第16章

Myinterferencewasquiteaslikelytodoharmasgood。Itwasverynaturalforyoutosay，whatrighthashetolectureme？——

andIamafraidverynaturalforyoutofeelthatitwasdoneinadisagreeablemanner。IdonotbelieveIdidyouanygood。

Thegoodwasalltomyself，bymakingyouanobjectofthetenderestaffectiontome。Icouldnotthinkaboutyousomuchwithoutdoatingonyou，faultsandall；andbydintoffancyingsomanyerrors，havebeeninlovewithyoueversinceyouwerethirteenatleast。”

“Iamsureyouwereofusetome。”criedEmma。“Iwasveryofteninfluencedrightlybyyou——oftenerthanIwouldownatthetime。

Iamverysureyoudidmegood。AndifpoorlittleAnnaWestonistobespoiled，itwillbethegreatesthumanityinyoutodoasmuchforherasyouhavedoneforme，exceptfallinginlovewithherwhensheisthirteen。”

“Howoften，whenyouwereagirl，haveyousaidtome，withoneofyoursaucylooks——`Mr。Knightley，Iamgoingtodoso-and-so；

papasaysImay，orIhaveMissTaylor’sleave’——somethingwhich，youknew，Ididnotapprove。Insuchcasesmyinterferencewasgivingyoutwobadfeelingsinsteadofone。”

“WhatanamiablecreatureIwas！——Nowonderyoushouldholdmyspeechesinsuchaffectionateremembrance。”

“`Mr。Knightley。’——Youalwayscalledme，`Mr。Knightley；’and，fromhabit，ithasnotsoveryformalasound——Andyetitisformal。

Iwantyoutocallmesomethingelse，butIdonotknowwhat。”

“Irememberoncecallingyou`George，’inoneofmyamiablefits，abouttenyearsago。IdiditbecauseIthoughtitwouldoffendyou；

but，asyoumadenoobjection，Ineverdiditagain。”

“Andcannotyoucallme`George’now？“

“Impossible！——Inevercancallyouanythingbut`Mr。Knightley。’

IwillnotpromiseeventoequaltheeleganttersenessofMrs。Elton，bycallingyouMr。K——ButIwillpromise。”sheaddedpresently，laughingandblushing——“IwillpromisetocallyouoncebyyourChristianname。Idonotsaywhen，butperhapsyoumayguesswhere；——inthebuildinginwhichN。takesM。forbetter，forworse。”

Emmagrievedthatshecouldnotbemoreopenlyjusttooneimportantservicewhichhisbettersensewouldhaverenderedher，totheadvicewhichwouldhavesavedherfromtheworstofallherwomanlyfollies——herwilfulintimacywithHarrietSmith；

butitwastootenderasubject——Shecouldnotenteronit——

Harrietwasveryseldommentionedbetweenthem。This，onhisside，mightmerelyproceedfromhernotbeingthoughtof；butEmmawasratherinclinedtoattributeittodelicacy，andasuspicion，fromsomeappearances，thattheirfriendshipweredeclining。

Shewasawareherself，that，partingunderanyothercircumstances，theycertainlyshouldhavecorrespondedmore，andthatherintelligencewouldnothaverested，asitnowalmostwhollydid，onIsabella’sletters。Hemightobservethatitwasso。

Thepainofbeingobligedtopractiseconcealmenttowardshim，wasverylittleinferiortothepainofhavingmadeHarrietunhappy。

Isabellasentquiteasgoodanaccountofhervisitorascouldbeexpected；onherfirstarrivalshehadthoughtheroutofspirits，whichappearedperfectlynatural，astherewasadentisttobeconsulted；but，sincethatbusinesshadbeenover，shedidnotappeartofindHarrietdifferentfromwhatshehadknownherbefore——

Isabella，tobesure，wasnoveryquickobserver；yetifHarriethadnotbeenequaltoplayingwiththechildren，itwouldnothaveescapedher。Emma’scomfortsandhopesweremostagreeablycarriedon，byHarriet’sbeingtostaylonger；herfortnightwaslikelytobeamonthatleast。Mr。andMrs。JohnKnightleyweretocomedowninAugust，andshewasinvitedtoremaintilltheycouldbringherback。

“Johndoesnotevenmentionyourfriend。”saidMr。Knightley。

“Hereishisanswer，ifyouliketoseeit。”

Itwastheanswertothecommunicationofhisintendedmarriage。

Emmaaccepteditwithaveryeagerhand，withanimpatienceallalivetoknowwhathewouldsayaboutit，andnotatallcheckedbyhearingthatherfriendwasunmentioned。

“Johnenterslikeabrotherintomyhappiness。”continuedMr。Knightley，“butheisnocomplimenter；andthoughIwellknowhimtohave，likewise，amostbrotherlyaffectionforyou，heissofarfrommakingflourishes，thatanyotheryoungwomanmightthinkhimrathercoolinherpraise。ButIamnotafraidofyourseeingwhathewrites。”

“Hewriteslikeasensibleman。”repliedEmma，whenshehadreadtheletter。“Ihonourhissincerity。Itisveryplainthatheconsidersthegoodfortuneoftheengagementasallonmyside，butthatheisnotwithouthopeofmygrowing，intime，asworthyofyouraffection，asyouthinkmealready。Hadhesaidanythingtobearadifferentconstruction，Ishouldnothavebelievedhim。”

“MyEmma，hemeansnosuchthing。Heonlymeans——“

“HeandIshoulddifferverylittleinourestimationofthetwo。”

interruptedshe，withasortofserioussmile——“muchless，perhaps，thanheisawareof，ifwecouldenterwithoutceremonyorreserveonthesubject。”

