第12章

Chapter05CHAPTERV

Inthisstateofschemes，andhopes，andconnivance，JuneopeneduponHartfield。ToHighburyingeneralitbroughtnomaterialchange。

TheEltonswerestilltalkingofavisitfromtheSucklings，andoftheusetobemadeoftheirbarouche-landau；andJaneFairfaxwasstillathergrandmother’s；andasthereturnoftheCampbellsfromIrelandwasagaindelayed，andAugust，insteadofMidsummer，fixedforit，shewaslikelytoremaintherefulltwomonthslonger，providedatleastshewereabletodefeatMrs。Elton’sactivityinherservice，andsaveherselffrombeinghurriedintoadelightfulsituationagainstherwill。

Mr。Knightley，who，forsomereasonbestknowntohimself，hadcertainlytakenanearlydisliketoFrankChurchill，wasonlygrowingtodislikehimmore。HebegantosuspecthimofsomedoubledealinginhispursuitofEmma。ThatEmmawashisobjectappearedindisputable。

Everythingdeclaredit；hisownattentions，hisfather’shints，hismother-in-law’sguardedsilence；itwasallinunison；

words，conduct，discretion，andindiscretion，toldthesamestory。

ButwhilesomanyweredevotinghimtoEmma，andEmmaherselfmakinghimovertoHarriet，Mr。KnightleybegantosuspecthimofsomeinclinationtotriflewithJaneFairfax。Hecouldnotunderstandit；butthereweresymptomsofintelligencebetweenthem——hethoughtsoatleast——

symptomsofadmirationonhisside，which，havingonceobserved，hecouldnotpersuadehimselftothinkentirelyvoidofmeaning，howeverhemightwishtoescapeanyofEmma’serrorsofimagination。

Shewasnotpresentwhenthesuspicionfirstarose。HewasdiningwiththeRandallsfamily，andJane，attheEltons’；andhehadseenalook，morethanasinglelook，atMissFairfax，which，fromtheadmirerofMissWoodhouse，seemedsomewhatoutofplace。

Whenhewasagainintheircompany，hecouldnothelprememberingwhathehadseen；norcouldheavoidobservationswhich，unlessitwerelikeCowperandhisfireattwilight，“MyselfcreatingwhatIsaw。”

broughthimyetstrongersuspicionoftherebeingasomethingofprivateliking，ofprivateunderstandingeven，betweenFrankChurchillandJane。

Hehadwalkeduponedayafterdinner，asheveryoftendid，tospendhiseveningatHartfield。EmmaandHarrietweregoingtowalk；hejoinedthem；and，onreturning，theyfellinwithalargerparty，who，likethemselves，judgeditwisesttotaketheirexerciseearly，astheweatherthreatenedrain；Mr。andMrs。Westonandtheirson，MissBatesandherniece，whohadaccidentallymet。

Theyallunited；and，onreachingHartfieldgates，Emma，whoknewitwasexactlythesortofvisitingthatwouldbewelcometoherfather，pressedthemalltogoinanddrinkteawithhim。TheRandallspartyagreedtoitimmediately；andafteraprettylongspeechfromMissBates，whichfewpersonslistenedto，shealsofounditpossibletoacceptdearMissWoodhouse’smostobliginginvitation。

Astheywereturningintothegrounds，Mr。Perrypassedbyonhorseback。

Thegentlemenspokeofhishorse。

“Bythebye。”saidFrankChurchilltoMrs。Westonpresently，“whatbecameofMr。Perry’splanofsettinguphiscarriage？“

Mrs。Westonlookedsurprized，andsaid，“Ididnotknowthatheeverhadanysuchplan。”

“Nay，Ihaditfromyou。Youwrotemewordofitthreemonthsago。”

“Me！impossible！“

“Indeedyoudid。Irememberitperfectly。Youmentioneditaswhatwascertainlytobeverysoon。Mrs。Perryhadtoldsomebody，andwasextremelyhappyaboutit。Itwasowingtoherpersuasion，asshethoughthisbeingoutinbadweatherdidhimagreatdealofharm。Youmustrememberitnow？“

“UponmywordIneverheardofittillthismoment。”

“Never！really，never！——Blessme！howcoulditbe？——ThenImusthavedreamtit——butIwascompletelypersuaded——MissSmith，youwalkasifyouweretired。Youwillnotbesorrytofindyourselfathome。”

“Whatisthis？——Whatisthis？“criedMr。Weston，“aboutPerryandacarriage？IsPerrygoingtosetuphiscarriage，Frank？

Iamgladhecanaffordit。Youhaditfromhimself，hadyou？“

“No，sir。”repliedhisson，laughing，“Iseemtohavehaditfromnobody——Veryodd！——IreallywaspersuadedofMrs。Weston’shavingmentioneditinoneofherletterstoEnscombe，manyweeksago，withalltheseparticulars——butasshedeclaressheneverheardasyllableofitbefore，ofcourseitmusthavebeenadream。

Iamagreatdreamer。IdreamofeverybodyatHighburywhenIamaway——

andwhenIhavegonethroughmyparticularfriends，thenIbegindreamingofMr。andMrs。Perry。”

“Itisoddthough。”observedhisfather，“thatyoushouldhavehadsucharegularconnecteddreamaboutpeoplewhomitwasnotverylikelyyoushouldbethinkingofatEnscombe。Perry’ssettinguphiscarriage！

andhiswife’spersuadinghimtoit，outofcareforhishealth——

justwhatwillhappen，Ihavenodoubt，sometimeorother；

onlyalittlepremature。Whatanairofprobabilitysometimesrunsthroughadream！Andatothers，whataheapofabsurditiesitis！Well，Frank，yourdreamcertainlyshewsthatHighburyisinyourthoughtswhenyouareabsent。Emma，youareagreatdreamer，Ithink？“

Emmawasoutofhearing。Shehadhurriedonbeforehergueststoprepareherfatherfortheirappearance，andwasbeyondthereachofMr。Weston’shint。

“Why，toownthetruth。”criedMissBates，whohadbeentryinginvaintobeheardthelasttwominutes，“ifImustspeakonthissubject，thereisnodenyingthatMr。FrankChurchillmighthave——Idonotmeantosaythathedidnotdreamit——IamsureIhavesometimestheoddestdreamsintheworld——butifIamquestionedaboutit，Imustacknowledgethattherewassuchanidealastspring；

forMrs。Perryherselfmentionedittomymother，andtheColesknewofitaswellasourselves——butitwasquiteasecret，knowntonobodyelse，andonlythoughtofaboutthreedays。

Mrs。Perrywasveryanxiousthatheshouldhaveacarriage，andcametomymotheringreatspiritsonemorningbecauseshethoughtshehadprevailed。Jane，don’tyouremembergrandmama’stellingusofitwhenwegothome？Iforgetwherewehadbeenwalkingto——

verylikelytoRandalls；yes，IthinkitwastoRandalls。

Mrs。Perrywasalwaysparticularlyfondofmymother——indeedIdonotknowwhoisnot——andshehadmentionedittoherinconfidence；

shehadnoobjectiontohertellingus，ofcourse，butitwasnottogobeyond：and，fromthatdaytothis，InevermentionedittoasoulthatIknowof。Atthesametime，Iwillnotpositivelyanswerformyhavingneverdroptahint，becauseIknowIdosometimespopoutathingbeforeIamaware。Iamatalker，youknow；Iamratheratalker；andnowandthenIhaveletathingescapemewhichIshouldnot。IamnotlikeJane；IwishIwere。

