第8章

Shemighttalkon；andifhewantedtosayanythinghimself，hewouldonlytalklouder，anddrownhervoice。Butthequestionisnot，whetheritwouldbeabadconnexionforhim，butwhetherhewishesit；

andIthinkhedoes。Ihaveheardhimspeak，andsomustyou，soveryhighlyofJaneFairfax！Theinteresthetakesinher——

hisanxietyaboutherhealth——hisconcernthatsheshouldhavenohappierprospect！Ihaveheardhimexpresshimselfsowarmlyonthosepoints！——Suchanadmirerofherperformanceonthepianoforte，andofhervoice！Ihaveheardhimsaythathecouldlistentoherforever。Oh！andIhadalmostforgottenoneideathatoccurredtome——thispianofortethathasbeensentherebysomebody——

thoughwehaveallbeensowellsatisfiedtoconsideritapresentfromtheCampbells，mayitnotbefromMr。Knightley？Icannothelpsuspectinghim。Ithinkheisjustthepersontodoit，evenwithoutbeinginlove。”

“Thenitcanbenoargumenttoprovethatheisinlove。

ButIdonotthinkitisatallalikelythingforhimtodo。

Mr。Knightleydoesnothingmysteriously。”

“Ihaveheardhimlamentingherhavingnoinstrumentrepeatedly；

oftenerthanIshouldsupposesuchacircumstancewould，inthecommoncourseofthings，occurtohim。”

“Verywell；andifhehadintendedtogiveherone，hewouldhavetoldherso。”

“Theremightbescruplesofdelicacy，mydearEmma。Ihaveaverystrongnotionthatitcomesfromhim。IamsurehewasparticularlysilentwhenMrs。Coletoldusofitatdinner。”

“Youtakeupanidea，Mrs。Weston，andrunawaywithit；asyouhavemanyatimereproachedmewithdoing。Iseenosignofattachment——

Ibelievenothingofthepianoforte——andproofonlyshallconvincemethatMr。KnightleyhasanythoughtofmarryingJaneFairfax。”

Theycombatedthepointsometimelongerinthesameway；Emmarathergaininggroundoverthemindofherfriend；forMrs。Westonwasthemostusedofthetwotoyield；tillalittlebustleintheroomshewedthemthatteawasover，andtheinstrumentinpreparation；——

andatthesamemomentMr。ColeapproachingtoentreatMissWoodhousewoulddothemthehonouroftryingit。FrankChurchill，ofwhom，intheeagernessofherconversationwithMrs。Weston，shehadbeenseeingnothing，exceptthathehadfoundaseatbyMissFairfax，followedMr。Cole，toaddhisverypressingentreaties；andas，ineveryrespect，itsuitedEmmabesttolead，shegaveaverypropercompliance。

Sheknewthelimitationsofherownpowerstoowelltoattemptmorethanshecouldperformwithcredit；shewantedneithertastenorspiritinthelittlethingswhicharegenerallyacceptable，andcouldaccompanyherownvoicewell。Oneaccompanimenttohersongtookheragreeablybysurprize——asecond，slightlybutcorrectlytakenbyFrankChurchill。Herpardonwasdulybeggedatthecloseofthesong，andeverythingusualfollowed。Hewasaccusedofhavingadelightfulvoice，andaperfectknowledgeofmusic；

whichwasproperlydenied；andthatheknewnothingofthematter，andhadnovoiceatall，roundlyasserted。Theysangtogetheroncemore；andEmmawouldthenresignherplacetoMissFairfax，whoseperformance，bothvocalandinstrumental，shenevercouldattempttoconcealfromherself，wasinfinitelysuperiortoherown。

Withmixedfeelings，sheseatedherselfatalittledistancefromthenumbersroundtheinstrument，tolisten。FrankChurchillsangagain。

Theyhadsungtogetheronceortwice，itappeared，atWeymouth。

ButthesightofMr。Knightleyamongthemostattentive，soondrewawayhalfEmma’smind；andshefellintoatrainofthinkingonthesubjectofMrs。Weston’ssuspicions，towhichthesweetsoundsoftheunitedvoicesgaveonlymomentaryinterruptions。

HerobjectionstoMr。Knightley’smarryingdidnotintheleastsubside。

Shecouldseenothingbutevilinit。ItwouldbeagreatdisappointmenttoMr。JohnKnightley；consequentlytoIsabella。

Arealinjurytothechildren——amostmortifyingchange，andmateriallosstothemall；——averygreatdeductionfromherfather’sdailycomfort——and，astoherself，shecouldnotatallenduretheideaofJaneFairfaxatDonwellAbbey。AMrs。Knightleyforthemalltogivewayto！——No——Mr。Knightleymustnevermarry。

LittleHenrymustremaintheheirofDonwell。

PresentlyMr。Knightleylookedback，andcameandsatdownbyher。

Theytalkedatfirstonlyoftheperformance。Hisadmirationwascertainlyverywarm；yetshethought，butforMrs。Weston，itwouldnothavestruckher。Asasortoftouchstone，however，shebegantospeakofhiskindnessinconveyingtheauntandniece；

andthoughhisanswerwasinthespiritofcuttingthemattershort，shebelievedittoindicateonlyhisdisinclinationtodwellonanykindnessofhisown。

“Ioftenfeelconcern。”saidshe，“thatIdarenotmakeourcarriagemoreusefulonsuchoccasions。ItisnotthatIamwithoutthewish；

butyouknowhowimpossiblemyfatherwoulddeemitthatJamesshouldput-toforsuchapurpose。”

“Quiteoutofthequestion，quiteoutofthequestion。”hereplied；——

“butyoumustoftenwishit，Iamsure。”Andhesmiledwithsuchseemingpleasureattheconviction，thatshemustproceedanotherstep。

“ThispresentfromtheCampbells。”saidshe——“thispianoforteisverykindlygiven。”

“Yes。”hereplied，andwithoutthesmallestapparentembarrassment——

“Buttheywouldhavedonebetterhadtheygivenhernoticeofit。

Surprizesarefoolishthings。Thepleasureisnotenhanced，andtheinconvenienceisoftenconsiderable。IshouldhaveexpectedbetterjudgmentinColonelCampbell。”

Fromthatmoment，EmmacouldhavetakenheroaththatMr。Knightleyhadhadnoconcerningivingtheinstrument。Butwhetherhewereentirelyfreefrompeculiarattachment——whethertherewerenoactualpreference——remainedalittlelongerdoubtful。

TowardstheendofJane’ssecondsong，hervoicegrewthick。

“Thatwilldo。”saidhe，whenitwasfinished，thinkingaloud——

“youhavesungquiteenoughforoneevening——nowbequiet。”

Anothersong，however，wassoonbeggedfor。“Onemore；——theywouldnotfatigueMissFairfaxonanyaccount，andwouldonlyaskforonemore。”AndFrankChurchillwasheardtosay，“Ithinkyoucouldmanagethiswithouteffort；thefirstpartissoverytrifling。

Thestrengthofthesongfallsonthesecond。”

Mr。Knightleygrewangry。

“Thatfellow。”saidhe，indignantly，“thinksofnothingbutshewingoffhisownvoice。Thismustnotbe。”AndtouchingMissBates，whoatthatmomentpassednear——“MissBates，areyoumad，toletyourniecesingherselfhoarseinthismanner？Go，andinterfere。