“Emma，mydearEmma——“

“Oh！“shecriedwithmorethoroughgaiety，“ifyoufancyyourbrotherdoesnotdomejustice，onlywaittillmydearfatherisinthesecret，andhearhisopinion。Dependuponit，hewillbemuchfartherfromdoingyoujustice。Hewillthinkallthehappiness，alltheadvantage，onyoursideofthequestion；allthemeritonmine。IwishImaynotsinkinto`poorEmma’withhimatonce——

Histendercompassiontowardsoppressedworthcangonofarther。”

“Ah！“hecried，“IwishyourfathermightbehalfaseasilyconvincedasJohnwillbe，ofourhavingeveryrightthatequalworthcangive，tobehappytogether。IamamusedbyonepartofJohn’sletter——

didyounoticeit？——wherehesays，thatmyinformationdidnottakehimwhollybysurprize，thathewasratherinexpectationofhearingsomethingofthekind。”

“IfIunderstandyourbrother，heonlymeanssofarasyourhavingsomethoughtsofmarrying。Hehadnoideaofme。Heseemsperfectlyunpreparedforthat。”

“Yes，yes——butIamamusedthatheshouldhaveseensofarintomyfeelings。Whathashebeenjudgingby？——Iamnotconsciousofanydifferenceinmyspiritsorconversationthatcouldpreparehimatthistimeformymarryinganymorethanatanother——

Butitwasso，Isuppose。IdaresaytherewasadifferencewhenI

wasstayingwiththemtheotherday。IbelieveIdidnotplaywiththechildrenquitesomuchasusual。Irememberoneeveningthepoorboyssaying，`Uncleseemsalwaystirednow。’“

Thetimewascomingwhenthenewsmustspreadfarther，andotherpersons’

receptionofittried。AssoonasMrs。WestonwassufficientlyrecoveredtoadmitMr。Woodhouse’svisits，Emmahavingitinviewthathergentlereasoningsshouldbeemployedinthecause，resolvedfirsttoannounceitathome，andthenatRandalls——

Buthowtobreakittoherfatheratlast！——Shehadboundherselftodoit，insuchanhourofMr。Knightley’sabsence，orwhenitcametothepointherheartwouldhavefailedher，andshemusthaveputitoff；butMr。Knightleywastocomeatsuchatime，andfollowupthebeginningshewastomake——Shewasforcedtospeak，andtospeakcheerfullytoo。Shemustnotmakeitamoredecidedsubjectofmiserytohim，byamelancholytoneherself。

Shemustnotappeartothinkitamisfortune——Withallthespiritsshecouldcommand，shepreparedhimfirstforsomethingstrange，andthen，inafewwords，said，thatifhisconsentandapprobationcouldbeobtained——which，shetrusted，wouldbeattendedwithnodifficulty，sinceitwasaplantopromotethehappinessofall——

sheandMr。Knightleymeanttomarry；bywhichmeansHartfieldwouldreceivetheconstantadditionofthatperson’scompanywhomsheknewheloved，nexttohisdaughtersandMrs。Weston，bestintheworld。

Poorman！——itwasatfirstaconsiderableshocktohim，andhetriedearnestlytodissuadeherfromit。Shewasreminded，morethanonce，ofhavingalwayssaidshewouldnevermarry，andassuredthatitwouldbeagreatdealbetterforhertoremainsingle；andtoldofpoorIsabella，andpoorMissTaylor——Butitwouldnotdo。Emmahungabouthimaffectionately，andsmiled，andsaiditmustbeso；andthathemustnotclassherwithIsabellaandMrs。Weston，whosemarriagestakingthemfromHartfield，had，indeed，madeamelancholychange：

butshewasnotgoingfromHartfield；sheshouldbealwaysthere；

shewasintroducingnochangeintheirnumbersortheircomfortsbutforthebetter；andshewasverysurethathewouldbeagreatdealthehappierforhavingMr。Knightleyalwaysathand，whenhewereoncegotusedtotheidea——DidhenotloveMr。Knightleyverymuch？——

Hewouldnotdenythathedid，shewassure——WhomdidheeverwanttoconsultonbusinessbutMr。Knightley？——Whowassousefultohim，whosoreadytowritehisletters，whosogladtoassisthim？——

Whosocheerful，soattentive，soattachedtohim？——Wouldnotheliketohavehimalwaysonthespot？——Yes。Thatwasallverytrue。

Mr。Knightleycouldnotbetheretoooften；heshouldbegladtoseehimeveryday；——buttheydidseehimeverydayasitwas——Whycouldnottheygoonastheyhaddone？

Mr。Woodhousecouldnotbesoonreconciled；buttheworstwasovercome，theideawasgiven；timeandcontinualrepetitionmustdotherest——

ToEmma’sentreatiesandassurancessucceededMr。Knightley’s，whosefondpraiseofhergavethesubjectevenakindofwelcome；

andhewassoonusedtobetalkedtobyeach，oneveryfairoccasion——

TheyhadalltheassistancewhichIsabellacouldgive，bylettersofthestrongestapprobation；andMrs。Westonwasready，onthefirstmeeting，toconsiderthesubjectinthemostserviceablelight——first，asasettled，and，secondly，asagoodone——

wellawareofthenearlyequalimportanceofthetworecommendationstoMr。Woodhouse’smind——Itwasagreedupon，aswhatwastobe；

andeverybodybywhomhewasusedtobeguidedassuringhimthatitwouldbeforhishappiness；andhavingsomefeelingshimselfwhichalmostadmittedit，hebegantothinkthatsometimeorother——

inanotheryearortwo，perhaps——itmightnotbesoverybadifthemarriagedidtakeplace。

Mrs。Westonwasactingnopart，feigningnofeelingsinallthatshesaidtohiminfavouroftheevent——Shehadbeenextremelysurprized，nevermoreso，thanwhenEmmafirstopenedtheaffairtoher；

butshesawinitonlyincreaseofhappinesstoall，andhadnoscrupleinurginghimtotheutmost——ShehadsucharegardforMr。Knightley，astothinkhedeservedevenherdearestEmma；

anditwasineveryrespectsoproper，suitable，andunexceptionableaconnexion，andinonerespect，onepointofthehighestimportance，sopeculiarlyeligible，sosingularlyfortunate，thatnowitseemedasifEmmacouldnotsafelyhaveattachedherselftoanyothercreature，andthatshehadherselfbeenthestupidestofbeingsinnothavingthoughtofit，andwisheditlongago——HowveryfewofthosemeninarankoflifetoaddressEmmawouldhaverenouncedtheirownhomeforHartfield！AndwhobutMr。KnightleycouldknowandbearwithMr。Woodhouse，soastomakesuchanarrangementdesirable！——

