第15章

Shecouldonlyresolveatlast，thatshewouldstillavoidameetingwithher，andcommunicateallthatneedbetoldbyletter；

thatitwouldbeinexpressiblydesirabletohaveherremovedjustnowforatimefromHighbury，and——indulginginoneschememore——

nearlyresolve，thatitmightbepracticabletogetaninvitationforhertoBrunswickSquare——IsabellahadbeenpleasedwithHarriet；

andafewweeksspentinLondonmustgivehersomeamusement——

ShedidnotthinkitinHarriet’snaturetoescapebeingbenefitedbynoveltyandvariety，bythestreets，theshops，andthechildren——

Atanyrate，itwouldbeaproofofattentionandkindnessinherself，fromwhomeverythingwasdue；aseparationforthepresent；anavertingoftheevilday，whentheymustallbetogetheragain。

Sheroseearly，andwroteherlettertoHarriet；anemploymentwhichlefthersoveryserious，sonearlysad，thatMr。Knightley，inwalkinguptoHartfieldtobreakfast，didnotarriveatalltoosoon；

andhalfanhourstolenafterwardstogooverthesamegroundagainwithhim，literallyandfiguratively，wasquitenecessarytoreinstateherinapropershareofthehappinessoftheeveningbefore。

Hehadnotleftherlong，bynomeanslongenoughforhertohavetheslightestinclinationforthinkingofanybodyelse，whenaletterwasbroughtherfromRandalls——averythickletter；——sheguessedwhatitmustcontain，anddeprecatedthenecessityofreadingit——

ShewasnowinperfectcharitywithFrankChurchill；shewantednoexplanations，shewantedonlytohaveherthoughtstoherself——

andasforunderstandinganythinghewrote，shewassureshewasincapableofit——Itmustbewadedthrough，however。Sheopenedthepacket；itwastoosurelyso；——anotefromMrs。Westontoherself，usheredintheletterfromFranktoMrs。Weston。

“Ihavethegreatestpleasure，mydearEmma，inforwardingtoyoutheenclosed。Iknowwhatthoroughjusticeyouwilldoit，andhavescarcelyadoubtofitshappyeffect——Ithinkweshallnevermateriallydisagreeaboutthewriteragain；

butIwillnotdelayyoubyalongpreface——Wearequitewell——

ThisletterhasbeenthecureofallthelittlenervousnessIhavebeenfeelinglately——IdidnotquitelikeyourlooksonTuesday，butitwasanungenialmorning；andthoughyouwillneverownbeingaffectedbyweather，Ithinkeverybodyfeelsanorth-eastwind——

IfeltforyourdearfatherverymuchinthestormofTuesdayafternoonandyesterdaymorning，buthadthecomfortofhearinglastnight，byMr。Perry，thatithadnotmadehimill。

“Yoursever，“A。W。”

[ToMrs。Weston。]

WINDSOR-JULY。

MYDEARMADAM，“IfImademyselfintelligibleyesterday，thisletterwillbeexpected；

butexpectedornot，Iknowitwillbereadwithcandourandindulgence——

Youareallgoodness，andIbelievetherewillbeneedofevenallyourgoodnesstoallowforsomepartsofmypastconduct——

ButIhavebeenforgivenbyonewhohadstillmoretoresent。

MycourageriseswhileIwrite。Itisverydifficultfortheprosperoustobehumble。Ihavealreadymetwithsuchsuccessintwoapplicationsforpardon，thatImaybeindangerofthinkingmyselftoosureofyours，andofthoseamongyourfriendswhohavehadanygroundofoffence——YoumustallendeavourtocomprehendtheexactnatureofmysituationwhenIfirstarrivedatRandalls；

youmustconsidermeashavingasecretwhichwastobekeptatallhazards。Thiswasthefact。Myrighttoplacemyselfinasituationrequiringsuchconcealment，isanotherquestion。

Ishallnotdiscussithere。Formytemptationtothinkitaright，Irefereverycavillertoabrickhouse，sashedwindowsbelow，andcasementsabove，inHighbury。Idarednotaddressheropenly；

mydifficultiesinthethenstateofEnscombemustbetoowellknowntorequiredefinition；andIwasfortunateenoughtoprevail，beforewepartedatWeymouth，andtoinducethemostuprightfemalemindinthecreationtostoopincharitytoasecretengagement——

Hadsherefused，Ishouldhavegonemad——Butyouwillbereadytosay，whatwasyourhopeindoingthis？——Whatdidyoulookforwardto？——

Toanything，everything——totime，chance，circumstance，sloweffects，suddenbursts，perseveranceandweariness，healthandsickness。

Everypossibilityofgoodwasbeforeme，andthefirstofblessingssecured，inobtainingherpromisesoffaithandcorrespondence。

Ifyouneedfartherexplanation，Ihavethehonour，mydearmadam，ofbeingyourhusband’sson，andtheadvantageofinheritingadispositiontohopeforgood，whichnoinheritanceofhousesorlandscaneverequalthevalueof——Seeme，then，underthesecircumstances，arrivingonmyfirstvisittoRandalls；——andhereI

amconsciousofwrong，forthatvisitmighthavebeensoonerpaid。

YouwilllookbackandseethatIdidnotcometillMissFairfaxwasinHighbury；andasyouwerethepersonslighted，youwillforgivemeinstantly；butImustworkonmyfather’scompassion，byremindinghim，thatsolongasIabsentedmyselffromhishouse，solongIlosttheblessingofknowingyou。Mybehaviour，duringtheveryhappyfortnightwhichIspentwithyou，didnot，Ihope，laymeopentoreprehension，exceptingononepoint。

AndnowIcometotheprincipal，theonlyimportantpartofmyconductwhilebelongingtoyou，whichexcitesmyownanxiety，orrequiresverysolicitousexplanation。Withthegreatestrespect，andthewarmestfriendship，doImentionMissWoodhouse；myfatherperhapswillthinkIoughttoadd，withthedeepesthumiliation——

Afewwordswhichdroppedfromhimyesterdayspokehisopinion，andsomecensureIacknowledgemyselfliableto——MybehaviourtoMissWoodhouseindicated，Ibelieve，morethanitought——

Inordertoassistaconcealmentsoessentialtome，Iwasledontomakemorethananallowableuseofthesortofintimacyintowhichwewereimmediatelythrown——IcannotdenythatMissWoodhousewasmyostensibleobject——butIamsureyouwillbelievethedeclaration，thathadInotbeenconvincedofherindifference，Iwouldnothavebeeninducedbyanyselfishviewstogoon——

AmiableanddelightfulasMissWoodhouseis，shenevergavemetheideaofayoungwomanlikelytobeattached；andthatshewasperfectlyfreefromanytendencytobeingattachedtome，wasasmuchmyconvictionasmywish——Shereceivedmyattentionswithaneasy，friendly，goodhumouredplayfulness，whichexactlysuitedme。

