第11章

Whendidithappenbefore，oranythinglikeit？Yourneighbourhoodisincreasing，andyoumixmorewithit。Alittlewhileago，everylettertoIsabellabroughtanaccountoffreshgaieties；

dinnersatMr。Cole’s，orballsattheCrown。ThedifferencewhichRandalls，Randallsalonemakesinyourgoings-on，isverygreat。”

“Yes。”saidhisbrotherquickly，“itisRandallsthatdoesitall。”

“Verywell——andasRandalls，Isuppose，isnotlikelytohavelessinfluencethanheretofore，itstrikesmeasapossiblething，Emma，thatHenryandJohnmaybesometimesintheway。Andiftheyare，Ionlybegyoutosendthemhome。”

“No。”criedMr。Knightley，“thatneednotbetheconsequence。

LetthembesenttoDonwell。Ishallcertainlybeatleisure。”

“Uponmyword。”exclaimedEmma，“youamuseme！Ishouldliketoknowhowmanyofallmynumerousengagementstakeplacewithoutyourbeingoftheparty；andwhyIamtobesupposedindangerofwantingleisuretoattendtothelittleboys。Theseamazingengagementsofmine——

whathavetheybeen？DiningoncewiththeColes——andhavingaballtalkedof，whichnevertookplace。Icanunderstandyou——(noddingatMr。JohnKnightley)——yourgoodfortuneinmeetingwithsomanyofyourfriendsatoncehere，delightsyoutoomuchtopassunnoticed。

Butyou，(turningtoMr。Knightley，)whoknowhowvery，veryseldomIamevertwohoursfromHartfield，whyyoushouldforeseesuchaseriesofdissipationforme，Icannotimagine。Andastomydearlittleboys，Imustsay，thatifAuntEmmahasnottimeforthem，IdonotthinktheywouldfaremuchbetterwithUncleKnightley，whoisabsentfromhomeaboutfivehourswheresheisabsentone——

andwho，whenheisathome，iseitherreadingtohimselforsettlinghisaccounts。”

Mr。Knightleyseemedtobetryingnottosmile；andsucceededwithoutdifficulty，uponMrs。Elton’sbeginningtotalktohim。

Chapter01VOLUME

III

CHAPTERI

AverylittlequietreflectionwasenoughtosatisfyEmmaastothenatureofheragitationonhearingthisnewsofFrankChurchill。

Shewassoonconvincedthatitwasnotforherselfshewasfeelingatallapprehensiveorembarrassed；itwasforhim。Herownattachmenthadreallysubsidedintoamerenothing；itwasnotworththinkingof；——

butifhe，whohadundoubtedlybeenalwayssomuchthemostinloveofthetwo，weretobereturningwiththesamewarmthofsentimentwhichhehadtakenaway，itwouldbeverydistressing。Ifaseparationoftwomonthsshouldnothavecooledhim，thereweredangersandevilsbeforeher：——cautionforhimandforherselfwouldbenecessary。

Shedidnotmeantohaveherownaffectionsentangledagain，anditwouldbeincumbentonhertoavoidanyencouragementofhis。

Shewishedshemightbeabletokeephimfromanabsolutedeclaration。

Thatwouldbesoverypainfulaconclusionoftheirpresentacquaintance！

andyet，shecouldnothelpratheranticipatingsomethingdecisive。

Shefeltasifthespringwouldnotpasswithoutbringingacrisis，anevent，asomethingtoalterherpresentcomposedandtranquilstate。

Itwasnotverylong，thoughratherlongerthanMr。Westonhadforeseen，beforeshehadthepowerofformingsomeopinionofFrankChurchill’sfeelings。TheEnscombefamilywerenotintownquitesosoonashadbeenimagined，buthewasatHighburyverysoonafterwards。Herodedownforacoupleofhours；hecouldnotyetdomore；butashecamefromRandallsimmediatelytoHartfield，shecouldthenexerciseallherquickobservation，andspeedilydeterminehowhewasinfluenced，andhowshemustact。Theymetwiththeutmostfriendliness。

Therecouldbenodoubtofhisgreatpleasureinseeingher。

Butshehadanalmostinstantdoubtofhiscaringforherashehaddone，ofhisfeelingthesametendernessinthesamedegree。

Shewatchedhimwell。Itwasaclearthinghewaslessinlovethanhehadbeen。Absence，withtheconvictionprobablyofherindifference，hadproducedthisverynaturalandverydesirableeffect。

Hewasinhighspirits；asreadytotalkandlaughasever，andseemeddelightedtospeakofhisformervisit，andrecurtooldstories：

andhewasnotwithoutagitation。Itwasnotinhiscalmnessthatshereadhiscomparativedifference。Hewasnotcalm；hisspiritswereevidentlyfluttered；therewasrestlessnessabouthim。

Livelyashewas，itseemedalivelinessthatdidnotsatisfyhimself；

butwhatdecidedherbeliefonthesubject，washisstayingonlyaquarterofanhour，andhurryingawaytomakeothercallsinHighbury。

“Hehadseenagroupofoldacquaintanceinthestreetashepassed——

hehadnotstopped，hewouldnotstopformorethanaword——buthehadthevanitytothinktheywouldbedisappointedifhedidnotcall，andmuchashewishedtostaylongeratHartfield，hemusthurryoff。”

Shehadnodoubtastohisbeinglessinlove——butneitherhisagitatedspirits，norhishurryingaway，seemedlikeaperfectcure；

andshewasratherinclinedtothinkitimpliedadreadofherreturningpower，andadiscreetresolutionofnottrustinghimselfwithherlong。

ThiswastheonlyvisitfromFrankChurchillinthecourseoftendays。

Hewasoftenhoping，intendingtocome——butwasalwaysprevented。

Hisauntcouldnotbeartohavehimleaveher。SuchwashisownaccountatRandall’s。Ifhewerequitesincere，ifhereallytriedtocome，itwastobeinferredthatMrs。Churchill’sremovaltoLondonhadbeenofnoservicetothewilfulornervouspartofherdisorder。

Thatshewasreallyillwasverycertain；hehaddeclaredhimselfconvincedofit，atRandalls。Thoughmuchmightbefancy，hecouldnotdoubt，whenhelookedback，thatshewasinaweakerstateofhealththanshehadbeenhalfayearago。Hedidnotbelieveittoproceedfromanythingthatcareandmedicinemightnotremove，oratleastthatshemightnothavemanyyearsofexistencebeforeher；

buthecouldnotbeprevailedon，byallhisfather’sdoubts，tosaythathercomplaintsweremerelyimaginary，orthatshewasasstrongasever。

ItsoonappearedthatLondonwasnottheplaceforher。Shecouldnotendureitsnoise。Hernerveswereundercontinualirritationandsuffering；andbythetendays’end，hernephew’slettertoRandallscommunicatedachangeofplan。TheyweregoingtoremoveimmediatelytoRichmond。Mrs。Churchillhadbeenrecommendedtothemedicalskillofaneminentpersonthere，andhadotherwiseafancyfortheplace。Aready-furnishedhouseinafavouritespotwasengaged，andmuchbenefitexpectedfromthechange。

EmmaheardthatFrankwroteinthehighestspiritsofthisarrangement，andseemedmostfullytoappreciatetheblessingofhavingtwomonthsbeforehimofsuchnearneighbourhoodtomanydearfriends——

forthehousewastakenforMayandJune。Shewastoldthatnowhewrotewiththegreatestconfidenceofbeingoftenwiththem，almostasoftenashecouldevenwish。

