第13章

Janedeclinedit，however，andthehusbandandwifewalkedoff。

“Happycouple！“saidFrankChurchill，assoonastheywereoutofhearing：——“Howwelltheysuitoneanother！——Verylucky——marryingastheydid，uponanacquaintanceformedonlyinapublicplace！——Theyonlykneweachother，Ithink，afewweeksinBath！Peculiarlylucky！——

forastoanyrealknowledgeofaperson’sdispositionthatBath，oranypublicplace，cangive——itisallnothing；therecanbenoknowledge。Itisonlybyseeingwomenintheirownhomes，amongtheirownset，justastheyalwaysare，thatyoucanformanyjustjudgment。Shortofthat，itisallguessandluck——

andwillgenerallybeill-luck。Howmanyamanhascommittedhimselfonashortacquaintance，andrueditalltherestofhislife！“

MissFairfax，whohadseldomspokenbefore，exceptamongherownconfederates，spokenow。

“Suchthingsdooccur，undoubtedly。”——Shewasstoppedbyacough。

FrankChurchillturnedtowardshertolisten。

“Youwerespeaking。”saidhe，gravely。Sherecoveredhervoice。

“Iwasonlygoingtoobserve，thatthoughsuchunfortunatecircumstancesdosometimesoccurbothtomenandwomen，Icannotimaginethemtobeveryfrequent。Ahastyandimprudentattachmentmayarise——

butthereisgenerallytimetorecoverfromitafterwards。Iwouldbeunderstoodtomean，thatitcanbeonlyweak，irresolutecharacters，(whosehappinessmustbealwaysatthemercyofchance，)

whowillsufferanunfortunateacquaintancetobeaninconvenience，anoppressionforever。”

Hemadenoanswer；merelylooked，andbowedinsubmission；andsoonafterwardssaid，inalivelytone，“Well，Ihavesolittleconfidenceinmyownjudgment，thatwheneverImarry，Ihopesomebodywillchusemywifeforme。Willyou？

(turningtoEmma。)Willyouchuseawifeforme？——IamsureI

shouldlikeanybodyfixedonbyyou。Youprovideforthefamily，youknow，(withasmileathisfather)。Findsomebodyforme。

Iaminnohurry。Adopther，educateher。”

“Andmakeherlikemyself。”

“Byallmeans，ifyoucan。”

“Verywell。Iundertakethecommission。Youshallhaveacharmingwife。”

“Shemustbeverylively，andhavehazleeyes。Icarefornothingelse。

Ishallgoabroadforacoupleofyears——andwhenIreturn，Ishallcometoyouformywife。Remember。”

Emmawasinnodangerofforgetting。Itwasacommissiontotoucheveryfavouritefeeling。WouldnotHarrietbetheverycreaturedescribed？

Hazleeyesexcepted，twoyearsmoremightmakeherallthathewished。

HemightevenhaveHarrietinhisthoughtsatthemoment；

whocouldsay？Referringtheeducationtoherseemedtoimplyit。

“Now，ma’am。”saidJanetoheraunt，“shallwejoinMrs。Elton？“

“Ifyouplease，mydear。Withallmyheart。Iamquiteready。

Iwasreadytohavegonewithher，butthiswilldojustaswell。

Weshallsoonovertakeher。Theresheis——no，that’ssomebodyelse。

That’soneoftheladiesintheIrishcarparty，notatalllikeher——

Well，Ideclare——“

Theywalkedoff，followedinhalfaminutebyMr。Knightley。

Mr。Weston，hisson，Emma，andHarriet，onlyremained；andtheyoungman’sspiritsnowrosetoapitchalmostunpleasant。EvenEmmagrewtiredatlastofflatteryandmerriment，andwishedherselfratherwalkingquietlyaboutwithanyoftheothers，orsittingalmostalone，andquiteunattendedto，intranquilobservationofthebeautifulviewsbeneathher。Theappearanceoftheservantslookingoutforthemtogivenoticeofthecarriageswasajoyfulsight；

andeventhebustleofcollectingandpreparingtodepart，andthesolicitudeofMrs。Eltontohavehercarriagefirst，weregladlyendured，intheprospectofthequietdrivehomewhichwastoclosetheveryquestionableenjoymentsofthisdayofpleasure。

Suchanotherscheme，composedofsomanyill-assortedpeople，shehopednevertobebetrayedintoagain。

Whilewaitingforthecarriage，shefoundMr。Knightleybyherside。

Helookedaround，asiftoseethatnoonewerenear，andthensaid，“Emma，ImustoncemorespeaktoyouasIhavebeenusedtodo：

aprivilegeratherenduredthanallowed，perhaps，butImuststilluseit。Icannotseeyouactingwrong，withoutaremonstrance。

HowcouldyoubesounfeelingtoMissBates？Howcouldyoubesoinsolentinyourwittoawomanofhercharacter，age，andsituation？——

Emma，Ihadnotthoughtitpossible。”

Emmarecollected，blushed，wassorry，buttriedtolaughitoff。

“Nay，howcouldIhelpsayingwhatIdid？——Nobodycouldhavehelpedit。

Itwasnotsoverybad。Idaresayshedidnotunderstandme。”

“Iassureyoushedid。Shefeltyourfullmeaning。Shehastalkedofitsince。Iwishyoucouldhaveheardhowshetalkedofit——

withwhatcandourandgenerosity。Iwishyoucouldhaveheardherhonouringyourforbearance，inbeingabletopayhersuchattentions，asshewasforeverreceivingfromyourselfandyourfather，whenhersocietymustbesoirksome。”

“Oh！“criedEmma，“Iknowthereisnotabettercreatureintheworld：

butyoumustallow，thatwhatisgoodandwhatisridiculousaremostunfortunatelyblendedinher。”

“Theyareblended。”saidhe，“Iacknowledge；and，weresheprosperous，Icouldallowmuchfortheoccasionalprevalenceoftheridiculousoverthegood。Weresheawomanoffortune，Iwouldleaveeveryharmlessabsurditytotakeitschance，Iwouldnotquarrelwithyouforanylibertiesofmanner。Weresheyourequalinsituation——

but，Emma，considerhowfarthisisfrombeingthecase。Sheispoor；

shehassunkfromthecomfortsshewasbornto；and，ifshelivetooldage，mustprobablysinkmore。Hersituationshouldsecureyourcompassion。Itwasbadlydone，indeed！You，whomshehadknownfromaninfant，whomshehadseengrowupfromaperiodwhenhernoticewasanhonour，tohaveyounow，inthoughtlessspirits，andtheprideofthemoment，laughather，humbleher——andbeforeherniece，too——andbeforeothers，manyofwhom(certainlysome，)

wouldbeentirelyguidedbyyourtreatmentofher——Thisisnotpleasanttoyou，Emma——anditisveryfarfrompleasanttome；

butImust，Iwill，——IwilltellyoutruthswhileIcan；

satisfiedwithprovingmyselfyourfriendbyveryfaithfulcounsel，andtrustingthatyouwillsometimeorotherdomegreaterjusticethanyoucandonow。”

Whiletheytalked，theywereadvancingtowardsthecarriage；

itwasready；and，beforeshecouldspeakagain，hehadhandedherin。

Hehadmisinterpretedthefeelingswhichhadkeptherfaceaverted，andhertonguemotionless。Theywerecombinedonlyofangeragainstherself，mortification，anddeepconcern。Shehadnotbeenabletospeak；and，onenteringthecarriage，sunkbackforamomentovercome——thenreproachingherselfforhavingtakennoleave，makingnoacknowledgment，partinginapparentsullenness，shelookedoutwithvoiceandhandeagertoshewadifference；

butitwasjusttoolate。Hehadturnedaway，andthehorseswereinmotion。Shecontinuedtolookback，butinvain；andsoon，withwhatappearedunusualspeed，theywerehalfwaydownthehill，andeverythingleftfarbehind。Shewasvexedbeyondwhatcouldhavebeenexpressed——almostbeyondwhatshecouldconceal。

