewouldsaysotoheratonce，inthetoneofdecisionbecomingaman，therewouldbenooppositionmadetohisgoing。”

“No。”saidEmma，laughing；“butperhapstheremightbesomemadetohiscomingbackagain。Suchlanguageforayoungmanentirelydependent，touse！——Nobodybutyou，Mr。Knightley，wouldimagineitpossible。

Butyouhavenotanideaofwhatisrequisiteinsituationsdirectlyoppositetoyourown。Mr。FrankChurchilltobemakingsuchaspeechasthattotheuncleandaunt，whohavebroughthimup，andaretoprovideforhim！——Standingupinthemiddleoftheroom，Isuppose，andspeakingasloudashecould！——Howcanyouimaginesuchconductpracticable？“

“Dependuponit，Emma，asensiblemanwouldfindnodifficultyinit。

Hewouldfeelhimselfintheright；andthedeclaration——made，ofcourse，asamanofsensewouldmakeit，inapropermanner——

woulddohimmoregood，raisehimhigher，fixhisintereststrongerwiththepeoplehedependedon，thanallthatalineofshiftsandexpedientscaneverdo。Respectwouldbeaddedtoaffection。

Theywouldfeelthattheycouldtrusthim；thatthenephewwhohaddonerightlybyhisfather，woulddorightlybythem；fortheyknow，aswellashedoes，aswellasalltheworldmustknow，thatheoughttopaythisvisittohisfather；andwhilemeanlyexertingtheirpowertodelayit，areintheirheartsnotthinkingthebetterofhimforsubmittingtotheirwhims。Respectforrightconductisfeltbyeverybody。Ifhewouldactinthissortofmanner，onprinciple，consistently，regularly，theirlittlemindswouldbendtohis。”

“Iratherdoubtthat。Youareveryfondofbendinglittleminds；

butwherelittlemindsbelongtorichpeopleinauthority，Ithinktheyhaveaknackofswellingout，tilltheyarequiteasunmanageableasgreatones。Icanimagine，thatifyou，asyouare，Mr。Knightley，weretobetransportedandplacedallatonceinMr。FrankChurchill’ssituation，youwouldbeabletosayanddojustwhatyouhavebeenrecommendingforhim；anditmighthaveaverygoodeffect。TheChurchillsmightnothaveawordtosayinreturn；butthen，youwouldhavenohabitsofearlyobedienceandlongobservancetobreakthrough。Tohimwhohas，itmightnotbesoeasytoburstforthatonceintoperfectindependence，andsetalltheirclaimsonhisgratitudeandregardatnought。

Hemayhaveasstrongasenseofwhatwouldberight，asyoucanhave，withoutbeingsoequal，underparticularcircumstances，toactuptoit。”

“Thenitwouldnotbesostrongasense。Ifitfailedtoproduceequalexertion，itcouldnotbeanequalconviction。”

“Oh，thedifferenceofsituationandhabit！Iwishyouwouldtrytounderstandwhatanamiableyoungmanmaybelikelytofeelindirectlyopposingthose，whomaschildandboyhehasbeenlookinguptoallhislife。”

“Ouramiableyoungmanisaveryweakyoungman，ifthisbethefirstoccasionofhiscarryingthrougharesolutiontodorightagainstthewillofothers。Itoughttohavebeenahabitwithhimbythistime，offollowinghisduty，insteadofconsultingexpediency。

Icanallowforthefearsofthechild，butnotoftheman。

Ashebecamerational，heoughttohaverousedhimselfandshakenoffallthatwasunworthyintheirauthority。Heoughttohaveopposedthefirstattemptontheirsidetomakehimslighthisfather。

Hadhebegunasheought，therewouldhavebeennodifficultynow。”

“Weshallneveragreeabouthim。”criedEmma；“butthatisnothingextraordinary。Ihavenottheleastideaofhisbeingaweakyoungman：Ifeelsurethatheisnot。Mr。Westonwouldnotbeblindtofolly，thoughinhisownson；butheisverylikelytohaveamoreyielding，complying，milddispositionthanwouldsuityournotionsofman’sperfection。Idaresayhehas；andthoughitmaycuthimofffromsomeadvantages，itwillsecurehimmanyothers。”

