下载辰思小说免费APP
Emmahadnottolistentosuchparadingsagain——toanysoexclusivelyaddressedtoherself——sodisgustinglydecoratedwitha“dearMissWoodhouse。”ThechangeonMrs。Elton’ssidesoonafterwardsappeared，andshewasleftinpeace——neitherforcedtobetheveryparticularfriendofMrs。Elton，nor，underMrs。Elton’sguidance，theveryactivepatronessofJaneFairfax，andonlysharingwithothersinageneralway，inknowingwhatwasfelt，whatwasmeditated，whatwasdone。
Shelookedonwithsomeamusement——MissBates’sgratitudeforMrs。Elton’sattentionstoJanewasinthefirststyleofguilelesssimplicityandwarmth。Shewasquiteoneofherworthies——
themostamiable，affable，delightfulwoman——justasaccomplishedandcondescendingasMrs。Eltonmeanttobeconsidered。
Emma’sonlysurprizewasthatJaneFairfaxshouldacceptthoseattentionsandtolerateMrs。Eltonassheseemedtodo。
SheheardofherwalkingwiththeEltons，sittingwiththeEltons，spendingadaywiththeEltons！Thiswasastonishing！——ShecouldnothavebelieveditpossiblethatthetasteortheprideofMissFairfaxcouldenduresuchsocietyandfriendshipastheVicaragehadtooffer。
“Sheisariddle，quiteariddle！“saidshe——“Tochusetoremainheremonthaftermonth，underprivationsofeverysort！AndnowtochusethemortificationofMrs。Elton’snoticeandthepenuryofherconversation，ratherthanreturntothesuperiorcompanionswhohavealwayslovedherwithsuchreal，generousaffection。”
JanehadcometoHighburyprofessedlyforthreemonths；theCampbellsweregonetoIrelandforthreemonths；butnowtheCampbellshadpromisedtheirdaughtertostayatleasttillMidsummer，andfreshinvitationshadarrivedforhertojointhemthere。
AccordingtoMissBates——itallcamefromher——Mrs。Dixonhadwrittenmostpressingly。WouldJanebutgo，meansweretobefound，servantssent，friendscontrived——notravellingdifficultyallowedtoexist；butstillshehaddeclinedit！
“Shemusthavesomemotive，morepowerfulthanappears，forrefusingthisinvitation。”wasEmma’sconclusion。“Shemustbeundersomesortofpenance，inflictedeitherbytheCampbellsorherself。
Thereisgreatfear，greatcaution，greatresolutionsomewhere——
SheisnottobewiththeDixons。Thedecreeisissuedbysomebody。
ButwhymustsheconsenttobewiththeEltons？——Hereisquiteaseparatepuzzle。”
Uponherspeakingherwonderaloudonthatpartofthesubject，beforethefewwhoknewheropinionofMrs。Elton，Mrs。WestonventuredthisapologyforJane。
“WecannotsupposethatshehasanygreatenjoymentattheVicarage，mydearEmma——butitisbetterthanbeingalwaysathome。
Herauntisagoodcreature，but，asaconstantcompanion，mustbeverytiresome。WemustconsiderwhatMissFairfaxquits，beforewecondemnhertasteforwhatshegoesto。”
“Youareright，Mrs。Weston。”saidMr。Knightleywarmly，“MissFairfaxisascapableasanyofusofformingajustopinionofMrs。Elton。
Couldshehavechosenwithwhomtoassociate，shewouldnothavechosenher。But(withareproachfulsmileatEmma)shereceivesattentionsfromMrs。Elton，whichnobodyelsepaysher。”
EmmafeltthatMrs。Westonwasgivingheramomentaryglance；
andshewasherselfstruckbyhiswarmth。Withafaintblush，shepresentlyreplied，“SuchattentionsasMrs。Elton’s，Ishouldhaveimagined，wouldratherdisgustthangratifyMissFairfax。Mrs。Elton’sinvitationsIshouldhaveimaginedanythingbutinviting。”
“Ishouldnotwonder。”saidMrs。Weston，“ifMissFairfaxweretohavebeendrawnonbeyondherowninclination，byheraunt’seagernessinacceptingMrs。Elton’scivilitiesforher。PoorMissBatesmayverylikelyhavecommittedhernieceandhurriedherintoagreaterappearanceofintimacythanherowngoodsensewouldhavedictated，inspiteoftheverynaturalwishofalittlechange。”
Bothfeltratheranxioustohearhimspeakagain；andafterafewminutessilence，hesaid，“Anotherthingmustbetakenintoconsiderationtoo——Mrs。EltondoesnottalktoMissFairfaxasshespeaksofher。Weallknowthedifferencebetweenthepronounsheorsheandthou，theplainestspokenamongstus；weallfeeltheinfluenceofasomethingbeyondcommoncivilityinourpersonalintercoursewitheachother——
asomethingmoreearlyimplanted。Wecannotgiveanybodythedisagreeablehintsthatwemayhavebeenveryfullofthehourbefore。
Wefeelthingsdifferently。Andbesidestheoperationofthis，asageneralprinciple，youmaybesurethatMissFairfaxawesMrs。Eltonbyhersuperioritybothofmindandmanner；andthat，facetoface，Mrs。Eltontreatsherwithalltherespectwhichshehasaclaimto。SuchawomanasJaneFairfaxprobablyneverfellinMrs。Elton’swaybefore——andnodegreeofvanitycanpreventheracknowledgingherowncomparativelittlenessinaction，ifnotinconsciousness。”
“IknowhowhighlyyouthinkofJaneFairfax。”saidEmma。
LittleHenrywasinherthoughts，andamixtureofalarmanddelicacymadeherirresolutewhatelsetosay。
“Yes。”hereplied，“anybodymayknowhowhighlyIthinkofher。”
“Andyet。”saidEmma，beginninghastilyandwithanarchlook，butsoonstopping——itwasbetter，however，toknowtheworstatonce——
shehurriedon——“Andyet，perhaps，youmayhardlybeawareyourselfhowhighlyitis。Theextentofyouradmirationmaytakeyoubysurprizesomedayorother。”
Mr。Knightleywashardatworkuponthelowerbuttonsofhisthickleathergaiters，andeithertheexertionofgettingthemtogether，orsomeothercause，broughtthecolourintohisface，asheanswered，“Oh！areyouthere？——Butyouaremiserablybehindhand。Mr。Colegavemeahintofitsixweeksago。”
Hestopped——EmmafeltherfootpressedbyMrs。Weston，anddidnotherselfknowwhattothink。Inamomenthewenton——
“Thatwillneverbe，however，Icanassureyou。MissFairfax，Idaresay，wouldnothavemeifIweretoaskher——andIamverysureIshallneveraskher。”
Emmareturnedherfriend’spressurewithinterest；andwaspleasedenoughtoexclaim，“Youarenotvain，Mr。Knightley。Iwillsaythatforyou。”
Heseemedhardlytohearher；hewasthoughtful——andinamannerwhichshewedhimnotpleased，soonafterwardssaid，“SoyouhavebeensettlingthatIshouldmarryJaneFairfax？“