EmmasawhowMr。Westonunderstoodthesejoyousprospects。Hewasconsideringherasthesourceofallthehappinesstheyoffered。

Shehopeditwasnotso。Twomonthsmustbringittotheproof。

Mr。Weston’sownhappinesswasindisputable。Hewasquitedelighted。

Itwastheverycircumstancehecouldhavewishedfor。Now，itwouldbereallyhavingFrankintheirneighbourhood。Whatwereninemilestoayoungman？——Anhour’sride。Hewouldbealwayscomingover。

ThedifferenceinthatrespectofRichmondandLondonwasenoughtomakethewholedifferenceofseeinghimalwaysandseeinghimnever。Sixteenmiles——nay，eighteen——itmustbefulleighteentoManchester-street——wasaseriousobstacle。Wereheeverabletogetaway，thedaywouldbespentincomingandreturning。

TherewasnocomfortinhavinghiminLondon；hemightaswellbeatEnscombe；butRichmondwastheverydistanceforeasyintercourse。

Betterthannearer！

Onegoodthingwasimmediatelybroughttoacertaintybythisremoval，——

theballattheCrown。Ithadnotbeenforgottenbefore，butithadbeensoonacknowledgedvaintoattempttofixaday。Now，however，itwasabsolutelytobe；everypreparationwasresumed，andverysoonaftertheChurchillshadremovedtoRichmond，afewlinesfromFrank，tosaythathisauntfeltalreadymuchbetterforthechange，andthathehadnodoubtofbeingabletojointhemfortwenty-fourhoursatanygiventime，inducedthemtonameasearlyadayaspossible。

Mr。Weston’sballwastobearealthing。Averyfewto-morrowsstoodbetweentheyoungpeopleofHighburyandhappiness。

Mr。Woodhousewasresigned。Thetimeofyearlightenedtheeviltohim。MaywasbetterforeverythingthanFebruary。Mrs。

BateswasengagedtospendtheeveningatHartfield，Jameshadduenotice，andhesanguinelyhopedthatneitherdearlittleHenrynordearlittleJohnwouldhaveanythingthematterwiththem，whiledearEmmaweregone。

Chapter02CHAPTERII

Nomisfortuneoccurred，againtopreventtheball。Thedayapproached，thedayarrived；andafteramorningofsomeanxiouswatching，FrankChurchill，inallthecertaintyofhisownself，reachedRandallsbeforedinner，andeverythingwassafe。

NosecondmeetinghadthereyetbeenbetweenhimandEmma。

TheroomattheCrownwastowitnessit；——butitwouldbebetterthanacommonmeetinginacrowd。Mr。Westonhadbeensoveryearnestinhisentreatiesforherarrivingthereassoonaspossibleafterthemselves，forthepurposeoftakingheropinionastotheproprietyandcomfortoftheroomsbeforeanyotherpersonscame，thatshecouldnotrefusehim，andmustthereforespendsomequietintervalintheyoungman’scompany。ShewastoconveyHarriet，andtheydrovetotheCrowningoodtime，theRandallspartyjustsufficientlybeforethem。

FrankChurchillseemedtohavebeenonthewatch；andthoughhedidnotsaymuch，hiseyesdeclaredthathemeanttohaveadelightfulevening。Theyallwalkedabouttogether，toseethateverythingwasasitshouldbe；andwithinafewminuteswerejoinedbythecontentsofanothercarriage，whichEmmacouldnothearthesoundofatfirst，withoutgreatsurprize。

“Sounreasonablyearly！“shewasgoingtoexclaim；butshepresentlyfoundthatitwasafamilyofoldfriends，whowerecoming，likeherself，byparticulardesire，tohelpMr。Weston’sjudgment；andtheyweresoverycloselyfollowedbyanothercarriageofcousins，whohadbeenentreatedtocomeearlywiththesamedistinguishingearnestness，onthesameerrand，thatitseemedasifhalfthecompanymightsoonbecollectedtogetherforthepurposeofpreparatoryinspection。

EmmaperceivedthathertastewasnottheonlytasteonwhichMr。Westondepended，andfelt，thattobethefavouriteandintimateofamanwhohadsomanyintimatesandconfidantes，wasnottheveryfirstdistinctioninthescaleofvanity。

Shelikedhisopenmanners，butalittlelessofopen-heartednesswouldhavemadehimahighercharacter——Generalbenevolence，butnotgeneralfriendship，madeamanwhatheoughttobe——

Shecouldfancysuchaman。Thewholepartywalkedabout，andlooked，andpraisedagain；andthen，havingnothingelsetodo，formedasortofhalf-circleroundthefire，toobserveintheirvariousmodes，tillothersubjectswerestarted，that，thoughMay，afireintheeveningwasstillverypleasant。

EmmafoundthatitwasnotMr。Weston’sfaultthatthenumberofprivycouncillorswasnotyetlarger。TheyhadstoppedatMrs。Bates’sdoortooffertheuseoftheircarriage，buttheauntandnieceweretobebroughtbytheEltons。

Frankwasstandingbyher，butnotsteadily；therewasarestlessness，whichshewedamindnotatease。Hewaslookingabout，hewasgoingtothedoor，hewaswatchingforthesoundofothercarriages，——

impatienttobegin，orafraidofbeingalwaysnearher。

Mrs。Eltonwasspokenof。“Ithinkshemustbeheresoon。”saidhe。

“IhaveagreatcuriositytoseeMrs。Elton，Ihaveheardsomuchofher。Itcannotbelong，Ithink，beforeshecomes。”

Acarriagewasheard。Hewasonthemoveimmediately；

butcomingback，said，“IamforgettingthatIamnotacquaintedwithher。IhaveneverseeneitherMr。orMrs。Elton。Ihavenobusinesstoputmyselfforward。”

Mr。andMrs。Eltonappeared；andallthesmilesandtheproprietiespassed。

“ButMissBatesandMissFairfax！“saidMr。Weston，lookingabout。

“Wethoughtyouweretobringthem。”

Themistakehadbeenslight。Thecarriagewassentforthemnow。

EmmalongedtoknowwhatFrank’sfirstopinionofMrs。Eltonmightbe；howhewasaffectedbythestudiedeleganceofherdress，andhersmilesofgraciousness。Hewasimmediatelyqualifyinghimselftoformanopinion，bygivingherveryproperattention，aftertheintroductionhadpassed。

Inafewminutesthecarriagereturned——Somebodytalkedofrain——

“Iwillseethatthereareumbrellas，sir。”saidFranktohisfather：

“MissBatesmustnotbeforgotten：“andawayhewent。Mr。

Westonwasfollowing；butMrs。Eltondetainedhim，togratifyhimbyheropinionofhisson；andsobrisklydidshebegin，thattheyoungmanhimself，thoughbynomeansmovingslowly，couldhardlybeoutofhearing。

“Averyfineyoungmanindeed，Mr。Weston。YouknowIcandidlytoldyouIshouldformmyownopinion；andIamhappytosaythatIamextremelypleasedwithhim——Youmaybelieveme。Inevercompliment。

Ithinkhimaveryhandsomeyoungman，andhismannersarepreciselywhatIlikeandapprove——sotrulythegentleman，withouttheleastconceitorpuppyism。YoumustknowIhaveavastdisliketopuppies——

quiteahorrorofthem。TheywerenevertoleratedatMapleGrove。

NeitherMr。Sucklingnormehadeveranypatiencewiththem；andweusedsometimestosayverycuttingthings！Selina，whoismildalmosttoafault，borewiththemmuchbetter。”