“Yes；alltheadvantagesofsittingstillwhenheoughttomove，andofleadingalifeofmereidlepleasure，andfancyinghimselfextremelyexpertinfindingexcusesforit。Hecansitdownandwriteafineflourishingletter，fullofprofessionsandfalsehoods，andpersuadehimselfthathehashitupontheverybestmethodintheworldofpreservingpeaceathomeandpreventinghisfather’shavinganyrighttocomplain。Hislettersdisgustme。”

“Yourfeelingsaresingular。Theyseemtosatisfyeverybodyelse。”

“IsuspecttheydonotsatisfyMrs。Weston。Theyhardlycansatisfyawomanofhergoodsenseandquickfeelings：standinginamother’splace，butwithoutamother’saffectiontoblindher。

ItisonheraccountthatattentiontoRandallsisdoublydue，andshemustdoublyfeeltheomission。Hadshebeenapersonofconsequenceherself，hewouldhavecomeIdaresay；anditwouldnothavesignifiedwhetherhedidorno。Canyouthinkyourfriendbehindhandinthesesortofconsiderations？Doyousupposeshedoesnotoftensayallthistoherself？No，Emma，youramiableyoungmancanbeamiableonlyinFrench，notinEnglish。Hemaybevery`aimable，’haveverygoodmanners，andbeveryagreeable；buthecanhavenoEnglishdelicacytowardsthefeelingsofotherpeople：

nothingreallyamiableabouthim。”

“Youseemdeterminedtothinkillofhim。”

“Me！——notatall。”repliedMr。Knightley，ratherdispleased；“Idonotwanttothinkillofhim。Ishouldbeasreadytoacknowledgehismeritsasanyotherman；butIhearofnone，exceptwhataremerelypersonal；thatheiswell-grownandgood-looking，withsmooth，plausiblemanners。”

“Well，ifhehavenothingelsetorecommendhim，hewillbeatreasureatHighbury。Wedonotoftenlookuponfineyoungmen，well-bredandagreeable。Wemustnotbeniceandaskforallthevirtuesintothebargain。Cannotyouimagine，Mr。Knightley，whatasensationhiscomingwillproduce？TherewillbebutonesubjectthroughouttheparishesofDonwellandHighbury；butoneinterest——

oneobjectofcuriosity；itwillbeallMr。FrankChurchill；

weshallthinkandspeakofnobodyelse。”

“Youwillexcusemybeingsomuchover-powered。IfIfindhimconversable，Ishallbegladofhisacquaintance；butifheisonlyachatteringcoxcomb，hewillnotoccupymuchofmytimeorthoughts。”

“Myideaofhimis，thathecanadapthisconversationtothetasteofeverybody，andhasthepoweraswellasthewishofbeinguniversallyagreeable。Toyou，hewilltalkoffarming；tome，ofdrawingormusic；andsoontoeverybody，havingthatgeneralinformationonallsubjectswhichwillenablehimtofollowthelead，ortakethelead，justasproprietymayrequire，andtospeakextremelywelloneach；thatismyideaofhim。”

“Andmine。”saidMr。Knightleywarmly，“is，thatifheturnoutanythinglikeit，hewillbethemostinsufferablefellowbreathing！

What！atthree-and-twentytobethekingofhiscompany——thegreatman——

thepractisedpolitician，whoistoreadeverybody’scharacter，andmakeeverybody’stalentsconducetothedisplayofhisownsuperiority；tobedispensinghisflatteriesaround，thathemaymakeallappearlikefoolscomparedwithhimself！MydearEmma，yourowngoodsensecouldnotenduresuchapuppywhenitcametothepoint。”

“Iwillsaynomoreabouthim。”criedEmma，“youturneverythingtoevil。Wearebothprejudiced；youagainst，Iforhim；

andwehavenochanceofagreeingtillheisreallyhere。”

“Prejudiced！Iamnotprejudiced。”