Weseemedtounderstandeachother。Fromourrelativesituation，thoseattentionswereherdue，andwerefelttobeso——WhetherMissWoodhousebeganreallytounderstandmebeforetheexpirationofthatfortnight，Icannotsay；——whenIcalledtotakeleaveofher，IrememberthatIwaswithinamomentofconfessingthetruth，andIthenfanciedshewasnotwithoutsuspicion；butIhavenodoubtofherhavingsincedetectedme，atleastinsomedegree——

Shemaynothavesurmisedthewhole，butherquicknessmusthavepenetratedapart。Icannotdoubtit。Youwillfind，wheneverthesubjectbecomesfreedfromitspresentrestraints，thatitdidnottakeherwhollybysurprize。Shefrequentlygavemehintsofit。Irememberhertellingmeattheball，thatI

owedMrs。EltongratitudeforherattentionstoMissFairfax——

Ihopethishistoryofmyconducttowardsherwillbeadmittedbyyouandmyfatherasgreatextenuationofwhatyousawamiss。

WhileyouconsideredmeashavingsinnedagainstEmmaWoodhouse，Icoulddeservenothingfromeither。Acquitmehere，andprocureforme，whenitisallowable，theacquittalandgoodwishesofthatsaidEmmaWoodhouse，whomIregardwithsomuchbrotherlyaffection，astolongtohaveherasdeeplyandashappilyinloveasmyself——

WhateverstrangethingsIsaidordidduringthatfortnight，youhavenowakeyto。MyheartwasinHighbury，andmybusinesswastogetmybodythitherasoftenasmightbe，andwiththeleastsuspicion。

Ifyourememberanyqueernesses，setthemalltotherightaccount——

Ofthepianofortesomuchtalkedof，Ifeelitonlynecessarytosay，thatitsbeingorderedwasabsolutelyunknowntoMissF——，whowouldneverhaveallowedmetosendit，hadanychoicebeengivenher——

Thedelicacyofhermindthroughoutthewholeengagement，mydearmadam，ismuchbeyondmypowerofdoingjusticeto。

Youwillsoon，Iearnestlyhope，knowherthoroughlyyourself——

Nodescriptioncandescribeher。Shemusttellyouherselfwhatsheis——

yetnotbyword，forneverwasthereahumancreaturewhowouldsodesignedlysuppressherownmerit——SinceIbeganthisletter，whichwillbelongerthanIforesaw，Ihaveheardfromher——

Shegivesagoodaccountofherownhealth；butasshenevercomplains，Idarenotdepend。Iwanttohaveyouropinionofherlooks。

Iknowyouwillsooncallonher；sheislivingindreadofthevisit。

Perhapsitispaidalready。Letmehearfromyouwithoutdelay；

Iamimpatientforathousandparticulars。RememberhowfewminutesIwasatRandalls，andinhowbewildered，howmadastate：

andIamnotmuchbetteryet；stillinsaneeitherfromhappinessormisery。WhenIthinkofthekindnessandfavourIhavemetwith，ofherexcellenceandpatience，andmyuncle’sgenerosity，Iammadwithjoy：butwhenIrecollectalltheuneasinessIoccasionedher，andhowlittleIdeservetobeforgiven，Iammadwithanger。

IfIcouldbutseeheragain！——ButImustnotproposeityet。

Myunclehasbeentoogoodformetoencroach——Imuststilladdtothislongletter。Youhavenotheardallthatyououghttohear。

Icouldnotgiveanyconnecteddetailyesterday；butthesuddenness，and，inonelight，theunseasonablenesswithwhichtheaffairburstout，needsexplanation；forthoughtheeventofthe26thult。，asyouwillconclude，immediatelyopenedtomethehappiestprospects，Ishouldnothavepresumedonsuchearlymeasures，butfromtheveryparticularcircumstances，whichleftmenotanhourtolose。

Ishouldmyselfhaveshrunkfromanythingsohasty，andshewouldhavefelteveryscrupleofminewithmultipliedstrengthandrefinement——

ButIhadnochoice。Thehastyengagementshehadenteredintowiththatwoman——Here，mydearmadam，Iwasobligedtoleaveoffabruptly，torecollectandcomposemyself——Ihavebeenwalkingoverthecountry，andamnow，Ihope，rationalenoughtomaketherestofmyletterwhatitoughttobe——Itis，infact，amostmortifyingretrospectforme。Ibehavedshamefully。AndhereIcanadmit，thatmymannerstoMissW。，inbeingunpleasanttoMissF。，werehighlyblameable。

Shedisapprovedthem，whichoughttohavebeenenough——Mypleaofconcealingthetruthshedidnotthinksufficient——Shewasdispleased；

Ithoughtunreasonablyso：Ithoughther，onathousandoccasions，unnecessarilyscrupulousandcautious：Ithoughtherevencold。

Butshewasalwaysright。IfIhadfollowedherjudgment，andsubduedmyspiritstothelevelofwhatshedeemedproper，IshouldhaveescapedthegreatestunhappinessIhaveeverknown——Wequarrelled——

DoyourememberthemorningspentatDonwell？——Thereeverylittledissatisfactionthathadoccurredbeforecametoacrisis。Iwaslate；

Imetherwalkinghomebyherself，andwantedtowalkwithher，butshewouldnotsufferit。Sheabsolutelyrefusedtoallowme，whichIthenthoughtmostunreasonable。Now，however，Iseenothinginitbutaverynaturalandconsistentdegreeofdiscretion。

WhileI，toblindtheworldtoourengagement，wasbehavingonehourwithobjectionableparticularitytoanotherwoman，wasshetobeconsentingthenexttoaproposalwhichmighthavemadeeverypreviouscautionuseless？——HadwebeenmetwalkingtogetherbetweenDonwellandHighbury，thetruthmusthavebeensuspected——

Iwasmadenough，however，toresent——Idoubtedheraffection。

IdoubteditmorethenextdayonBoxHill；when，provokedbysuchconductonmyside，suchshameful，insolentneglectofher，andsuchapparentdevotiontoMissW。，asitwouldhavebeenimpossibleforanywomanofsensetoendure，shespokeherresentmentinaformofwordsperfectlyintelligibletome——

Inshort，mydearmadam，itwasaquarrelblamelessonherside，abominableonmine；andIreturnedthesameeveningtoRichmond，thoughImighthavestaidwithyoutillthenextmorning，merelybecauseIwouldbeasangrywithheraspossible。Eventhen，Iwasnotsuchafoolasnottomeantobereconciledintime；

butIwastheinjuredperson，injuredbyhercoldness，andIwentawaydeterminedthatsheshouldmakethefirstadvances——IshallalwayscongratulatemyselfthatyouwerenotoftheBoxHillparty。