“NoindeedIhavenot。Youhavescoldedmetoomuchformatch-making，formetopresumetotakesuchalibertywithyou。WhatIsaidjustnow，meantnothing。Onesaysthosesortofthings，ofcourse，withoutanyideaofaseriousmeaning。Oh！no，uponmywordI
havenotthesmallestwishforyourmarryingJaneFairfaxorJaneanybody。
Youwouldnotcomeinandsitwithusinthiscomfortableway，ifyouweremarried。”
Mr。Knightleywasthoughtfulagain。Theresultofhisreveriewas，“No，Emma，Idonotthinktheextentofmyadmirationforherwillevertakemebysurprize——Ineverhadathoughtofherinthatway，Iassureyou。”Andsoonafterwards，“JaneFairfaxisaverycharmingyoungwoman——butnotevenJaneFairfaxisperfect。Shehasafault。
Shehasnottheopentemperwhichamanwouldwishforinawife。”
Emmacouldnotbutrejoicetohearthatshehadafault。
“Well。”saidshe，“andyousoonsilencedMr。Cole，Isuppose？“
“Yes，verysoon。Hegavemeaquiethint；Itoldhimhewasmistaken；
heaskedmypardonandsaidnomore。Coledoesnotwanttobewiserorwittierthanhisneighbours。”
“InthatrespecthowunlikedearMrs。Elton，whowantstobewiserandwittierthanalltheworld！IwonderhowshespeaksoftheColes——
whatshecallsthem！Howcanshefindanyappellationforthem，deepenoughinfamiliarvulgarity？Shecallsyou，Knightley——whatcanshedoforMr。Cole？AndsoIamnottobesurprizedthatJaneFairfaxacceptshercivilitiesandconsentstobewithher。
Mrs。Weston，yourargumentweighsmostwithme。IcanmuchmorereadilyenterintothetemptationofgettingawayfromMissBates，thanIcanbelieveinthetriumphofMissFairfax’smindoverMrs。Elton。IhavenofaithinMrs。Elton’sacknowledgingherselftheinferiorinthought，word，ordeed；orinherbeingunderanyrestraintbeyondherownscantyruleofgood-breeding。Icannotimaginethatshewillnotbecontinuallyinsultinghervisitorwithpraise，encouragement，andoffersofservice；thatshewillnotbecontinuallydetailinghermagnificentintentions，fromtheprocuringherapermanentsituationtotheincludingherinthosedelightfulexploringpartieswhicharetotakeplaceinthebarouche-landau。”
“JaneFairfaxhasfeeling。”saidMr。Knightley——“Idonotaccuseherofwantoffeeling。Hersensibilities，Isuspect，arestrong——andhertemperexcellentinitspowerofforbearance，patience，self-controul；butitwantsopenness。Sheisreserved，morereserved，Ithink，thansheusedtobe——AndIloveanopentemper。No——tillColealludedtomysupposedattachment，ithadneverenteredmyhead。IsawJaneFairfaxandconversedwithher，withadmirationandpleasurealways——butwithnothoughtbeyond。”
“Well，Mrs。Weston。”saidEmmatriumphantlywhenheleftthem，“whatdoyousaynowtoMr。Knightley’smarryingJaneFairfax？“
“Why，really，dearEmma，Isaythatheissoverymuchoccupiedbytheideaofnotbeinginlovewithher，thatIshouldnotwonderifitweretoendinhisbeingsoatlast。Donotbeatme。”
Chapter16CHAPTERXVI
EverybodyinandaboutHighburywhohadevervisitedMr。Elton，wasdisposedtopayhimattentiononhismarriage。Dinner-partiesandevening-partiesweremadeforhimandhislady；andinvitationsflowedinsofastthatshehadsoonthepleasureofapprehendingtheywerenevertohaveadisengagedday。
“Iseehowitis。”saidshe。“IseewhatalifeIamtoleadamongyou。Uponmywordweshallbeabsolutelydissipated。
Wereallyseemquitethefashion。Ifthisislivinginthecountry，itisnothingveryformidable。FromMondaynexttoSaturday，Iassureyouwehavenotadisengagedday！——AwomanwithfewerresourcesthanIhave，neednothavebeenataloss。”
Noinvitationcameamisstoher。HerBathhabitsmadeevening-partiesperfectlynaturaltoher，andMapleGrovehadgivenheratastefordinners。Shewasalittleshockedatthewantoftwodrawingrooms，atthepoorattemptatrout-cakes，andtherebeingnoiceintheHighburycard-parties。Mrs。Bates，Mrs。Perry，Mrs。Goddardandothers，wereagooddealbehind-handinknowledgeoftheworld，butshewouldsoonshewthemhoweverythingoughttobearranged。Inthecourseofthespringshemustreturntheircivilitiesbyoneverysuperiorparty——inwhichhercard-tablesshouldbesetoutwiththeirseparatecandlesandunbrokenpacksinthetruestyle——andmorewaitersengagedfortheeveningthantheirownestablishmentcouldfurnish，tocarryroundtherefreshmentsatexactlytheproperhour，andintheproperorder。
Emma，inthemeanwhile，couldnotbesatisfiedwithoutadinneratHartfieldfortheEltons。Theymustnotdolessthanothers，orsheshouldbeexposedtoodioussuspicions，andimaginedcapableofpitifulresentment。Adinnertheremustbe。AfterEmmahadtalkedaboutitfortenminutes，Mr。Woodhousefeltnounwillingness，andonlymadetheusualstipulationofnotsittingatthebottomofthetablehimself，withtheusualregulardifficultyofdecidingwhoshoulddoitforhim。
Thepersonstobeinvited，requiredlittlethought。BesidestheEltons，itmustbetheWestonsandMr。Knightley；sofaritwasallofcourse——
anditwashardlylessinevitablethatpoorlittleHarrietmustbeaskedtomaketheeighth：——butthisinvitationwasnotgivenwithequalsatisfaction，andonmanyaccountsEmmawasparticularlypleasedbyHarriet’sbeggingtobeallowedtodeclineit。
“Shewouldrathernotbeinhiscompanymorethanshecouldhelp。
Shewasnotyetquiteabletoseehimandhischarminghappywifetogether，withoutfeelinguncomfortable。IfMissWoodhousewouldnotbedispleased，shewouldratherstayathome。”
ItwaspreciselywhatEmmawouldhavewished，hadshedeemeditpossibleenoughforwishing。Shewasdelightedwiththefortitudeofherlittlefriend——forfortitudesheknewitwasinhertogiveupbeingincompanyandstayathome；andshecouldnowinvitetheverypersonwhomshereallywantedtomaketheeighth，JaneFairfax——
SinceherlastconversationwithMrs。WestonandMr。Knightley，shewasmoreconscience-strickenaboutJaneFairfaxthanshehadoftenbeen——Mr。Knightley’swordsdweltwithher。HehadsaidthatJaneFairfaxreceivedattentionsfromMrs。Eltonwhichnobodyelsepaidher。
“Thisisverytrue。”saidshe，“atleastasfarasrelatestome，whichwasallthatwasmeant——anditisveryshameful——Ofthesameage——