“ButIamverymuch，andwithoutbeingatallashamedofit。

MyloveforMr。andMrs。Westongivesmeadecidedprejudiceinhisfavour。”

“HeisapersonIneverthinkoffromonemonth’sendtoanother。”

saidMr。Knightley，withadegreeofvexation，whichmadeEmmaimmediatelytalkofsomethingelse，thoughshecouldnotcomprehendwhyheshouldbeangry。

Totakeadisliketoayoungman，onlybecauseheappearedtobeofadifferentdispositionfromhimself，wasunworthytherealliberalityofmindwhichshewasalwaysusedtoacknowledgeinhim；

forwithallthehighopinionofhimself，whichshehadoftenlaidtohischarge，shehadneverbeforeforamomentsupposeditcouldmakehimunjusttothemeritofanother。

Chapter01VOLUMEII

CHAPTERI

EmmaandHarriethadbeenwalkingtogetheronemorning，and，inEmma’sopinion，hadbeentalkingenoughofMr。Eltonforthatday。

ShecouldnotthinkthatHarriet’ssolaceorherownsinsrequiredmore；

andshewasthereforeindustriouslygettingridofthesubjectastheyreturned；——butitburstoutagainwhenshethoughtshehadsucceeded，andafterspeakingsometimeofwhatthepoormustsufferinwinter，andreceivingnootheranswerthanaveryplaintive——

“Mr。Eltonissogoodtothepoor！“shefoundsomethingelsemustbedone。

TheywerejustapproachingthehousewherelivedMrs。andMissBates。

Shedeterminedtocalluponthemandseeksafetyinnumbers。

Therewasalwayssufficientreasonforsuchanattention；Mrs。andMissBateslovedtobecalledon，andsheknewshewasconsideredbytheveryfewwhopresumedevertoseeimperfectioninher，asrathernegligentinthatrespect，andasnotcontributingwhatsheoughttothestockoftheirscantycomforts。

ShehadhadmanyahintfromMr。Knightleyandsomefromherownheart，astoherdeficiency——butnonewereequaltocounteractthepersuasionofitsbeingverydisagreeable，——awasteoftime——tiresomewomen——

andallthehorrorofbeingindangeroffallinginwiththesecond-rateandthird-rateofHighbury，whowerecallingonthemforever，andthereforesheseldomwentnearthem。Butnowshemadethesuddenresolutionofnotpassingtheirdoorwithoutgoingin——observing，assheproposedittoHarriet，that，aswellasshecouldcalculate，theywerejustnowquitesafefromanyletterfromJaneFairfax。

Thehousebelongedtopeopleinbusiness。Mrs。andMissBatesoccupiedthedrawing-roomfloor；andthere，intheverymoderate-sizedapartment，whichwaseverythingtothem，thevisitorsweremostcordiallyandevengratefullywelcomed；thequietneatoldlady，whowithherknittingwasseatedinthewarmestcorner，wantingeventogiveupherplacetoMissWoodhouse，andhermoreactive，talkingdaughter，almostreadytooverpowerthemwithcareandkindness，thanksfortheirvisit，solicitudefortheirshoes，anxiousinquiriesafterMr。Woodhouse’shealth，cheerfulcommunicationsabouthermother’s，andsweet-cakefromthebeaufet——“Mrs。Colehadjustbeenthere，justcalledinfortenminutes，andhadbeensogoodastositanhourwiththem，andshehadtakenapieceofcakeandbeensokindastosayshelikeditverymuch；and，therefore，shehopedMissWoodhouseandMissSmithwoulddothemthefavourtoeatapiecetoo。”

ThementionoftheColeswassuretobefollowedbythatofMr。Elton。

Therewasintimacybetweenthem，andMr。ColehadheardfromMr。Eltonsincehisgoingaway。Emmaknewwhatwascoming；theymusthavetheletteroveragain，andsettlehowlonghehadbeengone，andhowmuchhewasengagedincompany，andwhatafavouritehewaswhereverhewent，andhowfulltheMasteroftheCeremonies’

ballhadbeen；andshewentthroughitverywell，withalltheinterestandallthecommendationthatcouldberequisite，andalwaysputtingforwardtopreventHarriet’sbeingobligedtosayaword。

