第6章

Shehadneverbeenquitewellsincethetimeoftheirdaughter’smarriage；

andtillsheshouldhavecompletelyrecoveredherusualstrength，theymustforbidherengaginginduties，which，sofarfrombeingcompatiblewithaweakenedframeandvaryingspirits，seemed，underthemostfavourablecircumstances，torequiresomethingmorethanhumanperfectionofbodyandmindtobedischargedwithtolerablecomfort。

WithregardtohernotaccompanyingthemtoIreland，heraccounttoherauntcontainednothingbuttruth，thoughtheremightbesometruthsnottold。ItwasherownchoicetogivethetimeoftheirabsencetoHighbury；tospend，perhaps，herlastmonthsofperfectlibertywiththosekindrelationstowhomshewassoverydear：

andtheCampbells，whatevermightbetheirmotiveormotives，whethersingle，ordouble，ortreble，gavethearrangementtheirreadysanction，andsaid，thattheydependedmoreonafewmonthsspentinhernativeair，fortherecoveryofherhealth，thanonanythingelse。Certainitwasthatshewastocome；

andthatHighbury，insteadofwelcomingthatperfectnoveltywhichhadbeensolongpromisedit——Mr。FrankChurchill——mustputupforthepresentwithJaneFairfax，whocouldbringonlythefreshnessofatwoyears’absence。

Emmawassorry；——tohavetopaycivilitiestoapersonshedidnotlikethroughthreelongmonths！——tobealwaysdoingmorethanshewished，andlessthansheought！WhyshedidnotlikeJaneFairfaxmightbeadifficultquestiontoanswer；Mr。Knightleyhadoncetoldheritwasbecauseshesawinherthereallyaccomplishedyoungwoman，whichshewantedtobethoughtherself；

andthoughtheaccusationhadbeeneagerlyrefutedatthetime，thereweremomentsofself-examinationinwhichherconsciencecouldnotquiteacquither。But“shecouldnevergetacquaintedwithher：

shedidnotknowhowitwas，buttherewassuchcoldnessandreserve——

suchapparentindifferencewhethershepleasedornot——andthen，herauntwassuchaneternaltalker！——andshewasmadesuchafusswithbyeverybody！——andithadbeenalwaysimaginedthattheyweretobesointimate——becausetheirageswerethesame，everybodyhadsupposedtheymustbesofondofeachother。”Thesewereherreasons——

shehadnobetter。

Itwasadislikesolittlejust——everyimputedfaultwassomagnifiedbyfancy，thatsheneversawJaneFairfaxthefirsttimeafteranyconsiderableabsence，withoutfeelingthatshehadinjuredher；

andnow，whentheduevisitwaspaid，onherarrival，afteratwoyears’

interval，shewasparticularlystruckwiththeveryappearanceandmanners，whichforthosetwowholeyearsshehadbeendepreciating。

JaneFairfaxwasveryelegant，remarkablyelegant；andshehadherselfthehighestvalueforelegance。Herheightwaspretty，justsuchasalmosteverybodywouldthinktall，andnobodycouldthinkverytall；herfigureparticularlygraceful；hersizeamostbecomingmedium，betweenfatandthin，thoughaslightappearanceofill-healthseemedtopointoutthelikeliestevilofthetwo。

Emmacouldnotbutfeelallthis；andthen，herface——herfeatures——

therewasmorebeautyinthemaltogetherthanshehadremembered；

itwasnotregular，butitwasverypleasingbeauty。Hereyes，adeepgrey，withdarkeye-lashesandeyebrows，hadneverbeendeniedtheirpraise；buttheskin，whichshehadbeenusedtocavilat，aswantingcolour，hadaclearnessanddelicacywhichreallyneedednofullerbloom。Itwasastyleofbeauty，ofwhichelegancewasthereigningcharacter，andassuch，shemust，inhonour，byallherprinciples，admireit：——elegance，which，whetherofpersonorofmind，shesawsolittleinHighbury。There，nottobevulgar，wasdistinction，andmerit。

Inshort，shesat，duringthefirstvisit，lookingatJaneFairfaxwithtwofoldcomplacency；thesenseofpleasureandthesenseofrenderingjustice，andwasdeterminingthatshewoulddislikehernolonger。Whenshetookinherhistory，indeed，hersituation，aswellasherbeauty；whensheconsideredwhatallthiselegancewasdestinedto，whatshewasgoingtosinkfrom，howshewasgoingtolive，itseemedimpossibletofeelanythingbutcompassionandrespect；especially，iftoeverywell-knownparticularentitlinghertointerest，wereaddedthehighlyprobablecircumstanceofanattachmenttoMr。Dixon，whichshehadsonaturallystartedtoherself。Inthatcase，nothingcouldbemorepitiableormorehonourablethanthesacrificesshehadresolvedon。

EmmawasverywillingnowtoacquitherofhavingseducedMr。Dixon’sactionsfromhiswife，orofanythingmischievouswhichherimaginationhadsuggestedatfirst。Ifitwerelove，itmightbesimple，single，successlessloveonhersidealone。

Shemighthavebeenunconsciouslysuckinginthesadpoison，whileasharerofhisconversationwithherfriend；andfromthebest，thepurestofmotives，mightnowbedenyingherselfthisvisittoIreland，andresolvingtodivideherselfeffectuallyfromhimandhisconnexionsbysoonbeginninghercareeroflaboriousduty。

Uponthewhole，Emmaleftherwithsuchsoftened，charitablefeelings，asmadeherlookaroundinwalkinghome，andlamentthatHighburyaffordednoyoungmanworthyofgivingherindependence；

nobodythatshecouldwishtoschemeaboutforher。

Thesewerecharmingfeelings——butnotlasting。BeforeshehadcommittedherselfbyanypublicprofessionofeternalfriendshipforJaneFairfax，ordonemoretowardsarecantationofpastprejudicesanderrors，thansayingtoMr。Knightley，“Shecertainlyishandsome；

sheisbetterthanhandsome！“JanehadspentaneveningatHartfieldwithhergrandmotherandaunt，andeverythingwasrelapsingmuchintoitsusualstate。Formerprovocationsreappeared。Theauntwasastiresomeasever；moretiresome，becauseanxietyforherhealthwasnowaddedtoadmirationofherpowers；andtheyhadtolistentothedescriptionofexactlyhowlittlebreadandbuttersheateforbreakfast，andhowsmallasliceofmuttonfordinner，aswellastoseeexhibitionsofnewcapsandnewworkbagsforhermotherandherself；andJane’soffencesroseagain。Theyhadmusic；

Emmawasobligedtoplay；andthethanksandpraisewhichnecessarilyfollowedappearedtoheranaffectationofcandour，anairofgreatness，meaningonlytoshewoffinhigherstyleherownverysuperiorperformance。Shewas，besides，whichwastheworstofall，socold，socautious！Therewasnogettingatherrealopinion。

Wraptupinacloakofpoliteness，sheseemeddeterminedtohazardnothing。Shewasdisgustingly，wassuspiciouslyreserved。

Ifanythingcouldbemore，whereallwasmost，shewasmorereservedonthesubjectofWeymouthandtheDixonsthananything。

SheseemedbentongivingnorealinsightintoMr。Dixon’scharacter，orherownvalueforhiscompany，oropinionofthesuitablenessofthematch。Itwasallgeneralapprobationandsmoothness；

nothingdelineatedordistinguished。Itdidhernoservicehowever。

Hercautionwasthrownaway。Emmasawitsartifice，andreturnedtoherfirstsurmises。Thereprobablywassomethingmoretoconcealthanherownpreference；Mr。Dixon，perhaps，hadbeenverynearchangingonefriendfortheother，orbeenfixedonlytoMissCampbell，forthesakeofthefuturetwelvethousandpounds。