Neverhadshefeltsoagitated，mortified，grieved，atanycircumstanceinherlife。Shewasmostforciblystruck。Thetruthofthisrepresentationtherewasnodenying。Shefeltitatherheart。

Howcouldshehavebeensobrutal，socrueltoMissBates！Howcouldshehaveexposedherselftosuchillopinioninanyoneshevalued！

Andhowsufferhimtoleaveherwithoutsayingonewordofgratitude，ofconcurrence，ofcommonkindness！

Timedidnotcomposeher。Asshereflectedmore，sheseemedbuttofeelitmore。Sheneverhadbeensodepressed。Happilyitwasnotnecessarytospeak。TherewasonlyHarriet，whoseemednotinspiritsherself，fagged，andverywillingtobesilent；andEmmafeltthetearsrunningdownhercheeksalmostallthewayhome，withoutbeingatanytroubletocheckthem，extraordinaryastheywere。

Chapter08CHAPTERVIII

ThewretchednessofaschemetoBoxHillwasinEmma’sthoughtsalltheevening。Howitmightbeconsideredbytherestoftheparty，shecouldnottell。They，intheirdifferenthomes，andtheirdifferentways，mightbelookingbackonitwithpleasure；butinherviewitwasamorningmorecompletelymisspent，moretotallybareofrationalsatisfactionatthetime，andmoretobeabhorredinrecollection，thananyshehadeverpassed。Awholeeveningofback-gammonwithherfather，wasfelicitytoit。There，indeed，layrealpleasure，forthereshewasgivingupthesweetesthoursofthetwenty-fourtohiscomfort；andfeelingthat，unmeritedasmightbethedegreeofhisfondaffectionandconfidingesteem，shecouldnot，inhergeneralconduct，beopentoanyseverereproach。Asadaughter，shehopedshewasnotwithoutaheart。Shehopednoonecouldhavesaidtoher，“Howcouldyoubesounfeelingtoyourfather？——

Imust，IwilltellyoutruthswhileIcan。”MissBatesshouldneveragain——no，never！Ifattention，infuture，coulddoawaythepast，shemighthopetobeforgiven。Shehadbeenoftenremiss，herconsciencetoldherso；remiss，perhaps，moreinthoughtthanfact；scornful，ungracious。Butitshouldbesonomore。

Inthewarmthoftruecontrition，shewouldcalluponhertheverynextmorning，anditshouldbethebeginning，onherside，ofaregular，equal，kindlyintercourse。

Shewasjustasdeterminedwhenthemorrowcame，andwentearly，thatnothingmightpreventher。Itwasnotunlikely，shethought，thatshemightseeMr。Knightleyinherway；or，perhaps，hemightcomeinwhileshewerepayinghervisit。Shehadnoobjection。

Shewouldnotbeashamedoftheappearanceofthepenitence，sojustlyandtrulyhers。HereyesweretowardsDonwellasshewalked，butshesawhimnot。

“Theladieswereallathome。”Shehadneverrejoicedatthesoundbefore，noreverbeforeenteredthepassage，norwalkedupthestairs，withanywishofgivingpleasure，butinconferringobligation，orofderivingit，exceptinsubsequentridicule。

Therewasabustleonherapproach；agooddealofmovingandtalking。

SheheardMissBates’svoice，somethingwastobedoneinahurry；

themaidlookedfrightenedandawkward；hopedshewouldbepleasedtowaitamoment，andthenusheredherintoosoon。Theauntandnieceseemedbothescapingintotheadjoiningroom。Janeshehadadistinctglimpseof，lookingextremelyill；and，beforethedoorhadshutthemout，sheheardMissBatessaying，“Well，mydear，Ishallsayyouarelaiddownuponthebed，andIamsureyouareillenough。”

PooroldMrs。Bates，civilandhumbleasusual，lookedasifshedidnotquiteunderstandwhatwasgoingon。

“IamafraidJaneisnotverywell。”saidshe，“butIdonotknow；

theytellmesheiswell。Idaresaymydaughterwillbeherepresently，MissWoodhouse。Ihopeyoufindachair。IwishHettyhadnotgone。

Iamverylittleable——Haveyouachair，ma’am？Doyousitwhereyoulike？Iamsureshewillbeherepresently。”

Emmaseriouslyhopedshewould。Shehadamoment’sfearofMissBateskeepingawayfromher。ButMissBatessooncame——“Veryhappyandobliged“——butEmma’sconsciencetoldherthattherewasnotthesamecheerfulvolubilityasbefore——lesseaseoflookandmanner。

AveryfriendlyinquiryafterMissFairfax，shehoped，mightleadthewaytoareturnofoldfeelings。Thetouchseemedimmediate。

“Ah！MissWoodhouse，howkindyouare！——Isupposeyouhaveheard——

andarecometogiveusjoy。Thisdoesnotseemmuchlikejoy，indeed，inme——(twinklingawayatearortwo)——butitwillbeverytryingforustopartwithher，afterhavinghadhersolong，andshehasadreadfulheadachjustnow，writingallthemorning：——

suchlongletters，youknow，tobewrittentoColonelCampbell，andMrs。Dixon。`Mydear，’saidI，`youwillblindyourself’——

fortearswereinhereyesperpetually。Onecannotwonder，onecannotwonder。Itisagreatchange；andthoughsheisamazinglyfortunate——suchasituation，Isuppose，asnoyoungwomanbeforeevermetwithonfirstgoingout——donotthinkusungrateful，MissWoodhouse，forsuchsurprisinggoodfortune——(againdispersinghertears)——but，poordearsoul！ifyouweretoseewhataheadacheshehas。Whenoneisingreatpain，youknowonecannotfeelanyblessingquiteasitmaydeserve。Sheisaslowaspossible。

Tolookather，nobodywouldthinkhowdelightedandhappysheistohavesecuredsuchasituation。Youwillexcusehernotcomingtoyou——sheisnotable——sheisgoneintoherownroom——

Iwanthertoliedownuponthebed。`Mydear，’saidI，`Ishallsayyouarelaiddownuponthebed：’but，however，sheisnot；

sheiswalkingabouttheroom。But，nowthatshehaswrittenherletters，shesayssheshallsoonbewell。Shewillbeextremelysorrytomissseeingyou，MissWoodhouse，butyourkindnesswillexcuseher。Youwerekeptwaitingatthedoor——Iwasquiteashamed——

butsomehowtherewasalittlebustle——foritsohappenedthatwehadnotheardtheknock，andtillyouwereonthestairs，wedidnotknowanybodywascoming。`ItisonlyMrs。Cole，’saidI，`dependuponit。Nobodyelsewouldcomesoearly。’`Well，’

saidshe，`itmustbebornesometimeorother，anditmayaswellbenow。’

ButthenPattycamein，andsaiditwasyou。`Oh！’saidI，`itisMissWoodhouse：Iamsureyouwillliketoseeher。’——

`Icanseenobody，’saidshe；andupshegot，andwouldgoaway；

andthatwaswhatmadeuskeepyouwaiting——andextremelysorryandashamedwewere。`Ifyoumustgo，mydear，’saidI，`youmust，andIwillsayyouarelaiddownuponthebed。’“