Whileshetalkedofhisson，Mr。Weston’sattentionwaschained；

butwhenshegottoMapleGrove，hecouldrecollectthattherewereladiesjustarrivingtobeattendedto，andwithhappysmilesmusthurryaway。

Mrs。EltonturnedtoMrs。Weston。“IhavenodoubtofitsbeingourcarriagewithMissBatesandJane。Ourcoachmanandhorsesaresoextremelyexpeditious！——Ibelievewedrivefasterthananybody——

Whatapleasureitistosendone’scarriageforafriend！——

Iunderstandyouweresokindastooffer，butanothertimeitwillbequiteunnecessary。YoumaybeverysureIshallalwaystakecareofthem。”

MissBatesandMissFairfax，escortedbythetwogentlemen，walkedintotheroom；andMrs。EltonseemedtothinkitasmuchherdutyasMrs。Weston’storeceivethem。HergesturesandmovementsmightbeunderstoodbyanyonewholookedonlikeEmma；

butherwords，everybody’swords，weresoonlostundertheincessantflowofMissBates，whocameintalking，andhadnotfinishedherspeechundermanyminutesafterherbeingadmittedintothecircleatthefire。Asthedooropenedshewasheard，“Soveryobligingofyou！——Norainatall。Nothingtosignify。

Idonotcareformyself。Quitethickshoes。AndJanedeclares——

Well！——(assoonasshewaswithinthedoor)Well！Thisisbrilliantindeed！——Thisisadmirable！——Excellentlycontrived，uponmyword。

Nothingwanting。Couldnothaveimaginedit——Sowelllightedup！——

Jane，Jane，look！——didyoueverseeanything？Oh！Mr。Weston，youmustreallyhavehadAladdin’slamp。GoodMrs。Stokeswouldnotknowherownroomagain。IsawherasIcamein；

shewasstandingintheentrance。`Oh！Mrs。Stokes，’saidI——

butIhadnottimeformore。”ShewasnowmetbyMrs。Weston——

“Verywell，Ithankyou，ma’am。Ihopeyouarequitewell。

Veryhappytohearit。Soafraidyoumighthaveaheadach！——

seeingyoupassbysooften，andknowinghowmuchtroubleyoumusthave。

Delightedtohearitindeed。Ah！dearMrs。Elton，soobligedtoyouforthecarriage！——excellenttime。JaneandIquiteready。

Didnotkeepthehorsesamoment。Mostcomfortablecarriage——

Oh！andIamsureourthanksareduetoyou，Mrs。Weston，onthatscore。

Mrs。EltonhadmostkindlysentJaneanote，orweshouldhavebeen——

Buttwosuchoffersinoneday！——Neverweresuchneighbours。

Isaidtomymother，`Uponmyword，ma’am。’Thankyou，mymotherisremarkablywell。GonetoMr。Woodhouse’s。Imadehertakehershawl——fortheeveningsarenotwarm——herlargenewshawl——

Mrs。Dixon’swedding-present——Sokindofhertothinkofmymother！

BoughtatWeymouth，youknow——Mr。Dixon’schoice。Therewerethreeothers，Janesays，whichtheyhesitatedaboutsometime。

ColonelCampbellratherpreferredanolive。MydearJane，areyousureyoudidnotwetyourfeet？——Itwasbutadroportwo，butIamsoafraid：——butMr。FrankChurchillwassoextremely——

andtherewasamattostepupon——Ishallneverforgethisextremepoliteness——Oh！Mr。FrankChurchill，Imusttellyoumymother’sspectacleshaveneverbeeninfaultsince；therivetnevercameoutagain。Mymotheroftentalksofyourgood-nature。

Doesnotshe，Jane？——DonotweoftentalkofMr。FrankChurchill？——

Ah！here’sMissWoodhouse——DearMissWoodhouse，howdoyoudo？——

VerywellIthankyou，quitewell。Thisismeetingquiteinfairy-land！——

Suchatransformation！——Mustnotcompliment，Iknow(eyeingEmmamostcomplacently)——thatwouldberude——butuponmyword，MissWoodhouse，youdolook——howdoyoulikeJane’shair？——Youareajudge——

Shediditallherself。Quitewonderfulhowshedoesherhair！——

NohairdresserfromLondonIthinkcould——Ah！Dr。HughesIdeclare——

andMrs。Hughes。MustgoandspeaktoDr。andMrs。Hughesforamoment——Howdoyoudo？Howdoyoudo？——Verywell，Ithankyou。

Thisisdelightful，isnotit？——Where’sdearMr。Richard？——

Oh！thereheis。Don’tdisturbhim。Muchbetteremployedtalkingtotheyoungladies。Howdoyoudo，Mr。Richard？——Isawyoutheotherdayasyourodethroughthetown——Mrs。Otway，Iprotest！——

andgoodMr。Otway，andMissOtwayandMissCaroline——Suchahostoffriends！——andMr。GeorgeandMr。Arthur！——Howdoyoudo？Howdoyoualldo？——Quitewell，Iammuchobligedtoyou。Neverbetter——

Don’tIhearanothercarriage？——Whocanthisbe？——verylikelytheworthyColes——Uponmyword，thisischarmingtobestandingaboutamongsuchfriends！Andsuchanoblefire！——Iamquiteroasted。

Nocoffee，Ithankyou，forme——nevertakecoffee——Alittleteaifyouplease，sir，byandbye，——nohurry——Oh！hereitcomes。

Everythingsogood！“

FrankChurchillreturnedtohisstationbyEmma；andassoonasMissBateswasquiet，shefoundherselfnecessarilyoverhearingthediscourseofMrs。EltonandMissFairfax，whowerestandingalittlewaybehindher——Hewasthoughtful。Whetherhewereoverhearingtoo，shecouldnotdetermine。AfteragoodmanycomplimentstoJaneonherdressandlook，complimentsveryquietlyandproperlytaken，Mrs。Eltonwasevidentlywantingtobecomplimentedherself——

anditwas，“Howdoyoulikemygown？——Howdoyoulikemytrimming？——

HowhasWrightdonemyhair？“——withmanyotherrelativequestions，allansweredwithpatientpoliteness。Mrs。Eltonthensaid，“NobodycanthinklessofdressingeneralthanIdo——butuponsuchanoccasionasthis，wheneverybody’seyesaresomuchuponme，andincomplimenttotheWestons——whoIhavenodoubtaregivingthisballchieflytodomehonour——Iwouldnotwishtobeinferiortoothers。AndIseeveryfewpearlsintheroomexceptmine——

SoFrankChurchillisacapitaldancer，Iunderstand——Weshallseeifourstylessuit——AfineyoungmancertainlyisFrankChurchill。

Ilikehimverywell。”

AtthismomentFrankbegantalkingsovigorously，thatEmmacouldnotbutimaginehehadoverheardhisownpraises，anddidnotwanttohearmore；——andthevoicesoftheladiesweredrownedforawhile，tillanothersuspensionbroughtMrs。Elton’stonesagaindistinctlyforward——Mr。Eltonhadjustjoinedthem，andhiswifewasexclaiming，“Oh！youhavefoundusoutatlast，haveyou，inourseclusion？——

IwasthismomenttellingJane，Ithoughtyouwouldbegintobeimpatientfortidingsofus。”

“Jane！“——repeatedFrankChurchill，withalookofsurprizeanddispleasure——

“Thatiseasy——butMissFairfaxdoesnotdisapproveit，Isuppose。”