andalwaysknowingher——Ioughttohavebeenmoreherfriend——
Shewillneverlikemenow。Ihaveneglectedhertoolong。
ButI
willshewhergreaterattentionthanIhavedone。”
Everyinvitationwassuccessful。Theywerealldisengagedandallhappy——
Thepreparatoryinterestofthisdinner，however，wasnotyetover。
Acircumstanceratherunluckyoccurred。ThetwoeldestlittleKnightleyswereengagedtopaytheirgrandpapaandauntavisitofsomeweeksinthespring，andtheirpapanowproposedbringingthem，andstayingonewholedayatHartfield——whichonedaywouldbetheverydayofthisparty——Hisprofessionalengagementsdidnotallowofhisbeingputoff，butbothfatheranddaughterweredisturbedbyitshappeningso。Mr。Woodhouseconsideredeightpersonsatdinnertogetherastheutmostthathisnervescouldbear——
andherewouldbeaninth——andEmmaapprehendedthatitwouldbeaninthverymuchoutofhumouratnotbeingabletocomeeventoHartfieldforforty-eighthourswithoutfallinginwithadinner-party。
Shecomfortedherfatherbetterthanshecouldcomfortherself，byrepresentingthatthoughhecertainlywouldmakethemnine，yethealwayssaidsolittle，thattheincreaseofnoisewouldbeveryimmaterial。Shethoughtitinrealityasadexchangeforherself，tohavehimwithhisgravelooksandreluctantconversationopposedtoherinsteadofhisbrother。
TheeventwasmorefavourabletoMr。WoodhousethantoEmma。
JohnKnightleycame；butMr。Westonwasunexpectedlysummonedtotownandmustbeabsentontheveryday。Hemightbeabletojointhemintheevening，butcertainlynottodinner。Mr。Woodhousewasquiteatease；andtheseeinghimso，withthearrivalofthelittleboysandthephilosophiccomposureofherbrotheronhearinghisfate，removedthechiefofevenEmma’svexation。
Thedaycame，thepartywerepunctuallyassembled，andMr。JohnKnightleyseemedearlytodevotehimselftothebusinessofbeingagreeable。
Insteadofdrawinghisbrotherofftoawindowwhiletheywaitedfordinner，hewastalkingtoMissFairfax。Mrs。Elton，aselegantaslaceandpearlscouldmakeher，helookedatinsilence——
wantingonlytoobserveenoughforIsabella’sinformation——butMissFairfaxwasanoldacquaintanceandaquietgirl，andhecouldtalktoher。Hehadmetherbeforebreakfastashewasreturningfromawalkwithhislittleboys，whenithadbeenjustbeginningtorain。Itwasnaturaltohavesomecivilhopesonthesubject，andhesaid，“Ihopeyoudidnotventurefar，MissFairfax，thismorning，orI
amsureyoumusthavebeenwet——Wescarcelygothomeintime。
Ihopeyouturneddirectly。”
“Iwentonlytothepost-office。”saidshe，“andreachedhomebeforetherainwasmuch。Itismydailyerrand。IalwaysfetchtheletterswhenIamhere。Itsavestrouble，andisasomethingtogetmeout。Awalkbeforebreakfastdoesmegood。”
“Notawalkintherain，Ishouldimagine。”
“No，butitdidnotabsolutelyrainwhenIsetout。”
Mr。JohnKnightleysmiled，andreplied，“Thatistosay，youchosetohaveyourwalk，foryouwerenotsixyardsfromyourowndoorwhenIhadthepleasureofmeetingyou；
andHenryandJohnhadseenmoredropsthantheycouldcountlongbefore。
Thepost-officehasagreatcharmatoneperiodofourlives。
Whenyouhavelivedtomyage，youwillbegintothinklettersareneverworthgoingthroughtherainfor。”
Therewasalittleblush，andthenthisanswer，“Imustnothopetobeeversituatedasyouare，inthemidstofeverydearestconnexion，andthereforeIcannotexpectthatsimplygrowingoldershouldmakemeindifferentaboutletters。”
“Indifferent！Oh！no——Ineverconceivedyoucouldbecomeindifferent。
Lettersarenomatterofindifference；theyaregenerallyaverypositivecurse。”
“Youarespeakingoflettersofbusiness；minearelettersoffriendship。”
“Ihaveoftenthoughtthemtheworstofthetwo。”repliedhecoolly。
“Business，youknow，maybringmoney，butfriendshiphardlyeverdoes。”
“Ah！youarenotseriousnow。IknowMr。JohnKnightleytoowell——
Iamverysureheunderstandsthevalueoffriendshipaswellasanybody。Icaneasilybelievethatlettersareverylittletoyou，muchlessthantome，butitisnotyourbeingtenyearsolderthanmyselfwhichmakesthedifference，itisnotage，butsituation。
Youhaveeverybodydearesttoyoualwaysathand，I，probably，nevershallagain；andthereforetillIhaveoutlivedallmyaffections，apost-office，Ithink，mustalwayshavepowertodrawmeout，inworseweatherthanto-day。”
“WhenItalkedofyourbeingalteredbytime，bytheprogressofyears。”
saidJohnKnightley，“Imeanttoimplythechangeofsituationwhichtimeusuallybrings。Iconsideroneasincludingtheother。
Timewillgenerallylessentheinterestofeveryattachmentnotwithinthedailycircle——butthatisnotthechangeIhadinviewforyou。
Asanoldfriend，youwillallowmetohope，MissFairfax，thattenyearshenceyoumayhaveasmanyconcentratedobjectsasIhave。”
Itwaskindlysaid，andveryfarfromgivingoffence。Apleasant“thankyou“seemedmeanttolaughitoff，butablush，aquiveringlip，atearintheeye，shewedthatitwasfeltbeyondalaugh。
HerattentionwasnowclaimedbyMr。Woodhouse，whobeing，accordingtohiscustomonsuchoccasions，makingthecircleofhisguests，andpayinghisparticularcomplimentstotheladies，wasendingwithher——andwithallhismildesturbanity，said，“Iamverysorrytohear，MissFairfax，ofyourbeingoutthismorningintherain。Youngladiesshouldtakecareofthemselves——
Youngladiesaredelicateplants。Theyshouldtakecareoftheirhealthandtheircomplexion。Mydear，didyouchangeyourstockings？“
“Yes，sir，Ididindeed；andIamverymuchobligedbyyourkindsolicitudeaboutme。”
“MydearMissFairfax，youngladiesareverysuretobecaredfor——
Ihopeyourgoodgrand-mamaandauntarewell。Theyaresomeofmyveryoldfriends。Iwishmyhealthallowedmetobeabetterneighbour。Youdousagreatdealofhonourto-day，Iamsure。
MydaughterandIarebothhighlysensibleofyourgoodness，andhavethegreatestsatisfactioninseeingyouatHartfield。”
Thekind-hearted，politeoldmanmightthensitdownandfeelthathehaddonehisduty，andmadeeveryfairladywelcomeandeasy。
Bythistime，thewalkintherainhadreachedMrs。Elton，andherremonstrancesnowopeneduponJane。