Emmawasmostsincerelyinterested。HerhearthadbeenlonggrowingkindertowardsJane；andthispictureofherpresentsufferingsactedasacureofeveryformerungeneroussuspicion，andlefthernothingbutpity；andtheremembranceofthelessjustandlessgentlesensationsofthepast，obligedhertoadmitthatJanemightverynaturallyresolveonseeingMrs。Coleoranyothersteadyfriend，whenshemightnotbeartoseeherself。Shespokeasshefelt，withearnestregretandsolicitude——sincerelywishingthatthecircumstanceswhichshecollectedfromMissBatestobenowactuallydeterminedon，mightbeasmuchforMissFairfax’sadvantageandcomfortaspossible。“Itmustbeaseveretrialtothemall。

ShehadunderstooditwastobedelayedtillColonelCampbell’sreturn。”

“Soverykind！“repliedMissBates。“Butyouarealwayskind。”

Therewasnobearingsuchan“always；“andtobreakthroughherdreadfulgratitude，Emmamadethedirectinquiryof——

“Where——mayIask？——isMissFairfaxgoing？“

“ToaMrs。Smallridge——charmingwoman——mostsuperior——tohavethechargeofherthreelittlegirls——delightfulchildren。

Impossiblethatanysituationcouldbemorerepletewithcomfort；

ifweexcept，perhaps，Mrs。Suckling’sownfamily，andMrs。Bragge’s；

butMrs。Smallridgeisintimatewithboth，andintheverysameneighbourhood：——livesonlyfourmilesfromMapleGrove。

JanewillbeonlyfourmilesfromMapleGrove。”

“Mrs。Elton，Isuppose，hasbeenthepersontowhomMissFairfaxowes——“

“Yes，ourgoodMrs。Elton。Themostindefatigable，truefriend。

Shewouldnottakeadenial。ShewouldnotletJanesay，`No；’

forwhenJanefirstheardofit，(itwasthedaybeforeyesterday，theverymorningwewereatDonwell，)whenJanefirstheardofit，shewasquitedecidedagainstacceptingtheoffer，andforthereasonsyoumention；exactlyasyousay，shehadmadeuphermindtoclosewithnothingtillColonelCampbell’sreturn，andnothingshouldinducehertoenterintoanyengagementatpresent——andsoshetoldMrs。Eltonoverandoveragain——andIamsureIhadnomoreideathatshewouldchangehermind！——butthatgoodMrs。Elton，whosejudgmentneverfailsher，sawfartherthanIdid。Itisnoteverybodythatwouldhavestoodoutinsuchakindwayasshedid，andrefusetotakeJane’sanswer；butshepositivelydeclaredshewouldnotwriteanysuchdenialyesterday，asJanewishedher；

shewouldwait——and，sureenough，yesterdayeveningitwasallsettledthatJaneshouldgo。Quiteasurprizetome！Ihadnottheleastidea！——JanetookMrs。Eltonaside，andtoldheratonce，thatuponthinkingovertheadvantagesofMrs。Smallridge’ssituation，shehadcometotheresolutionofacceptingit——Ididnotknowawordofittillitwasallsettled。”

“YouspenttheeveningwithMrs。Elton？“

“Yes，allofus；Mrs。Eltonwouldhaveuscome。Itwassettledso，uponthehill，whilewewerewalkingaboutwithMr。Knightley。

`Youmustallspendyoureveningwithus，’saidshe——`Ipositivelymusthaveyouallcome。’“

“Mr。Knightleywastheretoo，washe？“

“No，notMr。Knightley；hedeclineditfromthefirst；andthoughI

thoughthewouldcome，becauseMrs。Eltondeclaredshewouldnotlethimoff，hedidnot；——butmymother，andJane，andI，wereallthere，andaveryagreeableeveningwehad。Suchkindfriends，youknow，MissWoodhouse，onemustalwaysfindagreeable，thougheverybodyseemedratherfaggedafterthemorning’sparty。Evenpleasure，youknow，isfatiguing——andIcannotsaythatanyofthemseemedverymuchtohaveenjoyedit。However，Ishallalwaysthinkitaverypleasantparty，andfeelextremelyobligedtothekindfriendswhoincludedmeinit。”

“MissFairfax，Isuppose，thoughyouwerenotawareofit，hadbeenmakinguphermindthewholeday？“

“Idaresayshehad。”

“Wheneverthetimemaycome，itmustbeunwelcometoherandallherfriends——butIhopeherengagementwillhaveeveryalleviationthatispossible——Imean，astothecharacterandmannersofthefamily。”

“Thankyou，dearMissWoodhouse。Yes，indeed，thereiseverythingintheworldthatcanmakeherhappyinit。ExcepttheSucklingsandBragges，thereisnotsuchanothernurseryestablishment，soliberalandelegant，inallMrs。Elton’sacquaintance。

Mrs。Smallridge，amostdelightfulwoman！——AstyleoflivingalmostequaltoMapleGrove——andastothechildren，exceptthelittleSucklingsandlittleBragges，therearenotsuchelegantsweetchildrenanywhere。Janewillbetreatedwithsuchregardandkindness！——

Itwillbenothingbutpleasure，alifeofpleasure——Andhersalary！——

Ireallycannotventuretonamehersalarytoyou，MissWoodhouse。

Evenyou，usedasyouaretogreatsums，wouldhardlybelievethatsomuchcouldbegiventoayoungpersonlikeJane。”

“Ah！madam。”criedEmma，“ifotherchildrenareatalllikewhatI

remembertohavebeenmyself，IshouldthinkfivetimestheamountofwhatIhaveeveryetheardnamedasasalaryonsuchoccasions，dearlyearned。”

“Youaresonobleinyourideas！“

“AndwhenisMissFairfaxtoleaveyou？“

“Verysoon，verysoon，indeed；that’stheworstofit。

Withinafortnight。Mrs。Smallridgeisinagreathurry。

Mypoormotherdoesnotknowhowtobearit。Sothen，Itrytoputitoutofherthoughts，andsay，Comema’am，donotletusthinkaboutitanymore。”

“Herfriendsmustallbesorrytoloseher；andwillnotColonelandMrs。Campbellbesorrytofindthatshehasengagedherselfbeforetheirreturn？“

“Yes；Janesayssheissuretheywill；butyet，thisissuchasituationasshecannotfeelherselfjustifiedindeclining。

IwassoastonishedwhenshefirsttoldmewhatshehadbeensayingtoMrs。Elton，andwhenMrs。Eltonatthesamemomentcamecongratulatingmeuponit！Itwasbeforetea——stay——no，itcouldnotbebeforetea，becausewewerejustgoingtocards——andyetitwasbeforetea，becauseIrememberthinking——Oh！no，nowIrecollect，nowIhaveit；

somethinghappenedbeforetea，butnotthat。Mr。Eltonwascalledoutoftheroombeforetea，oldJohnAbdy’ssonwantedtospeakwithhim。PooroldJohn，Ihaveagreatregardforhim；hewasclerktomypoorfathertwenty-sevenyears；andnow，pooroldman，heisbed-ridden，andverypoorlywiththerheumaticgoutinhisjoints——

Imustgoandseehimto-day；andsowillJane，Iamsure，ifshegetsoutatall。AndpoorJohn’ssoncametotalktoMr。Eltonaboutrelieffromtheparish；heisverywelltodohimself，youknow，beingheadmanattheCrown，ostler，andeverythingofthatsort，butstillhecannotkeephisfatherwithoutsomehelp；

andso，whenMr。Eltoncameback，hetolduswhatJohnostlerhadbeentellinghim，andthenitcameoutaboutthechaisehavingbeensenttoRandallstotakeMr。FrankChurchilltoRichmond。

Thatwaswhathappenedbeforetea。ItwasafterteathatJanespoketoMrs。Elton。”

MissBateswouldhardlygiveEmmatimetosayhowperfectlynewthiscircumstancewastoher；butaswithoutsupposingitpossiblethatshecouldbeignorantofanyoftheparticularsofMr。FrankChurchill’sgoing，sheproceededtogivethemall，itwasofnoconsequence。