Hadyouwitnessedmybehaviourthere，Icanhardlysupposeyouwouldeverhavethoughtwellofmeagain。Itseffectuponherappearsintheimmediateresolutionitproduced：assoonasshefoundI

wasreallygonefromRandalls，sheclosedwiththeofferofthatofficiousMrs。Elton；thewholesystemofwhosetreatmentofher，bythebye，haseverfilledmewithindignationandhatred。

Imustnotquarrelwithaspiritofforbearancewhichhasbeensorichlyextendedtowardsmyself；but，otherwise，Ishouldloudlyprotestagainsttheshareofitwhichthatwomanhasknown——

“Jane。”indeed！——YouwillobservethatIhavenotyetindulgedmyselfincallingherbythatname，eventoyou。Think，then，whatI

musthaveenduredinhearingitbandiedbetweentheEltonswithallthevulgarityofneedlessrepetition，andalltheinsolenceofimaginarysuperiority。Havepatiencewithme，Ishallsoonhavedone——

Sheclosedwiththisoffer，resolvingtobreakwithmeentirely，andwrotethenextdaytotellmethatweneverweretomeetagain——

Shefelttheengagementtobeasourceofrepentanceandmiserytoeach：shedissolvedit——Thisletterreachedmeontheverymorningofmypooraunt’sdeath。Ianswereditwithinanhour；

butfromtheconfusionofmymind，andthemultiplicityofbusinessfallingonmeatonce，myanswer，insteadofbeingsentwithallthemanyotherlettersofthatday，waslockedupinmywriting-desk；

andI，trustingthatIhadwrittenenough，thoughbutafewlines，tosatisfyher，remainedwithoutanyuneasiness——IwasratherdisappointedthatIdidnothearfromheragainspeedily；

butImadeexcusesforher，andwastoobusy，and——mayIadd？——

toocheerfulinmyviewstobecaptious——WeremovedtoWindsor；

andtwodaysafterwardsIreceivedaparcelfromher，myownlettersallreturned！——andafewlinesatthesametimebythepost，statingherextremesurprizeatnothavinghadthesmallestreplytoherlast；andadding，thatassilenceonsuchapointcouldnotbemisconstrued，andasitmustbeequallydesirabletobothtohaveeverysubordinatearrangementconcludedassoonaspossible，shenowsentme，byasafeconveyance，allmyletters，andrequested，thatifIcouldnotdirectlycommandhers，soastosendthemtoHighburywithinaweek，Iwouldforwardthemafterthatperiodtoherat——：inshort，thefulldirectiontoMr。Smallridge’s，nearBristol，staredmeintheface。Iknewthename，theplace，Iknewallaboutit，andinstantlysawwhatshehadbeendoing。

ItwasperfectlyaccordantwiththatresolutionofcharacterwhichIknewhertopossess；andthesecrecyshehadmaintained，astoanysuchdesigninherformerletter，wasequallydescriptiveofitsanxiousdelicacy。Fortheworldwouldnotshehaveseemedtothreatenme——Imaginetheshock；imaginehow，tillIhadactuallydetectedmyownblunder，Iravedattheblundersofthepost——

Whatwastobedone？——Onethingonly——Imustspeaktomyuncle。

WithouthissanctionIcouldnothopetobelistenedtoagain——

Ispoke；circumstanceswereinmyfavour；thelateeventhadsoftenedawayhispride，andhewas，earlierthanIcouldhaveanticipated，whollyreconciledandcomplying；andcouldsayatlast，poorman！

withadeepsigh，thathewishedImightfindasmuchhappinessinthemarriagestateashehaddone——Ifeltthatitwouldbeofadifferentsort——AreyoudisposedtopitymeforwhatImusthavesufferedinopeningthecausetohim，formysuspensewhileallwasatstake？——No；donotpitymetillIreachedHighbury，andsawhowillIhadmadeher。DonotpitymetillIsawherwan，sicklooks——IreachedHighburyatthetimeofdaywhen，frommyknowledgeoftheirlatebreakfasthour，Iwascertainofagoodchanceoffindingheralone——Iwasnotdisappointed；andatlastIwasnotdisappointedeitherintheobjectofmyjourney。Agreatdealofveryreasonable，veryjustdispleasureIhadtopersuadeaway。

Butitisdone；wearereconciled，dearer，muchdearer，thanever，andnomoment’suneasinesscaneveroccurbetweenusagain。Now，mydearmadam，Iwillreleaseyou；butIcouldnotconcludebefore。

Athousandandathousandthanksforallthekindnessyouhaveevershewnme，andtenthousandfortheattentionsyourheartwilldictatetowardsher——IfyouthinkmeinawaytobehappierthanIdeserve，Iamquiteofyouropinion——MissW。callsmethechildofgoodfortune。Ihopesheisright——Inonerespect，mygoodfortuneisundoubted，thatofbeingabletosubscribemyself，YourobligedandaffectionateSon，F。C。WESTONCHURCHILL。

Chapter15CHAPTERXV

ThislettermustmakeitswaytoEmma’sfeelings。Shewasobliged，inspiteofherpreviousdeterminationtothecontrary，todoitallthejusticethatMrs。Westonforetold。Assoonasshecametoherownname，itwasirresistible；everylinerelatingtoherselfwasinteresting，andalmosteverylineagreeable；

andwhenthischarmceased，thesubjectcouldstillmaintainitself，bythenaturalreturnofherformerregardforthewriter，andtheverystrongattractionwhichanypictureoflovemusthaveforheratthatmoment。Sheneverstopttillshehadgonethroughthewhole；

andthoughitwasimpossiblenottofeelthathehadbeenwrong，yethehadbeenlesswrongthanshehadsupposed——andhehadsuffered，andwasverysorry——andhewassogratefultoMrs。Weston，andsomuchinlovewithMissFairfax，andshewassohappyherself，thattherewasnobeingsevere；andcouldhehaveenteredtheroom，shemusthaveshakenhandswithhimasheartilyasever。

Shethoughtsowelloftheletter，thatwhenMr。Knightleycameagain，shedesiredhimtoreadit。ShewassureofMrs。Weston’swishingittobecommunicated；especiallytoone，who，likeMr。Knightley，hadseensomuchtoblameinhisconduct。

“Ishallbeverygladtolookitover。”saidhe；“butitseemslong。

Iwilltakeithomewithmeatnight。”

Butthatwouldnotdo。Mr。Westonwastocallintheevening，andshemustreturnitbyhim。

“Iwouldratherbetalkingtoyou。”hereplied；“butasitseemsamatterofjustice，itshallbedone。”

Hebegan——stopping，however，almostdirectlytosay，“HadIbeenofferedthesightofoneofthisgentleman’sletterstohismother-in-lawafewmonthsago，Emma，itwouldnothavebeentakenwithsuchindifference。”

Heproceededalittlefarther，readingtohimself；andthen，withasmile，observed，“Humph！afinecomplimentaryopening：

Butitishisway。Oneman’sstylemustnotbetheruleofanother’s。

Wewillnotbesevere。”