Thelikereserveprevailedonothertopics。SheandMr。FrankChurchillhadbeenatWeymouthatthesametime。Itwasknownthattheywerealittleacquainted；butnotasyllableofrealinformationcouldEmmaprocureastowhathetrulywas。“Washehandsome？“——“Shebelievedhewasreckonedaveryfineyoungman。”“Washeagreeable？“——

“Hewasgenerallythoughtso。”“Didheappearasensibleyoungman；

ayoungmanofinformation？“——“Atawatering-place，orinacommonLondonacquaintance，itwasdifficulttodecideonsuchpoints。

Mannerswereallthatcouldbesafelyjudgedof，underamuchlongerknowledgethantheyhadyethadofMr。Churchill。Shebelievedeverybodyfoundhismannerspleasing。”Emmacouldnotforgiveher。

Chapter03CHAPTERIII

Emmacouldnotforgiveher；——butasneitherprovocationnorresentmentwerediscernedbyMr。Knightley，whohadbeenoftheparty，andhadseenonlyproperattentionandpleasingbehaviouroneachside，hewasexpressingthenextmorning，beingatHartfieldagainonbusinesswithMr。Woodhouse，hisapprobationofthewhole；notsoopenlyashemighthavedonehadherfatherbeenoutoftheroom，butspeakingplainenoughtobeveryintelligibletoEmma。

HehadbeenusedtothinkherunjusttoJane，andhadnowgreatpleasureinmarkinganimprovement。

“Averypleasantevening。”hebegan，assoonasMr。Woodhousehadbeentalkedintowhatwasnecessary，toldthatheunderstood，andthepaperssweptaway；——“particularlypleasant。YouandMissFairfaxgaveussomeverygoodmusic。Idonotknowamoreluxuriousstate，sir，thansittingatone’seasetobeentertainedawholeeveningbytwosuchyoungwomen；sometimeswithmusicandsometimeswithconversation。IamsureMissFairfaxmusthavefoundtheeveningpleasant，Emma。Youleftnothingundone。

Iwasgladyoumadeherplaysomuch，forhavingnoinstrumentathergrandmother’s，itmusthavebeenarealindulgence。”

“Iamhappyyouapproved。”saidEmma，smiling；“butIhopeIamnotoftendeficientinwhatisduetoguestsatHartfield。”

“No，mydear。”saidherfatherinstantly；“thatIamsureyouarenot。Thereisnobodyhalfsoattentiveandcivilasyouare。

Ifanything，youaretooattentive。Themuffinlastnight——ifithadbeenhandedroundonce，Ithinkitwouldhavebeenenough。”

“No。”saidMr。Knightley，nearlyatthesametime；“youarenotoftendeficient；notoftendeficienteitherinmannerorcomprehension。

Ithinkyouunderstandme，therefore。”

Anarchlookexpressed——“Iunderstandyouwellenough；“butshesaidonly，“MissFairfaxisreserved。”

“Ialwaystoldyoushewas——alittle；butyouwillsoonovercomeallthatpartofherreservewhichoughttobeovercome，allthathasitsfoundationindiffidence。Whatarisesfromdiscretionmustbehonoured。”

“Youthinkherdiffident。Idonotseeit。”

“MydearEmma。”saidhe，movingfromhischairintooneclosebyher，“youarenotgoingtotellme，Ihope，thatyouhadnotapleasantevening。”

“Oh！no；Iwaspleasedwithmyownperseveranceinaskingquestions；

andamusedtothinkhowlittleinformationIobtained。”

“Iamdisappointed。”washisonlyanswer。

“Ihopeeverybodyhadapleasantevening。”saidMr。Woodhouse，inhisquietway。“Ihad。Once，Ifeltthefirerathertoomuch；

butthenImovedbackmychairalittle，averylittle，anditdidnotdisturbme。MissBateswasverychattyandgood-humoured，asshealwaysis，thoughshespeaksrathertooquick。However，sheisveryagreeable，andMrs。Batestoo，inadifferentway。

Ilikeoldfriends；andMissJaneFairfaxisaveryprettysortofyounglady，averyprettyandaverywell-behavedyoungladyindeed。

Shemusthavefoundtheeveningagreeable，Mr。Knightley，becauseshehadEmma。”

“True，sir；andEmma，becauseshehadMissFairfax。”

Emmasawhisanxiety，andwishingtoappeaseit，atleastforthepresent，said，andwithasinceritywhichnoonecouldquestion——

“Sheisasortofelegantcreaturethatonecannotkeepone’seyesfrom。

Iamalwayswatchinghertoadmire；andIdopityherfrommyheart。”

Mr。Knightleylookedasifheweremoregratifiedthanhecaredtoexpress；andbeforehecouldmakeanyreply，Mr。Woodhouse，whosethoughtswereontheBates’s，said——

“Itisagreatpitythattheircircumstancesshouldbesoconfined！

agreatpityindeed！andIhaveoftenwished——butitissolittleonecanventuretodo——small，triflingpresents，ofanythinguncommon——

Nowwehavekilledaporker，andEmmathinksofsendingthemaloinoraleg；itisverysmallanddelicate——Hartfieldporkisnotlikeanyotherpork——butstillitispork——and，mydearEmma，unlessonecouldbesureoftheirmakingitintosteaks，nicelyfried，asoursarefried，withoutthesmallestgrease，andnotroastit，fornostomachcanbearroastpork——Ithinkwehadbettersendtheleg——

donotyouthinkso，mydear？“

“Mydearpapa，Isentthewholehind-quarter。Iknewyouwouldwishit。

Therewillbethelegtobesalted，youknow，whichissoverynice，andthelointobedresseddirectlyinanymannertheylike。”

“That’sright，mydear，veryright。Ihadnotthoughtofitbefore，butthatisthebestway。Theymustnotover-salttheleg；andthen，ifitisnotover-salted，andifitisverythoroughlyboiled，justasSerleboilsours，andeatenverymoderatelyof，withaboiledturnip，andalittlecarrotorparsnip，Idonotconsideritunwholesome。”

“Emma。”saidMr。Knightleypresently，“Ihaveapieceofnewsforyou。

Youlikenews——andIheardanarticleinmywayhitherthatIthinkwillinterestyou。”

“News！Oh！yes，Ialwayslikenews。Whatisit？——whydoyousmileso？——wheredidyouhearit？——atRandalls？“

Hehadtimeonlytosay，“No，notatRandalls；IhavenotbeennearRandalls。”whenthedoorwasthrownopen，andMissBatesandMissFairfaxwalkedintotheroom。

Fullofthanks，andfullofnews，MissBatesknewnotwhichtogivequickest。Mr。Knightleysoonsawthathehadlosthismoment，andthatnotanothersyllableofcommunicationcouldrestwithhim。

“Oh！mydearsir，howareyouthismorning？MydearMissWoodhouse——

Icomequiteover-powered。Suchabeautifulhind-quarterofpork！

Youaretoobountiful！Haveyouheardthenews？Mr。Eltonisgoingtobemarried。”

EmmahadnothadtimeeventothinkofMr。Elton，andshewassocompletelysurprizedthatshecouldnotavoidalittlestart，andalittleblush，atthesound。

“Thereismynews：——Ithoughtitwouldinterestyou。”

saidMr。Knightley，withasmilewhichimpliedaconvictionofsomepartofwhathadpassedbetweenthem。