WhatMr。Eltonhadlearnedfromtheostleronthesubject，beingtheaccumulationoftheostler’sownknowledge，andtheknowledgeoftheservantsatRandalls，was，thatamessengerhadcomeoverfromRichmondsoonafterthereturnofthepartyfromBoxHill——

whichmessenger，however，hadbeennomorethanwasexpected；

andthatMr。Churchillhadsenthisnephewafewlines，containing，uponthewhole，atolerableaccountofMrs。Churchill，andonlywishinghimnottodelaycomingbackbeyondthenextmorningearly；

butthatMr。FrankChurchillhavingresolvedtogohomedirectly，withoutwaitingatall，andhishorseseemingtohavegotacold，TomhadbeensentoffimmediatelyfortheCrownchaise，andtheostlerhadstoodoutandseenitpassby，theboygoingagoodpace，anddrivingverysteady。

Therewasnothinginallthiseithertoastonishorinterest，anditcaughtEmma’sattentiononlyasitunitedwiththesubjectwhichalreadyengagedhermind。ThecontrastbetweenMrs。Churchill’simportanceintheworld，andJaneFairfax’s，struckher；onewaseverything，theothernothing——andshesatmusingonthedifferenceofwoman’sdestiny，andquiteunconsciousonwhathereyeswerefixed，tillrousedbyMissBates’ssaying，“Aye，Iseewhatyouarethinkingof，thepianoforte。Whatistobecomeofthat？——Verytrue。PoordearJanewastalkingofitjustnow——

`Youmustgo，’saidshe。`YouandImustpart。Youwillhavenobusinesshere——Letitstay，however，’saidshe；`giveithouseroomtillColonelCampbellcomesback。Ishalltalkaboutittohim；

hewillsettleforme；hewillhelpmeoutofallmydifficulties。’——

Andtothisday，Idobelieve，sheknowsnotwhetheritwashispresentorhisdaughter’s。”

NowEmmawasobligedtothinkofthepianoforte；andtheremembranceofallherformerfancifulandunfairconjectureswassolittlepleasing，thatshesoonallowedherselftobelievehervisithadbeenlongenough；and，witharepetitionofeverythingthatshecouldventuretosayofthegoodwisheswhichshereallyfelt，tookleave。

Chapter09CHAPTERIX

Emma’spensivemeditations，asshewalkedhome，werenotinterrupted；

butonenteringtheparlour，shefoundthosewhomustrouseher。

Mr。KnightleyandHarriethadarrivedduringherabsence，andweresittingwithherfather——Mr。Knightleyimmediatelygotup，andinamannerdecidedlygraverthanusual，said，“Iwouldnotgoawaywithoutseeingyou，butIhavenotimetospare，andthereforemustnowbegonedirectly。IamgoingtoLondon，tospendafewdayswithJohnandIsabella。Haveyouanythingtosendorsay，besidesthe`love，’whichnobodycarries？“

“Nothingatall。Butisnotthisasuddenscheme？“

“Yes——rather——Ihavebeenthinkingofitsomelittletime。”

Emmawassurehehadnotforgivenher；helookedunlikehimself。

Time，however，shethought，wouldtellhimthattheyoughttobefriendsagain。Whilehestood，asifmeaningtogo，butnotgoing——

herfatherbeganhisinquiries。

“Well，mydear，anddidyougettheresafely？——Andhowdidyoufindmyworthyoldfriendandherdaughter？——Idaresaytheymusthavebeenverymuchobligedtoyouforcoming。DearEmmahasbeentocallonMrs。andMissBates，Mr。Knightley，asItoldyoubefore。

Sheisalwayssoattentivetothem！“

Emma’scolourwasheightenedbythisunjustpraise；andwithasmile，andshakeofthehead，whichspokemuch，shelookedatMr。Knightley——

Itseemedasiftherewereaninstantaneousimpressioninherfavour，asifhiseyesreceivedthetruthfromher’s，andallthathadpassedofgoodinherfeelingswereatoncecaughtandhonoured——

Helookedatherwithaglowofregard。Shewaswarmlygratified——

andinanothermomentstillmoreso，byalittlemovementofmorethancommonfriendlinessonhispart——Hetookherhand；——

whethershehadnotherselfmadethefirstmotion，shecouldnotsay——

shemight，perhaps，haveratherofferedit——buthetookherhand，pressedit，andcertainlywasonthepointofcarryingittohislips——

when，fromsomefancyorother，hesuddenlyletitgo——Whyheshouldfeelsuchascruple，whyheshouldchangehismindwhenitwasallbutdone，shecouldnotperceive——Hewouldhavejudgedbetter，shethought，ifhehadnotstopped——Theintention，however，wasindubitable；

andwhetheritwasthathismannershadingeneralsolittlegallantry，orhoweverelseithappened，butshethoughtnothingbecamehimmore——

Itwaswithhim，ofsosimple，yetsodignifiedanature——

Shecouldnotbutrecalltheattemptwithgreatsatisfaction。

Itspokesuchperfectamity——Heleftthemimmediatelyafterwards——

goneinamoment。Healwaysmovedwiththealertnessofamindwhichcouldneitherbeundecidednordilatory，butnowheseemedmoresuddenthanusualinhisdisappearance。

EmmacouldnotregretherhavinggonetoMissBates，butshewishedshehadlefthertenminutesearlier；——itwouldhavebeenagreatpleasuretotalkoverJaneFairfax’ssituationwithMr。Knightley——

NeitherwouldsheregretthatheshouldbegoingtoBrunswickSquare，forsheknewhowmuchhisvisitwouldbeenjoyed——butitmighthavehappenedatabettertime——andtohavehadlongernoticeofit，wouldhavebeenpleasanter——Theypartedthoroughfriends，however；

shecouldnotbedeceivedastothemeaningofhiscountenance，andhisunfinishedgallantry；——itwasalldonetoassureherthatshehadfullyrecoveredhisgoodopinion——Hehadbeensittingwiththemhalfanhour，shefound。Itwasapitythatshehadnotcomebackearlier！

Inthehopeofdivertingherfather’sthoughtsfromthedisagreeablenessofMr。Knightley’sgoingtoLondon；andgoingsosuddenly；

andgoingonhorseback，whichsheknewwouldbeallverybad；

EmmacommunicatedhernewsofJaneFairfax，andherdependenceontheeffectwasjustified；itsuppliedaveryusefulcheck，——

interested，withoutdisturbinghim。HehadlongmadeuphismindtoJaneFairfax’sgoingoutasgoverness，andcouldtalkofitcheerfully，butMr。Knightley’sgoingtoLondonhadbeenanunexpectedblow。

“Iamveryglad，indeed，mydear，tohearsheistobesocomfortablysettled。Mrs。Eltonisverygood-naturedandagreeable，andIdaresayheracquaintancearejustwhattheyoughttobe。Ihopeitisadrysituation，andthatherhealthwillbetakengoodcareof。Itoughttobeafirstobject，asIamsurepoorMissTaylor’salwayswaswithme。Youknow，mydear，sheisgoingtobetothisnewladywhatMissTaylorwastous。AndIhopeshewillbebetteroffinonerespect，andnotbeinducedtogoawayafterithasbeenherhomesolong。”

ThefollowingdaybroughtnewsfromRichmondtothroweverythingelseintothebackground。AnexpressarrivedatRandallstoannouncethedeathofMrs。Churchill！Thoughhernephewhadhadnoparticularreasontohastenbackonheraccount，shehadnotlivedabovesix-and-thirtyhoursafterhisreturn。

Asuddenseizureofadifferentnaturefromanythingforebodedbyhergeneralstate，hadcarriedheroffafterashortstruggle。