“Itwillbenaturalforme。”headdedshortlyafterwards，“tospeakmyopinionaloudasIread。Bydoingit，IshallfeelthatIamnearyou。

Itwillnotbesogreatalossoftime：butifyoudislikeit——“

“Notatall。Ishouldwishit。”

Mr。Knightleyreturnedtohisreadingwithgreateralacrity。

“Hetrifleshere。”saidhe，“astothetemptation。Heknowsheiswrong，andhasnothingrationaltourge——Bad——Heoughtnottohaveformedtheengagement——`Hisfather’sdisposition：’——

heisunjust，however，tohisfather。Mr。Weston’ssanguinetemperwasablessingonallhisuprightandhonourableexertions；

butMr。Westonearnedeverypresentcomfortbeforeheendeavouredtogainit——Verytrue；hedidnotcometillMissFairfaxwashere。”

“AndIhavenotforgotten。”saidEmma，“howsureyouwerethathemighthavecomesoonerifhewould。Youpassitoververyhandsomely——

butyouwereperfectlyright。”

“Iwasnotquiteimpartialinmyjudgment，Emma：——butyet，Ithink——

hadyounotbeeninthecase——Ishouldstillhavedistrustedhim。”

WhenhecametoMissWoodhouse，hewasobligedtoreadthewholeofitaloud——allthatrelatedtoher，withasmile；alook；

ashakeofthehead；awordortwoofassent，ordisapprobation；

ormerelyoflove，asthesubjectrequired；concluding，however，seriously，and，aftersteadyreflection，thus——

“Verybad——thoughitmighthavebeenworse——Playingamostdangerousgame。Toomuchindebtedtotheeventforhisacquittal——

Nojudgeofhisownmannersbyyou——Alwaysdeceivedinfactbyhisownwishes，andregardlessoflittlebesideshisownconvenience——

Fancyingyoutohavefathomedhissecret。Naturalenough！——

hisownmindfullofintrigue，thatheshouldsuspectitinothers——Mystery；Finesse——howtheyperverttheunderstanding！

MyEmma，doesnoteverythingservetoprovemoreandmorethebeautyoftruthandsincerityinallourdealingswitheachother？“

Emmaagreedtoit，andwithablushofsensibilityonHarriet’saccount，whichshecouldnotgiveanysincereexplanationof。

“Youhadbettergoon。”saidshe。

Hedidso，butverysoonstoptagaintosay，“thepianoforte！

Ah！Thatwastheactofavery，veryyoungman，onetooyoungtoconsiderwhethertheinconvenienceofitmightnotverymuchexceedthepleasure。Aboyishscheme，indeed！——Icannotcomprehendaman’swishingtogiveawomananyproofofaffectionwhichheknowsshewouldratherdispensewith；andhedidknowthatshewouldhavepreventedtheinstrument’scomingifshecould。”

Afterthis，hemadesomeprogresswithoutanypause。

FrankChurchill’sconfessionofhavingbehavedshamefullywasthefirstthingtocallformorethanawordinpassing。

“Iperfectlyagreewithyou，sir。”——wasthenhisremark。

“Youdidbehaveveryshamefully。Youneverwroteatruerline。”

Andhavinggonethroughwhatimmediatelyfollowedofthebasisoftheirdisagreement，andhispersistingtoactindirectoppositiontoJaneFairfax’ssenseofright，hemadeafullerpausetosay，“Thisisverybad——Hehadinducedhertoplaceherself，forhissake，inasituationofextremedifficultyanduneasiness，anditshouldhavebeenhisfirstobjecttopreventherfromsufferingunnecessarily——Shemusthavehadmuchmoretocontendwith，incarryingonthecorrespondence，thanhecould。Heshouldhaverespectedevenunreasonablescruples，hadtherebeensuch；butherswereallreasonable。Wemustlooktoheronefault，andrememberthatshehaddoneawrongthinginconsentingtotheengagement，tobearthatsheshouldhavebeeninsuchastateofpunishment。”

EmmaknewthathewasnowgettingtotheBoxHillparty，andgrewuncomfortable。Herownbehaviourhadbeensoveryimproper！

Shewasdeeplyashamed，andalittleafraidofhisnextlook。

Itwasallread，however，steadily，attentively，andwithoutthesmallestremark；and，exceptingonemomentaryglanceather，instantlywithdrawn，inthefearofgivingpain——noremembranceofBoxHillseemedtoexist。

“Thereisnosayingmuchforthedelicacyofourgoodfriends，theEltons。”washisnextobservation——“Hisfeelingsarenatural——

What！actuallyresolvetobreakwithhimentirely！——Shefelttheengagementtobeasourceofrepentanceandmiserytoeach——

shedissolvedit——Whataviewthisgivesofhersenseofhisbehaviour！——Well，hemustbeamostextraordinary——“

“Nay，nay，readon——Youwillfindhowverymuchhesuffers。”

“Ihopehedoes。”repliedMr。Knightleycoolly，andresumingtheletter。

“`Smallridge！’——Whatdoesthismean？Whatisallthis？“

“ShehadengagedtogoasgovernesstoMrs。Smallridge’schildren——

adearfriendofMrs。Elton’s——aneighbourofMapleGrove；and，bythebye，IwonderhowMrs。Eltonbearsthedisappointment？“

“Saynothing，mydearEmma，whileyouobligemetoread——notevenofMrs。Elton。Onlyonepagemore。Ishallsoonhavedone。

Whataletterthemanwrites！“

“Iwishyouwouldreaditwithakinderspirittowardshim。”

“Well，thereisfeelinghere——Hedoesseemtohavesufferedinfindingherill——Certainly，Icanhavenodoubtofhisbeingfondofher。

`Dearer，muchdearerthanever。’Ihopehemaylongcontinuetofeelallthevalueofsuchareconciliation——Heisaveryliberalthanker，withhisthousandsandtensofthousands——`HappierthanIdeserve。’

Come，heknowshimselfthere。`MissWoodhousecallsmethechildofgoodfortune。’——ThosewereMissWoodhouse’swords，werethey？——

Andafineending——andthereistheletter。Thechildofgoodfortune！

Thatwasyournameforhim，wasit？“

“YoudonotappearsowellsatisfiedwithhisletterasIam；

butstillyoumust，atleastIhopeyoumust，thinkthebetterofhimforit。Ihopeitdoeshimsomeservicewithyou。”

“Yes，certainlyitdoes。Hehashadgreatfaults，faultsofinconsiderationandthoughtlessness；andIamverymuchofhisopinioninthinkinghimlikelytobehappierthanhedeserves：

butstillasheis，beyondadoubt，reallyattachedtoMissFairfax，andwillsoon，itmaybehoped，havetheadvantageofbeingconstantlywithher，Iamveryreadytobelievehischaracterwillimprove，andacquirefromhersthesteadinessanddelicacyofprinciplethatitwants。Andnow，letmetalktoyouofsomethingelse。