Theyhavenomercyonher。”

MissBates，inherrealanxietyforJane，couldhardlystayeventobegrateful，beforeshesteptforwardandputanendtoallfarthersinging。Hereceasedtheconcertpartoftheevening，forMissWoodhouseandMissFairfaxweretheonlyyoungladyperformers；

butsoon(withinfiveminutes)theproposalofdancing——

originatingnobodyexactlyknewwhere——wassoeffectuallypromotedbyMr。andMrs。Cole，thateverythingwasrapidlyclearingaway，togiveproperspace。Mrs。Weston，capitalinhercountry-dances，wasseated，andbeginninganirresistiblewaltz；andFrankChurchill，comingupwithmostbecominggallantrytoEmma，hadsecuredherhand，andledheruptothetop。

Whilewaitingtilltheotheryoungpeoplecouldpairthemselvesoff，Emmafoundtime，inspiteofthecomplimentsshewasreceivingonhervoiceandhertaste，tolookabout，andseewhatbecameofMr。Knightley。

Thiswouldbeatrial。Hewasnodanceringeneral。IfheweretobeveryalertinengagingJaneFairfaxnow，itmightaugursomething。

Therewasnoimmediateappearance。No；hewastalkingtoMrs。

Cole——

hewaslookingonunconcerned；Janewasaskedbysomebodyelse，andhewasstilltalkingtoMrs。Cole。

EmmahadnolongeranalarmforHenry；hisinterestwasyetsafe；

andsheledoffthedancewithgenuinespiritandenjoyment。

Notmorethanfivecouplecouldbemustered；buttherarityandthesuddennessofitmadeitverydelightful，andshefoundherselfwellmatchedinapartner。Theywereacoupleworthlookingat。

Twodances，unfortunately，wereallthatcouldbeallowed。

Itwasgrowinglate，andMissBatesbecameanxioustogethome，onhermother’saccount。Aftersomeattempts，therefore，tobepermittedtobeginagain，theywereobligedtothankMrs。Weston，looksorrowful，andhavedone。

“Perhapsitisaswell。”saidFrankChurchill，asheattendedEmmatohercarriage。“ImusthaveaskedMissFairfax，andherlanguiddancingwouldnothaveagreedwithme，afteryour’s。”

Chapter09CHAPTERIX

EmmadidnotrepenthercondescensioningoingtotheColes。

Thevisitaffordedhermanypleasantrecollectionsthenextday；

andallthatshemightbesupposedtohavelostonthesideofdignifiedseclusion，mustbeamplyrepaidinthesplendourofpopularity。ShemusthavedelightedtheColes——worthypeople，whodeservedtobemadehappy！——Andleftanamebehindherthatwouldnotsoondieaway。

Perfecthappiness，eveninmemory，isnotcommon；andthereweretwopointsonwhichshewasnotquiteeasy。Shedoubtedwhethershehadnottransgressedthedutyofwomanbywoman，inbetrayinghersuspicionsofJaneFairfax’sfeelingstoFrankChurchill。

Itwashardlyright；butithadbeensostronganidea，thatitwouldescapeher，andhissubmissiontoallthatshetold，wasacomplimenttoherpenetration，whichmadeitdifficultforhertobequitecertainthatsheoughttohaveheldhertongue。

TheothercircumstanceofregretrelatedalsotoJaneFairfax；

andthereshehadnodoubt。Shedidunfeignedlyandunequivocallyregrettheinferiorityofherownplayingandsinging。Shedidmostheartilygrieveovertheidlenessofherchildhood——andsatdownandpractisedvigorouslyanhourandahalf。

ShewastheninterruptedbyHarriet’scomingin；andifHarriet’spraisecouldhavesatisfiedher，shemightsoonhavebeencomforted。

“Oh！ifIcouldbutplayaswellasyouandMissFairfax！“

“Don’tclassustogether，Harriet。Myplayingisnomorelikeher’s，thanalampislikesunshine。”

“Oh！dear——Ithinkyouplaythebestofthetwo。Ithinkyouplayquiteaswellasshedoes。IamsureIhadmuchratherhearyou。

Everybodylastnightsaidhowwellyouplayed。”

“Thosewhoknewanythingaboutit，musthavefeltthedifference。

Thetruthis，Harriet，thatmyplayingisjustgoodenoughtobepraised，butJaneFairfax’sismuchbeyondit。”

“Well，Ialwaysshallthinkthatyouplayquiteaswellasshedoes，orthatifthereisanydifferencenobodywouldeverfinditout。

Mr。Colesaidhowmuchtasteyouhad；andMr。FrankChurchilltalkedagreatdealaboutyourtaste，andthathevaluedtastemuchmorethanexecution。”

“Ah！butJaneFairfaxhasthemboth，Harriet。”

“Areyousure？Isawshehadexecution，butIdidnotknowshehadanytaste。Nobodytalkedaboutit。AndIhateItaliansinging——

Thereisnounderstandingawordofit。Besides，ifshedoesplaysoverywell，youknow，itisnomorethansheisobligedtodo，becauseshewillhavetoteach。TheCoxeswerewonderinglastnightwhethershewouldgetintoanygreatfamily。HowdidyouthinktheCoxeslooked？“

“Justastheyalwaysdo——veryvulgar。”

“Theytoldmesomething。”saidHarrietratherhesitatingly；“

butitisnothingofanyconsequence。”

Emmawasobligedtoaskwhattheyhadtoldher，thoughfearfulofitsproducingMr。Elton。

“Theytoldme——thatMr。MartindinedwiththemlastSaturday。”

“Oh！“

“Hecametotheirfatheruponsomebusiness，andheaskedhimtostaytodinner。”

“Oh！“

“Theytalkedagreatdealabouthim，especiallyAnneCox。

Idonotknowwhatshemeant，butsheaskedmeifIthoughtI

shouldgoandstaythereagainnextsummer。”

“Shemeanttobeimpertinentlycurious，justassuchanAnneCoxshouldbe。”

“Shesaidhewasveryagreeablethedayhedinedthere。Hesatbyheratdinner。MissNashthinkseitheroftheCoxeswouldbeverygladtomarryhim。”

“Verylikely——Ithinktheyare，withoutexception，themostvulgargirlsinHighbury。”

HarriethadbusinessatFord’s——Emmathoughtitmostprudenttogowithher。AnotheraccidentalmeetingwiththeMartinswaspossible，andinherpresentstate，wouldbedangerous。

Harriet，temptedbyeverythingandswayedbyhalfaword，wasalwaysverylongatapurchase；andwhileshewasstillhangingovermuslinsandchanginghermind，Emmawenttothedoorforamusement——MuchcouldnotbehopedfromthetrafficofeventhebusiestpartofHighbury；——

Mr。Perrywalkinghastilyby，Mr。WilliamCoxlettinghimselfinattheoffice-door，Mr。Cole’scarriage-horsesreturningfromexercise，orastrayletter-boyonanobstinatemule，weretheliveliestobjectsshecouldpresumetoexpect；andwhenhereyesfellonlyonthebutcherwithhistray，atidyoldwomantravellinghomewardsfromshopwithherfullbasket，twocursquarrellingoveradirtybone，andastringofdawdlingchildrenroundthebaker’slittlebow-windoweyeingthegingerbread，sheknewshehadnoreasontocomplain，andwasamusedenough；quiteenoughstilltostandatthedoor。

