第7章

Chapter06CHAPTERVI

ThenextmorningbroughtMr。FrankChurchillagain。HecamewithMrs。Weston，towhomandtoHighburyheseemedtotakeverycordially。

Hehadbeensittingwithher，itappeared，mostcompanionablyathome，tillherusualhourofexercise；andonbeingdesiredtochusetheirwalk，immediatelyfixedonHighbury——“Hedidnotdoubttherebeingverypleasantwalksineverydirection，butiflefttohim，heshouldalwayschusethesame。Highbury，thatairy，cheerful，happy-lookingHighbury，wouldbehisconstantattraction。”——

Highbury，withMrs。Weston，stoodforHartfield；andshetrustedtoitsbearingthesameconstructionwithhim。Theywalkedthitherdirectly。

Emmahadhardlyexpectedthem：forMr。Weston，whohadcalledinforhalfaminute，inordertohearthathissonwasveryhandsome，knewnothingoftheirplans；anditwasanagreeablesurprizetoher，therefore，toperceivethemwalkinguptothehousetogether，arminarm。Shewaswantingtoseehimagain，andespeciallytoseehimincompanywithMrs。Weston，uponhisbehaviourtowhomheropinionofhimwastodepend。Ifheweredeficientthere，nothingshouldmakeamendsforit。Butonseeingthemtogether，shebecameperfectlysatisfied。Itwasnotmerelyinfinewordsorhyperbolicalcomplimentthathepaidhisduty；nothingcouldbemoreproperorpleasingthanhiswholemannertoher——nothingcouldmoreagreeablydenotehiswishofconsideringherasafriendandsecuringheraffection。AndtherewastimeenoughforEmmatoformareasonablejudgment，astheirvisitincludedalltherestofthemorning。

Theywereallthreewalkingabouttogetherforanhourortwo——

firstroundtheshrubberiesofHartfield，andafterwardsinHighbury。

Hewasdelightedwitheverything；admiredHartfieldsufficientlyforMr。Woodhouse’sear；andwhentheirgoingfartherwasresolvedon，confessedhiswishtobemadeacquaintedwiththewholevillage，andfoundmatterofcommendationandinterestmuchoftenerthanEmmacouldhavesupposed。

Someoftheobjectsofhiscuriosityspokeveryamiablefeelings。

Hebeggedtobeshewnthehousewhichhisfatherhadlivedinsolong，andwhichhadbeenthehomeofhisfather’sfather；andonrecollectingthatanoldwomanwhohadnursedhimwasstillliving，walkedinquestofhercottagefromoneendofthestreettotheother；andthoughinsomepointsofpursuitorobservationtherewasnopositivemerit，theyshewed，altogether，agood-willtowardsHighburyingeneral，whichmustbeverylikeamerittothosehewaswith。

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

TheirfirstpausewasattheCrownInn，aninconsiderablehouse，thoughtheprincipaloneofthesort，whereacoupleofpairofpost-horseswerekept，morefortheconvenienceoftheneighbourhoodthanfromanyrunontheroad；andhiscompanionshadnotexpectedtobedetainedbyanyinterestexcitedthere；butinpassingittheygavethehistoryofthelargeroomvisiblyadded；ithadbeenbuiltmanyyearsagoforaball-room，andwhiletheneighbourhoodhadbeeninaparticularlypopulous，dancingstate，hadbeenoccasionallyusedassuch；——butsuchbrilliantdayshadlongpassedaway，andnowthehighestpurposeforwhichitwaseverwantedwastoaccommodateawhistclubestablishedamongthegentlemenandhalf-gentlemenoftheplace。

Hewasimmediatelyinterested。Itscharacterasaball-roomcaughthim；

andinsteadofpassingon，hestoptforseveralminutesatthetwosuperiorsashedwindowswhichwereopen，tolookinandcontemplateitscapabilities，andlamentthatitsoriginalpurposeshouldhaveceased。Hesawnofaultintheroom，hewouldacknowledgenonewhichtheysuggested。No，itwaslongenough，broadenough，handsomeenough。Itwouldholdtheverynumberforcomfort。

Theyoughttohaveballsthereatleasteveryfortnightthroughthewinter。WhyhadnotMissWoodhouserevivedtheformergoodolddaysoftheroom？——ShewhocoulddoanythinginHighbury！

Thewantofproperfamiliesintheplace，andtheconvictionthatnonebeyondtheplaceanditsimmediateenvironscouldbetemptedtoattend，werementioned；buthewasnotsatisfied。

Hecouldnotbepersuadedthatsomanygood-lookinghousesashesawaroundhim，couldnotfurnishnumbersenoughforsuchameeting；

andevenwhenparticularsweregivenandfamiliesdescribed，hewasstillunwillingtoadmitthattheinconvenienceofsuchamixturewouldbeanything，orthattherewouldbethesmallestdifficultyineverybody’sreturningintotheirproperplacethenextmorning。

Hearguedlikeayoungmanverymuchbentondancing；andEmmawasrathersurprizedtoseetheconstitutionoftheWestonprevailsodecidedlyagainstthehabitsoftheChurchills。Heseemedtohaveallthelifeandspirit，cheerfulfeelings，andsocialinclinationsofhisfather，andnothingoftheprideorreserveofEnscombe。

Ofpride，indeed，therewas，perhaps，scarcelyenough；hisindifferencetoaconfusionofrank，borderedtoomuchonineleganceofmind。

Hecouldbenojudge，however，oftheevilhewasholdingcheap。

Itwasbutaneffusionoflivelyspirits。

AtlasthewaspersuadedtomoveonfromthefrontoftheCrown；

andbeingnowalmostfacingthehousewheretheBateseslodged，Emmarecollectedhisintendedvisitthedaybefore，andaskedhimifhehadpaidit。

“Yes，oh！yes“——hereplied；“Iwasjustgoingtomentionit。

Averysuccessfulvisit：——Isawallthethreeladies；andfeltverymuchobligedtoyouforyourpreparatoryhint。Ifthetalkingaunthadtakenmequitebysurprize，itmusthavebeenthedeathofme。

Asitwas，Iwasonlybetrayedintopayingamostunreasonablevisit。

Tenminuteswouldhavebeenallthatwasnecessary，perhapsallthatwasproper；andIhadtoldmyfatherIshouldcertainlybeathomebeforehim——buttherewasnogettingaway，nopause；and，tomyutterastonishment，Ifound，whenhe(findingmenowhereelse)

joinedmethereatlast，thatIhadbeenactuallysittingwiththemverynearlythree-quartersofanhour。Thegoodladyhadnotgivenmethepossibilityofescapebefore。”

“AndhowdidyouthinkMissFairfaxlooking？“

“Ill，veryill——thatis，ifayoungladycaneverbeallowedtolookill。

Buttheexpressionishardlyadmissible，Mrs。Weston，isit？

Ladiescanneverlookill。And，seriously，MissFairfaxisnaturallysopale，asalmostalwaystogivetheappearanceofillhealth——

Amostdeplorablewantofcomplexion。”

Emmawouldnotagreetothis，andbeganawarmdefenceofMissFairfax’scomplexion。“Itwascertainlyneverbrilliant，butshewouldnotallowittohaveasicklyhueingeneral；andtherewasasoftnessanddelicacyinherskinwhichgavepeculiarelegancetothecharacterofherface。”Helistenedwithallduedeference；

acknowledgedthathehadheardmanypeoplesaythesame——butyethemustconfess，thattohimnothingcouldmakeamendsforthewantofthefineglowofhealth。Wherefeatureswereindifferent，afinecomplexiongavebeautytothemall；andwheretheyweregood，theeffectwas——fortunatelyheneednotattempttodescribewhattheeffectwas。