Iwillanswerforitsheneverbetrayedtheleastthingintheworld。

Whereisshe？——Oh！justbehind。PerfectlyrememberMrs。Perry’scoming——

Extraordinarydream，indeed！“

Theywereenteringthehall。Mr。Knightley’seyeshadprecededMissBates’sinaglanceatJane。FromFrankChurchill’sface，wherehethoughthesawconfusionsuppressedorlaughedaway，hehadinvoluntarilyturnedtohers；butshewasindeedbehind，andtoobusywithhershawl。Mr。Westonhadwalkedin。Thetwoothergentlemenwaitedatthedoortoletherpass。Mr。KnightleysuspectedinFrankChurchillthedeterminationofcatchinghereye——

heseemedwatchingherintently——invain，however，ifitwereso——

Janepassedbetweenthemintothehall，andlookedatneither。

Therewasnotimeforfartherremarkorexplanation。Thedreammustbebornewith，andMr。KnightleymusttakehisseatwiththerestroundthelargemoderncirculartablewhichEmmahadintroducedatHartfield，andwhichnonebutEmmacouldhavehadpowertoplacethereandpersuadeherfathertouse，insteadofthesmall-sizedPembroke，onwhichtwoofhisdailymealshad，forfortyyearsbeencrowded。

Teapassedpleasantly，andnobodyseemedinahurrytomove。

“MissWoodhouse。”saidFrankChurchill，afterexaminingatablebehindhim，whichhecouldreachashesat，“haveyournephewstakenawaytheiralphabets——theirboxofletters？Itusedtostandhere。

Whereisit？Thisisasortofdull-lookingevening，thatoughttobetreatedratheraswinterthansummer。Wehadgreatamusementwiththoselettersonemorning。Iwanttopuzzleyouagain。”

Emmawaspleasedwiththethought；andproducingthebox，thetablewasquicklyscatteredoverwithalphabets，whichnooneseemedsomuchdisposedtoemployastheirtwoselves。Theywererapidlyformingwordsforeachother，orforanybodyelsewhowouldbepuzzled。

ThequietnessofthegamemadeitparticularlyeligibleforMr。Woodhouse，whohadoftenbeendistressedbythemoreanimatedsort，whichMr。Westonhadoccasionallyintroduced，andwhonowsathappilyoccupiedinlamenting，withtendermelancholy，overthedepartureofthe“poorlittleboys。”orinfondlypointingout，ashetookupanystrayletternearhim，howbeautifullyEmmahadwrittenit。

FrankChurchillplacedawordbeforeMissFairfax。Shegaveaslightglanceroundthetable，andappliedherselftoit。

FrankwasnexttoEmma，Janeoppositetothem——andMr。Knightleysoplacedastoseethemall；anditwashisobjecttoseeasmuchashecould，withaslittleapparentobservation。Thewordwasdiscovered，andwithafaintsmilepushedaway。Ifmeanttobeimmediatelymixedwiththeothers，andburiedfromsight，sheshouldhavelookedonthetableinsteadoflookingjustacross，foritwasnotmixed；andHarriet，eageraftereveryfreshword，andfindingoutnone，directlytookitup，andfelltowork。

ShewassittingbyMr。Knightley，andturnedtohimforhelp。

Thewordwasblunder；andasHarrietexultinglyproclaimedit，therewasablushonJane’scheekwhichgaveitameaningnototherwiseostensible。Mr。Knightleyconnecteditwiththedream；

buthowitcouldallbe，wasbeyondhiscomprehension。

Howthedelicacy，thediscretionofhisfavouritecouldhavebeensolainasleep！Hefearedtheremustbesomedecidedinvolvement。

Disingenuousnessanddoubledealingseemedtomeethimateveryturn。

Theseletterswerebutthevehicleforgallantryandtrick。

Itwasachild’splay，chosentoconcealadeepergameonFrankChurchill’spart。

Withgreatindignationdidhecontinuetoobservehim；withgreatalarmanddistrust，toobservealsohistwoblindedcompanions。

HesawashortwordpreparedforEmma，andgiventoherwithalookslyanddemure。HesawthatEmmahadsoonmadeitout，andfoundithighlyentertaining，thoughitwassomethingwhichshejudgeditpropertoappeartocensure；forshesaid，“Nonsense！forshame！“

HeheardFrankChurchillnextsay，withaglancetowardsJane，“Iwillgiveittoher——shallI？“——andasclearlyheardEmmaopposingitwitheagerlaughingwarmth。“No，no，youmustnot；

youshallnot，indeed。”

Itwasdonehowever。Thisgallantyoungman，whoseemedtolovewithoutfeeling，andtorecommendhimselfwithoutcomplaisance，directlyhandedoverthewordtoMissFairfax，andwithaparticulardegreeofsedatecivilityentreatedhertostudyit。Mr。Knightley’sexcessivecuriositytoknowwhatthiswordmightbe，madehimseizeeverypossiblemomentfordartinghiseyetowardsit，anditwasnotlongbeforehesawittobeDixon。JaneFairfax’sperceptionseemedtoaccompanyhis；hercomprehensionwascertainlymoreequaltothecovertmeaning，thesuperiorintelligence，ofthosefiveletterssoarranged。Shewasevidentlydispleased；lookedup，andseeingherselfwatched，blushedmoredeeplythanhehadeverperceivedher，andsayingonly，“Ididnotknowthatpropernameswereallowed。”

pushedawaytheletterswithevenanangryspirit，andlookedresolvedtobeengagedbynootherwordthatcouldbeoffered。

Herfacewasavertedfromthosewhohadmadetheattack，andturnedtowardsheraunt。

“Aye，verytrue，mydear。”criedthelatter，thoughJanehadnotspokenaword——“Iwasjustgoingtosaythesamething。Itistimeforustobegoingindeed。Theeveningisclosingin，andgrandmamawillbelookingforus。Mydearsir，youaretooobliging。

Wereallymustwishyougoodnight。”

Jane’salertnessinmoving，provedherasreadyasheraunthadpreconceived。Shewasimmediatelyup，andwantingtoquitthetable；butsomanywerealsomoving，thatshecouldnotgetaway；

andMr。Knightleythoughthesawanothercollectionoflettersanxiouslypushedtowardsher，andresolutelysweptawaybyherunexamined。

Shewasafterwardslookingforhershawl——FrankChurchillwaslookingalso——itwasgrowingdusk，andtheroomwasinconfusion；

andhowtheyparted，Mr。Knightleycouldnottell。

HeremainedatHartfieldafteralltherest，histhoughtsfullofwhathehadseen；sofull，thatwhenthecandlescametoassisthisobservations，hemust——yes，hecertainlymust，asafriend——

ananxiousfriend——giveEmmasomehint，askhersomequestion。

Hecouldnotseeherinasituationofsuchdanger，withouttryingtopreserveher。Itwashisduty。

“Pray，Emma。”saidhe，“mayIaskinwhatlaythegreatamusement，thepoignantstingofthelastwordgiventoyouandMissFairfax？

Isawtheword，andamcurioustoknowhowitcouldbesoveryentertainingtotheone，andsoverydistressingtotheother。”

Emmawasextremelyconfused。Shecouldnotenduretogivehimthetrueexplanation；forthoughhersuspicionswerebynomeansremoved，shewasreallyashamedofhavingeverimpartedthem。

“Oh！“shecriedinevidentembarrassment，“itallmeantnothing；

amerejokeamongourselves。”

“Thejoke。”herepliedgravely，“seemedconfinedtoyouandMr。Churchill。”