“Butwherecouldyouhearit？“criedMissBates。“Wherecouldyoupossiblyhearit，Mr。Knightley？ForitisnotfiveminutessinceIreceivedMrs。Cole’snote——no，itcannotbemorethanfive——

oratleastten——forIhadgotmybonnetandspenceron，justreadytocomeout——IwasonlygonedowntospeaktoPattyagainaboutthepork——Janewasstandinginthepassage——werenotyou，Jane？——

formymotherwassoafraidthatwehadnotanysalting-panlargeenough。SoIsaidIwouldgodownandsee，andJanesaid，`ShallIgodowninstead？forIthinkyouhavealittlecold，andPattyhasbeenwashingthekitchen。’——`Oh！mydear，’

saidI——well，andjustthencamethenote。AMissHawkins——

that’sallIknow。AMissHawkinsofBath。But，Mr。Knightley，howcouldyoupossiblyhaveheardit？fortheverymomentMr。ColetoldMrs。Coleofit，shesatdownandwrotetome。AMissHawkins——“

“IwaswithMr。Coleonbusinessanhourandahalfago。

HehadjustreadElton’sletterasIwasshewnin，andhandedittomedirectly。”

“Well！thatisquite——Isupposethereneverwasapieceofnewsmoregenerallyinteresting。Mydearsir，youreallyaretoobountiful。

Mymotherdesiresherverybestcomplimentsandregards，andathousandthanks，andsaysyoureallyquiteoppressher。”

“WeconsiderourHartfieldpork。”repliedMr。Woodhouse——“indeeditcertainlyis，soverysuperiortoallotherpork，thatEmmaandI

cannothaveagreaterpleasurethan——“

“Oh！mydearsir，asmymothersays，ourfriendsareonlytoogoodtous。Ifevertherewerepeoplewho，withouthavinggreatwealththemselves，hadeverythingtheycouldwishfor，Iamsureitisus。

Wemaywellsaythat`ourlotiscastinagoodlyheritage。’

Well，Mr。Knightley，andsoyouactuallysawtheletter；well——“

“Itwasshort——merelytoannounce——butcheerful，exulting，ofcourse。”——

HerewasaslyglanceatEmma。“Hehadbeensofortunateasto——

Iforgettheprecisewords——onehasnobusinesstorememberthem。

Theinformationwas，asyoustate，thathewasgoingtobemarriedtoaMissHawkins。Byhisstyle，Ishouldimagineitjustsettled。”

“Mr。Eltongoingtobemarried！“saidEmma，assoonasshecouldspeak。

“Hewillhaveeverybody’swishesforhishappiness。”

“Heisveryyoungtosettle。”wasMr。Woodhouse’sobservation。

“Hehadbetternotbeinahurry。Heseemedtomeverywelloffashewas。WewerealwaysgladtoseehimatHartfield。”

“Anewneighbourforusall，MissWoodhouse！“saidMissBates，joyfully；“mymotherissopleased！——shesaysshecannotbeartohavethepooroldVicaragewithoutamistress。

Thisisgreatnews，indeed。Jane，youhaveneverseenMr。Elton！——nowonderthatyouhavesuchacuriositytoseehim。”

Jane’scuriositydidnotappearofthatabsorbingnatureaswhollytooccupyher。

“No——IhaveneverseenMr。Elton。”shereplied，startingonthisappeal；

“ishe——isheatallman？“

“Whoshallanswerthatquestion？“criedEmma。“Myfatherwouldsay`yes，’Mr。Knightley`no；’andMissBatesandIthatheisjustthehappymedium。Whenyouhavebeenherealittlelonger，MissFairfax，youwillunderstandthatMr。EltonisthestandardofperfectioninHighbury，bothinpersonandmind。”

“Verytrue，MissWoodhouse，soshewill。Heistheverybestyoungman——But，mydearJane，ifyouremember，ItoldyouyesterdayhewaspreciselytheheightofMr。Perry。MissHawkins，——Idaresay，anexcellentyoungwoman。Hisextremeattentiontomymother——

wantinghertositinthevicaragepew，thatshemighthearthebetter，formymotherisalittledeaf，youknow——itisnotmuch，butshedoesnothearquitequick。JanesaysthatColonelCampbellisalittledeaf。Hefanciedbathingmightbegoodforit——thewarmbath——

butshesaysitdidhimnolastingbenefit。ColonelCampbell，youknow，isquiteourangel。AndMr。Dixonseemsaverycharmingyoungman，quiteworthyofhim。Itissuchahappinesswhengoodpeoplegettogether——andtheyalwaysdo。Now，herewillbeMr。

EltonandMissHawkins；andtherearetheColes，suchverygoodpeople；

andthePerrys——IsupposethereneverwasahappierorabettercouplethanMr。andMrs。Perry。Isay，sir。”turningtoMr。Woodhouse，“IthinktherearefewplaceswithsuchsocietyasHighbury。

Ialwayssay，wearequiteblessedinourneighbours——Mydearsir，ifthereisonethingmymotherlovesbetterthananother，itispork——

aroastloinofpork——“

“Astowho，orwhatMissHawkinsis，orhowlonghehasbeenacquaintedwithher。”saidEmma，“nothingIsupposecanbeknown。

Onefeelsthatitcannotbeaverylongacquaintance。Hehasbeengoneonlyfourweeks。”

Nobodyhadanyinformationtogive；and，afterafewmorewonderings，Emmasaid，“Youaresilent，MissFairfax——butIhopeyoumeantotakeaninterestinthisnews。You，whohavebeenhearingandseeingsomuchoflateonthesesubjects，whomusthavebeensodeepinthebusinessonMissCampbell’saccount——weshallnotexcuseyourbeingindifferentaboutMr。EltonandMissHawkins。”

“WhenIhaveseenMr。Elton。”repliedJane，“IdaresayI

shallbeinterested——butIbelieveitrequiresthatwithme。

AndasitissomemonthssinceMissCampbellmarried，theimpressionmaybealittlewornoff。”

“Yes，hehasbeengonejustfourweeks，asyouobserve，MissWoodhouse。”

saidMissBates，“fourweeksyesterday——AMissHawkins！——Well，Ihadalwaysratherfancieditwouldbesomeyoungladyhereabouts；

notthatIever——Mrs。Coleoncewhisperedtome——butIimmediatelysaid，`No，Mr。Eltonisamostworthyyoungman——but’——Inshort，IdonotthinkIamparticularlyquickatthosesortofdiscoveries。

Idonotpretendtoit。Whatisbeforeme，Isee。Atthesametime，nobodycouldwonderifMr。Eltonshouldhaveaspired——MissWoodhouseletsmechatteron，sogood-humouredly。SheknowsIwouldnotoffendfortheworld。HowdoesMissSmithdo？Sheseemsquiterecoverednow。HaveyouheardfromMrs。JohnKnightleylately？

Oh！thosedearlittlechildren。Jane，doyouknowIalwaysfancyMr。DixonlikeMr。JohnKnightley。Imeaninperson——tall，andwiththatsortoflook——andnotverytalkative。”

“Quitewrong，mydearaunt；thereisnolikenessatall。”

“Veryodd！butoneneverdoesformajustideaofanybodybeforehand。

Onetakesupanotion，andrunsawaywithit。Mr。Dixon，yousay，isnot，strictlyspeaking，handsome？“

“Handsome！Oh！no——farfromit——certainlyplain。Itoldyouhewasplain。”