“Well。”saidEmma，“thereisnodisputingabouttaste——Atleastyouadmireherexcepthercomplexion。”

Heshookhisheadandlaughed——“IcannotseparateMissFairfaxandhercomplexion。”

“DidyouseeheroftenatWeymouth？Wereyouofteninthesamesociety？“

AtthismomenttheywereapproachingFord’s，andhehastilyexclaimed，“Ha！thismustbetheveryshopthateverybodyattendseverydayoftheirlives，asmyfatherinformsme。HecomestoHighburyhimself，hesays，sixdaysoutoftheseven，andhasalwaysbusinessatFord’s。

Ifitbenotinconvenienttoyou，prayletusgoin，thatImayprovemyselftobelongtotheplace，tobeatruecitizenofHighbury。

ImustbuysomethingatFord’s。Itwillbetakingoutmyfreedom——

Idaresaytheysellgloves。”

“Oh！yes，glovesandeverything。Idoadmireyourpatriotism。

YouwillbeadoredinHighbury。Youwereverypopularbeforeyoucame，becauseyouwereMr。Weston’sson——butlayouthalfaguineaatFord’s，andyourpopularitywillstanduponyourownvirtues。”

Theywentin；andwhilethesleek，well-tiedparcelsof“Men’sBeavers“

and“YorkTan“werebringingdownanddisplayingonthecounter，hesaid——“ButIbegyourpardon，MissWoodhouse，youwerespeakingtome，youweresayingsomethingattheverymomentofthisburstofmyamorpatriae。Donotletmeloseit。Iassureyoutheutmoststretchofpublicfamewouldnotmakemeamendsforthelossofanyhappinessinprivatelife。”

“Imerelyasked，whetheryouhadknownmuchofMissFairfaxandherpartyatWeymouth。”

“AndnowthatIunderstandyourquestion，Imustpronounceittobeaveryunfairone。Itisalwaysthelady’srighttodecideonthedegreeofacquaintance。MissFairfaxmustalreadyhavegivenheraccount——

Ishallnotcommitmyselfbyclaimingmorethanshemaychusetoallow。”

“Uponmyword！youanswerasdiscreetlyasshecoulddoherself。

Butheraccountofeverythingleavessomuchtobeguessed，sheissoveryreserved，soveryunwillingtogivetheleastinformationaboutanybody，thatIreallythinkyoumaysaywhatyoulikeofyouracquaintancewithher。”

“MayI，indeed？——ThenIwillspeakthetruth，andnothingsuitsmesowell。ImetherfrequentlyatWeymouth。IhadknowntheCampbellsalittleintown；andatWeymouthwewereverymuchinthesameset。

ColonelCampbellisaveryagreeableman，andMrs。Campbellafriendly，warm-heartedwoman。Ilikethemall。”

“YouknowMissFairfax’ssituationinlife，Iconclude；whatsheisdestinedtobe？“

“Yes——(ratherhesitatingly)——IbelieveIdo。”

“Yougetupondelicatesubjects，Emma。”saidMrs。Westonsmiling；

“rememberthatIamhere——Mr。FrankChurchillhardlyknowswhattosaywhenyouspeakofMissFairfax’ssituationinlife。

Iwillmovealittlefartheroff。”

“Icertainlydoforgettothinkofher。”saidEmma，“ashavingeverbeenanythingbutmyfriendandmydearestfriend。”

Helookedasifhefullyunderstoodandhonouredsuchasentiment。

Whenthegloveswerebought，andtheyhadquittedtheshopagain，“Didyoueverheartheyoungladywewerespeakingof，play？“

saidFrankChurchill。

“Everhearher！“repeatedEmma。“YouforgethowmuchshebelongstoHighbury。Ihaveheardhereveryyearofourlivessincewebothbegan。Sheplayscharmingly。”

“Youthinkso，doyou？——Iwantedtheopinionofsomeonewhocouldreallyjudge。Sheappearedtometoplaywell，thatis，withconsiderabletaste，butIknownothingofthemattermyself——

Iamexcessivelyfondofmusic，butwithoutthesmallestskillorrightofjudgingofanybody’sperformance——Ihavebeenusedtohearher’sadmired；andIrememberoneproofofherbeingthoughttoplaywell：——aman，averymusicalman，andinlovewithanotherwoman——engagedtoher——onthepointofmarriage——

wouldyetneveraskthatotherwomantositdowntotheinstrument，iftheladyinquestioncouldsitdowninstead——neverseemedtoliketohearoneifhecouldheartheother。That，Ithought，inamanofknownmusicaltalent，wassomeproof。”

“Proofindeed！“saidEmma，highlyamused——“Mr。Dixonisverymusical，ishe？Weshallknowmoreaboutthemall，inhalfanhour，fromyou，thanMissFairfaxwouldhavevouchsafedinhalfayear。”

“Yes，Mr。DixonandMissCampbellwerethepersons；andIthoughtitaverystrongproof。”

“Certainly——verystrongitwas；toownthetruth，agreatdealstrongerthan，ifIhadbeenMissCampbell，wouldhavebeenatallagreeabletome。Icouldnotexcuseaman’shavingmoremusicthanlove——moreearthaneye——amoreacutesensibilitytofinesoundsthantomyfeelings。HowdidMissCampbellappeartolikeit？“

“Itwasherveryparticularfriend，youknow。”

“Poorcomfort！“saidEmma，laughing。“Onewouldratherhaveastrangerpreferredthanone’sveryparticularfriend——withastrangeritmightnotrecuragain——butthemiseryofhavingaveryparticularfriendalwaysathand，todoeverythingbetterthanonedoesoneself！——

PoorMrs。Dixon！Well，IamgladsheisgonetosettleinIreland。”

“Youareright。ItwasnotveryflatteringtoMissCampbell；

butshereallydidnotseemtofeelit。”

“Somuchthebetter——orsomuchtheworse：——Idonotknowwhich。

Butbeitsweetnessorbeitstupidityinher——quicknessoffriendship，ordulnessoffeeling——therewasoneperson，Ithink，whomusthavefeltit：MissFairfaxherself。Shemusthavefelttheimproperanddangerousdistinction。”

“Astothat——Idonot——“

“Oh！donotimaginethatIexpectanaccountofMissFairfax’ssensationsfromyou，orfromanybodyelse。Theyareknowntonohumanbeing，Iguess，butherself。ButifshecontinuedtoplaywhenevershewasaskedbyMr。Dixon，onemayguesswhatonechuses。”

“Thereappearedsuchaperfectlygoodunderstandingamongthemall——“

hebeganratherquickly，butcheckinghimself，added，“however，itisimpossibleformetosayonwhattermstheyreallywere——

howitmightallbebehindthescenes。Icanonlysaythattherewassmoothnessoutwardly。Butyou，whohaveknownMissFairfaxfromachild，mustbeabetterjudgeofhercharacter，andofhowsheislikelytoconductherselfincriticalsituations，thanIcanbe。”

“Ihaveknownherfromachild，undoubtedly；wehavebeenchildrenandwomentogether；anditisnaturaltosupposethatweshouldbeintimate，——thatweshouldhavetakentoeachotherwhenevershevisitedherfriends。Butweneverdid。Ihardlyknowhowithashappened；alittle，perhaps，fromthatwickednessonmysidewhichwaspronetotakedisgusttowardsagirlsoidolizedandsocriedupasshealwayswas，byherauntandgrandmother，andalltheirset。Andthen，herreserve——Inevercouldattachmyselftoanyonesocompletelyreserved。”