Ihaveanotherperson’sinterestatpresentsomuchatheart，thatIcannotthinkanylongeraboutFrankChurchill。EversinceI

leftyouthismorning，Emma，mymindhasbeenhardatworkononesubject。”

Thesubjectfollowed；itwasinplain，unaffected，gentlemanlikeEnglish，suchasMr。Knightleyusedeventothewomanhewasinlovewith，howtobeabletoaskhertomarryhim，withoutattackingthehappinessofherfather。Emma’sanswerwasreadyatthefirstword。

“Whileherdearfatherlived，anychangeofconditionmustbeimpossibleforher。Shecouldneverquithim。”Partonlyofthisanswer，however，wasadmitted。Theimpossibilityofherquittingherfather，Mr。Knightleyfeltasstronglyasherself；buttheinadmissibilityofanyotherchange，hecouldnotagreeto。Hehadbeenthinkingitovermostdeeply，mostintently；hehadatfirsthopedtoinduceMr。WoodhousetoremovewithhertoDonwell；hehadwantedtobelieveitfeasible，buthisknowledgeofMr。Woodhousewouldnotsufferhimtodeceivehimselflong；andnowheconfessedhispersuasion，thatsuchatransplantationwouldbeariskofherfather’scomfort，perhapsevenofhislife，whichmustnotbehazarded。Mr。WoodhousetakenfromHartfield！——No，hefeltthatitoughtnottobeattempted。

Buttheplanwhichhadarisenonthesacrificeofthis，hetrustedhisdearestEmmawouldnotfindinanyrespectobjectionable；

itwas，thatheshouldbereceivedatHartfield；thatsolongasherfather’shappinessinotherwordshislife——requiredHartfieldtocontinueherhome，itshouldbehislikewise。

OftheirallremovingtoDonwell，Emmahadalreadyhadherownpassingthoughts。Likehim，shehadtriedtheschemeandrejectedit；

butsuchanalternativeasthishadnotoccurredtoher。

Shewassensibleofalltheaffectionitevinced。Shefeltthat，inquittingDonwell，hemustbesacrificingagreatdealofindependenceofhoursandhabits；thatinlivingconstantlywithherfather，andinnohouseofhisown，therewouldbemuch，verymuch，tobebornewith。Shepromisedtothinkofit，andadvisedhimtothinkofitmore；buthewasfullyconvinced，thatnoreflectioncouldalterhiswishesorhisopiniononthesubject。Hehadgivenit，hecouldassureher，verylongandcalmconsideration；

hehadbeenwalkingawayfromWilliamLarkinsthewholemorning，tohavehisthoughtstohimself。

“Ah！thereisonedifficultyunprovidedfor。”criedEmma。“IamsureWilliamLarkinswillnotlikeit。Youmustgethisconsentbeforeyouaskmine。”

Shepromised，however，tothinkofit；andprettynearlypromised，moreover，tothinkofit，withtheintentionoffindingitaverygoodscheme。

Itisremarkable，thatEmma，inthemany，verymany，pointsofviewinwhichshewasnowbeginningtoconsiderDonwellAbbey，wasneverstruckwithanysenseofinjurytohernephewHenry，whoserightsasheir-expectanthadformerlybeensotenaciouslyregarded。

Thinkshemustofthepossibledifferencetothepoorlittleboy；

andyetsheonlygaveherselfasaucyconscioussmileaboutit，andfoundamusementindetectingtherealcauseofthatviolentdislikeofMr。Knightley’smarryingJaneFairfax，oranybodyelse，whichatthetimeshehadwhollyimputedtotheamiablesolicitudeofthesisterandtheaunt。

Thisproposalofhis，thisplanofmarryingandcontinuingatHartfield——

themoreshecontemplatedit，themorepleasingitbecame。

Hisevilsseemedtolessen，herownadvantagestoincrease，theirmutualgoodtooutweigheverydrawback。Suchacompanionforherselfintheperiodsofanxietyandcheerlessnessbeforeher！——

Suchapartnerinallthosedutiesandcarestowhichtimemustbegivingincreaseofmelancholy！

ShewouldhavebeentoohappybutforpoorHarriet；buteveryblessingofherownseemedtoinvolveandadvancethesufferingsofherfriend，whomustnowbeevenexcludedfromHartfield。

ThedelightfulfamilypartywhichEmmawassecuringforherself，poorHarrietmust，inmerecharitablecaution，bekeptatadistancefrom。Shewouldbealoserineveryway。Emmacouldnotdeploreherfutureabsenceasanydeductionfromherownenjoyment。

Insuchaparty，Harrietwouldberatheradeadweightthanotherwise；

butforthepoorgirlherself，itseemedapeculiarlycruelnecessitythatwastobeplacingherinsuchastateofunmeritedpunishment。

Intime，ofcourse，Mr。Knightleywouldbeforgotten，thatis，supplanted；butthiscouldnotbeexpectedtohappenveryearly。

Mr。Knightleyhimselfwouldbedoingnothingtoassistthecure；——

notlikeMr。Elton。Mr。Knightley，alwayssokind，sofeeling，sotrulyconsiderateforeverybody，wouldneverdeservetobelessworshippedthannow；anditreallywastoomuchtohopeevenofHarriet，thatshecouldbeinlovewithmorethanthreemeninoneyear。

Chapter16CHAPTERXVI

ItwasaverygreatrelieftoEmmatofindHarrietasdesirousasherselftoavoidameeting。Theirintercoursewaspainfulenoughbyletter。Howmuchworse，hadtheybeenobligedtomeet！

Harrietexpressedherselfverymuchasmightbesupposed，withoutreproaches，orapparentsenseofill-usage；andyetEmmafanciedtherewasasomethingofresentment，asomethingborderingonitinherstyle，whichincreasedthedesirablenessoftheirbeingseparate——

Itmightbeonlyherownconsciousness；butitseemedasifanangelonlycouldhavebeenquitewithoutresentmentundersuchastroke。

ShehadnodifficultyinprocuringIsabella’sinvitation；

andshewasfortunateinhavingasufficientreasonforaskingit，withoutresortingtoinvention——Therewasatoothamiss。

Harrietreallywished，andhadwishedsometime，toconsultadentist。

Mrs。JohnKnightleywasdelightedtobeofuse；anythingofillhealthwasarecommendationtoher——andthoughnotsofondofadentistasofaMr。Wingfield，shewasquiteeagertohaveHarrietunderhercare——Whenitwasthussettledonhersister’sside，Emmaproposedittoherfriend，andfoundherverypersuadable——

Harrietwastogo；shewasinvitedforatleastafortnight；shewastobeconveyedinMr。Woodhouse’scarriage——Itwasallarranged，itwasallcompleted，andHarrietwassafeinBrunswickSquare。