ThedifficultyofdisposingofpoorMr。Woodhousehadbeenalwaysfeltinherhusband’splansandherown，foramarriagebetweenFrankandEmma。HowtosettletheclaimsofEnscombeandHartfieldhadbeenacontinualimpediment——lessacknowledgedbyMr。Westonthanbyherself——butevenhehadneverbeenabletofinishthesubjectbetterthanbysaying——“Thosematterswilltakecareofthemselves；

theyoungpeoplewillfindaway。”Butheretherewasnothingtobeshiftedoffinawildspeculationonthefuture。Itwasallright，allopen，allequal。Nosacrificeonanysideworththename。

Itwasaunionofthehighestpromiseoffelicityinitself，andwithoutonereal，rationaldifficultytoopposeordelayit。

Mrs。Weston，withherbabyonherknee，indulginginsuchreflectionsasthese，wasoneofthehappiestwomenintheworld。Ifanythingcouldincreaseherdelight，itwasperceivingthatthebabywouldsoonhaveoutgrownitsfirstsetofcaps。

Thenewswasuniversallyasurprizewhereveritspread；

andMr。Westonhadhisfiveminutesshareofit；butfiveminuteswereenoughtofamiliarisetheideatohisquicknessofmind——

Hesawtheadvantagesofthematch，andrejoicedinthemwithalltheconstancyofhiswife；butthewonderofitwasverysoonnothing；

andbytheendofanhourhewasnotfarfrombelievingthathehadalwaysforeseenit。

“Itistobeasecret，Iconclude。”saidhe。“Thesemattersarealwaysasecret，tillitisfoundoutthateverybodyknowsthem。

OnlyletmebetoldwhenImayspeakout——IwonderwhetherJanehasanysuspicion。”

HewenttoHighburythenextmorning，andsatisfiedhimselfonthatpoint。Hetoldherthenews。Wasnotshelikeadaughter，hiseldestdaughter？——hemusttellher；andMissBatesbeingpresent，itpassed，ofcourse，toMrs。Cole，Mrs。Perry，andMrs。Elton，immediatelyafterwards。Itwasnomorethantheprincipalswerepreparedfor；theyhadcalculatedfromthetimeofitsbeingknownatRandalls，howsoonitwouldbeoverHighbury；andwerethinkingofthemselves，astheeveningwonderinmanyafamilycircle，withgreatsagacity。

Ingeneral，itwasaverywellapprovedmatch。Somemightthinkhim，andothersmightthinkher，themostinluck。OnesetmightrecommendtheirallremovingtoDonwell，andleavingHartfieldfortheJohnKnightleys；andanothermightpredictdisagreementsamongtheirservants；butyet，uponthewhole，therewasnoseriousobjectionraised，exceptinonehabitation，theVicarage——There，thesurprizewasnotsoftenedbyanysatisfaction。Mr。Eltoncaredlittleaboutit，comparedwithhiswife；heonlyhoped“theyounglady’spridewouldnowbecontented；“andsupposed“shehadalwaysmeanttocatchKnightleyifshecould；“and，onthepointoflivingatHartfield，coulddaringlyexclaim，“RatherhethanI！“——

ButMrs。Eltonwasverymuchdiscomposedindeed——“PoorKnightley！

poorfellow！——sadbusinessforhim——Shewasextremelyconcerned；

for，thoughveryeccentric，hehadathousandgoodqualities——

Howcouldhebesotakenin？——Didnotthinkhimatallinlove——

notintheleast——PoorKnightley！——Therewouldbeanendofallpleasantintercoursewithhim——Howhappyhehadbeentocomeanddinewiththemwhenevertheyaskedhim！Butthatwouldbeallovernow——

Poorfellow！——NomoreexploringpartiestoDonwellmadeforher。

Oh！no；therewouldbeaMrs。Knightleytothrowcoldwateroneverything——Extremelydisagreeable！Butshewasnotatallsorrythatshehadabusedthehousekeepertheotherday——Shockingplan，livingtogether。Itwouldneverdo。SheknewafamilynearMapleGrovewhohadtriedit，andbeenobligedtoseparatebeforetheendofthefirstquarter。

Chapter18CHAPTERXVIII

Timepassedon。Afewmoreto-morrows，andthepartyfromLondonwouldbearriving。Itwasanalarmingchange；andEmmawasthinkingofitonemorning，aswhatmustbringagreatdealtoagitateandgrieveher，whenMr。Knightleycamein，anddistressingthoughtswereputby。Afterthefirstchatofpleasurehewassilent；

andthen，inagravertone，beganwith，“Ihavesomethingtotellyou，Emma；somenews。”

“Goodorbad？“saidshe，quickly，lookingupinhisface。

“Idonotknowwhichitoughttobecalled。”

“Oh！goodIamsure——Iseeitinyourcountenance。Youaretryingnottosmile。”

“Iamafraid。”saidhe，composinghisfeatures，“Iamverymuchafraid，mydearEmma，thatyouwillnotsmilewhenyouhearit。”