“Itisamostrepulsivequality，indeed。”saidhe。“Oftentimesveryconvenient，nodoubt，butneverpleasing。Thereissafetyinreserve，butnoattraction。Onecannotloveareservedperson。”

“Nottillthereserveceasestowardsoneself；andthentheattractionmaybethegreater。ButImustbemoreinwantofafriend，oranagreeablecompanion，thanIhaveyetbeen，totakethetroubleofconqueringanybody’sreservetoprocureone。

IntimacybetweenMissFairfaxandmeisquiteoutofthequestion。

Ihavenoreasontothinkillofher——nottheleast——exceptthatsuchextremeandperpetualcautiousnessofwordandmanner，suchadreadofgivingadistinctideaaboutanybody，isapttosuggestsuspicionsoftherebeingsomethingtoconceal。”

Heperfectlyagreedwithher：andafterwalkingtogethersolong，andthinkingsomuchalike，Emmafeltherselfsowellacquaintedwithhim，thatshecouldhardlybelieveittobeonlytheirsecondmeeting。

Hewasnotexactlywhatshehadexpected；lessofthemanoftheworldinsomeofhisnotions，lessofthespoiledchildoffortune，thereforebetterthanshehadexpected。Hisideasseemedmoremoderate——

hisfeelingswarmer。ShewasparticularlystruckbyhismannerofconsideringMr。Elton’shouse，which，aswellasthechurch，hewouldgoandlookat，andwouldnotjointheminfindingmuchfaultwith。No，hecouldnotbelieveitabadhouse；notsuchahouseasamanwastobepitiedforhaving。Ifitweretobesharedwiththewomanheloved，hecouldnotthinkanymantobepitiedforhavingthathouse。Theremustbeampleroominitforeveryrealcomfort。

Themanmustbeablockheadwhowantedmore。

Mrs。Westonlaughed，andsaidhedidnotknowwhathewastalkingabout。

Usedonlytoalargehousehimself，andwithouteverthinkinghowmanyadvantagesandaccommodationswereattachedtoitssize，hecouldbenojudgeoftheprivationsinevitablybelongingtoasmallone。

ButEmma，inherownmind，determinedthathedidknowwhathewastalkingabout，andthatheshewedaveryamiableinclinationtosettleearlyinlife，andtomarry，fromworthymotives。

Hemightnotbeawareoftheinroadsondomesticpeacetobeoccasionedbynohousekeeper’sroom，orabadbutler’spantry，butnodoubthedidperfectlyfeelthatEnscombecouldnotmakehimhappy，andthatwheneverhewereattached，hewouldwillinglygiveupmuchofwealthtobeallowedanearlyestablishment。

Chapter07CHAPTERVII

Emma’sverygoodopinionofFrankChurchillwasalittleshakenthefollowingday，byhearingthathewasgoneofftoLondon，merelytohavehishaircut。Asuddenfreakseemedtohaveseizedhimatbreakfast，andhehadsentforachaiseandsetoff，intendingtoreturntodinner，butwithnomoreimportantviewthatappearedthanhavinghishaircut。Therewascertainlynoharminhistravellingsixteenmilestwiceoveronsuchanerrand；buttherewasanairoffopperyandnonsenseinitwhichshecouldnotapprove。Itdidnotaccordwiththerationalityofplan，themoderationinexpense，oreventheunselfishwarmthofheart，whichshehadbelievedherselftodiscerninhimyesterday。Vanity，extravagance，loveofchange，restlessnessoftemper，whichmustbedoingsomething，goodorbad；

heedlessnessastothepleasureofhisfatherandMrs。Weston，indifferentastohowhisconductmightappearingeneral；hebecameliabletoallthesecharges。Hisfatheronlycalledhimacoxcomb，andthoughtitaverygoodstory；butthatMrs。Westondidnotlikeit，wasclearenough，byherpassingitoverasquicklyaspossible，andmakingnoothercommentthanthat“allyoungpeoplewouldhavetheirlittlewhims。”

Withtheexceptionofthislittleblot，Emmafoundthathisvisithithertohadgivenherfriendonlygoodideasofhim。Mrs。Westonwasveryreadytosayhowattentiveandpleasantacompanionhemadehimself——howmuchshesawtolikeinhisdispositionaltogether。

Heappearedtohaveaveryopentemper——certainlyaverycheerfulandlivelyone；shecouldobservenothingwronginhisnotions，agreatdealdecidedlyright；hespokeofhisunclewithwarmregard，wasfondoftalkingofhim——saidhewouldbethebestmanintheworldifhewerelefttohimself；andthoughtherewasnobeingattachedtotheaunt，heacknowledgedherkindnesswithgratitude，andseemedtomeanalwaystospeakofherwithrespect。

Thiswasallverypromising；and，butforsuchanunfortunatefancyforhavinghishaircut，therewasnothingtodenotehimunworthyofthedistinguishedhonourwhichherimaginationhadgivenhim；

thehonour，ifnotofbeingreallyinlovewithher，ofbeingatleastverynearit，andsavedonlybyherownindifference——

(forstillherresolutionheldofnevermarrying)——thehonour，inshort，ofbeingmarkedoutforherbyalltheirjointacquaintance。

Mr。Weston，onhisside，addedavirtuetotheaccountwhichmusthavesomeweight。HegavehertounderstandthatFrankadmiredherextremely——thoughtherverybeautifulandverycharming；

andwithsomuchtobesaidforhimaltogether，shefoundshemustnotjudgehimharshly。AsMrs。Westonobserved，“allyoungpeoplewouldhavetheirlittlewhims。”

TherewasonepersonamonghisnewacquaintanceinSurry，notsolenientlydisposed。Ingeneralhewasjudged，throughouttheparishesofDonwellandHighbury，withgreatcandour；liberalallowancesweremadeforthelittleexcessesofsuchahandsomeyoungman——

onewhosmiledsooftenandbowedsowell；buttherewasonespiritamongthemnottobesoftened，fromitspowerofcensure，bybowsorsmiles——Mr。Knightley。ThecircumstancewastoldhimatHartfield；

forthemoment，hewassilent；butEmmaheardhimalmostimmediatelyafterwardssaytohimself，overanewspaperheheldinhishand，“Hum！justthetrifling，sillyfellowItookhimfor。”Shehadhalfamindtoresent；butaninstant’sobservationconvincedherthatitwasreallysaidonlytorelievehisownfeelings，andnotmeanttoprovoke；andthereforesheletitpass。

Althoughinoneinstancethebearersofnotgoodtidings，Mr。andMrs。Weston’svisitthismorningwasinanotherrespectparticularlyopportune。SomethingoccurredwhiletheywereatHartfield，tomakeEmmawanttheiradvice；and，whichwasstillmorelucky，shewantedexactlytheadvicetheygave。

Thiswastheoccurrence：——TheColeshadbeensettledsomeyearsinHighbury，andwereverygoodsortofpeople——friendly，liberal，andunpretending；but，ontheotherhand，theywereofloworigin，intrade，andonlymoderatelygenteel。Ontheirfirstcomingintothecountry，theyhadlivedinproportiontotheirincome，quietly，keepinglittlecompany，andthatlittleunexpensively；butthelastyearortwohadbroughtthemaconsiderableincreaseofmeans——

thehouseintownhadyieldedgreaterprofits，andfortuneingeneralhadsmiledonthem。Withtheirwealth，theirviewsincreased；

theirwantofalargerhouse，theirinclinationformorecompany。

Theyaddedtotheirhouse，totheirnumberofservants，totheirexpensesofeverysort；andbythistimewere，infortuneandstyleofliving，secondonlytothefamilyatHartfield。