Hehadhopedshewouldspeakagain，butshedidnot。Shewouldratherbusyherselfaboutanythingthanspeak。Hesatalittlewhileindoubt。Avarietyofevilscrossedhismind。Interference——

fruitlessinterference。Emma’sconfusion，andtheacknowledgedintimacy，seemedtodeclareheraffectionengaged。Yethewouldspeak。

Heowedittoher，toriskanythingthatmightbeinvolvedinanunwelcomeinterference，ratherthanherwelfare；toencounteranything，ratherthantheremembranceofneglectinsuchacause。

“MydearEmma。”saidheatlast，withearnestkindness，“doyouthinkyouperfectlyunderstandthedegreeofacquaintancebetweenthegentlemanandladywehavebeenspeakingof？“

“BetweenMr。FrankChurchillandMissFairfax？Oh！yes，perfectly——

Whydoyoumakeadoubtofit？“

“Haveyouneveratanytimehadreasontothinkthatheadmiredher，orthatsheadmiredhim？“

“Never，never！“shecriedwithamostopeneagerness——“Never，forthetwentiethpartofamoment，didsuchanideaoccurtome。

Andhowcoulditpossiblycomeintoyourhead？“

“IhavelatelyimaginedthatIsawsymptomsofattachmentbetweenthem——

certainexpressivelooks，whichIdidnotbelievemeanttobepublic。”

“Oh！youamusemeexcessively。Iamdelightedtofindthatyoucanvouchsafetoletyourimaginationwander——butitwillnotdo——

verysorrytocheckyouinyourfirstessay——butindeeditwillnotdo。Thereisnoadmirationbetweenthem，Idoassureyou；

andtheappearanceswhichhavecaughtyou，havearisenfromsomepeculiarcircumstances——feelingsratherofatotallydifferentnature——

itisimpossibleexactlytoexplain：——thereisagooddealofnonsenseinit——butthepartwhichiscapableofbeingcommunicated，whichissense，is，thattheyareasfarfromanyattachmentoradmirationforoneanother，asanytwobeingsintheworldcanbe。

Thatis，Ipresumeittobesoonherside，andIcananswerforitsbeingsoonhis。Iwillanswerforthegentleman’sindifference。”

Shespokewithaconfidencewhichstaggered，withasatisfactionwhichsilenced，Mr。Knightley。Shewasingayspirits，andwouldhaveprolongedtheconversation，wantingtoheartheparticularsofhissuspicions，everylookdescribed，andallthewheresandhowsofacircumstancewhichhighlyentertainedher：buthisgaietydidnotmeethers。Hefoundhecouldnotbeuseful，andhisfeelingsweretoomuchirritatedfortalking。Thathemightnotbeirritatedintoanabsolutefever，bythefirewhichMr。Woodhouse’stenderhabitsrequiredalmosteveryeveningthroughouttheyear，hesoonafterwardstookahastyleave，andwalkedhometothecoolnessandsolitudeofDonwellAbbey。

Chapter06CHAPTERVI

AfterbeinglongfedwithhopesofaspeedyvisitfromMr。andMrs。Suckling，theHighburyworldwereobligedtoendurethemortificationofhearingthattheycouldnotpossiblycometilltheautumn。

Nosuchimportationofnoveltiescouldenrichtheirintellectualstoresatpresent。Inthedailyinterchangeofnews，theymustbeagainrestrictedtotheothertopicswithwhichforawhiletheSucklings’

cominghadbeenunited，suchasthelastaccountsofMrs。Churchill，whosehealthseemedeverydaytosupplyadifferentreport，andthesituationofMrs。Weston，whosehappinessitwastobehopedmighteventuallybeasmuchincreasedbythearrivalofachild，asthatofallherneighbourswasbytheapproachofit。

Mrs。Eltonwasverymuchdisappointed。Itwasthedelayofagreatdealofpleasureandparade。Herintroductionsandrecommendationsmustallwait，andeveryprojectedpartybestillonlytalkedof。

Soshethoughtatfirst；——butalittleconsiderationconvincedherthateverythingneednotbeputoff。WhyshouldnottheyexploretoBoxHillthoughtheSucklingsdidnotcome？Theycouldgothereagainwiththemintheautumn。ItwassettledthattheyshouldgotoBoxHill。Thattherewastobesuchapartyhadbeenlonggenerallyknown：ithadevengiventheideaofanother。

EmmahadneverbeentoBoxHill；shewishedtoseewhateverybodyfoundsowellworthseeing，andsheandMr。Westonhadagreedtochusesomefinemorninganddrivethither。Twoorthreemoreofthechosenonlyweretobeadmittedtojointhem，anditwastobedoneinaquiet，unpretending，elegantway，infinitelysuperiortothebustleandpreparation，theregulareatinganddrinking，andpicnicparadeoftheEltonsandtheSucklings。

Thiswassoverywellunderstoodbetweenthem，thatEmmacouldnotbutfeelsomesurprise，andalittledispleasure，onhearingfromMr。WestonthathehadbeenproposingtoMrs。Elton，asherbrotherandsisterhadfailedher，thatthetwopartiesshouldunite，andgotogether；andthatasMrs。Eltonhadveryreadilyaccededtoit，soitwastobe，ifshehadnoobjection。Now，asherobjectionwasnothingbutherverygreatdislikeofMrs。Elton，ofwhichMr。Westonmustalreadybeperfectlyaware，itwasnotworthbringingforwardagain：——itcouldnotbedonewithoutareprooftohim，whichwouldbegivingpaintohiswife；andshefoundherselfthereforeobligedtoconsenttoanarrangementwhichshewouldhavedoneagreatdealtoavoid；anarrangementwhichwouldprobablyexposehereventothedegradationofbeingsaidtobeofMrs。Elton’sparty！Everyfeelingwasoffended；andtheforbearanceofheroutwardsubmissionleftaheavyarreardueofsecretseverityinherreflectionsontheunmanageablegoodwillofMr。Weston’stemper。

“IamgladyouapproveofwhatIhavedone。”saidheverycomfortably。

“ButIthoughtyouwould。Suchschemesasthesearenothingwithoutnumbers。Onecannothavetoolargeaparty。Alargepartysecuresitsownamusement。Andsheisagood-naturedwomanafterall。

Onecouldnotleaveherout。”

Emmadeniednoneofitaloud，andagreedtononeofitinprivate。

ItwasnowthemiddleofJune，andtheweatherfine；andMrs。Eltonwasgrowingimpatienttonametheday，andsettlewithMr。Westonastopigeon-piesandcoldlamb，whenalamecarriage-horsethreweverythingintosaduncertainty。Itmightbeweeks，itmightbeonlyafewdays，beforethehorsewereuseable；butnopreparationscouldbeventuredon，anditwasallmelancholystagnation。

Mrs。Elton’sresourceswereinadequatetosuchanattack。

“Isnotthismostvexations，Knightley？“shecried——“Andsuchweatherforexploring！——Thesedelaysanddisappointmentsarequiteodious。

Whatarewetodo？——Theyearwillwearawayatthisrate，andnothingdone。BeforethistimelastyearIassureyouwehadhadadelightfulexploringpartyfromMapleGrovetoKingsWeston。”

“YouhadbetterexploretoDonwell。”repliedMr。Knightley。

“Thatmaybedonewithouthorses。Come，andeatmystrawberries。

Theyareripeningfast。”

IfMr。Knightleydidnotbeginseriously，hewasobligedtoproceedso，forhisproposalwascaughtatwithdelight；andthe“Oh！Ishouldlikeitofallthings。”wasnotplainerinwordsthanmanner。