“Indeed！butwhyso？——Icanhardlyimaginethatanythingwhichpleasesoramusesyou，shouldnotpleaseandamusemetoo。”

“Thereisonesubject。”hereplied，“Ihopebutone，onwhichwedonotthinkalike。”Hepausedamoment，againsmiling，withhiseyesfixedonherface。“Doesnothingoccurtoyou？——

Donotyourecollect？——HarrietSmith。”

Hercheeksflushedatthename，andshefeltafraidofsomething，thoughsheknewnotwhat。

“Haveyouheardfromheryourselfthismorning？“criedhe。

“Youhave，Ibelieve，andknowthewhole。”

“No，Ihavenot；Iknownothing；praytellme。”

“Youarepreparedfortheworst，Isee——andverybaditis。

HarrietSmithmarriesRobertMartin。”

Emmagaveastart，whichdidnotseemlikebeingprepared——

andhereyes，ineagergaze，said，“No，thisisimpossible！“

butherlipswereclosed。

“Itisso，indeed。”continuedMr。Knightley；“IhaveitfromRobertMartinhimself。Heleftmenothalfanhourago。”

Shewasstilllookingathimwiththemostspeakingamazement。

“Youlikeit，myEmma，aslittleasIfeared——Iwishouropinionswerethesame。Butintimetheywill。Time，youmaybesure，willmakeoneortheotherofusthinkdifferently；and，inthemeanwhile，weneednottalkmuchonthesubject。”

“Youmistakeme，youquitemistakeme。”shereplied，exertingherself。

“Itisnotthatsuchacircumstancewouldnowmakemeunhappy，butIcannotbelieveit。Itseemsanimpossibility！——Youcannotmeantosay，thatHarrietSmithhasacceptedRobertMartin。Youcannotmeanthathehasevenproposedtoheragain——yet。Youonlymean，thatheintendsit。”

“Imeanthathehasdoneit。”answeredMr。Knightley，withsmilingbutdetermineddecision，“andbeenaccepted。”

“GoodGod！“shecried——“Well！“——Thenhavingrecoursetoherworkbasket，inexcuseforleaningdownherface，andconcealingalltheexquisitefeelingsofdelightandentertainmentwhichsheknewshemustbeexpressing，sheadded，“Well，nowtellmeeverything；

makethisintelligibletome。How，where，when？——Letmeknowitall。

Ineverwasmoresurprized——butitdoesnotmakemeunhappy，Iassureyou——How——howhasitbeenpossible？“

“Itisaverysimplestory。Hewenttotownonbusinessthreedaysago，andIgothimtotakechargeofsomepaperswhichIwaswantingtosendtoJohn——HedeliveredthesepaperstoJohn，athischambers，andwasaskedbyhimtojointheirpartythesameeveningtoAstley’s。

TheyweregoingtotakethetwoeldestboystoAstley’s。Thepartywastobeourbrotherandsister，Henry，John——andMissSmith。

MyfriendRobertcouldnotresist。Theycalledforhimintheirway；

wereallextremelyamused；andmybrotheraskedhimtodinewiththemthenextday——whichhedid——andinthecourseofthatvisit(asIunderstand)hefoundanopportunityofspeakingtoHarriet；

andcertainlydidnotspeakinvain——Shemadehim，byheracceptance，ashappyevenasheisdeserving。Hecamedownbyyesterday’scoach，andwaswithmethismorningimmediatelyafterbreakfast，toreporthisproceedings，firstonmyaffairs，andthenonhisown。

ThisisallthatIcanrelateofthehow，where，andwhen。

YourfriendHarrietwillmakeamuchlongerhistorywhenyouseeher——

Shewillgiveyoualltheminuteparticulars，whichonlywoman’slanguagecanmakeinteresting——Inourcommunicationswedealonlyinthegreat——However，Imustsay，thatRobertMartin’sheartseemedforhim，andtome，veryoverflowing；andthathedidmention，withoutitsbeingmuchtothepurpose，thatonquittingtheirboxatAstley’s，mybrothertookchargeofMrs。JohnKnightleyandlittleJohn，andhefollowedwithMissSmithandHenry；

andthatatonetimetheywereinsuchacrowd，astomakeMissSmithratheruneasy。”

Hestopped——Emmadarednotattemptanyimmediatereply。Tospeak，shewassurewouldbetobetrayamostunreasonabledegreeofhappiness。Shemustwaitamoment，orhewouldthinkhermad。

Hersilencedisturbedhim；andafterobservingheralittlewhile，headded，“Emma，mylove，yousaidthatthiscircumstancewouldnotnowmakeyouunhappy；butIamafraiditgivesyoumorepainthanyouexpected。

Hissituationisanevil——butyoumustconsideritaswhatsatisfiesyourfriend；andIwillanswerforyourthinkingbetterandbetterofhimasyouknowhimmore。Hisgoodsenseandgoodprincipleswoulddelightyou——Asfarasthemanisconcerned，youcouldnotwishyourfriendinbetterhands。HisrankinsocietyIwouldalterifI

could，whichissayingagreatdealIassureyou，Emma——YoulaughatmeaboutWilliamLarkins；butIcouldquiteasillspareRobertMartin。”

Hewantedhertolookupandsmile；andhavingnowbroughtherselfnottosmiletoobroadly——shedid——cheerfullyanswering，“Youneednotbeatanypainstoreconcilemetothematch。I

thinkHarrietisdoingextremelywell。Herconnexionsmaybeworsethanhis。

Inrespectabilityofcharacter，therecanbenodoubtthattheyare。

Ihavebeensilentfromsurprizemerely，excessivesurprize。

Youcannotimaginehowsuddenlyithascomeonme！howpeculiarlyunpreparedIwas！——forIhadreasontobelieveherverylatelymoredeterminedagainsthim，muchmore，thanshewasbefore。”