“Mydear，yousaidthatMissCampbellwouldnotallowhimtobeplain，andthatyouyourself——“

“Oh！asforme，myjudgmentisworthnothing。WhereIhavearegard，Ialwaysthinkapersonwell-looking。ButIgavewhatIbelievedthegeneralopinion，whenIcalledhimplain。”

“Well，mydearJane，Ibelievewemustberunningaway。

Theweatherdoesnotlookwell，andgrandmamawillbeuneasy。

Youaretooobliging，mydearMissWoodhouse；butwereallymusttakeleave。Thishasbeenamostagreeablepieceofnewsindeed。

IshalljustgoroundbyMrs。Cole’s；butIshallnotstopthreeminutes：

and，Jane，youhadbettergohomedirectly——Iwouldnothaveyououtinashower！——WethinksheisthebetterforHighburyalready。

Thankyou，wedoindeed。IshallnotattemptcallingonMrs。Goddard，forIreallydonotthinkshecaresforanythingbutboiledpork：

whenwedressthelegitwillbeanotherthing。Goodmorningtoyou，mydearsir。Oh！Mr。Knightleyiscomingtoo。Well，thatissovery！——IamsureifJaneistired，youwillbesokindastogiveheryourarm——Mr。Elton，andMissHawkins！——Goodmorningtoyou。”

Emma，alonewithherfather，hadhalfherattentionwantedbyhimwhilehelamentedthatyoungpeoplewouldbeinsuchahurrytomarry——

andtomarrystrangerstoo——andtheotherhalfshecouldgivetoherownviewofthesubject。Itwastoherselfanamusingandaverywelcomepieceofnews，asprovingthatMr。Eltoncouldnothavesufferedlong；butshewassorryforHarriet：

Harrietmustfeelit——andallthatshecouldhopewas，bygivingthefirstinformationherself，tosaveherfromhearingitabruptlyfromothers。Itwasnowaboutthetimethatshewaslikelytocall。

IfsheweretomeetMissBatesinherway！——anduponitsbeginningtorain，EmmawasobligedtoexpectthattheweatherwouldbedetainingheratMrs。Goddard’s，andthattheintelligencewouldundoubtedlyrushuponherwithoutpreparation。

Theshowerwasheavy，butshort；andithadnotbeenoverfiveminutes，whenincameHarriet，withjusttheheated，agitatedlookwhichhurryingthitherwithafullheartwaslikelytogive；andthe“Oh！MissWoodhouse，whatdoyouthinkhashappened！“whichinstantlyburstforth，hadalltheevidenceofcorrespondingperturbation。

Astheblowwasgiven，Emmafeltthatshecouldnotnowshewgreaterkindnessthaninlistening；andHarriet，unchecked，raneagerlythroughwhatshehadtotell。“ShehadsetoutfromMrs。Goddard’shalfanhourago——shehadbeenafraiditwouldrain——shehadbeenafraiditwouldpourdowneverymoment——butshethoughtshemightgettoHartfieldfirst——shehadhurriedonasfastaspossible；

butthen，asshewaspassingbythehousewhereayoungwomanwasmakingupagownforher，shethoughtshewouldjuststepinandseehowitwenton；andthoughshedidnotseemtostayhalfamomentthere，soonaftershecameoutitbegantorain，andshedidnotknowwhattodo；sosheranondirectly，asfastasshecould，andtookshelteratFord’s。”——Ford’swastheprincipalwoollen-draper，linen-draper，andhaberdasher’sshopunited；

theshopfirstinsizeandfashionintheplace——“Andso，thereshehadset，withoutanideaofanythingintheworld，fulltenminutes，perhaps——when，allofasudden，whoshouldcomein——

tobesureitwassoveryodd！——buttheyalwaysdealtatFord’s——

whoshouldcomein，butElizabethMartinandherbrother！——

DearMissWoodhouse！onlythink。IthoughtIshouldhavefainted。

Ididnotknowwhattodo。Iwassittingnearthedoor——Elizabethsawmedirectly；buthedidnot；hewasbusywiththeumbrella。

Iamsureshesawme，butshelookedawaydirectly，andtooknonotice；andtheybothwenttoquitethefartherendoftheshop；

andIkeptsittingnearthedoor！——Oh！dear；Iwassomiserable！

IamsureImusthavebeenaswhiteasmygown。Icouldnotgoawayyouknow，becauseoftherain；butIdidsowishmyselfanywhereintheworldbutthere——Oh！dear，MissWoodhouse——well，atlast，Ifancy，helookedroundandsawme；forinsteadofgoingonwithherbuyings，theybeganwhisperingtooneanother。

Iamsuretheyweretalkingofme；andIcouldnothelpthinkingthathewaspersuadinghertospeaktome——(doyouthinkhewas，MissWoodhouse？)——forpresentlyshecameforward——camequiteuptome，andaskedmehowIdid，andseemedreadytoshakehands，ifIwould。Shedidnotdoanyofitinthesamewaythatsheused；

Icouldseeshewasaltered；but，however，sheseemedtotrytobeveryfriendly，andweshookhands，andstoodtalkingsometime；

butIknownomorewhatIsaid——Iwasinsuchatremble！——Iremembershesaidshewassorrywenevermetnow；whichIthoughtalmosttookind！Dear，MissWoodhouse，Iwasabsolutelymiserable！

Bythattime，itwasbeginningtoholdup，andIwasdeterminedthatnothingshouldstopmefromgettingaway——andthen——onlythink！——

Ifoundhewascominguptowardsmetoo——slowlyyouknow，andasifhedidnotquiteknowwhattodo；andsohecameandspoke，andIanswered——andIstoodforaminute，feelingdreadfully，youknow，onecan’ttellhow；andthenItookcourage，andsaiditdidnotrain，andImustgo；andsooffIset；andIhadnotgotthreeyardsfromthedoor，whenhecameafterme，onlytosay，ifIwasgoingtoHartfield，hethoughtIhadmuchbettergoroundbyMr。Cole’sstables，forIshouldfindthenearwayquitefloatedbythisrain。Oh！dear，Ithoughtitwouldhavebeenthedeathofme！

SoIsaid，Iwasverymuchobligedtohim：youknowIcouldnotdoless；andthenhewentbacktoElizabeth，andIcameroundbythestables——IbelieveIdid——butIhardlyknewwhereIwas，oranythingaboutit。Oh！MissWoodhouse，Iwouldratherdoneanythingthanhaveithappen：andyet，youknow，therewasasortofsatisfactioninseeinghimbehavesopleasantlyandsokindly。

AndElizabeth，too。Oh！MissWoodhouse，dotalktomeandmakemecomfortableagain。”

VerysincerelydidEmmawishtodoso；butitwasnotimmediatelyinherpower。Shewasobligedtostopandthink。Shewasnotthoroughlycomfortableherself。Theyoungman’sconduct，andhissister’s，seemedtheresultofrealfeeling，andshecouldnotbutpitythem。

AsHarrietdescribedit，therehadbeenaninterestingmixtureofwoundedaffectionandgenuinedelicacyintheirbehaviour。

Butshehadbelievedthemtobewell-meaning，worthypeoplebefore；

andwhatdifferencedidthismakeintheevilsoftheconnexion？

Itwasfollytobedisturbedbyit。Ofcourse，hemustbesorrytoloseher——theymustbeallsorry。Ambition，aswellaslove，hadprobablybeenmortified。TheymightallhavehopedtorisebyHarriet’sacquaintance：andbesides，whatwasthevalueofHarriet’sdescription？——Soeasilypleased——solittlediscerning；——

whatsignifiedherpraise？

Sheexertedherself，anddidtrytomakehercomfortable，byconsideringallthathadpassedasameretrifle，andquiteunworthyofbeingdwelton，“Itmightbedistressing，forthemoment。”saidshe；“butyouseemtohavebehavedextremelywell；anditisover——andmaynever——

cannever，asafirstmeeting，occuragain，andthereforeyouneednotthinkaboutit。”