Donwellwasfamousforitsstrawberry-beds，whichseemedapleafortheinvitation：butnopleawasnecessary；cabbage-bedswouldhavebeenenoughtotemptthelady，whoonlywantedtobegoingsomewhere。

Shepromisedhimagainandagaintocome——muchoftenerthanhedoubted——andwasextremelygratifiedbysuchaproofofintimacy，suchadistinguishingcomplimentasshechosetoconsiderit。

“Youmaydependuponme。”saidshe。“Icertainlywillcome。

Nameyourday，andIwillcome。YouwillallowmetobringJaneFairfax？“

“Icannotnameaday。”saidhe，“tillIhavespokentosomeotherswhomIwouldwishtomeetyou。”

“Oh！leaveallthattome。Onlygivemeacarte-blanche——IamLadyPatroness，youknow。Itismyparty。Iwillbringfriendswithme。”

“IhopeyouwillbringElton。”saidhe：“butIwillnottroubleyoutogiveanyotherinvitations。”

“Oh！nowyouarelookingverysly。Butconsider——youneednotbeafraidofdelegatingpowertome。Iamnoyoungladyonherpreferment。

Marriedwomen，youknow，maybesafelyauthorised。Itismyparty。

Leaveitalltome。Iwillinviteyourguests。”

“No。”——hecalmlyreplied，——“thereisbutonemarriedwomanintheworldwhomIcaneverallowtoinvitewhatguestsshepleasestoDonwell，andthatoneis——“

“——Mrs。Weston，Isuppose。”interruptedMrs。Elton，rathermortified。

“No——Mrs。Knightley；——andtillsheisinbeing，Iwillmanagesuchmattersmyself。”

“Ah！youareanoddcreature！“shecried，satisfiedtohavenoonepreferredtoherself——“Youareahumourist，andmaysaywhatyoulike。Quiteahumourist。Well，IshallbringJanewithme——

Janeandheraunt——TherestIleavetoyou。IhavenoobjectionsatalltomeetingtheHartfieldfamily。Don’tscruple。I

knowyouareattachedtothem。”

“YoucertainlywillmeetthemifIcanprevail；andIshallcallonMissBatesinmywayhome。”

“That’squiteunnecessary；IseeJaneeveryday：——butasyoulike。

Itistobeamorningscheme，youknow，Knightley；quiteasimplething。

Ishallwearalargebonnet，andbringoneofmylittlebasketshangingonmyarm。Here，——probablythisbasketwithpinkribbon。

Nothingcanbemoresimple，yousee。AndJanewillhavesuchanother。

Thereistobenoformorparade——asortofgipsyparty。Wearetowalkaboutyourgardens，andgatherthestrawberriesourselves，andsitundertrees；——andwhateverelseyoumayliketoprovide，itistobealloutofdoors——atablespreadintheshade，youknow。

Everythingasnaturalandsimpleaspossible。Isnotthatyouridea？“

“Notquite。Myideaofthesimpleandthenaturalwillbetohavethetablespreadinthedining-room。Thenatureandthesimplicityofgentlemenandladies，withtheirservantsandfurniture，Ithinkisbestobservedbymealswithindoors。Whenyouaretiredofeatingstrawberriesinthegarden，thereshallbecoldmeatinthehouse。”

“Well——asyouplease；onlydon’thaveagreatsetout。And，bythebye，canIormyhousekeeperbeofanyusetoyouwithouropinion？——

Praybesincere，Knightley。IfyouwishmetotalktoMrs。Hodges，ortoinspectanything——“

“Ihavenottheleastwishforit，Ithankyou。”

“Well——butifanydifficultiesshouldarise，myhousekeeperisextremelyclever。”

“Iwillanswerforit，thatminethinksherselffullasclever，andwouldspurnanybody’sassistance。”

“Iwishwehadadonkey。Thethingwouldbeforusalltocomeondonkeys，Jane，MissBates，andme——andmycarosposowalkingby。

Ireallymusttalktohimaboutpurchasingadonkey。InacountrylifeIconceiveittobeasortofnecessary；for，letawomanhaveeversomanyresources，itisnotpossibleforhertobealwaysshutupathome；——andverylongwalks，youknow——insummerthereisdust，andinwinterthereisdirt。”

“Youwillnotfindeither，betweenDonwellandHighbury。

DonwellLaneisneverdusty，andnowitisperfectlydry。Comeonadonkey，however，ifyoupreferit。YoucanborrowMrs。Cole’s。

Iwouldwisheverythingtobeasmuchtoyourtasteaspossible。”

“ThatIamsureyouwould。IndeedIdoyoujustice，mygoodfriend。

Underthatpeculiarsortofdry，bluntmanner，Iknowyouhavethewarmestheart。AsItellMr。E。，youareathoroughhumourist——

Yes，believeme，Knightley，Iamfullysensibleofyourattentiontomeinthewholeofthisscheme。Youhavehitupontheverythingtopleaseme。”

Mr。Knightleyhadanotherreasonforavoidingatableintheshade。

HewishedtopersuadeMr。Woodhouse，aswellasEmma，tojointheparty；

andheknewthattohaveanyofthemsittingdownoutofdoorstoeatwouldinevitablymakehimill。Mr。Woodhousemustnot，underthespeciouspretenceofamorningdrive，andanhourortwospentatDonwell，betemptedawaytohismisery。

Hewasinvitedongoodfaith。Nolurkinghorrorsweretoupbraidhimforhiseasycredulity。Hedidconsent。HehadnotbeenatDonwellfortwoyears。“Someveryfinemorning，he，andEmma，andHarriet，couldgoverywell；andhecouldsitstillwithMrs。Weston，whilethedeargirlswalkedaboutthegardens。

Hedidnotsupposetheycouldbedampnow，inthemiddleoftheday。Heshouldliketoseetheoldhouseagainexceedingly，andshouldbeveryhappytomeetMr。andMrs。Elton，andanyotherofhisneighbours——Hecouldnotseeanyobjectionatalltohis，andEmma’s，andHarriet’sgoingtheresomeveryfinemorning。

HethoughtitverywelldoneofMr。Knightleytoinvitethem——

verykindandsensible——muchclevererthandiningout——Hewasnotfondofdiningout。”

Mr。Knightleywasfortunateineverybody’smostreadyconcurrence。

Theinvitationwaseverywheresowellreceived，thatitseemedasif，likeMrs。Elton，theywerealltakingtheschemeasaparticularcomplimenttothemselves——EmmaandHarrietprofessedveryhighexpectationsofpleasurefromit；andMr。Weston，unasked，promisedtogetFrankovertojointhem，ifpossible；aproofofapprobationandgratitudewhichcouldhavebeendispensedwith——

Mr。Knightleywasthenobligedtosaythatheshouldbegladtoseehim；andMr。Westonengagedtolosenotimeinwriting，andsparenoargumentstoinducehimtocome。

Inthemeanwhilethelamehorserecoveredsofast，thatthepartytoBoxHillwasagainunderhappyconsideration；andatlastDonwellwassettledforoneday，andBoxHillforthenext，——theweatherappearingexactlyright。

Underabrightmid-daysun，atalmostMidsummer，Mr。Woodhousewassafelyconveyedinhiscarriage，withonewindowdown，topartakeofthisal-frescoparty；andinoneofthemostcomfortableroomsintheAbbey，especiallypreparedforhimbyafireallthemorning，hewashappilyplaced，quiteathisease，readytotalkwithpleasureofwhathadbeenachieved，andadviseeverybodytocomeandsitdown，andnottoheatthemselves——