“Yououghttoknowyourfriendbest。”repliedMr。Knightley；

“butIshouldsayshewasagood-tempered，soft-heartedgirl，notlikelytobevery，verydeterminedagainstanyyoungmanwhotoldherhelovedher。”

Emmacouldnothelplaughingassheanswered，“Uponmyword，IbelieveyouknowherquiteaswellasIdo——But，Mr。Knightley，areyouperfectlysurethatshehasabsolutelyanddownrightacceptedhim。Icouldsupposeshemightintime——butcanshealready？——

Didnotyoumisunderstandhim？——Youwerebothtalkingofotherthings；

ofbusiness，showsofcattle，ornewdrills——andmightnotyou，intheconfusionofsomanysubjects，mistakehim？——ItwasnotHarriet’shandthathewascertainof——itwasthedimensionsofsomefamousox。”

ThecontrastbetweenthecountenanceandairofMr。KnightleyandRobertMartinwas，atthismoment，sostrongtoEmma’sfeelings，andsostrongwastherecollectionofallthathadsorecentlypassedonHarriet’sside，sofreshthesoundofthosewords，spokenwithsuchemphasis，“No，IhopeIknowbetterthantothinkofRobertMartin。”thatshewasreallyexpectingtheintelligencetoprove，insomemeasure，premature。Itcouldnotbeotherwise。

“Doyoudaresaythis？“criedMr。Knightley。“Doyoudaretosupposemesogreatablockhead，asnottoknowwhatamanistalkingof？——

Whatdoyoudeserve？“

“Oh！Ialwaysdeservethebesttreatment，becauseIneverputupwithanyother；and，therefore，youmustgivemeaplain，directanswer。AreyouquitesurethatyouunderstandthetermsonwhichMr。MartinandHarrietnoware？“

“Iamquitesure。”hereplied，speakingverydistinctly，“thathetoldmeshehadacceptedhim；andthattherewasnoobscurity，nothingdoubtful，inthewordsheused；andIthinkIcangiveyouaproofthatitmustbeso。Heaskedmyopinionastowhathewasnowtodo。HeknewofnoonebutMrs。Goddardtowhomhecouldapplyforinformationofherrelationsorfriends。CouldI

mentionanythingmorefittobedone，thantogotoMrs。Goddard？

IassuredhimthatIcouldnot。Then，hesaid，hewouldendeavourtoseeherinthecourseofthisday。”

“Iamperfectlysatisfied。”repliedEmma，withthebrightestsmiles，“andmostsincerelywishthemhappy。”

“Youaremateriallychangedsincewetalkedonthissubjectbefore。”

“Ihopeso——foratthattimeIwasafool。”

“AndIamchangedalso；forIamnowverywillingtograntyouallHarriet’sgoodqualities。Ihavetakensomepainsforyoursake，andforRobertMartin’ssake，(whomIhavealwayshadreasontobelieveasmuchinlovewithherasever，)togetacquaintedwithher。

Ihaveoftentalkedtoheragooddeal。YoumusthaveseenthatIdid。Sometimes，indeed，IhavethoughtyouwerehalfsuspectingmeofpleadingpoorMartin’scause，whichwasneverthecase；but，fromallmyobservations，Iamconvincedofherbeinganartless，amiablegirl，withverygoodnotions，veryseriouslygoodprinciples，andplacingherhappinessintheaffectionsandutilityofdomesticlife——

Muchofthis，Ihavenodoubt，shemaythankyoufor。”

“Me！“criedEmma，shakingherhead——“Ah！poorHarriet！“

Shecheckedherself，however，andsubmittedquietlytoalittlemorepraisethanshedeserved。

Theirconversationwassoonafterwardsclosedbytheentranceofherfather。Shewasnotsorry。Shewantedtobealone。

Hermindwasinastateofflutterandwonder，whichmadeitimpossibleforhertobecollected。Shewasindancing，singing，exclaimingspirits；

andtillshehadmovedabout，andtalkedtoherself，andlaughedandreflected，shecouldbefitfornothingrational。

Herfather’sbusinesswastoannounceJames’sbeinggoneouttoputthehorsesto，preparatorytotheirnowdailydrivetoRandalls；

andshehad，therefore，animmediateexcusefordisappearing。

Thejoy，thegratitude，theexquisitedelightofhersensationsmaybeimagined。ThesolegrievanceandalloythusremovedintheprospectofHarriet’swelfare，shewasreallyindangerofbecomingtoohappyforsecurity——Whathadshetowishfor？Nothing，buttogrowmoreworthyofhim，whoseintentionsandjudgmenthadbeeneversosuperiortoherown。Nothing，butthatthelessonsofherpastfollymightteachherhumilityandcircumspectioninfuture。

Seriousshewas，veryseriousinherthankfulness，andinherresolutions；

andyettherewasnopreventingalaugh，sometimesintheverymidstofthem。Shemustlaughatsuchaclose！Suchanendofthedolefuldisappointmentoffiveweeksback！Suchaheart——suchaHarriet！

Nowtherewouldbepleasureinherreturning——Everythingwouldbeapleasure。ItwouldbeagreatpleasuretoknowRobertMartin。

Highintherankofhermostseriousandheartfeltfelicities，wasthereflectionthatallnecessityofconcealmentfromMr。Knightleywouldsoonbeover。Thedisguise，equivocation，mystery，sohatefultohertopractise，mightsoonbeover。

Shecouldnowlookforwardtogivinghimthatfullandperfectconfidencewhichherdispositionwasmostreadytowelcomeasaduty。

Inthegayestandhappiestspiritsshesetforwardwithherfather；

notalwayslistening，butalwaysagreeingtowhathesaid；

and，whetherinspeechorsilence，connivingatthecomfortablepersuasionofhisbeingobligedtogotoRandallseveryday，orpoorMrs。Westonwouldbedisappointed。