Harrietsaid，“verytrue。”andshe“wouldnotthinkaboutit；“

butstillshetalkedofit——stillshecouldtalkofnothingelse；

andEmma，atlast，inordertoputtheMartinsoutofherhead，wasobligedtohurryonthenews，whichshehadmeanttogivewithsomuchtendercaution；hardlyknowingherselfwhethertorejoiceorbeangry，ashamedoronlyamused，atsuchastateofmindinpoorHarriet——suchaconclusionofMr。Elton’simportancewithher！

Mr。Elton’srights，however，graduallyrevived。Thoughshedidnotfeelthefirstintelligenceasshemighthavedonethedaybefore，oranhourbefore，itsinterestsoonincreased；andbeforetheirfirstconversationwasover，shehadtalkedherselfintoallthesensationsofcuriosity，wonderandregret，painandpleasure，astothisfortunateMissHawkins，whichcouldconducetoplacetheMartinsunderpropersubordinationinherfancy。

Emmalearnedtoberathergladthattherehadbeensuchameeting。

Ithadbeenserviceableindeadeningthefirstshock，withoutretaininganyinfluencetoalarm。AsHarrietnowlived，theMartinscouldnotgetather，withoutseekingher，wherehithertotheyhadwantedeitherthecourageorthecondescensiontoseekher；forsinceherrefusalofthebrother，thesistersneverhadbeenatMrs。Goddard’s；

andatwelvemonthmightpasswithouttheirbeingthrowntogetheragain，withanynecessity，orevenanypowerofspeech。

Chapter04CHAPTERIV

Humannatureissowelldisposedtowardsthosewhoareininterestingsituations，thatayoungperson，whoeithermarriesordies，issureofbeingkindlyspokenof。

AweekhadnotpassedsinceMissHawkins’snamewasfirstmentionedinHighbury，beforeshewas，bysomemeansorother，discoveredtohaveeveryrecommendationofpersonandmind；

tobehandsome，elegant，highlyaccomplished，andperfectlyamiable：

andwhenMr。Eltonhimselfarrivedtotriumphinhishappyprospects，andcirculatethefameofhermerits，therewasverylittlemoreforhimtodo，thantotellherChristianname，andsaywhosemusicsheprincipallyplayed。

Mr。Eltonreturned，averyhappyman。Hehadgoneawayrejectedandmortified——disappointedinaverysanguinehope，afteraseriesofwhatappearedtohimstrongencouragement；andnotonlylosingtherightlady，butfindinghimselfdebasedtothelevelofaverywrongone。Hehadgoneawaydeeplyoffended——hecamebackengagedtoanother——andtoanotherassuperior，ofcourse，tothefirst，asundersuchcircumstanceswhatisgainedalwaysistowhatislost。

Hecamebackgayandself-satisfied，eagerandbusy，caringnothingforMissWoodhouse，anddefyingMissSmith。

ThecharmingAugustaHawkins，inadditiontoalltheusualadvantagesofperfectbeautyandmerit，wasinpossessionofanindependentfortune，ofsomanythousandsaswouldalwaysbecalledten；apointofsomedignity，aswellassomeconvenience：thestorytoldwell；

hehadnotthrownhimselfaway——hehadgainedawomanof10，000l。

orthereabouts；andhehadgainedherwithsuchdelightfulrapidity——

thefirsthourofintroductionhadbeensoverysoonfollowedbydistinguishingnotice；thehistorywhichhehadtogiveMrs。Coleoftheriseandprogressoftheaffairwassoglorious——thestepssoquick，fromtheaccidentalrencontre，tothedinneratMr。Green’s，andthepartyatMrs。Brown’s——smilesandblushesrisinginimportance——

withconsciousnessandagitationrichlyscattered——theladyhadbeensoeasilyimpressed——sosweetlydisposed——hadinshort，touseamostintelligiblephrase，beensoveryreadytohavehim，thatvanityandprudencewereequallycontented。

Hehadcaughtbothsubstanceandshadow——bothfortuneandaffection，andwasjustthehappymanheoughttobe；talkingonlyofhimselfandhisownconcerns——expectingtobecongratulated——readytobelaughedat——and，withcordial，fearlesssmiles，nowaddressingalltheyoungladiesoftheplace，towhom，afewweeksago，hewouldhavebeenmorecautiouslygallant。

Theweddingwasnodistantevent，asthepartieshadonlythemselvestoplease，andnothingbutthenecessarypreparationstowaitfor；

andwhenhesetoutforBathagain，therewasageneralexpectation，whichacertainglanceofMrs。Cole’sdidnotseemtocontradict，thatwhenhenextenteredHighburyhewouldbringhisbride。

Duringhispresentshortstay，Emmahadbarelyseenhim；butjustenoughtofeelthatthefirstmeetingwasover，andtogivehertheimpressionofhisnotbeingimprovedbythemixtureofpiqueandpretension，nowspreadoverhisair。Shewas，infact，beginningverymuchtowonderthatshehadeverthoughthimpleasingatall；andhissightwassoinseparablyconnectedwithsomeverydisagreeablefeelings，that，exceptinamorallight，asapenance，alesson，asourceofprofitablehumiliationtoherownmind，shewouldhavebeenthankfultobeassuredofneverseeinghimagain。

Shewishedhimverywell；buthegaveherpain，andhiswelfaretwentymilesoffwouldadministermostsatisfaction。

ThepainofhiscontinuedresidenceinHighbury，however，mustcertainlybelessenedbyhismarriage。Manyvainsolicitudeswouldbeprevented——

manyawkwardnessessmoothedbyit。AMrs。Eltonwouldbeanexcuseforanychangeofintercourse；formerintimacymightsinkwithoutremark。

Itwouldbealmostbeginningtheirlifeofcivilityagain。

Ofthelady，individually，Emmathoughtverylittle。ShewasgoodenoughforMr。Elton，nodoubt；accomplishedenoughforHighbury——

handsomeenough——tolookplain，probably，byHarriet’sside。

Astoconnexion，thereEmmawasperfectlyeasy；persuaded，thatafterallhisownvauntedclaimsanddisdainofHarriet，hehaddonenothing。Onthatarticle，truthseemedattainable。

Whatshewas，mustbeuncertain；butwhoshewas，mightbefoundout；

andsettingasidethe10，000l。，itdidnotappearthatshewasatallHarriet’ssuperior。Shebroughtnoname，noblood，noalliance。

MissHawkinswastheyoungestofthetwodaughtersofaBristol——

merchant，ofcourse，hemustbecalled；but，asthewholeoftheprofitsofhismercantilelifeappearedsoverymoderate，itwasnotunfairtoguessthedignityofhislineoftradehadbeenverymoderatealso。PartofeverywintershehadbeenusedtospendinBath；

butBristolwasherhome，theveryheartofBristol；forthoughthefatherandmotherhaddiedsomeyearsago，anuncleremained——

inthelawline——nothingmoredistinctlyhonourablewashazardedofhim，thanthathewasinthelawline；andwithhimthedaughterhadlived。Emmaguessedhimtobethedrudgeofsomeattorney，andtoostupidtorise。Andallthegrandeuroftheconnexionseemeddependentontheeldersister，whowasverywellmarried，toagentlemaninagreatway，nearBristol，whokepttwocarriages！