ThegreatMrs。Churchillwasnomore。

Itwasfeltassuchthingsmustbefelt。Everybodyhadadegreeofgravityandsorrow；tendernesstowardsthedeparted，solicitudeforthesurvivingfriends；and，inareasonabletime，curiositytoknowwhereshewouldbeburied。Goldsmithtellsus，thatwhenlovelywomanstoopstofolly，shehasnothingtodobuttodie；andwhenshestoopstobedisagreeable，itisequallytoberecommendedasaclearerofill-fame。Mrs。Churchill，afterbeingdislikedatleasttwenty-fiveyears，wasnowspokenofwithcompassionateallowances。Inonepointshewasfullyjustified。

Shehadneverbeenadmittedbeforetobeseriouslyill。Theeventacquittedherofallthefancifulness，andalltheselfishnessofimaginarycomplaints。

“PoorMrs。Churchill！nodoubtshehadbeensufferingagreatdeal：

morethananybodyhadeversupposed——andcontinualpainwouldtrythetemper。Itwasasadevent——agreatshock——withallherfaults，whatwouldMr。Churchilldowithouther？Mr。Churchill’slosswouldbedreadfulindeed。Mr。Churchillwouldnevergetoverit。”——

EvenMr。Westonshookhishead，andlookedsolemn，andsaid，“Ah！poorwoman，whowouldhavethoughtit！“andresolved，thathismourningshouldbeashandsomeaspossible；andhiswifesatsighingandmoralisingoverherbroadhemswithacommiserationandgoodsense，trueandsteady。HowitwouldaffectFrankwasamongtheearliestthoughtsofboth。ItwasalsoaveryearlyspeculationwithEmma。

ThecharacterofMrs。Churchill，thegriefofherhusband——hermindglancedoverthembothwithaweandcompassion——andthenrestedwithlightenedfeelingsonhowFrankmightbeaffectedbytheevent，howbenefited，howfreed。Shesawinamomentallthepossiblegood。

Now，anattachmenttoHarrietSmithwouldhavenothingtoencounter。

Mr。Churchill，independentofhiswife，wasfearedbynobody；

aneasy，guidableman，tobepersuadedintoanythingbyhisnephew。

Allthatremainedtobewishedwas，thatthenephewshouldformtheattachment，as，withallhergoodwillinthecause，Emmacouldfeelnocertaintyofitsbeingalreadyformed。

Harrietbehavedextremelywellontheoccasion，withgreatself-command。

Whatevershemightfeelofbrighterhope，shebetrayednothing。

Emmawasgratified，toobservesuchaproofinherofstrengthenedcharacter，andrefrainedfromanyallusionthatmightendangeritsmaintenance。

Theyspoke，therefore，ofMrs。Churchill’sdeathwithmutualforbearance。

ShortlettersfromFrankwerereceivedatRandalls，communicatingallthatwasimmediatelyimportantoftheirstateandplans。

Mr。Churchillwasbetterthancouldbeexpected；andtheirfirstremoval，onthedepartureofthefuneralforYorkshire，wastobetothehouseofaveryoldfriendinWindsor，towhomMr。Churchillhadbeenpromisingavisitthelasttenyears。

Atpresent，therewasnothingtobedoneforHarriet；goodwishesforthefuturewereallthatcouldyetbepossibleonEmma’sside。

ItwasamorepressingconcerntoshewattentiontoJaneFairfax，whoseprospectswereclosing，whileHarriet’sopened，andwhoseengagementsnowallowedofnodelayinanyoneatHighbury，whowishedtoshewherkindness——andwithEmmaitwasgrownintoafirstwish。

Shehadscarcelyastrongerregretthanforherpastcoldness；

andtheperson，whomshehadbeensomanymonthsneglecting，wasnowtheveryoneonwhomshewouldhavelavishedeverydistinctionofregardorsympathy。Shewantedtobeofusetoher；wantedtoshewavalueforhersociety，andtestifyrespectandconsideration。

SheresolvedtoprevailonhertospendadayatHartfield。

Anotewaswrittentourgeit。Theinvitationwasrefused，andbyaverbalmessage。“MissFairfaxwasnotwellenoughtowrite；“

andwhenMr。PerrycalledatHartfield，thesamemorning，itappearedthatshewassomuchindisposedastohavebeenvisited，thoughagainstherownconsent，byhimself，andthatshewassufferingundersevereheadaches，andanervousfevertoadegree，whichmadehimdoubtthepossibilityofhergoingtoMrs。Smallridge’satthetimeproposed。Herhealthseemedforthemomentcompletelyderanged——

appetitequitegone——andthoughtherewerenoabsolutelyalarmingsymptoms，nothingtouchingthepulmonarycomplaint，whichwasthestandingapprehensionofthefamily，Mr。Perrywasuneasyabouther。Hethoughtshehadundertakenmorethanshewasequalto，andthatshefeltitsoherself，thoughshewouldnotownit。Herspiritsseemedovercome。Herpresenthome，hecouldnotbutobserve，wasunfavourabletoanervousdisorder：——

confinedalwaystooneroom；——hecouldhavewisheditotherwise——

andhergoodaunt，thoughhisveryoldfriend，hemustacknowledgetobenotthebestcompanionforaninvalidofthatdescription。

Hercareandattentioncouldnotbequestioned；theywere，infact，onlytoogreat。HeverymuchfearedthatMissFairfaxderivedmoreevilthangoodfromthem。Emmalistenedwiththewarmestconcern；

grievedforhermoreandmore，andlookedaroundeagertodiscoversomewayofbeinguseful。Totakeher——beitonlyanhourortwo——fromheraunt，togiveherchangeofairandscene，andquietrationalconversation，evenforanhourortwo，mightdohergood；andthefollowingmorningshewroteagaintosay，inthemostfeelinglanguageshecouldcommand，thatshewouldcallforherinthecarriageatanyhourthatJanewouldname——

mentioningthatshehadMr。Perry’sdecidedopinion，infavourofsuchexerciseforhispatient。Theanswerwasonlyinthisshortnote：

“MissFairfax’scomplimentsandthanks，butisquiteunequaltoanyexercise。”

Emmafeltthatherownnotehaddeservedsomethingbetter；butitwasimpossibletoquarrelwithwords，whosetremulousinequalityshewedindispositionsoplainly，andshethoughtonlyofhowshemightbestcounteractthisunwillingnesstobeseenorassisted。

Inspiteoftheanswer，therefore，sheorderedthecarriage，anddrovetoMrs。Bates’s，inthehopethatJanewouldbeinducedtojoinher——

butitwouldnotdo；——MissBatescametothecarriagedoor，allgratitude，andagreeingwithhermostearnestlyinthinkinganairingmightbeofthegreatestservice——andeverythingthatmessagecoulddowastried——

butallinvain。MissBateswasobligedtoreturnwithoutsuccess；

Janewasquiteunpersuadable；themereproposalofgoingoutseemedtomakeherworse——Emmawishedshecouldhaveseenher，andtriedherownpowers；but，almostbeforeshecouldhintthewish，MissBatesmadeitappearthatshehadpromisedhernieceonnoaccounttoletMissWoodhousein。“Indeed，thetruthwas，thatpoordearJanecouldnotbeartoseeanybody——anybodyatall——

Mrs。Elton，indeed，couldnotbedenied——andMrs。Colehadmadesuchapoint——andMrs。Perryhadsaidsomuch——but，exceptthem，Janewouldreallyseenobody。”

EmmadidnotwanttobeclassedwiththeMrs。Eltons，theMrs。Perrys，andtheMrs。Coles，whowouldforcethemselvesanywhere；

neithercouldshefeelanyrightofpreferenceherself——

shesubmitted，therefore，andonlyquestionedMissBatesfartherastoherniece’sappetiteanddiet，whichshelongedtobeabletoassist。OnthatsubjectpoorMissBateswasveryunhappy，andverycommunicative；Janewouldhardlyeatanything：——