Theyarrived——Mrs。Westonwasaloneinthedrawing-room：——

buthardlyhadtheybeentoldofthebaby，andMr。Woodhousereceivedthethanksforcoming，whichheaskedfor，whenaglimpsewascaughtthroughtheblind，oftwofigurespassingnearthewindow。

“ItisFrankandMissFairfax。”saidMrs。Weston。“Iwasjustgoingtotellyouofouragreeablesurprizeinseeinghimarrivethismorning。Hestaystillto-morrow，andMissFairfaxhasbeenpersuadedtospendthedaywithus——Theyarecomingin，Ihope。”

Inhalfaminutetheywereintheroom。Emmawasextremelygladtoseehim——buttherewasadegreeofconfusion——anumberofembarrassingrecollectionsoneachside。Theymetreadilyandsmiling，butwithaconsciousnesswhichatfirstallowedlittletobesaid；

andhavingallsatdownagain，therewasforsometimesuchablankinthecircle，thatEmmabegantodoubtwhetherthewishnowindulged，whichshehadlongfelt，ofseeingFrankChurchilloncemore，andofseeinghimwithJane，wouldyielditsproportionofpleasure。

WhenMr。Westonjoinedtheparty，however，andwhenthebabywasfetched，therewasnolongerawantofsubjectoranimation——

orofcourageandopportunityforFrankChurchilltodrawnearherandsay，“Ihavetothankyou，MissWoodhouse，foraverykindforgivingmessageinoneofMrs。Weston’sletters。Ihopetimehasnotmadeyoulesswillingtopardon。Ihopeyoudonotretractwhatyouthensaid。”

“No，indeed。”criedEmma，mosthappytobegin，“notintheleast。

Iamparticularlygladtoseeandshakehandswithyou——andtogiveyoujoyinperson。”

Hethankedherwithallhisheart，andcontinuedsometimetospeakwithseriousfeelingofhisgratitudeandhappiness。

“Isnotshelookingwell？“saidhe，turninghiseyestowardsJane。

“Betterthansheeverusedtodo？——YouseehowmyfatherandMrs。Westondoatuponher。”

Buthisspiritsweresoonrisingagain，andwithlaughingeyes，aftermentioningtheexpectedreturnoftheCampbells，henamedthenameofDixon——Emmablushed，andforbadeitsbeingpronouncedinherhearing。

“Icanneverthinkofit。”shecried，“withoutextremeshame。”

“Theshame。”heanswered，“isallmine，oroughttobe。Butisitpossiblethatyouhadnosuspicion？——Imeanoflate。Early，I

know，youhadnone。”

“Ineverhadthesmallest，Iassureyou。”

“Thatappearsquitewonderful。Iwasonceverynear——andIwishIhad——

itwouldhavebeenbetter。ButthoughIwasalwaysdoingwrongthings，theywereverybadwrongthings，andsuchasdidmenoservice——

ItwouldhavebeenamuchbettertransgressionhadIbrokenthebondofsecrecyandtoldyoueverything。”

“Itisnotnowwortharegret。”saidEmma。

“Ihavesomehope。”resumedhe，“ofmyuncle’sbeingpersuadedtopayavisitatRandalls；hewantstobeintroducedtoher。

WhentheCampbellsarereturned，weshallmeettheminLondon，andcontinuethere，Itrust，tillwemaycarryhernorthward——Butnow，Iamatsuchadistancefromher——isnotithard，MissWoodhouse？——

Tillthismorning，wehavenotoncemetsincethedayofreconciliation。

Donotyoupityme？“

Emmaspokeherpitysoverykindly，thatwithasuddenaccessionofgaythought，hecried，“Ah！bythebye。”thensinkinghisvoice，andlookingdemureforthemoment——“IhopeMr。Knightleyiswell？“Hepaused——Shecolouredandlaughed——“Iknowyousawmyletter，andthinkyoumayremembermywishinyourfavour。Letmereturnyourcongratulations——

IassureyouthatIhaveheardthenewswiththewarmestinterestandsatisfaction——HeisamanwhomIcannotpresumetopraise。”

Emmawasdelighted，andonlywantedhimtogooninthesamestyle；

buthismindwasthenextmomentinhisownconcernsandwithhisownJane，andhisnextwordswere，“Didyoueverseesuchaskin？——suchsmoothness！suchdelicacy！——

andyetwithoutbeingactuallyfair——Onecannotcallherfair。

Itisamostuncommoncomplexion，withherdarkeye-lashesandhair——

amostdistinguishingcomplexion！Sopeculiarlytheladyinit——

Justcolourenoughforbeauty。”

“Ihavealwaysadmiredhercomplexion。”repliedEmma，archly；“butdonotIrememberthetimewhenyoufoundfaultwithherforbeingsopale？——

Whenwefirstbegantotalkofher——Haveyouquiteforgotten？“

“Oh！no——whatanimpudentdogIwas！——HowcouldIdare——“

Buthelaughedsoheartilyattherecollection，thatEmmacouldnothelpsaying，“Idosuspectthatinthemidstofyourperplexitiesatthattime，youhadverygreatamusementintrickingusall——Iamsureyouhad——

Iamsureitwasaconsolationtoyou。”

“Oh！no，no，no——howcanyoususpectmeofsuchathing？

Iwasthemostmiserablewretch！“

“Notquitesomiserableastobeinsensibletomirth。Iamsureitwasasourceofhighentertainmenttoyou，tofeelthatyouweretakingusallin——PerhapsIamthereadiertosuspect，because，totellyouthetruth，Ithinkitmighthavebeensomeamusementtomyselfinthesamesituation。Ithinkthereisalittlelikenessbetweenus。”