Thatwasthewind-upofthehistory；thatwasthegloryofMissHawkins。

CouldshebuthavegivenHarrietherfeelingsaboutitall！

Shehadtalkedherintolove；but，alas！shewasnotsoeasilytobetalkedoutofit。ThecharmofanobjecttooccupythemanyvacanciesofHarriet’smindwasnottobetalkedaway。Hemightbesupersededbyanother；hecertainlywouldindeed；nothingcouldbeclearer；

evenaRobertMartinwouldhavebeensufficient；butnothingelse，shefeared，wouldcureher。Harrietwasoneofthose，who，havingoncebegun，wouldbealwaysinlove。Andnow，poorgirl！

shewasconsiderablyworsefromthisreappearanceofMr。Elton。

Shewasalwayshavingaglimpseofhimsomewhereorother。Emmasawhimonlyonce；buttwoorthreetimeseverydayHarrietwassurejusttomeetwithhim，orjusttomisshim，justtohearhisvoice，orseehisshoulder，justtohavesomethingoccurtopreservehiminherfancy，inallthefavouringwarmthofsurprizeandconjecture。

Shewas，moreover，perpetuallyhearingabouthim；for，exceptingwhenatHartfield，shewasalwaysamongthosewhosawnofaultinMr。Elton，andfoundnothingsointerestingasthediscussionofhisconcerns；

andeveryreport，therefore，everyguess——allthathadalreadyoccurred，allthatmightoccurinthearrangementofhisaffairs，comprehendingincome，servants，andfurniture，wascontinuallyinagitationaroundher。Herregardwasreceivingstrengthbyinvariablepraiseofhim，andherregretskeptalive，andfeelingsirritatedbyceaselessrepetitionsofMissHawkins’shappiness，andcontinualobservationof，howmuchheseemedattached！——

hisairashewalkedbythehouse——theverysittingofhishat，beingallinproofofhowmuchhewasinlove！

Haditbeenallowableentertainment，hadtherebeennopaintoherfriend，orreproachtoherself，inthewaveringsofHarriet’smind，Emmawouldhavebeenamusedbyitsvariations。

SometimesMr。Eltonpredominated，sometimestheMartins；andeachwasoccasionallyusefulasachecktotheother。Mr。Elton’sengagementhadbeenthecureoftheagitationofmeetingMr。Martin。

TheunhappinessproducedbytheknowledgeofthatengagementhadbeenalittleputasidebyElizabethMartin’scallingatMrs。Goddard’safewdaysafterwards。Harriethadnotbeenathome；butanotehadbeenpreparedandleftforher，writtenintheverystyletotouch；

asmallmixtureofreproach，withagreatdealofkindness；

andtillMr。Eltonhimselfappeared，shehadbeenmuchoccupiedbyit，continuallyponderingoverwhatcouldbedoneinreturn，andwishingtodomorethanshedaredtoconfess。ButMr。Elton，inperson，haddrivenawayallsuchcares。Whilehestaid，theMartinswereforgotten；andontheverymorningofhissettingoffforBathagain，Emma，todissipatesomeofthedistressitoccasioned，judgeditbestforhertoreturnElizabethMartin’svisit。

Howthatvisitwastobeacknowledged——whatwouldbenecessary——

andwhatmightbesafest，hadbeenapointofsomedoubtfulconsideration。Absoluteneglectofthemotherandsisters，wheninvitedtocome，wouldbeingratitude。Itmustnotbe：

andyetthedangerofarenewaloftheacquaintance！——

Aftermuchthinking，shecoulddetermineonnothingbetter，thanHarriet’sreturningthevisit；butinawaythat，iftheyhadunderstanding，shouldconvincethemthatitwastobeonlyaformalacquaintance。

Shemeanttotakeherinthecarriage，leaveherattheAbbeyMill，whileshedrovealittlefarther，andcallforheragainsosoon，astoallownotimeforinsidiousapplicationsordangerousrecurrencestothepast，andgivethemostdecidedproofofwhatdegreeofintimacywaschosenforthefuture。

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

Chapter05CHAPTERV

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

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

Thequarterofanhourbroughtherpunctuallytothewhitegateagain；

andMissSmithreceivinghersummons，waswithherwithoutdelay，andunattendedbyanyalarmingyoungman。Shecamesolitarilydownthegravelwalk——aMissMartinjustappearingatthedoor，andpartingwithherseeminglywithceremoniouscivility。

Harrietcouldnotverysoongiveanintelligibleaccount。

Shewasfeelingtoomuch；butatlastEmmacollectedfromherenoughtounderstandthesortofmeeting，andthesortofpainitwascreating。ShehadseenonlyMrs。Martinandthetwogirls。

Theyhadreceivedherdoubtingly，ifnotcoolly；andnothingbeyondthemerestcommonplacehadbeentalkedalmostallthetime——

tilljustatlast，whenMrs。Martin’ssaying，allofasudden，thatshethoughtMissSmithwasgrown，hadbroughtonamoreinterestingsubject，andawarmermanner。InthatveryroomshehadbeenmeasuredlastSeptember，withhertwofriends。

Therewerethepencilledmarksandmemorandumsonthewainscotbythewindow。Hehaddoneit。Theyallseemedtoremembertheday，thehour，theparty，theoccasion——tofeelthesameconsciousness，thesameregrets——tobereadytoreturntothesamegoodunderstanding；

andtheywerejustgrowingagainlikethemselves，(Harriet，asEmmamustsuspect，asreadyasthebestofthemtobecordialandhappy，)

whenthecarriagereappeared，andallwasover。Thestyleofthevisit，andtheshortnessofit，werethenfelttobedecisive。

Fourteenminutestobegiventothosewithwhomshehadthankfullypassedsixweeksnotsixmonthsago！——Emmacouldnotbutpictureitall，andfeelhowjustlytheymightresent，hownaturallyHarrietmustsuffer。Itwasabadbusiness。Shewouldhavegivenagreatdeal，orenduredagreatdeal，tohavehadtheMartinsinahigherrankoflife。Theyweresodeserving，thatalittlehighershouldhavebeenenough：butasitwas，howcouldshehavedoneotherwise？——Impossible！——Shecouldnotrepent。Theymustbeseparated；buttherewasagreatdealofpainintheprocess——

somuchtoherselfatthistime，thatshesoonfeltthenecessityofalittleconsolation，andresolvedongoinghomebywayofRandallstoprocureit。HermindwasquitesickofMr。EltonandtheMartins。

TherefreshmentofRandallswasabsolutelynecessary。

Itwasagoodscheme；butondrivingtothedoortheyheardthatneither“masternormistresswasathome；“theyhadbothbeenoutsometime；themanbelievedtheyweregonetoHartfield。

“Thisistoobad。”criedEmma，astheyturnedaway。“Andnowweshalljustmissthem；tooprovoking！——IdonotknowwhenIhavebeensodisappointed。”Andsheleanedbackinthecorner，toindulgehermurmurs，ortoreasonthemaway；probablyalittleofboth——

suchbeingthecommonestprocessofanotill-disposedmind。

Presentlythecarriagestopt；shelookedup；itwasstoptbyMr。andMrs。Weston，whowerestandingtospeaktoher。

Therewasinstantpleasureinthesightofthem，andstillgreaterpleasurewasconveyedinsound——forMr。Westonimmediatelyaccostedherwith，“Howd’yedo？——howd’yedo？——Wehavebeensittingwithyourfather——

gladtoseehimsowell。Frankcomesto-morrow——Ihadaletterthismorning——weseehimto-morrowbydinner-timetoacertainty——

heisatOxfordto-day，andhecomesforawholefortnight；Iknewitwouldbeso。IfhehadcomeatChristmashecouldnothavestaidthreedays；