“HowdoyoulikeMrs。Elton？“saidEmmainawhisper。

“Notatall。”

“Youareungrateful。”

“Ungrateful！——Whatdoyoumean？“Thenchangingfromafrowntoasmile——“No，donottellme——Idonotwanttoknowwhatyoumean——

Whereismyfather？——Whenarewetobegindancing？“

Emmacouldhardlyunderstandhim；heseemedinanoddhumour。

Hewalkedofftofindhisfather，butwasquicklybackagainwithbothMr。andMrs。Weston。Hehadmetwiththeminalittleperplexity，whichmustbelaidbeforeEmma。IthadjustoccurredtoMrs。WestonthatMrs。Eltonmustbeaskedtobegintheball；thatshewouldexpectit；whichinterferedwithalltheirwishesofgivingEmmathatdistinction——Emmaheardthesadtruthwithfortitude。

“Andwhatarewetodoforaproperpartnerforher？“saidMr。Weston。

“ShewillthinkFrankoughttoaskher。”

FrankturnedinstantlytoEmma，toclaimherformerpromise；

andboastedhimselfanengagedman，whichhisfatherlookedhismostperfectapprobationof——anditthenappearedthatMrs。WestonwaswantinghimtodancewithMrs。Eltonhimself，andthattheirbusinesswastohelptopersuadehimintoit，whichwasdoneprettysoon——

Mr。WestonandMrs。Eltonledtheway，Mr。FrankChurchillandMissWoodhousefollowed。EmmamustsubmittostandsecondtoMrs。Elton，thoughshehadalwaysconsideredtheballaspeculiarlyforher。

Itwasalmostenoughtomakeherthinkofmarrying。Mrs。Eltonhadundoubtedlytheadvantage，atthistime，invanitycompletelygratified；

forthoughshehadintendedtobeginwithFrankChurchill，shecouldnotlosebythechange。Mr。Westonmightbehisson’ssuperior——

Inspiteofthislittlerub，however，Emmawassmilingwithenjoyment，delightedtoseetherespectablelengthofthesetasitwasforming，andtofeelthatshehadsomanyhoursofunusualfestivitybeforeher——

ShewasmoredisturbedbyMr。Knightley’snotdancingthanbyanythingelse——Therehewas，amongthestanders-by，whereheoughtnottobe；heoughttobedancing，——notclassinghimselfwiththehusbands，andfathers，andwhist-players，whowerepretendingtofeelaninterestinthedancetilltheirrubbersweremadeup，——soyoungashelooked！——

Hecouldnothaveappearedtogreateradvantageperhapsanywhere，thanwherehehadplacedhimself。Histall，firm，uprightfigure，amongthebulkyformsandstoopingshouldersoftheelderlymen，wassuchasEmmafeltmustdraweverybody’seyes；and，exceptingherownpartner，therewasnotoneamongthewholerowofyoungmenwhocouldbecomparedwithhim——Hemovedafewstepsnearer，andthosefewstepswereenoughtoproveinhowgentlemanlikeamanner，withwhatnaturalgrace，hemusthavedanced，wouldhebuttakethetrouble——Whenevershecaughthiseye，sheforcedhimtosmile；butingeneralhewaslookinggrave。Shewishedhecouldloveaballroombetter，andcouldlikeFrankChurchillbetter——

Heseemedoftenobservingher。Shemustnotflatterherselfthathethoughtofherdancing，butifhewerecriticisingherbehaviour，shedidnotfeelafraid。Therewasnothinglikeflirtationbetweenherandherpartner。Theyseemedmorelikecheerful，easyfriends，thanlovers。ThatFrankChurchillthoughtlessofherthanhehaddone，wasindubitable。

Theballproceededpleasantly。Theanxiouscares，theincessantattentionsofMrs。Weston，werenotthrownaway。Everybodyseemedhappy；andthepraiseofbeingadelightfulball，whichisseldombestowedtillafteraballhasceasedtobe，wasrepeatedlygivenintheverybeginningoftheexistenceofthis。

Ofveryimportant，veryrecordableevents，itwasnotmoreproductivethansuchmeetingsusuallyare。Therewasone，however，whichEmmathoughtsomethingof——Thetwolastdancesbeforesupperwerebegun，andHarriethadnopartner；——theonlyyoungladysittingdown；——

andsoequalhadbeenhithertothenumberofdancers，thathowtherecouldbeanyonedisengagedwasthewonder！——ButEmma’swonderlessenedsoonafterwards，onseeingMr。Eltonsaunteringabout。

HewouldnotaskHarriettodanceifitwerepossibletobeavoided：

shewassurehewouldnot——andshewasexpectinghimeverymomenttoescapeintothecard-room。

Escape，however，wasnothisplan。Hecametothepartoftheroomwherethesitters-bywerecollected，spoketosome，andwalkedaboutinfrontofthem，asiftoshewhisliberty，andhisresolutionofmaintainingit。HedidnotomitbeingsometimesdirectlybeforeMissSmith，orspeakingtothosewhowereclosetoher——

Emmasawit。Shewasnotyetdancing；shewasworkingherwayupfromthebottom，andhadthereforeleisuretolookaround，andbyonlyturningherheadalittleshesawitall。Whenshewashalf-wayuptheset，thewholegroupwereexactlybehindher，andshewouldnolongerallowhereyestowatch；butMr。Eltonwassonear，thatsheheardeverysyllableofadialoguewhichjustthentookplacebetweenhimandMrs。Weston；andsheperceivedthathiswife，whowasstandingimmediatelyaboveher，wasnotonlylisteningalso，butevenencouraginghimbysignificantglances——Thekind-hearted，gentleMrs。Westonhadleftherseattojoinhimandsay，“Donotyoudance，Mr。Elton？“towhichhispromptreplywas，“Mostreadily，Mrs。Weston，ifyouwilldancewithme。”

“Me！——oh！no——Iwouldgetyouabetterpartnerthanmyself。

Iamnodancer。”

“IfMrs。Gilbertwishestodance。”saidhe，“Ishallhavegreatpleasure，Iamsure——for，thoughbeginningtofeelmyselfratheranoldmarriedman，andthatmydancingdaysareover，itwouldgivemeverygreatpleasureatanytimetostandupwithanoldfriendlikeMrs。Gilbert。”

“Mrs。Gilbertdoesnotmeantodance，butthereisayoungladydisengagedwhomIshouldbeverygladtoseedancing——MissSmith。”

“MissSmith！——oh！——Ihadnotobserved——Youareextremelyobliging——

andifIwerenotanoldmarriedman——Butmydancingdaysareover，Mrs。Weston。Youwillexcuseme。AnythingelseIshouldbemosthappytodo，atyourcommand——butmydancingdaysareover。”

Mrs。Westonsaidnomore；andEmmacouldimaginewithwhatsurprizeandmortificationshemustbereturningtoherseat。

ThiswasMr。Elton！theamiable，obliging，gentleMr。Elton——

Shelookedroundforamoment；hehadjoinedMr。Knightleyatalittledistance，andwasarranginghimselfforsettledconversation，whilesmilesofhighgleepassedbetweenhimandhiswife。

Shewouldnotlookagain。Herheartwasinaglow，andshefearedherfacemightbeashot。

Inanothermomentahappiersightcaughther；——Mr。KnightleyleadingHarriettotheset！——Neverhadshebeenmoresurprized，seldommoredelighted，thanatthatinstant。Shewasallpleasureandgratitude，bothforHarrietandherself，andlongedtobethankinghim；andthoughtoodistantforspeech，hercountenancesaidmuch，assoonasshecouldcatchhiseyeagain。