Thisshehadbeenpreparedforwhensheenteredthehouse；

butmeant，havingoncetalkedhimhandsomelyover，tobenofartherincommodedbyanytroublesometopic，andtowanderatlargeamongstalltheMistressesandMissesofHighbury，andtheircard-parties。

ShehadnotbeenpreparedtohaveJaneFairfaxsucceedMr。Elton；

buthewasactuallyhurriedoffbyMissBates，shejumpedawayfromhimatlastabruptlytotheColes，tousherinaletterfromherniece。

“Oh！yes——Mr。Elton，Iunderstand——certainlyastodancing——

Mrs。ColewastellingmethatdancingattheroomsatBathwas——

Mrs。Colewassokindastositsometimewithus，talkingofJane；

forassoonasshecamein，shebeganinquiringafterher，Janeissoverygreatafavouritethere。Wheneversheiswithus，Mrs。Coledoesnotknowhowtoshewherkindnessenough；

andImustsaythatJanedeservesitasmuchasanybodycan。

Andsoshebeganinquiringafterherdirectly，saying，`IknowyoucannothaveheardfromJanelately，becauseitisnothertimeforwriting；’andwhenIimmediatelysaid，`Butindeedwehave，wehadaletterthisverymorning，’IdonotknowthatIeversawanybodymoresurprized。`Haveyou，uponyourhonour？’saidshe；

`well，thatisquiteunexpected。Doletmehearwhatshesays。’“

Emma’spolitenesswasathanddirectly，tosay，withsmilinginterest——

“HaveyouheardfromMissFairfaxsolately？Iamextremelyhappy。

Ihopesheiswell？“

“Thankyou。Youaresokind！“repliedthehappilydeceivedaunt，whileeagerlyhuntingfortheletter——“Oh！hereitis。Iwassureitcouldnotbefaroff；butIhadputmyhuswifeuponit，yousee，withoutbeingaware，andsoitwasquitehid，butIhaditinmyhandsoverylatelythatIwasalmostsureitmustbeonthetable。

IwasreadingittoMrs。Cole，andsinceshewentaway，Iwasreadingitagaintomymother，foritissuchapleasuretoher——

aletterfromJane——thatshecanneverhearitoftenenough；

soIknewitcouldnotbefaroff，andhereitis，onlyjustundermyhuswife——andsinceyouaresokindastowishtohearwhatshesays；——but，firstofall，Ireallymust，injusticetoJane，apologiseforherwritingsoshortaletter——onlytwopagesyousee——

hardlytwo——andingeneralshefillsthewholepaperandcrosseshalf。

MymotheroftenwondersthatIcanmakeitoutsowell。

Sheoftensays，whentheletterisfirstopened，`Well，Hetty，nowIthinkyouwillbeputtoittomakeoutallthatchecker-work’——

don’tyou，ma’am？——AndthenItellher，Iamsureshewouldcontrivetomakeitoutherself，ifshehadnobodytodoitforher——

everywordofit——Iamsureshewouldporeoverittillshehadmadeouteveryword。And，indeed，thoughmymother’seyesarenotsogoodastheywere，shecanseeamazinglywellstill，thankGod！

withthehelpofspectacles。Itissuchablessing！Mymother’sarereallyverygoodindeed。Janeoftensays，whensheishere，`Iamsure，grandmama，youmusthavehadverystrongeyestoseeasyoudo——andsomuchfineworkasyouhavedonetoo！——Ionlywishmyeyesmaylastmeaswell。’“

AllthisspokenextremelyfastobligedMissBatestostopforbreath；

andEmmasaidsomethingverycivilabouttheexcellenceofMissFairfax’shandwriting。

“Youareextremelykind。”repliedMissBates，highlygratified；

“youwhoaresuchajudge，andwritesobeautifullyyourself。

Iamsurethereisnobody’spraisethatcouldgiveussomuchpleasureasMissWoodhouse’s。Mymotherdoesnothear；sheisalittledeafyouknow。Ma’am。”addressingher，“doyouhearwhatMissWoodhouseissoobligingtosayaboutJane’shandwriting？“