Theirloveofsociety，andtheirnewdining-room，preparedeverybodyfortheirkeepingdinner-company；andafewparties，chieflyamongthesinglemen，hadalreadytakenplace。TheregularandbestfamiliesEmmacouldhardlysupposetheywouldpresumetoinvite——

neitherDonwell，norHartfield，norRandalls。Nothingshouldtempthertogo，iftheydid；andsheregrettedthatherfather’sknownhabitswouldbegivingherrefusallessmeaningthanshecouldwish。TheColeswereveryrespectableintheirway，buttheyoughttobetaughtthatitwasnotforthemtoarrangethetermsonwhichthesuperiorfamilieswouldvisitthem。Thislesson，sheverymuchfeared，theywouldreceiveonlyfromherself；

shehadlittlehopeofMr。Knightley，noneofMr。Weston。

Butshehadmadeuphermindhowtomeetthispresumptionsomanyweeksbeforeitappeared，thatwhentheinsultcameatlast，itfoundherverydifferentlyaffected。DonwellandRandallshadreceivedtheirinvitation，andnonehadcomeforherfatherandherself；andMrs。Weston’saccountingforitwith“Isupposetheywillnottakethelibertywithyou；theyknowyoudonotdineout。”wasnotquitesufficient。Shefeltthatsheshouldliketohavehadthepowerofrefusal；andafterwards，astheideaofthepartytobeassembledthere，consistingpreciselyofthosewhosesocietywasdearesttoher，occurredagainandagain，shedidnotknowthatshemightnothavebeentemptedtoaccept。

Harrietwastobethereintheevening，andtheBateses。TheyhadbeenspeakingofitastheywalkedaboutHighburythedaybefore，andFrankChurchillhadmostearnestlylamentedherabsence。

Mightnottheeveningendinadance？hadbeenaquestionofhis。

Thebarepossibilityofitactedasafartherirritationonherspirits；

andherbeingleftinsolitarygrandeur，evensupposingtheomissiontobeintendedasacompliment，wasbutpoorcomfort。

ItwasthearrivalofthisveryinvitationwhiletheWestonswereatHartfield，whichmadetheirpresencesoacceptable；forthoughherfirstremark，onreadingit，wasthat“ofcourseitmustbedeclined。”

shesoverysoonproceededtoaskthemwhattheyadvisedhertodo，thattheiradviceforhergoingwasmostpromptandsuccessful。

Sheownedthat，consideringeverything，shewasnotabsolutelywithoutinclinationfortheparty。TheColesexpressedthemselvessoproperly——therewassomuchrealattentioninthemannerofit——

somuchconsiderationforherfather。“Theywouldhavesolicitedthehonourearlier，buthadbeenwaitingthearrivalofafolding-screenfromLondon，whichtheyhopedmightkeepMr。Woodhousefromanydraughtofair，andthereforeinducehimthemorereadilytogivethemthehonourofhiscompany。“Uponthewhole，shewasverypersuadable；

anditbeingbrieflysettledamongthemselveshowitmightbedonewithoutneglectinghiscomfort——howcertainlyMrs。Goddard，ifnotMrs。Bates，mightbedependedonforbearinghimcompany——

Mr。Woodhousewastobetalkedintoanacquiescenceofhisdaughter’sgoingouttodinneronadaynownearathand，andspendingthewholeeveningawayfromhim。Asforhisgoing，Emmadidnotwishhimtothinkitpossible，thehourswouldbetoolate，andthepartytoonumerous。Hewassoonprettywellresigned。

“Iamnotfondofdinner-visiting。”saidhe——“Ineverwas。

NomoreisEmma。Latehoursdonotagreewithus。IamsorryMr。andMrs。Coleshouldhavedoneit。Ithinkitwouldbemuchbetteriftheywouldcomeinoneafternoonnextsummer，andtaketheirteawithus——takeusintheirafternoonwalk；

whichtheymightdo，asourhoursaresoreasonable，andyetgethomewithoutbeingoutinthedampoftheevening。ThedewsofasummereveningarewhatIwouldnotexposeanybodyto。However，astheyaresoverydesiroustohavedearEmmadinewiththem，andasyouwillbothbethere，andMr。Knightleytoo，totakecareofher，Icannotwishtopreventit，providedtheweatherbewhatitought，neitherdamp，norcold，norwindy。”ThenturningtoMrs。Weston，withalookofgentlereproach——“Ah！MissTaylor，ifyouhadnotmarried，youwouldhavestaidathomewithme。”

“Well，sir。”criedMr。Weston，“asItookMissTayloraway，itisincumbentonmetosupplyherplace，ifIcan；andIwillsteptoMrs。Goddardinamoment，ifyouwishit。”

Buttheideaofanythingtobedoneinamoment，wasincreasing，notlessening，Mr。Woodhouse’sagitation。Theladiesknewbetterhowtoallayit。Mr。Westonmustbequiet，andeverythingdeliberatelyarranged。

Withthistreatment，Mr。Woodhousewassooncomposedenoughfortalkingasusual。“HeshouldbehappytoseeMrs。Goddard。

HehadagreatregardforMrs。Goddard；andEmmashouldwritealine，andinviteher。Jamescouldtakethenote。Butfirstofall，theremustbeananswerwrittentoMrs。Cole。”

“Youwillmakemyexcuses，mydear，ascivillyaspossible。YouwillsaythatIamquiteaninvalid，andgonowhere，andthereforemustdeclinetheirobliginginvitation；beginningwithmycompliments，ofcourse。Butyouwilldoeverythingright。Ineednottellyouwhatistobedone。WemustremembertoletJamesknowthatthecarriagewillbewantedonTuesday。Ishallhavenofearsforyouwithhim。

Wehaveneverbeenthereaboveoncesincethenewapproachwasmade；

butstillIhavenodoubtthatJameswilltakeyouverysafely。

Andwhenyougetthere，youmusttellhimatwhattimeyouwouldhavehimcomeforyouagain；andyouhadbetternameanearlyhour。

Youwillnotlikestayinglate。Youwillgetverytiredwhenteaisover。”

“ButyouwouldnotwishmetocomeawaybeforeIamtired，papa？“

“Oh！no，mylove；butyouwillsoonbetired。Therewillbeagreatmanypeopletalkingatonce。Youwillnotlikethenoise。”

“But，mydearsir。”criedMr。Weston，“ifEmmacomesawayearly，itwillbebreakinguptheparty。”

“Andnogreatharmifitdoes。”saidMr。Woodhouse。“Thesoonereverypartybreaksup，thebetter。”

“ButyoudonotconsiderhowitmayappeartotheColes。

Emma’sgoingawaydirectlyafterteamightbegivingoffence。

Theyaregood-naturedpeople，andthinklittleoftheirownclaims；

butstilltheymustfeelthatanybody’shurryingawayisnogreatcompliment；andMissWoodhouse’sdoingitwouldbemorethoughtofthananyotherperson’sintheroom。YouwouldnotwishtodisappointandmortifytheColes，Iamsure，sir；friendly，goodsortofpeopleaseverlived，andwhohavebeenyourneighboursthesetenyears。”

“No，uponnoaccountintheworld，Mr。Weston；Iammuchobligedtoyouforremindingme。Ishouldbeextremelysorrytobegivingthemanypain。Iknowwhatworthypeopletheyare。PerrytellsmethatMr。Colenevertouchesmaltliquor。Youwouldnotthinkittolookathim，butheisbilious——Mr。Coleisverybilious。

No，Iwouldnotbethemeansofgivingthemanypain。MydearEmma，wemustconsiderthis。Iamsure，ratherthanruntheriskofhurtingMr。andMrs。Cole，youwouldstayalittlelongerthanyoumightwish。