Mrs。Weston，whoseemedtohavewalkedthereonpurposetobetired，andsitallthetimewithhim，remained，whenalltheotherswereinvitedorpersuadedout，hispatientlistenerandsympathiser。

ItwassolongsinceEmmahadbeenattheAbbey，thatassoonasshewassatisfiedofherfather’scomfort，shewasgladtoleavehim，andlookaroundher；eagertorefreshandcorrecthermemorywithmoreparticularobservation，moreexactunderstandingofahouseandgroundswhichmusteverbesointerestingtoherandallherfamily。

Shefeltallthehonestprideandcomplacencywhichheralliancewiththepresentandfutureproprietorcouldfairlywarrant，assheviewedtherespectablesizeandstyleofthebuilding，itssuitable，becoming，characteristicsituation，lowandsheltered——

itsamplegardensstretchingdowntomeadowswashedbyastream，ofwhichtheAbbey，withalltheoldneglectofprospect，hadscarcelyasight——anditsabundanceoftimberinrowsandavenues，whichneitherfashionnorextravagancehadrootedup——ThehousewaslargerthanHartfield，andtotallyunlikeit，coveringagooddealofground，ramblingandirregular，withmanycomfortable，andoneortwohandsomerooms——Itwasjustwhatitoughttobe，anditlookedwhatitwas——andEmmafeltanincreasingrespectforit，astheresidenceofafamilyofsuchtruegentility，untaintedinbloodandunderstanding——SomefaultsoftemperJohnKnightleyhad；butIsabellahadconnectedherselfunexceptionably。

Shehadgiventhemneithermen，nornames，norplaces，thatcouldraiseablush。Thesewerepleasantfeelings，andshewalkedaboutandindulgedthemtillitwasnecessarytodoastheothersdid，andcollectroundthestrawberry-beds——Thewholepartywereassembled，exceptingFrankChurchill，whowasexpectedeverymomentfromRichmond；

andMrs。Elton，inallherapparatusofhappiness，herlargebonnetandherbasket，wasveryreadytoleadthewayingathering，accepting，ortalking——strawberries，andonlystrawberries，couldnowbethoughtorspokenof——“ThebestfruitinEngland——

everybody’sfavourite——alwayswholesome——Thesethefinestbedsandfinestsorts——Delightfultogatherforone’sself——theonlywayofreallyenjoyingthem——Morningdecidedlythebesttime——nevertired——

everysortgood——hautboyinfinitelysuperior——nocomparison——

theothershardlyeatable——hautboysveryscarce——Chilipreferred——

whitewoodfinestflavourofall——priceofstrawberriesinLondon——

abundanceaboutBristol——MapleGrove——cultivation——bedswhentoberenewed——gardenersthinkingexactlydifferent——nogeneralrule——

gardenersnevertobeputoutoftheirway——deliciousfruit——

onlytoorichtobeeatenmuchof——inferiortocherries——

currantsmorerefreshing——onlyobjectiontogatheringstrawberriesthestooping——glaringsun——tiredtodeath——couldbearitnolonger——

mustgoandsitintheshade。”

Such，forhalfanhour，wastheconversation——interruptedonlyoncebyMrs。Weston，whocameout，inhersolicitudeafterherson-in-law，toinquireifhewerecome——andshewasalittleuneasy——

Shehadsomefearsofhishorse。

Seatstolerablyintheshadewerefound；andnowEmmawasobligedtooverhearwhatMrs。EltonandJaneFairfaxweretalkingof——

Asituation，amostdesirablesituation，wasinquestion。Mrs。

Eltonhadreceivednoticeofitthatmorning，andwasinraptures。

ItwasnotwithMrs。Suckling，itwasnotwithMrs。Bragge，butinfelicityandsplendouritfellshortonlyofthem：itwaswithacousinofMrs。Bragge，anacquaintanceofMrs。Suckling，aladyknownatMapleGrove。Delightful，charming，superior，firstcircles，spheres，lines，ranks，everything——andMrs。Eltonwaswildtohavetheofferclosedwithimmediately——Onherside，allwaswarmth，energy，andtriumph——andshepositivelyrefusedtotakeherfriend’snegative，thoughMissFairfaxcontinuedtoassureherthatshewouldnotatpresentengageinanything，repeatingthesamemotiveswhichshehadbeenheardtourgebefore——

StillMrs。Eltoninsistedonbeingauthorisedtowriteanacquiescencebythemorrow’spost——HowJanecouldbearitatall，wasastonishingtoEmma——Shedidlookvexed，shedidspeakpointedly——andatlast，withadecisionofactionunusualtoher，proposedaremoval——

“Shouldnottheywalk？WouldnotMr。Knightleyshewthemthegardens——

allthegardens？——Shewishedtoseethewholeextent。”——Thepertinacityofherfriendseemedmorethanshecouldbear。

Itwashot；andafterwalkingsometimeoverthegardensinascattered，dispersedway，scarcelyanythreetogether，theyinsensiblyfollowedoneanothertothedeliciousshadeofabroadshortavenueoflimes，whichstretchingbeyondthegardenatanequaldistancefromtheriver，seemedthefinishofthepleasuregrounds——

Itledtonothing；nothingbutaviewattheendoveralowstonewallwithhighpillars，whichseemedintended，intheirerection，togivetheappearanceofanapproachtothehouse，whichneverhadbeenthere。Disputable，however，asmightbethetasteofsuchatermination，itwasinitselfacharmingwalk，andtheviewwhichcloseditextremelypretty——Theconsiderableslope，atnearlythefootofwhichtheAbbeystood，graduallyacquiredasteeperformbeyonditsgrounds；andathalfamiledistantwasabankofconsiderableabruptnessandgrandeur，wellclothedwithwood；——

andatthebottomofthisbank，favourablyplacedandsheltered，rosetheAbbeyMillFarm，withmeadowsinfront，andtherivermakingacloseandhandsomecurvearoundit。

Itwasasweetview——sweettotheeyeandthemind。Englishverdure，Englishculture，Englishcomfort，seenunderasunbright，withoutbeingoppressive。

InthiswalkEmmaandMr。Westonfoundalltheothersassembled；

andtowardsthisviewsheimmediatelyperceivedMr。KnightleyandHarrietdistinctfromtherest，quietlyleadingtheway。

Mr。KnightleyandHarriet！——Itwasanoddtete-a-tete；butshewasgladtoseeit——Therehadbeenatimewhenhewouldhavescornedherasacompanion，andturnedfromherwithlittleceremony。

Nowtheyseemedinpleasantconversation。TherehadbeenatimealsowhenEmmawouldhavebeensorrytoseeHarrietinaspotsofavourablefortheAbbeyMillFarm；butnowshefeareditnot。

Itmightbesafelyviewedwithallitsappendagesofprosperityandbeauty，itsrichpastures，spreadingflocks，orchardinblossom，andlightcolumnofsmokeascending——Shejoinedthematthewall，andfoundthemmoreengagedintalkingthaninlookingaround。

HewasgivingHarrietinformationastomodesofagriculture，etc。

andEmmareceivedasmilewhichseemedtosay，“Thesearemyownconcerns。Ihavearighttotalkonsuchsubjects，withoutbeingsuspectedofintroducingRobertMartin。”——Shedidnotsuspecthim。

Itwastoooldastory——RobertMartinhadprobablyceasedtothinkofHarriet——Theytookafewturnstogetheralongthewalk——Theshadewasmostrefreshing，andEmmafounditthepleasantestpartoftheday。