Hisdancingprovedtobejustwhatshehadbelievedit，extremelygood；andHarrietwouldhaveseemedalmosttoolucky，ifithadnotbeenforthecruelstateofthingsbefore，andfortheverycompleteenjoymentandveryhighsenseofthedistinctionwhichherhappyfeaturesannounced。Itwasnotthrownawayonher，sheboundedhigherthanever，flewfartherdownthemiddle，andwasinacontinualcourseofsmiles。

Mr。Eltonhadretreatedintothecard-room，looking(Emmatrusted)

veryfoolish。Shedidnotthinkhewasquitesohardenedashiswife，thoughgrowingverylikeher；——shespokesomeofherfeelings，byobservingaudiblytoherpartner，“KnightleyhastakenpityonpoorlittleMissSmith！——Verygoodnatured，Ideclare。”

Supperwasannounced。Themovebegan；andMissBatesmightbeheardfromthatmoment，withoutinterruption，tillherbeingseatedattableandtakingupherspoon。

“Jane，Jane，mydearJane，whereareyou？——Hereisyourtippet。

Mrs。Westonbegsyoutoputonyourtippet。Shesayssheisafraidtherewillbedraughtsinthepassage，thougheverythinghasbeendone——Onedoornailedup——Quantitiesofmatting——MydearJane，indeedyoumust。Mr。Churchill，oh！youaretooobliging！

Howwellyouputiton！——sogratified！Excellentdancingindeed！——

Yes，mydear，Iranhome，asIsaidIshould，tohelpgrandmamatobed，andgotbackagain，andnobodymissedme——Isetoffwithoutsayingaword，justasItoldyou。Grandmamawasquitewell，hadacharmingeveningwithMr。Woodhouse，avastdealofchat，andbackgammon——Teawasmadedownstairs，biscuitsandbakedapplesandwinebeforeshecameaway：amazingluckinsomeofherthrows：

andsheinquiredagreatdealaboutyou，howyouwereamused，andwhowereyourpartners。`Oh！’saidI，`IshallnotforestallJane；

IleftherdancingwithMr。GeorgeOtway；shewilllovetotellyouallaboutitherselfto-morrow：herfirstpartnerwasMr。Elton，Idonotknowwhowillaskhernext，perhapsMr。WilliamCox。’

Mydearsir，youaretooobliging——Istherenobodyyouwouldnotrather？——Iamnothelpless。Sir，youaremostkind。

Uponmyword，Janeononearm，andmeontheother！——Stop，stop，letusstandalittleback，Mrs。Eltonisgoing；dearMrs。Elton，howelegantshelooks！——Beautifullace！——Nowweallfollowinhertrain。

Quitethequeenoftheevening！——Well，hereweareatthepassage。

Twosteps，Jane，takecareofthetwosteps。Oh！no，thereisbutone。Well，Iwaspersuadedthereweretwo。Howveryodd！

Iwasconvincedthereweretwo，andthereisbutone。Ineversawanythingequaltothecomfortandstyle——Candleseverywhere——Iwastellingyouofyourgrandmama，Jane，——Therewasalittledisappointment——

Thebakedapplesandbiscuits，excellentintheirway，youknow；

buttherewasadelicatefricasseeofsweetbreadandsomeasparagusbroughtinatfirst，andgoodMr。Woodhouse，notthinkingtheasparagusquiteboiledenough，sentitalloutagain。Nowthereisnothinggrandmamalovesbetterthansweetbreadandasparagus——

soshewasratherdisappointed，butweagreedwewouldnotspeakofittoanybody，forfearofitsgettingroundtodearMissWoodhouse，whowouldbesoverymuchconcerned！——Well，thisisbrilliant！

Iamallamazement！couldnothavesupposedanything！——Sucheleganceandprofusion！——Ihaveseennothinglikeitsince——

Well，whereshallwesit？whereshallwesit？Anywhere，sothatJaneisnotinadraught。WhereIsitisofnoconsequence。

Oh！doyourecommendthisside？——Well，Iamsure，Mr。Churchill——

onlyitseemstoogood——butjustasyouplease。Whatyoudirectinthishousecannotbewrong。DearJane，howshallweeverrecollecthalfthedishesforgrandmama？Souptoo！Blessme！

Ishouldnotbehelpedsosoon，butitsmellsmostexcellent，andI

cannothelpbeginning。”

EmmahadnoopportunityofspeakingtoMr。Knightleytillaftersupper；but，whentheywereallintheballroomagain，hereyesinvitedhimirresistiblytocometoherandbethanked。

HewaswarminhisreprobationofMr。Elton’sconduct；ithadbeenunpardonablerudeness；andMrs。Elton’slooksalsoreceivedthedueshareofcensure。

“TheyaimedatwoundingmorethanHarriet。”saidhe。“Emma，whyisitthattheyareyourenemies？“

Helookedwithsmilingpenetration；and，onreceivingnoanswer，added，“Sheoughtnottobeangrywithyou，Isuspect，whateverhemaybe——Tothatsurmise，yousaynothing，ofcourse；

butconfess，Emma，thatyoudidwanthimtomarryHarriet。”

“Idid。”repliedEmma，“andtheycannotforgiveme。”

Heshookhishead；buttherewasasmileofindulgencewithit，andheonlysaid，“Ishallnotscoldyou。Ileaveyoutoyourownreflections。”

“Canyoutrustmewithsuchflatterers？——DoesmyvainspiritevertellmeIamwrong？“

“Notyourvainspirit，butyourseriousspirit——Ifoneleadsyouwrong，Iamsuretheothertellsyouofit。”

“IdoownmyselftohavebeencompletelymistakeninMr。Elton。

Thereisalittlenessabouthimwhichyoudiscovered，andwhichI

didnot：andIwasfullyconvincedofhisbeinginlovewithHarriet。

Itwasthroughaseriesofstrangeblunders！“

“And，inreturnforyouracknowledgingsomuch，Iwilldoyouthejusticetosay，thatyouwouldhavechosenforhimbetterthanhehaschosenforhimself——HarrietSmithhassomefirst-ratequalities，whichMrs。Eltonistotallywithout。Anunpretending，single-minded，artlessgirl——

infinitelytobepreferredbyanymanofsenseandtastetosuchawomanasMrs。Elton。IfoundHarrietmoreconversablethanI

expected。”

Emmawasextremelygratified——TheywereinterruptedbythebustleofMr。Westoncallingoneverybodytobegindancingagain。

“ComeMissWoodhouse，MissOtway，MissFairfax，whatareyoualldoing？——

ComeEmma，setyourcompanionstheexample。Everybodyislazy！

Everybodyisasleep！“

“Iamready。”saidEmma，“wheneverIamwanted。”

“Whomareyougoingtodancewith？“askedMr。Knightley。

Shehesitatedamoment，andthenreplied，“Withyou，ifyouwillaskme。”

“Willyou？“saidhe，offeringhishand。

“IndeedIwill。Youhaveshewnthatyoucandance，andyouknowwearenotreallysomuchbrotherandsisterastomakeitatallimproper。”

“Brotherandsister！no，indeed。”