Amindlivelyandatease，candowithseeingnothing，andcanseenothingthatdoesnotanswer。

ShelookeddowntheRandallsroad。Thesceneenlarged；

twopersonsappeared；Mrs。Westonandherson-in-law；theywerewalkingintoHighbury；——toHartfieldofcourse。Theywerestopping，however，inthefirstplaceatMrs。Bates’s；whosehousewasalittlenearerRandallsthanFord’s；andhadallbutknocked，whenEmmacaughttheireye——Immediatelytheycrossedtheroadandcameforwardtoher；andtheagreeablenessofyesterday’sengagementseemedtogivefreshpleasuretothepresentmeeting。

Mrs。WestoninformedherthatshewasgoingtocallontheBateses，inordertohearthenewinstrument。

“Formycompaniontellsme。”saidshe，“thatIabsolutelypromisedMissBateslastnight，thatIwouldcomethismorning。Iwasnotawareofitmyself。IdidnotknowthatIhadfixedaday，butashesaysIdid，Iamgoingnow。”

“AndwhileMrs。Westonpayshervisit，Imaybeallowed，Ihope。”

saidFrankChurchill，“tojoinyourpartyandwaitforheratHartfield——

ifyouaregoinghome。”

Mrs。Westonwasdisappointed。

“Ithoughtyoumeanttogowithme。Theywouldbeverymuchpleased。”

“Me！Ishouldbequiteintheway。But，perhaps——Imaybeequallyinthewayhere。MissWoodhouselooksasifshedidnotwantme。

Myauntalwayssendsmeoffwhensheisshopping。ShesaysIfidgethertodeath；andMissWoodhouselooksasifshecouldalmostsaythesame。WhatamItodo？“

“Iamhereonnobusinessofmyown。”saidEmma；“Iamonlywaitingformyfriend。Shewillprobablyhavesoondone，andthenweshallgohome。ButyouhadbettergowithMrs。Westonandheartheinstrument。”

“Well——ifyouadviseit——But(withasmile)ifColonelCampbellshouldhaveemployedacarelessfriend，andifitshouldprovetohaveanindifferenttone——whatshallIsay？IshallbenosupporttoMrs。Weston。Shemightdoverywellbyherself。

Adisagreeabletruthwouldbepalatablethroughherlips，butI

amthewretchedestbeingintheworldatacivilfalsehood。”

“Idonotbelieveanysuchthing。”repliedEmma——“Iampersuadedthatyoucanbeasinsincereasyourneighbours，whenitisnecessary；

butthereisnoreasontosupposetheinstrumentisindifferent。

Quiteotherwiseindeed，ifIunderstoodMissFairfax’sopinionlastnight。”

“Docomewithme。”saidMrs。Weston，“ifitbenotverydisagreeabletoyou。Itneednotdetainuslong。WewillgotoHartfieldafterwards。

WewillfollowthemtoHartfield。Ireallywishyoutocallwithme。

Itwillbefeltsogreatanattention！andIalwaysthoughtyoumeantit。”

Hecouldsaynomore；andwiththehopeofHartfieldtorewardhim，returnedwithMrs。WestontoMrs。Bates’sdoor。Emmawatchedthemin，andthenjoinedHarrietattheinterestingcounter，——trying，withalltheforceofherownmind，toconvinceherthatifshewantedplainmuslinitwasofnousetolookatfigured；andthatablueribbon，beiteversobeautiful，wouldstillnevermatchheryellowpattern。

Atlastitwasallsettled，eventothedestinationoftheparcel。

“ShouldIsendittoMrs。Goddard’s，ma’am？“askedMrs。Ford——

“Yes——no——yes，toMrs。Goddard’s。OnlymypatterngownisatHartfield。No，youshallsendittoHartfield，ifyouplease。

Butthen，Mrs。Goddardwillwanttoseeit——AndIcouldtakethepatterngownhomeanyday。ButIshallwanttheribbondirectly——

soithadbettergotoHartfield——atleasttheribbon。Youcouldmakeitintotwoparcels，Mrs。Ford，couldnotyou？“

“Itisnotworthwhile，Harriet，togiveMrs。Fordthetroubleoftwoparcels。”

“Nomoreitis。”

“Notroubleintheworld，ma’am。”saidtheobligingMrs。Ford。

“Oh！butindeedIwouldmuchratherhaveitonlyinone。

Then，ifyouplease，youshallsenditalltoMrs。Goddard’s——

Idonotknow——No，Ithink，MissWoodhouse，ImayjustaswellhaveitsenttoHartfield，andtakeithomewithmeatnight。

Whatdoyouadvise？“

“Thatyoudonotgiveanotherhalf-secondtothesubject。

ToHartfield，ifyouplease，Mrs。Ford。”

“Aye，thatwillbemuchbest。”saidHarriet，quitesatisfied，“IshouldnotatallliketohaveitsenttoMrs。Goddard’s。”

Voicesapproachedtheshop——orratheronevoiceandtwoladies：

Mrs。WestonandMissBatesmetthematthedoor。

“MydearMissWoodhouse。”saidthelatter，“Iamjustrunacrosstoentreatthefavourofyoutocomeandsitdownwithusalittlewhile，andgiveusyouropinionofournewinstrument；youandMissSmith。

Howdoyoudo，MissSmith？——VerywellIthankyou——AndIbeggedMrs。Westontocomewithme，thatImightbesureofsucceeding。”

“IhopeMrs。BatesandMissFairfaxare——“

“Verywell，Iammuchobligedtoyou。Mymotherisdelightfullywell；

andJanecaughtnocoldlastnight。HowisMr。Woodhouse？——Iamsogladtohearsuchagoodaccount。Mrs。Westontoldmeyouwerehere——

Oh！then，saidI，Imustrunacross，IamsureMissWoodhousewillallowmejusttorunacrossandentreathertocomein；mymotherwillbesoveryhappytoseeher——andnowwearesuchaniceparty，shecannotrefuse——`Aye，praydo，’saidMr。FrankChurchill，`MissWoodhouse’sopinionoftheinstrumentwillbeworthhaving。’——

But，saidI，Ishallbemoresureofsucceedingifoneofyouwillgowithme——`Oh，’saidhe，`waithalfaminute，tillIhavefinishedmyjob；’——For，wouldyoubelieveit，MissWoodhouse，thereheis，inthemostobligingmannerintheworld，fasteningintherivetofmymother’sspectacles——Therivetcameout，youknow，thismorning——

Soveryobliging！——Formymotherhadnouseofherspectacles——

couldnotputthemon。And，bythebye，everybodyoughttohavetwopairofspectacles；theyshouldindeed。Janesaidso。

ImeanttotakethemovertoJohnSaundersthefirstthingIdid，butsomethingorotherhinderedmeallthemorning；firstonething，thenanother，thereisnosayingwhat，youknow。AtonetimePattycametosayshethoughtthekitchenchimneywantedsweeping。Oh，saidI，Pattydonotcomewithyourbadnewstome。Hereistherivetofyourmistress’sspectaclesout。Thenthebakedapplescamehome，Mrs。Wallissentthembyherboy；theyareextremelycivilandobligingtous，theWallises，always——IhaveheardsomepeoplesaythatMrs。Walliscanbeuncivilandgiveaveryrudeanswer，butwehaveneverknownanythingbutthegreatestattentionfromthem。Anditcannotbeforthevalueofourcustomnow，forwhatisourconsumptionofbread，youknow？Onlythreeofus——

besidesdearJaneatpresent——andshereallyeatsnothing——makessuchashockingbreakfast，youwouldbequitefrightenedifyousawit。