Thenextremovewastothehouse；theymustallgoinandeat；——

andtheywereallseatedandbusy，andstillFrankChurchilldidnotcome。Mrs。Westonlooked，andlookedinvain。Hisfatherwouldnotownhimselfuneasy，andlaughedatherfears；butshecouldnotbecuredofwishingthathewouldpartwithhisblackmare。

Hehadexpressedhimselfastocoming，withmorethancommoncertainty。

“Hisauntwassomuchbetter，thathehadnotadoubtofgettingovertothem。”——Mrs。Churchill’sstate，however，asmanywerereadytoremindher，wasliabletosuchsuddenvariationasmightdisappointhernephewinthemostreasonabledependence——andMrs。Westonwasatlastpersuadedtobelieve，ortosay，thatitmustbebysomeattackofMrs。Churchillthathewaspreventedcoming——

EmmalookedatHarrietwhilethepointwasunderconsideration；

shebehavedverywell，andbetrayednoemotion。

Thecoldrepastwasover，andthepartyweretogooutoncemoretoseewhathadnotyetbeenseen，theoldAbbeyfish-ponds；

perhapsgetasfarastheclover，whichwastobebeguncuttingonthemorrow，or，atanyrate，havethepleasureofbeinghot，andgrowingcoolagain——Mr。Woodhouse，whohadalreadytakenhislittleroundinthehighestpartofthegardens，wherenodampsfromtheriverwereimaginedevenbyhim，stirrednomore；

andhisdaughterresolvedtoremainwithhim，thatMrs。Westonmightbepersuadedawaybyherhusbandtotheexerciseandvarietywhichherspiritsseemedtoneed。

Mr。KnightleyhaddoneallinhispowerforMr。Woodhouse’sentertainment。Booksofengravings，drawersofmedals，cameos，corals，shells，andeveryotherfamilycollectionwithinhiscabinets，hadbeenpreparedforhisoldfriend，towhileawaythemorning；

andthekindnesshadperfectlyanswered。Mr。Woodhousehadbeenexceedinglywellamused。Mrs。Westonhadbeenshewingthemalltohim，andnowhewouldshewthemalltoEmma；——fortunateinhavingnootherresemblancetoachild，thaninatotalwantoftasteforwhathesaw，forhewasslow，constant，andmethodical——Beforethissecondlookingoverwasbegun，however，Emmawalkedintothehallforthesakeofafewmoments’freeobservationoftheentranceandground-plotofthehouse——andwashardlythere，whenJaneFairfaxappeared，comingquicklyinfromthegarden，andwithalookofescape——

LittleexpectingtomeetMissWoodhousesosoon，therewasastartatfirst；butMissWoodhousewastheverypersonshewasinquestof。

“Willyoubesokind。”saidshe，“whenIammissed，astosaythatIamgonehome？——Iamgoingthismoment——Myauntisnotawarehowlateitis，norhowlongwehavebeenabsent——butIamsureweshallbewanted，andIamdeterminedtogodirectly——Ihavesaidnothingaboutittoanybody。Itwouldonlybegivingtroubleanddistress。Somearegonetotheponds，andsometothelimewalk。

TilltheyallcomeinIshallnotbemissed；andwhentheydo，willyouhavethegoodnesstosaythatIamgone？“

“Certainly，ifyouwishit；——butyouarenotgoingtowalktoHighburyalone？“

“Yes——whatshouldhurtme？——Iwalkfast。Ishallbeathomeintwentyminutes。”

“Butitistoofar，indeeditis，tobewalkingquitealone。

Letmyfather’sservantgowithyou——Letmeorderthecarriage。

Itcanberoundinfiveminutes。”

“Thankyou，thankyou——butonnoaccount——Iwouldratherwalk——

Andformetobeafraidofwalkingalone！——I，whomaysosoonhavetoguardothers！“

Shespokewithgreatagitation；andEmmaveryfeelinglyreplied，“Thatcanbenoreasonforyourbeingexposedtodangernow。

Imustorderthecarriage。Theheatevenwouldbedanger——Youarefatiguedalready。”

“Iam。”——sheanswered——“Iamfatigued；butitisnotthesortoffatigue——quickwalkingwillrefreshme——MissWoodhouse，weallknowattimeswhatitistobeweariedinspirits。Mine，Iconfess，areexhausted。Thegreatestkindnessyoucanshewme，willbetoletmehavemyownway，andonlysaythatIamgonewhenitisnecessary。”

Emmahadnotanotherwordtooppose。Shesawitall；andenteringintoherfeelings，promotedherquittingthehouseimmediately，andwatchedhersafelyoffwiththezealofafriend。Herpartinglookwasgrateful——andherpartingwords，“Oh！MissWoodhouse，thecomfortofbeingsometimesalone！“——seemedtoburstfromanoverchargedheart，andtodescribesomewhatofthecontinualendurancetobepractisedbyher，eventowardssomeofthosewholovedherbest。

“Suchahome，indeed！suchanaunt！“saidEmma，assheturnedbackintothehallagain。“Idopityyou。Andthemoresensibilityyoubetrayoftheirjusthorrors，themoreIshalllikeyou。”

Janehadnotbeengoneaquarterofanhour，andtheyhadonlyaccomplishedsomeviewsofSt。Mark’sPlace，Venice，whenFrankChurchillenteredtheroom。Emmahadnotbeenthinkingofhim，shehadforgottentothinkofhim——butshewasverygladtoseehim。

Mrs。Westonwouldbeatease。Theblackmarewasblameless；

theywererightwhohadnamedMrs。Churchillasthecause。

Hehadbeendetainedbyatemporaryincreaseofillnessinher；

anervousseizure，whichhadlastedsomehours——andhehadquitegivenupeverythoughtofcoming，tillverylate；——andhadheknownhowhotarideheshouldhave，andhowlate，withallhishurry，hemustbe，hebelievedheshouldnothavecomeatall。Theheatwasexcessive；

hehadneversufferedanythinglikeit——almostwishedhehadstaidathome——nothingkilledhimlikeheat——hecouldbearanydegreeofcold，etc。，butheatwasintolerable——andhesatdown，atthegreatestpossibledistancefromtheslightremainsofMr。Woodhouse’sfire，lookingverydeplorable。

“Youwillsoonbecooler，ifyousitstill。”saidEmma。

“AssoonasIamcoolerIshallgobackagain。Icouldveryillbespared——butsuchapointhadbeenmadeofmycoming！

YouwillallbegoingsoonIsuppose；thewholepartybreakingup。

ImetoneasIcame——Madnessinsuchweather！——absolutemadness！“

Emmalistened，andlooked，andsoonperceivedthatFrankChurchill’sstatemightbebestdefinedbytheexpressivephraseofbeingoutofhumour。Somepeoplewerealwayscrosswhentheywerehot。

Suchmightbehisconstitution；andassheknewthateatinganddrinkingwereoftenthecureofsuchincidentalcomplaints，sherecommendedhistakingsomerefreshment；hewouldfindabundanceofeverythinginthedining-room——andshehumanelypointedoutthedoor。

“No——heshouldnoteat。Hewasnothungry；itwouldonlymakehimhotter。”Intwominutes，however，herelentedinhisownfavour；

andmutteringsomethingaboutspruce-beer，walkedoff。Emmareturnedallherattentiontoherfather，sayinginsecret——