“MydearJane，whatisthisIhear？——Goingtothepost-officeintherain！——Thismustnotbe，Iassureyou——Yousadgirl，howcouldyoudosuchathing？——ItisasignIwasnottheretotakecareofyou。”
Janeverypatientlyassuredherthatshehadnotcaughtanycold。
“Oh！donottellme。Youreallyareaverysadgirl，anddonotknowhowtotakecareofyourself——Tothepost-officeindeed！
Mrs。Weston，didyoueverhearthelike？YouandImustpositivelyexertourauthority。”
“Myadvice。”saidMrs。Westonkindlyandpersuasively，“Icertainlydofeeltemptedtogive。MissFairfax，youmustnotrunsuchrisks——
Liableasyouhavebeentoseverecolds，indeedyououghttobeparticularlycareful，especiallyatthistimeofyear。
ThespringIalwaysthinkrequiresmorethancommoncare。
Betterwaitanhourortwo，orevenhalfadayforyourletters，thanruntheriskofbringingonyourcoughagain。Nowdonotyoufeelthatyouhad？Yes，Iamsureyouaremuchtooreasonable。
Youlookasifyouwouldnotdosuchathingagain。”
“Oh！sheshallnotdosuchathingagain。”eagerlyrejoinedMrs。Elton。“Wewillnotallowhertodosuchathingagain：“——
andnoddingsignificantly——“theremustbesomearrangementmade，theremustindeed。IshallspeaktoMr。E。Themanwhofetchesourletterseverymorning(oneofourmen，Iforgethisname)
shallinquireforyourstooandbringthemtoyou。Thatwillobviatealldifficultiesyouknow；andfromusIreallythink，mydearJane，youcanhavenoscrupletoacceptsuchanaccommodation。”
“Youareextremelykind。”saidJane；“butIcannotgiveupmyearlywalk。IamadvisedtobeoutofdoorsasmuchasIcan，Imustwalksomewhere，andthepost-officeisanobject；anduponmyword，Ihavescarcelyeverhadabadmorningbefore。”
“MydearJane，saynomoreaboutit。Thethingisdetermined，thatis(laughingaffectedly)asfarasIcanpresumetodetermineanythingwithouttheconcurrenceofmylordandmaster。Youknow，Mrs。Weston，youandImustbecautioushowweexpressourselves。
ButIdoflattermyself，mydearJane，thatmyinfluenceisnotentirelywornout。IfImeetwithnoinsuperabledifficultiestherefore，considerthatpointassettled。”
“Excuseme。”saidJaneearnestly，“Icannotbyanymeansconsenttosuchanarrangement，soneedlesslytroublesometoyourservant。
Iftheerrandwerenotapleasuretome，itcouldbedone，asitalwaysiswhenIamnothere，bymygrandmama’s。”
“Oh！mydear；butsomuchasPattyhastodo！——Anditisakindnesstoemployourmen。”
Janelookedasifshedidnotmeantobeconquered；butinsteadofanswering，shebeganspeakingagaintoMr。JohnKnightley。
“Thepost-officeisawonderfulestablishment！“saidshe——
“Theregularityanddespatchofit！Ifonethinksofallthatithastodo，andallthatitdoessowell，itisreallyastonishing！“
“Itiscertainlyverywellregulated。”
“Soseldomthatanynegligenceorblunderappears！Soseldomthataletter，amongthethousandsthatareconstantlypassingaboutthekingdom，isevencarriedwrong——andnotoneinamillion，Isuppose，actuallylost！Andwhenoneconsidersthevarietyofhands，andofbadhandstoo，thataretobedeciphered，itincreasesthewonder。”
“Theclerksgrowexpertfromhabit——Theymustbeginwithsomequicknessofsightandhand，andexerciseimprovesthem。Ifyouwantanyfartherexplanation。”continuedhe，smiling，“theyarepaidforit。Thatisthekeytoagreatdealofcapacity。
Thepublicpaysandmustbeservedwell。”
Thevarietiesofhandwritingwerefarthertalkedof，andtheusualobservationsmade。
“Ihavehearditasserted。”saidJohnKnightley，“thatthesamesortofhandwritingoftenprevailsinafamily；andwherethesamemasterteaches，itisnaturalenough。Butforthatreason，Ishouldimaginethelikenessmustbechieflyconfinedtothefemales，forboyshaveverylittleteachingafteranearlyage，andscrambleintoanyhandtheycanget。IsabellaandEmma，Ithink，dowriteverymuchalike。Ihavenotalwaysknowntheirwritingapart。”
“Yes。”saidhisbrotherhesitatingly，“thereisalikeness。
Iknowwhatyoumean——butEmma’shandisthestrongest。”
“IsabellaandEmmabothwritebeautifully。”saidMr。Woodhouse；
“andalwaysdid。AndsodoespoorMrs。Weston“——withhalfasighandhalfasmileather。
“Ineversawanygentleman’shandwriting“——Emmabegan，lookingalsoatMrs。Weston；butstopped，onperceivingthatMrs。Westonwasattendingtosomeoneelse——andthepausegavehertimetoreflect，“Now，howamIgoingtointroducehim？——AmIunequaltospeakinghisnameatoncebeforeallthesepeople？Isitnecessaryformetouseanyroundaboutphrase？——YourYorkshirefriend——
yourcorrespondentinYorkshire；——thatwouldbetheway，Isuppose，ifIwereverybad——No，Icanpronouncehisnamewithoutthesmallestdistress。Icertainlygetbetterandbetter——Nowforit。”
Mrs。WestonwasdisengagedandEmmabeganagain——“Mr。FrankChurchillwritesoneofthebestgentleman’shandsIeversaw。”
“Idonotadmireit。”saidMr。Knightley。“Itistoosmall——
wantsstrength。Itislikeawoman’swriting。”
Thiswasnotsubmittedtobyeitherlady。Theyvindicatedhimagainstthebaseaspersion。“No，itbynomeanswantedstrength——
itwasnotalargehand，butveryclearandcertainlystrong。
HadnotMrs。Westonanyletterabouthertoproduce？“No，shehadheardfromhimverylately，buthavingansweredtheletter，hadputitaway。
“Ifwewereintheotherroom。”saidEmma，“ifIhadmywriting-desk，IamsureIcouldproduceaspecimen。Ihaveanoteofhis——
Donotyouremember，Mrs。Weston，employinghimtowriteforyouoneday？“
“Hechosetosayhewasemployed“——
“Well，well，Ihavethatnote；andcanshewitafterdinnertoconvinceMr。Knightley。”
“Oh！whenagallantyoungman，likeMr。FrankChurchill。”
saidMr。Knightleydryly，“writestoafairladylikeMissWoodhouse，hewill，ofcourse，putforthhisbest。”
Dinnerwasontable——Mrs。Elton，beforeshecouldbespokento，wasready；andbeforeMr。Woodhousehadreachedherwithhisrequesttobeallowedtohandherintothedining-parlour，wassaying——
“MustIgofirst？Ireallyamashamedofalwaysleadingtheway。”
Jane’ssolicitudeaboutfetchingherownlettershadnotescapedEmma。