Idarenotletmymotherknowhowlittlesheeats——soIsayonethingandthenIsayanother，anditpassesoff。Butaboutthemiddleofthedayshegetshungry，andthereisnothingshelikessowellasthesebakedapples，andtheyareextremelywholesome，forItooktheopportunitytheotherdayofaskingMr。Perry；

Ihappenedtomeethiminthestreet。NotthatIhadanydoubtbefore——

IhavesooftenheardMr。Woodhouserecommendabakedapple。

IbelieveitistheonlywaythatMr。Woodhousethinksthefruitthoroughlywholesome。Wehaveapple-dumplings，however，veryoften。Pattymakesanexcellentapple-dumpling。Well，Mrs。Weston，youhaveprevailed，Ihope，andtheseladieswillobligeus。”

Emmawouldbe“veryhappytowaitonMrs。Bates，&；c……”andtheydidatlastmoveoutoftheshop，withnofartherdelayfromMissBatesthan，“Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Ford？Ibegyourpardon。Ididnotseeyoubefore。Ihearyouhaveacharmingcollectionofnewribbonsfromtown。Janecamebackdelightedyesterday。Thankye，theglovesdoverywell——onlyalittletoolargeaboutthewrist；

butJaneistakingthemin。”

“WhatwasItalkingof？“saidshe，beginningagainwhentheywereallinthestreet。

Emmawonderedonwhat，ofallthemedley，shewouldfix。

“IdeclareIcannotrecollectwhatIwastalkingof——Oh！mymother’sspectacles。SoveryobligingofMr。FrankChurchill！

`Oh！’saidhe，`IdothinkIcanfastentherivet；Ilikeajobofthiskindexcessively。’——Whichyouknowshewedhimtobesovery……IndeedImustsaythat，muchasIhadheardofhimbeforeandmuchasIhadexpected，heveryfarexceedsanything……Idocongratulateyou，Mrs。Weston，mostwarmly。

Heseemseverythingthefondestparentcould……`Oh！’saidhe，`Icanfastentherivet。Ilikeajobofthatsortexcessively。’

Inevershallforgethismanner。AndwhenIbroughtoutthebakedapplesfromthecloset，andhopedourfriendswouldbesoveryobligingastotakesome，`Oh！’saidhedirectly，`thereisnothinginthewayoffruithalfsogood，andthesearethefinest-lookinghome-bakedapplesIeversawinmylife。’That，youknow，wassovery……AndIamsure，byhismanner，itwasnocompliment。

Indeedtheyareverydelightfulapples，andMrs。Wallisdoesthemfulljustice——onlywedonothavethembakedmorethantwice，andMr。Woodhousemadeuspromisetohavethemdonethreetimes——

butMissWoodhousewillbesogoodasnottomentionit。Theapplesthemselvesaretheveryfinestsortforbaking，beyondadoubt；

allfromDonwell——someofMr。Knightley’smostliberalsupply。

Hesendsusasackeveryyear；andcertainlythereneverwassuchakeepingappleanywhereasoneofhistrees——Ibelievethereistwoofthem。Mymothersaystheorchardwasalwaysfamousinheryoungerdays。ButIwasreallyquiteshockedtheotherday——

forMr。Knightleycalledonemorning，andJanewaseatingtheseapples，andwetalkedaboutthemandsaidhowmuchsheenjoyedthem，andheaskedwhetherwewerenotgottotheendofourstock。

`Iamsureyoumustbe，’saidhe，`andIwillsendyouanothersupply；forIhaveagreatmanymorethanIcaneveruse。

WilliamLarkinsletmekeepalargerquantitythanusualthisyear。

Iwillsendyousomemore，beforetheygetgoodfornothing。’

SoIbeggedhewouldnot——forreallyastooursbeinggone，Icouldnotabsolutelysaythatwehadagreatmanyleft——itwasbuthalfadozenindeed；buttheyshouldbeallkeptforJane；andIcouldnotatallbearthatheshouldbesendingusmore，soliberalashehadbeenalready；andJanesaidthesame。Andwhenhewasgone，shealmostquarrelledwithme——No，Ishouldnotsayquarrelled，forweneverhadaquarrelinourlives；butshewasquitedistressedthatIhadownedtheapplesweresonearlygone；shewishedIhadmadehimbelievewehadagreatmanyleft。Oh，saidI，mydear，IdidsayasmuchasIcould。However，theverysameeveningWilliamLarkinscameoverwithalargebasketofapples，thesamesortofapples，abushelatleast，andIwasverymuchobliged，andwentdownandspoketoWilliamLarkinsandsaideverything，asyoumaysuppose。WilliamLarkinsissuchanoldacquaintance！

Iamalwaysgladtoseehim。But，however，IfoundafterwardsfromPatty，thatWilliamsaiditwasalltheapplesofthatsorthismasterhad；hehadbroughtthemall——andnowhismasterhadnotonelefttobakeorboil。Williamdidnotseemtomindithimself，hewassopleasedtothinkhismasterhadsoldsomany；forWilliam，youknow，thinksmoreofhismaster’sprofitthananything；

butMrs。Hodges，hesaid，wasquitedispleasedattheirbeingallsentaway。Shecouldnotbearthathermastershouldnotbeabletohaveanotherapple-tartthisspring。HetoldPattythis，butbidhernotmindit，andbesurenottosayanythingtousaboutit，forMrs。Hodgeswouldbecrosssometimes，andaslongassomanysacksweresold，itdidnotsignifywhoatetheremainder。

AndsoPattytoldme，andIwasexcessivelyshockedindeed！

IwouldnothaveMr。Knightleyknowanythingaboutitfortheworld！Hewouldbesovery……IwantedtokeepitfromJane’sknowledge；but，unluckily，IhadmentioneditbeforeIwasaware。”

MissBateshadjustdoneasPattyopenedthedoor；andhervisitorswalkedupstairswithouthavinganyregularnarrationtoattendto，pursuedonlybythesoundsofherdesultorygood-will。

“Praytakecare，Mrs。Weston，thereisastepattheturning。

Praytakecare，MissWoodhouse，oursisratheradarkstaircase——

ratherdarkerandnarrowerthanonecouldwish。MissSmith，praytakecare。MissWoodhouse，Iamquiteconcerned，Iamsureyouhityourfoot。MissSmith，thestepattheturning。”

Chapter10CHAPTERX

Theappearanceofthelittlesitting-roomastheyentered，wastranquillityitself；Mrs。Bates，deprivedofherusualemployment，slumberingononesideofthefire，FrankChurchill，atatablenearher，mostdeedilyoccupiedaboutherspectacles，andJaneFairfax，standingwithherbacktothem，intentonherpianoforte。

Busyashewas，however，theyoungmanwasyetabletoshewamosthappycountenanceonseeingEmmaagain。