IwasalwaysgladhedidnotcomeatChristmas；nowwearegoingtohavejusttherightweatherforhim，fine，dry，settledweather。

Weshallenjoyhimcompletely；everythinghasturnedoutexactlyaswecouldwish。”

Therewasnoresistingsuchnews，nopossibilityofavoidingtheinfluenceofsuchahappyfaceasMr。Weston’s，confirmedasitallwasbythewordsandthecountenanceofhiswife，fewerandquieter，butnotlesstothepurpose。ToknowthatshethoughthiscomingcertainwasenoughtomakeEmmaconsideritso，andsincerelydidsherejoiceintheirjoy。Itwasamostdelightfulreanimationofexhaustedspirits。Theworn-outpastwassunkinthefreshnessofwhatwascoming；andintherapidityofhalfamoment’sthought，shehopedMr。Eltonwouldnowbetalkedofnomore。

Mr。WestongaveherthehistoryoftheengagementsatEnscombe，whichallowedhissontoanswerforhavinganentirefortnightathiscommand，aswellastherouteandthemethodofhisjourney；

andshelistened，andsmiled，andcongratulated。

“IshallsoonbringhimovertoHartfield。”saidhe，attheconclusion。

Emmacouldimagineshesawatouchofthearmatthisspeech，fromhiswife。

“Wehadbettermoveon，Mr。Weston。”saidshe，“wearedetainingthegirls。”

“Well，well，Iamready；“——andturningagaintoEmma，“butyoumustnotbeexpectingsuchaveryfineyoungman；youhaveonlyhadmyaccountyouknow；Idaresayheisreallynothingextraordinary：“——

thoughhisownsparklingeyesatthemomentwerespeakingaverydifferentconviction。

Emmacouldlookperfectlyunconsciousandinnocent，andanswerinamannerthatappropriatednothing。

“Thinkofmeto-morrow，mydearEmma，aboutfouro’clock。”

wasMrs。Weston’spartinginjunction；spokenwithsomeanxiety，andmeantonlyforher。

“Fouro’clock！——dependuponithewillbeherebythree。”wasMr。Weston’squickamendment；andsoendedamostsatisfactorymeeting。

Emma’sspiritsweremountedquiteuptohappiness；everythingworeadifferentair；Jamesandhishorsesseemednothalfsosluggishasbefore。Whenshelookedatthehedges，shethoughttheelderatleastmustsoonbecomingout；andwhensheturnedroundtoHarriet，shesawsomethinglikealookofspring，atendersmileeventhere。

“WillMr。FrankChurchillpassthroughBathaswellasOxford？“——

wasaquestion，however，whichdidnotaugurmuch。

Butneithergeographynortranquillitycouldcomeallatonce，andEmmawasnowinahumourtoresolvethattheyshouldbothcomeintime。

Themorningoftheinterestingdayarrived，andMrs。Weston’sfaithfulpupildidnotforgeteitheratten，oreleven，ortwelveo’clock，thatshewastothinkofheratfour。

“Mydear，dearanxiousfriend。”——saidshe，inmentalsoliloquy，whilewalkingdownstairsfromherownroom，“alwaysovercarefulforeverybody’scomfortbutyourown；Iseeyounowinallyourlittlefidgets，goingagainandagainintohisroom，tobesurethatallisright。”Theclockstrucktwelveasshepassedthroughthehall。“’Tistwelve；Ishallnotforgettothinkofyoufourhourshence；andbythistimeto-morrow，perhaps，oralittlelater，Imaybethinkingofthepossibilityoftheirallcallinghere。

Iamsuretheywillbringhimsoon。”

Sheopenedtheparlourdoor，andsawtwogentlemensittingwithherfather——Mr。Westonandhisson。Theyhadbeenarrivedonlyafewminutes，andMr。WestonhadscarcelyfinishedhisexplanationofFrank’sbeingadaybeforehistime，andherfatherwasyetinthemidstofhisverycivilwelcomeandcongratulations，whensheappeared，tohavehershareofsurprize，introduction，andpleasure。

TheFrankChurchillsolongtalkedof，sohighininterest，wasactuallybeforeher——hewaspresentedtoher，andshedidnotthinktoomuchhadbeensaidinhispraise；hewasaverygoodlookingyoungman；height，air，address，allwereunexceptionable，andhiscountenancehadagreatdealofthespiritandlivelinessofhisfather’s；helookedquickandsensible。Shefeltimmediatelythatsheshouldlikehim；andtherewasawell-bredeaseofmanner，andareadinesstotalk，whichconvincedherthathecameintendingtobeacquaintedwithher，andthatacquaintedtheysoonmustbe。

HehadreachedRandallstheeveningbefore。Shewaspleasedwiththeeagernesstoarrivewhichhadmadehimalterhisplan，andtravelearlier，later，andquicker，thathemightgainhalfaday。

“Itoldyouyesterday。”criedMr。Westonwithexultation，“Itoldyouallthathewouldbeherebeforethetimenamed。IrememberedwhatIusedtodomyself。Onecannotcreepuponajourney；

onecannothelpgettingonfasterthanonehasplanned；andthepleasureofcominginuponone’sfriendsbeforethelook-outbegins，isworthagreatdealmorethananylittleexertionitneeds。”

“Itisagreatpleasurewhereonecanindulgeinit。”saidtheyoungman，“thoughtherearenotmanyhousesthatIshouldpresumeonsofar；

butincominghomeIfeltImightdoanything。”

Thewordhomemadehisfatherlookonhimwithfreshcomplacency。

Emmawasdirectlysurethatheknewhowtomakehimselfagreeable；

theconvictionwasstrengthenedbywhatfollowed。HewasverymuchpleasedwithRandalls，thoughtitamostadmirablyarrangedhouse，wouldhardlyallowiteventobeverysmall，admiredthesituation，thewalktoHighbury，Highburyitself，Hartfieldstillmore，andprofessedhimselftohavealwaysfeltthesortofinterestinthecountrywhichnonebutone’sowncountrygives，andthegreatestcuriositytovisitit。Thatheshouldneverhavebeenabletoindulgesoamiableafeelingbefore，passedsuspiciouslythroughEmma’sbrain；butstill，ifitwereafalsehood，itwasapleasantone，andpleasantlyhandled。Hismannerhadnoairofstudyorexaggeration。Hedidreallylookandspeakasifinastateofnocommonenjoyment。

Theirsubjectsingeneralweresuchasbelongtoanopeningacquaintance。

Onhissideweretheinquiries，——“Wassheahorsewoman？——Pleasantrides？——

Pleasantwalks？——Hadtheyalargeneighbourhood？——Highbury，perhaps，affordedsocietyenough？——Therewereseveralveryprettyhousesinandaboutit——Balls——hadtheyballs？——Wasitamusicalsociety？“

Butwhensatisfiedonallthesepoints，andtheiracquaintanceproportionablyadvanced，hecontrivedtofindanopportunity，whiletheirtwofatherswereengagedwitheachother，ofintroducinghismother-in-law，andspeakingofherwithsomuchhandsomepraise，somuchwarmadmiration，somuchgratitudeforthehappinessshesecuredtohisfather，andherverykindreceptionofhimself，aswasanadditionalproofofhisknowinghowtoplease——

andofhiscertainlythinkingitworthwhiletotrytopleaseher。

HedidnotadvanceawordofpraisebeyondwhatsheknewtobethoroughlydeservedbyMrs。Weston；but，undoubtedlyhecouldknowverylittleofthematter。Heunderstoodwhatwouldbewelcome；

hecouldbesureoflittleelse。“Hisfather’smarriage。”hesaid，“hadbeenthewisestmeasure，everyfriendmustrejoiceinit；

andthefamilyfromwhomhehadreceivedsuchablessingmustbeeverconsideredashavingconferredthehighestobligationonhim。”