“IamgladIhavedonebeinginlovewithhim。Ishouldnotlikeamanwhoissosoondiscomposedbyahotmorning。Harriet’ssweeteasytemperwillnotmindit。”

Hewasgonelongenoughtohavehadaverycomfortablemeal，andcamebackallthebetter——grownquitecool——and，withgoodmanners，likehimself——abletodrawachairclosetothem，takeaninterestintheiremployment；andregret，inareasonableway，thatheshouldbesolate。Hewasnotinhisbestspirits，butseemedtryingtoimprovethem；and，atlast，madehimselftalknonsenseveryagreeably。TheywerelookingoverviewsinSwisserland。

“Assoonasmyauntgetswell，Ishallgoabroad。”saidhe。

“IshallneverbeeasytillIhaveseensomeoftheseplaces。

Youwillhavemysketches，sometimeorother，tolookat——ormytourtoread——ormypoem。Ishalldosomethingtoexposemyself。”

“Thatmaybe——butnotbysketchesinSwisserland。YouwillnevergotoSwisserland。YouruncleandauntwillneverallowyoutoleaveEngland。”

“Theymaybeinducedtogotoo。Awarmclimatemaybeprescribedforher。Ihavemorethanhalfanexpectationofourallgoingabroad。

IassureyouIhave。Ifeelastrongpersuasion，thismorning，thatIshallsoonbeabroad。Ioughttotravel。Iamtiredofdoingnothing。Iwantachange。Iamserious，MissWoodhouse，whateveryourpenetratingeyesmayfancy——IamsickofEngland——

andwouldleaveitto-morrow，ifIcould。”

“Youaresickofprosperityandindulgence。Cannotyouinventafewhardshipsforyourself，andbecontentedtostay？“

“Isickofprosperityandindulgence！Youarequitemistaken。

Idonotlookuponmyselfaseitherprosperousorindulged。I

amthwartedineverythingmaterial。Idonotconsidermyselfatallafortunateperson。”

“Youarenotquitesomiserable，though，aswhenyoufirstcame。

Goandeatanddrinkalittlemore，andyouwilldoverywell。

Anothersliceofcoldmeat，anotherdraughtofMadeiraandwater，willmakeyounearlyonaparwiththerestofus。”

“No——Ishallnotstir。Ishallsitbyyou。Youaremybestcure。”

“WearegoingtoBoxHillto-morrow；——youwilljoinus。

ItisnotSwisserland，butitwillbesomethingforayoungmansomuchinwantofachange。Youwillstay，andgowithus？“

“No，certainlynot；Ishallgohomeinthecooloftheevening。”

“Butyoumaycomeagaininthecoolofto-morrowmorning。”

“No——Itwillnotbeworthwhile。IfIcome，Ishallbecross。”

“ThenpraystayatRichmond。”

“ButifIdo，Ishallbecrosserstill。Icanneverbeartothinkofyoualltherewithoutme。”

“Thesearedifficultieswhichyoumustsettleforyourself。

Chuseyourowndegreeofcrossness。Ishallpressyounomore。”

Therestofthepartywerenowreturning，andallweresooncollected。

WithsometherewasgreatjoyatthesightofFrankChurchill；

otherstookitverycomposedly；buttherewasaverygeneraldistressanddisturbanceonMissFairfax’sdisappearancebeingexplained。

Thatitwastimeforeverybodytogo，concludedthesubject；andwithashortfinalarrangementforthenextday’sscheme，theyparted。

FrankChurchill’slittleinclinationtoexcludehimselfincreasedsomuch，thathislastwordstoEmmawere，“Well；——ifyouwishmetostayandjointheparty，Iwill。”

Shesmiledheracceptance；andnothinglessthanasummonsfromRichmondwastotakehimbackbeforethefollowingevening。

Chapter07CHAPTERVII

TheyhadaveryfinedayforBoxHill；andalltheotheroutwardcircumstancesofarrangement，accommodation，andpunctuality，wereinfavourofapleasantparty。Mr。Westondirectedthewhole，officiatingsafelybetweenHartfieldandtheVicarage，andeverybodywasingoodtime。EmmaandHarrietwenttogether；MissBatesandherniece，withtheEltons；thegentlemenonhorseback。

Mrs。WestonremainedwithMr。Woodhouse。Nothingwaswantingbuttobehappywhentheygotthere。Sevenmilesweretravelledinexpectationofenjoyment，andeverybodyhadaburstofadmirationonfirstarriving；butinthegeneralamountofthedaytherewasdeficiency。Therewasalanguor，awantofspirits，awantofunion，whichcouldnotbegotover。Theyseparatedtoomuchintoparties。

TheEltonswalkedtogether；Mr。KnightleytookchargeofMissBatesandJane；andEmmaandHarrietbelongedtoFrankChurchill。

AndMr。Westontried，invain，tomakethemharmonisebetter。

Itseemedatfirstanaccidentaldivision，butitnevermateriallyvaried。

Mr。andMrs。Elton，indeed，shewednounwillingnesstomix，andbeasagreeableastheycould；butduringthetwowholehoursthatwerespentonthehill，thereseemedaprincipleofseparation，betweentheotherparties，toostrongforanyfineprospects，oranycoldcollation，oranycheerfulMr。Weston，toremove。

AtfirstitwasdownrightdulnesstoEmma。ShehadneverseenFrankChurchillsosilentandstupid。Hesaidnothingworthhearing——

lookedwithoutseeing——admiredwithoutintelligence——listenedwithoutknowingwhatshesaid。Whilehewassodull，itwasnowonderthatHarrietshouldbedulllikewise；andtheywerebothinsufferable。

Whentheyallsatdownitwasbetter；tohertasteagreatdealbetter，forFrankChurchillgrewtalkativeandgay，makingherhisfirstobject。

Everydistinguishingattentionthatcouldbepaid，waspaidtoher。

Toamuseher，andbeagreeableinhereyes，seemedallthathecaredfor——andEmma，gladtobeenlivened，notsorrytobeflattered，wasgayandeasytoo，andgavehimallthefriendlyencouragement，theadmissiontobegallant，whichshehadevergiveninthefirstandmostanimatingperiodoftheiracquaintance；butwhichnow，inherownestimation，meantnothing，thoughinthejudgmentofmostpeoplelookingonitmusthavehadsuchanappearanceasnoEnglishwordbutflirtationcouldverywelldescribe。“Mr。FrankChurchillandMissWoodhouseflirtedtogetherexcessively。”Theywerelayingthemselvesopentothatveryphrase——andtohavingitsentoffinalettertoMapleGrovebyonelady，toIrelandbyanother。

NotthatEmmawasgayandthoughtlessfromanyrealfelicity；

itwasratherbecauseshefeltlesshappythanshehadexpected。

Shelaughedbecauseshewasdisappointed；andthoughshelikedhimforhisattentions，andthoughtthemall，whetherinfriendship，admiration，orplayfulness，extremelyjudicious，theywerenotwinningbackherheart。Shestillintendedhimforherfriend。

“HowmuchIamobligedtoyou。”saidhe，“fortellingmetocometo-day！——

Ifithadnotbeenforyou，Ishouldcertainlyhavelostallthehappinessofthisparty。Ihadquitedeterminedtogoawayagain。”

“Yes，youwereverycross；andIdonotknowwhatabout，exceptthatyouweretoolateforthebeststrawberries。

Iwasakinderfriendthanyoudeserved。Butyouwerehumble。

Youbeggedhardtobecommandedtocome。”

“Don’tsayIwascross。Iwasfatigued。Theheatovercameme。”

“Itishotterto-day。”