Hebowed。

“Ifnotinourdispositions。”shepresentlyadded，withalookoftruesensibility，“thereisalikenessinourdestiny；thedestinywhichbidsfairtoconnectuswithtwocharacterssomuchsuperiortoourown。”

“True，true。”heanswered，warmly。“No，nottrueonyourside。

Youcanhavenosuperior，butmosttrueonmine——Sheisacompleteangel。

Lookather。Isnotsheanangelineverygesture？Observetheturnofherthroat。Observehereyes，assheislookingupatmyfather——

Youwillbegladtohear(inclininghishead，andwhisperingseriously)

thatmyunclemeanstogiveherallmyaunt’sjewels。Theyaretobenewset。Iamresolvedtohavesomeinanornamentforthehead。

Willnotitbebeautifulinherdarkhair？“

“Verybeautiful，indeed。”repliedEmma；andshespokesokindly，thathegratefullyburstout，“HowdelightedIamtoseeyouagain！andtoseeyouinsuchexcellentlooks！——Iwouldnothavemissedthismeetingfortheworld。

IshouldcertainlyhavecalledatHartfield，hadyoufailedtocome。”

Theothershadbeentalkingofthechild，Mrs。Westongivinganaccountofalittlealarmshehadbeenunder，theeveningbefore，fromtheinfant’sappearingnotquitewell。Shebelievedshehadbeenfoolish，butithadalarmedher，andshehadbeenwithinhalfaminuteofsendingforMr。Perry。Perhapssheoughttobeashamed，butMr。Westonhadbeenalmostasuneasyasherself——Intenminutes，however，thechildhadbeenperfectlywellagain。Thiswasherhistory；andparticularlyinterestingitwastoMr。Woodhouse，whocommendedherverymuchforthinkingofsendingforPerry，andonlyregrettedthatshehadnotdoneit。“SheshouldalwayssendforPerry，ifthechildappearedintheslightestdegreedisordered，wereitonlyforamoment。Shecouldnotbetoosoonalarmed，norsendforPerrytoooften。Itwasapity，perhaps，thathehadnotcomelastnight；for，thoughthechildseemedwellnow，verywellconsidering，itwouldprobablyhavebeenbetterifPerryhadseenit。”

FrankChurchillcaughtthename。

“Perry！“saidhetoEmma，andtrying，ashespoke，tocatchMissFairfax’seye。“MyfriendMr。Perry！WhataretheysayingaboutMr。Perry？——Hashebeenherethismorning？——Andhowdoeshetravelnow？——Hashesetuphiscarriage？“

Emmasoonrecollected，andunderstoodhim；andwhileshejoinedinthelaugh，itwasevidentfromJane’scountenancethatshetoowasreallyhearinghim，thoughtryingtoseemdeaf。

“Suchanextraordinarydreamofmine！“hecried。“Icanneverthinkofitwithoutlaughing——Shehearsus，shehearsus，MissWoodhouse。

Iseeitinhercheek，hersmile，hervainattempttofrown。

Lookather。Donotyouseethat，atthisinstant，theverypassageofherownletter，whichsentmethereport，ispassingunderhereye——

thatthewholeblunderisspreadbeforeher——thatshecanattendtonothingelse，thoughpretendingtolistentotheothers？“

Janewasforcedtosmilecompletely，foramoment；andthesmilepartlyremainedassheturnedtowardshim，andsaidinaconscious，low，yetsteadyvoice，“Howyoucanbearsuchrecollections，isastonishingtome！——

Theywillsometimesobtrude——buthowyoucancourtthem！“

Hehadagreatdealtosayinreturn，andveryentertainingly；

butEmma’sfeelingswerechieflywithJane，intheargument；andonleavingRandalls，andfallingnaturallyintoacomparisonofthetwomen，shefelt，thatpleasedasshehadbeentoseeFrankChurchill，andreallyregardinghimasshedidwithfriendship，shehadneverbeenmoresensibleofMr。Knightley’shighsuperiorityofcharacter。

Thehappinessofthismosthappyday，receiveditscompletion，intheanimatedcontemplationofhisworthwhichthiscomparisonproduced。

Chapter19CHAPTERXIX

IfEmmahadstill，atintervals，ananxiousfeelingforHarriet，amomentarydoubtofitsbeingpossibleforhertobereallycuredofherattachmenttoMr。Knightley，andreallyabletoacceptanothermanfromunbiasedinclination，itwasnotlongthatshehadtosufferfromtherecurrenceofanysuchuncertainty。

AveryfewdaysbroughtthepartyfromLondon，andshehadnosooneranopportunityofbeingonehouralonewithHarriet，thanshebecameperfectlysatisfied——unaccountableasitwas！——

thatRobertMartinhadthoroughlysupplantedMr。Knightley，andwasnowformingallherviewsofhappiness。

Harrietwasalittledistressed——didlookalittlefoolishatfirst：

buthavingonceownedthatshehadbeenpresumptuousandsilly，andself-deceived，before，herpainandconfusionseemedtodieawaywiththewords，andleaveherwithoutacareforthepast，andwiththefullestexultationinthepresentandfuture；for，astoherfriend’sapprobation，Emmahadinstantlyremovedeveryfearofthatnature，bymeetingherwiththemostunqualifiedcongratulations——

HarrietwasmosthappytogiveeveryparticularoftheeveningatAstley’s，andthedinnerthenextday；shecoulddwellonitallwiththeutmostdelight。Butwhatdidsuchparticularsexplain？——

Thefactwas，asEmmacouldnowacknowledge，thatHarriethadalwayslikedRobertMartin；andthathiscontinuingtoloveherhadbeenirresistible——Beyondthis，itmusteverbeunintelligibletoEmma。

Theevent，however，wasmostjoyful；andeverydaywasgivingherfreshreasonforthinkingso——Harriet’sparentagebecameknown。