Shehadheardandseenitall；andfeltsomecuriositytoknowwhetherthewetwalkofthismorninghadproducedany。Shesuspectedthatithad；thatitwouldnothavebeensoresolutelyencounteredbutinfullexpectationofhearingfromsomeoneverydear，andthatithadnotbeeninvain。Shethoughttherewasanairofgreaterhappinessthanusual——aglowbothofcomplexionandspirits。
Shecouldhavemadeaninquiryortwo，astotheexpeditionandtheexpenseoftheIrishmails；——itwasathertongue’send——
butsheabstained。ShewasquitedeterminednottoutterawordthatshouldhurtJaneFairfax’sfeelings；andtheyfollowedtheotherladiesoutoftheroom，arminarm，withanappearanceofgood-willhighlybecomingtothebeautyandgraceofeach。
Chapter17CHAPTERXVII
Whentheladiesreturnedtothedrawing-roomafterdinner，Emmafoundithardlypossibletopreventtheirmakingtwodistinctparties；——
withsomuchperseveranceinjudgingandbehavingilldidMrs。EltonengrossJaneFairfaxandslightherself。SheandMrs。Westonwereobligedtobealmostalwayseithertalkingtogetherorsilenttogether。
Mrs。Eltonleftthemnochoice。IfJanerepressedherforalittletime，shesoonbeganagain；andthoughmuchthatpassedbetweenthemwasinahalf-whisper，especiallyonMrs。Elton’sside，therewasnoavoidingaknowledgeoftheirprincipalsubjects：
Thepost-office——catchingcold——fetchingletters——andfriendship，werelongunderdiscussion；andtothemsucceededone，whichmustbeatleastequallyunpleasanttoJane——inquirieswhethershehadyetheardofanysituationlikelytosuither，andprofessionsofMrs。Elton’smeditatedactivity。
“HereisAprilcome！“saidshe，“Igetquiteanxiousaboutyou。
Junewillsoonbehere。”
“ButIhaveneverfixedonJuneoranyothermonth——merelylookedforwardtothesummeringeneral。”
“Buthaveyoureallyheardofnothing？“
“Ihavenotevenmadeanyinquiry；Idonotwishtomakeanyyet。”
“Oh！mydear，wecannotbegintooearly；youarenotawareofthedifficultyofprocuringexactlythedesirablething。”
“Inotaware！“saidJane，shakingherhead；“dearMrs。Elton，whocanhavethoughtofitasIhavedone？“
“ButyouhavenotseensomuchoftheworldasIhave。Youdonotknowhowmanycandidatestherealwaysareforthefirstsituations。
IsawavastdealofthatintheneighbourhoodroundMapleGrove。
AcousinofMr。Suckling，Mrs。Bragge，hadsuchaninfinityofapplications；everybodywasanxioustobeinherfamily，forshemovesinthefirstcircle。Wax-candlesintheschoolroom！
Youmayimaginehowdesirable！OfallhousesinthekingdomMrs。Bragge’sistheoneIwouldmostwishtoseeyouin。”
“ColonelandMrs。Campbellaretobeintownagainbymidsummer。”
saidJane。“Imustspendsometimewiththem；Iamsuretheywillwantit；——afterwardsImayprobablybegladtodisposeofmyself。
ButIwouldnotwishyoutotakethetroubleofmakinganyinquiriesatpresent。”
“Trouble！aye，Iknowyourscruples。Youareafraidofgivingmetrouble；butIassureyou，mydearJane，theCampbellscanhardlybemoreinterestedaboutyouthanIam。IshallwritetoMrs。Partridgeinadayortwo，andshallgiveherastrictchargetobeonthelook-outforanythingeligible。”
“Thankyou，butIwouldratheryoudidnotmentionthesubjecttoher；tillthetimedrawsnearer，Idonotwishtobegivinganybodytrouble。”
“But，mydearchild，thetimeisdrawingnear；hereisApril，andJune，orsayevenJuly，isverynear，withsuchbusinesstoaccomplishbeforeus。Yourinexperiencereallyamusesme！
Asituationsuchasyoudeserve，andyourfriendswouldrequireforyou，isnoeverydayoccurrence，isnotobtainedatamoment’snotice；
indeed，indeed，wemustbegininquiringdirectly。”
“Excuseme，ma’am，butthisisbynomeansmyintention；Imakenoinquirymyself，andshouldbesorrytohaveanymadebymyfriends。
WhenIamquitedeterminedastothetime，Iamnotatallafraidofbeinglongunemployed。Thereareplacesintown，offices，whereinquirywouldsoonproducesomething——Officesforthesale——
notquiteofhumanflesh——butofhumanintellect。”
“Oh！mydear，humanflesh！Youquiteshockme；ifyoumeanaflingattheslave-trade，IassureyouMr。Sucklingwasalwaysratherafriendtotheabolition。”
“Ididnotmean，Iwasnotthinkingoftheslave-trade。”repliedJane；
“governess-trade，Iassureyou，wasallthatIhadinview；
widelydifferentcertainlyastotheguiltofthosewhocarryiton；
butastothegreatermiseryofthevictims，Idonotknowwhereitlies。ButIonlymeantosaythatthereareadvertisingoffices，andthatbyapplyingtothemIshouldhavenodoubtofverysoonmeetingwithsomethingthatwoulddo。”
“Somethingthatwoulddo！“repeatedMrs。Elton。“Aye，thatmaysuityourhumbleideasofyourself；——Iknowwhatamodestcreatureyouare；butitwillnotsatisfyyourfriendstohaveyoutakingupwithanythingthatmayoffer，anyinferior，commonplacesituation，inafamilynotmovinginacertaincircle，orabletocommandtheeleganciesoflife。”
“Youareveryobliging；butastoallthat，Iamveryindifferent；
itwouldbenoobjecttometobewiththerich；mymortifications，Ithink，wouldonlybethegreater；Ishouldsuffermorefromcomparison。
Agentleman’sfamilyisallthatIshouldconditionfor。”
“Iknowyou，Iknowyou；youwouldtakeupwithanything；butI
shallbealittlemorenice，andIamsurethegoodCampbellswillbequiteonmyside；withyoursuperiortalents，youhavearighttomoveinthefirstcircle。Yourmusicalknowledgealonewouldentitleyoutonameyourownterms，haveasmanyroomsasyoulike，andmixinthefamilyasmuchasyouchose；——thatis——Idonotknow——
ifyouknewtheharp，youmightdoallthat，Iamverysure；
butyousingaswellasplay；——yes，Ireallybelieveyoumight，evenwithouttheharp，stipulateforwhatyouchose；——andyoumustandshallbedelightfully，honourablyandcomfortablysettledbeforetheCampbellsorIhaveanyrest。”
“Youmaywellclassthedelight，thehonour，andthecomfortofsuchasituationtogether。”saidJane，“theyareprettysuretobeequal；however，Iamveryseriousinnotwishinganythingtobeattemptedatpresentforme。Iamexceedinglyobligedtoyou，Mrs。Elton，Iamobligedtoanybodywhofeelsforme，butIamquiteseriousinwishingnothingtobedonetillthesummer。
FortwoorthreemonthslongerIshallremainwhereIam，andasIam。”