“Nottomyfeelings。Iamperfectlycomfortableto-day。”

“Youarecomfortablebecauseyouareundercommand。”

“Yourcommand？——Yes。”

“PerhapsIintendedyoutosayso，butImeantself-command。Youhad，somehoworother，brokenboundsyesterday，andrunawayfromyourownmanagement；butto-dayyouaregotbackagain——andasIcannotbealwayswithyou，itisbesttobelieveyourtemperunderyourowncommandratherthanmine。”

“Itcomestothesamething。Icanhavenoself-commandwithoutamotive。Youorderme，whetheryouspeakornot。Andyoucanbealwayswithme。Youarealwayswithme。”

“Datingfromthreeo’clockyesterday。Myperpetualinfluencecouldnotbeginearlier，oryouwouldnothavebeensomuchoutofhumourbefore。”

“Threeo’clockyesterday！Thatisyourdate。IthoughtI

hadseenyoufirstinFebruary。”

“Yourgallantryisreallyunanswerable。But(loweringhervoice)——

nobodyspeaksexceptourselves，anditisrathertoomuchtobetalkingnonsensefortheentertainmentofsevensilentpeople。”

“IsaynothingofwhichIamashamed。”repliedhe，withlivelyimpudence。

“IsawyoufirstinFebruary。LeteverybodyontheHillhearmeiftheycan。LetmyaccentsswelltoMicklehamononeside，andDorkingontheother。IsawyoufirstinFebruary。”Andthenwhispering——

“Ourcompanionsareexcessivelystupid。Whatshallwedotorousethem？

Anynonsensewillserve。Theyshalltalk。Ladiesandgentlemen，IamorderedbyMissWoodhouse(who，whereversheis，presides)

tosay，thatshedesirestoknowwhatyouareallthinkingof？“

Somelaughed，andansweredgood-humouredly。MissBatessaidagreatdeal；

Mrs。EltonswelledattheideaofMissWoodhouse’spresiding；

Mr。Knightley’sanswerwasthemostdistinct。

“IsMissWoodhousesurethatshewouldliketohearwhatweareallthinkingof？“

“Oh！no，no“——criedEmma，laughingascarelesslyasshecould——

“Uponnoaccountintheworld。ItistheverylastthingI

wouldstandthebruntofjustnow。Letmehearanythingratherthanwhatyouareallthinkingof。Iwillnotsayquiteall。

Thereareoneortwo，perhaps，(glancingatMr。WestonandHarriet，)

whosethoughtsImightnotbeafraidofknowing。”

“Itisasortofthing。”criedMrs。Eltonemphatically，“whichIshouldnothavethoughtmyselfprivilegedtoinquireinto。Though，perhaps，astheChaperonoftheparty——

Ineverwasinanycircle——exploringparties——youngladies——marriedwomen——“

Hermutteringswerechieflytoherhusband；andhemurmured，inreply，“Verytrue，mylove，verytrue。Exactlyso，indeed——quiteunheardof——

butsomeladiessayanything。Betterpassitoffasajoke。

Everybodyknowswhatisduetoyou。”

“Itwillnotdo。”whisperedFranktoEmma；“theyaremostofthemaffronted。Iwillattackthemwithmoreaddress。

Ladiesandgentlemen——IamorderedbyMissWoodhousetosay，thatshewaivesherrightofknowingexactlywhatyoumayallbethinkingof，andonlyrequiressomethingveryentertainingfromeachofyou，inageneralway。Herearesevenofyou，besidesmyself，(who，sheispleasedtosay，amveryentertainingalready，)andsheonlydemandsfromeachofyoueitheronethingveryclever，beitproseorverse，originalorrepeated——ortwothingsmoderatelyclever——

orthreethingsverydullindeed，andsheengagestolaughheartilyatthemall。”

“Oh！verywell。”exclaimedMissBates，“thenIneednotbeuneasy。

`Threethingsverydullindeed。’Thatwilljustdoforme，youknow。

IshallbesuretosaythreedullthingsassoonaseverIopenmymouth，shan’tI？(lookingroundwiththemostgood-humoureddependenceoneverybody’sassent)——DonotyouallthinkIshall？“

Emmacouldnotresist。

“Ah！ma’am，buttheremaybeadifficulty。Pardonme——butyouwillbelimitedastonumber——onlythreeatonce。”

MissBates，deceivedbythemockceremonyofhermanner，didnotimmediatelycatchhermeaning；but，whenitburstonher，itcouldnotanger，thoughaslightblushshewedthatitcouldpainher。

“Ah！——well——tobesure。Yes，Iseewhatshemeans，(turningtoMr。Knightley，)andIwilltrytoholdmytongue。Imustmakemyselfverydisagreeable，orshewouldnothavesaidsuchathingtoanoldfriend。”

“Ilikeyourplan。”criedMr。Weston。“Agreed，agreed。I

willdomybest。Iammakingaconundrum。Howwillaconundrumreckon？“

“Low，Iamafraid，sir，verylow。”answeredhisson；——“butweshallbeindulgent——especiallytoanyonewholeadstheway。”

“No，no。”saidEmma，“itwillnotreckonlow。AconundrumofMr。Weston’sshallclearhimandhisnextneighbour。Come，sir，prayletmehearit。”

“Idoubtitsbeingveryclevermyself。”saidMr。Weston。

“Itistoomuchamatteroffact，buthereitis——Whattwolettersofthealphabetarethere，thatexpressperfection？“

“Whattwoletters！——expressperfection！IamsureIdonotknow。”

“Ah！youwillneverguess。You，(toEmma)，Iamcertain，willneverguess——Iwilltellyou——M。andA——Em-ma——Doyouunderstand？“

Understandingandgratificationcametogether。Itmightbeaveryindifferentpieceofwit，butEmmafoundagreatdealtolaughatandenjoyinit——andsodidFrankandHarriet——Itdidnotseemtotouchtherestofthepartyequally；somelookedverystupidaboutit，andMr。Knightleygravelysaid，“Thisexplainsthesortofcleverthingthatiswanted，andMr。Westonhasdoneverywellforhimself；buthemusthaveknockedupeverybodyelse。Perfectionshouldnothavecomequitesosoon。”

“Oh！formyself，IprotestImustbeexcused。”saidMrs。Elton；

“Ireallycannotattempt——Iamnotatallfondofthesortofthing。

Ihadanacrosticoncesenttomeuponmyownname，whichIwasnotatallpleasedwith。Iknewwhoitcamefrom。Anabominablepuppy！——

YouknowwhoImean(noddingtoherhusband)。ThesekindofthingsareverywellatChristmas，whenoneissittingroundthefire；

butquiteoutofplace，inmyopinion，whenoneisexploringaboutthecountryinsummer。MissWoodhousemustexcuseme。

Iamnotoneofthosewhohavewittythingsateverybody’sservice。

Idonotpretendtobeawit。Ihaveagreatdealofvivacityinmyownway，butIreallymustbeallowedtojudgewhentospeakandwhentoholdmytongue。Passus，ifyouplease，Mr。Churchill。

PassMr。E。，Knightley，Jane，andmyself。Wehavenothingclevertosay——

notoneofus。

“Yes，yes，praypassme。”addedherhusband，withasortofsneeringconsciousness；“IhavenothingtosaythatcanentertainMissWoodhouse，oranyotheryounglady。Anoldmarriedman——

quitegoodfornothing。Shallwewalk，Augusta？“

“Withallmyheart。Iamreallytiredofexploringsolongononespot。Come，Jane，takemyotherarm。”