Youwillnotregardbeingtired。Youwillbeperfectlysafe，youknow，amongyourfriends。”

“Ohyes，papa。Ihavenofearsatallformyself；andIshouldhavenoscruplesofstayingaslateasMrs。Weston，butonyouraccount。

Iamonlyafraidofyoursittingupforme。IamnotafraidofyournotbeingexceedinglycomfortablewithMrs。Goddard。

Shelovespiquet，youknow；butwhensheisgonehome，Iamafraidyouwillbesittingupbyyourself，insteadofgoingtobedatyourusualtime——andtheideaofthatwouldentirelydestroymycomfort。

Youmustpromisemenottositup。”

Hedid，ontheconditionofsomepromisesonherside：suchasthat，ifshecamehomecold，shewouldbesuretowarmherselfthoroughly；

ifhungry，thatshewouldtakesomethingtoeat；thatherownmaidshouldsitupforher；andthatSerleandthebutlershouldseethateverythingweresafeinthehouse，asusual。

Chapter08CHAPTERVIII

FrankChurchillcamebackagain；andifhekepthisfather’sdinnerwaiting，itwasnotknownatHartfield；forMrs。WestonwastooanxiousforhisbeingafavouritewithMr。Woodhouse，tobetrayanyimperfectionwhichcouldbeconcealed。

Hecameback，hadhadhishaircut，andlaughedathimselfwithaverygoodgrace，butwithoutseemingreallyatallashamedofwhathehaddone。Hehadnoreasontowishhishairlonger，toconcealanyconfusionofface；noreasontowishthemoneyunspent，toimprovehisspirits。Hewasquiteasundauntedandaslivelyasever；and，afterseeinghim，Emmathusmoralisedtoherself：——

“Idonotknowwhetheritoughttobeso，butcertainlysillythingsdoceasetobesillyiftheyaredonebysensiblepeopleinanimpudentway。Wickednessisalwayswickedness，butfollyisnotalwaysfolly——Itdependsuponthecharacterofthosewhohandleit。

Mr。Knightley，heisnotatrifling，sillyyoungman。Ifhewere，hewouldhavedonethisdifferently。Hewouldeitherhavegloriedintheachievement，orbeenashamedofit。Therewouldhavebeeneithertheostentationofacoxcomb，ortheevasionsofamindtooweaktodefenditsownvanities——No，Iamperfectlysurethatheisnottriflingorsilly。”

WithTuesdaycametheagreeableprospectofseeinghimagain，andforalongertimethanhitherto；ofjudgingofhisgeneralmanners，andbyinference，ofthemeaningofhismannerstowardsherself；

ofguessinghowsoonitmightbenecessaryforhertothrowcoldnessintoherair；andoffancyingwhattheobservationsofallthosemightbe，whowerenowseeingthemtogetherforthefirsttime。

Shemeanttobeveryhappy，inspiteofthescenebeinglaidatMr。Cole’s；andwithoutbeingabletoforgetthatamongthefailingsofMr。Elton，eveninthedaysofhisfavour，nonehaddisturbedhermorethanhispropensitytodinewithMr。Cole。

Herfather’scomfortwasamplysecured，Mrs。BatesaswellasMrs。Goddardbeingabletocome；andherlastpleasingduty，beforesheleftthehouse，wastopayherrespectstothemastheysattogetherafterdinner；andwhileherfatherwasfondlynoticingthebeautyofherdress，tomakethetwoladiesalltheamendsinherpower，byhelpingthemtolargeslicesofcakeandfullglassesofwine，forwhateverunwillingself-denialhiscareoftheirconstitutionmighthaveobligedthemtopractiseduringthemeal——Shehadprovidedaplentifuldinnerforthem；

shewishedshecouldknowthattheyhadbeenallowedtoeatit。

ShefollowedanothercarriagetoMr。Cole’sdoor；andwaspleasedtoseethatitwasMr。Knightley’s；forMr。Knightleykeepingnohorses，havinglittlesparemoneyandagreatdealofhealth，activity，andindependence，wastooapt，inEmma’sopinion，togetaboutashecould，andnotusehiscarriagesooftenasbecametheownerofDonwellAbbey。Shehadanopportunitynowofspeakingherapprobationwhilewarmfromherheart，forhestoppedtohandherout。

“Thisiscomingasyoushoulddo。”saidshe；“likeagentleman——

Iamquitegladtoseeyou。”

Hethankedher，observing，“Howluckythatweshouldarriveatthesamemoment！for，ifwehadmetfirstinthedrawing-room，Idoubtwhetheryouwouldhavediscernedmetobemoreofagentlemanthanusual——

YoumightnothavedistinguishedhowIcame，bymylookormanner。”

“YesIshould，IamsureIshould。Thereisalwaysalookofconsciousnessorbustlewhenpeoplecomeinawaywhichtheyknowtobebeneaththem。Youthinkyoucarryitoffverywell，Idaresay，butwithyouitisasortofbravado，anairofaffectedunconcern；

IalwaysobserveitwheneverImeetyouunderthosecircumstances。

Nowyouhavenothingtotryfor。Youarenotafraidofbeingsupposedashamed。Youarenotstrivingtolooktallerthananybodyelse。NowIshallreallybeveryhappytowalkintothesameroomwithyou。”

“Nonsensicalgirl！“washisreply，butnotatallinanger。

EmmahadasmuchreasontobesatisfiedwiththerestofthepartyaswithMr。Knightley。Shewasreceivedwithacordialrespectwhichcouldnotbutplease，andgivenalltheconsequenceshecouldwishfor。WhentheWestonsarrived，thekindestlooksoflove，thestrongestofadmirationwereforher，frombothhusbandandwife；

thesonapproachedherwithacheerfuleagernesswhichmarkedherashispeculiarobject，andatdinnershefoundhimseatedbyher——and，asshefirmlybelieved，notwithoutsomedexterityonhisside。

Thepartywasratherlarge，asitincludedoneotherfamily，aproperunobjectionablecountryfamily，whomtheColeshadtheadvantageofnamingamongtheiracquaintance，andthemalepartofMr。Cox’sfamily，thelawyerofHighbury。Thelessworthyfemalesweretocomeintheevening，withMissBates，MissFairfax，andMissSmith；

butalready，atdinner，theyweretoonumerousforanysubjectofconversationtobegeneral；and，whilepoliticsandMr。Eltonweretalkedover，Emmacouldfairlysurrenderallherattentiontothepleasantnessofherneighbour。Thefirstremotesoundtowhichshefeltherselfobligedtoattend，wasthenameofJaneFairfax。

Mrs。Coleseemedtoberelatingsomethingofherthatwasexpectedtobeveryinteresting。Shelistened，andfounditwellworthlisteningto。

ThatverydearpartofEmma，herfancy，receivedanamusingsupply。

Mrs。ColewastellingthatshehadbeencallingonMissBates，andassoonassheenteredtheroomhadbeenstruckbythesightofapianoforte——averyelegantlookinginstrument——notagrand，butalarge-sizedsquarepianoforte；andthesubstanceofthestory，theendofallthedialoguewhichensuedofsurprize，andinquiry，andcongratulationsonherside，andexplanationsonMissBates’s，was，thatthispianofortehadarrivedfromBroadwood’sthedaybefore，tothegreatastonishmentofbothauntandniece——entirelyunexpected；

thatatfirst，byMissBates’saccount，Janeherselfwasquiteataloss，quitebewilderedtothinkwhocouldpossiblyhaveorderedit——

butnow，theywerebothperfectlysatisfiedthatitcouldbefromonlyonequarter；——ofcourseitmustbefromColonelCampbell。