“AndIamquiteserioustoo，Iassureyou。”repliedMrs。Eltongaily，“inresolvingtobealwaysonthewatch，andemployingmyfriendstowatchalso，thatnothingreallyunexceptionablemaypassus。”
Inthisstylesheranon；neverthoroughlystoppedbyanythingtillMr。Woodhousecameintotheroom；hervanityhadthenachangeofobject，andEmmaheardhersayinginthesamehalf-whispertoJane，“Herecomesthisdearoldbeauofmine，Iprotest！——Onlythinkofhisgallantryincomingawaybeforetheothermen！——whatadearcreatureheis；——IassureyouIlikehimexcessively。Iadmireallthatquaint，old-fashionedpoliteness；itismuchmoretomytastethanmodernease；
moderneaseoftendisgustsme。ButthisgoodoldMr。Woodhouse，Iwishyouhadheardhisgallantspeechestomeatdinner。Oh！
IassureyouIbegantothinkmycarosposowouldbeabsolutelyjealous。
IfancyIamratherafavourite；hetooknoticeofmygown。
Howdoyoulikeit？——Selina’schoice——handsome，Ithink，butI
donotknowwhetheritisnotover-trimmed；Ihavethegreatestdisliketotheideaofbeingover-trimmed——quiteahorroroffinery。
Imustputonafewornamentsnow，becauseitisexpectedofme。
Abride，youknow，mustappearlikeabride，butmynaturaltasteisallforsimplicity；asimplestyleofdressissoinfinitelypreferabletofinery。ButIamquiteintheminority，Ibelieve；
fewpeopleseemtovaluesimplicityofdress，——showandfineryareeverything。Ihavesomenotionofputtingsuchatrimmingasthistomywhiteandsilverpoplin。Doyouthinkitwilllookwell？“
Thewholepartywerebutjustreassembledinthedrawing-roomwhenMr。Westonmadehisappearanceamongthem。Hehadreturnedtoalatedinner，andwalkedtoHartfieldassoonasitwasover。
Hehadbeentoomuchexpectedbythebestjudges，forsurprize——
buttherewasgreatjoy。Mr。Woodhousewasalmostasgladtoseehimnow，ashewouldhavebeensorrytoseehimbefore。JohnKnightleyonlywasinmuteastonishment——ThatamanwhomighthavespenthiseveningquietlyathomeafteradayofbusinessinLondon，shouldsetoffagain，andwalkhalfamiletoanotherman’shouse，forthesakeofbeinginmixedcompanytillbed-time，offinishinghisdayintheeffortsofcivilityandthenoiseofnumbers，wasacircumstancetostrikehimdeeply。Amanwhohadbeeninmotionsinceeighto’clockinthemorning，andmightnowhavebeenstill，whohadbeenlongtalking，andmighthavebeensilent，whohadbeeninmorethanonecrowd，andmighthavebeenalone！——Suchaman，toquitthetranquillityandindependenceofhisownfireside，andontheeveningofacoldsleetyAprildayrushoutagainintotheworld！——Couldhebyatouchofhisfingerhaveinstantlytakenbackhiswife，therewouldhavebeenamotive；buthiscomingwouldprobablyprolongratherthanbreakuptheparty。JohnKnightleylookedathimwithamazement，thenshruggedhisshoulders，andsaid，“Icouldnothavebelieveditevenofhim。”
Mr。Westonmeanwhile，perfectlyunsuspiciousoftheindignationhewasexciting，happyandcheerfulasusual，andwithalltherightofbeingprincipaltalker，whichadayspentanywherefromhomeconfers，wasmakinghimselfagreeableamongtherest；
andhavingsatisfiedtheinquiriesofhiswifeastohisdinner，convincingherthatnoneofallhercarefuldirectionstotheservantshadbeenforgotten，andspreadabroadwhatpublicnewshehadheard，wasproceedingtoafamilycommunication，which，thoughprincipallyaddressedtoMrs。Weston，hehadnotthesmallestdoubtofbeinghighlyinterestingtoeverybodyintheroom。Hegaveheraletter，itwasfromFrank，andtoherself；hehadmetwithitinhisway，andhadtakenthelibertyofopeningit。
“Readit，readit。”saidhe，“itwillgiveyoupleasure；
onlyafewlines——willnottakeyoulong；readittoEmma。”
Thetwoladieslookedoverittogether；andhesatsmilingandtalkingtothemthewholetime，inavoicealittlesubdued，butveryaudibletoeverybody。
“Well，heiscoming，yousee；goodnews，Ithink。Well，whatdoyousaytoit？——Ialwaystoldyouhewouldbehereagainsoon，didnotI？——Anne，mydear，didnotIalwaystellyouso，andyouwouldnotbelieveme？——Intownnextweek，yousee——atthelatest，Idaresay；
forsheisasimpatientastheblackgentlemanwhenanythingistobedone；mostlikelytheywillbethereto-morroworSaturday。
Astoherillness，allnothingofcourse。ButitisanexcellentthingtohaveFrankamongusagain，sonearastown。Theywillstayagoodwhilewhentheydocome，andhewillbehalfhistimewithus。
ThisispreciselywhatIwanted。Well，prettygoodnews，isnotit？
Haveyoufinishedit？HasEmmareaditall？Putitup，putitup；
wewillhaveagoodtalkaboutitsomeothertime，butitwillnotdonow。Ishallonlyjustmentionthecircumstancetotheothersinacommonway。”
Mrs。Westonwasmostcomfortablypleasedontheoccasion。
Herlooksandwordshadnothingtorestrainthem。Shewashappy，sheknewshewashappy，andknewsheoughttobehappy。
Hercongratulationswerewarmandopen；butEmmacouldnotspeaksofluently。Shewasalittleoccupiedinweighingherownfeelings，andtryingtounderstandthedegreeofheragitation，whichsheratherthoughtwasconsiderable。
Mr。Weston，however，tooeagertobeveryobservant，toocommunicativetowantotherstotalk，wasverywellsatisfiedwithwhatshedidsay，andsoonmovedawaytomaketherestofhisfriendshappybyapartialcommunicationofwhatthewholeroommusthaveoverheardalready。
Itwaswellthathetookeverybody’sjoyforgranted，orhemightnothavethoughteitherMr。WoodhouseorMr。Knightleyparticularlydelighted。Theywerethefirstentitled，afterMrs。WestonandEmma，tobemadehappy；——fromthemhewouldhaveproceededtoMissFairfax，butshewassodeepinconversationwithJohnKnightley，thatitwouldhavebeentoopositiveaninterruption；andfindinghimselfclosetoMrs。Elton，andherattentiondisengaged，henecessarilybeganonthesubjectwithher。
Chapter18CHAPTERXVIII
“IhopeIshallsoonhavethepleasureofintroducingmysontoyou。”
saidMr。Weston。
Mrs。Elton，verywillingtosupposeaparticularcomplimentintendedherbysuchahope，smiledmostgraciously。
“YouhaveheardofacertainFrankChurchill，Ipresume。”hecontinued——
“andknowhimtobemyson，thoughhedoesnotbearmyname。”