AndEmmahadtheadvantageofhearingherownsillycomplimentrepeatedtwiceoverbeforethegoodoldladycouldcomprehendit。

Shewaspondering，inthemeanwhile，uponthepossibility，withoutseemingveryrude，ofmakingherescapefromJaneFairfax’sletter，andhadalmostresolvedonhurryingawaydirectlyundersomeslightexcuse，whenMissBatesturnedtoheragainandseizedherattention。

“Mymother’sdeafnessisverytriflingyousee——justnothingatall。

Byonlyraisingmyvoice，andsayinganythingtwoorthreetimesover，sheissuretohear；butthensheisusedtomyvoice。ButitisveryremarkablethatsheshouldalwayshearJanebetterthanshedoesme。

Janespeakssodistinct！However，shewillnotfindhergrandmamaatalldeaferthanshewastwoyearsago；whichissayingagreatdealatmymother’stimeoflife——anditreallyisfulltwoyears，youknow，sinceshewashere。Weneverweresolongwithoutseeingherbefore，andasIwastellingMrs。Cole，weshallhardlyknowhowtomakeenoughofhernow。”

“AreyouexpectingMissFairfaxheresoon？“

“Ohyes；nextweek。”

“Indeed！——thatmustbeaverygreatpleasure。”

“Thankyou。Youareverykind。Yes，nextweek。Everybodyissosurprized；andeverybodysaysthesameobligingthings。I

amsureshewillbeashappytoseeherfriendsatHighbury，astheycanbetoseeher。Yes，FridayorSaturday；shecannotsaywhich，becauseColonelCampbellwillbewantingthecarriagehimselfoneofthosedays。Soverygoodofthemtosendherthewholeway！

Buttheyalwaysdo，youknow。Ohyes，FridayorSaturdaynext。

Thatiswhatshewritesabout。Thatisthereasonofherwritingoutofrule，aswecallit；for，inthecommoncourse，weshouldnothaveheardfromherbeforenextTuesdayorWednesday。”

“Yes，soIimagined。IwasafraidtherecouldbelittlechanceofmyhearinganythingofMissFairfaxto-day。”

“Soobligingofyou！No，weshouldnothaveheard，ifithadnotbeenforthisparticularcircumstance，ofherbeingtocomeheresosoon。Mymotherissodelighted！——forsheistobethreemonthswithusatleast。Threemonths，shesaysso，positively，asI

amgoingtohavethepleasureofreadingtoyou。Thecaseis，yousee，thattheCampbellsaregoingtoIreland。Mrs。Dixonhaspersuadedherfatherandmothertocomeoverandseeherdirectly。

Theyhadnotintendedtogoovertillthesummer，butsheissoimpatienttoseethemagain——fortillshemarried，lastOctober，shewasneverawayfromthemsomuchasaweek，whichmustmakeitverystrangetobeindifferentkingdoms，Iwasgoingtosay，buthoweverdifferentcountries，andsoshewroteaveryurgentlettertohermother——orherfather，IdeclareIdonotknowwhichitwas，butweshallseepresentlyinJane’sletter——wroteinMr。Dixon’snameaswellasherown，topresstheircomingoverdirectly，andtheywouldgivethemthemeetinginDublin，andtakethembacktotheircountryseat，Baly-craig，abeautifulplace，Ifancy。

Janehasheardagreatdealofitsbeauty；fromMr。Dixon，Imean——

Idonotknowthatsheeverheardaboutitfromanybodyelse；

butitwasverynatural，youknow，thatheshouldliketospeakofhisownplacewhilehewaspayinghisaddresses——andasJaneusedtobeveryoftenwalkingoutwiththem——forColonelandMrs。Campbellwereveryparticularabouttheirdaughter’snotwalkingoutoftenwithonlyMr。Dixon，forwhichIdonotatallblamethem；

ofcoursesheheardeverythinghemightbetellingMissCampbellabouthisownhomeinIreland；andIthinkshewroteuswordthathehadshewnthemsomedrawingsoftheplace，viewsthathehadtakenhimself。Heisamostamiable，charmingyoungman，Ibelieve。JanewasquitelongingtogotoIreland，fromhisaccountofthings。”