“Onecansupposenothingelse。”addedMrs。Cole，“andIwasonlysurprizedthattherecouldeverhavebeenadoubt。ButJane，itseems，hadaletterfromthemverylately，andnotawordwassaidaboutit。Sheknowstheirwaysbest；butIshouldnotconsidertheirsilenceasanyreasonfortheirnotmeaningtomakethepresent。

Theymightchusetosurprizeher。”

Mrs。Colehadmanytoagreewithher；everybodywhospokeonthesubjectwasequallyconvincedthatitmustcomefromColonelCampbell，andequallyrejoicedthatsuchapresenthadbeenmade；andtherewereenoughreadytospeaktoallowEmmatothinkherownway，andstilllistentoMrs。Cole。

“Ideclare，IdonotknowwhenIhaveheardanythingthathasgivenmemoresatisfaction！——ItalwayshasquitehurtmethatJaneFairfax，whoplayssodelightfully，shouldnothaveaninstrument。

Itseemedquiteashame，especiallyconsideringhowmanyhousestherearewherefineinstrumentsareabsolutelythrownaway。

Thisislikegivingourselvesaslap，tobesure！anditwasbutyesterdayIwastellingMr。Cole，Ireallywasashamedtolookatournewgrandpianoforteinthedrawing-room，whileI

donotknowonenotefromanother，andourlittlegirls，whoarebutjustbeginning，perhapsmaynevermakeanythingofit；

andthereispoorJaneFairfax，whoismistressofmusic，hasnotanythingofthenatureofaninstrument，noteventhepitifullestoldspinetintheworld，toamuseherselfwith——IwassayingthistoMr。Colebutyesterday，andhequiteagreedwithme；onlyheissoparticularlyfondofmusicthathecouldnothelpindulginghimselfinthepurchase，hopingthatsomeofourgoodneighboursmightbesoobligingoccasionallytoputittoabetterusethanwecan；

andthatreallyisthereasonwhytheinstrumentwasbought——

orelseIamsureweoughttobeashamedofit——WeareingreathopesthatMissWoodhousemaybeprevailedwithtotryitthisevening。”

MissWoodhousemadetheproperacquiescence；andfindingthatnothingmorewastobeentrappedfromanycommunicationofMrs。Cole’s，turnedtoFrankChurchill。

“Whydoyousmile？“saidshe。

“Nay，whydoyou？“

“Me！——IsupposeIsmileforpleasureatColonelCampbell’sbeingsorichandsoliberal——Itisahandsomepresent。”

“Very。”

“Iratherwonderthatitwasnevermadebefore。”

“PerhapsMissFairfaxhasneverbeenstayingheresolongbefore。”

“Orthathedidnotgivehertheuseoftheirowninstrument——

whichmustnowbeshutupinLondon，untouchedbyanybody。”

“Thatisagrandpianoforte，andhemightthinkittoolargeforMrs。Bates’shouse。”

“Youmaysaywhatyouchuse——butyourcountenancetestifiesthatyourthoughtsonthissubjectareverymuchlikemine。”

“Idonotknow。IratherbelieveyouaregivingmemorecreditforacutenessthanIdeserve。Ismilebecauseyousmile，andshallprobablysuspectwhateverIfindyoususpect；butatpresentIdonotseewhatthereistoquestion。IfColonelCampbellisnottheperson，whocanbe？“

“WhatdoyousaytoMrs。Dixon？“

“Mrs。Dixon！verytrueindeed。IhadnotthoughtofMrs。Dixon。

Shemustknowaswellasherfather，howacceptableaninstrumentwouldbe；andperhapsthemodeofit，themystery，thesurprize，ismorelikeayoungwoman’sschemethananelderlyman’s。ItisMrs。Dixon，Idaresay。Itoldyouthatyoursuspicionswouldguidemine。”

“Ifso，youmustextendyoursuspicionsandcomprehendMr。Dixoninthem。”

“Mr。Dixon——Verywell。Yes，IimmediatelyperceivethatitmustbethejointpresentofMr。andMrs。Dixon。Wewerespeakingtheotherday，youknow，ofhisbeingsowarmanadmirerofherperformance。”

“Yes，andwhatyoutoldmeonthathead，confirmedanideawhichI

hadentertainedbefore——IdonotmeantoreflectuponthegoodintentionsofeitherMr。DixonorMissFairfax，butIcannothelpsuspectingeitherthat，aftermakinghisproposalstoherfriend，hehadthemisfortunetofallinlovewithher，orthathebecameconsciousofalittleattachmentonherside。Onemightguesstwentythingswithoutguessingexactlytheright；butIamsuretheremustbeaparticularcauseforherchusingtocometoHighburyinsteadofgoingwiththeCampbellstoIreland。Here，shemustbeleadingalifeofprivationandpenance；thereitwouldhavebeenallenjoyment。Astothepretenceoftryinghernativeair，I

lookuponthatasamereexcuse——Inthesummeritmighthavepassed；

butwhatcananybody’snativeairdofortheminthemonthsofJanuary，February，andMarch？Goodfiresandcarriageswouldbemuchmoretothepurposeinmostcasesofdelicatehealth，andI

daresayinher’s。Idonotrequireyoutoadoptallmysuspicions，thoughyoumakesonobleaprofessionofdoingit，butIhonestlytellyouwhattheyare。”

“And，uponmyword，theyhaveanairofgreatprobability。

Mr。Dixon’spreferenceofhermusictoherfriend’s，Icananswerforbeingverydecided。”

“Andthen，hesavedherlife。Didyoueverhearofthat？——

Awaterparty；andbysomeaccidentshewasfallingoverboard。

Hecaughther。”

“Hedid。Iwasthere——oneoftheparty。”

“Wereyoureally？——Well！——Butyouobservednothingofcourse，foritseemstobeanewideatoyou——IfIhadbeenthere，IthinkIshouldhavemadesomediscoveries。”

“Idaresayyouwould；butI，simpleI，sawnothingbutthefact，thatMissFairfaxwasnearlydashedfromthevesselandthatMr。Dixoncaughther——Itwastheworkofamoment。Andthoughtheconsequentshockandalarmwasverygreatandmuchmoredurable——indeedI

believeitwashalfanhourbeforeanyofuswerecomfortableagain——

yetthatwastoogeneralasensationforanythingofpeculiaranxietytobeobservable。Idonotmeantosay，however，thatyoumightnothavemadediscoveries。”

Theconversationwashereinterrupted。Theywerecalledontoshareintheawkwardnessofaratherlongintervalbetweenthecourses，andobligedtobeasformalandasorderlyastheothers；butwhenthetablewasagainsafelycovered，wheneverycornerdishwasplacedexactlyright，andoccupationandeaseweregenerallyrestored，Emmasaid，“Thearrivalofthispianoforteisdecisivewithme。Iwantedtoknowalittlemore，andthistellsmequiteenough。Dependuponit，weshallsoonhearthatitisapresentfromMr。andMrs。Dixon。”

“AndiftheDixonsshouldabsolutelydenyallknowledgeofitwemustconcludeittocomefromtheCampbells。”

“No，IamsureitisnotfromtheCampbells。MissFairfaxknowsitisnotfromtheCampbells，ortheywouldhavebeenguessedatfirst。

Shewouldnothavebeenpuzzled，hadshedaredfixonthem。

Imaynothaveconvincedyouperhaps，butIamperfectlyconvincedmyselfthatMr。Dixonisaprincipalinthebusiness。”