Mr。Perryrecommendednourishingfood；buteverythingtheycouldcommand(andneverhadanybodysuchgoodneighbours)wasdistasteful。

Emma，onreachinghome，calledthehousekeeperdirectly，toanexaminationofherstores；andsomearrowrootofverysuperiorqualitywasspeedilydespatchedtoMissBateswithamostfriendlynote。

Inhalfanhourthearrowrootwasreturned，withathousandthanksfromMissBates，but“dearJanewouldnotbesatisfiedwithoutitsbeingsentback；itwasathingshecouldnottake——and，moreover，sheinsistedonhersaying，thatshewasnotatallinwantofanything。”

WhenEmmaafterwardsheardthatJaneFairfaxhadbeenseenwanderingaboutthemeadows，atsomedistancefromHighbury，ontheafternoonoftheverydayonwhichshehad，underthepleaofbeingunequaltoanyexercise，soperemptorilyrefusedtogooutwithherinthecarriage，shecouldhavenodoubt——puttingeverythingtogether——

thatJanewasresolvedtoreceivenokindnessfromher。Shewassorry，verysorry。Herheartwasgrievedforastatewhichseemedbutthemorepitiablefromthissortofirritationofspirits，inconsistencyofaction，andinequalityofpowers；anditmortifiedherthatshewasgivensolittlecreditforproperfeeling，oresteemedsolittleworthyasafriend：butshehadtheconsolationofknowingthatherintentionsweregood，andofbeingabletosaytoherself，thatcouldMr。KnightleyhavebeenprivytoallherattemptsofassistingJaneFairfax，couldheevenhaveseenintoherheart，hewouldnot，onthisoccasion，havefoundanythingtoreprove。

Chapter10CHAPTERX

Onemorning，abouttendaysafterMrs。Churchill’sdecease，EmmawascalleddownstairstoMr。Weston，who“couldnotstayfiveminutes，andwantedparticularlytospeakwithher。”——

Hemetherattheparlour-door，andhardlyaskingherhowshedid，inthenaturalkeyofhisvoice，sunkitimmediately，tosay，unheardbyherfather，“CanyoucometoRandallsatanytimethismorning？——Do，ifitbepossible。Mrs。Westonwantstoseeyou。Shemustseeyou。”

“Issheunwell？“

“No，no，notatall——onlyalittleagitated。Shewouldhaveorderedthecarriage，andcometoyou，butshemustseeyoualone，andthatyouknow——(noddingtowardsherfather)——Humph！——Canyoucome？“

“Certainly。Thismoment，ifyouplease。Itisimpossibletorefusewhatyouaskinsuchaway。Butwhatcanbethematter？——

Isshereallynotill？“

“Dependuponme——butasknomorequestions。Youwillknowitallintime。Themostunaccountablebusiness！Buthush，hush！“

Toguesswhatallthismeant，wasimpossibleevenforEmma。

Somethingreallyimportantseemedannouncedbyhislooks；

but，asherfriendwaswell，sheendeavourednottobeuneasy，andsettlingitwithherfather，thatshewouldtakeherwalknow，sheandMr。WestonweresoonoutofthehousetogetherandontheirwayataquickpaceforRandalls。

“Now。”——saidEmma，whentheywerefairlybeyondthesweepgates，——

“nowMr。Weston，doletmeknowwhathashappened。”

“No，no。”——hegravelyreplied——“Don’taskme。Ipromisedmywifetoleaveitalltoher。ShewillbreakittoyoubetterthanI

can。

Donotbeimpatient，Emma；itwillallcomeouttoosoon。”

“Breakittome。”criedEmma，standingstillwithterror——

“GoodGod！——Mr。Weston，tellmeatonce——SomethinghashappenedinBrunswickSquare。Iknowithas。Tellme，Ichargeyoutellmethismomentwhatitis。”

“No，indeedyouaremistaken。”——

“Mr。Westondonottriflewithme——ConsiderhowmanyofmydearestfriendsarenowinBrunswickSquare。Whichofthemisit？——

Ichargeyoubyallthatissacred，nottoattemptconcealment。”

“Uponmyword，Emma。”——

“Yourword！——whynotyourhonour！——whynotsayuponyourhonour，thatithasnothingtodowithanyofthem？GoodHeavens！——Whatcanbetobebroketome，thatdoesnotrelatetooneofthatfamily？“

“Uponmyhonour。”saidheveryseriously，“itdoesnot。ItisnotinthesmallestdegreeconnectedwithanyhumanbeingofthenameofKnightley。”

Emma’scouragereturned，andshewalkedon。

“Iwaswrong。”hecontinued，“intalkingofitsbeingbroketoyou。

Ishouldnothaveusedtheexpression。Infact，itdoesnotconcernyou——

itconcernsonlymyself，——thatis，wehope——Humph！——Inshort，mydearEmma，thereisnooccasiontobesouneasyaboutit。

Idon’tsaythatitisnotadisagreeablebusiness——butthingsmightbemuchworse——Ifwewalkfast，weshallsoonbeatRandalls。”

Emmafoundthatshemustwait；andnowitrequiredlittleeffort。

Sheaskednomorequestionstherefore，merelyemployedherownfancy，andthatsoonpointedouttohertheprobabilityofitsbeingsomemoneyconcern——somethingjustcometolight，ofadisagreeablenatureinthecircumstancesofthefamily，——somethingwhichthelateeventatRichmondhadbroughtforward。Herfancywasveryactive。

Halfadozennaturalchildren，perhaps——andpoorFrankcutoff！——

This，thoughveryundesirable，wouldbenomatterofagonytoher。

Itinspiredlittlemorethanananimatingcuriosity。

“Whoisthatgentlemanonhorseback？“saidshe，astheyproceeded——

speakingmoretoassistMr。Westoninkeepinghissecret，thanwithanyotherview。

“Idonotknow——OneoftheOtways——NotFrank；——itisnotFrank，Iassureyou。Youwillnotseehim。HeishalfwaytoWindsorbythistime。”

“Hasyoursonbeenwithyou，then？“

“Oh！yes——didnotyouknow？——Well，well，nevermind。”

Foramomenthewassilent；andthenadded，inatonemuchmoreguardedanddemure，“Yes，Frankcameoverthismorning，justtoaskushowwedid。”

Theyhurriedon，andwerespeedilyatRandalls——“Well，mydear。”

saidhe，astheyenteredtheroom——“Ihavebroughther，andnowIhopeyouwillsoonbebetter。Ishallleaveyoutogether。

Thereisnouseindelay。Ishallnotbefaroff，ifyouwantme。”——

AndEmmadistinctlyheardhimadd，inalowertone，beforehequittedtheroom，——“Ihavebeenasgoodasmyword。Shehasnottheleastidea。”

Mrs。Westonwaslookingsoill，andhadanairofsomuchperturbation，thatEmma’suneasinessincreased；andthemomenttheywerealone，sheeagerlysaid，“Whatisitmydearfriend？Somethingofaveryunpleasantnature，Ifind，hasoccurred；——doletmeknowdirectlywhatitis。

Ihavebeenwalkingallthiswayincompletesuspense。Webothabhorsuspense。Donotletminecontinuelonger。Itwilldoyougoodtospeakofyourdistress，whateveritmaybe。”

“Haveyouindeednoidea？“saidMrs。Westoninatremblingvoice。

“Cannotyou，mydearEmma——cannotyouformaguessastowhatyouaretohear？“

“SofarasthatitrelatestoMr。FrankChurchill，Idoguess。”

“Youareright。Itdoesrelatetohim，andIwilltellyoudirectly；“

(resumingherwork，andseemingresolvedagainstlookingup。)