“Thisisapleasure。”saidhe，inratheralowvoice，“comingatleasttenminutesearlierthanIhadcalculated。Youfindmetryingtobeuseful；tellmeifyouthinkIshallsucceed。”

“What！“saidMrs。Weston，“havenotyoufinishedityet？youwouldnotearnaverygoodlivelihoodasaworkingsilversmithatthisrate。”

“Ihavenotbeenworkinguninterruptedly。”hereplied，“IhavebeenassistingMissFairfaxintryingtomakeherinstrumentstandsteadily，itwasnotquitefirm；anunevennessinthefloor，Ibelieve。

Youseewehavebeenwedgingonelegwithpaper。Thiswasverykindofyoutobepersuadedtocome。Iwasalmostafraidyouwouldbehurryinghome。”

Hecontrivedthatsheshouldbeseatedbyhim；andwassufficientlyemployedinlookingoutthebestbakedappleforher，andtryingtomakeherhelporadvisehiminhiswork，tillJaneFairfaxwasquitereadytositdowntothepianoforteagain。Thatshewasnotimmediatelyready，Emmadidsuspecttoarisefromthestateofhernerves；

shehadnotyetpossessedtheinstrumentlongenoughtotouchitwithoutemotion；shemustreasonherselfintothepowerofperformance；

andEmmacouldnotbutpitysuchfeelings，whatevertheirorigin，andcouldnotbutresolvenevertoexposethemtoherneighbouragain。

AtlastJanebegan，andthoughthefirstbarswerefeeblygiven，thepowersoftheinstrumentweregraduallydonefulljusticeto。

Mrs。Westonhadbeendelightedbefore，andwasdelightedagain；

Emmajoinedherinallherpraise；andthepianoforte，witheveryproperdiscrimination，waspronouncedtobealtogetherofthehighestpromise。

“WhoeverColonelCampbellmightemploy。”saidFrankChurchill，withasmileatEmma，“thepersonhasnotchosenill。IheardagooddealofColonelCampbell’stasteatWeymouth；andthesoftnessoftheuppernotesIamsureisexactlywhatheandallthatpartywouldparticularlyprize。Idaresay，MissFairfax，thatheeithergavehisfriendveryminutedirections，orwrotetoBroadwoodhimself。

Donotyouthinkso？“

Janedidnotlookround。Shewasnotobligedtohear。Mrs。

Westonhadbeenspeakingtoheratthesamemoment。

“Itisnotfair。”saidEmma，inawhisper；“minewasarandomguess。

Donotdistressher。”

Heshookhisheadwithasmile，andlookedasifhehadverylittledoubtandverylittlemercy。Soonafterwardshebeganagain，“HowmuchyourfriendsinIrelandmustbeenjoyingyourpleasureonthisoccasion，MissFairfax。Idaresaytheyoftenthinkofyou，andwonderwhichwillbetheday，theprecisedayoftheinstrument’scomingtohand。DoyouimagineColonelCampbellknowsthebusinesstobegoingforwardjustatthistime？——Doyouimagineittobetheconsequenceofanimmediatecommissionfromhim，orthathemayhavesentonlyageneraldirection，anorderindefiniteastotime，todependuponcontingenciesandconveniences？“

Hepaused。Shecouldnotbuthear；shecouldnotavoidanswering，“TillIhavealetterfromColonelCampbell。”saidshe，inavoiceofforcedcalmness，“Icanimaginenothingwithanyconfidence。

Itmustbeallconjecture。”

“Conjecture——aye，sometimesoneconjecturesright，andsometimesoneconjectureswrong。IwishIcouldconjecturehowsoonIshallmakethisrivetquitefirm。Whatnonsenseonetalks，MissWoodhouse，whenhardatwork，ifonetalksatall；——yourrealworkmen，Isuppose，holdtheirtongues；butwegentlemenlabourersifwegetholdofaword——MissFairfaxsaidsomethingaboutconjecturing。

There，itisdone。Ihavethepleasure，madam，(toMrs。Bates，)

ofrestoringyourspectacles，healedforthepresent。”

Hewasverywarmlythankedbothbymotheranddaughter；toescapealittlefromthelatter，hewenttothepianoforte，andbeggedMissFairfax，whowasstillsittingatit，toplaysomethingmore。

“Ifyouareverykind。”saidhe，“itwillbeoneofthewaltzeswedancedlastnight；——letmelivethemoveragain。YoudidnotenjoythemasIdid；youappearedtiredthewholetime。Ibelieveyouweregladwedancednolonger；butIwouldhavegivenworlds——

alltheworldsoneeverhastogive——foranotherhalf-hour。”

Sheplayed。

“Whatfelicityitistohearatuneagainwhichhasmadeonehappy！——

IfImistakenotthatwasdancedatWeymouth。”

Shelookedupathimforamoment，coloureddeeply，andplayedsomethingelse。Hetooksomemusicfromachairnearthepianoforte，andturningtoEmma，said，“Hereissomethingquitenewtome。Doyouknowit？——Cramer——

AndhereareanewsetofIrishmelodies。That，fromsuchaquarter，onemightexpect。Thiswasallsentwiththeinstrument。

VerythoughtfulofColonelCampbell，wasnotit？——HeknewMissFairfaxcouldhavenomusichere。Ihonourthatpartoftheattentionparticularly；

itshewsittohavebeensothoroughlyfromtheheart。Nothinghastilydone；nothingincomplete。Trueaffectiononlycouldhavepromptedit。”

Emmawishedhewouldbelesspointed，yetcouldnothelpbeingamused；

andwhenonglancinghereyetowardsJaneFairfaxshecaughttheremainsofasmile，whenshesawthatwithallthedeepblushofconsciousness，therehadbeenasmileofsecretdelight，shehadlessscrupleintheamusement，andmuchlesscompunctionwithrespecttoher——Thisamiable，upright，perfectJaneFairfaxwasapparentlycherishingveryreprehensiblefeelings。

Hebroughtallthemusictoher，andtheylookeditovertogether——

Emmatooktheopportunityofwhispering，“Youspeaktooplain。Shemustunderstandyou。”

“Ihopeshedoes。Iwouldhaveherunderstandme。Iamnotintheleastashamedofmymeaning。”

“Butreally，Iamhalfashamed，andwishIhadnevertakenuptheidea。”

“Iamverygladyoudid，andthatyoucommunicatedittome。

Ihavenowakeytoallheroddlooksandways。Leaveshametoher。

Ifshedoeswrong，sheoughttofeelit。”

“Sheisnotentirelywithoutit，Ithink。”

“Idonotseemuchsignofit。SheisplayingRobinAdairatthismoment——hisfavourite。”

ShortlyafterwardsMissBates，passingnearthewindow，descriedMr。Knightleyonhorse-backnotfaroff。

“Mr。KnightleyIdeclare！——Imustspeaktohimifpossible，justtothankhim。Iwillnotopenthewindowhere；itwouldgiveyouallcold；butIcangointomymother’sroomyouknow。Idaresayhewillcomeinwhenheknowswhoishere。Quitedelightfultohaveyouallmeetso！——Ourlittleroomsohonoured！“

Shewasintheadjoiningchamberwhileshestillspoke，andopeningthecasementthere，immediatelycalledMr。Knightley’sattention，andeverysyllableoftheirconversationwasasdistinctlyheardbytheothers，asifithadpassedwithinthesameapartment。