Atthismoment，aningeniousandanimatingsuspicionenteringEmma’sbrainwithregardtoJaneFairfax，thischarmingMr。Dixon，andthenotgoingtoIreland，shesaid，withtheinsidiousdesignoffartherdiscovery，“YoumustfeelitveryfortunatethatMissFairfaxshouldbeallowedtocometoyouatsuchatime。ConsideringtheveryparticularfriendshipbetweenherandMrs。Dixon，youcouldhardlyhaveexpectedhertobeexcusedfromaccompanyingColonelandMrs。Campbell。”

“Verytrue，verytrue，indeed。Theverythingthatwehavealwaysbeenratherafraidof；forweshouldnothavelikedtohaveheratsuchadistancefromus，formonthstogether——notabletocomeifanythingwastohappen。Butyousee，everythingturnsoutforthebest。Theywanther(Mr。andMrs。Dixon)excessivelytocomeoverwithColonelandMrs。Campbell；quitedependuponit；

nothingcanbemorekindorpressingthantheirjointinvitation，Janesays，asyouwillhearpresently；Mr。Dixondoesnotseemintheleastbackwardinanyattention。Heisamostcharmingyoungman。

EversincetheserviceherenderedJaneatWeymouth，whentheywereoutinthatpartyonthewater，andshe，bythesuddenwhirlingroundofsomethingorotheramongthesails，wouldhavebeendashedintotheseaatonce，andactuallywasallbutgone，ifhehadnot，withthegreatestpresenceofmind，caughtholdofherhabit——

(Icanneverthinkofitwithouttrembling！)——Buteversincewehadthehistoryofthatday，IhavebeensofondofMr。Dixon！“

“But，inspiteofallherfriends’urgency，andherownwishofseeingIreland，MissFairfaxprefersdevotingthetimetoyouandMrs。Bates？“

“Yes——entirelyherowndoing，entirelyherownchoice；andColonelandMrs。Campbellthinkshedoesquiteright，justwhattheyshouldrecommend；andindeedtheyparticularlywishhertotryhernativeair，asshehasnotbeenquitesowellasusuallately。”

“Iamconcernedtohearofit。Ithinktheyjudgewisely。

ButMrs。Dixonmustbeverymuchdisappointed。Mrs。Dixon，Iunderstand，hasnoremarkabledegreeofpersonalbeauty；isnot，byanymeans，tobecomparedwithMissFairfax。”

“Oh！no。Youareveryobligingtosaysuchthings——butcertainlynot。

Thereisnocomparisonbetweenthem。MissCampbellalwayswasabsolutelyplain——butextremelyelegantandamiable。”

“Yes，thatofcourse。”

“Janecaughtabadcold，poorthing！solongagoasthe7thofNovember，(asIamgoingtoreadtoyou，)andhasneverbeenwellsince。Alongtime，isnotit，foracoldtohanguponher？

Shenevermentioneditbefore，becauseshewouldnotalarmus。

Justlikeher！soconsiderate！——Buthowever，sheissofarfromwell，thatherkindfriendstheCampbellsthinkshehadbettercomehome，andtryanairthatalwaysagreeswithher；andtheyhavenodoubtthatthreeorfourmonthsatHighburywillentirelycureher——

anditiscertainlyagreatdealbetterthatsheshouldcomehere，thangotoIreland，ifsheisunwell。Nobodycouldnurseher，asweshoulddo。”

“Itappearstomethemostdesirablearrangementintheworld。”

“AndsosheistocometousnextFridayorSaturday，andtheCampbellsleavetownintheirwaytoHolyheadtheMondayfollowing——

asyouwillfindfromJane’sletter。Sosudden！——Youmayguess，dearMissWoodhouse，whataflurryithasthrownmein！

Ifitwasnotforthedrawbackofherillness——butIamafraidwemustexpecttoseehergrownthin，andlookingverypoorly。