“Indeedyouinjuremeifyousupposemeunconvinced。Yourreasoningscarrymyjudgmentalongwiththementirely。Atfirst，whileI

supposedyousatisfiedthatColonelCampbellwasthegiver，Isawitonlyaspaternalkindness，andthoughtitthemostnaturalthingintheworld。ButwhenyoumentionedMrs。Dixon，Ifelthowmuchmoreprobablethatitshouldbethetributeofwarmfemalefriendship。

AndnowIcanseeitinnootherlightthanasanofferingoflove。”

Therewasnooccasiontopressthematterfarther。Theconvictionseemedreal；helookedasifhefeltit。Shesaidnomore，othersubjectstooktheirturn；andtherestofthedinnerpassedaway；

thedessertsucceeded，thechildrencamein，andweretalkedtoandadmiredamidtheusualrateofconversation；afewcleverthingssaid，afewdownrightsilly，butbymuchthelargerproportionneithertheonenortheother——nothingworsethaneverydayremarks，dullrepetitions，oldnews，andheavyjokes。

Theladieshadnotbeenlonginthedrawing-room，beforetheotherladies，intheirdifferentdivisions，arrived。Emmawatchedtheentreeofherownparticularlittlefriend；andifshecouldnotexultinherdignityandgrace，shecouldnotonlylovethebloomingsweetnessandtheartlessmanner，butcouldmostheartilyrejoiceinthatlight，cheerful，unsentimentaldispositionwhichallowedhersomanyalleviationsofpleasure，inthemidstofthepangsofdisappointedaffection。

Thereshesat——andwhowouldhaveguessedhowmanytearsshehadbeenlatelyshedding？Tobeincompany，nicelydressedherselfandseeingothersnicelydressed，tositandsmileandlookpretty，andsaynothing，wasenoughforthehappinessofthepresenthour。

JaneFairfaxdidlookandmovesuperior；butEmmasuspectedshemighthavebeengladtochangefeelingswithHarriet，verygladtohavepurchasedthemortificationofhavingloved——yes，ofhavinglovedevenMr。Eltoninvain——bythesurrenderofallthedangerouspleasureofknowingherselfbelovedbythehusbandofherfriend。

InsolargeapartyitwasnotnecessarythatEmmashouldapproachher。

Shedidnotwishtospeakofthepianoforte，shefelttoomuchinthesecretherself，tothinktheappearanceofcuriosityorinterestfair，andthereforepurposelykeptatadistance；

butbytheothers，thesubjectwasalmostimmediatelyintroduced，andshesawtheblushofconsciousnesswithwhichcongratulationswerereceived，theblushofguiltwhichaccompaniedthenameof“myexcellentfriendColonelCampbell。”

Mrs。Weston，kind-heartedandmusical，wasparticularlyinterestedbythecircumstance，andEmmacouldnothelpbeingamusedatherperseveranceindwellingonthesubject；andhavingsomuchtoaskandtosayastotone，touch，andpedal，totallyunsuspiciousofthatwishofsayingaslittleaboutitaspossible，whichsheplainlyreadinthefairheroine’scountenance。

Theyweresoonjoinedbysomeofthegentlemen；andtheveryfirstoftheearlywasFrankChurchill。Inhewalked，thefirstandthehandsomest；

andafterpayinghiscomplimentsenpassanttoMissBatesandherniece，madehiswaydirectlytotheoppositesideofthecircle，wheresatMissWoodhouse；andtillhecouldfindaseatbyher，wouldnotsitatall。Emmadivinedwhateverybodypresentmustbethinking。Shewashisobject，andeverybodymustperceiveit。

Sheintroducedhimtoherfriend，MissSmith，and，atconvenientmomentsafterwards，heardwhateachthoughtoftheother。“Hehadneverseensolovelyaface，andwasdelightedwithhernaivete。”

Andshe，“Onlytobesureitwaspayinghimtoogreatacompliment，butshedidthinkthereweresomelooksalittlelikeMr。Elton。”

Emmarestrainedherindignation，andonlyturnedfromherinsilence。

SmilesofintelligencepassedbetweenherandthegentlemanonfirstglancingtowardsMissFairfax；butitwasmostprudenttoavoidspeech。

Hetoldherthathehadbeenimpatienttoleavethedining-room——

hatedsittinglong——wasalwaysthefirsttomovewhenhecould——

thathisfather，Mr。Knightley，Mr。Cox，andMr。Cole，wereleftverybusyoverparishbusiness——thataslongashehadstaid，however，ithadbeenpleasantenough，ashehadfoundthemingeneralasetofgentlemanlike，sensiblemen；andspokesohandsomelyofHighburyaltogether——thoughtitsoabundantinagreeablefamilies——

thatEmmabegantofeelshehadbeenusedtodespisetheplacerathertoomuch。ShequestionedhimastothesocietyinYorkshire——

theextentoftheneighbourhoodaboutEnscombe，andthesort；

andcouldmakeoutfromhisanswersthat，asfarasEnscombewasconcerned，therewasverylittlegoingon，thattheirvisitingswereamongarangeofgreatfamilies，noneverynear；andthatevenwhendayswerefixed，andinvitationsaccepted，itwasanevenchancethatMrs。Churchillwerenotinhealthandspiritsforgoing；

thattheymadeapointofvisitingnofreshperson；andthat，thoughhehadhisseparateengagements，itwasnotwithoutdifficulty，withoutconsiderableaddressattimes，thathecouldgetaway，orintroduceanacquaintanceforanight。

ShesawthatEnscombecouldnotsatisfy，andthatHighbury，takenatitsbest，mightreasonablypleaseayoungmanwhohadmoreretirementathomethanheliked。HisimportanceatEnscombewasveryevident。Hedidnotboast，butitnaturallybetrayeditself，thathehadpersuadedhisauntwherehisunclecoulddonothing，andonherlaughingandnoticingit，heownedthathebelieved(exceptingoneortwopoints)hecouldwithtimepersuadehertoanything。

Oneofthosepointsonwhichhisinfluencefailed，hethenmentioned。

Hehadwantedverymuchtogoabroad——hadbeenveryeagerindeedtobeallowedtotravel——butshewouldnothearofit。Thishadhappenedtheyearbefore。Now，hesaid，hewasbeginningtohavenolongerthesamewish。

Theunpersuadablepoint，whichhedidnotmention，Emmaguessedtobegoodbehaviourtohisfather。

“Ihavemadeamostwretcheddiscovery。”saidhe，afterashortpause——

“Ihavebeenhereaweekto-morrow——halfmytime。Ineverknewdaysflysofast。Aweekto-morrow！——AndIhavehardlybeguntoenjoymyself。ButjustgotacquaintedwithMrs。Weston，andothers！——

Ihatetherecollection。”

“Perhapsyoumaynowbegintoregretthatyouspentonewholeday，outofsofew，inhavingyourhaircut。”

“No。”saidhe，smiling，“thatisnosubjectofregretatall。

Ihavenopleasureinseeingmyfriends，unlessIcanbelievemyselffittobeseen。”

Therestofthegentlemenbeingnowintheroom，Emmafoundherselfobligedtoturnfromhimforafewminutes，andlistentoMr。Cole。

WhenMr。Colehadmovedaway，andherattentioncouldberestoredasbefore，shesawFrankChurchilllookingintentlyacrosstheroomatMissFairfax，whowassittingexactlyopposite。

“Whatisthematter？“saidshe。

Hestarted。“Thankyouforrousingme。”hereplied。“IbelieveIhavebeenveryrude；butreallyMissFairfaxhasdoneherhairinsooddaway——soveryoddaway——thatIcannotkeepmyeyesfromher。Ineversawanythingsooutree！——Thosecurls！——Thismustbeafancyofherown。Iseenobodyelselookinglikeher！——