“Howd’yedo？——howd’yedo？——Verywell，Ithankyou。Soobligedtoyouforthecarriagelastnight。Wewerejustintime；

mymotherjustreadyforus。Praycomein；docomein。Youwillfindsomefriendshere。”

SobeganMissBates；andMr。Knightleyseemeddeterminedtobeheardinhisturn，formostresolutelyandcommandinglydidhesay，“Howisyourniece，MissBates？——Iwanttoinquireafteryouall，butparticularlyyourniece。HowisMissFairfax？——Ihopeshecaughtnocoldlastnight。Howissheto-day？TellmehowMissFairfaxis。”

AndMissBateswasobligedtogiveadirectanswerbeforehewouldhearherinanythingelse。Thelistenerswereamused；

andMrs。WestongaveEmmaalookofparticularmeaning。ButEmmastillshookherheadinsteadyscepticism。

“Soobligedtoyou！——soverymuchobligedtoyouforthecarriage。”

resumedMissBates。

Hecuthershortwith，“IamgoingtoKingston。CanIdoanythingforyou？“

“Oh！dear，Kingston——areyou？——Mrs。ColewassayingtheotherdayshewantedsomethingfromKingston。”

“Mrs。Colehasservantstosend。CanIdoanythingforyou？“

“No，Ithankyou。Butdocomein。Whodoyouthinkishere？——

MissWoodhouseandMissSmith；sokindastocalltohearthenewpianoforte。DoputupyourhorseattheCrown，andcomein。”

“Well。”saidhe，inadeliberatingmanner，“forfiveminutes，perhaps。”

“AndhereisMrs。WestonandMr。FrankChurchilltoo！——Quitedelightful；

somanyfriends！“

“No，notnow，Ithankyou。Icouldnotstaytwominutes。

ImustgetontoKingstonasfastasIcan。”

“Oh！docomein。Theywillbesoveryhappytoseeyou。”

“No，no；yourroomisfullenough。Iwillcallanotherday，andhearthepianoforte。”

“Well，Iamsosorry！——Oh！Mr。Knightley，whatadelightfulpartylastnight；howextremelypleasant——Didyoueverseesuchdancing？——

Wasnotitdelightful？——MissWoodhouseandMr。FrankChurchill；

Ineversawanythingequaltoit。”

“Oh！verydelightfulindeed；Icansaynothingless，forIsupposeMissWoodhouseandMr。FrankChurchillarehearingeverythingthatpasses。And(raisinghisvoicestillmore)IdonotseewhyMissFairfaxshouldnotbementionedtoo。IthinkMissFairfaxdancesverywell；andMrs。Westonistheverybestcountry-danceplayer，withoutexception，inEngland。Now，ifyourfriendshaveanygratitude，theywillsaysomethingprettyloudaboutyouandmeinreturn；

butIcannotstaytohearit。”

“Oh！Mr。Knightley，onemomentmore；somethingofconsequence——

soshocked！——JaneandIarebothsoshockedabouttheapples！“

“Whatisthematternow？“

“Tothinkofyoursendingusallyourstoreapples。Yousaidyouhadagreatmany，andnowyouhavenotoneleft。Wereallyaresoshocked！

Mrs。Hodgesmaywellbeangry。WilliamLarkinsmentionedithere。

Youshouldnothavedoneit，indeedyoushouldnot。Ah！heisoff。

Henevercanbeartobethanked。ButIthoughthewouldhavestaidnow，anditwouldhavebeenapitynottohavementioned……Well，(returningtotheroom，)Ihavenotbeenabletosucceed。

Mr。Knightleycannotstop。HeisgoingtoKingston。Heaskedmeifhecoulddoanything……”

“Yes。”saidJane，“weheardhiskindoffers，weheardeverything。”

“Oh！yes，mydear，Idaresayyoumight，becauseyouknow，thedoorwasopen，andthewindowwasopen，andMr。Knightleyspokeloud。

Youmusthaveheardeverythingtobesure。`CanIdoanythingforyouatKingston？’saidhe；soIjustmentioned……Oh！

MissWoodhouse，mustyoubegoing？——Youseembutjustcome——soveryobligingofyou。”

Emmafounditreallytimetobeathome；thevisithadalreadylastedlong；andonexaminingwatches，somuchofthemorningwasperceivedtobegone，thatMrs。Westonandhercompaniontakingleavealso，couldallowthemselvesonlytowalkwiththetwoyoungladiestoHartfieldgates，beforetheysetoffforRandalls。

Chapter11CHAPTERXI

Itmaybepossibletodowithoutdancingentirely。Instanceshavebeenknownofyoungpeoplepassingmany，manymonthssuccessively，withoutbeingatanyballofanydescription，andnomaterialinjuryaccrueeithertobodyormind；——butwhenabeginningismade——

whenthefelicitiesofrapidmotionhaveoncebeen，thoughslightly，felt——itmustbeaveryheavysetthatdoesnotaskformore。

FrankChurchillhaddancedonceatHighbury，andlongedtodanceagain；

andthelasthalf-hourofaneveningwhichMr。WoodhousewaspersuadedtospendwithhisdaughteratRandalls，waspassedbythetwoyoungpeopleinschemesonthesubject。Frank’swasthefirstidea；

andhisthegreatestzealinpursuingit；fortheladywasthebestjudgeofthedifficulties，andthemostsolicitousforaccommodationandappearance。ButstillshehadinclinationenoughforshewingpeopleagainhowdelightfullyMr。FrankChurchillandMissWoodhousedanced——fordoingthatinwhichsheneednotblushtocompareherselfwithJaneFairfax——andevenforsimpledancingitself，withoutanyofthewickedaidsofvanity——toassisthimfirstinpacingouttheroomtheywereintoseewhatitcouldbemadetohold——andthenintakingthedimensionsoftheotherparlour，inthehopeofdiscovering，inspiteofallthatMr。Westoncouldsayoftheirexactlyequalsize，thatitwasalittlethelargest。

Hisfirstpropositionandrequest，thatthedancebegunatMr。Cole’sshouldbefinishedthere——thatthesamepartyshouldbecollected，andthesamemusicianengaged，metwiththereadiestacquiescence。

Mr。Westonenteredintotheideawiththoroughenjoyment，andMrs。Westonmostwillinglyundertooktoplayaslongastheycouldwishtodance；andtheinterestingemploymenthadfollowed，ofreckoningupexactlywhotherewouldbe，andportioningouttheindispensabledivisionofspacetoeverycouple。

“YouandMissSmith，andMissFairfax，willbethree，andthetwoMissCoxesfive。”hadbeenrepeatedmanytimesover。“AndtherewillbethetwoGilberts，youngCox，myfather，andmyself，besidesMr。Knightley。Yes，thatwillbequiteenoughforpleasure。

YouandMissSmith，andMissFairfax，willbethree，andthetwoMissCoxesfive；andforfivecoupletherewillbeplentyofroom。”

Butsoonitcametobeononeside，“Butwilltherebegoodroomforfivecouple？——Ireallydonotthinktherewill。”

Onanother，“Andafterall，fivecouplearenotenoughtomakeitworthwhiletostandup。Fivecouplearenothing，whenonethinksseriouslyaboutit。Itwillnotdotoinvitefivecouple。

Itcanbeallowableonlyasthethoughtofthemoment。”