Chapter03CHAPTERIII

ThislittleexplanationwithMr。KnightleygaveEmmaconsiderablepleasure。Itwasoneoftheagreeablerecollectionsoftheball，whichshewalkedaboutthelawnthenextmorningtoenjoy——ShewasextremelygladthattheyhadcometosogoodanunderstandingrespectingtheEltons，andthattheiropinionsofbothhusbandandwifeweresomuchalike；andhispraiseofHarriet，hisconcessioninherfavour，waspeculiarlygratifying。TheimpertinenceoftheEltons，whichforafewminuteshadthreatenedtoruintherestofherevening，hadbeentheoccasionofsomeofitshighestsatisfactions；andshelookedforwardtoanotherhappyresult——thecureofHarriet’sinfatuation——

FromHarriet’smannerofspeakingofthecircumstancebeforetheyquittedtheballroom，shehadstronghopes。Itseemedasifhereyesweresuddenlyopened，andshewereenabledtoseethatMr。Eltonwasnotthesuperiorcreatureshehadbelievedhim。Thefeverwasover，andEmmacouldharbourlittlefearofthepulsebeingquickenedagainbyinjuriouscourtesy。ShedependedontheevilfeelingsoftheEltonsforsupplyingallthedisciplineofpointedneglectthatcouldbefartherrequisite——Harrietrational，FrankChurchillnottoomuchinlove，andMr。Knightleynotwantingtoquarrelwithher，howveryhappyasummermustbebeforeher！

ShewasnottoseeFrankChurchillthismorning。HehadtoldherthathecouldnotallowhimselfthepleasureofstoppingatHartfield，ashewastobeathomebythemiddleoftheday。

Shedidnotregretit。

Havingarrangedallthesematters，lookedthemthrough，andputthemalltorights，shewasjustturningtothehousewithspiritsfreshenedupforthedemandsofthetwolittleboys，aswellasoftheirgrandpapa，whenthegreatironsweep-gateopened，andtwopersonsenteredwhomshehadneverlessexpectedtoseetogether——FrankChurchill，withHarrietleaningonhisarm——actuallyHarriet！——Amomentsufficedtoconvinceherthatsomethingextraordinaryhadhappened。

Harrietlookedwhiteandfrightened，andhewastryingtocheerher——

Theirongatesandthefront-doorwerenottwentyyardsasunder；——

theywereallthreesooninthehall，andHarrietimmediatelysinkingintoachairfaintedaway。

Ayoungladywhofaints，mustberecovered；questionsmustbeanswered，andsurprizesbeexplained。Sucheventsareveryinteresting，butthesuspenseofthemcannotlastlong。AfewminutesmadeEmmaacquaintedwiththewhole。

MissSmith，andMissBickerton，anotherparlourboarderatMrs。Goddard’s，whohadbeenalsoattheball，hadwalkedouttogether，andtakenaroad，theRichmondroad，which，thoughapparentlypublicenoughforsafety，hadledthemintoalarm——AbouthalfamilebeyondHighbury，makingasuddenturn，anddeeplyshadedbyelmsoneachside，itbecameforaconsiderablestretchveryretired；

andwhentheyoungladieshadadvancedsomewayintoit，theyhadsuddenlyperceivedatasmalldistancebeforethem，onabroaderpatchofgreenswardbytheside，apartyofgipsies。

Achildonthewatch，cametowardsthemtobeg；andMissBickerton，excessivelyfrightened，gaveagreatscream，andcallingonHarriettofollowher，ranupasteepbank，clearedaslighthedgeatthetop，andmadethebestofherwaybyashortcutbacktoHighbury。

ButpoorHarrietcouldnotfollow。Shehadsufferedverymuchfromcrampafterdancing，andherfirstattempttomountthebankbroughtonsuchareturnofitasmadeherabsolutelypowerless——

andinthisstate，andexceedinglyterrified，shehadbeenobligedtoremain。

Howthetrampersmighthavebehaved，hadtheyoungladiesbeenmorecourageous，mustbedoubtful；butsuchaninvitationforattackcouldnotberesisted；andHarrietwassoonassailedbyhalfadozenchildren，headedbyastoutwomanandagreatboy，allclamorous，andimpertinentinlook，thoughnotabsolutelyinword——Moreandmorefrightened，sheimmediatelypromisedthemmoney，andtakingoutherpurse，gavethemashilling，andbeggedthemnottowantmore，ortouseherill——Shewasthenabletowalk，thoughbutslowly，andwasmovingaway——butherterrorandherpurseweretootempting，andshewasfollowed，orrathersurrounded，bythewholegang，demandingmore。

InthisstateFrankChurchillhadfoundher，shetremblingandconditioning，theyloudandinsolent。ByamostfortunatechancehisleavingHighburyhadbeendelayedsoastobringhimtoherassistanceatthiscriticalmoment。Thepleasantnessofthemorninghadinducedhimtowalkforward，andleavehishorsestomeethimbyanotherroad，amileortwobeyondHighbury——

andhappeningtohaveborrowedapairofscissorsthenightbeforeofMissBates，andtohaveforgottentorestorethem，hehadbeenobligedtostopatherdoor，andgoinforafewminutes：

hewasthereforelaterthanhehadintended；andbeingonfoot，wasunseenbythewholepartytillalmostclosetothem。

TheterrorwhichthewomanandboyhadbeencreatinginHarrietwasthentheirownportion。Hehadleftthemcompletelyfrightened；

andHarrieteagerlyclingingtohim，andhardlyabletospeak，hadjuststrengthenoughtoreachHartfield，beforeherspiritswerequiteovercome。ItwashisideatobringhertoHartfield：

hehadthoughtofnootherplace。

Thiswastheamountofthewholestory，——ofhiscommunicationandofHarriet’sassoonasshehadrecoveredhersensesandspeech——

Hedarednotstaylongerthantoseeherwell；theseseveraldelayslefthimnotanotherminutetolose；andEmmaengagingtogiveassuranceofhersafetytoMrs。Goddard，andnoticeoftherebeingsuchasetofpeopleintheneighbourhoodtoMr。Knightley，hesetoff，withallthegratefulblessingsthatshecouldutterforherfriendandherself。

Suchanadventureasthis，——afineyoungmanandalovelyyoungwomanthrowntogetherinsuchaway，couldhardlyfailofsuggestingcertainideastothecoldestheartandthesteadiestbrain。

SoEmmathought，atleast。Couldalinguist，couldagrammarian，couldevenamathematicianhaveseenwhatshedid，havewitnessedtheirappearancetogether，andheardtheirhistoryofit，withoutfeelingthatcircumstanceshadbeenatworktomakethempeculiarlyinterestingtoeachother？——Howmuchmoremustanimaginist，likeherself，beonfirewithspeculationandforesight！——especiallywithsuchagroundworkofanticipationashermindhadalreadymade。

Itwasaveryextraordinarything！Nothingofthesorthadeveroccurredbeforetoanyyoungladiesintheplace，withinhermemory；

norencontre，noalarmofthekind；——andnowithadhappenedtotheveryperson，andattheveryhour，whentheotherverypersonwaschancingtopassbytorescueher！——Itcertainlywasveryextraordinary！——Andknowing，asshedid，thefavourablestateofmindofeachatthisperiod，itstruckherthemore。

Hewaswishingtogetthebetterofhisattachmenttoherself，shejustrecoveringfromhermaniaforMr。Elton。Itseemedasifeverythingunitedtopromisethemostinterestingconsequences。