“Hehasbeenherethisverymorning，onamostextraordinaryerrand。

Itisimpossibletoexpressoursurprize。Hecametospeaktohisfatheronasubject，——toannounceanattachment——“

Shestoppedtobreathe。Emmathoughtfirstofherself，andthenofHarriet。

“Morethananattachment，indeed。”resumedMrs。Weston；“anengagement——

apositiveengagement——Whatwillyousay，Emma——whatwillanybodysay，whenitisknownthatFrankChurchillandMissFairfaxareengaged；——nay，thattheyhavebeenlongengaged！“

Emmaevenjumpedwithsurprize；——and，horror-struck，exclaimed，“JaneFairfax！——GoodGod！Youarenotserious？Youdonotmeanit？“

“Youmaywellbeamazed。”returnedMrs。Weston，stillavertinghereyes，andtalkingonwitheagerness，thatEmmamighthavetimetorecover——

“Youmaywellbeamazed。Butitisevenso。TherehasbeenasolemnengagementbetweenthemeversinceOctober——formedatWeymouth，andkeptasecretfromeverybody。Notacreatureknowingitbutthemselves——neithertheCampbells，norherfamily，norhis——

Itissowonderful，thatthoughperfectlyconvincedofthefact，itisyetalmostincredibletomyself。Icanhardlybelieveit——

IthoughtIknewhim。”

Emmascarcelyheardwhatwassaid——Hermindwasdividedbetweentwoideas——herownformerconversationswithhimaboutMissFairfax；

andpoorHarriet；——andforsometimeshecouldonlyexclaim，andrequireconfirmation，repeatedconfirmation。

“Well。”saidsheatlast，tryingtorecoverherself；“thisisacircumstancewhichImustthinkofatleasthalfaday，beforeI

canatallcomprehendit。What！——engagedtoherallthewinter——

beforeeitherofthemcametoHighbury？“

“EngagedsinceOctober，——secretlyengaged——Ithashurtme，Emma，verymuch。Ithashurthisfatherequally。Somepartofhisconductwecannotexcuse。”

Emmaponderedamoment，andthenreplied，“Iwillnotpretendnottounderstandyou；andtogiveyouallthereliefinmypower，beassuredthatnosucheffecthasfollowedhisattentionstome，asyouareapprehensiveof。”

Mrs。Westonlookedup，afraidtobelieve；butEmma’scountenancewasassteadyasherwords。

“Thatyoumayhavelessdifficultyinbelievingthisboast，ofmypresentperfectindifference。”shecontinued，“Iwillfarthertellyou，thattherewasaperiodintheearlypartofouracquaintance，whenIdidlikehim，whenIwasverymuchdisposedtobeattachedtohim——nay，wasattached——andhowitcametocease，isperhapsthewonder。Fortunately，however，itdidcease。

Ihavereallyforsometimepast，foratleastthesethreemonths，carednothingabouthim。Youmaybelieveme，Mrs。Weston。

Thisisthesimpletruth。”

Mrs。Westonkissedherwithtearsofjoy；andwhenshecouldfindutterance，assuredher，thatthisprotestationhaddonehermoregoodthananythingelseintheworldcoulddo。

“Mr。Westonwillbealmostasmuchrelievedasmyself。”saidshe。

“Onthispointwehavebeenwretched。Itwasourdarlingwishthatyoumightbeattachedtoeachother——andwewerepersuadedthatitwasso——

Imaginewhatwehavebeenfeelingonyouraccount。”

“Ihaveescaped；andthatIshouldescape，maybeamatterofgratefulwondertoyouandmyself。Butthisdoesnotacquithim，Mrs。Weston；andImustsay，thatIthinkhimgreatlytoblame。

Whatrighthadhetocomeamonguswithaffectionandfaithengaged，andwithmannerssoverydisengaged？Whatrighthadhetoendeavourtoplease，ashecertainlydid——todistinguishanyoneyoungwomanwithperseveringattention，ashecertainlydid——whilehereallybelongedtoanother？——Howcouldhetellwhatmischiefhemightbedoing？——

Howcouldhetellthathemightnotbemakingmeinlovewithhim？——

verywrong，verywrongindeed。”

“Fromsomethingthathesaid，mydearEmma，Iratherimagine——“

“Andhowcouldshebearsuchbehaviour！Composurewithawitness！

tolookon，whilerepeatedattentionswereofferingtoanotherwoman，beforeherface，andnotresentit——Thatisadegreeofplacidity，whichIcanneithercomprehendnorrespect。”

“Thereweremisunderstandingsbetweenthem，Emma；hesaidsoexpressly。Hehadnottimetoenterintomuchexplanation。

Hewashereonlyaquarterofanhour，andinastateofagitationwhichdidnotallowthefulluseevenofthetimehecouldstay——

butthattherehadbeenmisunderstandingshedecidedlysaid。

Thepresentcrisis，indeed，seemedtobebroughtonbythem；

andthosemisunderstandingsmightverypossiblyarisefromtheimproprietyofhisconduct。”

“Impropriety！Oh！Mrs。Weston——itistoocalmacensure。

Much，muchbeyondimpropriety！——Ithassunkhim，Icannotsayhowithassunkhiminmyopinion。Sounlikewhatamanshouldbe！——

Noneofthatuprightintegrity，thatstrictadherencetotruthandprinciple，thatdisdainoftrickandlittleness，whichamanshoulddisplayineverytransactionofhislife。”

“Nay，dearEmma，nowImusttakehispart；forthoughhehasbeenwronginthisinstance，Ihaveknownhimlongenoughtoanswerforhishavingmany，verymany，goodqualities；and——“

“GoodGod！“criedEmma，notattendingtoher——“Mrs。Smallridge，too！

Janeactuallyonthepointofgoingasgoverness！Whatcouldhemeanbysuchhorribleindelicacy？Tosufferhertoengageherself——

tosufferhereventothinkofsuchameasure！“

“Heknewnothingaboutit，Emma。OnthisarticleIcanfullyacquithim。Itwasaprivateresolutionofhers，notcommunicatedtohim——oratleastnotcommunicatedinawaytocarryconviction——

Tillyesterday，Iknowhesaidhewasinthedarkastoherplans。

Theyburstonhim，Idonotknowhow，butbysomeletterormessage——

anditwasthediscoveryofwhatshewasdoing，ofthisveryprojectofhers，whichdeterminedhimtocomeforwardatonce，ownitalltohisuncle，throwhimselfonhiskindness，and，inshort，putanendtothemiserablestateofconcealmentthathadbeencarryingonsolong。”

Emmabegantolistenbetter。

“Iamtohearfromhimsoon。”continuedMrs。Weston。“Hetoldmeatparting，thatheshouldsoonwrite；andhespokeinamannerwhichseemedtopromisememanyparticularsthatcouldnotbegivennow。

Letuswait，therefore，forthisletter。Itmaybringmanyextenuations。

Itmaymakemanythingsintelligibleandexcusablewhichnowarenottobeunderstood。Don’tletusbesevere，don’tletusbeinahurrytocondemnhim。Letushavepatience。Imustlovehim；

andnowthatIamsatisfiedononepoint，theonematerialpoint，Iamsincerelyanxiousforitsallturningoutwell，andreadytohopethatitmay。Theymustbothhavesufferedagreatdealundersuchasystemofsecresyandconcealment。”

“Hissufferings。”repliedEmmadryly，“donotappeartohavedonehimmuchharm。Well，andhowdidMr。Churchilltakeit？“

“Mostfavourablyforhisnephew——gavehisconsentwithscarcelyadifficulty。Conceivewhattheeventsofaweekhavedoneinthatfamily！WhilepoorMrs。Churchilllived，Isupposetherecouldnothavebeenahope，achance，apossibility；——butscarcelyareherremainsatrestinthefamilyvault，thanherhusbandispersuadedtoactexactlyoppositetowhatshewouldhaverequired。