SomebodysaidthatMissGilbertwasexpectedatherbrother’s，andmustbeinvitedwiththerest。SomebodyelsebelievedMrs。Gilbertwouldhavedancedtheotherevening，ifshehadbeenasked。AwordwasputinforasecondyoungCox；andatlast，Mr。Westonnamingonefamilyofcousinswhomustbeincluded，andanotherofveryoldacquaintancewhocouldnotbeleftout，itbecameacertaintythatthefivecouplewouldbeatleastten，andaveryinterestingspeculationinwhatpossiblemannertheycouldbedisposedof。

Thedoorsofthetworoomswerejustoppositeeachother。

“Mightnottheyusebothrooms，anddanceacrossthepassage？“

Itseemedthebestscheme；andyetitwasnotsogoodbutthatmanyofthemwantedabetter。Emmasaiditwouldbeawkward；

Mrs。Westonwasindistressaboutthesupper；andMr。Woodhouseopposeditearnestly，onthescoreofhealth。Itmadehimsoveryunhappy，indeed，thatitcouldnotbeperseveredin。

“Oh！no。”saidhe；“itwouldbetheextremeofimprudence。

IcouldnotbearitforEmma！——Emmaisnotstrong。Shewouldcatchadreadfulcold。SowouldpoorlittleHarriet。

Soyouwouldall。Mrs。Weston，youwouldbequitelaidup；

donotletthemtalkofsuchawildthing。Praydonotletthemtalkofit。Thatyoungman(speakinglower)isverythoughtless。

Donottellhisfather，butthatyoungmanisnotquitethething。

Hehasbeenopeningthedoorsveryoftenthisevening，andkeepingthemopenveryinconsiderately。Hedoesnotthinkofthedraught。

Idonotmeantosetyouagainsthim，butindeedheisnotquitethething！“

Mrs。Westonwassorryforsuchacharge。Sheknewtheimportanceofit，andsaideverythinginherpowertodoitaway。Everydoorwasnowclosed，thepassageplangivenup，andthefirstschemeofdancingonlyintheroomtheywereinresortedtoagain；

andwithsuchgood-willonFrankChurchill’spart，thatthespacewhichaquarterofanhourbeforehadbeendeemedbarelysufficientforfivecouple，wasnowendeavouredtobemadeoutquiteenoughforten。

“Weweretoomagnificent。”saidhe。“Weallowedunnecessaryroom。

Tencouplemaystandhereverywell。”

Emmademurred。“Itwouldbeacrowd——asadcrowd；andwhatcouldbeworsethandancingwithoutspacetoturnin？“

“Verytrue。”hegravelyreplied；“itwasverybad。”Butstillhewentonmeasuring，andstillheendedwith，“Ithinktherewillbeverytolerableroomfortencouple。”

“No，no。”saidshe，“youarequiteunreasonable。Itwouldbedreadfultobestandingsoclose！Nothingcanbefartherfrompleasurethantobedancinginacrowd——andacrowdinalittleroom！“

“Thereisnodenyingit。”hereplied。“Iagreewithyouexactly。

Acrowdinalittleroom——MissWoodhouse，youhavetheartofgivingpicturesinafewwords。Exquisite，quiteexquisite！——Still，however，havingproceededsofar，oneisunwillingtogivethematterup。

Itwouldbeadisappointmenttomyfather——andaltogether——Idonotknowthat——Iamratherofopinionthattencouplemightstandhereverywell。”

Emmaperceivedthatthenatureofhisgallantrywasalittleself-willed，andthathewouldratheropposethanlosethepleasureofdancingwithher；butshetookthecompliment，andforgavetherest。Hadsheintendedevertomarryhim，itmighthavebeenworthwhiletopauseandconsider，andtrytounderstandthevalueofhispreference，andthecharacterofhistemper；butforallthepurposesoftheiracquaintance，hewasquiteamiableenough。

Beforethemiddleofthenextday，hewasatHartfield；andheenteredtheroomwithsuchanagreeablesmileascertifiedthecontinuanceofthescheme。Itsoonappearedthathecametoannounceanimprovement。

“Well，MissWoodhouse。”healmostimmediatelybegan，“yourinclinationfordancinghasnotbeenquitefrightenedaway，Ihope，bytheterrorsofmyfather’slittlerooms。Ibringanewproposalonthesubject：——athoughtofmyfather’s，whichwaitsonlyyourapprobationtobeactedupon。MayIhopeforthehonourofyourhandforthetwofirstdancesofthislittleprojectedball，tobegiven，notatRandalls，butattheCrownInn？“

“TheCrown！“

“Yes；ifyouandMr。Woodhouseseenoobjection，andItrustyoucannot，myfatherhopeshisfriendswillbesokindastovisithimthere。

Betteraccommodations，hecanpromisethem，andnotalessgratefulwelcomethanatRandalls。Itishisownidea。Mrs。Westonseesnoobjectiontoit，providedyouaresatisfied。Thisiswhatweallfeel。Oh！youwereperfectlyright！Tencouple，ineitheroftheRandallsrooms，wouldhavebeeninsufferable！——Dreadful！——Ifelthowrightyouwerethewholetime，butwastooanxiousforsecuringanythingtoliketoyield。Isnotitagoodexchange？——Youconsent——

Ihopeyouconsent？“

“Itappearstomeaplanthatnobodycanobjectto，ifMr。andMrs。Westondonot。Ithinkitadmirable；and，asfarasIcananswerformyself，shallbemosthappy——Itseemstheonlyimprovementthatcouldbe。Papa，doyounotthinkitanexcellentimprovement？“

Shewasobligedtorepeatandexplainit，beforeitwasfullycomprehended；andthen，beingquitenew，fartherrepresentationswerenecessarytomakeitacceptable。

“No；hethoughtitveryfarfromanimprovement——averybadplan——

muchworsethantheother。Aroomataninnwasalwaysdampanddangerous；neverproperlyaired，orfittobeinhabited。

Iftheymustdance，theyhadbetterdanceatRandalls。HehadneverbeenintheroomattheCrowninhislife——didnotknowthepeoplewhokeptitbysight——Oh！no——averybadplan。TheywouldcatchworsecoldsattheCrownthananywhere。”

“Iwasgoingtoobserve，sir。”saidFrankChurchill，“thatoneofthegreatrecommendationsofthischangewouldbetheverylittledangerofanybody’scatchingcold——

somuchlessdangerattheCrownthanatRandalls！Mr。Perrymighthavereasontoregretthealteration，butnobodyelsecould。”

“Sir。”saidMr。Woodhouse，ratherwarmly，“youareverymuchmistakenifyousupposeMr。Perrytobethatsortofcharacter。

Mr。Perryisextremelyconcernedwhenanyofusareill。ButI

donotunderstandhowtheroomattheCrowncanbesaferforyouthanyourfather’shouse。”

“Fromtheverycircumstanceofitsbeinglarger，sir。Weshallhavenooccasiontoopenthewindowsatall——notoncethewholeevening；

anditisthatdreadfulhabitofopeningthewindows，lettingincoldairuponheatedbodies，which(asyouwellknow，sir)doesthemischief。”

“Openthewindows！——butsurely，Mr。Churchill，nobodywouldthinkofopeningthewindowsatRandalls。Nobodycouldbesoimprudent！