“Oh！yes，andIshallbeveryhappyinhisacquaintance。
IamsureMr。Eltonwilllosenotimeincallingonhim；andweshallbothhavegreatpleasureinseeinghimattheVicarage。”
“Youareveryobliging——Frankwillbeextremelyhappy，Iamsure——
Heistobeintownnextweek，ifnotsooner。Wehavenoticeofitinaletterto-day。Imetthelettersinmywaythismorning，andseeingmyson’shand，presumedtoopenit——thoughitwasnotdirectedtome——itwastoMrs。Weston。Sheishisprincipalcorrespondent，Iassureyou。Ihardlyevergetaletter。”
“Andsoyouabsolutelyopenedwhatwasdirectedtoher！Oh！
Mr。Weston——
(laughingaffectedly)Imustprotestagainstthat——Amostdangerousprecedentindeed！——Ibegyouwillnotletyourneighboursfollowyourexample——Uponmyword，ifthisiswhatIamtoexpect，wemarriedwomenmustbegintoexertourselves！——Oh！Mr。Weston，Icouldnothavebelieveditofyou！“
“Aye，wemenaresadfellows。Youmusttakecareofyourself，Mrs。Elton——Thislettertellsus——itisashortletter——writteninahurry，merelytogiveusnotice——ittellsusthattheyareallcominguptotowndirectly，onMrs。Churchill’saccount——shehasnotbeenwellthewholewinter，andthinksEnscombetoocoldforher——
sotheyarealltomovesouthwardwithoutlossoftime。”
“Indeed！——fromYorkshire，Ithink。EnscombeisinYorkshire？“
“Yes，theyareaboutonehundredandninetymilesfromLondon。
aconsiderablejourney。”
“Yes，uponmyword，veryconsiderable。Sixty-fivemilesfartherthanfromMapleGrovetoLondon。Butwhatisdistance，Mr。Weston，topeopleoflargefortune？——Youwouldbeamazedtohearhowmybrother，Mr。Suckling，sometimesfliesabout。Youwillhardlybelieveme——
buttwiceinoneweekheandMr。BraggewenttoLondonandbackagainwithfourhorses。”
“TheevilofthedistancefromEnscombe。”saidMr。Weston，“is，thatMrs。Churchill，asweunderstand，hasnotbeenabletoleavethesofaforaweektogether。InFrank’slastlettershecomplained，hesaid，ofbeingtooweaktogetintoherconservatorywithouthavingbothhisarmandhisuncle’s！This，youknow，speaksagreatdegreeofweakness——butnowsheissoimpatienttobeintown，thatshemeanstosleeponlytwonightsontheroad——SoFrankwritesword。
Certainly，delicateladieshaveveryextraordinaryconstitutions，Mrs。Elton。Youmustgrantmethat。”
“No，indeed，Ishallgrantyounothing。IAlwaystakethepartofmyownsex。Idoindeed。Igiveyounotice——Youwillfindmeaformidableantagonistonthatpoint。Ialwaysstandupforwomen——
andIassureyou，ifyouknewhowSelinafeelswithrespecttosleepingataninn，youwouldnotwonderatMrs。Churchill’smakingincredibleexertionstoavoidit。Selinasaysitisquitehorrortoher——andIbelieveIhavecaughtalittleofhernicety。
Shealwaystravelswithherownsheets；anexcellentprecaution。
DoesMrs。Churchilldothesame？“
“Dependuponit，Mrs。Churchilldoeseverythingthatanyotherfineladyeverdid。Mrs。Churchillwillnotbesecondtoanyladyinthelandfor“——
Mrs。Eltoneagerlyinterposedwith，“Oh！Mr。Weston，donotmistakeme。Selinaisnofinelady，Iassureyou。Donotrunawaywithsuchanidea。”
“Isnotshe？ThensheisnoruleforMrs。Churchill，whoisasthoroughafineladyasanybodyeverbeheld。”
Mrs。Eltonbegantothinkshehadbeenwrongindisclaimingsowarmly。
Itwasbynomeansherobjecttohaveitbelievedthathersisterwasnotafinelady；perhapstherewaswantofspiritinthepretenceofit；——andshewasconsideringinwhatwayshehadbestretract，whenMr。Westonwenton。
“Mrs。Churchillisnotmuchinmygoodgraces，asyoumaysuspect——
butthisisquitebetweenourselves。SheisveryfondofFrank，andthereforeIwouldnotspeakillofher。Besides，sheisoutofhealthnow；butthatindeed，byherownaccount，shehasalwaysbeen。
Iwouldnotsaysotoeverybody，Mrs。Elton，butIhavenotmuchfaithinMrs。Churchill’sillness。”
“Ifsheisreallyill，whynotgotoBath，Mr。Weston？——ToBath，ortoClifton？““ShehastakenitintoherheadthatEnscombeistoocoldforher。Thefactis，Isuppose，thatsheistiredofEnscombe。
Shehasnowbeenalongertimestationarythere，thansheeverwasbefore，andshebeginstowantchange。Itisaretiredplace。
Afineplace，butveryretired。”
“Aye——likeMapleGrove，Idaresay。NothingcanstandmoreretiredfromtheroadthanMapleGrove。Suchanimmenseplantationallroundit！
Youseemshutoutfromeverything——inthemostcompleteretirement——
AndMrs。ChurchillprobablyhasnothealthorspiritslikeSelinatoenjoythatsortofseclusion。Or，perhapsshemaynothaveresourcesenoughinherselftobequalifiedforacountrylife。
Ialwayssayawomancannothavetoomanyresources——andIfeelverythankfulthatIhavesomanymyselfastobequiteindependentofsociety。”
“FrankwashereinFebruaryforafortnight。”
“SoIremembertohaveheard。HewillfindanadditiontothesocietyofHighburywhenhecomesagain；thatis，ifImaypresumetocallmyselfanaddition。Butperhapshemayneverhaveheardoftherebeingsuchacreatureintheworld。”
Thiswastooloudacallforacomplimenttobepassedby，andMr。Weston，withaverygoodgrace，immediatelyexclaimed，“Mydearmadam！Nobodybutyourselfcouldimaginesuchathingpossible。Notheardofyou！——IbelieveMrs。Weston’sletterslatelyhavebeenfullofverylittleelsethanMrs。Elton。”
Hehaddonehisdutyandcouldreturntohisson。
“WhenFrankleftus。”continuedhe，“itwasquiteuncertainwhenwemightseehimagain，whichmakesthisday’snewsdoublywelcome。
Ithasbeencompletelyunexpected。Thatis，Ialwayshadastrongpersuasionhewouldbehereagainsoon，Iwassuresomethingfavourablewouldturnup——butnobodybelievedme。HeandMrs。
Westonwerebothdreadfullydesponding。`Howcouldhecontrivetocome？
Andhowcoulditbesupposedthathisuncleandauntwouldsparehimagain？’andsoforth——Ialwaysfeltthatsomethingwouldhappeninourfavour；andsoithas，yousee。Ihaveobserved，Mrs。Elton，inthecourseofmylife，thatifthingsaregoinguntowardlyonemonth，theyaresuretomendthenext。”