Sheprovedtobethedaughterofatradesman，richenoughtoaffordherthecomfortablemaintenancewhichhadeverbeenhers，anddecentenoughtohavealwayswishedforconcealment——SuchwasthebloodofgentilitywhichEmmahadformerlybeensoreadytovouchfor！——

Itwaslikelytobeasuntainted，perhaps，asthebloodofmanyagentleman：butwhataconnexionhadshebeenpreparingforMr。Knightley——orfortheChurchills——orevenforMr。Elton！——

Thestainofillegitimacy，unbleachedbynobilityorwealth，wouldhavebeenastainindeed。

Noobjectionwasraisedonthefather’sside；theyoungmanwastreatedliberally；itwasallasitshouldbe：andasEmmabecameacquaintedwithRobertMartin，whowasnowintroducedatHartfield，shefullyacknowledgedinhimalltheappearanceofsenseandworthwhichcouldbidfairestforherlittlefriend。ShehadnodoubtofHarriet’shappinesswithanygood-temperedman；butwithhim，andinthehomeheoffered，therewouldbethehopeofmore，ofsecurity，stability，andimprovement。Shewouldbeplacedinthemidstofthosewholovedher，andwhohadbettersensethanherself；

retiredenoughforsafety，andoccupiedenoughforcheerfulness。

Shewouldbeneverledintotemptation，norleftforittofindherout。

Shewouldberespectableandhappy；andEmmaadmittedhertobetheluckiestcreatureintheworld，tohavecreatedsosteadyandperseveringanaffectioninsuchaman；——or，ifnotquitetheluckiest，toyieldonlytoherself。

Harriet，necessarilydrawnawaybyherengagementswiththeMartins，waslessandlessatHartfield；whichwasnottoberegretted——

TheintimacybetweenherandEmmamustsink；theirfriendshipmustchangeintoacalmersortofgoodwill；and，fortunately，whatoughttobe，andmustbe，seemedalreadybeginning，andinthemostgradual，naturalmanner。

BeforetheendofSeptember，EmmaattendedHarriettochurch，andsawherhandbestowedonRobertMartinwithsocompleteasatisfaction，asnoremembrances，evenconnectedwithMr。Eltonashestoodbeforethem，couldimpair——Perhaps，indeed，atthattimeshescarcelysawMr。Elton，butastheclergymanwhoseblessingatthealtarmightnextfallonherself——RobertMartinandHarrietSmith，thelatestcoupleengagedofthethree，werethefirsttobemarried。

JaneFairfaxhadalreadyquittedHighbury，andwasrestoredtothecomfortsofherbelovedhomewiththeCampbells——TheMr。Churchillswerealsointown；andtheywereonlywaitingforNovember。

Theintermediatemonthwastheonefixedon，asfarastheydared，byEmmaandMr。Knightley——TheyhaddeterminedthattheirmarriageoughttobeconcludedwhileJohnandIsabellawerestillatHartfield，toallowthemthefortnight’sabsenceinatourtotheseaside，whichwastheplan——JohnandIsabella，andeveryotherfriend，wereagreedinapprovingit。ButMr。Woodhouse——howwasMr。Woodhousetobeinducedtoconsent？——he，whohadneveryetalludedtotheirmarriagebutasadistantevent。

Whenfirstsoundedonthesubject，hewassomiserable，thattheywerealmosthopeless——Asecondallusion，indeed，gavelesspain——

Hebegantothinkitwastobe，andthathecouldnotpreventit——

averypromisingstepofthemindonitswaytoresignation。

Still，however，hewasnothappy。Nay，heappearedsomuchotherwise，thathisdaughter’scouragefailed。Shecouldnotbeartoseehimsuffering，toknowhimfancyinghimselfneglected；andthoughherunderstandingalmostacquiescedintheassuranceofboththeMr。Knightleys，thatwhenoncetheeventwereover，hisdistresswouldbesoonovertoo，shehesitated——shecouldnotproceed。

Inthisstateofsuspensetheywerebefriended，notbyanysuddenilluminationofMr。Woodhouse’smind，oranywonderfulchangeofhisnervoussystem，butbytheoperationofthesamesysteminanotherway——

Mrs。Weston’spoultry-housewasrobbedonenightofallherturkeys——

evidentlybytheingenuityofman。Otherpoultry-yardsintheneighbourhoodalsosuffered——PilferingwashousebreakingtoMr。Woodhouse’sfears——Hewasveryuneasy；andbutforthesenseofhisson-in-law’sprotection，wouldhavebeenunderwretchedalarmeverynightofhislife。Thestrength，resolution，andpresenceofmindoftheMr。Knightleys，commandedhisfullestdependence。

Whileeitherofthemprotectedhimandhis，Hartfieldwassafe——

ButMr。JohnKnightleymustbeinLondonagainbytheendofthefirstweekinNovember。

Theresultofthisdistresswas，that，withamuchmorevoluntary，cheerfulconsentthanhisdaughterhadeverpresumedtohopeforatthemoment，shewasabletofixherwedding-day——andMr。Eltonwascalledon，withinamonthfromthemarriageofMr。andMrs。RobertMartin，tojointhehandsofMr。KnightleyandMissWoodhouse。

Theweddingwasverymuchlikeotherweddings，wherethepartieshavenotasteforfineryorparade；andMrs。Elton，fromtheparticularsdetailedbyherhusband，thoughtitallextremelyshabby，andveryinferiortoherown——“Verylittlewhitesatin，veryfewlaceveils；amostpitifulbusiness！——Selinawouldstarewhensheheardofit。”——But，inspiteofthesedeficiencies，thewishes，thehopes，theconfidence，thepredictionsofthesmallbandoftruefriendswhowitnessedtheceremony，werefullyansweredintheperfecthappinessoftheunion。

FINIS