Ineverheardofsuchathing。Dancingwithopenwindows！——Iamsure，neitheryourfathernorMrs。Weston(poorMissTaylorthatwas)

wouldsufferit。”

“Ah！sir——butathoughtlessyoungpersonwillsometimesstepbehindawindow-curtain，andthrowupasash，withoutitsbeingsuspected。

Ihaveoftenknownitdonemyself。”

“Haveyouindeed，sir？——Blessme！Inevercouldhavesupposedit。

ButIliveoutoftheworld，andamoftenastonishedatwhatIhear。

However，thisdoesmakeadifference；and，perhaps，whenwecometotalkitover——butthesesortofthingsrequireagooddealofconsideration。Onecannotresolveupontheminahurry。

IfMr。andMrs。Westonwillbesoobligingastocallhereonemorning，wemaytalkitover，andseewhatcanbedone。”

“But，unfortunately，sir，mytimeissolimited——“

“Oh！“interruptedEmma，“therewillbeplentyoftimefortalkingeverythingover。Thereisnohurryatall。IfitcanbecontrivedtobeattheCrown，papa，itwillbeveryconvenientforthehorses。

Theywillbesoneartheirownstable。”

“Sotheywill，mydear。Thatisagreatthing。NotthatJamesevercomplains；butitisrighttospareourhorseswhenwecan。

IfIcouldbesureoftheroomsbeingthoroughlyaired——butisMrs。Stokestobetrusted？Idoubtit。Idonotknowher，evenbysight。”

“Icananswerforeverythingofthatnature，sir，becauseitwillbeunderMrs。Weston’scare。Mrs。Westonundertakestodirectthewhole。”

“There，papa！——Nowyoumustbesatisfied——OurowndearMrs。Weston，whoiscarefulnessitself。DonotyourememberwhatMr。Perrysaid，somanyyearsago，whenIhadthemeasles？`IfMissTaylorundertakestowrapMissEmmaup，youneednothaveanyfears，sir。’HowoftenhaveIheardyouspeakofitassuchacomplimenttoher！“

“Aye，verytrue。Mr。Perrydidsayso。Ishallneverforgetit。

PoorlittleEmma！Youwereverybadwiththemeasles；thatis，youwouldhavebeenverybad，butforPerry’sgreatattention。

Hecamefourtimesadayforaweek。Hesaid，fromthefirst，itwasaverygoodsort——whichwasourgreatcomfort；butthemeaslesareadreadfulcomplaint。IhopewheneverpoorIsabella’slittleoneshavethemeasles，shewillsendforPerry。”

“MyfatherandMrs。WestonareattheCrownatthismoment。”

saidFrankChurchill，“examiningthecapabilitiesofthehouse。

IleftthemthereandcameontoHartfield，impatientforyouropinion，andhopingyoumightbepersuadedtojointhemandgiveyouradviceonthespot。Iwasdesiredtosaysofromboth。Itwouldbethegreatestpleasuretothem，ifyoucouldallowmetoattendyouthere。

Theycandonothingsatisfactorilywithoutyou。”

Emmawasmosthappytobecalledtosuchacouncil；andherfather，engagingtothinkitalloverwhileshewasgone，thetwoyoungpeoplesetofftogetherwithoutdelayfortheCrown。TherewereMr。andMrs。Weston；delightedtoseeherandreceiveherapprobation，verybusyandveryhappyintheirdifferentway；she，insomelittledistress；andhe，findingeverythingperfect。

“Emma。”saidshe，“thispaperisworsethanIexpected。

Look！inplacesyouseeitisdreadfullydirty；andthewainscotismoreyellowandforlornthananythingIcouldhaveimagined。”

“Mydear，youaretooparticular。”saidherhusband。“Whatdoesallthatsignify？Youwillseenothingofitbycandlelight。

ItwillbeascleanasRandallsbycandlelight。Weneverseeanythingofitonourclub-nights。”

Theladieshereprobablyexchangedlookswhichmeant，“Menneverknowwhenthingsaredirtyornot；“andthegentlemenperhapsthoughteachtohimself，“Womenwillhavetheirlittlenonsensesandneedlesscares。”

Oneperplexity，however，arose，whichthegentlemendidnotdisdain。

Itregardedasupper-room。Atthetimeoftheballroom’sbeingbuilt，suppershadnotbeeninquestion；andasmallcard-roomadjoining，wastheonlyaddition。Whatwastobedone？Thiscard-roomwouldbewantedasacard-roomnow；or，ifcardswereconvenientlyvotedunnecessarybytheirfourselves，stillwasitnottoosmallforanycomfortablesupper？Anotherroomofmuchbettersizemightbesecuredforthepurpose；butitwasattheotherendofthehouse，andalongawkwardpassagemustbegonethroughtogetatit。

Thismadeadifficulty。Mrs。Westonwasafraidofdraughtsfortheyoungpeopleinthatpassage；andneitherEmmanorthegentlemencouldtoleratetheprospectofbeingmiserablycrowdedatsupper。

Mrs。Westonproposedhavingnoregularsupper；merelysandwiches，&；c。，setoutinthelittleroom；butthatwasscoutedasawretchedsuggestion。Aprivatedance，withoutsittingdowntosupper，waspronouncedaninfamousfraudupontherightsofmenandwomen；

andMrs。Westonmustnotspeakofitagain。Shethentookanotherlineofexpediency，andlookingintothedoubtfulroom，observed，“Idonotthinkitissoverysmall。Weshallnotbemany，youknow。”

AndMr。Westonatthesametime，walkingbrisklywithlongstepsthroughthepassage，wascallingout，“Youtalkagreatdealofthelengthofthispassage，mydear。

Itisamerenothingafterall；andnottheleastdraughtfromthestairs。”

“Iwish。”saidMrs。Weston，“onecouldknowwhicharrangementourguestsingeneralwouldlikebest。Todowhatwouldbemostgenerallypleasingmustbeourobject——ifonecouldbuttellwhatthatwouldbe。”

“Yes，verytrue。”criedFrank，“verytrue。Youwantyourneighbours’

opinions。Idonotwonderatyou。Ifonecouldascertainwhatthechiefofthem——theColes，forinstance。Theyarenotfaroff。

ShallIcalluponthem？OrMissBates？Sheisstillnearer——

AndIdonotknowwhetherMissBatesisnotaslikelytounderstandtheinclinationsoftherestofthepeopleasanybody。Ithinkwedowantalargercouncil。SupposeIgoandinviteMissBatestojoinus？“

“Well——ifyouplease。”saidMrs。Westonratherhesitating，“ifyouthinkshewillbeofanyuse。”

“YouwillgetnothingtothepurposefromMissBates。”saidEmma。

“Shewillbealldelightandgratitude，butshewilltellyounothing。

Shewillnotevenlistentoyourquestions。IseenoadvantageinconsultingMissBates。”

“Butsheissoamusing，soextremelyamusing！IamveryfondofhearingMissBatestalk。AndIneednotbringthewholefamily，youknow。”

HereMr。Westonjoinedthem，andonhearingwhatwasproposed，gaveithisdecidedapprobation。

“Aye，do，Frank——GoandfetchMissBates，andletusendthematteratonce。Shewillenjoythescheme，Iamsure；andIdonotknowapropererpersonforshewingushowtodoawaydifficulties。