HegotasnearashecouldtothankingherforMissTaylor’smerits，withoutseemingquitetoforgetthatinthecommoncourseofthingsitwastoberathersupposedthatMissTaylorhadformedMissWoodhouse’scharacter，thanMissWoodhouseMissTaylor’s。Andatlast，asifresolvedtoqualifyhisopinioncompletelyfortravellingroundtoitsobject，hewounditallupwithastonishmentattheyouthandbeautyofherperson。

“Elegant，agreeablemanners，Iwaspreparedfor。”saidhe；

“butIconfessthat，consideringeverything，Ihadnotexpectedmorethanaverytolerablywell-lookingwomanofacertainage；

IdidnotknowthatIwastofindaprettyyoungwomaninMrs。Weston。”

“YoucannotseetoomuchperfectioninMrs。Westonformyfeelings。”

saidEmma；“wereyoutoguesshertobeeighteen，Ishouldlistenwithpleasure；butshewouldbereadytoquarrelwithyouforusingsuchwords。Don’tletherimaginethatyouhavespokenofherasaprettyyoungwoman。”

“IhopeIshouldknowbetter。”hereplied；“no，dependuponit，(withagallantbow，)thatinaddressingMrs。WestonIshouldunderstandwhomImightpraisewithoutanydangerofbeingthoughtextravagantinmyterms。”

Emmawonderedwhetherthesamesuspicionofwhatmightbeexpectedfromtheirknowingeachother，whichhadtakenstrongpossessionofhermind，hadevercrossedhis；andwhetherhiscomplimentsweretobeconsideredasmarksofacquiescence，orproofsofdefiance。

Shemustseemoreofhimtounderstandhisways；atpresentsheonlyfelttheywereagreeable。

ShehadnodoubtofwhatMr。Westonwasoftenthinkingabout。

Hisquickeyeshedetectedagainandagainglancingtowardsthemwithahappyexpression；andeven，whenhemighthavedeterminednottolook，shewasconfidentthathewasoftenlistening。

Herownfather’sperfectexemptionfromanythoughtofthekind，theentiredeficiencyinhimofallsuchsortofpenetrationorsuspicion，wasamostcomfortablecircumstance。Happilyhewasnotfartherfromapprovingmatrimonythanfromforeseeingit——

Thoughalwaysobjectingtoeverymarriagethatwasarranged，heneversufferedbeforehandfromtheapprehensionofany；

itseemedasifhecouldnotthinksoillofanytwopersons’

understandingastosupposetheymeanttomarrytillitwereprovedagainstthem。Sheblessedthefavouringblindness。

Hecouldnow，withoutthedrawbackofasingleunpleasantsurmise，withoutaglanceforwardatanypossibletreacheryinhisguest，givewaytoallhisnaturalkind-heartedcivilityinsolicitousinquiriesafterMr。FrankChurchill’saccommodationonhisjourney，throughthesadevilsofsleepingtwonightsontheroad，andexpressverygenuineunmixedanxietytoknowthathehadcertainlyescapedcatchingcold——which，however，hecouldnotallowhimtofeelquiteassuredofhimselftillafteranothernight。

Areasonablevisitpaid，Mr。Westonbegantomove——“Hemustbegoing。

HehadbusinessattheCrownabouthishay，andagreatmanyerrandsforMrs。WestonatFord’s，butheneednothurryanybodyelse。”

Hisson，toowellbredtohearthehint，roseimmediatelyalso，saying，“Asyouaregoingfartheronbusiness，sir，Iwilltaketheopportunityofpayingavisit，whichmustbepaidsomedayorother，andthereforemayaswellbepaidnow。Ihavethehonourofbeingacquaintedwithaneighbourofyours，(turningtoEmma，)aladyresidinginornearHighbury；afamilyofthenameofFairfax。

Ishallhavenodifficulty，Isuppose，infindingthehouse；

thoughFairfax，Ibelieve，isnotthepropername——IshouldrathersayBarnes，orBates。Doyouknowanyfamilyofthatname？“

“Tobesurewedo。”criedhisfather；“Mrs。Bates——wepassedherhouse——

IsawMissBatesatthewindow。True，true，youareacquaintedwithMissFairfax；IrememberyouknewheratWeymouth，andafinegirlsheis。Calluponher，byallmeans。”

“Thereisnonecessityformycallingthismorning。”saidtheyoungman；“anotherdaywoulddoaswell；buttherewasthatdegreeofacquaintanceatWeymouthwhich——“

“Oh！goto-day，goto-day。Donotdeferit。Whatisrighttobedonecannotbedonetoosoon。And，besides，Imustgiveyouahint，Frank；

anywantofattentiontoherhereshouldbecarefullyavoided。

YousawherwiththeCampbells，whenshewastheequalofeverybodyshemixedwith，butheresheiswithapooroldgrandmother，whohasbarelyenoughtoliveon。Ifyoudonotcallearlyitwillbeaslight。”

Thesonlookedconvinced。

“Ihaveheardherspeakoftheacquaintance。”saidEmma；“sheisaveryelegantyoungwoman。”

Heagreedtoit，butwithsoquieta“Yes。”asinclinedheralmosttodoubthisrealconcurrence；andyettheremustbeaverydistinctsortofeleganceforthefashionableworld，ifJaneFairfaxcouldbethoughtonlyordinarilygiftedwithit。

“Ifyouwereneverparticularlystruckbyhermannersbefore。”

saidshe，“Ithinkyouwillto-day。Youwillseehertoadvantage；

seeherandhearher——no，Iamafraidyouwillnothearheratall，forshehasanauntwhoneverholdshertongue。”

“YouareacquaintedwithMissJaneFairfax，sir，areyou？“

saidMr。Woodhouse，alwaysthelasttomakehiswayinconversation；

“thengivemeleavetoassureyouthatyouwillfindheraveryagreeableyounglady。Sheisstayinghereonavisittohergrandmamaandaunt，veryworthypeople；Ihaveknownthemallmylife。

Theywillbeextremelygladtoseeyou，Iamsure；andoneofmyservantsshallgowithyoutoshewyoutheway。”

“Mydearsir，uponnoaccountintheworld；myfathercandirectme。”

“Butyourfatherisnotgoingsofar；heisonlygoingtotheCrown，quiteontheothersideofthestreet，andthereareagreatmanyhouses；

youmightbeverymuchataloss，anditisaverydirtywalk，unlessyoukeeponthefootpath；butmycoachmancantellyouwhereyouhadbestcrossthestreet。”

Mr。FrankChurchillstilldeclinedit，lookingasseriousashecould，andhisfathergavehisheartysupportbycallingout，“Mygoodfriend，thisisquiteunnecessary；Frankknowsapuddleofwaterwhenheseesit，andastoMrs。Bates’s，hemaygettherefromtheCrowninahop，step，andjump。”

Theywerepermittedtogoalone；andwithacordialnodfromone，andagracefulbowfromtheother，thetwogentlementookleave。

Emmaremainedverywellpleasedwiththisbeginningoftheacquaintance，andcouldnowengagetothinkofthemallatRandallsanyhouroftheday，withfullconfidenceintheircomfort。