Whatablessingitis，whenundueinfluencedoesnotsurvivethegrave！——

Hegavehisconsentwithverylittlepersuasion。”

“Ah！“thoughtEmma，“hewouldhavedoneasmuchforHarriet。”

“Thiswassettledlastnight，andFrankwasoffwiththelightthismorning。HestoppedatHighbury，attheBates’s，Ifancy，sometime——andthencameonhither；butwasinsuchahurrytogetbacktohisuncle，towhomheisjustnowmorenecessarythanever，that，asItellyou，hecouldstaywithusbutaquarterofanhour——

Hewasverymuchagitated——verymuch，indeed——toadegreethatmadehimappearquiteadifferentcreaturefromanythingIhadeverseenhimbefore——Inadditiontoalltherest，therehadbeentheshockoffindinghersoveryunwell，whichhehadhadnoprevioussuspicionof——

andtherewaseveryappearanceofhishavingbeenfeelingagreatdeal。”

“Anddoyoureallybelievetheaffairtohavebeencarryingonwithsuchperfectsecresy？——TheCampbells，theDixons，didnoneofthemknowoftheengagement？“

EmmacouldnotspeakthenameofDixonwithoutalittleblush。

“None；notone。Hepositivelysaidthatithadbeenknowntonobeingintheworldbuttheirtwoselves。”

“Well。”saidEmma，“Isupposeweshallgraduallygrowreconciledtotheidea，andIwishthemveryhappy。ButIshallalwaysthinkitaveryabominablesortofproceeding。Whathasitbeenbutasystemofhypocrisyanddeceit，——espionage，andtreachery？——

Tocomeamonguswithprofessionsofopennessandsimplicity；

andsuchaleagueinsecrettojudgeusall！——Herehavewebeen，thewholewinterandspring，completelyduped，fancyingourselvesallonanequalfootingoftruthandhonour，withtwopeopleinthemidstofuswhomayhavebeencarryinground，comparingandsittinginjudgmentonsentimentsandwordsthatwerenevermeantforbothtohear——Theymusttaketheconsequence，iftheyhaveheardeachotherspokenofinawaynotperfectlyagreeable！“

“Iamquiteeasyonthathead。”repliedMrs。Weston。“IamverysurethatIneversaidanythingofeithertotheother，whichbothmightnothaveheard。”

“Youareinluck——Youronlyblunderwasconfinedtomyear，whenyouimaginedacertainfriendofoursinlovewiththelady。”

“True。ButasIhavealwayshadathoroughlygoodopinionofMissFairfax，Inevercould，underanyblunder，havespokenillofher；

andastospeakingillofhim，thereImusthavebeensafe。”

AtthismomentMr。Westonappearedatalittledistancefromthewindow，evidentlyonthewatch。Hiswifegavehimalookwhichinvitedhimin；and，whilehewascominground，added，“Now，dearestEmma，letmeintreatyoutosayandlookeverythingthatmaysethisheartatease，andinclinehimtobesatisfiedwiththematch。

Letusmakethebestofit——and，indeed，almosteverythingmaybefairlysaidinherfavour。Itisnotaconnexiontogratify；

butifMr。Churchilldoesnotfeelthat，whyshouldwe？anditmaybeaveryfortunatecircumstanceforhim，forFrank，Imean，thatheshouldhaveattachedhimselftoagirlofsuchsteadinessofcharacterandgoodjudgmentasIhavealwaysgivenhercreditfor——

andstillamdisposedtogivehercreditfor，inspiteofthisonegreatdeviationfromthestrictruleofright。Andhowmuchmaybesaidinhersituationforeventhaterror！“

“Much，indeed！“criedEmmafeelingly。“Ifawomancaneverbeexcusedforthinkingonlyofherself，itisinasituationlikeJaneFairfax’s——Ofsuch，onemayalmostsay，that`theworldisnottheir’s，northeworld’slaw。’“

ShemetMr。Westononhisentrance，withasmilingcountenance，exclaiming，“Averyprettytrickyouhavebeenplayingme，uponmyword！

Thiswasadevice，Isuppose，tosportwithmycuriosity，andexercisemytalentofguessing。Butyoureallyfrightenedme。

Ithoughtyouhadlosthalfyourproperty，atleast。Andhere，insteadofitsbeingamatterofcondolence，itturnsouttobeoneofcongratulation——Icongratulateyou，Mr。Weston，withallmyheart，ontheprospectofhavingoneofthemostlovelyandaccomplishedyoungwomeninEnglandforyourdaughter。”

Aglanceortwobetweenhimandhiswife，convincedhimthatallwasasrightasthisspeechproclaimed；anditshappyeffectonhisspiritswasimmediate。Hisairandvoicerecoveredtheirusualbriskness：

heshookherheartilyandgratefullybythehand，andenteredonthesubjectinamannertoprove，thathenowonlywantedtimeandpersuasiontothinktheengagementnoverybadthing。

Hiscompanionssuggestedonlywhatcouldpalliateimprudence，orsmoothobjections；andbythetimetheyhadtalkeditallovertogether，andhehadtalkeditalloveragainwithEmma，intheirwalkbacktoHartfield，hewasbecomeperfectlyreconciled，andnotfarfromthinkingittheverybestthingthatFrankcouldpossiblyhavedone。

Chapter11CHAPTERXI

“Harriet，poorHarriet！“——Thosewerethewords；inthemlaythetormentingideaswhichEmmacouldnotgetridof，andwhichconstitutedtherealmiseryofthebusinesstoher。FrankChurchillhadbehavedveryillbyherself——veryillinmanyways，——butitwasnotsomuchhisbehaviourasherown，whichmadehersoangrywithhim。

ItwasthescrapewhichhehaddrawnherintoonHarriet’saccount，thatgavethedeepesthuetohisoffence——PoorHarriet！tobeasecondtimethedupeofhermisconceptionsandflattery。Mr。Knightleyhadspokenprophetically，whenheoncesaid，“Emma，youhavebeennofriendtoHarrietSmith。”——Shewasafraidshehaddonehernothingbutdisservice——Itwastruethatshehadnottochargeherself，inthisinstanceasintheformer，withbeingthesoleandoriginalauthorofthemischief；withhavingsuggestedsuchfeelingsasmightotherwiseneverhaveenteredHarriet’simagination；forHarriethadacknowledgedheradmirationandpreferenceofFrankChurchillbeforeshehadevergivenherahintonthesubject；butshefeltcompletelyguiltyofhavingencouragedwhatshemighthaverepressed。

Shemighthavepreventedtheindulgenceandincreaseofsuchsentiments。

Herinfluencewouldhavebeenenough。Andnowshewasveryconsciousthatsheoughttohavepreventedthem——Shefeltthatshehadbeenriskingherfriend’shappinessonmostinsufficientgrounds。

CommonsensewouldhavedirectedhertotellHarriet，thatshemustnotallowherselftothinkofhim，andthattherewerefivehundredchancestooneagainsthisevercaringforher——“But，withcommonsense。”sheadded，“IamafraidIhavehadlittletodo。”

Shewasextremelyangrywithherself。IfshecouldnothavebeenangrywithFrankChurchilltoo，itwouldhavebeendreadful——

AsforJaneFairfax，shemightatleastrelieveherfeelingsfromanypresentsolicitudeonheraccount。Harrietwouldbeanxietyenough；sheneednolongerbeunhappyaboutJane，whosetroublesandwhoseill-healthhaving，ofcourse，thesameorigin，mustbeequallyundercure——Herdaysofinsignificanceandevilwereover——Shewouldsoonbewell，andhappy，andprosperous