NowEmmacould，indeed，enjoyMr。Knightley’svisits；nowshecouldtalk，andshecouldlistenwithtruehappiness，uncheckedbythatsenseofinjustice，ofguilt，ofsomethingmostpainful，whichhadhauntedherwhenrememberinghowdisappointedaheartwasnearher，howmuchmightatthatmoment，andatalittledistance，beenduringbythefeelingswhichshehadledastrayherself。

ThedifferenceofHarrietatMrs。Goddard’s，orinLondon，madeperhapsanunreasonabledifferenceinEmma’ssensations；butshecouldnotthinkofherinLondonwithoutobjectsofcuriosityandemployment，whichmustbeavertingthepast，andcarryingheroutofherself。

ShewouldnotallowanyotheranxietytosucceeddirectlytotheplaceinhermindwhichHarriethadoccupied。Therewasacommunicationbeforeher，onewhichsheonlycouldbecompetenttomake——

theconfessionofherengagementtoherfather；butshewouldhavenothingtodowithitatpresent——ShehadresolvedtodeferthedisclosuretillMrs。Westonweresafeandwell。Noadditionalagitationshouldbethrownatthisperiodamongthosesheloved——

andtheevilshouldnotactonherselfbyanticipationbeforetheappointedtime——Afortnight，atleast，ofleisureandpeaceofmind，tocrowneverywarmer，butmoreagitating，delight，shouldbehers。

Shesoonresolved，equallyasadutyandapleasure，toemployhalfanhourofthisholidayofspiritsincallingonMissFairfax——

Sheoughttogo——andshewaslongingtoseeher；theresemblanceoftheirpresentsituationsincreasingeveryothermotiveofgoodwill。

Itwouldbeasecretsatisfaction；buttheconsciousnessofasimilarityofprospectwouldcertainlyaddtotheinterestwithwhichsheshouldattendtoanythingJanemightcommunicate。

Shewent——shehaddrivenonceunsuccessfullytothedoor，buthadnotbeenintothehousesincethemorningafterBoxHill，whenpoorJanehadbeeninsuchdistressashadfilledherwithcompassion，thoughalltheworstofhersufferingshadbeenunsuspected——

Thefearofbeingstillunwelcome，determinedher，thoughassuredoftheirbeingathome，towaitinthepassage，andsenduphername——

SheheardPattyannouncingit；butnosuchbustlesucceededaspoorMissBateshadbeforemadesohappilyintelligible——No；sheheardnothingbuttheinstantreplyof，“Beghertowalkup；“——andamomentafterwardsshewasmetonthestairsbyJaneherself，comingeagerlyforward，asifnootherreceptionofherwerefeltsufficient——

Emmahadneverseenherlooksowell，solovely，soengaging。

Therewasconsciousness，animation，andwarmth；therewaseverythingwhichhercountenanceormannercouldeverhavewanted——

Shecameforwardwithanofferedhand；andsaid，inalow，butveryfeelingtone，“Thisismostkind，indeed！——MissWoodhouse，itisimpossibleformetoexpress——Ihopeyouwillbelieve——Excusemeforbeingsoentirelywithoutwords。”

Emmawasgratified，andwouldsoonhaveshewnnowantofwords，ifthesoundofMrs。Elton’svoicefromthesitting-roomhadnotcheckedher，andmadeitexpedienttocompressallherfriendlyandallhercongratulatorysensationsintoavery，veryearnestshakeofthehand。

Mrs。BatesandMrs。Eltonweretogether。MissBateswasout，whichaccountedfortheprevioustranquillity。EmmacouldhavewishedMrs。Eltonelsewhere；butshewasinahumourtohavepatiencewitheverybody；andasMrs。Eltonmetherwithunusualgraciousness，shehopedtherencontrewoulddothemnoharm。

ShesoonbelievedherselftopenetrateMrs。Elton’sthoughts，andunderstandwhyshewas，likeherself，inhappyspirits；

itwasbeinginMissFairfax’sconfidence，andfancyingherselfacquaintedwithwhatwasstillasecrettootherpeople。

Emmasawsymptomsofitimmediatelyintheexpressionofherface；

andwhilepayingherowncomplimentstoMrs。Bates，andappearingtoattendtothegoodoldlady’sreplies，shesawherwithasortofanxiousparadeofmysteryfoldupaletterwhichshehadapparentlybeenreadingaloudtoMissFairfax，andreturnitintothepurpleandgoldreticulebyherside，saying，withsignificantnods，“Wecanfinishthissomeothertime，youknow。YouandIshallnotwantopportunities。And，infact，youhaveheardalltheessentialalready。IonlywantedtoprovetoyouthatMrs。S。

admitsourapology，andisnotoffended。Youseehowdelightfullyshewrites。Oh！sheisasweetcreature！Youwouldhavedoatedonher，hadyougone——Butnotawordmore。Letusbediscreet——

quiteonourgoodbehaviour——Hush！——Yourememberthoselines——

Iforgetthepoematthismoment：

“Forwhenalady’sinthecase，“Youknowallotherthingsgiveplace。”

NowIsay，mydear，inourcase，forlady，read——mum！awordtothewise——Iaminafineflowofspirits，an’tI？ButIwanttosetyourheartateaseastoMrs。S——Myrepresentation，yousee，hasquiteappeasedher。”

Andagain，onEmma’smerelyturningherheadtolookatMrs。Bates’sknitting，sheadded，inahalfwhisper，“Imentionednonames，youwillobserve——Oh！no；cautiousasaministerofstate。Imanageditextremelywell。”

Emmacouldnotdoubt。Itwasapalpabledisplay，repeatedoneverypossibleoccasion。WhentheyhadalltalkedalittlewhileinharmonyoftheweatherandMrs。Weston，shefoundherselfabruptlyaddressedwith，“Donotyouthink，MissWoodhouse，oursaucylittlefriendhereischarminglyrecovered？——DonotyouthinkhercuredoesPerrythehighestcredit？——(herewasaside-glanceofgreatmeaningatJane。)

Uponmyword，Perryhasrestoredherinawonderfulshorttime！——

Oh！ifyouhadseenher，asIdid，whenshewasattheworst！“——

AndwhenMrs。BateswassayingsomethingtoEmma，whisperedfarther，“WedonotsayawordofanyassistancethatPerrymighthave；

notawordofacertainyoungphysicianfromWindsor——Oh！no；

Perryshallhaveallthecredit。”

“Ihavescarcehadthepleasureofseeingyou，MissWoodhouse。”

sheshortlyafterwardsbegan，“sincethepartytoBoxHill。

Verypleasantparty。ButyetIthinktherewassomethingwanting。

Thingsdidnotseem——thatis，thereseemedalittleclouduponthespiritsofsome——Soitappearedtomeatleast，butImightbemistaken。However，Ithinkitansweredsofarastotemptonetogoagain。Whatsayyoubothtoourcollectingthesameparty，andexploringtoBoxHillagain，whilethefineweatherlasts？——

Itmustbethesameparty，youknow，quitethesameparty，notoneexception。”