Itwasnotpossiblethattheoccurrenceshouldnotbestronglyrecommendingeachtotheother。

Inthefewminutes’conversationwhichshehadyethadwithhim，whileHarriethadbeenpartiallyinsensible，hehadspokenofherterror，hernaivete，herfervourassheseizedandclungtohisarm，withasensibilityamusedanddelighted；andjustatlast，afterHarriet’sownaccounthadbeengiven，hehadexpressedhisindignationattheabominablefollyofMissBickertoninthewarmestterms。

Everythingwastotakeitsnaturalcourse，however，neitherimpellednorassisted。Shewouldnotstirastep，nordropahint。

No，shehadhadenoughofinterference。Therecouldbenoharminascheme，amerepassivescheme。Itwasnomorethanawish。

Beyonditshewouldonnoaccountproceed。

Emma’sfirstresolutionwastokeepherfatherfromtheknowledgeofwhathadpassed，——awareoftheanxietyandalarmitwouldoccasion：

butshesoonfeltthatconcealmentmustbeimpossible。WithinhalfanhouritwasknownalloverHighbury。Itwastheveryeventtoengagethosewhotalkmost，theyoungandthelow；andalltheyouthandservantsintheplaceweresooninthehappinessoffrightfulnews。Thelastnight’sballseemedlostinthegipsies。

PoorMr。Woodhousetrembledashesat，and，asEmmahadforeseen，wouldscarcelybesatisfiedwithouttheirpromisingnevertogobeyondtheshrubberyagain。ItwassomecomforttohimthatmanyinquiriesafterhimselfandMissWoodhouse(forhisneighboursknewthathelovedtobeinquiredafter)，aswellasMissSmith，werecominginduringtherestoftheday；andhehadthepleasureofreturningforanswer，thattheywereallveryindifferent——

which，thoughnotexactlytrue，forshewasperfectlywell，andHarrietnotmuchotherwise，Emmawouldnotinterferewith。

Shehadanunhappystateofhealthingeneralforthechildofsuchaman，forshehardlyknewwhatindispositionwas；andifhedidnotinventillnessesforher，shecouldmakenofigureinamessage。

Thegipsiesdidnotwaitfortheoperationsofjustice；theytookthemselvesoffinahurry。TheyoungladiesofHighburymighthavewalkedagaininsafetybeforetheirpanicbegan，andthewholehistorydwindledsoonintoamatteroflittleimportancebuttoEmmaandhernephews：——inherimaginationitmaintaineditsground，andHenryandJohnwerestillaskingeverydayforthestoryofHarrietandthegipsies，andstilltenaciouslysettingherrightifshevariedintheslightestparticularfromtheoriginalrecital。

Chapter04CHAPTERIV

Averyfewdayshadpassedafterthisadventure，whenHarrietcameonemorningtoEmmawithasmallparcelinherhand，andaftersittingdownandhesitating，thusbegan：

“MissWoodhouse——ifyouareatleisure——IhavesomethingthatI

shouldliketotellyou——asortofconfessiontomake——andthen，youknow，itwillbeover。”

Emmawasagooddealsurprized；butbeggedhertospeak。

TherewasaseriousnessinHarriet’smannerwhichpreparedher，quiteasmuchasherwords，forsomethingmorethanordinary。

“Itismyduty，andIamsureitismywish。”shecontinued，“tohavenoreserveswithyouonthissubject。AsIamhappilyquiteanalteredcreatureinonerespect，itisveryfitthatyoushouldhavethesatisfactionofknowingit。Idonotwanttosaymorethanisnecessary——IamtoomuchashamedofhavinggivenwayasIhavedone，andIdaresayyouunderstandme。”

“Yes。”saidEmma，“IhopeIdo。”

“HowIcouldsolongatimebefancyingmyself！……”

criedHarriet，warmly。“Itseemslikemadness！Icanseenothingatallextraordinaryinhimnow——IdonotcarewhetherImeethimornot——exceptthatofthetwoIhadrathernotseehim——

andindeedIwouldgoanydistanceroundtoavoidhim——butIdonotenvyhiswifeintheleast；Ineitheradmirehernorenvyher，asIhavedone：sheisverycharming，Idaresay，andallthat，butIthinkherveryill-temperedanddisagreeable——Ishallneverforgetherlooktheothernight！——However，Iassureyou，MissWoodhouse，Iwishhernoevil——No，letthembeeversohappytogether，itwillnotgivemeanothermoment’spang：andtoconvinceyouthatIhavebeenspeakingtruth，Iamnowgoingtodestroy——whatI

oughttohavedestroyedlongago——whatIoughtnevertohavekept——

Iknowthatverywell(blushingasshespoke)——However，nowI

willdestroyitall——anditismyparticularwishtodoitinyourpresence，thatyoumayseehowrationalIamgrown。

Cannotyouguesswhatthisparcelholds？“saidshe，withaconsciouslook。

“Nottheleastintheworld——Didheevergiveyouanything？“

“No——Icannotcallthemgifts；buttheyarethingsthatIhavevaluedverymuch。”

Sheheldtheparceltowardsher，andEmmareadthewordsMostprecioustreasuresonthetop。Hercuriositywasgreatlyexcited。

Harrietunfoldedtheparcel，andshelookedonwithimpatience。

WithinabundanceofsilverpaperwasaprettylittleTunbridge-warebox，whichHarrietopened：itwaswelllinedwiththesoftestcotton；

but，exceptingthecotton，Emmasawonlyasmallpieceofcourt-plaister。

“Now。”saidHarriet，“youmustrecollect。”

“No，indeedIdonot。”

“Dearme！Ishouldnothavethoughtitpossibleyoucouldforgetwhatpassedinthisveryroomaboutcourt-plaister，oneoftheverylasttimesweevermetinit！——ItwasbutaveryfewdaysbeforeI

hadmysorethroat——justbeforeMr。andMrs。JohnKnightleycame——

Ithinktheveryevening——Donotyourememberhiscuttinghisfingerwithyournewpenknife，andyourrecommendingcourt-plaister？——

But，asyouhadnoneaboutyou，andknewIhad，youdesiredmetosupplyhim；andsoItookmineoutandcuthimapiece；

butitwasagreatdealtoolarge，andhecutitsmaller，andkeptplayingsometimewithwhatwasleft，beforehegaveitbacktome。

Andsothen，inmynonsense，Icouldnothelpmakingatreasureofit——

soIputitbynevertobeused，andlookedatitnowandthenasagreattreat。”

“MydearestHarriet！“criedEmma，puttingherhandbeforeherface，andjumpingup，“youmakememoreashamedofmyselfthanIcanbear。

Rememberit？Aye，Irememberitallnow；all，exceptyoursavingthisrelic——Iknewnothingofthattillthismoment——butthecuttingthefinger，andmyrecommendingcourt-plaister，andsayingIhadnoneaboutme！——Oh！mysins，mysins！——AndIhadplentyallthewhileinmypocket！——Oneofmysenselesstricks！——Ideservetobeunderacontinualblushalltherestofmylife——Well——(sittingdownagain)——

goon——whatelse？“

“Andhadyoureallysomeathandyourself？IamsureIneversuspectedit，youdiditsonaturally。”

“Andsoyouactuallyputthispieceofcourt-plaisterbyforhissake！“

saidEmma，recoveringfromherstateofshameandfeelingdividedbetweenwonderandamusement。Andsecretlysheaddedtoherself，“Lordblessme！whenshouldIeverhavethoughtofputtingbyincottonapieceofcourt-plaisterthatFrankChurchillhadbeenpullingabout！

Ineverwasequaltothis。”