Imusttellyouwhatanunluckythinghappenedtome，astothat。

IalwaysmakeapointofreadingJane’slettersthroughtomyselffirst，beforeIreadthemaloudtomymother，youknow，forfearoftherebeinganythinginthemtodistressher。Janedesiredmetodoit，soIalwaysdo：andsoIbeganto-daywithmyusualcaution；

butnosoonerdidIcometothementionofherbeingunwell，thanI

burstout，quitefrightened，with`Blessme！poorJaneisill！’——

whichmymother，beingonthewatch，hearddistinctly，andwassadlyalarmedat。However，whenIreadon，IfounditwasnotnearsobadasIhadfanciedatfirst；andImakesolightofitnowtoher，thatshedoesnotthinkmuchaboutit。ButIcannotimaginehowIcouldbesooffmyguard。IfJanedoesnotgetwellsoon，wewillcallinMr。Perry。Theexpenseshallnotbethoughtof；

andthoughheissoliberal，andsofondofJanethatIdaresayhewouldnotmeantochargeanythingforattendance，wecouldnotsufferittobeso，youknow。Hehasawifeandfamilytomaintain，andisnottobegivingawayhistime。Well，nowIhavejustgivenyouahintofwhatJanewritesabout，wewillturntoherletter，andI

amsureshetellsherownstoryagreatdealbetterthanIcantellitforher。”

“Iamafraidwemustberunningaway。”saidEmma，glancingatHarriet，andbeginningtorise——“Myfatherwillbeexpectingus。

Ihadnointention，IthoughtIhadnopowerofstayingmorethanfiveminutes，whenIfirstenteredthehouse。Imerelycalled，becauseIwouldnotpassthedoorwithoutinquiringafterMrs。Bates；

butIhavebeensopleasantlydetained！Now，however，wemustwishyouandMrs。Batesgoodmorning。”

Andnotallthatcouldbeurgedtodetainhersucceeded。

Sheregainedthestreet——happyinthis，thatthoughmuchhadbeenforcedonheragainstherwill，thoughshehadinfactheardthewholesubstanceofJaneFairfax’sletter，shehadbeenabletoescapetheletteritself。

Chapter02CHAPTERII

JaneFairfaxwasanorphan，theonlychildofMrs。Bates’syoungestdaughter。

ThemarriageofLieut。Fairfaxofthe_______regimentofinfantry，andMissJaneBates，hadhaditsdayoffameandpleasure，hopeandinterest；butnothingnowremainedofit，savethemelancholyremembranceofhimdyinginactionabroad——ofhiswidowsinkingunderconsumptionandgriefsoonafterwards——andthisgirl。

BybirthshebelongedtoHighbury：andwhenatthreeyearsold，onlosinghermother，shebecametheproperty，thecharge，theconsolation，thefondlingofhergrandmotherandaunt，therehadseemedeveryprobabilityofherbeingpermanentlyfixedthere；

ofherbeingtaughtonlywhatverylimitedmeanscouldcommand，andgrowingupwithnoadvantagesofconnexionorimprovement，tobeengraftedonwhatnaturehadgivenherinapleasingperson，goodunderstanding，andwarm-hearted，well-meaningrelations。

Butthecompassionatefeelingsofafriendofherfathergaveachangetoherdestiny。ThiswasColonelCampbell，whohadveryhighlyregardedFairfax，asanexcellentofficerandmostdeservingyoungman；andfarther，hadbeenindebtedtohimforsuchattentions，duringaseverecamp-fever，ashebelievedhadsavedhislife。Thesewereclaimswhichhedidnotlearntooverlook，thoughsomeyearspassedawayfromthedeathofpoorFairfax，beforehisownreturntoEnglandputanythinginhispower。

Whenhedidreturn，hesoughtoutthechildandtooknoticeofher。

Hewasamarriedman，withonlyonelivingchild，agirl，aboutJane’sage：andJanebecametheirguest，payingthemlongvisitsandgrowingafavouritewithall；andbeforeshewasnineyearsold，hisdaughter’sgreatfondnessforher，andhisownwishofbeingarealfriend，unitedtoproduceanofferfromColonelCampbellofundertakingthewholechargeofhereducation。Itwasaccepted；

andfromthatperiodJanehadbelongedtoColonelCampbell’sfamily，andhadlivedwiththementirely，onlyvisitinghergrandmotherfromtimetotime。