SoonafterthisMissBatescamein，andEmmacouldnothelpbeingdivertedbytheperplexityofherfirstanswertoherself，resulting，shesupposed，fromdoubtofwhatmightbesaid，andimpatiencetosayeverything。

“Thankyou，dearMissWoodhouse，youareallkindness——Itisimpossibletosay——Yes，indeed，Iquiteunderstand——dearestJane’sprospects——

thatis，Idonotmean——Butsheischarminglyrecovered——

HowisMr。Woodhouse？——Iamsoglad——Quiteoutofmypower——

Suchahappylittlecircleasyoufindushere——Yes，indeed——

Charmingyoungman！——thatis——soveryfriendly；ImeangoodMr。Perry！——

suchattentiontoJane！“——Andfromhergreat，hermorethancommonlythankfuldelighttowardsMrs。Eltonforbeingthere，EmmaguessedthattherehadbeenalittleshowofresentmenttowardsJane，fromthevicaragequarter，whichwasnowgraciouslyovercome——

Afterafewwhispers，indeed，whichplaceditbeyondaguess，Mrs。Elton，speakinglouder，said，“Yes，hereIam，mygoodfriend；andhereIhavebeensolong，thatanywhereelseIshouldthinkitnecessarytoapologise；

but，thetruthis，thatIamwaitingformylordandmaster。

Hepromisedtojoinmehere，andpayhisrespectstoyou。”

“What！arewetohavethepleasureofacallfromMr。Elton？——

Thatwillbeafavourindeed！forIknowgentlemendonotlikemorningvisits，andMr。Elton’stimeissoengaged。”

“Uponmyworditis，MissBates——Hereallyisengagedfrommorningtonight——Thereisnoendofpeople’scomingtohim，onsomepretenceorother——Themagistrates，andoverseers，andchurchwardens，arealwayswantinghisopinion。Theyseemnotabletodoanythingwithouthim——`Uponmyword，Mr。E。，’Ioftensay，`ratheryouthanI——

Idonotknowwhatwouldbecomeofmycrayonsandmyinstrument，ifIhadhalfsomanyapplicants。’——Badenoughasitis，forI

absolutelyneglectthembothtoanunpardonabledegree——IbelieveIhavenotplayedabarthisfortnight——However，heiscoming，Iassureyou：yes，indeed，onpurposetowaitonyouall。”

AndputtingupherhandtoscreenherwordsfromEmma——“Acongratulatoryvisit，youknow——Oh！yes，quiteindispensable。”

MissBateslookedabouther，sohappily！——

“HepromisedtocometomeassoonashecoulddisengagehimselffromKnightley；butheandKnightleyareshutuptogetherindeepconsultation——Mr。E。isKnightley’srighthand。”

Emmawouldnothavesmiledfortheworld，andonlysaid，“IsMr。EltongoneonfoottoDonwell？——Hewillhaveahotwalk。”

“Oh！no，itisameetingattheCrown，aregularmeeting。

WestonandColewillbetheretoo；butoneisapttospeakonlyofthosewholead——IfancyMr。E。andKnightleyhaveeverythingtheirownway。”

“Havenotyoumistakentheday？“saidEmma。“IamalmostcertainthatthemeetingattheCrownisnottillto-morrow——Mr。KnightleywasatHartfieldyesterday，andspokeofitasforSaturday。”

“Oh！no，themeetingiscertainlyto-day。”wastheabruptanswer，whichdenotedtheimpossibilityofanyblunderonMrs。Elton’sside——

“Idobelieve。”shecontinued，“thisisthemosttroublesomeparishthateverwas。WeneverheardofsuchthingsatMapleGrove。”

“Yourparishtherewassmall。”saidJane。

“Uponmyword，mydear，Idonotknow，forIneverheardthesubjecttalkedof。”

“Butitisprovedbythesmallnessoftheschool，whichIhaveheardyouspeakof，asunderthepatronageofyoursisterandMrs。Bragge；

theonlyschool，andnotmorethanfive-and-twentychildren。”

“Ah！youclevercreature，that’sverytrue。Whatathinkingbrainyouhave！Isay，Jane，whataperfectcharacteryouandIshouldmake，ifwecouldbeshakentogether。Mylivelinessandyoursoliditywouldproduceperfection——NotthatIpresumetoinsinuate，however，thatsomepeoplemaynotthinkyouperfectionalready——Buthush！——

notaword，ifyouplease。”

Itseemedanunnecessarycaution；Janewaswantingtogiveherwords，nottoMrs。Elton，buttoMissWoodhouse，asthelatterplainlysaw。

Thewishofdistinguishingher，asfarascivilitypermitted，wasveryevident，thoughitcouldnotoftenproceedbeyondalook。

Mr。Eltonmadehisappearance。Hisladygreetedhimwithsomeofhersparklingvivacity。

“Verypretty，sir，uponmyword；tosendmeonhere，tobeanencumbrancetomyfriends，solongbeforeyouvouchsafetocome！——

Butyouknewwhatadutifulcreatureyouhadtodealwith。

YouknewIshouldnotstirtillmylordandmasterappeared——

HerehaveIbeensittingthishour，givingtheseyoungladiesasampleoftrueconjugalobedience——forwhocansay，youknow，howsoonitmaybewanted？“

Mr。Eltonwassohotandtired，thatallthiswitseemedthrownaway。

Hiscivilitiestotheotherladiesmustbepaid；buthissubsequentobjectwastolamentoverhimselffortheheathewassuffering，andthewalkhehadhadfornothing。

“WhenIgottoDonwell。”saidhe，“Knightleycouldnotbefound。

Veryodd！veryunaccountable！afterthenoteIsenthimthismorning，andthemessagehereturned，thatheshouldcertainlybeathometillone。”

“Donwell！“criedhiswife——“MydearMr。E。，youhavenotbeentoDonwell！——YoumeantheCrown；youcomefromthemeetingattheCrown。”

“No，no，that’sto-morrow；andIparticularlywantedtoseeKnightleyto-dayonthatveryaccount——Suchadreadfulbroilingmorning！——

Iwentoverthefieldstoo——(speakinginatoneofgreatill-usage，)

whichmadeitsomuchtheworse。Andthennottofindhimathome！

IassureyouIamnotatallpleased。Andnoapologyleft，nomessageforme。Thehousekeeperdeclaredsheknewnothingofmybeingexpected——

Veryextraordinary！——Andnobodyknewatallwhichwayhewasgone。

PerhapstoHartfield，perhapstotheAbbeyMill，perhapsintohiswoods——

MissWoodhouse，thisisnotlikeourfriendKnightley！——Canyouexplainit？“

Emmaamusedherselfbyprotestingthatitwasveryextraordinary，indeed，andthatshehadnotasyllabletosayforhim。