ImustgoandaskherwhetheritisanIrishfashion。ShallI？——

Yes，Iwill——IdeclareIwill——andyoushallseehowshetakesit；——

whethershecolours。”

Hewasgoneimmediately；andEmmasoonsawhimstandingbeforeMissFairfax，andtalkingtoher；butastoitseffectontheyounglady，ashehadimprovidentlyplacedhimselfexactlybetweenthem，exactlyinfrontofMissFairfax，shecouldabsolutelydistinguishnothing。

Beforehecouldreturntohischair，itwastakenbyMrs。Weston。

“Thisistheluxuryofalargeparty。”saidshe：——“onecangetneareverybody，andsayeverything。MydearEmma，Iamlongingtotalktoyou。Ihavebeenmakingdiscoveriesandformingplans，justlikeyourself，andImusttellthemwhiletheideaisfresh。

DoyouknowhowMissBatesandherniececamehere？“

“How？——Theywereinvited，werenotthey？“

“Oh！yes——buthowtheywereconveyedhither？——themanneroftheircoming？“

“Theywalked，Iconclude。Howelsecouldtheycome？“

“Verytrue——Well，alittlewhileagoitoccurredtomehowverysaditwouldbetohaveJaneFairfaxwalkinghomeagain，lateatnight，andcoldasthenightsarenow。AndasIlookedather，thoughI

neversawherappeartomoreadvantage，itstruckmethatshewasheated，andwouldthereforebeparticularlyliabletotakecold。

Poorgirl！Icouldnotbeartheideaofit；so，assoonasMr。

Westoncameintotheroom，andIcouldgetathim，Ispoketohimaboutthecarriage。Youmayguesshowreadilyhecameintomywishes；

andhavinghisapprobation，ImademywaydirectlytoMissBates，toassureherthatthecarriagewouldbeatherservicebeforeittookushome；forIthoughtitwouldbemakinghercomfortableatonce。

Goodsoul！shewasasgratefulaspossible，youmaybesure。

`Nobodywaseversofortunateasherself！’——butwithmany，manythanks——`therewasnooccasiontotroubleus，forMr。Knightley’scarriagehadbrought，andwastotakethemhomeagain。’Iwasquitesurprized；——veryglad，Iamsure；butreallyquitesurprized。

Suchaverykindattention——andsothoughtfulanattention！——

thesortofthingthatsofewmenwouldthinkof。And，inshort，fromknowinghisusualways，Iamverymuchinclinedtothinkthatitwasfortheiraccommodationthecarriagewasusedatall。

Idosuspecthewouldnothavehadapairofhorsesforhimself，andthatitwasonlyasanexcuseforassistingthem。”

“Verylikely。”saidEmma——“nothingmorelikely。IknownomanmorelikelythanMr。Knightleytodothesortofthing——todoanythingreallygood-natured，useful，considerate，orbenevolent。

Heisnotagallantman，butheisaveryhumaneone；andthis，consideringJaneFairfax’sill-health，wouldappearacaseofhumanitytohim；——andforanactofunostentatiouskindness，thereisnobodywhomIwouldfixonmorethanonMr。Knightley。

Iknowhehadhorsesto-day——forwearrivedtogether；andIlaughedathimaboutit，buthesaidnotawordthatcouldbetray。”

“Well。”saidMrs。Weston，smiling，“yougivehimcreditformoresimple，disinterestedbenevolenceinthisinstancethanIdo；

forwhileMissBateswasspeaking，asuspiciondartedintomyhead，andIhaveneverbeenabletogetitoutagain。ThemoreIthinkofit，themoreprobableitappears。Inshort，IhavemadeamatchbetweenMr。KnightleyandJaneFairfax。Seetheconsequenceofkeepingyoucompany！——Whatdoyousaytoit？“

“Mr。KnightleyandJaneFairfax！“exclaimedEmma。“DearMrs。Weston，howcouldyouthinkofsuchathing？——Mr。Knightley！——Mr。Knightleymustnotmarry！——YouwouldnothavelittleHenrycutoutfromDonwell？——

Oh！no，no，HenrymusthaveDonwell。IcannotatallconsenttoMr。Knightley’smarrying；andIamsureitisnotatalllikely。

Iamamazedthatyoushouldthinkofsuchathing。”

“MydearEmma，Ihavetoldyouwhatledmetothinkofit。

Idonotwantthematch——IdonotwanttoinjuredearlittleHenry——

buttheideahasbeengivenmebycircumstances；andifMr。Knightleyreallywishedtomarry，youwouldnothavehimrefrainonHenry’saccount，aboyofsixyearsold，whoknowsnothingofthematter？“

“Yes，Iwould。IcouldnotbeartohaveHenrysupplanted——

Mr。Knightleymarry！——No，Ihaveneverhadsuchanidea，andI

cannotadoptitnow。AndJaneFairfax，too，ofallwomen！“

“Nay，shehasalwaysbeenafirstfavouritewithhim，asyouverywellknow。”

“Buttheimprudenceofsuchamatch！“

“Iamnotspeakingofitsprudence；merelyitsprobability。”

“Iseenoprobabilityinit，unlessyouhaveanybetterfoundationthanwhatyoumention。Hisgood-nature，hishumanity，asItellyou，wouldbequiteenoughtoaccountforthehorses。HehasagreatregardfortheBateses，youknow，independentofJaneFairfax——

andisalwaysgladtoshewthemattention。MydearMrs。Weston，donottaketomatch-making。Youdoitveryill。JaneFairfaxmistressoftheAbbey！——Oh！no，no；——everyfeelingrevolts。Forhisownsake，Iwouldnothavehimdosomadathing。”

“Imprudent，ifyouplease——butnotmad。Exceptinginequalityoffortune，andperhapsalittledisparityofage，Icanseenothingunsuitable。”

“ButMr。Knightleydoesnotwanttomarry。Iamsurehehasnottheleastideaofit。Donotputitintohishead。Whyshouldhemarry？——

Heisashappyaspossiblebyhimself；withhisfarm，andhissheep，andhislibrary，andalltheparishtomanage；andheisextremelyfondofhisbrother’schildren。Hehasnooccasiontomarry，eithertofilluphistimeorhisheart。”

“MydearEmma，aslongashethinksso，itisso；butifhereallylovesJaneFairfax——“

“Nonsense！HedoesnotcareaboutJaneFairfax。Inthewayoflove，Iamsurehedoesnot。Hewoulddoanygoodtoher，orherfamily；but——“

“Well。”saidMrs。Weston，laughing，“perhapsthegreatestgoodhecoulddothem，wouldbetogiveJanesucharespectablehome。”

“Ifitwouldbegoodtoher，Iamsureitwouldbeeviltohimself；

averyshamefulanddegradingconnexion。HowwouldhebeartohaveMissBatesbelongingtohim？——TohaveherhauntingtheAbbey，andthankinghimalldaylongforhisgreatkindnessinmarryingJane？——

`Soverykindandobliging！——Buthealwayshadbeensuchaverykindneighbour！’Andthenflyoff，throughhalfasentence，tohermother’soldpetticoat。`Notthatitwassuchaveryoldpetticoateither——forstillitwouldlastagreatwhile——and，indeed，shemustthankfullysaythattheirpetticoatswereallverystrong。’“

“Forshame，Emma！Donotmimicher。Youdivertmeagainstmyconscience。And，uponmyword，IdonotthinkMr。KnightleywouldbemuchdisturbedbyMissBates。Littlethingsdonotirritatehim。