“Here。”resumedHarriet，turningtoherboxagain，“hereissomethingstillmorevaluable，Imeanthathasbeenmorevaluable，becausethisiswhatdidreallyoncebelongtohim，whichthecourt-plaisterneverdid。”

Emmawasquiteeagertoseethissuperiortreasure。Itwastheendofanoldpencil，——thepartwithoutanylead。

“Thiswasreallyhis。”saidHarriet——“Donotyourememberonemorning？——no，Idaresayyoudonot。Butonemorning——Iforgetexactlytheday——butperhapsitwastheTuesdayorWednesdaybeforethatevening，hewantedtomakeamemoranduminhispocket-book；

itwasaboutspruce-beer。Mr。Knightleyhadbeentellinghimsomethingaboutbrewingspruce-beer，andhewantedtoputitdown；

butwhenhetookouthispencil，therewassolittleleadthathesooncutitallaway，anditwouldnotdo，soyoulenthimanother，andthiswasleftuponthetableasgoodfornothing。ButIkeptmyeyeonit；and，assoonasIdared，caughtitup，andneverpartedwithitagainfromthatmoment。”

“Idorememberit。”criedEmma；“Iperfectlyrememberit——

Talkingaboutspruce-beer——Oh！yes——Mr。KnightleyandIbothsayingwelikedit，andMr。Elton’sseemingresolvedtolearntolikeittoo。

Iperfectlyrememberit——Stop；Mr。Knightleywasstandingjusthere，wasnothe？Ihaveanideahewasstandingjusthere。”

“Ah！Idonotknow。Icannotrecollect——Itisveryodd，butIcannotrecollect——Mr。Eltonwassittinghere，Iremember，muchaboutwhereIamnow。”——

“Well，goon。”

“Oh！that’sall。Ihavenothingmoretoshewyou，ortosay——

exceptthatIamnowgoingtothrowthembothbehindthefire，andIwishyoutoseemedoit。”

“MypoordearHarriet！andhaveyouactuallyfoundhappinessintreasuringupthesethings？“

“Yes，simpletonasIwas！——butIamquiteashamedofitnow，andwishIcouldforgetaseasilyasIcanburnthem。Itwasverywrongofme，youknow，tokeepanyremembrances，afterhewasmarried。

Iknewitwas——buthadnotresolutionenoughtopartwiththem。”

“But，Harriet，isitnecessarytoburnthecourt-plaister？——Ihavenotawordtosayforthebitofoldpencil，butthecourt-plaistermightbeuseful。”

“Ishallbehappiertoburnit。”repliedHarriet。“Ithasadisagreeablelooktome。Imustgetridofeverything——

Thereitgoes，andthereisanend，thankHeaven！ofMr。Elton。”

“Andwhen。”thoughtEmma，“willtherebeabeginningofMr。Churchill？“

Shehadsoonafterwardsreasontobelievethatthebeginningwasalreadymade，andcouldnotbuthopethatthegipsy，thoughshehadtoldnofortune，mightbeprovedtohavemadeHarriet’s——Aboutafortnightafterthealarm，theycametoasufficientexplanation，andquiteundesignedly。Emmawasnotthinkingofitatthemoment，whichmadetheinformationshereceivedmorevaluable。

Shemerelysaid，inthecourseofsometrivialchat，“Well，Harriet，wheneveryoumarryIwouldadviseyoutodosoandso“——andthoughtnomoreofit，tillafteraminute’ssilencesheheardHarrietsayinaveryserioustone，“Ishallnevermarry。”

Emmathenlookedup，andimmediatelysawhowitwas；andafteramoment’sdebate，astowhetheritshouldpassunnoticedornot，replied，“Nevermarry！——Thisisanewresolution。”

“ItisonethatIshallneverchange，however。”

Afteranothershorthesitation，“Ihopeitdoesnotproceedfrom——

IhopeitisnotincomplimenttoMr。Elton？“

“Mr。Eltonindeed！“criedHarrietindignantly——“Oh！no“——andEmmacouldjustcatchthewords，“sosuperiortoMr。Elton！“

Shethentookalongertimeforconsideration。Shouldsheproceednofarther？——shouldsheletitpass，andseemtosuspectnothing？——

PerhapsHarrietmightthinkhercoldorangryifshedid；

orperhapsifsheweretotallysilent，itmightonlydriveHarrietintoaskinghertoheartoomuch；andagainstanythinglikesuchanunreserveashadbeen，suchanopenandfrequentdiscussionofhopesandchances，shewasperfectlyresolved——

Shebelieveditwouldbewiserforhertosayandknowatonce，allthatshemeanttosayandknow。Plaindealingwasalwaysbest。

Shehadpreviouslydeterminedhowfarshewouldproceed，onanyapplicationofthesort；anditwouldbesaferforboth，tohavethejudiciouslawofherownbrainlaiddownwithspeed——

Shewasdecided，andthusspoke——

“Harriet，Iwillnotaffecttobeindoubtofyourmeaning。

Yourresolution，orratheryourexpectationofnevermarrying，resultsfromanideathatthepersonwhomyoumightprefer，wouldbetoogreatlyyoursuperiorinsituationtothinkofyou。

Isnotitso？“

“Oh！MissWoodhouse，believemeIhavenotthepresumptiontosuppose——

IndeedIamnotsomad——Butitisapleasuretometoadmirehimatadistance——andtothinkofhisinfinitesuperioritytoalltherestoftheworld，withthegratitude，wonder，andveneration，whicharesoproper，inmeespecially。”

“Iamnotatallsurprizedatyou，Harriet。Theserviceherenderedyouwasenoughtowarmyourheart。”

“Service！oh！itwassuchaninexpressibleobligation！——

Theveryrecollectionofit，andallthatIfeltatthetime——

whenIsawhimcoming——hisnoblelook——andmywretchednessbefore。

Suchachange！Inonemomentsuchachange！Fromperfectmiserytoperfecthappiness！“

“Itisverynatural。Itisnatural，anditishonourable——

Yes，honourable，Ithink，tochusesowellandsogratefully——

ButthatitwillbeafortunatepreferenceismorethatIcanpromise。

Idonotadviseyoutogivewaytoit，Harriet。Idonotbyanymeansengageforitsbeingreturned。Considerwhatyouareabout。

Perhapsitwillbewisestinyoutocheckyourfeelingswhileyoucan：

atanyratedonotletthemcarryyoufar，unlessyouarepersuadedofhislikingyou。Beobservantofhim。Lethisbehaviourbetheguideofyoursensations。Igiveyouthiscautionnow，becauseI

shallneverspeaktoyouagainonthesubject。Iamdeterminedagainstallinterference。HenceforwardIknownothingofthematter。

Letnonameeverpassourlips。Wewereverywrongbefore；

wewillbecautiousnow——Heisyoursuperior，nodoubt，andtheredoseemobjectionsandobstaclesofaveryseriousnature；

butyet，Harriet，morewonderfulthingshavetakenplace，therehavebeenmatchesofgreaterdisparity。Buttakecareofyourself。

Iwouldnothaveyoutoosanguine；though，howeveritmayend，beassuredyourraisingyourthoughtstohim，isamarkofgoodtastewhichIshallalwaysknowhowtovalue。”

Harrietkissedherhandinsilentandsubmissivegratitude。

Emmawasverydecidedinthinkingsuchanattachmentnobadthingforherfriend。Itstendencywouldbetoraiseandrefinehermind——

anditmustbesavingherfromthedangerofdegradation。