“Verytrue，Mr。Weston，perfectlytrue。ItisjustwhatIusedtosaytoacertaingentlemanincompanyinthedaysofcourtship，when，becausethingsdidnotgoquiteright，didnotproceedwithalltherapiditywhichsuitedhisfeelings，hewasapttobeindespair，andexclaimthathewassureatthisrateitwouldbeMaybeforeHymen’ssaffronrobewouldbeputonforus。Oh！thepainsIhavebeenattodispelthosegloomyideasandgivehimcheerfullerviews！
Thecarriage——wehaddisappointmentsaboutthecarriage；——onemorning，Iremember，hecametomequiteindespair。”
Shewasstoppedbyaslightfitofcoughing，andMr。Westoninstantlyseizedtheopportunityofgoingon。
“YouwerementioningMay。MayistheverymonthwhichMrs。Churchillisordered，orhasorderedherself，tospendinsomewarmerplacethanEnscombe——inshort，tospendinLondon；sothatwehavetheagreeableprospectoffrequentvisitsfromFrankthewholespring——
preciselytheseasonoftheyearwhichoneshouldhavechosenforit：daysalmostatthelongest；weathergenialandpleasant，alwaysinvitingoneout，andnevertoohotforexercise。Whenhewasherebefore，wemadethebestofit；buttherewasagooddealofwet，damp，cheerlessweather；therealwaysisinFebruary，youknow，andwecouldnotdohalfthatweintended。Nowwillbethetime。
Thiswillbecompleteenjoyment；andIdonotknow，Mrs。Elton，whethertheuncertaintyofourmeetings，thesortofconstantexpectationtherewillbeofhiscominginto-dayorto-morrow，andatanyhour，maynotbemorefriendlytohappinessthanhavinghimactuallyinthehouse。Ithinkitisso。Ithinkitisthestateofmindwhichgivesmostspiritanddelight。Ihopeyouwillbepleasedwithmyson；butyoumustnotexpectaprodigy。
Heisgenerallythoughtafineyoungman，butdonotexpectaprodigy。
Mrs。Weston’spartialityforhimisverygreat，and，asyoumaysuppose，mostgratifyingtome。Shethinksnobodyequaltohim。”
“AndIassureyou，Mr。Weston，Ihaveverylittledoubtthatmyopinionwillbedecidedlyinhisfavour。IhaveheardsomuchinpraiseofMr。FrankChurchill——Atthesametimeitisfairtoobserve，thatIamoneofthosewhoalwaysjudgeforthemselves，andarebynomeansimplicitlyguidedbyothers。IgiveyounoticethatasIfindyourson，soIshalljudgeofhim——Iamnoflatterer。”
Mr。Westonwasmusing。
“Ihope。”saidhepresently，“IhavenotbeensevereuponpoorMrs。Churchill。IfsheisillIshouldbesorrytodoherinjustice；
buttherearesometraitsinhercharacterwhichmakeitdifficultformetospeakofherwiththeforbearanceIcouldwish。
Youcannotbeignorant，Mrs。Elton，ofmyconnexionwiththefamily，norofthetreatmentIhavemetwith；and，betweenourselves，thewholeblameofitistobelaidtoher。Shewastheinstigator。
Frank’smotherwouldneverhavebeenslightedasshewasbutforher。
Mr。Churchillhaspride；buthisprideisnothingtohiswife’s：
hisisaquiet，indolent，gentlemanlikesortofpridethatwouldharmnobody，andonlymakehimselfalittlehelplessandtiresome；
butherprideisarroganceandinsolence！Andwhatinclinesonelesstobear，shehasnofairpretenceoffamilyorblood。Shewasnobodywhenhemarriedher，barelythedaughterofagentleman；buteversinceherbeingturnedintoaChurchillshehasout-Churchill’dthemallinhighandmightyclaims：butinherself，Iassureyou，sheisanupstart。”
“Onlythink！well，thatmustbeinfinitelyprovoking！Ihavequiteahorrorofupstarts。MapleGrovehasgivenmeathoroughdisgusttopeopleofthatsort；forthereisafamilyinthatneighbourhoodwhoaresuchanannoyancetomybrotherandsisterfromtheairstheygivethemselves！YourdescriptionofMrs。Churchillmademethinkofthemdirectly。PeopleofthenameofTupman，verylatelysettledthere，andencumberedwithmanylowconnexions，butgivingthemselvesimmenseairs，andexpectingtobeonafootingwiththeoldestablishedfamilies。AyearandahalfistheveryutmostthattheycanhavelivedatWestHall；andhowtheygottheirfortunenobodyknows。
TheycamefromBirmingham，whichisnotaplacetopromisemuch，youknow，Mr。Weston。OnehasnotgreathopesfromBirmingham。
Ialwayssaythereissomethingdirefulinthesound：butnothingmoreispositivelyknownoftheTupmans，thoughagoodmanythingsIassureyouaresuspected；andyetbytheirmannerstheyevidentlythinkthemselvesequaleventomybrother，Mr。Suckling，whohappenstobeoneoftheirnearestneighbours。Itisinfinitelytoobad。
Mr。Suckling，whohasbeenelevenyearsaresidentatMapleGrove，andwhosefatherhaditbeforehim——Ibelieve，atleast——IamalmostsurethatoldMr。Sucklinghadcompletedthepurchasebeforehisdeath。”
Theywereinterrupted。Teawascarryinground，andMr。Weston，havingsaidallthathewanted，soontooktheopportunityofwalkingaway。
Aftertea，Mr。andMrs。Weston，andMr。EltonsatdownwithMr。Woodhousetocards。Theremainingfivewerelefttotheirownpowers，andEmmadoubtedtheirgettingonverywell；forMr。Knightleyseemedlittledisposedforconversation；Mrs。Eltonwaswantingnotice，whichnobodyhadinclinationtopay，andshewasherselfinaworryofspiritswhichwouldhavemadeherpreferbeingsilent。
Mr。JohnKnightleyprovedmoretalkativethanhisbrother。
Hewastoleavethemearlythenextday；andhesoonbeganwith——
“Well，Emma，IdonotbelieveIhaveanythingmoretosayabouttheboys；butyouhaveyoursister’sletter，andeverythingisdownatfulllengththerewemaybesure。Mychargewouldbemuchmoreconcisethanher’s，andprobablynotmuchinthesamespirit；
allthatIhavetorecommendbeingcomprisedin，donotspoilthem，anddonotphysicthem。”
“Iratherhopetosatisfyyouboth。”saidEmma，“forIshalldoallinmypowertomakethemhappy，whichwillbeenoughforIsabella；
andhappinessmustprecludefalseindulgenceandphysic。”
“Andifyoufindthemtroublesome，youmustsendthemhomeagain。”
“Thatisverylikely。Youthinkso，donotyou？“
“IhopeIamawarethattheymaybetoonoisyforyourfather——
orevenmaybesomeencumbrancetoyou，ifyourvisitingengagementscontinuetoincreaseasmuchastheyhavedonelately。”
“Increase！“
“Certainly；youmustbesensiblethatthelasthalf-yearhasmadeagreatdifferenceinyourwayoflife。”
“Difference！NoindeedIamnot。”
“Therecanbenodoubtofyourbeingmuchmoreengagedwithcompanythanyouusedtobe。Witnessthisverytime。HereamIcomedownforonlyoneday，andyouareengagedwithadinner-party！