Theplanwasthatsheshouldbebroughtupforeducatingothers；

theveryfewhundredpoundswhichsheinheritedfromherfathermakingindependenceimpossible。ToprovideforherotherwisewasoutofColonelCampbell’spower；forthoughhisincome，bypayandappointments，washandsome，hisfortunewasmoderateandmustbeallhisdaughter’s；but，bygivingheraneducation，hehopedtobesupplyingthemeansofrespectablesubsistencehereafter。

SuchwasJaneFairfax’shistory。Shehadfallenintogoodhands，knownnothingbutkindnessfromtheCampbells，andbeengivenanexcellenteducation。Livingconstantlywithright-mindedandwell-informedpeople，herheartandunderstandinghadreceivedeveryadvantageofdisciplineandculture；andColonelCampbell’sresidencebeinginLondon，everylightertalenthadbeendonefulljusticeto，bytheattendanceoffirst-ratemasters。

Herdispositionandabilitieswereequallyworthyofallthatfriendshipcoulddo；andateighteenornineteenshewas，asfarassuchanearlyagecanbequalifiedforthecareofchildren，fullycompetenttotheofficeofinstructionherself；butshewastoomuchbelovedtobepartedwith。Neitherfathernormothercouldpromote，andthedaughtercouldnotendureit。Theevildaywasputoff。Itwaseasytodecidethatshewasstilltooyoung；

andJaneremainedwiththem，sharing，asanotherdaughter，inalltherationalpleasuresofanelegantsociety，andajudiciousmixtureofhomeandamusement，withonlythedrawbackofthefuture，thesoberingsuggestionsofherowngoodunderstandingtoremindherthatallthismightsoonbeover。

Theaffectionofthewholefamily，thewarmattachmentofMissCampbellinparticular，wasthemorehonourabletoeachpartyfromthecircumstanceofJane’sdecidedsuperioritybothinbeautyandacquirements。Thatnaturehadgivenitinfeaturecouldnotbeunseenbytheyoungwoman，norcouldherhigherpowersofmindbeunfeltbytheparents。Theycontinuedtogetherwithunabatedregardhowever，tillthemarriageofMissCampbell，whobythatchance，thatluckwhichsooftendefiesanticipationinmatrimonialaffairs，givingattractiontowhatismoderateratherthantowhatissuperior，engagedtheaffectionsofMr。Dixon，ayoungman，richandagreeable，almostassoonastheywereacquainted；andwaseligiblyandhappilysettled，whileJaneFairfaxhadyetherbreadtoearn。

Thiseventhadverylatelytakenplace；toolatelyforanythingtobeyetattemptedbyherlessfortunatefriendtowardsenteringonherpathofduty；thoughshehadnowreachedtheagewhichherownjudgmenthadfixedonforbeginning。Shehadlongresolvedthatone-and-twentyshouldbetheperiod。Withthefortitudeofadevotednovitiate，shehadresolvedatone-and-twentytocompletethesacrifice，andretirefromallthepleasuresoflife，ofrationalintercourse，equalsociety，peaceandhope，topenanceandmortificationforever。

ThegoodsenseofColonelandMrs。Campbellcouldnotopposesucharesolution，thoughtheirfeelingsdid。Aslongastheylived，noexertionswouldbenecessary，theirhomemightbehersforever；

andfortheirowncomforttheywouldhaveretainedherwholly；

butthiswouldbeselfishness：——whatmustbeatlast，hadbetterbesoon。Perhapstheybegantofeelitmighthavebeenkinderandwisertohaveresistedthetemptationofanydelay，andsparedherfromatasteofsuchenjoymentsofeaseandleisureasmustnowberelinquished。Still，however，affectionwasgladtocatchatanyreasonableexcusefornothurryingonthewretchedmoment。