“Icannotimagine。”saidMrs。Elton，(feelingtheindignityasawifeoughttodo，)“Icannotimaginehowhecoulddosuchathingbyyou，ofallpeopleintheworld！Theverylastpersonwhomoneshouldexpecttobeforgotten！——MydearMr。E。，hemusthaveleftamessageforyou，Iamsurehemust——NotevenKnightleycouldbesoveryeccentric；——

andhisservantsforgotit。Dependuponit，thatwasthecase：

andverylikelytohappenwiththeDonwellservants，whoareall，Ihaveoftenobserved，extremelyawkwardandremiss——IamsureI

wouldnothavesuchacreatureashisHarrystandatoursideboardforanyconsideration。AndasforMrs。Hodges，Wrightholdsherverycheapindeed——ShepromisedWrightareceipt，andneversentit。”

“ImetWilliamLarkins。”continuedMr。Elton，“asIgotnearthehouse，andhetoldmeIshouldnotfindhismasterathome，butIdidnotbelievehim——Williamseemedratheroutofhumour。

Hedidnotknowwhatwascometohismasterlately，hesaid，buthecouldhardlyevergetthespeechofhim。IhavenothingtodowithWilliam’swants，butitreallyisofverygreatimportancethatI

shouldseeKnightleyto-day；anditbecomesamatter，therefore，ofveryseriousinconveniencethatIshouldhavehadthishotwalktonopurpose。”

Emmafeltthatshecouldnotdobetterthangohomedirectly。

Inallprobabilityshewasatthisverytimewaitedforthere；

andMr。KnightleymightbepreservedfromsinkingdeeperinaggressiontowardsMr。Elton，ifnottowardsWilliamLarkins。

Shewaspleased，ontakingleave，tofindMissFairfaxdeterminedtoattendheroutoftheroom，togowithherevendownstairs；

itgaveheranopportunitywhichsheimmediatelymadeuseof，tosay，“Itisaswell，perhaps，thatIhavenothadthepossibility。

Hadyounotbeensurroundedbyotherfriends，Imighthavebeentemptedtointroduceasubject，toaskquestions，tospeakmoreopenlythanmighthavebeenstrictlycorrect——IfeelthatIshouldcertainlyhavebeenimpertinent。”

“Oh！“criedJane，withablushandanhesitationwhichEmmathoughtinfinitelymorebecomingtoherthanalltheeleganceofallherusualcomposure——“therewouldhavebeennodanger。Thedangerwouldhavebeenofmywearyingyou。Youcouldnothavegratifiedmemorethanbyexpressinganinterest。Indeed，MissWoodhouse，(speakingmorecollectedly，)withtheconsciousnesswhichI

haveofmisconduct，verygreatmisconduct，itisparticularlyconsolingtometoknowthatthoseofmyfriends，whosegoodopinionismostworthpreserving，arenotdisgustedtosuchadegreeasto——IhavenottimeforhalfthatIcouldwishtosay。

Ilongtomakeapologies，excuses，tourgesomethingformyself。

Ifeelitsoverydue。But，unfortunately——inshort，ifyourcompassiondoesnotstandmyfriend——“

“Oh！youaretooscrupulous，indeedyouare。”criedEmmawarmly，andtakingherhand。“Youowemenoapologies；andeverybodytowhomyoumightbesupposedtoowethem，issoperfectlysatisfied，sodelightedeven——“

“Youareverykind，butIknowwhatmymannersweretoyou——

Socoldandartificial！——Ihadalwaysaparttoact——Itwasalifeofdeceit！——IknowthatImusthavedisgustedyou。”

“Praysaynomore。Ifeelthatalltheapologiesshouldbeonmyside。

Letusforgiveeachotheratonce。Wemustdowhateveristobedonequickest，andIthinkourfeelingswilllosenotimethere。

IhopeyouhavepleasantaccountsfromWindsor？“

“Very。”

“Andthenextnews，Isuppose，willbe，thatwearetoloseyou——

justasIbegintoknowyou。”

“Oh！astoallthat，ofcoursenothingcanbethoughtofyet。

IamheretillclaimedbyColonelandMrs。Campbell。”

“Nothingcanbeactuallysettledyet，perhaps。”repliedEmma，smiling——“but，excuseme，itmustbethoughtof。”

ThesmilewasreturnedasJaneanswered，“Youareveryright；ithasbeenthoughtof。AndIwillowntoyou，(Iamsureitwillbesafe)，thatsofarasourlivingwithMr。ChurchillatEnscombe，itissettled。Theremustbethreemonths，atleast，ofdeepmourning；butwhentheyareover，Iimaginetherewillbenothingmoretowaitfor。”

“Thankyou，thankyou——ThisisjustwhatIwantedtobeassuredof——

Oh！ifyouknewhowmuchIloveeverythingthatisdecidedandopen！——

Good-bye，good-bye。”

Chapter17CHAPTERXVII

Mrs。Weston’sfriendswereallmadehappybyhersafety；

andifthesatisfactionofherwell-doingcouldbeincreasedtoEmma，itwasbyknowinghertobethemotherofalittlegirl。

ShehadbeendecidedinwishingforaMissWeston。Shewouldnotacknowledgethatitwaswithanyviewofmakingamatchforher，hereafter，witheitherofIsabella’ssons；butshewasconvincedthatadaughterwouldsuitbothfatherandmotherbest。

ItwouldbeagreatcomforttoMr。Weston，ashegrewolder——

andevenMr。Westonmightbegrowingoldertenyearshence——tohavehisfiresideenlivenedbythesportsandthenonsense，thefreaksandthefanciesofachildneverbanishedfromhome；andMrs。Weston——

noonecoulddoubtthatadaughterwouldbemosttoher；anditwouldbequiteapitythatanyonewhosowellknewhowtoteach，shouldnothavetheirpowersinexerciseagain。

“Shehashadtheadvantage，youknow，ofpractisingonme。”

shecontinued——“likeLaBaronned’AlmaneonLaComtessed’Ostalis，inMadamedeGenlis’AdelaideandTheodore，andweshallnowseeherownlittleAdelaideeducatedonamoreperfectplan。”

“Thatis。”repliedMr。Knightley，“shewillindulgeherevenmorethanshedidyou，andbelievethatshedoesnotindulgeheratall。

Itwillbetheonlydifference。”

“Poorchild！“criedEmma；“atthatrate，whatwillbecomeofher？“

“Nothingverybad——Thefateofthousands。Shewillbedisagreeableininfancy，andcorrectherselfasshegrowsolder。Iamlosingallmybitternessagainstspoiltchildren，mydearestEmma。

I，whoamowingallmyhappinesstoyou，wouldnotitbehorribleingratitudeinmetobesevereonthem？“

Emmalaughed，andreplied：“ButIhadtheassistanceofallyourendeavourstocounteracttheindulgenceofotherpeople。

Idoubtwhethermyownsensewouldhavecorrectedmewithoutit。”

“Doyou？——Ihavenodoubt。Naturegaveyouunderstanding：——

MissTaylorgaveyouprinciples。Youmusthavedonewell。